Love Hina
Ever After
By: Belldandy'sKeiichi
Note: [any text in here is a thought text]
Author's Time: Yes, go ahead and celebrate! It's an update! God, I feel like Saturday morning cartoons...every week is a new show...anywho, enjoy the next chapter! Next update in a week! Sorry for any inconvenience! Enjoy another helping of Ever After, another LONG chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Great...no present for me..." Naru said.
"Now now, there is a special present for her." He said, walking towards Naru so that they were face to face. Slowly, he removed his hat and took off the beard. Naru's heart skipped a beat as Keitaro stood in front of her now.
"Merry Christmas Naru..."
Chapter 13: New Year's Promise
"K-K-Keitaro...?" Naru said slowly, trying to figure out if she's in a dream.
"Yes Naru. I'm here...I didn't...whoa!" Keitaro suddenly said as Naru threw herself onto him.
"Dammit Keitaro! Why are you still here! You're supposed to be in America! You're....you're..." Naru cried, beating Keitaro's chest with her fist. The beatings slowed down to the point where she was just crying on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it Naru...I won't do anything if you don't want me to. Of course, you'll have to be honest with me so I know what you don't want me to do..." He laughed. Naru continued to cry on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Keitaro...I...I just wanted you to be happy and...but..." She said but Keitaro cut her off short.
"I don't have to go to America to be happy. As long as I'm with you and surrounded with my friends, I'm the happiest man on earth..." He said to her. Everyone watched as Keitaro and Naru continued to hold each other.
"Kinda hits you right here huh..." Kitsune said, placing a hand over her heart. Keli crawled to Keitaro and hugged his leg. He picked her up and placed her on his shoulder.
"Come on everybody, this is a Christmas party!" Keitaro called as everyone cheered. Keitaro looked back at Naru, who was still putting herself together. He walked over to her, whipped her tears away and kissed her on the lips.
"I'm here to stay Naru... I'm here to stay..." He said, handing Keli to Naru and walking towards Seta.
"Nice performance back there part-timer, so what did you do about the deal?" Seta asked as Keitaro smiled.
"Let's just say that their offer wasn't good enough to make me leave..." Keitaro said as he walked upstairs. "Can I talk to you in private?" A voice called behind him.
"Sure thing Naru...I was..." He started, turning around to see Mutsumi behind him.
"Silly Kei-kun, I'm not Naru..." Mutsumi smiled.
"Well, either way, I was hoping I could get a word with you also." He said as he continued to walk upstairs.
**
"Whew! Feels so good to get out of that Santa outfit!" Keitaro said, removing the big, thick, Santa jacket and tossing it to the side.
"Is that stuff really warm?" Mutsumi asked as she watch him put on a shirt.
"Yes it is...and it's really heavy....I thought my ankles would give out and collapse on me." He said as he sat down in front of Mutsumi.
"Ok Kei-kun, down to business, why didn't you go?" She asked him.
"Heh, I found Naru's wish on the wishing tree...it seems that she really didn't want me to go to America. And like I said before, I don't want to do anything that Naru doesn't want me to do." He said as Mutsumi leaned closer to Keitaro.
"O come on, now really, why didn't you go?" She wanted to know.
"Fine! If you really want to know, I accedantly missed my flight...I fell asleep in the lobby as I waited for my flight ok?" Keitaro said to her as Mutsumi looked at him with shock.
"Then that means that you would have left if you didn't oversleep?" She asked.
"Of course not Mutsumi! I was just kidding...as in...haha?" He said nervously.
"O, I see. I mean, that would be pretty low if you really wanted to go without saying goodbye to everyone...well, I'm going to get something to drink, you coming down?" Mutsumi asked as Keitaro nodded his head.
"Yeah, just give me a minute to change..." He said as Mutsumi left. Keitaro laughed to himself and got changed.
**
"Naru?"
"Yes sweetie..."
"I know that you love me and all...and that you don't want me to leave by your side ever...but...are the handcuffs really necessary?!" Keitaro asked her, lifting his left hand up which is cuffed to Naru's right hand.
"Of course it is...at lease I know that you're not going anywhere without me for now on..." Naru said to him.
"But what about work! We work at two different locations!!!" Keitaro yelled.
"Calm down Urashima, today's a day to spend quality time with your family and friends. That is after all what Christmas is all about." Motoko said to them as they all sat in the kitchen eating dinner.
"Really? I thought it was for the presents..." Kitsune said.
