"End of the Treasured Ones" A Love Hina fanfiction by Ben Woo

Disclaimer: See Ch. 1

Author's Notes: If you haven't been keeping track of the timeline, then don't worry, I have done it for you! So far, only one FULL day has passed. When I said that they had three or four days I wasn't including the night Ben came. The story thus far is still on the second day. It is a little bit after lunch. On with the story!

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The quartet went to the kanrinin's room. They assembled at the kotatsu to keep warm, and began the conversation that would inevitably follow.

"Okay, Ben, your presence was optional, so you can ignore what I am about to say if you want. In fact, this has nothing to do with you, I think. Well, on we go. Shinobu, gomenasai. I'm eternally sorry for all the times I've done 'perverted things' such as tripping and falling on top of you or something like that. I'm going to apologize so that I can feel relieved at this prospect when I go to fight. I'm not demanding your forgiveness, but please, tell me soon about your decision, for time is of the essence. I only have one more day, two if I'm lucky. Please don't feel obligated to just say you forgive me because I'm going to fight. I won't despise you if you say no, but I hope for your forgiveness, for you have helped me much along the way. That is all really," said Keitaro after drawing in a long breath.

"S-s-sempai, of course I forgive you. I admit, I used to have this large crush on you. It wasn't too secret, but you didn't notice anyway--"

"Nani!" shouted Keitaro.

"Please, let me finish. I used to want to do everything to impress you, but I clearly saw you only had eyes for Naru-sempai, so I've given up on you. I can forgive you for those acts because I know they were accidents, so don't worry about having no response. I think I've moved on now. Arigato, sempai, for bringing this up." thanked a teary-eyed Shinobu. Ben hugged her to comfort her, and managed to prevent Shinobu from bursting into tears.

"Shinobu, I never knew about your feelings, and I regret having hurt you, indirectly or directly by doing what I did. I am thankful for your forgiveness, and wish you luck in your love life. I'm sure that you'll find a man of true mettle to be with." said Keitaro.

"Keitaro, if I could add something," asked Naru.

"Go ahead. Your welcome to. Ben, if you have anything to say then you too," said Keitaro with a gesture as if to say 'talk'.

"Hai, Shinobu, I am sorry too if I hurt you anyway. I knew this baka had feelings for me, but I ignored them on purpose for his study's sake. I'm sorry if this has been trouble because you may have thought that I was just leading him. Once again, gomenasai." apologized Naru. It was clearly hard for Naru to say this, as she had to choke back sobs. Keitaro hugged Naru to comfort her, and she immediately calmed down.

"I don't know if what I'm about to say is appropriate, but we are in depression. I'm glad that you guys have revealed all this to each other. Keitaro, I never knew that within the confines of Hinata Sou, there were so many emotional ties. If I knew this then I would've just gone it alone. I knew you would forget, so that presented me with the option, but I chose to acquire your help. Now I realize that if I let you die, more lives than just our own will suffer. I shouldn't have to risk that. I know it is suicidal to do so, but I'll undertake this task by myself. I'm thankful for your more than generous hospitality, and I hope you live well. This is going to be the last--"

SLAP!!! The slap rang out crisp and clear. The occupants in the room knew that the slap had to hurt, especially Ben. Shinobu sat there, her red palm still in the air. Keitaro and Naru were shocked and had dropped their jaws. Ben's head was cocked to the side, a small red hand print on his left cheek. It was giving a stinging sensation to him, but the actual person who had done it was more shocking than the slap was painful. Ben slowly turned his face to face Shinobu, and touched his cheek.

"Why, Shinobu? Wouldn't you want to have your sempai alive and well rather than have him take the chance of dying? Why? Tell me why, please," asked Ben, though it was obvious from his unfocused eyes he was still in shock.

"Ben, how could you disregard your life so easily? Everyone should relish the fact they live. Life is only lived by someone once. You can only experience events once, so you should hold them in high regard! You however, don't care about your life and are willing to sacrifice it! You know you'll die fighting this 'occurrence' if you don't get sempai's help. Why don't you take his help? You might live, rather than die no matter what fighting alone! You don't have to do it alone, you don't have to-" cried Shinobu in-between sobs. It got to the point she couldn't even continue speaking. She buried her face in Ben's chest, and began pounding on it.

