Love Hina – Relations
Fanfic by Steven Biggs
Chapter Two – Parents
Saturday Noon
The front door slides open. The girls watch as Haruka enters carrying two small suitcases. Behind her, a woman and a man follow.
Haruka looks around and notices Hikari standing next to Motoko and Naru. She instantly realizes that something has happened to Keitaro. She shakes her head and thinks to herself.
"(Of all the days for something bad to happen, why'd it have to be today?)"
The girls walk over to bow to them. Kitsune starts the greetings.
"Welcome, welcome to Hinata-sou. I'm Konno Mitsune, but please call me Kitsune. I'm at your service."
The woman bows in return.
"Thank you for your welcome. I am Urashima Yohko, and this is my husband."
The man bows to her.
"Urashima Keishi, I'm pleased to meet you."
Motoko gestures to the common room and bows to them.
"I am Aoyama Motoko. Would you like to sit down and have some tea?"
Shinobu bows quickly to them.
"Maehara Shinobu! I will bring your tea right away."
She scurries to the kitchen, one hand held to her mouth to hide her whimper.
"Aaauuuuu."
Su, with Tama-chan on her head, jumps over, prostrates herself on the floor before them, and lifts her head.
"Hi'ya! I'm Kaolla Su! Pleased to meet ya!"
"Mew!"
Hikari greets them next.
"I am Ishido Hikari. It is a pleasure to meet you both."
Keishi bows and then looks at her.
"Karikari-chan?"
Hikari stares at him.
"How, how did you know my childhood nickname?"
"Are you Hideki's and Yuri's daughter?"
"Why, yes I am. Do you know my parents?"
"Your father and I went to college together. If I remember correctly, Yohko was the one that introduce him to your mother."
Yohko playfully pinches his arm.
"Actually, Keishi-kun, Yuri-chan introduced us."
He puts a hand on back of his head.
"Of course, how could I forget? Thanks for correcting my mistake."
Hikari looks at Yohko.
"Yohko-san. Then you are the Yohko that was with my mother when . . . . ."
Yohko blushes.
"Yes, I helped deliver you in the taxi when you were born. My, my, I haven't seen you since you were five years old and Keitaro was about a year and a half. That was when Hideki-san received a promotion and all of you moved to America. You were so sweet the way you kept asking to take little Keitaro with you."
Tears form in Hikari's eyes.
"Ko-ko-san?"
Yohko nods her head and smiles.
"Yes, that's me."
"And Keitaro is Kei-kei?"
"Yes, that's what you always called him."
Hikari hugs Yohko.
"Ko-ko-san!"
Naru stares at them.
"(Will every girl that knew Keitaro as a child end up at Hinata-sou?)"
Yohko walks over and bows to Naru.
"You must be Naru. I am very pleased to meet you. Keitaro has mentioned you every time he wrote to us."
They go to the couch and sit, waiting for Shinobu to bring in the tea. Haruka quietly takes Kitsune to the side.
Yohko looks at Naru.
"You are as cute as my son has described you. Very pretty."
Naru blushes.
"Th-thank you, ma'am."
"Please, call me Yohko."
"Yes of course, Yohko-san."
Shinobu brings the tea and pours a glass for Keishi. She looks up as he smiles at her.
"Thank you, Shinobu-chan."
"Y-your welcome."
"(His smile is as kind as Sempai's!)"
She pours tea for the rest of them. When she finishes, she announces that she will start making lunch. As Shinobu heads to the kitchen, Yohko looks around.
"Where is Keitaro?"
The room goes quiet. Motoko clears her throat.
"Urashima is, he is in his room resting."
Keishi laughs.
"That's just like him. Keitaro always works too hard!"
There is a sound at the stairs. Keitaro is walking down them. He has removed the sling from his arm and is wearing his work jacket. In his right hand he is carrying towels to clean the windows. As he enters the room, he spots his parents. He smiles weakly and moves to hug his mother, who stands to meet him. The other girls stand, no longer able to hide the fact that Keitaro was injured.