"Don't tell me that's what Christmas was for you for all these years..." Shinobu said to her.
"Well...it was! But who really care now right? Six more days and we'll have another party." She said to them.
"That's right...New Year's is coming..." Kate said.
"You know, back in America, there was a tale that if you kiss someone you like at the strike of midnight, you'll live happily ever after with that person." ((Where have you heard this phrase from? Tell me where you heard, or read this phrase and I'll mention your name in the next chapter!!!)) Seta said to them.
"It is true?" Su asked.
"I don't know...most of that fairy-tale stuff never comes true...except the tale about Tokyo U....and the blue feather...and..." Seta started but then was stared at everyone. "....what?"
"Well...I think I'm done listening to Seta for one day. I'm going to bed...come on Keitaro. I have to teach you a lesion for making me worry about you..." Naru said, getting up and walking towards the door.
"Naru! Wait! I'm not done eating yet! And I have to go to the restroom! Naru? Naru?!" He yelled but was dragged out of the room.
"It's at these moments that I'm glad that I'm not married..." Kitsune said to them, drinking down her sake.
**
"Breakfast is up!" Shinobu called, making breakfast this time.
"Hey! This looks great Shinobu! A natural born cook." Motoko complemented as Su and Sarah started chowing down. At the far end of the table, Kai and Kate were sitting together eating.
"So Kai, are we almost done with..."
"Almost...we need to somehow finish the last part without attracting too much attention... I mean, it's hard enough without the police noticing..." Kai said to her but Kate covered his mouth.
"Shh, remember that we need to keep it a secret from everyone..." Kate reminded him.
"O yeah, sorry..." Kai said to her. Shinobu looked around.
"Say, where is Sempai and Naru?" She asked. Everyone looked around but they weren't at the table.
"Um....sleeping?" Kai said to her.
"But it's almost ten...I don't really think they could be sleeping still...I'll go check out their room..." Shinobu said walking out of the kitchen.
"Ah! Shinobu! I wouldn't....too late..." Kitsune tried to warn her but she was out of ear shot.
"Kitsune, what were you going to say?" Kate asked.
"Well, the thing is that K and N rocked the house last night..." Kitsune laughed nervously.
"...it kept me up all night and I pounded on the wall to tell them to shut up...even thought I got front row seats." She said as everyone had a sweat drop on their heads. Sarah looked at the clock in the kitchen.
"So in three....two....one..."
"Kyahhhh!!!!"
"Shinobu will scream..." Sarah said, getting up and running to Keitaro's room. Everyone else followed upstairs where Shinobu was sitting on the floor in shock.
"Shinobu! You really have to learn how to knock!" Naru said to her, fully clothed and hair a mess.
"Ow...my ears are still ringing...." Keitaro said, rubbing his head. Keitaro looked up and saw that everyone was staring at the two of them.
"So Keitaro, I heard you two had fun last night...." Sarah teased as Keitaro and Naru both went red.
"Um...I don't think we..." Naru tried to defend herself but was cut off by Kitsune.
"O be quiet! I heard you two all night long! And I didn't get any sleep thanks to you two!" Kitsune yelled at them.
"And besides, you two are wearing each other's shirts..." Sarah pointed out.
"Hey hey hey, can we skip the subject about us? Yes? Please?" Naru begged.
"Fine...I guess it is natural for them to do something like that...but as punishment! You two need to go get everything for the New Year's party!" Motoko said to them, pulling out her sword.
"You mean we have to go all the way to Tokyo, pick up items that weight six thousand pounds and drag it back up the infinite stairs here and waste it all in one day?" Keitaro asked. They all nodded.
"And if we refuse?" Naru asked.
"Then I neuter Urashima."
"Ack! Come on Naru! Let's go!" He yelled, dragging Naru out the door. Keitaro and Naru both stopped at the door and lifted their hands which were still handcuffed.
"Ok Keitaro, remove the cuffs already." "Me?! But you're the one that put them on me!"
**
And so five days past. Shinobu and her study group studied for most of the days, Motoko and Su were studying to finals, and as for our favorite couple K and N? Well...
"I can't believe you lost the key..." Keitaro said to her as they both sat down in the kitchen, eating lunch and still shackled to each other.
"I can't believe I forgot where I hid it..." Naru said.
"Hey, look at the bright side you two, at lease you know that you won't be doing anything without each other anymore!" Kitsune said to them.
"I think we do TOO much together now..." Naru said to her.
"Well, I want to thank you again for getting the stuff for today. This new year's going to be a memorable one for sure." Motoko said to them.
