AN: "Best Kei/Kao fic out there?" I'm flattered. Really, thanks to all of
you with the compliments. If anyone has any inquiries and/or ideas, feel
free to drop me an e-mail. I promise that I'll definetly reply back, as
most of you can tell that I'm a net and fanfic junkie by now. ^_^
As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu.
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Child of the Crimson Moon
Chapter 5: Love is born with cherry blossoms
"Oh Kei..." Kaolla gasped softly as Keitaro showered her face with soft kisses, before their lips met in a passionate kiss. The two soon deepened the kiss as they explored each other's mouth with their tongues, and soon she laid on top of him as they continued kissing passionately.
'He's so manly...' Kaolla thought to herself, as she ran her hands along his toned chest and abs, made fit by his daily chores as landlord. Slowly, Keitaro sat up and cradled her in his arms, and began trailing kisses down her stomach. Lost in the moment of passion, Kaolla simply closed her eyes and surrendered to his loving caresses...
_______________________________________________________________________
Sitting up with a startled yelp, Kaolla blinked for a moment before realizing that she was laying on the futon in her room - alone. Wiping the thin perspiration from her brow, she frowned to herself before reaching for her laptop. After logging in, she quickly accessed the section where she kept her reminders...
Note to self: No more eating three banana splits before bed, weird dreams happen that way.
After typing out the line, she tapped her chin in thought before typing once more...
Note to self 2: Remember to build a machine to capture above mentioned dreams for future reference.
_______________________________________________________________________
With school being let out early in preparation for the Cherry Blossom Festival, Kaolla slowly made her way back towards Hinata-Sou. Right before she made the climb up the steps, she paused before turning to the left, and eventually made her way into Haruka's teashop. The owner gestured for her to sit at the counter, and made Kaolla's favorite drink - Hot cocoa.
Thanking the owner, Kaolla remained quiet until Haruka took a deep drag from her cigarette before inquiring what was on her mind.
"If there was a boy you really liked..." Kaolla exclaimed, "...And you've been best friends forever, would you risk that friendship by admitting you cared for him, or stay quiet about it?"
Taking a sip from her teacup, Haruka shrugged. "Planning to talk to my nephew during the festival, hmm?"
"What makes you think I was talking about him, Haruka?" Kaolla tried to deny the question, but the older woman grinned at seeing her flushed face.
"You might be the youngest genius in Japan, Kaolla." Haruka chuckled, "But lying is definetly not one of your strong points." Seeing the younger woman blush even more and lowering her head, she continued. "But what I can tell you is that if you do decide to tell him the truth, then do it soon."
"Huh?" Kaolla looked up, blinking.
"Everyone here knows your feelings towards him, with the exception of my dense nephew." Haruka puffed out a cloud of smoke before continuing. "But Mutsumi is the only person that's known him longer than you, and she still harbours feelings towards him..." Seeing Kaolla's shocked expression, she shook her head. "All I'm saying, Kaolla, is that you should do something before it's too late."
Kaolla sat quietly for several moments to digest the words given to her, then stood with a smile. "Thanks for the advice, Haruka." Haruka nodded with a smile, watching her leave.
"They do deserve each other..." Haruka said to herself with a smile, before returning to her duties...
_______________________________________________________________________
With the festival starting in a few hours, all the female tenants gathered at the hot spring for a quick soak before preparing for the evening. Each discussing what they were planning to do for the festival...
"I think there's actually a kabuki dance troupe that's pretty famous showing up this year!" Naru smiled, "I'd definetly want to check that out!"
"All the top named sake makers are going to be in town," Kitsune grinned. "So you can be sure to find me sampling the best stuff they've got!"
"What about you, Mutsumi?" Shinobu asked the anemic. "What are you planning to do at the festival?"
"Oh, I don't know..." Mutsumi smiled sheepishly, "Maybe talk to someone about a serious relationship..."
Kaolla, who was soaking peacefully with just her nose above the water surface, gasped at Mutsumi's reply and began coughing, as she swallowed some of the water while sitting up.