"Mother, father, what're you two doing here? This is a wonderful surprise!"
As Yohko hugs him, Keitaro winces slightly. She pulls back and looks at him.
"You're hurt! Oh my poor baby, what happened to you?"
Keishi stand next to him and checks Keitaro's shoulder.
"This looks serious! Have you seen a doctor? How did this happen?"
Keitaro briefly looks at Naru and then faces his mother.
"I slipped down the stairs while carrying the laundry in this morning. Hikari-san is a doctor and a good friend of ours. She took care of me."
Yohko smiles and scolds him.
"You never were able to lie very well. But I trust you if you don't want to tell us right now."
Keitaro looks at the floor.
"Mother, father, is it alright if I come home?"
Naru's hands go to her chest. The other girls take a few steps towards him.
Keishi rubs him on the head.
"Sure it's alright! You know that you're always welcome back home!"
Yohko motions for him to be quiet, understanding what Keitaro means.
"You want to leave Hinata-sou, don't you? Why? You've always told us how happy you are here?"
She looks into his eyes for a few moments. She looks at Naru and then lowers her head. She hugs him gently and whispers.
"Oh Keitaro! I didn't realize what was wrong. I'm so sorry for both of you."
Naru walks over and places a hand on Keitaro's shoulder.
"Keitaro, I'm . . . . ."
He pulls away from her, dropping the towels. He does not speak to her as he turns and walks to the stairs.
They all watch as he quietly heads up to his room. Yohko turns to Naru.
"Oh you poor children! What happened?"
Naru looks at the floor. Motoko and Kitsune move and place their hands on her shoulders. She draws courage from their support.
"It's all my fault. I, I lost faith in him. I thought that he was starting to, to stop caring about me. I thought that he forgot my birthday and that's, and that was too painful. I didn't want to go through that again. I started pushing him away and ignoring him. I yelled at him even when he didn't do anything wrong."
She takes a deep breath and continues.
"I was the one that forgot. I forgot that he is Keitaro. He didn't forget about my birthday and I'm the one that hurt him. He didn't fall down the stairs. Even after all I've done to him, he took responsibility and tried to protect me by lying to you. I'm so sorry for what I've done. Now he won't even talk to me. He wants to leave and it's because of what I've done."
She looks up at Yohko, tears falling down her cheeks.
"I love him! Someone please help us! I don't know what to do!"
Yohko guides Naru to the couch and sits with her. Haruka takes Keishi on a short tour so the others can talk in private. The rest of the girls sit down.
Yohko places her hand on Naru's.
"Love isn't always easy. It takes some time to get to know someone. Keitaro really cares for you, that much is clear from how much he writes about you. You need to talk to him and let him know that you still care."
"But, he's starting to avoid me. How can I talk to him without it looking like I'm trying to be forceful?"
"Is being strong a bad thing? Keitaro can be so stubborn sometimes, especially when torn between choices. He tries so hard to do what he thinks is right, even if it hurts him. And in the end, he always finds a way to do the right thing."
Naru stands and paces in front of the coffee table, trying to stop her hands from shaking.
"Why do I always do things like this to him? What's wrong with me?"
"You are afraid."
Naru stops and looks at her.
"Why should I be afraid of Keitaro?"
"You misunderstand. You're not afraid of Keitaro, you're afraid of yourself."
"Am I?"
"Being in love is one of the most difficult things in a woman's life. She must learn to trust another with her darkest secrets and fears. She must be willing to trust someone so completely that their hopes and desires blend until they are indistinguishable. Everything that you are will become visible to the one you love, and that can be terrifying."
"But, if he knows everything about me, he may decide that he can't love me."
Yohko sighs.
"Are you willing to take that chance? If you aren't, then you may never truly know how he feels. There will always be some doubt in your heart, whether it is justified or not."
Naru looks at her hands. Yohko stands behind her and places her hands on her shoulders.
