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
(Outside Motoko's Room)
Kitsune and the other girls were standing near the door to Motoko's room waiting for any word on their friend's condition. It had been only a few minutes since both Dr. Hikari and Haruka, followed by Su, took a very unconscious Motoko inside----yet it seemed like hours. All were very worried about their friend's health ----as well as another's.
"Hey fox lady!" Started Sara in her usual matter -of -fact manner. "You think Kendo girl is gonna pull through?"
Kitsune , with arms crossed leaning against the wall, turned to the small girl with a little annoyance.
" Listen Sara. Motoko's one of the toughest people I know. If anyone is gonna fight this thing it's gonna be her..you got that?"
Seeing the younger girl's eyes begin to water, Kitsune sighed and moved next to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Look. I'm sorry about yelling. We're all on edge about everything that happened today. None of us expected any of this to happen to our friends."
Sara , feeling a little better , crushed Kitsune in a fierce bear hug. Kitsune could here her mumble-
"Wish papa was here."
"We all do kiddo." Was all Kitsune could say as she returned the hug. She heard footsteps approaching, Shinobu had returned from Su's room with Dr. Hikari's medical bag in hand. Upon looking at the scene in front of her, she gave Kitsune a questioning glance. Kitsune returned the look by putting her finger to her lips , signaling the other girl to be as silent as possible. Shinobu nodded in understanding. Turning to Motoko's door, she slowly entered her friend's room and carefully approached the Doctor.
There was Hikari, hooking Motoko up to some medical equipment to examine her vitals. Wondering where she could possibly get such elaborate equipment up to the dorm in so short a time---then she remembered Su.
'No doubt. Something Su had put together for just such an emergency.' She couldn't help but smile at her friend's ability to build the most elaborate machines in so short a time. After all, Koalla Su was something of a technical genius---if a little eccentric.
What made her heart sink was the way Motoko looked as she lay on her futon. Normally, her skin was as white as the finest porcelain on the planet, yet it seemed even MORE pale. Also, it looked as if her skin was starting to shrink on itself as if Motoko had lost considerable weight in the last few minutes. Her face looked like death warmed over..Shinobu cringed, wondering how something so awful could happen to someone as strong as her.
Remembering why she came, she slowly approached Hikari and presented her with her medical bag.
"Ah Shinobu. Arigato." Hikari had gently taken the bag from the younger girl and began to fish its contents for something or other. Noticing the girl's scrutiny of Motoko's condition she offered her a slight smile. "Don't worry Motoko. We are doing all we can to save her."
"But what if she doesn't wake up?" tears started to form around Shinobu's normally puppy dog eyes.
The young chef was startled as something, or should I say someone, landed right in front of her.
"Dontcha worry Shinomu!" added a very hyper(when is she not?) Koalla Su. "I toldya.she wont die. I won't let her. Hikari and I have a plan."
This seemed to brighten Shinobu's mood. There were two things on this earth that she could always count on: Su's ability to pull off the impossible and any promise made by her beloved Sempai.
Keitaro.
All this time she forgot that her sempai was suffering from a different sort of pain. Turning to Haruka, who was gently placing a wet towel on Motoko's forehead she asked.
"Has Sempai come back from outside yet?"
Looking a little sad, and not just for Motoko , Haruka slowly answered her. "Keitaro and the others haven't shown up yet I'm afraid."
"I hope he comes in soon I need to set that arm of his back in its socket before it gets any worse." Added Hikari. "Keitaro, I can't believe he had it in him."
" Our sensei taught us well." Started Haruka , looking up at the others now. "First me, then Keitaro and then a couple of years later his sister Kanako." The others have heard of Kanako's name mentioned in passing, but have never met the young girl.
"All of us took to training quite well. However, it was my nephew that showed exceptional skill." She started, a bit of pride laced in her words. "He was considered sensei's best student. Noone could touch him, not even Motoko at her best, he was THAT good."
Shinobu believed it, especially after seeing the unfortunate conflict that transpired between them not more than a while ago. Then a thought occurred to her----"That wasn't Motoko's best! She was fighting her sickness while she was fighting sempai. Surely he was holding back!"
Haruka slowly nodded, "Yup. Despite his anger towards me and her..he was holding back!"
"You call that holding back?" said a very surprised Kitsune, who obviously was tired waiting in the hall..followed by Sara. All eyes turned toward her. "Haruka! If that was holding back, I'd hate to see him cut loose!"
"Lower your voice Kitsune!" warned Hikari.