"Motoko! Do you know how much pain we went through, dragging that stuff here and not to mention still shackled!" Keitaro yelled at her.
"No...but I bet it was torturous..." She said to him.
"Yeah...including when Naru had to take care of some business and..." Keitaro started but then was punched into the sky.
"God dammit Keitaro! I told you not to mention that ever!" Naru yelled, but then noticed that she was attached to Keitaro and was launched into the air also. Everyone watched as the two fly into the sky and fall back to the ground.
"Like father like mother..." Kitsune said. "Hopefully, it doesn't pass on to Keli here..." Kai said to them, holding Keli.
In the living room, Kate, Kai and Shinobu were studying. "Hey Kai? Can I ask you something?" Shinobu asked, putting down her book.
"Listen Shinobu, if you're going to ask me about number sixty, I don't know it." He said to her.
"No, it's not that. I was wondering...I was going to watch the fireworks on the laundry deck and I was wondering if...you would like to join me." She said looking away from him. Kai turned his head to Kate, who was smiling and winking at him.
"Ok Shinobu, I'll join you. But we better finish this up now rather than later ok?" He said to here.
"Um...Yeah! Ok!" She said happily. Kai leaned over to Kate's ear.
"You think you can handle it by yourself?" He whispered.
"Don't sweat it Kai, I'll get the guys over to help me...and just a side note...number fifty-six is wrong..." She said to him.
"My what?!"
**
"You ok there Naru?" Keitaro asked at they walked down the sidewalk to the market. Since they were both launched out of the Hinata Inn, they decided to go out.
"Huh? O, um, yeah, I'm fine. Why you ask?" She asked him. Keitaro stared at her for awhile.
"Well, you look kinda pale...I was wondering if you were sick or something." He said to her. Naru placed a hand on her forehead.
"Um...no, I don't feel sick at all...but now that you mention it...I do feel kinda dizzy..." She said swaying a little.
"Whoa there Naru, don't faint on me now! If you go down, I go down with you!" He reminded her, holding up his shackled left hand. Naru striated out.
"Sorry Keitaro...but all of a sudden, the whole world started spinning...but I'm fine now..." She said as they continued to walk.
"I don't know Naru, are you sure you're alright? I mean, I don't want you sick and not see the New Year's fireworks and all..." He said to her.
"No, I'm fine...don't worry..." She said as they passed by a fortune teller.
"Ah, you two look like a happy married couple. Come, stay awhile, and for you...I feel generous... I'll tell your future for free." She said to them. "Wow, a free reading..." Keitaro said as they both sat down.
"You know Keitaro, I really don't believe in this techno mumbo jumbo right..." Naru said to him. The fortune teller waved her hands around the crystal ball and peeked in it.
"Ahh...I see in your future...that a problem that is bugging you now will be solved...and in the far future...maybe a couple of months, that you two will be in great joy and happiness will follow." She said to them as they looked at each other.
**
"Urrrah...what happened..." Naru moaned as she opened her eyes. She saw the roof of the Hinata Inn and noticed that Keitaro was carrying her.
"So you finally came to huh Naru...well, if you're wondering what happen, you collapsed when we left the fortune teller. You know, I really think you should get some sleep..." He said to her carrying her upstairs.
"But Keitaro, what about New Year's?" She asked him as he opened the door to their room and laid her down.
"I want you to go to sleep Naru. I don't know what's wrong with you but a good night's rest would be good for you..." He said as he laid down next to her.
"I'm sorry Keitaro...if I only remember where I put the handcuff keys, you wouldn't have to miss New Year's..." She said to him.
"That's ok Naru...as long as you're ok in the end, I'll gladly give up a party for you." He said to her, kissing her on the lips. Naru turned her head and noticed a small key next to her glasses. Keitaro looked over her shoulder and a sweat drop appeared on both of their heads.
"Naru! You placed the key out in the open!" Keitaro yelled at her.
"It's not my fault! It's your fault that you didn't notice it of all the times we've been here!" She yelled back. They unshackled each other and both rubbed their wrist.
"Now that we're free...I guess you're going to go have fun while I stay here and..." Naru started but was cut off by Keitaro.
"Hey hey hey, I won't abandon you Naru, I'm going to sit by your side until you are better." He said. They leaned over to kiss but Naru suddenly made a face and ran off to the bathroom. Keitaro stared into space.
"Man, either she has the flu....or has a bad case of diarrhea..." He said to himself as he waited for her.
