Narusegawa's eyes fluttered for a moment, trying to adjust to the blinding light. Rays of early morning sunshine pierced through the windows.

She turned over and away from the offending glare. She hated having to turn over because of some obnoxious natural 50,000-watt bulb illuminating her room every morning. She was all for waking up to the dawn of a bright new day, but it would have been nice to have some choice in the matter. In fact, she wanted shades for the window, but hadn't had time to find some. She was too busy studying.

Actually, 'busy' might be the wrong word. For one thing, saying that you're busy usually implies some sort of purpose or deliberation. All the stuff that she's been doing wasn't done purposefully, but as a distraction. It was just noise, wallpaper, something that was there to cover things up. She was studying intensely, yes, but she was just trying to keep her mind occupied, hoping that somehow it would forget.

But she couldn't forget. Was it her fault? Was it his fault? He yelled at her first, but did she make him do it somehow?

Anyway, that doesn't matter anymore. It'll all get sorted out. Once she gets a chance to talk to him...

What was that?

Narusegawa scans the room muzzily, trying to ignore the purple spots dancing in front of her eyeballs.

In the center of the room, the lid was moving.

Naru steeled herself, and grabbed the nearest weapon she could find. She then situated herself behind the lid, so that whatever was sneaking in would suddenly be endowed with a few extra bumps on the back of his head, care of two hundred years and five hundred pages of Japanese history.

So just as the intruder was halfway into the room, Narusegawa yelled.

"Gomen! Gomen! Tasuketeee!"

Naru stopped.

"What are YOU doing here?" Narusegawa exclaimed.

The hapless ronin uncurled himself from the fetal position he had adopted, and sat up, rubbing his head. "Sorry I woke you up," he mumbled.

"That's not the point. What kind of idiot goes into a girl's bedroom in the early morning, when she's not even had time to freshen up? What was I supposed to think?"

His eyes were downcast. "Gomen... but I really wanted to talk to you."

She hadn't expected this. She wanted to talk to him too. But this early?

In the confusion that was generally associated with pauses such as this, Silence saw an opportunity to creep in.

Naru stared at him. He was scruffy, unkempt, and he's got bags under his eyes. Obviously, he hadn't bothered to wash up or anything before coming up here.

Probably didn't get much sleep last night, either. "You look like hell," she said indistinctly.

He wanted to say...

It has been hell. I've been in physical pain this past week. My stomach's in knots, I've been restless, unable to sleep...

No, Keitaro said to himself. I mustn't jump right into it. She's still mad... looking at her expression, the message is clear; you yelled at me, didn't speak to me for a week, and now you barge into my room in the ridiculously early hour of six thirty because you want to apologize?

Her hair was in knots and tangles. She's got eyebags under her bloodshot eyes. Her skin was oily. She had just woken up, then. "Said the pot to the kettle," he replied.

"Oh, so you DO want a fight--"

"Nonononono! Sorry... I just wanted to lighten the mood."

"You always were smooth with women."

There was another pause in conversation, during which Silence invited Embarassment and Awkwardness over to come and have a few drinks.

Here I go again, Narusegawa said to herself. I'm pushing him away. Just look at that face... I bet he's thinking 'I'm really sorry I bothered you, I know I've been a jerk. I've probably just screwed up any chance I had of getting you to forgive me.'

"I'm sorry," he said, walking back towards the hole. "I shouldn't have bothered coming--"

"No, no, it's all right..." she said, walking over and sitting down next to him. "Look, I'm glad you came up here. I've been wanting to talk to you, too."

"What happened to your hands?" he said, noticing the bandages on Narusegawa's fingers.

She looked down. "These? Got blisters from studying too much. I've been working hard for the exam. Looks like you've been working hard too," she said, seeing Keitaro's hands.

"Not exactly. I got these from drawing too much..."

"You mean you didn't study for the whole week?"

"No. Haven't been able to."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because you're not there with me," he answered simply.

Naru's eyes widened. "I'm really sorry, Narusegawa," he went on. "I was wrong to yell at you. I mean, I know I was doing things wrong, and you were just trying to help me out and everything. I don't know what came over me... I just snapped. There's no excusing what I did to you back then."