"Err.sorry. I'm just surprised is all. I mean , we all like Keitaro and all...but he always seemed .weak."
"That's because he is afraid of what would happen if he cut loose on another person. All of you saw him out there with Motoko, and she is no stranger to the fighting arts."
The girls nodded.
"Now imagine if he tried that on someone who couldn't possibly defend themselves against him."
"They'd be toast." Stated Sara.
"Exactly Sara." She agreed. "Like you said, even Seta would have a hard time against him. And I know for a FACT that Seta's skills are exceptional. And no snide comments Kitsune!" warned Haruka.
"Aw shucks Haruka!" said Kitsune rubbing her chin in her usual sly manner. "You left that one wide open for me."
Ignoring Kitsune , Shinobu asked. "Ms Haruka? If sempai was able to defend himself all this time...why didn't he?"
They all saw Haruka stiffen at the question. It was because she had told more than she should have that Keitaro was outside somewhere in pain as well. It was her fault that he was reliving that awful incident from so long ago.
"I'm sorry Shinobu. I think I caused enough pain with what I've told Motoko." and with that, she goes back to wiping the young Samurai's brow.
"But why?" she asks almost in a whisper.
"Because I cut loose on someone."
They all turned to the new voice and saw Keitaro, followed by Mutsumi and Naru, just enter the doorway. Keitaro looking very ragged , his clothes torn where Motoko managed to connect with her Katana, surveyed the scene in front of him.
"Sempai!" yelled Shinobu as she ran to her elder and gave him a fierce hug not caring what the others thought. "Your alright!"
Naru and Mutsumi looked at each other in silent understanding at Shinobu's display. 'not another one.' They seemed to think in mild amusement.
Keitaro slowly stroked the hair of the younger girl. "It's ok Shinobu. I'm no worse for wear.." he knelt down in front of her and picked up her chin. "I'm sorry if I scared you out there. I didn't want any of you to see that."
"But sempai. What did you do that made you stop fighting? I can't believe that what you did was so terrible."
Shinobu saw the tension in the room increase 1000 fold. Realizing her mistake she back away a little her head down in shame.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." If Keitaro was offended by her question, he didn't show it.
"I promise all of you. After this terrible business with Motoko is over--- I'll tell you all about it. Right now I'm more concerned for her." Turning towards Hikari he asked, "How's she doing?"
Hikari, approaching him now, gave him a cursory glance at his condition as well, assessed that he was indeed in good shape---then she noticed his arm .
"Do I want to know how you set it back young man?"
"No."
"Ok then, she is failing fast." The whole room went silent at her words. And before you ask, your little fight outside had nothing to do with her condition going south."
This sent waves of relief throughout Keitaro. It would have killed him if he thought he contributed to her failing health.
" We don't have much time to try Su's plan in motion."
"What plan?" asked Naru.
Turning to the rest of them she explained."Apparently, there was this medicine man from her old country that studied at Toudai . His goal was to find a cure to what he called.'The Quiet Death' that afflicted the best warriors in his country's army. According to his thesis paper, the solution involved both a medical and metaphysical solution"
"What do you mean Hikari?" asked Haruka now.
They believed that some sort of evil spirit ---or demon was the cause of everyone's death. Apparently, this afflicted some of Japan's great fighters as well.
"Like Motoko." asked Mutsumi.
"Yes." When I examined her earlier today, she explained how some of her ancestors as recently as two generations ago have succumbed to this 'disease'-for lack of a better term. She sort of expected this."
"I wonder why she never mentioned it before?" Asked Shinobu.
"She probably didn't want you guys to worry over something that may or may not have happened." Hikari noticed the serious look on Keitaro's face. "What's wrong?"
Naru approaches him and gently asks. "Keitaro. What's wrong? Do you know something that we don't?"
Looking at everyone around the room he tries word his next sentence carefully. Unexpectedly, he walks over to Motoko's side and kneels next to her gently taking her hand in his.
'It's so cold.' He thought.
He points his gaze at his Aunt, who looks down in shame at what she had done. Holding his gaze he admits." I might have seen this coming."
"What?" everyone asked at the same time. "How could you possibly know?"
Both Shinobu and Kitsune begin to understand how they found their landlord that morning.
"Does this have to do with your nightmare this morning sempai?"
Keitaro nodded.
Keitaro explained to the rest of them about the horrible nightmare he had earlier. About how he figured out the mysterious figure that taunted him had to be Motoko and about the horrible event afterwards.
"That explains why you were so rattled." Stated Kitsune.