"Goodness, Kaolla..." Motoko blinked, patting the distressed woman. "Something the matter?"
"No, not at all..." Kaolla narrowed her eyes at Mutsumi, but her glare went unnoticed as the group resumed chatting amongest each other...
_______________________________________________________________________
The group began gathering in the living room to depart as a group, and Keitaro complimented each of the tenants in their traditional kimonos. Although each of the women smiled and blushed at his compliments, he was still warned by Motoko and Naru to behave himself for the evening. Each of them had chosen a kimono which enhanced their beauty, while remaining properly formal for the evening.
Kitsune continued to wear her trademark grin, as her yellow kimono seemed to blend in with her hair. Silver linings along her sleeves and collar formed a slight glow which seemed to make her glimmer in the evening...
Motoko had chosen a kimono similar to her practice outfit, but where her practice outfit had shorter sleeves and was cut for maximum movement, her kimono had long sleeves and was cut to make her look demure and attractive...
Shinobu looked marvelous in a sky blue kimono, with a white crane design which seemed to make the birds take flight with even the slightest movement from her...
Naru had chosen a simple red kimono with white linings, which only served to further show off her curves than her normal outfits, forcing her to walk slowly with flushed cheeks...
Mutsumi chose a green kimono with yellow linings, which looked attractive on her, yet drew smiles from everyone as it reminded them of her obsession with watermelons...
Kaolla joined the group last, wearing a white kimono with a cherry blossom petal design, making her stand out easily from the group with her beauty and drawing a smile from Keitaro...
"Hmm, a bit bland, but it'll do." Kaolla grinned as she glanced at Keitaro's choice of a grey kimono, causing the tenants to laugh and drawing a chuckle from the landlord. With everyone present, the group departed for the festival...
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"Step right up folks!" An old man smiled before a stand. "Test your skills with the bow and win great prizes! Only five hundred yen per shot!"
"Hmm, why not?" Keitaro smiled and paid the old man, who handed him a bow and an arrow with a large round sponge for a tip.
"I did not know you were efficent with the bow, Mister Urashima..." Motoko commented with a raised eyebrow, while the rest of the tenants cheered him on playfully.
"I used one when I was a kid." Keitaro replied with a smile, then took aim and fired. Unfortunately, the arrow strayed and missed its mark, causing the tenants to boo him playfully.
"Okay, I'm pretty sure I can do it this time!" Keitaro smiled as he handed another bill to the old man in exchange for an arrow.
"Stubborn, aren't we?" Motoko commented.
"Just a bit rusty, is all..." Keitaro fired once more, this time hitting its target and bringing down a hanging stuffed bear. The arrow flew with such force that it also connected with the target behind it, dropping a stuffed elephant as well, causing the tenants to cheer for him. With a smile, the landlord gave the toys to Kaolla and Mutsumi, who hugged him happily in return.
The group continued its way through the festival, making many single males grumble about the luck of a certain landlord, while causing many breakups between couples when a man's eyes stayed too long on the group. They eventually wound up at the center of the festival, where a gigantic cherry tree stood, and was scheduled to have a fireworks show there at midnight.
"Well, how's about we each do what we want, then come back at midnight to enjoy the fireworks?" Kitsune smiled at the group, which agreed and began dispersing, Keitaro began heading off in one direction when a hand grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn to its owner...
"Yes, Kaolla?" Keitaro smiled at the young woman.
"Um..." Kaolla fidgeted nervously with her fingers with a blush, then smiled at him. "Think you can meet me here just before midnight, so we can beat the rushing crowd?" Seeing him nod, she smiled and let him go, not knowing that Mutsumi had remained behind to catch their conversation, who then smiled to herself and left...
_______________________________________________________________________
As the hour of midnight approached, Kaolla paced nervously beneath the giant cherry tree. No one knew that she was such a nervous wreck waiting for the moment, that she never left the area to enjoy the festival. Sighing with indecision, she clutched the stuffed elephant Keitaro won earlier closer to her.
