AN: Hello again folks, I'm happy to see that people are pleased with how
the story is progressing, and I hope I can continue meeting your
expectations. ^_^
After some zoology research, I do have to agree that the "Felis Concolor" does not exist in Japan, my bad. ^_^ ;
Apoligies for the late post, I wanted quality over speed, hope you enjoy!
As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu, original characters are created by me and may be used with permission.
_______________________________________________________________________
For Love and Honor
Chapter 8: Bloodlines
The training camp of the Shinmei-Ryu was full of activity as usual, as small groups of aspiring students practiced under the watchful eyes of instructors. The grounds filled with sounds of uniform footwork, followed by the roar of the students as they completed each step in their morning katas...
Today however, proved to be different. As a lone figure strode through the practice area, students and instructors alike stopped their activities and watched as the trenchcoat clad man reached the temple housing the clan's influential members. Looking up at the sealed gates, he reached up and knocked three times, the now silent grounds echoing the sound from the iron gates as everyone member of the school watched on.
With a loud creaking sound, the ancient gates slowly opened to reveal an old man. Though his hair was thin and white, the old man carried himself with confidence as he looked up at the visitor, squinting his eyes as he adjusted the samurai's daisho in his obi.
"What is your business with the Shinmei-Ryu, stranger?" The old man asked, his voice surprisingly full of strength despite his age.
"I have come to speak with the Grand Master." The visitor replied, bowing lightly in respect. "Please inform her that her student is here to see her, but I will understand if she is too occupied to see me." The old man stared into his eyes as if to weigh the truth of his words, and seeing that the visitor wasn't backing down, he turned and disappeared back within the temple. Moments later, the old man returned with three other men, and leading them was a woman, all wearing the white and red colors of the Shinmei-Ryu school.
Though nearly fourty years old, the woman showed no signs of her age, as her long black hair cascaded down her back with a youthful shine. She carried with her a wooden bokken, which with her level of skill is considered a deadly weapon. As she emerged from the temple, all members of the school bowed respectfully, while the visitor kneeled to one knee and bowed respectfully.
Motoko Aoyoma, Grand Master of the Shinmei-Ryu, took in every small detail before her with her sharp black eyes. As her gaze came to the visitor, a smile came to her face.
"Rise, young one." The swordswoman said calmly, but with a voice of authority. "You're a honored visitor, there is no need to kneel." Seeing the visitor rise, she turned to the old man from earlier. "Kaizo?" The old man stepped forward and bowed. "Your memory must be catching up with your old age, if you don't recognize the heir of the Urashima bloodline." The old man's face paled visibly as the school members whispered to each other.
"Master Kaizo did nothing wrong, Sensei." Sho smiled, brushing back his bangs from his face. "After all, it has been over two years since I last set foot in the school." He then produced a small package from his trenchcoat. "My sister sends her regards, and regrets she couldn't come with me today to see you."
"Thank you, and tell Yuki that I miss her as well." Motoko smiled as she accepted the package. "Do come in, I'm sure there is much you want to talk about, seeing the trip is not short from Hinata-Sou."
"Yes, we do have much to talk about." Sho agreed...
_______________________________________________________________________
"Hey Yuki, it's me..." Emi called out from outside the younger Urashima's room. "You mind if I come in?" Moments later the screen door opened, and the white haired woman smiled brightly as she admitted her visitor in. Upon entering, the swordswoman took in the view of the room. A couple posters with popular bands were on the walls, along with some stuffed animals and a simple table completed her room.
"So, what can I do for you?" Yuki asked with a smile, as the two sat at the table.
"Well, I was just wondering..." Emi began, but trailed off as she noticed a swordstand beside the futon in the room. Curious, she walked up and studied the two swords on the stand. One had a white and black handle, and was in an obsidan black sheath which seemed to radiate a dark aura. The other had a white and gold handle, and was in a simple wooden sheath which seemed to radiate a pure aura. Looking at the two swords, the swordswoman suddenly gasped in recognition.
"These... these are..."
"Yes, they are." Yuki nodded, smiling at her friend. "The Hina blade and the reforged Shisui, both once wielded by your mother."
"Absolutely amazing..." Emi whispered, her eyes still locked on the pair of swords in awe. She then raised an eyebrow at Yuki. "Not to sound rude, but why do you have these blades? I would've thought..."