"Naru, what do you feel right now? What do you want to do?"
"My heart feels like it is being squeezed. I can't stop thinking about how cruel I was this morning, these past few weeks. I want to hold him and make all of his pain go away. I want to do whatever it takes to earn his forgiveness, to be worthy of him. I want him to smile. I need to see his smile."
"Then tell him that."
She gently pushes Naru towards the stairs.
Naru walks up the stairs and stands outside his door for a few seconds. Wiping her tears, she knocks.
"Keitaro, can I come in?"
There is no answer, but she can hear him moving around.
"Keitaro, please talk to me. Keitaro?"
She opens the door. Keitaro is trying to reach a box that he keeps on top of his bookshelf. All of his books are stacked on the floor. He turns as she enters the room and Naru stops when she sees his eyes. The box slides off and crashes to the floor, scattering old papers, photos, and keepsakes.
He kneels down and puts the items back in the box with his right hand, his left arm still hanging at his side. Naru stands in the doorway and silently watches him, afraid to move. When he finishes, he goes to the closet and pulls out his robe and a towel. As he walks past her towards the door, Naru grabs his arm to make him talk to her.
His left arm.
Sweat beads on his forehead as he strains to keep from crying out in pain. Naru quickly lets him go and raises one hand to her mouth.
"Oh Keitaro, I'm . . . . ."
He pushes past her and walks down the hall towards his bath, holding his injured shoulder. As he leaves, Naru looks out the door and hears him whispering to himself.
"What does she think I am? Am I a toy doll that she can twist and break whenever it pleases her? The last thing I need right now is for my mother to hear me screaming. I don't like to make her worry."
As he turns the corner and disappears, Naru slowly sinks to her knees, a slight breeze pushing her hair in front of her face.
"(Oh, I'm so ashamed of myself. How could I ever doubt Keitaro? I was so frustrated just because I thought he stopped caring for me. I was so mean to him. Even when I try to be nice, I still hurt him. He'll never forgive me for this. I really do still love him, but I was afraid that he would leave just like Seta-san. Now, because I was afraid, Keitaro might really leave me. And it's all my fault. I love him, I need him.)"
She leans back and closes her eyes. They suddenly snap open and she stands, her hands lift and clench into fists.
"(I'll make him talk to me!)"
Her hands slowly unclench and drop to her sides.
"(No, that isn't what she meant by being strong.)"
Taking a few deep breaths, Naru turns and follows Keitaro.
At the corner of the second floor, Keitaro slips into his barrel, easing down so that his shoulder is covered by the hot water.
"(I'm so ashamed. I can't believe I actually hit Narusegawa, even by accident. And on her birthday, of all days. She will never forgive me, and I will never be able to forgive myself. She hates me now and there is nothing that I can do.)"
He leans back and closes his eyes.
"(I don't know what I'm going to do.)"
He feels a pair of hands gently reach into the water and touch his shoulders. His eyes snap open and his body tenses as he leans forward. A hand moves around from the right and the slender fingers gently caress his forehead, causing him to close his eyes again. Firmly, but gently, the hands pull him backwards. His head comes to rest against something soft.
"Who, what . . . . ."
One hand gently caresses his injured shoulder, pressing softly to make him relax. The other reaches and leans his head back a little. He quietly whispers.
"Narusegawa."
A quiet voice answers.
"Yes, Keitaro."
He slowly opens his eyes. Naru is leaning over him, tears forming in her eyes. He reaches up and gently touches her cheek.
"Don't cry for me, please Narusegawa. It hurts to see you sad."
Tears burst forth and she breathes in short gasps.
"I'm crying f-for us."
He turns and faces her, taking her hands in his.
"I thought, I thought that you stopped loving me."
Naru shakes her head, her tears falling into the water.
"Never, that will never happen. I'm just afraid."
"What are you afraid of?"
"If, when you learn more about me, you may not be able to still love me."
He lifts her chin and smiles at her, his eyes starting to shine again.