"I know you didn't mean it," she replied. " You're one of the sweetest guys I know."

"I've been feeling really awful since then. I truly wanted to apologize, but I didn't think you'd ever want to talk to me again. You've been giving me the cold shoulder..."

"Yeah, you're right. I was hurt. I mean, you yelled at me, and I just didn't know why... it wasn't fair of me to hold a grudge..."

"You had a right to be angry. I didn't tell you what I was feeling, that I was feeling frustrated. I expected you to read my mind, which was really unfair of me."

"Well... since we're together now... you want to talk about it?" she asked.

Keitaro looked at her. She smiled.

"Yeah," he said, finally. "I guess so."

The words came out slowly at first, but as the rhythm and the tone of his voice became more and more comfortable, Silence, Embarassment, and Awkwardness saw it best to leave the two of them alone.

It's no big deal, the blonde fox said to herself, as she made her way towards the balcony. I'm just getting a bit of early morning fresh air. Taking in the sunshine. Just basking in the general glory and beauty that is Mother Nature. It's good to wake up early once in a while to appreciate the wonder of the world.

Ahhh...

Yep. That's the sun all right.

Still there.

Really pretty.

Breathe in that fresh air.

OK. Time to check on Naru. She should be awake by now.

I'll just be passing by, just ask her how she is, how she's doing. And if she happens to want some friendly advice on how to talk to a certain twenty-year-old ronin, or maybe some reassurance as to her chances of making it with a certain twenty-year-old ronin, or perhaps some help getting the twenty-year-old ronin to talk to her, then I'd be all too happy to help. No trouble really.

I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm concerned about Narusegawa. I really am. But I don't want people going around thinking I've gotten soft or anything. Helping people out of the goodness of my heart, or obligation to a friend... not my style. This is just a special case.

It's just really pathetic. Those two should be way past second base by now. Studying for hours on end, alone together, in a room... how the heck could they go this long? The guy's obviously attracted to her, and she had already warmed up to him long ago. What the heck is his problem?

Knowing him, he's probably intimidated by how pretty Naru is. Naru's always been pretty. Even in junior high, all the guys thought she was the cutest girl in school... aside from me, of course, but I'm way out of their league. I'd flirt with them for a little bit, dangle the goods. When they bite, then the real fun began, and none of them were ever able to keep up. Little boys with their wet little dreams, that's all they ever were.

So they all went for Naru. Naru never took any real notice, of course. She was civil enough to acknowledge their feelings and let them down easy, sure, but she never really took any of those guys seriously. Far as she was concerned, none of those guys were ever interested enough, or interesting enough, for her.

Most of them took it pretty well. But some of the guys didn't take it lying down. You know the type--muscleheads and pretty boys who think of themselves as the pivot point for the rotation of the universe. In their eyes, Naru's rejection was a personal insult. So they asked me to talk to her about it.

Personally, I thought they were morons. They were totally wrong for her. But hey, I thought, there's no reason I shouldn't try talking to Narusegawa on their behalf for a small mediator's fee of 1000 yen each. A valuable lesson for any woman of the world: despite it being a biological impossibility, it's very easy to milk an idiot peacock for all he's worth. And since I was a businesswoman of my word, I talked to Naru.

Naru, I said, we're still young. It's not good for a girl to have such high standards. Love isn't all about eyes meeting across a room, or a guy writing a poem for you every day. Sometimes, the most enduring relationship starts from the most horrible first date. Love isn't about destiny or fate. It's a gamble, just like everything else, and you can't expect to win big if you don't play a few bad hands first. Just play the field for a little while, and your experience will help you in choosing the right guy.

But she stubbornly stuck to her guns. If it's not going to be serious, she said, then I don't want to have anything to do with it. I've got better things to do with my time than to be some jerk's flavor of the month. If they really want to be with me, then they'd have to prove it first.