"Yes, normally Big brother would be their wielder..." Yuki interrupted with a sigh, a rare sad look in her eyes. This immediately drew Emi's attention as the younger Urashima continued. "However, Aunt Kanako forced him to place them in my care to prevent him from dishonoring them..."
"Dishonor them?" Emi blinked. "How?"
"By seeking revenge on the person who killed our parents..." Yuki replied quietly, her eyes holding back tears of sadness...
_______________________________________________________________________
"...You're serious about this." Motoko said as she set her tea cup down, it was more a statement than a question. The swordswoman sat on a slightly raised platform, with four of the highest ranked swordmasters of the school beside her acting as council. Sho nodded in reply, kneeling a respectful distance from her.
"I am, Sensei." Sho said calmly. "As much as I respect your judgement, I must ask that you reconsider."
"The promise was made long ago between your father and I." Motoko sighed. "In honor of your father's memory, I cannot retract the promise." She then bowed apoligetically. "I'm sorry, Sho. I cannot help you." The young landlord sat quietly in thought for a long moment, before slowly rising to his feet.
"So be it, Sensei." Sho's eyes held a determined gaze. "I challenge you, Grand Master of the Shinmei-Ryu." His voice bore no hatred, but carried strength. "Should you refuse the challenge or lose, you will immediately retract the promise made with my father."
"Insolent brat!" Kaizo stood with a growl. "How dare you threaten the Grand Master?!" With a roar, he leapt from the platform and charged towards Sho with his katana drawn. With a blur of motion, the young landlord dodged the blade at the last second before batting it clear with a palm, then connected with a vicious backhand which sent the old man crashing into a pillar.
Sho watched as the old man keeled over and vomit from his attack emotionlessly, then turned and glared at the remaining three swordmasters beside Motoko, causing them to flinch slightly. "Although I have much respect for the school..." Sho commented, then narrowed his eyes. "The next person who draws steel against me in anger will lose more than their breakfast."
"Sho, please..." Motoko pleaded quietly. "It doesn't have to come to this..."
"Accept, or yield?" Sho said calmly, ignoring her pleas.
"I accept..." Motoko replied after a long moment with a sigh, much to the surprise of her fellow swordmasters.
_______________________________________________________________________
In the kitchen of the Hinata-Sou, Sarah bit into an apple as she studied her notebook which contained the layout of most underground tunnels of the dorm. Meanwhile, Natsumi hummed quietly to herself as she prepared another culinary masterpiece for lunch. Hearing footsteps, the two turned and watched as Raina walked in with a cheerful smile and set two bags down.
"Went shopping again for supplies, eh?" Sarah said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yup!" The scientist smiled, fishing around in one of the bags. "And lookie what I found on the bookracks today!" Pulling out a hardbound novel, she showed the other two tenants the cover of the book, to which Sarah merely blinked while Natsumi chuckled.
"I've heard about that series!" Natsumi smiled. "So Auntie Kitsune is still writing about her days living here, huh?"
"Yeah, and it's one of the big sellers on the market!" Raina exclaimed. "Actually, I got this for Sho, since I know he collects the series..."
"Speaking of which, where is the dork?" Sarah asked. "I haven't seen him all day..." The three looked at one another, realizing none of them had seen the landlord at all through the whole day.
_______________________________________________________________________
"Did you hear? That Urashima guy challenged the Grand Master to a duel!"
"Man, that's going to be something... I heard he studied under the Shinmei- Ryu as well as the Urashima fighting arts as well!"
"Two schools?! How's that even possible? I heard he's barely 19 years old!"
The grounds hushed into silence as Sho stepped into the circle formed by the onlookers, who took off his dark trenchcoat to reveal that he wore a black sleeveless shirt underneath, revealing his lean and muscular arms as he clutched a sheathed katana in his hand.
Motoko arrived seconds later, ignoring everyone's bows of respect and stopping ten paces from Sho, clutching her own katana with a determined look. Many of the onlookers whispered to each other in hushed tones until an elder swordsman walked up to the pair, a slight frown upon his face the only indication that he disapproved of the duel.
"This duel is to be of first blood, honored warriors." The elder announced, indicating whoever drew blood first - usually in the form of a small cut or nick, would be the winner. "May your skills bring honor and glory to the Shinmei-Ryu, as you honor your ancestors in victory." Bowing, the elder stepped out of the circle, and everyone watched on in silence as the two combatants' eyes met.