**
It was about eleven o clock and the New Year's party was on it's way. Kitsune and the others were in the living room drinking to the New Year while Keitaro looked over Naru and Shinobu was on the deck. Kai was making his way upstairs when Kate stopped him for a minute.
"Yo Kai, you have a minute?" She asked him. Kai turned around.
"What's on your mind Bell?" He asked her.
"You know, I was really hoping that we could have spend this new year's together...you know, like what we did back then. But I just want to say, happy new years Kai..." She said to him as he smiled back.
"Thanks Bell, happy new years also..." He said continuing to go upstairs to the deck. "You know where to mind me Kai! And don't worry! I can handle it!" She shouted at him as he walked through the door. Bell placed a hand over her heart and quietly walked downstairs.
**
"Kai! You actually came!" Shinobu said, surprised as Kai walked up to her and stood by her side.
"Of course I'm here, I'm not some inconsiderate jerk to stand someone up..." He said, smiling to her. Shinobu turned away from him, her face was turned red as an alarming rate.
"Um...I want to thank you for coming with me...Kai..." She said, still looking away. Kai looked at the moon which was out then back at Shinobu.
"Is there something on your mind? I know there is something on your mind I can easily read you like a book. Is there something you'd want to tell me that Kate didn't want to hear?" He asked her. Shinobu shook her head wildly.
"Um...no! Nothing...I just...want to share this time with you..." She said to him. "Well...actually, there is something I would like to talk to you about. You see...thinking back, you know, at Tokyo U. I was doing fine on the exam...then you came and when I told the second exam...I froze...I, I was thinking about you the entire time...and how you helped me back there. And I sorta...developed a crush on you...But I wasn't sure if this crush was for real. I mean, I had a crush before...but in the end, I knew it couldn't be...and...well..." She said, beat red until Kai placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Shinobu, listen, before you continue, I want to tell you something. When I was young and living in the orphanage. I fell in love with a girl and my friend gave me advice about love. He told me that you should tell that person that you love them. If you don't go up to bat, someone else will." He said to her. Kai looked at his watch. "Hmm...Hey Shionbu, look out at the moon and close your eyes..." He said to her and he stood behind her. She did as she was told and closed her eyes. "I'm going to make a promise with you... I promise that we'll both get into Tokyo U this time, even if it means, wait another year." He whispered to her. Shinobu felt a kiss on her check and when she opened her eyes and turned around, Kai wasn't there. She turned around completely but he wasn't to be found. Shinobu place a hand over the check that was kissed and let out a sigh. The fireworks were set off and the new year's was on it's way. Down at the streets, Kate and Stan both stood in front of the Hinata Inn with fireworks next to them.
"Kai said to light them all..." Stan said to her.
"Yup, Kai said to light them all..." Kate said.
**
Keitaro slowly opened his eyes and looked besides him hoping to see a sleeping Naru but when he checked, she wasn't there.
"Naru!?" He said, looking around. It's was one thirty and Naru wasn't in sight. Keitaro got up and walked out of the room and looked in each room for Naru. "Naru! Naru! Where did you go!?" He said as he walked downstairs. As he reached the living room, everyone was out like a light, sleeping on the floor. He noticed that the front door was opened so he ran outside. There, Naru stood outside, wearing a coat and looked away from the Hinata Inn. Keitaro rushed up to her and stood a couple of feet away from here. "Naru! I've been looking everywhere for you. Now come on and go back inside, it's cold out here!" He said to her but Naru didn't budge.
"Keitaro...just about twenty years ago, we were little and playing in the sand box down at the park. As I think back, I remembered how happy we were back then. We made a promise that someday we would see each other again at Tokyo U and live happily ever after. As kids, we both were driven by a promise of love and that someday we will be reunited...even though we forgot who we promised to over the years. Five year ago, you came to the Hinata House, hoping you could study here and get into Tokyo U once more...and as a result; you inherit the Dormitory and became part of our family. We've been together ever since, seeing through hard times together and at time when we got on each other's nerves but never the less, we were there for you. And in three years, we got married and have a wonderful daughter and soon, another member to join our big family...."
"Huh? What do you mean Naru?"
"Keitaro...I'm pregnant..." Naru said, turning around with tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks.
End of Chapter 13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next chapter coming up next week! Saturday! A month has pass the dreaded center examination is here! Will Kate, Kai, and Shinobu be able to clear this first hurdle for a shot at Tokyo U? Next Time! Chapter 14: Exams and Love!