So that was that. Aside from her schoolgirl crush on Seta-san, she never became interested in anyone, causing much injured pride to the more egomaniacal members of our school's male demographic. For as long as I've known her, she's been the performer... the pretty girl who worked and studied really hard to become the best she could be. She had high standards for herself, and apparently expected a man who would meet her high standards.

Who'd have thought that the ronin would be able to succeed where so many have failed?

I didn't. First time I saw him, I knew the guy was spineless and gutless. He was older, sure, but his nervous smile and hunched shoulders showed someone who had no spirit whatsoever, who never had the drive or determination to work for anything. This is a guy who'd give up on something because it's too difficult, a guy who didn't have the capacity to dream big. This is the kind of guy who'd rather live life with his head down than to stand up for what he believes in, if he believed in anything at all.

I think Motoko saw it too. He was an older guy, and he was nice, but he wasn't a man at all. He was just a boy, and there was no chance in hell that Naru would ever become interested in him. Naru's too high up for the guy.

Over time, though, the guy's earnest and honest approach seems to have changed her somehow. There's something different, as if there was some more sensitive and vulnerable side that's come out. She still doesn't wear her heart out on her sleeve, but she doesn't conceal her feelings as much anymore. They talk with each other more and more, and there's a sense of trust that is slowly growing.

Who'd have thought she'd grow to love this guy?

There's her room. I'll just go in and...

Kitsune stopped. She felt a growing sense of interest at the barely audible voices coming from inside. She strained to hear the conversation more clearly, but couldn't make out the words. That is Naru's voice, certainly...

She listened. She's talking to the ronin? And he's talking to her?

Damn. Looks like I'm not needed.

Ah well, she said to herself, as she made her way back to her room. Need to sleep some more, anyway. Early mornings aren't really my thing...

I can't wait to tell everyone the good news, she thought, as a knowing grin spread across her face.

The rat slumbered.

In the darkness, footsteps echoed.

It woke up.

The secret passages of Hinata inn were old and relatively undisturbed. Leaks in the plumbing provided adequate drinking water, and the passages gave the rat free access to any room in the place, allowing it quickly find its way to salvage crumbs of bread or bits of cheese that was dropped on the floor. Best of all, there was lots of space for unwanted domestic rodents to run around and hide from unsympathetic humans.

However, the place wasn't perfect. Every silver lining has a cloud...

In this case, the cloud came in the guise of Kaolla Su and Tama-chan the flying turtle. Every once in a while, the continuing battle between human and turtle would find its way to the rat's humble abode. The rat, having been through its share of chases, knew that any cat-and-mouse game would result in random destruction of some kind. It had long ago accepted this disruption in its routine, and had adjusted to it as a barman would adjust to the occasional tavern brawl--just let the chaos run its course. Enjoy the show for now, preferrably from a safe vantage point, which in this case would be on top of the rusty iron beam situated five and a half feet above the floor at the end of the passage.

And when it's all over, the rat thought as it skittered across the dust and rust and dampness, you can just pick up the pieces and start cleaning up. It was a pain, of course, but the rat had grown to love watching these impromptu turtle hunts.

"You're not getting away!" Kaolla yelled, thundering after the turtle. The human girl wasn't bad, as far as chasers went. She was much smarter and faster than the cat that used to chase him. Of course, saying that someone is smarter and faster than a fur-covered tub of lard wasn't much of a compliment, but that couldn't be said for most of the humans that he had seen.

As good as the human was, though, the turtle always managed to be just one little step ahead. Tama-chan flew on, unimpressed by the girl's idle threats. As gracefully as any flying turtle can manage, she zipped down the passage, did a perfect barrel roll, and arced through the air around the corner.

"Nice one," Kaolla said. Her legs pumped furiously, as she lowered her body and darted after the turtle. With perfect balance and coordination, she negotiated the bend tightly and collided with a rotting pile of wood.

The rat had stopped wondering what would happen to the turtle if it got caught long ago, and had mentally filed that train of thought under Rhetorical Questions. The girl was fast, but she wasn't going to catch the turtle any time soon.