"I'll ask one last time, Sensei." Sho said quietly. "There is no honor lost in yielding, I do not wish to injure you."
"I will not." Motoko replied calmly. "If I am to lose, so be it. But if I win, you will honor the promise immediately, for there will be no rematch."
"Very well..."
The two stared at each other motionlessly, as the crowd watched on in silence. Then as one, both drew their swords and roared, each unleashing a giant wave of energy towards the other, the pavement of the temple grounds disintegrating and shooting fragments everywhere as the two charged towards each other, both intent on winning the duel...
_______________________________________________________________________
Emi stood at the front doors of the Hinata-Sou, a concerned look on her face as she waited for the landlord's return. A smile crossed her face as a figure climbed up the last of the great steps in the distance, shadowed against the setting sun. But her smile faded just as quickly as the figure approached, revealing the resident Toudai professor as she returned from work.
"Waiting on our beloved landlord, I see." Mei smiled at Emi upon reaching the front doors. Knowing that the history professor also had a degree in psychology, Emi merely nodded with a sigh, realizing that lying to her would be useless. "I'm sure he'll be back soon, he cares for you after all..." The swordswoman looked up in surprise, to which Mei smiled and patted her reassuringly before walking inside.
Sighing, Emi was about to head back inside when she noticed that another figure had climbed up the steps, and smiled as she ran towards Sho, nearly bowling him over. Jumping up and latching her arms around the landlord's neck, the swordswoman kissed him passionately for a long time as he held her close in his arms.
Finally forced to pull apart for air, Sho smiled down at her warmly. "Someone seemed to have missed me..." Nodding, Emi simply rested against him, happy by merely being close to him. After a long moment, she pulled away slightly to look up at him, a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"And just what were you thinking?" Emi asked, punching him playfully. "How could you go to the training camp without telling me?" She tried to maintain an angry look, but failed as she felt him hug her close and place a kiss on her forehead.
"Sorry, at least Yuki told you..." Sho smiled apoligetically, then handed her a small letter. "This will hopefully explain everything." He then leaned down to give her a soft kiss, then smiled at her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to my sister." She smiled and watched him until he disappeared into the dorm, then slowly opened the letter.
Daughter,
I've heard of your recent relationship with Sho, and I can only be proud of you. He is a noble man, much like his father was. He has also informed me that your skill have improved much since your arrival at the dorm, which makes me very happy.
You may have wondered why Sho chose to visit me alone, without you accompanying him. The reason was very simple, as he worried that harm may befall you should you have went with him. When you were both very little, Sho's father and I arranged for a marrige between you two, as you two were clearly childhood sweethearts from the beginning. While this fact was to be revealed to you both after graduation from university, Sho somehow found out ahead of time and confronted me with it.
When I informed him that I could not retract the promise made to his father, Sho challenged me to a formal duel. In all my years, I have yet to see anyone so skilled in the art as he defeated me soundly. But do not worry for me, as he did not harm me at all. As promised on the condition of my defeat, he asked that the marrige arrangement to be retracted, and also to pass on my former sword Shisui to you, both of which I agreed to.
You might be asking why I agreed to such a thing, if he truly loves you and that I support the relationship between you two. I learned afterwards he did not fight because he despised the arrangement, but because he wanted you to make the choice yourself, free from arrangements and our interference.
Sho is an honorable and strong man, daughter. I would not force you to choose him, but only pray that when the time comes for you to make that decision, that you make one worthy of his efforts today when he championed your freedom to choose.
Fortunes and winds be with you, daughter.
Mother.
Blinking, Emi reread the letter a second time before folding it back and pocketing it. Looking up, she saw that the landlord was waiting for her at the doorway with a smile. Walking up to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed.
"You idiot..." Emi whispered with a smile, her love for him soaring to new heights after reading the letter.
"I am sometimes, aren't I...?" Sho smiled, gently pulling her away. "Come on, dinner's ready." Arm in arm, the couple smiled at each other as they entered the dorm together. Soon the sun finally set behind the hill, marking the end of yet another day at the wonderous Hinata-Sou...
_______________________________________________________________________
Like? No like? Please review!
