Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina or any of the characters contained in
here. Love Hina is owned by Ken Akamatsu. This FanFic is purely for the
enjoyment of myself and for others to read. So please don't sue
To Help a Friend
(Koalla Su's room- Now)
Su went straight to her room (some would say it was a real jungle in there-- -and they'd be right for it really WAS a jungle.vines and all) as soon as she entered Hinata-Sou. Without a single trace of her usual hyperactiveness, she frantically typed on her Computer. She didn't consciously know what she was looking for, only that it would help her friend. Motoko was one of the few people on the planet with the patience to deal with someone as Hyperkinetic (and absurdly strong) as she. For someone who normally had a photographic memory, she found it difficult to acquire the information she needed.
'Me remember Big Brother and Big Sis telling Su about helping soldier's' she thought trying to remember. ' Me remember them saying how the 'quiet death' get them and how they were go cure them ' Su never heard the commotion goin on outside or someone yelling from INSIDE.
*****
(Downstairs -Now)
After finally arriving from the Hospital, Doctor Hikari parked her car down the street next to Seta's van. She sprinted up the steps leading to the dorm so fast it would make an Olympic runner jealous.
"Hello!" she yelled as she entered the dorm. "Haruka? Motoko? Anybody?" She was familiar with the basic layout of the building,since she had visited quite a few times and began searching each room for signs of any of the inhabitants. As she made her way upstairs, she barely heard someone typing on a keyboard.towards Su's room! Without thinking she bolted toward her room and barged through the door, almost falling into Su's personal swamp for her troubles. She was relieved to find Su perched on one of her vines typing keys on her laptop.
"SU!" yelled Hikari toward the pre-teen.
Su looked up from her screen to register the Doctor's presence and leaped down with laptop in hand.
"Doctor come to save Motoko too?" was all Su had asked knowing that it was Hikari that examined Motoko earlier in the day.
A nearly breathless but very excited Hikari responded , " Your just the person I have been looking for-we don't have much time!"
Hikari explained to Su the findings her and Doctor Godo discovered regarding the medicine man that had graduated from Tokyo U in search of a cure for his people. Su's eyes widened in relief at this bit of info.
"That's it! That what Su missed!" she began typing again, this time accessing the Tokyo U database for a certain thesis paper written not so long ago. She knew the story of how the local medicine man became a celebrity by not only traveling to Tokyo U in search of information leading to a cure for their soldier's, but actually FINDING one! Hikari looked on as Su found the paper in question and scanned the screen in silence for a few seconds. As soon as she finished, she looked up at Hikari with a big grin almost jumping around the room as per her usual self.
"What is it?" she asked the teen " Did you find anything?"
Su had landed right in front of a surprised Doctor.
" Me need your help to save Motoko , Me ca't do it alone."
Hikari blinked, did she hear her right? " Didn't you already know how to save Motoko? I thought you were taught this already back in your country." She had asked, confusion evident in her voice.
"Su leave for Japan before Big Brother teach Su how to save soldier's. No worry though.Su know now!" she said as matter of factly as others would speak about the weather.
"How? You just looked at your laptop for only a few seconds. How could you possibly know everything?" she had asked .
"Su knows! Me read REAL fast and keep all up here" Su pointed to her temple as she hung upside down from another vine.
'She has a photographic memory.incredible!' she coughed trying to get the young girl's attention then. "So what's next then?"
" We wait." was all Su said.
"Wait for what?"
"For Motoko to stop fighting." She led Hikari out to the hall and pointed out a window towards the hill. She saw the others gathered around looking at what seemed like great battle. Sounds of fighting can be heard from the dorm.
"What's goin on out there?" asked a bewildered Doctor.
"Big Brother Keitaro.finally waking up." She stated solemnly.
(On top of the hill -Now)
Motoko barely sidestepped Keitaro's charge as a Chi powered fist just barely passed her head. She turned the step into a roll and faced a very angry Keitaro Urashima.
" I know you don't think much of me Motoko and I've accepted that fact long ago. I tried to be a good landlord to you girls as well as a friend. All I ask is that one day you'd treat me with some form of respect for the good things that I do instead of the bad things I'm always accused of doing. Only Shinobu treated me as a human being and not some slave."