"Oh, there you are!"
Blinking in surprise, Kaolla slowly turned as she recognized the voice. "Mutsumi...?"
Smiling warmly, the watermelon addict walked up to Kaolla. "Here, this is for you..." She then clasped a small necklace charm around the younger woman's neck, who took a look at the gift and gasped in surprise.
"This... this is...!"
"Yes, it's a good luck charm." Mutsumi smiled. "I was fortunate enough to come across a Shinto priest, who I asked to bless this charm for luck in finding love and happiness..."
"But, why...?" Kaolla blinked.
"Because Keitaro means a lot to me as well, Kaolla..." Mutsumi replied with a warm smile. "I want to wish him the best in everything, including love." She then held Kaolla's hands reassuringly. "I do love him, but I realized that you two were meant to be together, which is why I'm doing this for you."
With a smile and a nod, Mutsumi began walking away. Kaolla looked back at the charm and was nearly moved to tears, as the one she thought would be her rival for Keitaro's love not only gave him up to her, but wished her luck in the process as well...
"Mutsumi?" The anemic turned to her in the distance, and Kaolla smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Thanks..." Mutsumi smiled in return, and soon disappeared in the crowd.
"Hey there!"
Surprised, Kaolla turned and saw that Keitaro was making his way towards her, and smiled when he finally reached her through the gathering crowd waiting for the fireworks.
"Sorry if I'm late, did you wait long?" Keitaro asked, making Kaolla smile at his caring words.
"No, I just got here myself..." Kaolla lied, and rested against him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Keitaro...?" She asked quietly after a moment of silence between them.
"Hmm?" Keitaro turned to her with a warm smile, making her wince inside. Her next words would determine if he would ever smile at her like that again...
"I've been thinking about this for a long time..." She continued, and lowered her eyes. "...And I think that I've really fallen in love with you..."
When see saw that Keitaro was stunned speechless by her confession, she turned away with tears in her eyes. "I knew it... Now you think I've finally lost it by saying what's in my heart!"
"No, you know that's not true..." Being brought back to his senses by her tears, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You know I would never think that about you..."
"Of course you wouldn't...!" Her tears flowed freely now, "All I ever will be is a younger sister to you... a spoiled brat who wants everything for herself..."
"Kaolla!" Keitaro sighed, then grabbed her and turned her to face him forcefully. "Please, listen to me..." Seeing her cry with her head lowered, he sighed and continued. "I've always loved you too, Kaolla... I... I just never had the courage to admit it, because I was afraid I'd lose your trust and friendship..."
Kaolla's looked up at him with tearful eyes in surprise at his confession. "That was what I thought, too..." She sniffled, and was calmed considerably as he gently wiped her tears away with his fingers.
"I do love you, Kaolla..." Keitaro smiled softly at her, "...And I always will." Seeing her begin to smile, he chuckled. "And a princess shouldn't be crying, it ruins their beauty..."
Nearly brought to tears again with joy, Kaolla stood on her tiptoes and met Keitaro's lips with hers, pouring all of her pent up feelings into the kiss. The couple embraced each other and continued their kiss, oblivious to the world around them.
As the fireworks began, the rest of Hinata-Sou's tenants arrived as a group, and gasped in surprise as they saw the closeness of the couple in the distance.
"That damned pervert...!" Naru grumbled, rolling up a sleeve and preparing to punch Keitaro into the nearby river.
"I warned him...!" Motoko growled as she and Naru began marching forward, when Mutsumi stopped them both with a gesture, confusing everyone present.
"Let's leave them be..." Mutsumi smiled as she watched the couple, "After all, it's been destiny waiting to happen..."
Slowly, Keitaro and Kaolla separated from their kiss and smiled at each other, then held each other as they watched the fireworks mingle with the cherry blossom petals in the star filled night...
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Like? No like? Please review!
I think this chapter is the first time in history in which I actually "trashed" my first dream idea for the story, before another dream during a short nap became what you see here. Hope you enjoyed, as more will be on its way soon! Also my thanks to brainiac, who pointed out my spelling mistake with the word "cherry," it tends to slip by even when I'm trying to check for mistakes.