"If you can love someone as stupid, lazy, and perverted as me, how can I not love you?"
Naru wraps her arms around his neck.
"I love you Keitaro. I'm so sorry for what I've done. What can I do so that you can forgive me?"
"Nothing. I already forgive you. I just can't forgive myself for hitting you."
She buries her face against his neck.
"Oh, Keitaro. It wasn't your fault! It was an accident! Please, oh please, don't feel bad about it!"
Keitaro pulls away from her.
"But . . . . ."
Before he can say anything more, Naru pulls him back and kisses him. An eternity passes. She strokes his left ear and gently leans back. She rests a hand over his heart.
"Let it go. Let the pain go."
A tear falls from his eye as he smiles at her.
"I love you, Narusegawa Naru."
"I love you, Urashima Keitaro."
She steps up and slides into the barrel.
"Narusegawa, you're getting your clothes wet!"
"I don't care."
She sits next to Keitaro and wraps her arms around him, leaning her head on his chest.
"Hold me."
The pain in his shoulder forgotten, Keitaro gently embraces Naru. She whispers.
"Harder, please."
He pulls her body firmly against his and rests his cheek on her head. Her left hand slides up and squeezes his right shoulder.
"Oh, Keitaro."
His left hand reaches up and gently runs through her hair. For the next few hours, they hardly move, except for an occasional kiss and to whisper to each other. Secrets are shared and quiet laughter echoes in the room.
Keitaro, his heart quickly mending, is content to just hold Naru and be with her.
Naru, starting down the path to where her fears will end, is in the only place she desires to be.
Two hearts grow closer together, trust and understanding building a strong foundation that will last the test of time, and beyond.
Nevertheless, there will be some nasty bumps on that road, and on Keitaro's head.
Saturday Evening
Keitaro brought a dry robe and towels for Naru. He waits behind the closed door to the bath for her to change. She slide open the door, still drying her hair. Smiling, she takes his hand and they walk downstairs.
They reach the first floor and enter the common room. Kitsune slyly smiles at them and gives Naru the thumbs-up sign.
"Looks like ya'll already had a little party!"
Motoko's eyes widen as she also jumps to a wild assumption.
"N-naru-sempai! I would n-never have believed you would allow this, this male to have his way . . . . ."
Su tosses Tama-chan in the air.
"Hishway! Hishway! Does that taste good?"
"Mew!"
Shinobu faints.
"Sempai, aaauuuuu!"
Haruka shakes her head.
"Crazy kids."
Hikari smiles at them.
"I will give you a special discount on delivery services, whenever you need them of course."
Yohko wipes a tear from her eye.
"My little boy is growing up so fast. I'm so happy!"
Keishi lifts a glass of sake in a toast to them.
"I always wanted to be a grandfather!"
Mutsumi reaches around Naru's neck and hugs her.
"Oh my! Are you going to be a mommy?"
"Mu-mutsumi-san! Where did you come from?"
Blushing, Naru looks around and holds up her hands.
"It's n-not like th-th-that at all! Right, Keitaro?"
Also blushing, Keitaro rubs the back of his head.
"We're innocent! We just took a bath together, that's all!"
Naru spins and stares at him.
"You didn't have to tell them that! You stupid jerk!"
Keitaro, courtesy of a Naru-punch, sails over the people in the common room and through the dining room door. The sound of him sliding across the table and crashing into the kitchen can be heard. The clatter of falling pots and pans rings throughout Hinata-sou. Keishi takes another sip of his sake and pokes Yohko in the ribs.
"Ah, that brings back memories, doesn't it Yohko-kun?"
Yohko blushes. Keishi follows Keitaro's trajectory, courtesy of a Yohko-punch.
Everyone stares at Keitaro's mother, who is calmly blowing on her knuckles and smiling.
"It's been a while, but he deserved it."
Kitsune drops her glass of sake and stares at the door Keitaro and Keishi hurled through.
"Oh my god! You can inherit something like that?"