Motoko,as well as the rest of the residents - Shinobu & Haruka excluded, winced at that last statement. They always thought that it was fun to give their landlord a hard time, they never once considered his feelings. All that built -up resentment had finally reached its peak.and now Motoko may be the one to pay for all there sins.
"If you had a problem with me, you know where I'd be.but you should NEVER have threatened Narusegawa. Even though she's given me her share of grief in the past.I'll never forgive you for what you've done to her today."
Motoko kept her sword in front of her, her only source of familiar comfort as Keitaro expressed his distaste of her actions. Her heart ached at all the pain that he has endured because of her..as well as the newly formed hatred surrounding his Chi. Still, despite all this, she stood defiant.
"Your words mean nothing Urashima!" she stated boldly. "Face me if you dare. All your newly awakened skills will only serve to give me a workout."
Keitaro looked at his adversary with cold eyes. " To think that you once meant something to me as well. Ok then.defend yourself." He stated sadly as he readied a fighting stance.
'Kami No!' she screamed out in her mind. ' I've dishonored the only man that I have considered a friend! His hatred of me has been assured when I threatened his beloved.'
Both combatants charged at the same time, neither one avoiding the others charge this time.
The battle was on.
Haruka and the others made their way to Naru's side to see if she suffered any permanent damage. They were relieved to see her none too worse for wear. She started to open her eyes.very slowly. Taking in her surroundings she noticed that the rest of the girls, save for Su, were huddled around her. She smiled to let them know that she had better days, but was otherwise ok.
"Keitaro? she whispered weakly. "W-Where--?"
She simply followed Haruka's stony gaze and gasped at the site before them.- --Motoko and Keitaro engaged in fist to sword combat. Neither one giving an inch as both were determined to win at any cost.
Naru felt a pang of Dread that she never felt before.
Her friends were fighting and she had to do something-no matter what.
******
(The Tea House- Moments ago)
Mutsumi Otohime was happily cleaning up Haruka's Tea House while the proprietor was gone. Haruka had left earlier in the day with Motoko in hand. She had explained to the young Okinawan what had happened when she found Motoko hunched over in pain and decided to close the shop for the day (rather than risk one of Mutsumi's "fainting" spells and potentially hurting herself-or getting robbed).
She thought nothing of it later on when she saw all of the residents huddled around Haruka as they returned from the hospital. Tama-chan, Hinata- Sou's official pet turtle was happily flying around the tea house helping its former master finish her chores. She was in the middle of wiping off a table when she froze, a heavy feeling of dread washing over her---a sickeningly FAMILIAR feeling. Only one other time did she ever have this feeling, and she shuddered at the memory..she was only six years old. She put a hand over where her heart as as if she was in physical pain, in fact, her pain wasn't for her at all.but for another. She stepped outside of the Tea House and looked up at the hill.right where Haruka and the rest would be.
"Oh Kei-Kun. Please let it not be so." She whispered, almost recalling what had happened all those years ago. Tama-chan gently landed on her shoulder and spoke.
"Myuh?" it had asked of Mutsumi.
"Something terrible has happened Tama. Kei-Kun needs us!"
And with that, Mutsumi locked up the tea house and made her way up the stairs faster than Hikari had earlier. The only thought in mind was to help Keitaro..before he hurt anyone else!
********
"ROCK SPLITTING SWORD!" shouted Motoko as she unleashed another secret technique at Keitaro Urashima. Keitaro leapt out of its way and toward Motoko readying another series of strikes. Sweat pouring down both there bodies as neither one would give in.too much at stake for either. Motoko needing to know that the Hinata residents would be safe from harm after she died and Keitaro wanting justice for what was done to Naru ---his would -be beloved.
Though it looked as if both combatants had battled for hours, it was only maybe 10 minutes since the fight had started. Neither one would go unscathed after this battle would end.Motoko showing signs of bruising on her arms and right cheek where Keitaro gave her a vicious spinning backfist and Keitaro slowly bleeding from the many cuts inflicted by Motoko's katana. Both breathing very heavy, Keitaro even more so, a thought coming to Motoko.