As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu.
_______________________________________________________________________
Child of the Crimson Moon
Chapter 5: Love is born with cherry blossoms
"Oh Kei..." Kaolla gasped softly as Keitaro showered her face with soft kisses, before their lips met in a passionate kiss. The two soon deepened the kiss as they explored each other's mouth with their tongues, and soon she laid on top of him as they continued kissing passionately.
'He's so manly...' Kaolla thought to herself, as she ran her hands along his toned chest and abs, made fit by his daily chores as landlord. Slowly, Keitaro sat up and cradled her in his arms, and began trailing kisses down her stomach. Lost in the moment of passion, Kaolla simply closed her eyes and surrendered to his loving caresses...
_______________________________________________________________________
Sitting up with a startled yelp, Kaolla blinked for a moment before realizing that she was laying on the futon in her room - alone. Wiping the thin perspiration from her brow, she frowned to herself before reaching for her laptop. After logging in, she quickly accessed the section where she kept her reminders...
Note to self: No more eating three banana splits before bed, weird dreams happen that way.
After typing out the line, she tapped her chin in thought before typing once more...
Note to self 2: Remember to build a machine to capture above mentioned dreams for future reference.
_______________________________________________________________________
With school being let out early in preparation for the Cherry Blossom Festival, Kaolla slowly made her way back towards Hinata-Sou. Right before she made the climb up the steps, she paused before turning to the left, and eventually made her way into Haruka's teashop. The owner gestured for her to sit at the counter, and made Kaolla's favorite drink - Hot cocoa.
Thanking the owner, Kaolla remained quiet until Haruka took a deep drag from her cigarette before inquiring what was on her mind.
"If there was a boy you really liked..." Kaolla exclaimed, "...And you've been best friends forever, would you risk that friendship by admitting you cared for him, or stay quiet about it?"
Taking a sip from her teacup, Haruka shrugged. "Planning to talk to my nephew during the festival, hmm?"
"What makes you think I was talking about him, Haruka?" Kaolla tried to deny the question, but the older woman grinned at seeing her flushed face.
"You might be the youngest genius in Japan, Kaolla." Haruka chuckled, "But lying is definetly not one of your strong points." Seeing the younger woman blush even more and lowering her head, she continued. "But what I can tell you is that if you do decide to tell him the truth, then do it soon."
"Huh?" Kaolla looked up, blinking.
"Everyone here knows your feelings towards him, with the exception of my dense nephew." Haruka puffed out a cloud of smoke before continuing. "But Mutsumi is the only person that's known him longer than you, and she still harbours feelings towards him..." Seeing Kaolla's shocked expression, she shook her head. "All I'm saying, Kaolla, is that you should do something before it's too late."
Kaolla sat quietly for several moments to digest the words given to her, then stood with a smile. "Thanks for the advice, Haruka." Haruka nodded with a smile, watching her leave.
"They do deserve each other..." Haruka said to herself with a smile, before returning to her duties...
_______________________________________________________________________
With the festival starting in a few hours, all the female tenants gathered at the hot spring for a quick soak before preparing for the evening. Each discussing what they were planning to do for the festival...
"I think there's actually a kabuki dance troupe that's pretty famous showing up this year!" Naru smiled, "I'd definetly want to check that out!"
"All the top named sake makers are going to be in town," Kitsune grinned. "So you can be sure to find me sampling the best stuff they've got!"
"What about you, Mutsumi?" Shinobu asked the anemic. "What are you planning to do at the festival?"
"Oh, I don't know..." Mutsumi smiled sheepishly, "Maybe talk to someone about a serious relationship..."
Kaolla, who was soaking peacefully with just her nose above the water surface, gasped at Mutsumi's reply and began coughing, as she swallowed some of the water while sitting up.
"Goodness, Kaolla..." Motoko blinked, patting the distressed woman. "Something the matter?"