End of Chapter Two.
Fanfic by Steven Biggs
Chapter Two – Parents
Saturday Noon
The front door slides open. The girls watch as Haruka enters carrying two small suitcases. Behind her, a woman and a man follow.
Haruka looks around and notices Hikari standing next to Motoko and Naru. She instantly realizes that something has happened to Keitaro. She shakes her head and thinks to herself.
"(Of all the days for something bad to happen, why'd it have to be today?)"
The girls walk over to bow to them. Kitsune starts the greetings.
"Welcome, welcome to Hinata-sou. I'm Konno Mitsune, but please call me Kitsune. I'm at your service."
The woman bows in return.
"Thank you for your welcome. I am Urashima Yohko, and this is my husband."
The man bows to her.
"Urashima Keishi, I'm pleased to meet you."
Motoko gestures to the common room and bows to them.
"I am Aoyama Motoko. Would you like to sit down and have some tea?"
Shinobu bows quickly to them.
"Maehara Shinobu! I will bring your tea right away."
She scurries to the kitchen, one hand held to her mouth to hide her whimper.
"Aaauuuuu."
Su, with Tama-chan on her head, jumps over, prostrates herself on the floor before them, and lifts her head.
"Hi'ya! I'm Kaolla Su! Pleased to meet ya!"
"Mew!"
Hikari greets them next.
"I am Ishido Hikari. It is a pleasure to meet you both."
Keishi bows and then looks at her.
"Karikari-chan?"
Hikari stares at him.
"How, how did you know my childhood nickname?"
"Are you Hideki's and Yuri's daughter?"
"Why, yes I am. Do you know my parents?"
"Your father and I went to college together. If I remember correctly, Yohko was the one that introduce him to your mother."
Yohko playfully pinches his arm.
"Actually, Keishi-kun, Yuri-chan introduced us."
He puts a hand on back of his head.
"Of course, how could I forget? Thanks for correcting my mistake."
Hikari looks at Yohko.
"Yohko-san. Then you are the Yohko that was with my mother when . . . . ."
Yohko blushes.
"Yes, I helped deliver you in the taxi when you were born. My, my, I haven't seen you since you were five years old and Keitaro was about a year and a half. That was when Hideki-san received a promotion and all of you moved to America. You were so sweet the way you kept asking to take little Keitaro with you."
Tears form in Hikari's eyes.
"Ko-ko-san?"
Yohko nods her head and smiles.
"Yes, that's me."
"And Keitaro is Kei-kei?"
"Yes, that's what you always called him."
Hikari hugs Yohko.
"Ko-ko-san!"
Naru stares at them.
"(Will every girl that knew Keitaro as a child end up at Hinata-sou?)"
Yohko walks over and bows to Naru.
"You must be Naru. I am very pleased to meet you. Keitaro has mentioned you every time he wrote to us."
They go to the couch and sit, waiting for Shinobu to bring in the tea. Haruka quietly takes Kitsune to the side.
Yohko looks at Naru.
"You are as cute as my son has described you. Very pretty."
Naru blushes.
"Th-thank you, ma'am."
"Please, call me Yohko."
"Yes of course, Yohko-san."
Shinobu brings the tea and pours a glass for Keishi. She looks up as he smiles at her.
"Thank you, Shinobu-chan."
"Y-your welcome."
"(His smile is as kind as Sempai's!)"
She pours tea for the rest of them. When she finishes, she announces that she will start making lunch. As Shinobu heads to the kitchen, Yohko looks around.
"Where is Keitaro?"
The room goes quiet. Motoko clears her throat.
"Urashima is, he is in his room resting."
Keishi laughs.
"That's just like him. Keitaro always works too hard!"
There is a sound at the stairs. Keitaro is walking down them. He has removed the sling from his arm and is wearing his work jacket. In his right hand he is carrying towels to clean the windows. As he enters the room, he spots his parents. He smiles weakly and moves to hug his mother, who stands to meet him. The other girls stand, no longer able to hide the fact that Keitaro was injured.