'Urashima's skill is indeed impressive. But it would seem that even though his mind has remembered his training.his body is simply NOT USED to the extra physical demands. There is my advantage.'
Keitaro observing his opponents scrutiny considered. 'She's figured out that my stamina isn't what it could be..ill need to end this quickly or she'll have me for breakfast.'
"MOTOKO!" he yelled, "What's say we get this over with? I have exams to study for."
If the situation wasn't so far gone, his last statement would almost be laughable. Instead, Motoko merely nodded her head once in acknowledgement. Then she did something that none of the Hinata residents, Keitaro included, have ever seen her do. She gripped her Katana blade - side down, and jammed it in the ground where it stood. Engaging in a fighting stance of her own.she prepared for hand-to-hand.
"What is she doing?" Asked a frightened Sara. " She'll get her ass kicked if she doesn't pick that sword back up right now."
"I think she knows that." Whispered Shinobu looking down in front of her with hands clasped. "Sempai, please don't hurt her. She didn't mean to hurt Naru."
"She's crazy you know!" Kitsune says to Haruka. " I've NEVER seen that girl give up her blade before. "
" Be quiet!" barked Haruka, understanding Motoko's reason's all too well. " Don't underestimate her just because her sword is in the ground. A true martial artist doesn't need to rely on a weapon,. when trained properly, they ARE a weapon." She looked at Naru to gauge her reaction to the scene in front of her..Naru merely stared. At both the girl she had once considered a good friend and at the man that EVERYONE had underestimated all this time. 'Keitaro, when this is done you'd better tell me why this all feels so damn "familiar to me'. she thinks to herself. 'You BAKA! Just be careful!'
Keitaro stared across the ground at Motoko and nodded once to acknowledge her sacrifice of the blade.
'Very well then.' He thought sadly. 'Here we go.'
'Urashima. Please forgive my past injustices. You have indeed been a good friend.' she charged toward the landlord. Keitaro followed suit.
When they met, their unarmed duel was both frightening and beautiful to behold. Punches were thrown and kicks were blocked as both tried to connect a blow with the other. It was like something out of a classic Kung Fu movie but more deadly. To the girls, it seemed as if two great warriors were battling in front of their eyes. Only Haruka can see, not only the physical battle, but also the waves of Chi energy emanating from the two as combat raged.. It was.beautiful!
Motoko managed to land a hard roundhouse kick to Keitaro's right cheek while the landlord turned into the move and delivered another spinning backfist to her left cheek matching the bruise from earlier. Pressing the advantage, Keitaro threw a punch aimed straight at her face.
She was ready.
To Motoko's credit, she blocked the punch, gripped him at the wrist, and somersaulted over Keitaro's head so that his right arm twisted overhead behind his shoulder. She pressed her body close to his back and pulled his arm further. He winced in agony.
"Urashima!" she cried in triumph. "This battle is over! Submit!"
To her surprise she felt him STILL fighting her. He seemed to be trying to pull himself even FURTHER from her.
'Fool! ' Surely he sees that the battle is over. On the contrary, Keitaro was FAR from done. He gritted his teeth as he attempted to free himself.
Naru Narusegawa has had enough! Keitaro needed her help ( whether he wanted it or not )and as anyone can tell you.she is far from helpless. She bolted from the group and headed in their direction.
" Naru!" Cried Kitsune. "No! You don't know what your doing."
Ignoring the warning, Naru approached the fighters and prepared to wind her arm back so she can give Motoko what was affectionately called her 'Naru Punch.'( as Keitaro would attest too) Once she reached the battle site , she let loose with the most powerful Naru punch she could muster on Motoko.
She missed.
Motoko's battle sense, honed through years of rigorous training, reacted to this new threat on instinct. Her free arm snaked out and struck Naru HARD, sending her flying away from them both She landed on the ground with a sickening THUD..right in Keitaro's line of sight.
'N-Naru-Sempai! NO!' realizing what she had done, she turned her head in Naru's direction.. 'Kami. I-I just reacted. I-I didn't mean--'
That's when Keitaro Urashima snapped.and so did his shoulder as he popped his arm out of its socket.