"No, not at all..." Kaolla narrowed her eyes at Mutsumi, but her glare went unnoticed as the group resumed chatting amongest each other...
_______________________________________________________________________
The group began gathering in the living room to depart as a group, and Keitaro complimented each of the tenants in their traditional kimonos. Although each of the women smiled and blushed at his compliments, he was still warned by Motoko and Naru to behave himself for the evening. Each of them had chosen a kimono which enhanced their beauty, while remaining properly formal for the evening.
Kitsune continued to wear her trademark grin, as her yellow kimono seemed to blend in with her hair. Silver linings along her sleeves and collar formed a slight glow which seemed to make her glimmer in the evening...
Motoko had chosen a kimono similar to her practice outfit, but where her practice outfit had shorter sleeves and was cut for maximum movement, her kimono had long sleeves and was cut to make her look demure and attractive...
Shinobu looked marvelous in a sky blue kimono, with a white crane design which seemed to make the birds take flight with even the slightest movement from her...
Naru had chosen a simple red kimono with white linings, which only served to further show off her curves than her normal outfits, forcing her to walk slowly with flushed cheeks...
Mutsumi chose a green kimono with yellow linings, which looked attractive on her, yet drew smiles from everyone as it reminded them of her obsession with watermelons...
Kaolla joined the group last, wearing a white kimono with a cherry blossom petal design, making her stand out easily from the group with her beauty and drawing a smile from Keitaro...
"Hmm, a bit bland, but it'll do." Kaolla grinned as she glanced at Keitaro's choice of a grey kimono, causing the tenants to laugh and drawing a chuckle from the landlord. With everyone present, the group departed for the festival...
_______________________________________________________________________
"Step right up folks!" An old man smiled before a stand. "Test your skills with the bow and win great prizes! Only five hundred yen per shot!"
"Hmm, why not?" Keitaro smiled and paid the old man, who handed him a bow and an arrow with a large round sponge for a tip.
"I did not know you were efficent with the bow, Mister Urashima..." Motoko commented with a raised eyebrow, while the rest of the tenants cheered him on playfully.
"I used one when I was a kid." Keitaro replied with a smile, then took aim and fired. Unfortunately, the arrow strayed and missed its mark, causing the tenants to boo him playfully.
"Okay, I'm pretty sure I can do it this time!" Keitaro smiled as he handed another bill to the old man in exchange for an arrow.
"Stubborn, aren't we?" Motoko commented.
"Just a bit rusty, is all..." Keitaro fired once more, this time hitting its target and bringing down a hanging stuffed bear. The arrow flew with such force that it also connected with the target behind it, dropping a stuffed elephant as well, causing the tenants to cheer for him. With a smile, the landlord gave the toys to Kaolla and Mutsumi, who hugged him happily in return.
The group continued its way through the festival, making many single males grumble about the luck of a certain landlord, while causing many breakups between couples when a man's eyes stayed too long on the group. They eventually wound up at the center of the festival, where a gigantic cherry tree stood, and was scheduled to have a fireworks show there at midnight.
"Well, how's about we each do what we want, then come back at midnight to enjoy the fireworks?" Kitsune smiled at the group, which agreed and began dispersing, Keitaro began heading off in one direction when a hand grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn to its owner...
"Yes, Kaolla?" Keitaro smiled at the young woman.
"Um..." Kaolla fidgeted nervously with her fingers with a blush, then smiled at him. "Think you can meet me here just before midnight, so we can beat the rushing crowd?" Seeing him nod, she smiled and let him go, not knowing that Mutsumi had remained behind to catch their conversation, who then smiled to herself and left...
_______________________________________________________________________
As the hour of midnight approached, Kaolla paced nervously beneath the giant cherry tree. No one knew that she was such a nervous wreck waiting for the moment, that she never left the area to enjoy the festival. Sighing with indecision, she clutched the stuffed elephant Keitaro won earlier closer to her.
"Oh, there you are!"
Blinking in surprise, Kaolla slowly turned as she recognized the voice. "Mutsumi...?"