"Yea. That's why you didn't pay any attention at lunchtime." Stated Sara. It didn't escape anyone's attention how she omitted the word 'DORK' this time when she addressed Keitaro.
"This is too much of a coincidence." Stated Haruka. Upon looking at the confused glances of Keitaro, Naru and Mitsumi(they didn't know how Haruka found her that morning) she begins to explain.
"Between the attack on Motoko and Keitaro's nightmare..this is simply too much of a coincidence to ignore." Said Hikari.
Everyone agreed.
"Um, I have a question?" started Mitsumi. "Could Motoko-chan have somehow called to Kei-Kun in his dreams for help"
"I don't see how she could have." Replied Hikari. According to Kitsune and Shinobu , Keitaro's nightmare happened while I was examining her at the hospital."
"Oh, I see. Could Kei-Kun have sensed her distress instead, as he was sleeping?"
"I suppose. But how----?"
"Their Chi." Interrupted Haruka.
"Say again."
"While Keitaro was sleeping, his Chi---his spiritual center---must have sensed Motoko's Chi in distress." Looking at the confused looks of everyone but her nephew she continued. "It makes sense, Motoko's has a strong spirit through her daily training, and I know from his childhood that Keitaro's spirit hasn't really lost its strength so its natural for them to reach out to one another's. He's just been purposely suppressing it is all." Haruka's explanation made sense, so everyone accepted it as fact.
It was then that Keitaro had to ask his Aunt the question that was plaguing his mind all this time.
"Then why did Motoko have to attack us like she did. Why did you tell her about what happened?" he asked, a bit angrier than he intended.
"Keitaro!" warned Hikari similar to how he warned Kitsune earlier about the noise level.
"It's ok Hikari." Haruka gaze met Keitaro's for the first time since he entered the room.
"She was worried about the girls."
"What do you mean by that?"
"She was worried that after she..died, that there would be noone to protect them." She stated sadly.
"But it still doesn't explain why she attacked both Naru and Myself."
"That's because she didn't believe me when I told her that you were more than capable of defending them in her.absence." "Oh. I see." Understanding beginning to dawn on his face. " I didn't exactly gave any indication that I could fight did I?"
"No. You have to understand that it annoys the hell out of me when I think that people don't give you enough credit for the good things that you do for them. Let alone when they underestimate you."
Everyone but Shinobu and Mutsumi winced at that. They were guilty of thinking those things about their landlord.
Haruka Continued, "So I told Motoko about what had happened back then. About your training with sensei and about why you had stopped. She seemed as stunned as everyone else was as you two were fighting your hearts out..I just didn't think that anyone would really get hurt because of it---least of all you and Naru."
She turns to Naru, " I am SO sorry that you got caught in the middle of this. The only way for Motoko to know for sure was to engage my nephew in combat. Unfortunately, we knew he'd try his best to find a way out of fighting---unless we gave him some incentive."
Naru was stunned to say the least. " So you used me as bait to get a rise out of Keitaro." she simply stated, no malice evident in her words. Unfortunately, she could see the sheer logic of that plan, again she put her fingers to the bandage of her neck.
"She could have found another way" the controlled anger VERY evident in Keitaro's voice. "Damnit Auntie she had her katana on her throat!"
"Keitaro!" warned Hikari again.
Keitaro was visibly angry at the negligence her aunt showed toward a solution. Everyone backed away a bit as they didn't know what to expect.everyone that is, except Naru.
"Hey. It's ok. I'm still standing remember?" she could see him visibly start to calm down much like he did when Mutsumi approached him earlier. " You have to admit though, if Motoko had asked you about your past---would you have told her? I mean, like you said, you never really showed that side of you before."
Despite his anger, Keitaro had to admit that Naru was right. He'd try to hide his past as much as he could. Knowing Motoko, she'd want to spar with him every chance she got just to see how good (or not so good) he really was. He sighed.
"Aunt Haruka, could I see you out in the hall?"
"Uh Oh." She thought, but she complied and followed him out to the hall.
Mutsumi closed the door behind them as they left, so that noone would follow them.
'Kei-Kun' she thought, 'I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive her.'
Keitaro led his Aunt towards the end of the hallway. He stopped without turning around to face her. His normally unflappable Aunt seemed nervous as they walked down the hallway. She thought she did the right thing when she told Motoko everything about what happened back then. Maybe they could have handled it differently. She didn't think it would turn out like it did--- and she felt responsible.
'I should apologize to him. Maybe he'll be able to forgive me.'