"Shinobu, I do enjoy and love life for all its glory. I don't want to endanger other peoples' right to enjoy that glory however. Ketiaro is a greater man, and deserves to live. Everyone does, even the wicked. I wish to cut the losses, so I'll do it alone. If only I die, the effects are small. I have no clue where or who my parents or family relatives are, I don't have many friends, and I have no significant other. Keitaro however, has a family that loves him, has tenants who love and respect him, and whether he admits it or not, he has someone he loves and loves him back. It should be he who lives. That is why I wish to fight alone," said Ben.

"You're wrong! You're not going to die leaving no one affected!" said an angered Keitaro.

"Keitaro-" said Naru.

"No! Ben, I can't believe you would do this! You know as well as I that both of us have to fight. I know you could just try that last resort, but remember, it's the LAST RESORT, not the first thing to do when you're finished fighting. If I'm there then we may not even have to use it, which would mean that no one would dead. It's better to live than die, Ben. I'm going to go whether you want me to or not. You can try to stop me, but even if you do defeat me, you won't have the strength to beat the being then." said Keitaro. Ben had been keeping a poker face the entire time.

"He's right, Ben. Keitaro wouldn't let you sacrifice yourself just so could live. Could you imagine the guilt he would go through?" asked Naru.

"Ben, don't try to go by yourself, please! Please,p-p-please..I want you to live, so please do me this..." sobbed Shinobu.

"Minna-sama, I believe I will reconsider. I hadn't thought about the things you have told me. I just wanted to do this solely because my leaving Hinata Sou would end the disturbance I have started. Gomenasai for troubling you. If you would, Keitaro and Naru, please leave. I would like to speak to Shinobu personally." requested Ben.

"Of course, let's go, Narusegawa." said Keitaro as he half dragged Naru.

"Ben, don't do anything perverted!" commanded Naru as she left.

Once outside, Keitaro faced Naru, and kissed her full on the lips in the hall, not caring whether anyone saw or not. Naru was shocked at tried to get away at first, but she soon got into it. The passionate kiss lasted for an eternity on the fantasy clock, but actually didn't last as long in the real world. Breaking off, Keitaro put his finger to Naru's lips.

"Narusegawa, please don't hate me for that and what I'm about to say. I know this is incredibly sudden, but the reality of the situation has brought me to say this. I'm in love with you. I had my doubts about you being the promised girl in the beginning, but now I don't care. Even if you aren't the promised girl, I don't care because I love you. I would abandon her for the chance to be with you forever. Aishiteru, Narusegawa," said Keitaro.

"Keitaro....I don't know what to say really. I think I could love you, but this sudden declaration is a little much. I need some time to see my feelings about you. Gomenasai, I know you don't have too much time left but I really need it. I don't want to rush and have us ending up divorcing after we marry like Shinobu's parents. I'm sure I love you though, because every time I look at you I feel hot. Whenever you do something perverted I wish for it to continue, but I know that if I let that happen everything would become more complicated. I also couldn't distract you from your goal to get into Toudai. Don't worry Keitaro, I'm pretty sure that I love you. I just need some time to make sure." said Naru.

"Of course, Narusegawa. I respect your decision, and look forward to the day you reveal your decision. I believe that we should move now, Ben and Shinobu do want their privacy after all."

"Hai, let's go. Oh, you don't have to call me Narusegawa now." said Naru.

"Ok, I'll call you.....honey." smiled Keitaro.

"Not too original, but ok," was his response.

Inside Keitaro's room, Shinobu and Ben sat, Ben hugging Shinobu as she leaned on him in bliss. The moment ended though, when Ben began speaking.

"Shinobu, I will do as you say. I'm going to fight along with Keitaro now, so please don't worry yourself over it. I do want to tell you something however. I think I'm in love with you. I've only been here a short time, and I know that our age differences are huge, but I still believe I love you. I would like to state that in one phrase still. Aithisteru, Shinobu. I ask that you decide if you love me or not. I will not hold it against you if you choose not. Please take your time." said Ben.