To Help a Friend
(Koalla Su's room- Now)
Su went straight to her room (some would say it was a real jungle in there-- -and they'd be right for it really WAS a jungle.vines and all) as soon as she entered Hinata-Sou. Without a single trace of her usual hyperactiveness, she frantically typed on her Computer. She didn't consciously know what she was looking for, only that it would help her friend. Motoko was one of the few people on the planet with the patience to deal with someone as Hyperkinetic (and absurdly strong) as she. For someone who normally had a photographic memory, she found it difficult to acquire the information she needed.
'Me remember Big Brother and Big Sis telling Su about helping soldier's' she thought trying to remember. ' Me remember them saying how the 'quiet death' get them and how they were go cure them ' Su never heard the commotion goin on outside or someone yelling from INSIDE.
*****
(Downstairs -Now)
After finally arriving from the Hospital, Doctor Hikari parked her car down the street next to Seta's van. She sprinted up the steps leading to the dorm so fast it would make an Olympic runner jealous.
"Hello!" she yelled as she entered the dorm. "Haruka? Motoko? Anybody?" She was familiar with the basic layout of the building,since she had visited quite a few times and began searching each room for signs of any of the inhabitants. As she made her way upstairs, she barely heard someone typing on a keyboard.towards Su's room! Without thinking she bolted toward her room and barged through the door, almost falling into Su's personal swamp for her troubles. She was relieved to find Su perched on one of her vines typing keys on her laptop.
"SU!" yelled Hikari toward the pre-teen.
Su looked up from her screen to register the Doctor's presence and leaped down with laptop in hand.
"Doctor come to save Motoko too?" was all Su had asked knowing that it was Hikari that examined Motoko earlier in the day.
A nearly breathless but very excited Hikari responded , " Your just the person I have been looking for-we don't have much time!"
Hikari explained to Su the findings her and Doctor Godo discovered regarding the medicine man that had graduated from Tokyo U in search of a cure for his people. Su's eyes widened in relief at this bit of info.
"That's it! That what Su missed!" she began typing again, this time accessing the Tokyo U database for a certain thesis paper written not so long ago. She knew the story of how the local medicine man became a celebrity by not only traveling to Tokyo U in search of information leading to a cure for their soldier's, but actually FINDING one! Hikari looked on as Su found the paper in question and scanned the screen in silence for a few seconds. As soon as she finished, she looked up at Hikari with a big grin almost jumping around the room as per her usual self.
"What is it?" she asked the teen " Did you find anything?"
Su had landed right in front of a surprised Doctor.
" Me need your help to save Motoko , Me ca't do it alone."
Hikari blinked, did she hear her right? " Didn't you already know how to save Motoko? I thought you were taught this already back in your country." She had asked, confusion evident in her voice.
"Su leave for Japan before Big Brother teach Su how to save soldier's. No worry though.Su know now!" she said as matter of factly as others would speak about the weather.
"How? You just looked at your laptop for only a few seconds. How could you possibly know everything?" she had asked .
"Su knows! Me read REAL fast and keep all up here" Su pointed to her temple as she hung upside down from another vine.
'She has a photographic memory.incredible!' she coughed trying to get the young girl's attention then. "So what's next then?"
" We wait." was all Su said.
"Wait for what?"
"For Motoko to stop fighting." She led Hikari out to the hall and pointed out a window towards the hill. She saw the others gathered around looking at what seemed like great battle. Sounds of fighting can be heard from the dorm.
"What's goin on out there?" asked a bewildered Doctor.
"Big Brother Keitaro.finally waking up." She stated solemnly.
(On top of the hill -Now)
Motoko barely sidestepped Keitaro's charge as a Chi powered fist just barely passed her head. She turned the step into a roll and faced a very angry Keitaro Urashima.
" I know you don't think much of me Motoko and I've accepted that fact long ago. I tried to be a good landlord to you girls as well as a friend. All I ask is that one day you'd treat me with some form of respect for the good things that I do instead of the bad things I'm always accused of doing. Only Shinobu treated me as a human being and not some slave."