"Keitaro I-"
"I'm sorry Aunt Haruka."
She blinked. Did she just hear him right?
"Keitaro?"
"I'm sorry I doubted your intentions. I know you were only trying to help me...like you always do." His shoulders started to tremble now.
Haruka slowly approached him, and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"Hey. Come on now."
"Please let me finish." He interrupted. " You've always been there for me--- even when my own parents weren't. You believed in me when others didn't. You even helped the girls accept me after Grandma Hina gave the Dorm to me."
Haruka remembered the cold reception her nephew got when he first arrived at the dorm. The girls almost kicked him out his first day here when it was known that Granny Hina intended him to be the Landlord (Although it probably had more to do with the fact that Keitaro accidentally saw both Kitsune and Naru naked in the hot spring.)
Keitaro turned to face her now, tears flowing from his eyes.
"I didn't realize until now that you were just trying to help defend my honor as a person when you told Motoko about me. So what do I do to repay you---I almost put my fist through your face!"
Keitaro couldn't could back any more, he was very rattled by what he almost did to his only Aunt. He cried. He didn't care if it made him seem weak.
"T-this is why I hid it so long. I h-hurt Motoko and I almost hurt you."
Haruka's heart broke, tears forming around her own eyes now as she realized the pain she had caused her nephew, despite his forgiving attitude. She did something that she normally didn't do ---she reached out and held her only nephew. Keitaro, seemingly surprised by this, wrapped his arms around Haruka as well.
"I'm sorry I broke my promise, nephew." She started. "I just got tired of everyone thinking that you weren't strong. I-I just got tired of it." She held him a little tighter.
"I never told you how much I appreciate your help, have I?" asked Keitaro.
"You don't need to."
"Yea I do. You're my only Aunt and like I said you've always been there for me AND for the girls. I just want to say---Thank You Aunt Haruka!" he was the first to break the hug and looked at his Aunt. " I don't care if you knock my block off, like you always do. I'm glad to have you as my Aunt and I'm not ashamed to let people know it."
She felt guilty at his words, Haruka always felt----old whenever He called her either Auntie or Oba-San.
"For the record AUNT Haruka, you are NOT old. You have a very long way before you stop giving any of these girls a run for their money in the looks department." He says with a slight smile starting to form. A bit more slyly he added. "Why do you think Seta is so smitten with you?"
Wiping the tears from her eyes she warned. "Watch it nephew! It's gonna take me some time to have you calling me AUNTIE without cringing----but I wouldn't want you to ruin this Kodak moment by mentioning that bum's name."
"Oh yea. You love him alright AUNTIE." He teased.
" You little brat!" and with that Haruka started playfully chasing Keitaro around the hallway." I'll show you whose skills have also improved with age you little runt."
Upon hearing the playful commotion outside, the girls opened Motoko's door to see what was going on.
"What did that Baka do now?" asked an annoyed Naru.
"Sempai? " asked a worried Shinobu ever worrying about Keitaro.
Mutsumi came out into the hallway and understood at once.
"Ara Ara. How nice. Kei-Kun and Haruka have made up."
All eyes stared at Mutsumi as they wondered how she could possibly know these things. However, Naru looked back at her sick friend lying on her futon. She knelt down beside her, much like Keitaro did earlier, and held her cold hand.
"Don't worry Motoko." she whispered to her friend. "Hang on please. We're coming." And with that, she planted a soft kiss on Motoko's forehead.
Author's notes: Whew. This last one was a doozy to write. Sorry for the extremely long hiatus between chapters. I hope this extra long chapter makes up for it. And for those screaming about what the big secret between Keitaro, Mutsumi, and Naru is-just have one thing to say...soon.
I'll try and make the updates more timely like a I used to. I do have one question though of a technical nature---can anyone tell me how I can make italicized words STAY italicized when I convert to Fanfiction's format? Wanna use it for everyones thoughts instead of the single quotes.
As for the OOC'ness of Haruka's character this fic..just something I've been dying to see elsewhere---her actually proud of being someone's Aunt. Anyway as usual, feedback is welcome and as always READ and REVIEW.
Dennisdud: Funny you should mention Tenchi Muyo. I had the first 2 dvd's sent from Netflix(unopened) when I finished the last chapter. After your review I took a look and I can see where you were going with this. Tenchi Muyo Rules.lol!
Hikari Ishido: Thanks for the encouragement as well. Although you may want to take a look at Chapter 3 as I gave somewhat of a description of your character..lemme know how far off I am.
