A/N: Bit quicker on the update this time. Yay! Ok, done with self-praise now. Thanks again to reviewers who have stuck around, and thanks to new reviewers for the encouragement. That's all. Enjoy!

Love Hina: Healing Hearts

Disclaimer: Love Hina and all it's characters, plots, ideas and everything else that relates to the actual series don't belong to me, but rather Ken Akamatsu, TV Tokyo, and whole mess of other people. The original stuff is mine…unless it belongs to the little creatures dancing on my keyboard…I think I need some more sleep…or caffeine…whichever I find first…

Chapter Thirteen: History

Two men traded blows back and forth in the dark, pre-dawn hours of the morning. There moves were quick and powerful, yet their many movements upon the old roof of the inn were accompanied by no sound. No sound, save for the fact that one man was humming.

"Do you have to do that Ken?" Asked the quiet man at last.

Ken smiled as he threw another punch that the landlord easily avoided. "Sorry, it helps me to focus."

Keitaro spun about and roundhouse kicked at Ken's midsection. "How? I would think that you would be distracted singing and fighting at the same time."

Ken caught Keitaro's foot and shook his head. "Not really. Music and dueling are really similar."

Keitaro flipped out of Ken's grip and landed a kick to Ken's chest. "What are you talking about?"

Ken staggered back a moment before returning Keitaro's favor with a solid chop to the landlord's chest. "You know the three basic aspects of the warrior right?"

Keitaro rubbed his chest. "Of course, the body, the mind, and the spirit. What does that have to do with anything?"

Ken pushed forward and attacked again. "Each has a corresponding energy to it, ki, chi, and rei."

Keitaro caught his opponent's fist. "And?"

Ken head butted the older man. "I can hear the beats of those energies, like they're the bass, melody, and harmony. By singing I can focus my attention on the energies at play in battle."

Keitaro whipped his head up and head butted Ken in retaliation. "That is the weirdest thing I've ever heard."

"No one appreciates my style." Ken rubbed his forehead where he had been struck. "Everything has a pulse, I hear it as a beat, put it to music, and move forward according to that beat. I don't have to think in battle, just let the music take control and move my body."

They spared for a few more minutes before Keitaro spoke again. "You're playing a dangerous game you know."

Ken nodded sadly. "I know, but I will make sure that you and the others are kept safe."

"And how are you going to do that when you don't follow their movements anymore."

Ken stopped his attack. "You mean you can't tell?"

Keitaro stopped as well. "Nani?"

Ken half-smiled. "This house has changed its form over the years, but it essentially remains the same."

Keitaro shook his head. "I don't understand."

"This is the place of gathering for the legendary warrior." Ken turned to Keitaro and crossed his arms. "You are familiar with the legend right?"

Keitaro scratched his head nervously. "Ano, maybe you could refresh me?"

Ken sighed. "You're hopeless. The warrior wasn't a real person; it was kind of a union of powerful families during the feudal period. There were six families in all. It was even said that any one of those families could have risen to power, but decided to throw their power behind that of the rising Meji government. They came to the agreement a top a sacred hill and vowed to assist one another and the new government as needed."

"Oh yeah, I remember some of the story now. Each clan took a name to create the 'warrior' as part of a code." Keitaro scratched his chin. "If I remember what granny told me, there were two feet, two hands, the head, and the heart."

Ken nodded. "Yeah, and take a wild guess where the clans met to discuss this new proposal."

Keitaro nodded. "I always wondered why the Hinata-sou held such magic."

"The Hinata-sou was built on the consecrated ground of the gathering place of that meeting." Ken confirmed. "You are the heir to the Urashima clan, one of six clans that agreed to that pact. Of those six, one was thrown out for ambitious and dark desires. Of the remaining five, four have gathered here already. But…" Ken nodded toward the rooms in which the others slept. "There are representatives of five of the clans here now."

"Huh?" Keitaro began to count on his fingers. "But that would mean…"

Ken nodded again sadly. "That's right." He focused on Keitaro, a look of determination crossing his face. " 'The Gathering' is upon us. It will only be a matter of time before the final battle comes."

Keitaro nodded. "I guess…"

Ken glanced at his watch. "Come on, we have a bit more time before the girls wake for their training. Let's go another round, this time no holding back."

Keitaro dropped into his ready stance. "One clan was thrown out. How come?"

Ken matched Keitaro's stance. "You know the saying 'the right hand knows not what the left is doing'?"

Keitaro nodded and attacked again, faster this time.

Ken countered with a foot block and continued. "It originated when the left hand of the warrior decided that it should be the head, the leader of the clans." He spun and backhanded Keitaro to the face, dropping the man to the ground. "The left hand had become twisted by one of the prominent leaders within. The other clans united and banished them to the shadows."

