Love Hina
Keitaro's Past

By: Belldandy'sKeiichi

Note: [any text in here is a thought text]

Author's Time: Whew...finally completed my barrier...Well, I'm going to try to make this one a tear jerker...so bust out the tissues. I'm so going to get flamed...Why you ask? O, you'll see...
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Keitaro just woke up and was heading towards the bathroom. "Man, what a night...slept the log...I think I drank too much also..." Keitaro turned the corner and opened the bathroom door. Unfortunately, Naru was using it right now. "KEITARO! WHAT THE HELL!" "Ack! Naru! I'm so sorry!" Keitaro said, covering his eyes. Naru got up and punched him through the wall. "Take that you pervert!" By now, everyone is awake. Mikoto stretched and scratched her head. "Looks like Keitaro got in trouble with Naru again..."

Chapter 4: The Sudden Good-Bye

"Keitaro..." "Yes Mikoto..." "Do you like it when Naru punches you out? It seems like it happens everyday..." Mikoto told him. Everyone was at breakfast, eating. "Trust me Mikoto, It's not on purpose..." Naru spoke up. Mikoto got up from the table. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go out for a walk." She left and everyone else watched. "I wonder where she's going..." Shinobu said to them. Naru also got up. "I'm going to my room, thanks for breakfast..." Naru left the room also. "I wonder what's bothering Naru..." Keitaro said. "This is bad...I haven't seen her this low before..." said Kitsune. "She wasn't even at the party we threw for Mikoto..." "You don't think Mikoto is the source of Naru's depression do you?" Motoko asked them. "No way, I don't think the reason she's down is because of her..." Keitaro told them. "Why don't you go talk to her then Keitaro." Motoko ordered him. "Hmm...Maybe your right...I'll go talk to her." Keitaro got up and walk towards Naru's room.

"Hey Naru, can I come in?" Keitaro said, knocking at her door. "Um...yeah, just give me a sec to..." Keitaro opened the door to catch her half naked. "Dammit Keitaro! I said wait!" she screamed punching him down the hall.

"So what do you want Keitaro?" Naru asked him. Keitaro scratched his head. "Well...everyone has notice that you haven't been like yourself lately." "What are you talking about? I've been myself. I mean, I've been punching you on a daily bases..." "Er...that's not what I meant. We all think you're depressed about something..." Naru just stared at him. "That's a good one!" she laughed. "You don't really think I'm in a situation were I could just snap and kill myself right now, right?" Keitaro just stared at the floor. "You idiot! I'm not going to kill myself alright! I'm not depress!" "Ok! Ok! You're not depress. But still, if you have any problems...I'm always here for you..." Naru eye started to twitch. "Get out of here before I decide to kill something right now!" she screamed at him, chasing him out of her room. "Hey Naru..." Kitsune called. Naru turned around to see Kitsune with bath items. "The hot spring is ready." "That's good, taking a bath right now would be nice..." Naru said.

"Ms. Ayukas! Nice to see you again!" Mutsumi called to her as she walks inside the Hinata Tea House. "You're Mutsumi right? And please call me Mikoto." "Ok Mikoto. So how are you? Did you sleep well?" Mikoto stared at her. "That's my line! You're the one that drank 12 bottles of sake last night!" They both laughed together. "It's nice to see you again; I'll get you some tea." Mutsumi said to her as she made her way to the kitchen. A few moments later, Mutsumi came back with tea for the both of them. "So tell me Mikoto, how do you come into play with Keitaro?" Mutsumi asked. "Let's just say high school friends...so, you've known Keitaro for awhile. Does he have a girlfriend?" Mikoto said her. "Well...hehe...um..." "Come on! Tell me! Don't hide behind a giggle!" "Ok ok! I've known Keitaro for 2 years now...and so far, he has a major crush on...well..." Mikoto got up from her seat. "Well...!" "Ms. Narusegawa..." she said in a low voice. "Ha! I knew it! I knew he and Naru were something..." Mikoto said, standing straight up. "No! Mikoto! It's not like that at all! Narusegawa doesn't know about it!" Mikoto sat back down. "What?! You mean Keitaro has been keeping it a secret for 2 years and on?" Mutsumi nodded her head. "Hey! What about you Mikoto! You've known Keitaro since high school! Didn't you have a crush on him too?" Mutsumi wanted to know. "Well...to tell you the truth...I haven't thought about it ever since we graduated. But, to be perfectly honest...yes..." "Kyahh! Does this mean that you still like him up to now!" "No Mutsumi! I've moved on...now I just see him as one of my best friends...." Mutsumi finished off her cup of tea. "I see, so you're not going to join the rivalry of Keitaro then..." "Huh? What did you say?!" Mikoto jumped out of her seat. "Are you telling me that a lot of people have a crush on Keitaro!" "Um...well...yes..." "Like who?" Mutsumi hesitated for a minute. "Well...for starters, me..." She just stared at Mutsumi. "You're after Keitaro?" "And also Shinobu...I think Motoko has s place for him in her heart, Kitsune...I think...and of course...Naru." Mikoto finished off her tea and got up. "Wow, I didn't know Keitaro was such a stud...anywho, thanks for the tea, I think I'll be heading back now..." "Mikoto! Don't tell Keitaro about this conversation alright!" Mutsumi called to her. "Don't worry! I don't say a word!"