"Ben, I am overjoyed you feel that way, for I think I am the same. I also know we are incredibly different in age, but I also don't care. I want you to stay, if for nothing else, then for me. I don't know how I could go on without you as an anchor for my life. Aishiteru, Ben." replied Shinobu, being bold and pulling Ben into a deep kiss.

The kiss, like Naru's and Keitaro's, was passionate and seemed forever, but ended quickly. The two stared into each others' eyes, simply looking and enjoying the others presence.

"Shionbu, may I call you koibito from now on?" inquired Ben after they broke apart for air.

"Hai, of course." said Shinobu.

"I think we need to go prepare dinner. I feel as if I haven't been doing my best to train. Yesterday I just sparred against Motoko, and today was the only time I sparred against Keitaro. I'm not getting any good training!" complained Ben.

"Hey! What about our lesson? Oh yeah, we should prepare dinner now, let's go." said Shinobu.

"Well, teaching you only raises my leadership and experience at teaching, which is good for the future but not for the battle. Okay, let's go." said Ben.

"Matte. Let me change first," said Shinobu, pulling a skirt out of her closet.

"Ok, go ahead," said Ben as he left.

After Shinobu changed and came out, the two walked with to the kitchen hand in hand. Inside, they decided to make a special dish for everyone out of their happiness. Ben decided to make exotic Chinese food, mostly using beef an rice in some way. Shinobu was more modest with the beef and made some fancy Japanese dishes, using fish more instead. When their efforts came to an end, they congratulated each other for helping and called the others. The other tenants and the kanrinin were surprised, to say the least. Up until now they had known Ben could cook and that Shinobu was good, but the meal, no feast, before them was almost beyond imagination. The beef dishes would make even the most strict of vegetarians' mouths water. The group found out Ben made these dishes, as Shinobu made a point of it. Ben point out the exquisite fish dishes as Shinobu's creations. The group began eating with a speed hardly matched by rockets. Unnoticed by them however, was the sight of Ben and Shinobu smiling as they left the room to head for the roof. On the roof Ben laid down, Shinobu laying on top of him with her back on him. He wrapped his arms around her, for warmth or for the sake of holding her neither knew, but didn't care. They sat, watching the stars and thinking about their new relationship. They soon fell asleep there, in each others' arms. After the grand dinner, the tenants and kanrinin cleaned up and went to their rooms. Naru came into Keitaro's room later that night.

"Kei-kun, uh, can I call you that?" asked Naru.

"Of course, honey. Funny how you use that, Mutsumi used to say that," answered Keitaro.

"Yeah, true. Keitaro, I don't want you to see me eager, but I can't help but say this. I think I'm in love with you too. After you left I began thinking, really thinking that is, about our relationship and where you stand. I've realized that a live without you is not worth living, and I want you to know that. I love you, Keitaro Urashima." said Naru.

"I'm glad you feel that way, honey. Now, where to from here?" asked Keitaro, quite clueless.

"I think we should just develop from here. Would you mind if I slept with you in your room tonight?" asked Naru shyly.

"O-of course. I wo-wouldn't mind at all." said a blushing Keitaro. He went to his closet and pulled out a spare futon and set it up.

"Uh, I meant sleep in the same fu-futon. I know it's a little fast, but I just want to see what it-it's like, sleeping with a guy and all." said Naru with some stuttering.

"Oh, uh okay." said Keitaro as he put away the futon, settled into his futon, and made room for Naru.

"Arigato, Kei-kun." said Naru as she slipped in with Keitaro.

It was a tight fit but they still fit in. When they embraced each other however, there was plenty of room. They soon fell asleep, like the other tenants of Hinata Sou. Unnoticed by anyone, Shinobu and Ben were still up on the roof, sleeping in each others' embrace.

Author's Notes: Okay, I'm really pressed for the last and final day, but I'll persevere. I know that most people think this fic will end with the occurrence's end, but that may not be true. I've been thinking about continuing, but I need some feedback on this dilemma: continue past the occurrence in this series or start a new one and call it a sequel? Please R&R. Ja Ne!

Pre-readers: koibito Chris Ta