Once again, sorry for the long delay! Life interferes in ugly ways sometimes, but I'll try to speed back up again. More will be coming soon!
After some zoology research, I do have to agree that the "Felis Concolor" does not exist in Japan, my bad. ^_^ ;
Apoligies for the late post, I wanted quality over speed, hope you enjoy!
As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu, original characters are created by me and may be used with permission.
_______________________________________________________________________
For Love and Honor
Chapter 8: Bloodlines
The training camp of the Shinmei-Ryu was full of activity as usual, as small groups of aspiring students practiced under the watchful eyes of instructors. The grounds filled with sounds of uniform footwork, followed by the roar of the students as they completed each step in their morning katas...
Today however, proved to be different. As a lone figure strode through the practice area, students and instructors alike stopped their activities and watched as the trenchcoat clad man reached the temple housing the clan's influential members. Looking up at the sealed gates, he reached up and knocked three times, the now silent grounds echoing the sound from the iron gates as everyone member of the school watched on.
With a loud creaking sound, the ancient gates slowly opened to reveal an old man. Though his hair was thin and white, the old man carried himself with confidence as he looked up at the visitor, squinting his eyes as he adjusted the samurai's daisho in his obi.
"What is your business with the Shinmei-Ryu, stranger?" The old man asked, his voice surprisingly full of strength despite his age.
"I have come to speak with the Grand Master." The visitor replied, bowing lightly in respect. "Please inform her that her student is here to see her, but I will understand if she is too occupied to see me." The old man stared into his eyes as if to weigh the truth of his words, and seeing that the visitor wasn't backing down, he turned and disappeared back within the temple. Moments later, the old man returned with three other men, and leading them was a woman, all wearing the white and red colors of the Shinmei-Ryu school.
Though nearly fourty years old, the woman showed no signs of her age, as her long black hair cascaded down her back with a youthful shine. She carried with her a wooden bokken, which with her level of skill is considered a deadly weapon. As she emerged from the temple, all members of the school bowed respectfully, while the visitor kneeled to one knee and bowed respectfully.
Motoko Aoyoma, Grand Master of the Shinmei-Ryu, took in every small detail before her with her sharp black eyes. As her gaze came to the visitor, a smile came to her face.
"Rise, young one." The swordswoman said calmly, but with a voice of authority. "You're a honored visitor, there is no need to kneel." Seeing the visitor rise, she turned to the old man from earlier. "Kaizo?" The old man stepped forward and bowed. "Your memory must be catching up with your old age, if you don't recognize the heir of the Urashima bloodline." The old man's face paled visibly as the school members whispered to each other.
"Master Kaizo did nothing wrong, Sensei." Sho smiled, brushing back his bangs from his face. "After all, it has been over two years since I last set foot in the school." He then produced a small package from his trenchcoat. "My sister sends her regards, and regrets she couldn't come with me today to see you."
"Thank you, and tell Yuki that I miss her as well." Motoko smiled as she accepted the package. "Do come in, I'm sure there is much you want to talk about, seeing the trip is not short from Hinata-Sou."
"Yes, we do have much to talk about." Sho agreed...
_______________________________________________________________________
"Hey Yuki, it's me..." Emi called out from outside the younger Urashima's room. "You mind if I come in?" Moments later the screen door opened, and the white haired woman smiled brightly as she admitted her visitor in. Upon entering, the swordswoman took in the view of the room. A couple posters with popular bands were on the walls, along with some stuffed animals and a simple table completed her room.
"So, what can I do for you?" Yuki asked with a smile, as the two sat at the table.
"Well, I was just wondering..." Emi began, but trailed off as she noticed a swordstand beside the futon in the room. Curious, she walked up and studied the two swords on the stand. One had a white and black handle, and was in an obsidan black sheath which seemed to radiate a dark aura. The other had a white and gold handle, and was in a simple wooden sheath which seemed to radiate a pure aura. Looking at the two swords, the swordswoman suddenly gasped in recognition.
"These... these are..."
"Yes, they are." Yuki nodded, smiling at her friend. "The Hina blade and the reforged Shisui, both once wielded by your mother."
"Absolutely amazing..." Emi whispered, her eyes still locked on the pair of swords in awe. She then raised an eyebrow at Yuki. "Not to sound rude, but why do you have these blades? I would've thought..."