Ever After
By: Belldandy'sKeiichi
Note: [any text in here is a thought text]
Author's Time: Yes, go ahead and celebrate! It's an update! God, I feel like Saturday morning cartoons...every week is a new show...anywho, enjoy the next chapter! Next update in a week! Sorry for any inconvenience! Enjoy another helping of Ever After, another LONG chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Great...no present for me..." Naru said.
"Now now, there is a special present for her." He said, walking towards Naru so that they were face to face. Slowly, he removed his hat and took off the beard. Naru's heart skipped a beat as Keitaro stood in front of her now.
"Merry Christmas Naru..."
Chapter 13: New Year's Promise
"K-K-Keitaro...?" Naru said slowly, trying to figure out if she's in a dream.
"Yes Naru. I'm here...I didn't...whoa!" Keitaro suddenly said as Naru threw herself onto him.
"Dammit Keitaro! Why are you still here! You're supposed to be in America! You're....you're..." Naru cried, beating Keitaro's chest with her fist. The beatings slowed down to the point where she was just crying on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it Naru...I won't do anything if you don't want me to. Of course, you'll have to be honest with me so I know what you don't want me to do..." He laughed. Naru continued to cry on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Keitaro...I...I just wanted you to be happy and...but..." She said but Keitaro cut her off short.
"I don't have to go to America to be happy. As long as I'm with you and surrounded with my friends, I'm the happiest man on earth..." He said to her. Everyone watched as Keitaro and Naru continued to hold each other.
"Kinda hits you right here huh..." Kitsune said, placing a hand over her heart. Keli crawled to Keitaro and hugged his leg. He picked her up and placed her on his shoulder.
"Come on everybody, this is a Christmas party!" Keitaro called as everyone cheered. Keitaro looked back at Naru, who was still putting herself together. He walked over to her, whipped her tears away and kissed her on the lips.
"I'm here to stay Naru... I'm here to stay..." He said, handing Keli to Naru and walking towards Seta.
"Nice performance back there part-timer, so what did you do about the deal?" Seta asked as Keitaro smiled.
"Let's just say that their offer wasn't good enough to make me leave..." Keitaro said as he walked upstairs. "Can I talk to you in private?" A voice called behind him.
"Sure thing Naru...I was..." He started, turning around to see Mutsumi behind him.
"Silly Kei-kun, I'm not Naru..." Mutsumi smiled.
"Well, either way, I was hoping I could get a word with you also." He said as he continued to walk upstairs.
**
"Whew! Feels so good to get out of that Santa outfit!" Keitaro said, removing the big, thick, Santa jacket and tossing it to the side.
"Is that stuff really warm?" Mutsumi asked as she watch him put on a shirt.
"Yes it is...and it's really heavy....I thought my ankles would give out and collapse on me." He said as he sat down in front of Mutsumi.
"Ok Kei-kun, down to business, why didn't you go?" She asked him.
"Heh, I found Naru's wish on the wishing tree...it seems that she really didn't want me to go to America. And like I said before, I don't want to do anything that Naru doesn't want me to do." He said as Mutsumi leaned closer to Keitaro.
"O come on, now really, why didn't you go?" She wanted to know.
"Fine! If you really want to know, I accedantly missed my flight...I fell asleep in the lobby as I waited for my flight ok?" Keitaro said to her as Mutsumi looked at him with shock.
"Then that means that you would have left if you didn't oversleep?" She asked.
"Of course not Mutsumi! I was just kidding...as in...haha?" He said nervously.
"O, I see. I mean, that would be pretty low if you really wanted to go without saying goodbye to everyone...well, I'm going to get something to drink, you coming down?" Mutsumi asked as Keitaro nodded his head.
"Yeah, just give me a minute to change..." He said as Mutsumi left. Keitaro laughed to himself and got changed.
**
"Naru?"
"Yes sweetie..."
"I know that you love me and all...and that you don't want me to leave by your side ever...but...are the handcuffs really necessary?!" Keitaro asked her, lifting his left hand up which is cuffed to Naru's right hand.
"Of course it is...at lease I know that you're not going anywhere without me for now on..." Naru said to him.
"But what about work! We work at two different locations!!!" Keitaro yelled.
"Calm down Urashima, today's a day to spend quality time with your family and friends. That is after all what Christmas is all about." Motoko said to them as they all sat in the kitchen eating dinner.
"Really? I thought it was for the presents..." Kitsune said.
"Don't tell me that's what Christmas was for you for all these years..." Shinobu said to her.