"Not bad," the girl said, almost instantly springing back to her feet. And almost as quickly, she was making long strides down the second passage, and gaining on Tama-chan.

She seems to be doing much better today, the rat considered. It then skittered along the beam, chasing after them.

"How do you like my high-traction, lightweight, ergonomically-balanced turtle-chasing sneakers?" she shouted. "With these babies, wet puddles pose no danger for me! And if that doesn't impress you"--both hands reached into her backpack--"then how about this?"

Kaolla's hands blurred. Wires windmilled through the air. Weights at the ends of each wire gave momentum, spin and direction, plus the potential to tie up a target within seconds.

The turtle accelerated, and dodged expertly through a narrow gap between some pipes. The wires followed, but ended up entangled around the rusted metal.

"So close!" Kaolla hissed, ducking under the pipes and continuing to chase Tama.

She was getting frustrated...

...the turtle halted, nearly crashing into a wall. It was a dead end.

"Game's over!" the girl yelled triumphantly, launching herself at Tama.

At the last second, Tama performed a perfect loop-the-loop. She dodged Kaolla's outstretched fingers by centimeters, flew upward, over, and behind the girl. The girl's frame hit the old wood with a thud, as Tama-chan looked on.

Lithely, Kaolla twisted, rolled onto her feet, and was ready to give chase again...

The wood buckled.

And then the world rushed upward.

The rat watched for a few moments. And then, deciding that the game was indeed over, he curled up and went back to sleep.

"Are these what you wanted, Shinobu?" Motoko asked. She hefted a bag of vegetables in her left hand.

"Hai! Arigato gozaimasu!" Shinobu replied. "Could you leave them on top of the counter, please?" she asked politely, as she went back to setting the table.

"All right."

"I can't thank you enough for helping me with breakfast today, Motoko-san. I mean, I know it's an imposition, especially since you usually practice your sword technique around this time..."

"It's nothing," Motoko said. "I need to stop training for a while, anyway."

"I see," Shinobu said. Having done the table settings, she made her way towards the kitchen counter and opened the cupboard. "Practicing every day must get very tiring eventually," she commented while reaching in and grabbing a chopping board and knife.

"I'm not tired," Motoko replied, a shade defensively. She joined Shinobu at the kitchen counter. "My technique has been slipping lately. I know the strokes by heart, but I have been unable to perform them properly as of late."

Shinobu took a radish from the bag, and proceeded to chop it slowly and carefully.

"It's not that I'm doing it incorrectly," Motoko went on. "I just do not feel as much spirit as I did before. My exercises have become nothing more than routine for me, and I fear that pushing myself further would lead me to forget the true essence of swordsmanship."

That's right, she said in the privacy of her thoughts. I have simply lost track of the essence of my art. It has nothing to do with Urashima and Narusegawa-san. It is none of my business, and I cannot let myself be affected by the affairs of others.

"So you're afraid of getting burnt out, Motoko-san?" Shinobu asked.

"I suppose that is how some would say it. I will return to my training in three days, with renewed vigor. Sometimes, one must forget in order to remember."

"That's true," Shinobu said, looking up. Her left hand pushed the radish a little too far, and her knuckles went under the chopping knife. "Ow!"

"Shinobu! Are you all right?" Motoko asked, her voice radiating cool concern.

"I'm fine," Shinobu replied. "I just got a bit careless. Luckily, I didn't cut myself."

Motoko looked down. The skin was scraped off. It wasn't too serious, but it can't be ignored, either. She took the knife from Shinobu.

"Wash it before it gets infected. I'll take over from here."

Shinobu washed her hands, and wrapped bandages around her knuckles. She went back to the counter and peeked over Motoko's shoulder. "Wow," Shinobu breathed in awe. "Your hands are so quick, Motoko-san..."

"I am a master of the blade," Motoko said. "If I can wield a sword, then a simple kitchen knife should present no challenge."

"You're amazing, Motoko-san. You practice each and every day, and never think of anything else. You just love your art so much, and it's just inspiring to see that."

"I don't love my art," Motoko said bluntly. "Love is temporary. It goes away with time."