Motoko,as well as the rest of the residents - Shinobu & Haruka excluded, winced at that last statement. They always thought that it was fun to give their landlord a hard time, they never once considered his feelings. All that built -up resentment had finally reached its peak.and now Motoko may be the one to pay for all there sins.
"If you had a problem with me, you know where I'd be.but you should NEVER have threatened Narusegawa. Even though she's given me her share of grief in the past.I'll never forgive you for what you've done to her today."
Motoko kept her sword in front of her, her only source of familiar comfort as Keitaro expressed his distaste of her actions. Her heart ached at all the pain that he has endured because of her..as well as the newly formed hatred surrounding his Chi. Still, despite all this, she stood defiant.
"Your words mean nothing Urashima!" she stated boldly. "Face me if you dare. All your newly awakened skills will only serve to give me a workout."
Keitaro looked at his adversary with cold eyes. " To think that you once meant something to me as well. Ok then.defend yourself." He stated sadly as he readied a fighting stance.
'Kami No!' she screamed out in her mind. ' I've dishonored the only man that I have considered a friend! His hatred of me has been assured when I threatened his beloved.'
Both combatants charged at the same time, neither one avoiding the others charge this time.
The battle was on.
Haruka and the others made their way to Naru's side to see if she suffered any permanent damage. They were relieved to see her none too worse for wear. She started to open her eyes.very slowly. Taking in her surroundings she noticed that the rest of the girls, save for Su, were huddled around her. She smiled to let them know that she had better days, but was otherwise ok.
"Keitaro? she whispered weakly. "W-Where--?"
She simply followed Haruka's stony gaze and gasped at the site before them.- --Motoko and Keitaro engaged in fist to sword combat. Neither one giving an inch as both were determined to win at any cost.
Naru felt a pang of Dread that she never felt before.
Her friends were fighting and she had to do something-no matter what.
******
(The Tea House- Moments ago)
Mutsumi Otohime was happily cleaning up Haruka's Tea House while the proprietor was gone. Haruka had left earlier in the day with Motoko in hand. She had explained to the young Okinawan what had happened when she found Motoko hunched over in pain and decided to close the shop for the day (rather than risk one of Mutsumi's "fainting" spells and potentially hurting herself-or getting robbed).
She thought nothing of it later on when she saw all of the residents huddled around Haruka as they returned from the hospital. Tama-chan, Hinata- Sou's official pet turtle was happily flying around the tea house helping its former master finish her chores. She was in the middle of wiping off a table when she froze, a heavy feeling of dread washing over her---a sickeningly FAMILIAR feeling. Only one other time did she ever have this feeling, and she shuddered at the memory..she was only six years old. She put a hand over where her heart as as if she was in physical pain, in fact, her pain wasn't for her at all.but for another. She stepped outside of the Tea House and looked up at the hill.right where Haruka and the rest would be.
"Oh Kei-Kun. Please let it not be so." She whispered, almost recalling what had happened all those years ago. Tama-chan gently landed on her shoulder and spoke.
"Myuh?" it had asked of Mutsumi.
"Something terrible has happened Tama. Kei-Kun needs us!"
And with that, Mutsumi locked up the tea house and made her way up the stairs faster than Hikari had earlier. The only thought in mind was to help Keitaro..before he hurt anyone else!
********
"ROCK SPLITTING SWORD!" shouted Motoko as she unleashed another secret technique at Keitaro Urashima. Keitaro leapt out of its way and toward Motoko readying another series of strikes. Sweat pouring down both there bodies as neither one would give in.too much at stake for either. Motoko needing to know that the Hinata residents would be safe from harm after she died and Keitaro wanting justice for what was done to Naru ---his would -be beloved.
Though it looked as if both combatants had battled for hours, it was only maybe 10 minutes since the fight had started. Neither one would go unscathed after this battle would end.Motoko showing signs of bruising on her arms and right cheek where Keitaro gave her a vicious spinning backfist and Keitaro slowly bleeding from the many cuts inflicted by Motoko's katana. Both breathing very heavy, Keitaro even more so, a thought coming to Motoko.