"Well...it was! But who really care now right? Six more days and we'll have another party." She said to them.
"That's right...New Year's is coming..." Kate said.
"You know, back in America, there was a tale that if you kiss someone you like at the strike of midnight, you'll live happily ever after with that person." ((Where have you heard this phrase from? Tell me where you heard, or read this phrase and I'll mention your name in the next chapter!!!)) Seta said to them.
"It is true?" Su asked.
"I don't know...most of that fairy-tale stuff never comes true...except the tale about Tokyo U....and the blue feather...and..." Seta started but then was stared at everyone. "....what?"
"Well...I think I'm done listening to Seta for one day. I'm going to bed...come on Keitaro. I have to teach you a lesion for making me worry about you..." Naru said, getting up and walking towards the door.
"Naru! Wait! I'm not done eating yet! And I have to go to the restroom! Naru? Naru?!" He yelled but was dragged out of the room.
"It's at these moments that I'm glad that I'm not married..." Kitsune said to them, drinking down her sake.
**
"Breakfast is up!" Shinobu called, making breakfast this time.
"Hey! This looks great Shinobu! A natural born cook." Motoko complemented as Su and Sarah started chowing down. At the far end of the table, Kai and Kate were sitting together eating.
"So Kai, are we almost done with..."
"Almost...we need to somehow finish the last part without attracting too much attention... I mean, it's hard enough without the police noticing..." Kai said to her but Kate covered his mouth.
"Shh, remember that we need to keep it a secret from everyone..." Kate reminded him.
"O yeah, sorry..." Kai said to her. Shinobu looked around.
"Say, where is Sempai and Naru?" She asked. Everyone looked around but they weren't at the table.
"Um....sleeping?" Kai said to her.
"But it's almost ten...I don't really think they could be sleeping still...I'll go check out their room..." Shinobu said walking out of the kitchen.
"Ah! Shinobu! I wouldn't....too late..." Kitsune tried to warn her but she was out of ear shot.
"Kitsune, what were you going to say?" Kate asked.
"Well, the thing is that K and N rocked the house last night..." Kitsune laughed nervously.
"...it kept me up all night and I pounded on the wall to tell them to shut up...even thought I got front row seats." She said as everyone had a sweat drop on their heads. Sarah looked at the clock in the kitchen.
"So in three....two....one..."
"Kyahhhh!!!!"
"Shinobu will scream..." Sarah said, getting up and running to Keitaro's room. Everyone else followed upstairs where Shinobu was sitting on the floor in shock.
"Shinobu! You really have to learn how to knock!" Naru said to her, fully clothed and hair a mess.
"Ow...my ears are still ringing...." Keitaro said, rubbing his head. Keitaro looked up and saw that everyone was staring at the two of them.
"So Keitaro, I heard you two had fun last night...." Sarah teased as Keitaro and Naru both went red.
"Um...I don't think we..." Naru tried to defend herself but was cut off by Kitsune.
"O be quiet! I heard you two all night long! And I didn't get any sleep thanks to you two!" Kitsune yelled at them.
"And besides, you two are wearing each other's shirts..." Sarah pointed out.
"Hey hey hey, can we skip the subject about us? Yes? Please?" Naru begged.
"Fine...I guess it is natural for them to do something like that...but as punishment! You two need to go get everything for the New Year's party!" Motoko said to them, pulling out her sword.
"You mean we have to go all the way to Tokyo, pick up items that weight six thousand pounds and drag it back up the infinite stairs here and waste it all in one day?" Keitaro asked. They all nodded.
"And if we refuse?" Naru asked.
"Then I neuter Urashima."
"Ack! Come on Naru! Let's go!" He yelled, dragging Naru out the door. Keitaro and Naru both stopped at the door and lifted their hands which were still handcuffed.
"Ok Keitaro, remove the cuffs already." "Me?! But you're the one that put them on me!"
**
And so five days past. Shinobu and her study group studied for most of the days, Motoko and Su were studying to finals, and as for our favorite couple K and N? Well...
"I can't believe you lost the key..." Keitaro said to her as they both sat down in the kitchen, eating lunch and still shackled to each other.
"I can't believe I forgot where I hid it..." Naru said.
"Hey, look at the bright side you two, at lease you know that you won't be doing anything without each other anymore!" Kitsune said to them.
"I think we do TOO much together now..." Naru said to her.
"Well, I want to thank you again for getting the stuff for today. This new year's going to be a memorable one for sure." Motoko said to them.