To Help a Friend
(Outside Motoko's Room)
Kitsune and the other girls were standing near the door to Motoko's room waiting for any word on their friend's condition. It had been only a few minutes since both Dr. Hikari and Haruka, followed by Su, took a very unconscious Motoko inside----yet it seemed like hours. All were very worried about their friend's health ----as well as another's.
"Hey fox lady!" Started Sara in her usual matter -of -fact manner. "You think Kendo girl is gonna pull through?"
Kitsune , with arms crossed leaning against the wall, turned to the small girl with a little annoyance.
" Listen Sara. Motoko's one of the toughest people I know. If anyone is gonna fight this thing it's gonna be her..you got that?"
Seeing the younger girl's eyes begin to water, Kitsune sighed and moved next to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Look. I'm sorry about yelling. We're all on edge about everything that happened today. None of us expected any of this to happen to our friends."
Sara , feeling a little better , crushed Kitsune in a fierce bear hug. Kitsune could here her mumble-
"Wish papa was here."
"We all do kiddo." Was all Kitsune could say as she returned the hug. She heard footsteps approaching, Shinobu had returned from Su's room with Dr. Hikari's medical bag in hand. Upon looking at the scene in front of her, she gave Kitsune a questioning glance. Kitsune returned the look by putting her finger to her lips , signaling the other girl to be as silent as possible. Shinobu nodded in understanding. Turning to Motoko's door, she slowly entered her friend's room and carefully approached the Doctor.
There was Hikari, hooking Motoko up to some medical equipment to examine her vitals. Wondering where she could possibly get such elaborate equipment up to the dorm in so short a time---then she remembered Su.
'No doubt. Something Su had put together for just such an emergency.' She couldn't help but smile at her friend's ability to build the most elaborate machines in so short a time. After all, Koalla Su was something of a technical genius---if a little eccentric.
What made her heart sink was the way Motoko looked as she lay on her futon. Normally, her skin was as white as the finest porcelain on the planet, yet it seemed even MORE pale. Also, it looked as if her skin was starting to shrink on itself as if Motoko had lost considerable weight in the last few minutes. Her face looked like death warmed over..Shinobu cringed, wondering how something so awful could happen to someone as strong as her.
Remembering why she came, she slowly approached Hikari and presented her with her medical bag.
"Ah Shinobu. Arigato." Hikari had gently taken the bag from the younger girl and began to fish its contents for something or other. Noticing the girl's scrutiny of Motoko's condition she offered her a slight smile. "Don't worry Motoko. We are doing all we can to save her."
"But what if she doesn't wake up?" tears started to form around Shinobu's normally puppy dog eyes.
The young chef was startled as something, or should I say someone, landed right in front of her.
"Dontcha worry Shinomu!" added a very hyper(when is she not?) Koalla Su. "I toldya.she wont die. I won't let her. Hikari and I have a plan."
This seemed to brighten Shinobu's mood. There were two things on this earth that she could always count on: Su's ability to pull off the impossible and any promise made by her beloved Sempai.
Keitaro.
All this time she forgot that her sempai was suffering from a different sort of pain. Turning to Haruka, who was gently placing a wet towel on Motoko's forehead she asked.
"Has Sempai come back from outside yet?"
Looking a little sad, and not just for Motoko , Haruka slowly answered her. "Keitaro and the others haven't shown up yet I'm afraid."
"I hope he comes in soon I need to set that arm of his back in its socket before it gets any worse." Added Hikari. "Keitaro, I can't believe he had it in him."
" Our sensei taught us well." Started Haruka , looking up at the others now. "First me, then Keitaro and then a couple of years later his sister Kanako." The others have heard of Kanako's name mentioned in passing, but have never met the young girl.
"All of us took to training quite well. However, it was my nephew that showed exceptional skill." She started, a bit of pride laced in her words. "He was considered sensei's best student. Noone could touch him, not even Motoko at her best, he was THAT good."
Shinobu believed it, especially after seeing the unfortunate conflict that transpired between them not more than a while ago. Then a thought occurred to her----"That wasn't Motoko's best! She was fighting her sickness while she was fighting sempai. Surely he was holding back!"
Haruka slowly nodded, "Yup. Despite his anger towards me and her..he was holding back!"
"You call that holding back?" said a very surprised Kitsune, who obviously was tired waiting in the hall..followed by Sara. All eyes turned toward her. "Haruka! If that was holding back, I'd hate to see him cut loose!"
"Lower your voice Kitsune!" warned Hikari.