'Urashima's skill is indeed impressive. But it would seem that even though his mind has remembered his training.his body is simply NOT USED to the extra physical demands. There is my advantage.'
Keitaro observing his opponents scrutiny considered. 'She's figured out that my stamina isn't what it could be..ill need to end this quickly or she'll have me for breakfast.'
"MOTOKO!" he yelled, "What's say we get this over with? I have exams to study for."
If the situation wasn't so far gone, his last statement would almost be laughable. Instead, Motoko merely nodded her head once in acknowledgement. Then she did something that none of the Hinata residents, Keitaro included, have ever seen her do. She gripped her Katana blade - side down, and jammed it in the ground where it stood. Engaging in a fighting stance of her own.she prepared for hand-to-hand.
"What is she doing?" Asked a frightened Sara. " She'll get her ass kicked if she doesn't pick that sword back up right now."
"I think she knows that." Whispered Shinobu looking down in front of her with hands clasped. "Sempai, please don't hurt her. She didn't mean to hurt Naru."
"She's crazy you know!" Kitsune says to Haruka. " I've NEVER seen that girl give up her blade before. "
" Be quiet!" barked Haruka, understanding Motoko's reason's all too well. " Don't underestimate her just because her sword is in the ground. A true martial artist doesn't need to rely on a weapon,. when trained properly, they ARE a weapon." She looked at Naru to gauge her reaction to the scene in front of her..Naru merely stared. At both the girl she had once considered a good friend and at the man that EVERYONE had underestimated all this time. 'Keitaro, when this is done you'd better tell me why this all feels so damn "familiar to me'. she thinks to herself. 'You BAKA! Just be careful!'
Keitaro stared across the ground at Motoko and nodded once to acknowledge her sacrifice of the blade.
'Very well then.' He thought sadly. 'Here we go.'
'Urashima. Please forgive my past injustices. You have indeed been a good friend.' she charged toward the landlord. Keitaro followed suit.
When they met, their unarmed duel was both frightening and beautiful to behold. Punches were thrown and kicks were blocked as both tried to connect a blow with the other. It was like something out of a classic Kung Fu movie but more deadly. To the girls, it seemed as if two great warriors were battling in front of their eyes. Only Haruka can see, not only the physical battle, but also the waves of Chi energy emanating from the two as combat raged.. It was.beautiful!
Motoko managed to land a hard roundhouse kick to Keitaro's right cheek while the landlord turned into the move and delivered another spinning backfist to her left cheek matching the bruise from earlier. Pressing the advantage, Keitaro threw a punch aimed straight at her face.
She was ready.
To Motoko's credit, she blocked the punch, gripped him at the wrist, and somersaulted over Keitaro's head so that his right arm twisted overhead behind his shoulder. She pressed her body close to his back and pulled his arm further. He winced in agony.
"Urashima!" she cried in triumph. "This battle is over! Submit!"
To her surprise she felt him STILL fighting her. He seemed to be trying to pull himself even FURTHER from her.
'Fool! ' Surely he sees that the battle is over. On the contrary, Keitaro was FAR from done. He gritted his teeth as he attempted to free himself.
Naru Narusegawa has had enough! Keitaro needed her help ( whether he wanted it or not )and as anyone can tell you.she is far from helpless. She bolted from the group and headed in their direction.
" Naru!" Cried Kitsune. "No! You don't know what your doing."
Ignoring the warning, Naru approached the fighters and prepared to wind her arm back so she can give Motoko what was affectionately called her 'Naru Punch.'( as Keitaro would attest too) Once she reached the battle site , she let loose with the most powerful Naru punch she could muster on Motoko.
She missed.
Motoko's battle sense, honed through years of rigorous training, reacted to this new threat on instinct. Her free arm snaked out and struck Naru HARD, sending her flying away from them both She landed on the ground with a sickening THUD..right in Keitaro's line of sight.
'N-Naru-Sempai! NO!' realizing what she had done, she turned her head in Naru's direction.. 'Kami. I-I just reacted. I-I didn't mean--'
That's when Keitaro Urashima snapped.and so did his shoulder as he popped his arm out of its socket.