"Motoko! Do you know how much pain we went through, dragging that stuff here and not to mention still shackled!" Keitaro yelled at her.
"No...but I bet it was torturous..." She said to him.
"Yeah...including when Naru had to take care of some business and..." Keitaro started but then was punched into the sky.
"God dammit Keitaro! I told you not to mention that ever!" Naru yelled, but then noticed that she was attached to Keitaro and was launched into the air also. Everyone watched as the two fly into the sky and fall back to the ground.
"Like father like mother..." Kitsune said. "Hopefully, it doesn't pass on to Keli here..." Kai said to them, holding Keli.
In the living room, Kate, Kai and Shinobu were studying. "Hey Kai? Can I ask you something?" Shinobu asked, putting down her book.
"Listen Shinobu, if you're going to ask me about number sixty, I don't know it." He said to her.
"No, it's not that. I was wondering...I was going to watch the fireworks on the laundry deck and I was wondering if...you would like to join me." She said looking away from him. Kai turned his head to Kate, who was smiling and winking at him.
"Ok Shinobu, I'll join you. But we better finish this up now rather than later ok?" He said to here.
"Um...Yeah! Ok!" She said happily. Kai leaned over to Kate's ear.
"You think you can handle it by yourself?" He whispered.
"Don't sweat it Kai, I'll get the guys over to help me...and just a side note...number fifty-six is wrong..." She said to him.
"My what?!"
**
"You ok there Naru?" Keitaro asked at they walked down the sidewalk to the market. Since they were both launched out of the Hinata Inn, they decided to go out.
"Huh? O, um, yeah, I'm fine. Why you ask?" She asked him. Keitaro stared at her for awhile.
"Well, you look kinda pale...I was wondering if you were sick or something." He said to her. Naru placed a hand on her forehead.
"Um...no, I don't feel sick at all...but now that you mention it...I do feel kinda dizzy..." She said swaying a little.
"Whoa there Naru, don't faint on me now! If you go down, I go down with you!" He reminded her, holding up his shackled left hand. Naru striated out.
"Sorry Keitaro...but all of a sudden, the whole world started spinning...but I'm fine now..." She said as they continued to walk.
"I don't know Naru, are you sure you're alright? I mean, I don't want you sick and not see the New Year's fireworks and all..." He said to her.
"No, I'm fine...don't worry..." She said as they passed by a fortune teller.
"Ah, you two look like a happy married couple. Come, stay awhile, and for you...I feel generous... I'll tell your future for free." She said to them. "Wow, a free reading..." Keitaro said as they both sat down.
"You know Keitaro, I really don't believe in this techno mumbo jumbo right..." Naru said to him. The fortune teller waved her hands around the crystal ball and peeked in it.
"Ahh...I see in your future...that a problem that is bugging you now will be solved...and in the far future...maybe a couple of months, that you two will be in great joy and happiness will follow." She said to them as they looked at each other.
**
"Urrrah...what happened..." Naru moaned as she opened her eyes. She saw the roof of the Hinata Inn and noticed that Keitaro was carrying her.
"So you finally came to huh Naru...well, if you're wondering what happen, you collapsed when we left the fortune teller. You know, I really think you should get some sleep..." He said to her carrying her upstairs.
"But Keitaro, what about New Year's?" She asked him as he opened the door to their room and laid her down.
"I want you to go to sleep Naru. I don't know what's wrong with you but a good night's rest would be good for you..." He said as he laid down next to her.
"I'm sorry Keitaro...if I only remember where I put the handcuff keys, you wouldn't have to miss New Year's..." She said to him.
"That's ok Naru...as long as you're ok in the end, I'll gladly give up a party for you." He said to her, kissing her on the lips. Naru turned her head and noticed a small key next to her glasses. Keitaro looked over her shoulder and a sweat drop appeared on both of their heads.
"Naru! You placed the key out in the open!" Keitaro yelled at her.
"It's not my fault! It's your fault that you didn't notice it of all the times we've been here!" She yelled back. They unshackled each other and both rubbed their wrist.
"Now that we're free...I guess you're going to go have fun while I stay here and..." Naru started but was cut off by Keitaro.
"Hey hey hey, I won't abandon you Naru, I'm going to sit by your side until you are better." He said. They leaned over to kiss but Naru suddenly made a face and ran off to the bathroom. Keitaro stared into space.
"Man, either she has the flu....or has a bad case of diarrhea..." He said to himself as he waited for her.