"Ahh...nothing like a bath in the late summer huh Naru..." Kitsune said, relaxing in the hot spring. "Yeah...nothing like it..." "So tell me Naru, are you feeling alright?" Kitsune said to her. "O no! Don't tell me you think I'm depress! I'm not depressed god dammit!" "Alright! You don't have to yell, just relax will ya. But there is one thing I want to take about..." Naru turned to her. "What's up? What do you want to talk about?" "It's about Keitaro..." "He's an idiot, a pervet, and very hopeless and very careless... case closed."

Back in the House...

"Ack!" Keitaro screamed and dropped on the floor, grabbing his heart. "Sempai! You ok?" Shinobu rushed to his aid. "Yeah, it just feels like my heart took 4 bullets..."

Back at the hot spring...

"Come on Naru, you know that's not true...although it really is..." Kitsune told her. "Kitsune, was this your plan? Bring me to the hot spring and talk about that dork..." "Well, it was the plan..." Naru got up and made her way to the exit. "Later Kitsune!" "Naru! Wait!" she called at her, grabbing her and pulling her down. "Kitsune! What is that for!" "Come on Naru, we've never took time to talk to each other like we use to do back then..." Naru looked down at the water. "Well, that was then and this is now..." Kitsune just stared at her. "Well, now I'm asking you about Keitaro. Have you developed any feelings for him?" "Yeah right! Like I would have feelings for that dork!" Kitsune shook her head. "Is that what you want to believe? Is your heart saying that? Or is it you?" "Kitsune! What's with the change in personality all about?!" Naru wanted to know. "Ok, ok, just answer this one question...and answer it truthfully..." "Ok, what is the question Kitsune." "Do you remember what happened 3 years ago?" Naru thought about it for awhile. "Um...something happened..." "Naru, really think about this question." As hard as Naru thought, nothing came to her. "Sorry Kitsune, I just can't remember, and if it was important, then I'm really sorry!" Kitsune shook her head. "Of course you don't remember what happened 3 years ago or beyond and you know why?" Naru looked up at her. "Why?" "Because, about 2 years ago, Keitaro moved in..." Kitsune told her and Naru slowly looked down at the water. "...and the reason I can give you on why you can't remember what happened before he came is because you have so many memories with Keitaro that you've let go of your past and concentrated on the future..." There was no response. Kitsune got up and headed for the door. "I know your not going to tell me anything about your love life, but...just think about what I said..." Naru was left alone in the bath. [Kitsune is right...I can't remember anything that happened before I met Keitaro...Is it because I have a lot of memories of Keitaro? Or is it because I really...do love him?] Naru just sat in the hot spring and thought for awhile.

"Keitaro? Keitaro, are you here?" Mikoto knocked at his door. "O, come on in Mikoto." She walked and sat across from Keitaro. "Hey Keitaro, whatcha doing?" He looked up at her. "Nothing much, just paying off the bills...So what have you been up to today?" "O nothing much...I just was thinking..." Keitaro dropped everything he had. "What's on your mind?" "Well...I just what to know...do you love Naru?" Keitaro was dumb struck by that question and a blush suddenly appeared. "Heh...I knew it..." "What!" Keitaro said in amazement. "What do you mean you knew it?!" "It's sooo obvious! It's writtin all over your face!" Keitaro sighed. "Ok, yes...I confess, I love Naru..." "Then why don't you tell her! I think she has a right to know!" Keitaro stared at her. "Easier said than done..." "What are you ashamed of? Being put down? Thinking that Naru doesn't love you back?" "Excatly...I can't just walk up to her and say I love you in front of her face...if I get rejected...I don't know what I'll do..." Mikoto got up and wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "You have to build confidence...If you don't, you might regret it later on in life." Keitaro looked at her. "Well, what's the rush, I'm just waiting for that perfect time. You know, like in the movies where they confess their love and then there was a haply ever after at the end. I'm waiting for one of those moments..." Mikoto patted his shoulder. "Boy, you haven't changed a bit. You're still a dreamer..." "Heh, but still, it's easier if she only knew how easy it would be if I can show her how I feel." Mitoko stood up. "Yeah, but you can't, so you have to use words..."

Meanwhile... (This is it...)

"Hey Motoko...where is Keitaro?" Naru asked. "He is in his room with Mikoto." Naru shivered. "O, ok...Maybe I should get them some tea..."

Back in Keitaro's room

"You know...now that I think about it...I really don't think I can tell Naru right now..." Keitaro told Mikoto. "Come on, you won't find out how Naru feels about you if you don't tell her." Kietaro smiled at her and said, "I know Mikoto...I know your trying to by a good friend by helping me but...I just can't walk up to her and say..." At this moment, Naru was carrying a tray of tea and was at the door of Keitaro's room. "I LOVE YOU!"