"Mother, father, what're you two doing here? This is a wonderful surprise!"
As Yohko hugs him, Keitaro winces slightly. She pulls back and looks at him.
"You're hurt! Oh my poor baby, what happened to you?"
Keishi stand next to him and checks Keitaro's shoulder.
"This looks serious! Have you seen a doctor? How did this happen?"
Keitaro briefly looks at Naru and then faces his mother.
"I slipped down the stairs while carrying the laundry in this morning. Hikari-san is a doctor and a good friend of ours. She took care of me."
Yohko smiles and scolds him.
"You never were able to lie very well. But I trust you if you don't want to tell us right now."
Keitaro looks at the floor.
"Mother, father, is it alright if I come home?"
Naru's hands go to her chest. The other girls take a few steps towards him.
Keishi rubs him on the head.
"Sure it's alright! You know that you're always welcome back home!"
Yohko motions for him to be quiet, understanding what Keitaro means.
"You want to leave Hinata-sou, don't you? Why? You've always told us how happy you are here?"
She looks into his eyes for a few moments. She looks at Naru and then lowers her head. She hugs him gently and whispers.
"Oh Keitaro! I didn't realize what was wrong. I'm so sorry for both of you."
Naru walks over and places a hand on Keitaro's shoulder.
"Keitaro, I'm . . . . ."
He pulls away from her, dropping the towels. He does not speak to her as he turns and walks to the stairs.
They all watch as he quietly heads up to his room. Yohko turns to Naru.
"Oh you poor children! What happened?"
Naru looks at the floor. Motoko and Kitsune move and place their hands on her shoulders. She draws courage from their support.
"It's all my fault. I, I lost faith in him. I thought that he was starting to, to stop caring about me. I thought that he forgot my birthday and that's, and that was too painful. I didn't want to go through that again. I started pushing him away and ignoring him. I yelled at him even when he didn't do anything wrong."
She takes a deep breath and continues.
"I was the one that forgot. I forgot that he is Keitaro. He didn't forget about my birthday and I'm the one that hurt him. He didn't fall down the stairs. Even after all I've done to him, he took responsibility and tried to protect me by lying to you. I'm so sorry for what I've done. Now he won't even talk to me. He wants to leave and it's because of what I've done."
She looks up at Yohko, tears falling down her cheeks.
"I love him! Someone please help us! I don't know what to do!"
Yohko guides Naru to the couch and sits with her. Haruka takes Keishi on a short tour so the others can talk in private. The rest of the girls sit down.
Yohko places her hand on Naru's.
"Love isn't always easy. It takes some time to get to know someone. Keitaro really cares for you, that much is clear from how much he writes about you. You need to talk to him and let him know that you still care."
"But, he's starting to avoid me. How can I talk to him without it looking like I'm trying to be forceful?"
"Is being strong a bad thing? Keitaro can be so stubborn sometimes, especially when torn between choices. He tries so hard to do what he thinks is right, even if it hurts him. And in the end, he always finds a way to do the right thing."
Naru stands and paces in front of the coffee table, trying to stop her hands from shaking.
"Why do I always do things like this to him? What's wrong with me?"
"You are afraid."
Naru stops and looks at her.
"Why should I be afraid of Keitaro?"
"You misunderstand. You're not afraid of Keitaro, you're afraid of yourself."
"Am I?"
"Being in love is one of the most difficult things in a woman's life. She must learn to trust another with her darkest secrets and fears. She must be willing to trust someone so completely that their hopes and desires blend until they are indistinguishable. Everything that you are will become visible to the one you love, and that can be terrifying."
"But, if he knows everything about me, he may decide that he can't love me."
Yohko sighs.
"Are you willing to take that chance? If you aren't, then you may never truly know how he feels. There will always be some doubt in your heart, whether it is justified or not."
Naru looks at her hands. Yohko stands behind her and places her hands on her shoulders.