"Yes, normally Big brother would be their wielder..." Yuki interrupted with a sigh, a rare sad look in her eyes. This immediately drew Emi's attention as the younger Urashima continued. "However, Aunt Kanako forced him to place them in my care to prevent him from dishonoring them..."
"Dishonor them?" Emi blinked. "How?"
"By seeking revenge on the person who killed our parents..." Yuki replied quietly, her eyes holding back tears of sadness...
_______________________________________________________________________
"...You're serious about this." Motoko said as she set her tea cup down, it was more a statement than a question. The swordswoman sat on a slightly raised platform, with four of the highest ranked swordmasters of the school beside her acting as council. Sho nodded in reply, kneeling a respectful distance from her.
"I am, Sensei." Sho said calmly. "As much as I respect your judgement, I must ask that you reconsider."
"The promise was made long ago between your father and I." Motoko sighed. "In honor of your father's memory, I cannot retract the promise." She then bowed apoligetically. "I'm sorry, Sho. I cannot help you." The young landlord sat quietly in thought for a long moment, before slowly rising to his feet.
"So be it, Sensei." Sho's eyes held a determined gaze. "I challenge you, Grand Master of the Shinmei-Ryu." His voice bore no hatred, but carried strength. "Should you refuse the challenge or lose, you will immediately retract the promise made with my father."
"Insolent brat!" Kaizo stood with a growl. "How dare you threaten the Grand Master?!" With a roar, he leapt from the platform and charged towards Sho with his katana drawn. With a blur of motion, the young landlord dodged the blade at the last second before batting it clear with a palm, then connected with a vicious backhand which sent the old man crashing into a pillar.
Sho watched as the old man keeled over and vomit from his attack emotionlessly, then turned and glared at the remaining three swordmasters beside Motoko, causing them to flinch slightly. "Although I have much respect for the school..." Sho commented, then narrowed his eyes. "The next person who draws steel against me in anger will lose more than their breakfast."
"Sho, please..." Motoko pleaded quietly. "It doesn't have to come to this..."
"Accept, or yield?" Sho said calmly, ignoring her pleas.
"I accept..." Motoko replied after a long moment with a sigh, much to the surprise of her fellow swordmasters.
_______________________________________________________________________
In the kitchen of the Hinata-Sou, Sarah bit into an apple as she studied her notebook which contained the layout of most underground tunnels of the dorm. Meanwhile, Natsumi hummed quietly to herself as she prepared another culinary masterpiece for lunch. Hearing footsteps, the two turned and watched as Raina walked in with a cheerful smile and set two bags down.
"Went shopping again for supplies, eh?" Sarah said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yup!" The scientist smiled, fishing around in one of the bags. "And lookie what I found on the bookracks today!" Pulling out a hardbound novel, she showed the other two tenants the cover of the book, to which Sarah merely blinked while Natsumi chuckled.
"I've heard about that series!" Natsumi smiled. "So Auntie Kitsune is still writing about her days living here, huh?"
"Yeah, and it's one of the big sellers on the market!" Raina exclaimed. "Actually, I got this for Sho, since I know he collects the series..."
"Speaking of which, where is the dork?" Sarah asked. "I haven't seen him all day..." The three looked at one another, realizing none of them had seen the landlord at all through the whole day.
_______________________________________________________________________
"Did you hear? That Urashima guy challenged the Grand Master to a duel!"
"Man, that's going to be something... I heard he studied under the Shinmei- Ryu as well as the Urashima fighting arts as well!"
"Two schools?! How's that even possible? I heard he's barely 19 years old!"
The grounds hushed into silence as Sho stepped into the circle formed by the onlookers, who took off his dark trenchcoat to reveal that he wore a black sleeveless shirt underneath, revealing his lean and muscular arms as he clutched a sheathed katana in his hand.
Motoko arrived seconds later, ignoring everyone's bows of respect and stopping ten paces from Sho, clutching her own katana with a determined look. Many of the onlookers whispered to each other in hushed tones until an elder swordsman walked up to the pair, a slight frown upon his face the only indication that he disapproved of the duel.
"This duel is to be of first blood, honored warriors." The elder announced, indicating whoever drew blood first - usually in the form of a small cut or nick, would be the winner. "May your skills bring honor and glory to the Shinmei-Ryu, as you honor your ancestors in victory." Bowing, the elder stepped out of the circle, and everyone watched on in silence as the two combatants' eyes met.