(Right here you should play some dramatic, chase scene music)

Just then, there was a loud crash of metal and shattering of glass. Keitaro and Mikoto looked at each other. "What was that?" Mikoto asked. "I dunno..." Keitaro respond. They both slid open the door and looked down the hall. And there, Naru stood, surrounded by broken glass and a metal tray at her feet. "Naru!" they both said. The hallway was dark and they couldn't see her face clearly. Slowly Naru started to walk backwards. "Naru, are you ok?" Keitaro called to her as he walked towards her. As he walked to her, she started to back up. Then, all of a sudden, Naru turned and ran. "Naru! Naru! Where are you going?!" Keitaro called, running after her. Naru ran past Shinobu. "Huh? Naru?" Then, Keitaro past her. "Sempai?! Where is everyone running to?" Mikoto ran to Shinobu. "Shinobu, where did Keitaro and Naru go?" She pointed down the hall. "Why were they running?" "No time to explain..." Mikoto told her, "Just tell everyone that this is an emergency. Go!" Shinobu ran to get the others while Mikoto ran after Keitaro and Naru.

"Naru! Where are you going?" Keitaro called to her but still no response. "Is this about Mikoto?" Then, Naru grabbed her purse and a box-shaped object and heading towards the door. "Naru! Stop! Wait up! Where on earth are you going?!" "Just leave me alone ok Keitaro!" Keitaro just kept on following her. "Naru! Talk to me, tell me where you're going." Naru stopped, dropped the object and swung with her purse, hitting Keitaro directly on the head. "STOP FOLLOWING ME! If you really want to know, I'm trying to get as far away from this place as humanly as possible and most of all, from YOU!" Keitaro was stuck by this. Naru grabbed her things and started running. [She's running away from me...she never wants to see me again...but why?] Keitaro got up and ran after her. "Dammit Keitaro! I said stop following me!" she screamed back at him. "I need to know why your mad!" Naru again stopped, picked up a bench and crushed Keitaro with it. "KEITARO! I HEARD YOU! YOU SAID YOU LOVE MIKOTO! DON'T YOU GET IT! YOU DON'T NEED ME ANYMORE!" Naru screamed at him will full force. "GO HAVE A HAPPY LIFE WITH HER!" she said finally has she left Keitaro. He slowly got up. [She over heard our conversation and got the wrong impression...O no! She got a good head start!] Keitaro looked around and saw a kid with a bike. He ran over to the kid and threw him some money. "Here kid, take it, I need to borrow your bike for awhile, I'll be right back with it!" With that said, he rode off.

Back at the Hinata House...

"You guys! Naru's stuff is gone from her room! All her clothes, personal belongings, they're all gone!" Sarah said. "All of it? Motoko asked. "And in her phone book, there was a name circled." Su added, waving the phone book around. Kitsune quickly grabbed it and looked at it. "O no! We need to stop Naru! It's only a matter of time now!" Everyone ran out of the House, trying to figure out where Naru went.

Now, back to the chase...

Keitaro raced threw the crowed, trying to find out where Naru went. "Damn she's fast, if I don't find her....who knows what will happen..." As Keitaro was peddling, He saw Naru just entering a place. "Naru!" He shouted. Naru looked up and saw Keitaro coming at her at full speed. So she picked up a stick and threw it in his way, making him crash. Naru rushed into the building, which happens to be a subway. Slowly, Keitaro got up, not paying any attention to the cuts and the bleeding. "Naru, wait..." he called, limping into the subway. [Don't do this to me Naru. I don't want it to end like this...I need to tell you how I feel if you really want to leave...] Keitaro looked around and saw a path of dots that seems to be a trail. Keitaro quickly followed the path, leading him to Naru, who was walking towards a train. "Naru wait!" he called out to her. She paid no attention to him and walked inside. But suddenly, she was grabbed and pulled away from the train. Keitaro turned her around to see her face but it was looking down to the ground. "Naru, please...don't go. I can't imagine a world without seeing your face in the morning...Naru, you don't know how much you mean to me. Everyday I wake up knowing that I'm going to see you again, somehow, someway...please don't leave..." Tears started to come from Keitaro's eyes. "Naru...I want to tell you that...I love you..." Keitaro released Naru, continuing to stare at her waiting for a response. Then, slowly, Naru looked up at Keitaro. And there, on Naru's face, was a solid steam of tears coming from her eyes and falling onto the floor. Keitaro and Naru stared at each other. Naru then, looked back at the floor and took a step back. The door closed in front of Naru. And the train started to move. Keitaro started to run, trying to keep up with it, but it was no use...it was gone. Keitaro fell on his knees and started pounding on the ground. "God dammit! If I were only faster! If I just told her in the beginning, I could have made a difference in the world! If...If..." He screamed at himself, teardrops falling from his eyes one by one. Then, Kitsune ran over to Keitaro. "Did she leave...Keitaro?" He slowly nodded his head. "Dammit, come on Keitaro, we know where she's heading to, if we act fast enough, we can catch her before she's really gone!

End of Chapter 4
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OMG! What's going to happen if they don't catch up to Naru? What will happen if Naru leaves them forever? Will they get there in time or will it be too late?!

Ok, for all you Naru+Keitaro fans...sooooo sorry! I'll make up for it I swear! ...or will I?