**
It was about eleven o clock and the New Year's party was on it's way. Kitsune and the others were in the living room drinking to the New Year while Keitaro looked over Naru and Shinobu was on the deck. Kai was making his way upstairs when Kate stopped him for a minute.
"Yo Kai, you have a minute?" She asked him. Kai turned around.
"What's on your mind Bell?" He asked her.
"You know, I was really hoping that we could have spend this new year's together...you know, like what we did back then. But I just want to say, happy new years Kai..." She said to him as he smiled back.
"Thanks Bell, happy new years also..." He said continuing to go upstairs to the deck. "You know where to mind me Kai! And don't worry! I can handle it!" She shouted at him as he walked through the door. Bell placed a hand over her heart and quietly walked downstairs.
**
"Kai! You actually came!" Shinobu said, surprised as Kai walked up to her and stood by her side.
"Of course I'm here, I'm not some inconsiderate jerk to stand someone up..." He said, smiling to her. Shinobu turned away from him, her face was turned red as an alarming rate.
"Um...I want to thank you for coming with me...Kai..." She said, still looking away. Kai looked at the moon which was out then back at Shinobu.
"Is there something on your mind? I know there is something on your mind I can easily read you like a book. Is there something you'd want to tell me that Kate didn't want to hear?" He asked her. Shinobu shook her head wildly.
"Um...no! Nothing...I just...want to share this time with you..." She said to him. "Well...actually, there is something I would like to talk to you about. You see...thinking back, you know, at Tokyo U. I was doing fine on the exam...then you came and when I told the second exam...I froze...I, I was thinking about you the entire time...and how you helped me back there. And I sorta...developed a crush on you...But I wasn't sure if this crush was for real. I mean, I had a crush before...but in the end, I knew it couldn't be...and...well..." She said, beat red until Kai placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Shinobu, listen, before you continue, I want to tell you something. When I was young and living in the orphanage. I fell in love with a girl and my friend gave me advice about love. He told me that you should tell that person that you love them. If you don't go up to bat, someone else will." He said to her. Kai looked at his watch. "Hmm...Hey Shionbu, look out at the moon and close your eyes..." He said to her and he stood behind her. She did as she was told and closed her eyes. "I'm going to make a promise with you... I promise that we'll both get into Tokyo U this time, even if it means, wait another year." He whispered to her. Shinobu felt a kiss on her check and when she opened her eyes and turned around, Kai wasn't there. She turned around completely but he wasn't to be found. Shinobu place a hand over the check that was kissed and let out a sigh. The fireworks were set off and the new year's was on it's way. Down at the streets, Kate and Stan both stood in front of the Hinata Inn with fireworks next to them.
"Kai said to light them all..." Stan said to her.
"Yup, Kai said to light them all..." Kate said.
**
Keitaro slowly opened his eyes and looked besides him hoping to see a sleeping Naru but when he checked, she wasn't there.
"Naru!?" He said, looking around. It's was one thirty and Naru wasn't in sight. Keitaro got up and walked out of the room and looked in each room for Naru. "Naru! Naru! Where did you go!?" He said as he walked downstairs. As he reached the living room, everyone was out like a light, sleeping on the floor. He noticed that the front door was opened so he ran outside. There, Naru stood outside, wearing a coat and looked away from the Hinata Inn. Keitaro rushed up to her and stood a couple of feet away from here. "Naru! I've been looking everywhere for you. Now come on and go back inside, it's cold out here!" He said to her but Naru didn't budge.
"Keitaro...just about twenty years ago, we were little and playing in the sand box down at the park. As I think back, I remembered how happy we were back then. We made a promise that someday we would see each other again at Tokyo U and live happily ever after. As kids, we both were driven by a promise of love and that someday we will be reunited...even though we forgot who we promised to over the years. Five year ago, you came to the Hinata House, hoping you could study here and get into Tokyo U once more...and as a result; you inherit the Dormitory and became part of our family. We've been together ever since, seeing through hard times together and at time when we got on each other's nerves but never the less, we were there for you. And in three years, we got married and have a wonderful daughter and soon, another member to join our big family...."
"Huh? What do you mean Naru?"
"Keitaro...I'm pregnant..." Naru said, turning around with tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks.
End of Chapter 13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next chapter coming up next week! Saturday! A month has pass the dreaded center examination is here! Will Kate, Kai, and Shinobu be able to clear this first hurdle for a shot at Tokyo U? Next Time! Chapter 14: Exams and Love!