"But surely you must have a reason for..."

"I have dedicated myself to my family's sword style. Due to... unforeseen circumstances, I have been charged with preserving our craft. And I have sworn on my honor that I would rise to the challenge."

Shinobu hesitated. She probably shouldn't pry, but... "So do you really want to do it?"

Motoko responded after a while. "That does not matter. My family's style has been handed down for many generations. It must be kept alive no matter what, and if that requires me to give up my life to that cause, then it is a small sacrifice for me to make."

She stopped chopping. "Most people live their lives for themselves," she said, somewhat coldly. "I live my life for something larger than myself."

Shinobu stared. But... did you really want that, Motoko-san?

She opened her mouth to speak, but Motoko spoke up first. "If anyone should be admired for loving what she does, it should be you, Shinobu. Cooking, keeping the house tidy... you never seem to tire of it. Here, I have chopped up the vegetable."

"Ano... Motoko-san, I don't need the top of the radish," Shinobu said meekly. "Sorry..."

"No need to apologize. I suppose we can use the top for something else. Besides, I should apologize for the error."

"It's not a big deal," the girl insisted. "I should have said which part I wanted to use in the first place."

"It's astounding that such a child already knows so much about the culinary arts," the sworswoman remarked. "I am surprised that you don't get tired of it."

"It's not that I don't get tired," Shinobu said, getting a tomato from the bag and handing it to Motoko. "I'm just happy being with all of you. Around here, everyone seems so happy. Around here, problems aren't problems at all. You don't exactly forget your worries, or your responsibilities, but having people who are there and ready to listen to you... it seems to make them smaller and easier to face."

Motoko smiled at the girl. "You consider us as your second family, don't you?"

"Of course!" Shinobu replied, as the kendo girl proceeded to slice the tomato. "This place is very important to me. Everyone here is important to me. Preparing meals and helping out with chores is just my way of giving something back." She stared into space. "I guess it's my way of dedicating my life to something larger than myself. It's not much, but it's a very important duty for me."

Motoko placed a hand on Shinobu's shoulder. "No duty is too small to be important," she said. "I have finished with the tomato."

Shinobu looked up at Motoko's face first, then down at the sliced-up tomato. "That's perfect, Motoko-san," she said. "Arigato gozaimasu."

"It's nothing--"

"I hate to break up this little moment," Kitsune said as she barged into the kitchen "but I've got some big news! The ronin and Naru are upstairs, and they're talking!"

"Really?"

"Yep! And they're talking in Naru's room! The ronin's got some guts after all, being all aggressive like that! Going up to Naru's room... who'd have thought?"

"Personally, I think it was inappropriate," Motoko commented. "A man going into a woman's room uninvited, so early in the morning..."

"Hey, they're getting closer. At this point in a relationship, there's room for a little flexibility."

"But even so..."

"Anyway," Shinobu piped up, "I'm just happy that senpai and Naru-san are talking to each other again. I have to tell Kaolla the good news! I'll come back and finish cooking later!"

"Don't hurry! Looks like those two might take all morning talking to each other!"

As Shinobu ran upstairs, Motoko and Kitsune were left alone.

Kitsune coughed. "So... what do you think?"

"Of what?"

"Will he try to make first base today?"

Motoko blushed. "I don't know."

"Yeah, you're right. He had the confidence to go into her room, and everything's going fine. The guy must be feeling pretty pleased with himself. He'll probably try to make up for lost time... second base, at least."

"It's not my place to speculate," said Motoko.

"Oh come on! Don't you feel the least bit intrigued? Them, alone in a room together..."

"He will not get far. At least, he will not let himself. He may think like other men, but he does not act like other men. Besides, Narusegawa-san can handle herself."

"Fine. Keep telling yourself that. You just don't have the imagination for it, I guess."

"I do not waste my time imagining things as ridiculous as--"

"All right, all right, I'm sorry already. Geez, someone woke up on the wrong side of the futon today--"

Before Kitsune could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by the sound of feet running down the hardwood staricase. "Kaolla is missing!" Shinobu cried, panting.