"Naru, what do you feel right now? What do you want to do?"
"My heart feels like it is being squeezed. I can't stop thinking about how cruel I was this morning, these past few weeks. I want to hold him and make all of his pain go away. I want to do whatever it takes to earn his forgiveness, to be worthy of him. I want him to smile. I need to see his smile."
"Then tell him that."
She gently pushes Naru towards the stairs.
Naru walks up the stairs and stands outside his door for a few seconds. Wiping her tears, she knocks.
"Keitaro, can I come in?"
There is no answer, but she can hear him moving around.
"Keitaro, please talk to me. Keitaro?"
She opens the door. Keitaro is trying to reach a box that he keeps on top of his bookshelf. All of his books are stacked on the floor. He turns as she enters the room and Naru stops when she sees his eyes. The box slides off and crashes to the floor, scattering old papers, photos, and keepsakes.
He kneels down and puts the items back in the box with his right hand, his left arm still hanging at his side. Naru stands in the doorway and silently watches him, afraid to move. When he finishes, he goes to the closet and pulls out his robe and a towel. As he walks past her towards the door, Naru grabs his arm to make him talk to her.
His left arm.
Sweat beads on his forehead as he strains to keep from crying out in pain. Naru quickly lets him go and raises one hand to her mouth.
"Oh Keitaro, I'm . . . . ."
He pushes past her and walks down the hall towards his bath, holding his injured shoulder. As he leaves, Naru looks out the door and hears him whispering to himself.
"What does she think I am? Am I a toy doll that she can twist and break whenever it pleases her? The last thing I need right now is for my mother to hear me screaming. I don't like to make her worry."
As he turns the corner and disappears, Naru slowly sinks to her knees, a slight breeze pushing her hair in front of her face.
"(Oh, I'm so ashamed of myself. How could I ever doubt Keitaro? I was so frustrated just because I thought he stopped caring for me. I was so mean to him. Even when I try to be nice, I still hurt him. He'll never forgive me for this. I really do still love him, but I was afraid that he would leave just like Seta-san. Now, because I was afraid, Keitaro might really leave me. And it's all my fault. I love him, I need him.)"
She leans back and closes her eyes. They suddenly snap open and she stands, her hands lift and clench into fists.
"(I'll make him talk to me!)"
Her hands slowly unclench and drop to her sides.
"(No, that isn't what she meant by being strong.)"
Taking a few deep breaths, Naru turns and follows Keitaro.
At the corner of the second floor, Keitaro slips into his barrel, easing down so that his shoulder is covered by the hot water.
"(I'm so ashamed. I can't believe I actually hit Narusegawa, even by accident. And on her birthday, of all days. She will never forgive me, and I will never be able to forgive myself. She hates me now and there is nothing that I can do.)"
He leans back and closes his eyes.
"(I don't know what I'm going to do.)"
He feels a pair of hands gently reach into the water and touch his shoulders. His eyes snap open and his body tenses as he leans forward. A hand moves around from the right and the slender fingers gently caress his forehead, causing him to close his eyes again. Firmly, but gently, the hands pull him backwards. His head comes to rest against something soft.
"Who, what . . . . ."
One hand gently caresses his injured shoulder, pressing softly to make him relax. The other reaches and leans his head back a little. He quietly whispers.
"Narusegawa."
A quiet voice answers.
"Yes, Keitaro."
He slowly opens his eyes. Naru is leaning over him, tears forming in her eyes. He reaches up and gently touches her cheek.
"Don't cry for me, please Narusegawa. It hurts to see you sad."
Tears burst forth and she breathes in short gasps.
"I'm crying f-for us."
He turns and faces her, taking her hands in his.
"I thought, I thought that you stopped loving me."
Naru shakes her head, her tears falling into the water.
"Never, that will never happen. I'm just afraid."
"What are you afraid of?"
"If, when you learn more about me, you may not be able to still love me."
He lifts her chin and smiles at her, his eyes starting to shine again.