"Err.sorry. I'm just surprised is all. I mean , we all like Keitaro and all...but he always seemed .weak."
"That's because he is afraid of what would happen if he cut loose on another person. All of you saw him out there with Motoko, and she is no stranger to the fighting arts."
The girls nodded.
"Now imagine if he tried that on someone who couldn't possibly defend themselves against him."
"They'd be toast." Stated Sara.
"Exactly Sara." She agreed. "Like you said, even Seta would have a hard time against him. And I know for a FACT that Seta's skills are exceptional. And no snide comments Kitsune!" warned Haruka.
"Aw shucks Haruka!" said Kitsune rubbing her chin in her usual sly manner. "You left that one wide open for me."
Ignoring Kitsune , Shinobu asked. "Ms Haruka? If sempai was able to defend himself all this time...why didn't he?"
They all saw Haruka stiffen at the question. It was because she had told more than she should have that Keitaro was outside somewhere in pain as well. It was her fault that he was reliving that awful incident from so long ago.
"I'm sorry Shinobu. I think I caused enough pain with what I've told Motoko." and with that, she goes back to wiping the young Samurai's brow.
"But why?" she asks almost in a whisper.
"Because I cut loose on someone."
They all turned to the new voice and saw Keitaro, followed by Mutsumi and Naru, just enter the doorway. Keitaro looking very ragged , his clothes torn where Motoko managed to connect with her Katana, surveyed the scene in front of him.
"Sempai!" yelled Shinobu as she ran to her elder and gave him a fierce hug not caring what the others thought. "Your alright!"
Naru and Mutsumi looked at each other in silent understanding at Shinobu's display. 'not another one.' They seemed to think in mild amusement.
Keitaro slowly stroked the hair of the younger girl. "It's ok Shinobu. I'm no worse for wear.." he knelt down in front of her and picked up her chin. "I'm sorry if I scared you out there. I didn't want any of you to see that."
"But sempai. What did you do that made you stop fighting? I can't believe that what you did was so terrible."
Shinobu saw the tension in the room increase 1000 fold. Realizing her mistake she back away a little her head down in shame.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." If Keitaro was offended by her question, he didn't show it.
"I promise all of you. After this terrible business with Motoko is over--- I'll tell you all about it. Right now I'm more concerned for her." Turning towards Hikari he asked, "How's she doing?"
Hikari, approaching him now, gave him a cursory glance at his condition as well, assessed that he was indeed in good shape---then she noticed his arm .
"Do I want to know how you set it back young man?"
"No."
"Ok then, she is failing fast." The whole room went silent at her words. And before you ask, your little fight outside had nothing to do with her condition going south."
This sent waves of relief throughout Keitaro. It would have killed him if he thought he contributed to her failing health.
" We don't have much time to try Su's plan in motion."
"What plan?" asked Naru.
Turning to the rest of them she explained."Apparently, there was this medicine man from her old country that studied at Toudai . His goal was to find a cure to what he called.'The Quiet Death' that afflicted the best warriors in his country's army. According to his thesis paper, the solution involved both a medical and metaphysical solution"
"What do you mean Hikari?" asked Haruka now.
They believed that some sort of evil spirit ---or demon was the cause of everyone's death. Apparently, this afflicted some of Japan's great fighters as well.
"Like Motoko." asked Mutsumi.
"Yes." When I examined her earlier today, she explained how some of her ancestors as recently as two generations ago have succumbed to this 'disease'-for lack of a better term. She sort of expected this."
"I wonder why she never mentioned it before?" Asked Shinobu.
"She probably didn't want you guys to worry over something that may or may not have happened." Hikari noticed the serious look on Keitaro's face. "What's wrong?"
Naru approaches him and gently asks. "Keitaro. What's wrong? Do you know something that we don't?"
Looking at everyone around the room he tries word his next sentence carefully. Unexpectedly, he walks over to Motoko's side and kneels next to her gently taking her hand in his.
'It's so cold.' He thought.
He points his gaze at his Aunt, who looks down in shame at what she had done. Holding his gaze he admits." I might have seen this coming."
"What?" everyone asked at the same time. "How could you possibly know?"
Both Shinobu and Kitsune begin to understand how they found their landlord that morning.
"Does this have to do with your nightmare this morning sempai?"
Keitaro nodded.
Keitaro explained to the rest of them about the horrible nightmare he had earlier. About how he figured out the mysterious figure that taunted him had to be Motoko and about the horrible event afterwards.
"That explains why you were so rattled." Stated Kitsune.