"I'll ask one last time, Sensei." Sho said quietly. "There is no honor lost in yielding, I do not wish to injure you."
"I will not." Motoko replied calmly. "If I am to lose, so be it. But if I win, you will honor the promise immediately, for there will be no rematch."
"Very well..."
The two stared at each other motionlessly, as the crowd watched on in silence. Then as one, both drew their swords and roared, each unleashing a giant wave of energy towards the other, the pavement of the temple grounds disintegrating and shooting fragments everywhere as the two charged towards each other, both intent on winning the duel...
_______________________________________________________________________
Emi stood at the front doors of the Hinata-Sou, a concerned look on her face as she waited for the landlord's return. A smile crossed her face as a figure climbed up the last of the great steps in the distance, shadowed against the setting sun. But her smile faded just as quickly as the figure approached, revealing the resident Toudai professor as she returned from work.
"Waiting on our beloved landlord, I see." Mei smiled at Emi upon reaching the front doors. Knowing that the history professor also had a degree in psychology, Emi merely nodded with a sigh, realizing that lying to her would be useless. "I'm sure he'll be back soon, he cares for you after all..." The swordswoman looked up in surprise, to which Mei smiled and patted her reassuringly before walking inside.
Sighing, Emi was about to head back inside when she noticed that another figure had climbed up the steps, and smiled as she ran towards Sho, nearly bowling him over. Jumping up and latching her arms around the landlord's neck, the swordswoman kissed him passionately for a long time as he held her close in his arms.
Finally forced to pull apart for air, Sho smiled down at her warmly. "Someone seemed to have missed me..." Nodding, Emi simply rested against him, happy by merely being close to him. After a long moment, she pulled away slightly to look up at him, a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"And just what were you thinking?" Emi asked, punching him playfully. "How could you go to the training camp without telling me?" She tried to maintain an angry look, but failed as she felt him hug her close and place a kiss on her forehead.
"Sorry, at least Yuki told you..." Sho smiled apoligetically, then handed her a small letter. "This will hopefully explain everything." He then leaned down to give her a soft kiss, then smiled at her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to my sister." She smiled and watched him until he disappeared into the dorm, then slowly opened the letter.
Daughter,
I've heard of your recent relationship with Sho, and I can only be proud of you. He is a noble man, much like his father was. He has also informed me that your skill have improved much since your arrival at the dorm, which makes me very happy.
You may have wondered why Sho chose to visit me alone, without you accompanying him. The reason was very simple, as he worried that harm may befall you should you have went with him. When you were both very little, Sho's father and I arranged for a marrige between you two, as you two were clearly childhood sweethearts from the beginning. While this fact was to be revealed to you both after graduation from university, Sho somehow found out ahead of time and confronted me with it.
When I informed him that I could not retract the promise made to his father, Sho challenged me to a formal duel. In all my years, I have yet to see anyone so skilled in the art as he defeated me soundly. But do not worry for me, as he did not harm me at all. As promised on the condition of my defeat, he asked that the marrige arrangement to be retracted, and also to pass on my former sword Shisui to you, both of which I agreed to.
You might be asking why I agreed to such a thing, if he truly loves you and that I support the relationship between you two. I learned afterwards he did not fight because he despised the arrangement, but because he wanted you to make the choice yourself, free from arrangements and our interference.
Sho is an honorable and strong man, daughter. I would not force you to choose him, but only pray that when the time comes for you to make that decision, that you make one worthy of his efforts today when he championed your freedom to choose.
Fortunes and winds be with you, daughter.
Mother.
Blinking, Emi reread the letter a second time before folding it back and pocketing it. Looking up, she saw that the landlord was waiting for her at the doorway with a smile. Walking up to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed.
"You idiot..." Emi whispered with a smile, her love for him soaring to new heights after reading the letter.
"I am sometimes, aren't I...?" Sho smiled, gently pulling her away. "Come on, dinner's ready." Arm in arm, the couple smiled at each other as they entered the dorm together. Soon the sun finally set behind the hill, marking the end of yet another day at the wonderous Hinata-Sou...
_______________________________________________________________________
Like? No like? Please review!
Once again, sorry for the long delay! Life interferes in ugly ways sometimes, but I'll try to speed back up again. More will be coming soon!