"If you can love someone as stupid, lazy, and perverted as me, how can I not love you?"
Naru wraps her arms around his neck.
"I love you Keitaro. I'm so sorry for what I've done. What can I do so that you can forgive me?"
"Nothing. I already forgive you. I just can't forgive myself for hitting you."
She buries her face against his neck.
"Oh, Keitaro. It wasn't your fault! It was an accident! Please, oh please, don't feel bad about it!"
Keitaro pulls away from her.
"But . . . . ."
Before he can say anything more, Naru pulls him back and kisses him. An eternity passes. She strokes his left ear and gently leans back. She rests a hand over his heart.
"Let it go. Let the pain go."
A tear falls from his eye as he smiles at her.
"I love you, Narusegawa Naru."
"I love you, Urashima Keitaro."
She steps up and slides into the barrel.
"Narusegawa, you're getting your clothes wet!"
"I don't care."
She sits next to Keitaro and wraps her arms around him, leaning her head on his chest.
"Hold me."
The pain in his shoulder forgotten, Keitaro gently embraces Naru. She whispers.
"Harder, please."
He pulls her body firmly against his and rests his cheek on her head. Her left hand slides up and squeezes his right shoulder.
"Oh, Keitaro."
His left hand reaches up and gently runs through her hair. For the next few hours, they hardly move, except for an occasional kiss and to whisper to each other. Secrets are shared and quiet laughter echoes in the room.
Keitaro, his heart quickly mending, is content to just hold Naru and be with her.
Naru, starting down the path to where her fears will end, is in the only place she desires to be.
Two hearts grow closer together, trust and understanding building a strong foundation that will last the test of time, and beyond.
Nevertheless, there will be some nasty bumps on that road, and on Keitaro's head.
Saturday Evening
Keitaro brought a dry robe and towels for Naru. He waits behind the closed door to the bath for her to change. She slide open the door, still drying her hair. Smiling, she takes his hand and they walk downstairs.
They reach the first floor and enter the common room. Kitsune slyly smiles at them and gives Naru the thumbs-up sign.
"Looks like ya'll already had a little party!"
Motoko's eyes widen as she also jumps to a wild assumption.
"N-naru-sempai! I would n-never have believed you would allow this, this male to have his way . . . . ."
Su tosses Tama-chan in the air.
"Hishway! Hishway! Does that taste good?"
"Mew!"
Shinobu faints.
"Sempai, aaauuuuu!"
Haruka shakes her head.
"Crazy kids."
Hikari smiles at them.
"I will give you a special discount on delivery services, whenever you need them of course."
Yohko wipes a tear from her eye.
"My little boy is growing up so fast. I'm so happy!"
Keishi lifts a glass of sake in a toast to them.
"I always wanted to be a grandfather!"
Mutsumi reaches around Naru's neck and hugs her.
"Oh my! Are you going to be a mommy?"
"Mu-mutsumi-san! Where did you come from?"
Blushing, Naru looks around and holds up her hands.
"It's n-not like th-th-that at all! Right, Keitaro?"
Also blushing, Keitaro rubs the back of his head.
"We're innocent! We just took a bath together, that's all!"
Naru spins and stares at him.
"You didn't have to tell them that! You stupid jerk!"
Keitaro, courtesy of a Naru-punch, sails over the people in the common room and through the dining room door. The sound of him sliding across the table and crashing into the kitchen can be heard. The clatter of falling pots and pans rings throughout Hinata-sou. Keishi takes another sip of his sake and pokes Yohko in the ribs.
"Ah, that brings back memories, doesn't it Yohko-kun?"
Yohko blushes. Keishi follows Keitaro's trajectory, courtesy of a Yohko-punch.
Everyone stares at Keitaro's mother, who is calmly blowing on her knuckles and smiling.
"It's been a while, but he deserved it."
Kitsune drops her glass of sake and stares at the door Keitaro and Keishi hurled through.
"Oh my god! You can inherit something like that?"
End of Chapter Two.