"Yea. That's why you didn't pay any attention at lunchtime." Stated Sara. It didn't escape anyone's attention how she omitted the word 'DORK' this time when she addressed Keitaro.
"This is too much of a coincidence." Stated Haruka. Upon looking at the confused glances of Keitaro, Naru and Mitsumi(they didn't know how Haruka found her that morning) she begins to explain.
"Between the attack on Motoko and Keitaro's nightmare..this is simply too much of a coincidence to ignore." Said Hikari.
Everyone agreed.
"Um, I have a question?" started Mitsumi. "Could Motoko-chan have somehow called to Kei-Kun in his dreams for help"
"I don't see how she could have." Replied Hikari. According to Kitsune and Shinobu , Keitaro's nightmare happened while I was examining her at the hospital."
"Oh, I see. Could Kei-Kun have sensed her distress instead, as he was sleeping?"
"I suppose. But how----?"
"Their Chi." Interrupted Haruka.
"Say again."
"While Keitaro was sleeping, his Chi---his spiritual center---must have sensed Motoko's Chi in distress." Looking at the confused looks of everyone but her nephew she continued. "It makes sense, Motoko's has a strong spirit through her daily training, and I know from his childhood that Keitaro's spirit hasn't really lost its strength so its natural for them to reach out to one another's. He's just been purposely suppressing it is all." Haruka's explanation made sense, so everyone accepted it as fact.
It was then that Keitaro had to ask his Aunt the question that was plaguing his mind all this time.
"Then why did Motoko have to attack us like she did. Why did you tell her about what happened?" he asked, a bit angrier than he intended.
"Keitaro!" warned Hikari similar to how he warned Kitsune earlier about the noise level.
"It's ok Hikari." Haruka gaze met Keitaro's for the first time since he entered the room.
"She was worried about the girls."
"What do you mean by that?"
"She was worried that after she..died, that there would be noone to protect them." She stated sadly.
"But it still doesn't explain why she attacked both Naru and Myself."
"That's because she didn't believe me when I told her that you were more than capable of defending them in her.absence." "Oh. I see." Understanding beginning to dawn on his face. " I didn't exactly gave any indication that I could fight did I?"
"No. You have to understand that it annoys the hell out of me when I think that people don't give you enough credit for the good things that you do for them. Let alone when they underestimate you."
Everyone but Shinobu and Mutsumi winced at that. They were guilty of thinking those things about their landlord.
Haruka Continued, "So I told Motoko about what had happened back then. About your training with sensei and about why you had stopped. She seemed as stunned as everyone else was as you two were fighting your hearts out..I just didn't think that anyone would really get hurt because of it---least of all you and Naru."
She turns to Naru, " I am SO sorry that you got caught in the middle of this. The only way for Motoko to know for sure was to engage my nephew in combat. Unfortunately, we knew he'd try his best to find a way out of fighting---unless we gave him some incentive."
Naru was stunned to say the least. " So you used me as bait to get a rise out of Keitaro." she simply stated, no malice evident in her words. Unfortunately, she could see the sheer logic of that plan, again she put her fingers to the bandage of her neck.
"She could have found another way" the controlled anger VERY evident in Keitaro's voice. "Damnit Auntie she had her katana on her throat!"
"Keitaro!" warned Hikari again.
Keitaro was visibly angry at the negligence her aunt showed toward a solution. Everyone backed away a bit as they didn't know what to expect.everyone that is, except Naru.
"Hey. It's ok. I'm still standing remember?" she could see him visibly start to calm down much like he did when Mutsumi approached him earlier. " You have to admit though, if Motoko had asked you about your past---would you have told her? I mean, like you said, you never really showed that side of you before."
Despite his anger, Keitaro had to admit that Naru was right. He'd try to hide his past as much as he could. Knowing Motoko, she'd want to spar with him every chance she got just to see how good (or not so good) he really was. He sighed.
"Aunt Haruka, could I see you out in the hall?"
"Uh Oh." She thought, but she complied and followed him out to the hall.
Mutsumi closed the door behind them as they left, so that noone would follow them.
'Kei-Kun' she thought, 'I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive her.'
Keitaro led his Aunt towards the end of the hallway. He stopped without turning around to face her. His normally unflappable Aunt seemed nervous as they walked down the hallway. She thought she did the right thing when she told Motoko everything about what happened back then. Maybe they could have handled it differently. She didn't think it would turn out like it did--- and she felt responsible.
'I should apologize to him. Maybe he'll be able to forgive me.'