Smiling warmly, the watermelon addict walked up to Kaolla. "Here, this is for you..." She then clasped a small necklace charm around the younger woman's neck, who took a look at the gift and gasped in surprise.
"This... this is...!"
"Yes, it's a good luck charm." Mutsumi smiled. "I was fortunate enough to come across a Shinto priest, who I asked to bless this charm for luck in finding love and happiness..."
"But, why...?" Kaolla blinked.
"Because Keitaro means a lot to me as well, Kaolla..." Mutsumi replied with a warm smile. "I want to wish him the best in everything, including love." She then held Kaolla's hands reassuringly. "I do love him, but I realized that you two were meant to be together, which is why I'm doing this for you."
With a smile and a nod, Mutsumi began walking away. Kaolla looked back at the charm and was nearly moved to tears, as the one she thought would be her rival for Keitaro's love not only gave him up to her, but wished her luck in the process as well...
"Mutsumi?" The anemic turned to her in the distance, and Kaolla smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Thanks..." Mutsumi smiled in return, and soon disappeared in the crowd.
"Hey there!"
Surprised, Kaolla turned and saw that Keitaro was making his way towards her, and smiled when he finally reached her through the gathering crowd waiting for the fireworks.
"Sorry if I'm late, did you wait long?" Keitaro asked, making Kaolla smile at his caring words.
"No, I just got here myself..." Kaolla lied, and rested against him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Keitaro...?" She asked quietly after a moment of silence between them.
"Hmm?" Keitaro turned to her with a warm smile, making her wince inside. Her next words would determine if he would ever smile at her like that again...
"I've been thinking about this for a long time..." She continued, and lowered her eyes. "...And I think that I've really fallen in love with you..."
When see saw that Keitaro was stunned speechless by her confession, she turned away with tears in her eyes. "I knew it... Now you think I've finally lost it by saying what's in my heart!"
"No, you know that's not true..." Being brought back to his senses by her tears, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You know I would never think that about you..."
"Of course you wouldn't...!" Her tears flowed freely now, "All I ever will be is a younger sister to you... a spoiled brat who wants everything for herself..."
"Kaolla!" Keitaro sighed, then grabbed her and turned her to face him forcefully. "Please, listen to me..." Seeing her cry with her head lowered, he sighed and continued. "I've always loved you too, Kaolla... I... I just never had the courage to admit it, because I was afraid I'd lose your trust and friendship..."
Kaolla's looked up at him with tearful eyes in surprise at his confession. "That was what I thought, too..." She sniffled, and was calmed considerably as he gently wiped her tears away with his fingers.
"I do love you, Kaolla..." Keitaro smiled softly at her, "...And I always will." Seeing her begin to smile, he chuckled. "And a princess shouldn't be crying, it ruins their beauty..."
Nearly brought to tears again with joy, Kaolla stood on her tiptoes and met Keitaro's lips with hers, pouring all of her pent up feelings into the kiss. The couple embraced each other and continued their kiss, oblivious to the world around them.
As the fireworks began, the rest of Hinata-Sou's tenants arrived as a group, and gasped in surprise as they saw the closeness of the couple in the distance.
"That damned pervert...!" Naru grumbled, rolling up a sleeve and preparing to punch Keitaro into the nearby river.
"I warned him...!" Motoko growled as she and Naru began marching forward, when Mutsumi stopped them both with a gesture, confusing everyone present.
"Let's leave them be..." Mutsumi smiled as she watched the couple, "After all, it's been destiny waiting to happen..."
Slowly, Keitaro and Kaolla separated from their kiss and smiled at each other, then held each other as they watched the fireworks mingle with the cherry blossom petals in the star filled night...
_______________________________________________________________________
Like? No like? Please review!
I think this chapter is the first time in history in which I actually "trashed" my first dream idea for the story, before another dream during a short nap became what you see here. Hope you enjoyed, as more will be on its way soon! Also my thanks to brainiac, who pointed out my spelling mistake with the word "cherry," it tends to slip by even when I'm trying to check for mistakes.