"Keitaro I-"
"I'm sorry Aunt Haruka."
She blinked. Did she just hear him right?
"Keitaro?"
"I'm sorry I doubted your intentions. I know you were only trying to help me...like you always do." His shoulders started to tremble now.
Haruka slowly approached him, and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"Hey. Come on now."
"Please let me finish." He interrupted. " You've always been there for me--- even when my own parents weren't. You believed in me when others didn't. You even helped the girls accept me after Grandma Hina gave the Dorm to me."
Haruka remembered the cold reception her nephew got when he first arrived at the dorm. The girls almost kicked him out his first day here when it was known that Granny Hina intended him to be the Landlord (Although it probably had more to do with the fact that Keitaro accidentally saw both Kitsune and Naru naked in the hot spring.)
Keitaro turned to face her now, tears flowing from his eyes.
"I didn't realize until now that you were just trying to help defend my honor as a person when you told Motoko about me. So what do I do to repay you---I almost put my fist through your face!"
Keitaro couldn't could back any more, he was very rattled by what he almost did to his only Aunt. He cried. He didn't care if it made him seem weak.
"T-this is why I hid it so long. I h-hurt Motoko and I almost hurt you."
Haruka's heart broke, tears forming around her own eyes now as she realized the pain she had caused her nephew, despite his forgiving attitude. She did something that she normally didn't do ---she reached out and held her only nephew. Keitaro, seemingly surprised by this, wrapped his arms around Haruka as well.
"I'm sorry I broke my promise, nephew." She started. "I just got tired of everyone thinking that you weren't strong. I-I just got tired of it." She held him a little tighter.
"I never told you how much I appreciate your help, have I?" asked Keitaro.
"You don't need to."
"Yea I do. You're my only Aunt and like I said you've always been there for me AND for the girls. I just want to say---Thank You Aunt Haruka!" he was the first to break the hug and looked at his Aunt. " I don't care if you knock my block off, like you always do. I'm glad to have you as my Aunt and I'm not ashamed to let people know it."
She felt guilty at his words, Haruka always felt----old whenever He called her either Auntie or Oba-San.
"For the record AUNT Haruka, you are NOT old. You have a very long way before you stop giving any of these girls a run for their money in the looks department." He says with a slight smile starting to form. A bit more slyly he added. "Why do you think Seta is so smitten with you?"
Wiping the tears from her eyes she warned. "Watch it nephew! It's gonna take me some time to have you calling me AUNTIE without cringing----but I wouldn't want you to ruin this Kodak moment by mentioning that bum's name."
"Oh yea. You love him alright AUNTIE." He teased.
" You little brat!" and with that Haruka started playfully chasing Keitaro around the hallway." I'll show you whose skills have also improved with age you little runt."
Upon hearing the playful commotion outside, the girls opened Motoko's door to see what was going on.
"What did that Baka do now?" asked an annoyed Naru.
"Sempai? " asked a worried Shinobu ever worrying about Keitaro.
Mutsumi came out into the hallway and understood at once.
"Ara Ara. How nice. Kei-Kun and Haruka have made up."
All eyes stared at Mutsumi as they wondered how she could possibly know these things. However, Naru looked back at her sick friend lying on her futon. She knelt down beside her, much like Keitaro did earlier, and held her cold hand.
"Don't worry Motoko." she whispered to her friend. "Hang on please. We're coming." And with that, she planted a soft kiss on Motoko's forehead.
Author's notes: Whew. This last one was a doozy to write. Sorry for the extremely long hiatus between chapters. I hope this extra long chapter makes up for it. And for those screaming about what the big secret between Keitaro, Mutsumi, and Naru is-just have one thing to say...soon.
I'll try and make the updates more timely like a I used to. I do have one question though of a technical nature---can anyone tell me how I can make italicized words STAY italicized when I convert to Fanfiction's format? Wanna use it for everyones thoughts instead of the single quotes.
As for the OOC'ness of Haruka's character this fic..just something I've been dying to see elsewhere---her actually proud of being someone's Aunt. Anyway as usual, feedback is welcome and as always READ and REVIEW.
Dennisdud: Funny you should mention Tenchi Muyo. I had the first 2 dvd's sent from Netflix(unopened) when I finished the last chapter. After your review I took a look and I can see where you were going with this. Tenchi Muyo Rules.lol!
Hikari Ishido: Thanks for the encouragement as well. Although you may want to take a look at Chapter 3 as I gave somewhat of a description of your character..lemme know how far off I am.