Keitaro rolled out of the way as Ken buried his fist into the roof where he had been laying. "So this gathering is about what? Revenge?"

Ken nodded as he narrowly avoided Keitaro's rapid punches. "Basically, but it's more dangerous now…" He was cut off as Keitaro gave him an uppercut that knocked him back. He leaned back and placed his hands on the roof. As he flipped back he caught the landlord's chin with his foot. "Your clan and the others have weakened considerably over the centuries since the pact was created. The Shadow Clan, as they like to call themselves now, however has spent the time culminating their bloodlines to create the perfect warriors for the task at hand."

"Perfect warriors?" Keitaro paused. "You mean they've been breeding like cattle for all this time just to destroy the Aoyamas?" The landlord jumped into the air and delivered a flying kick that would have made Su jealous.

Ken grabbed the man by his ankle and spun him through the air as he shook his head. "They call them Avatars, and there are…were, seven. But they're not just after the Aoyamas K-man." Ken released Keitaro, sending him flying down the roof.

Keitaro curled into a ball and allowed himself to be carried by the momentum of the strong spin he was caught in. He stood at the edge of the roof just before he fell, and felt his stomach sink as the full weight of Ken's words hit him. "So there are six of them ready to fall on us?"

Ken nodded and dashed forward with a flurry of kicks. "The Aoyamas are just phase one. They are going to systematically hunt down the other clans and end the bloodlines entirely in revenge for the life of shadow that they were exiled to. But there are only three Avatars and their leader who are ready to attack you."

Keitaro managed to block most of the attack, but not all. "Four total? But…"

Ken shook his head, trying to avoid the line of questioning. "There are four you need to worry about." He roundhouse kicked forcing Keitaro further onto the defensive.

Keitaro swallowed hard as he ducked. He knew that he would regret asking this later, but it had to be asked. "How is it you know the plans of the Shadow Clan and the histories of the warrior clans in such detail?"

Ken sweat dropped. "How the hell did you get picked over your sister to head up the clan?" Ken rubbed his eyes. "I know you're not the brightest of bulbs, but you're not a complete idiot. Use your brain man." Ken smiled as the realization hit home. "That's right. I was one of them. I'm the one they hunt."

"The Hotaru must be one as well." Keitaro deduced.

"Hai, but she knows nothing of the past." Ken agreed.

Keitaro ran up the roof towards Ken. At the last second he dropped to the ground and sweep kicked his legs from under him. "Still, only four warriors doesn't seem like much of a problem."

Ken grunted as he landed hard on his back. He managed to roll away just before Keitaro's foot crashed into the tiles, shattering them into dust. "There are three Avatars and their leader." Ken corrected. "However, they also have an entire clan of 'normal' warriors at their disposal as well."

Keitaro stood and relaxed from his fight stance. Things were a lot worse than he thought. He hadn't the energy to fight Ken any longer. He sat on the roof and watched the sun rise. "So, were basically screwed."

Ken sat besides the landlord and placed a hand on his shoulder. "On paper, yes. But battles are spontaneous; there is no way to tell the victor until the battle is over. It all comes down to who has the greater conviction and more meaningful reason to fight."

Keitaro nodded. "I suppose. What is it you fight for?"

Ken gave the landlord a sad, half smile. "Atonement. I came to protect those I've wronged in the past. And to ensure the safety of one whom I helped once." He paused he saw snow begin to fall, and smiled. "Snow on Christmas Eve, a good omen."

Keitaro nodded. "What do you mean the people you've wronged? And helped?"

Ken shook his head. "Those are stories for another time." He glanced over toward the stairs. "You know she's been over there for a long time right?"

"Yep."

"And you know she has a video camera?"

"Yep."

"And you know she has a tape of you and Naru doing it?"

"Yep…What!?" Keitaro turned toward the step. "Kitsune!"

Kitsune's footsteps could be heard running down the stairs as Keitaro took off in hot pursuit.

Ken smiled. "I warned her not to spy on me…"

"Damn it Kit! Get back here!" Naru chased her friend around the dorm wildly waving Motoko's Hina Blade. "How dare you tape that! I'll kill you!"

"Naru! Calm down!" Kitsune was running out of stamina. She had been running from Naru for nearly six hours now. She looked down as she saw Ken's body lying on the hall floor covered in a multitude of large bumps, bruises, and cuts. He hadn't move in nearly two hours from that position. "No way am I ending up like that!"

"Hey! I need my sword so I can practice!" Motoko followed after Naru attempting to retrieve her precious blade, and calm Naru at the same time.

Keitaro gave chase as well. "Naru! Just remember it's very bad to kill your best friend!"

"It's also very bad to be a voyeuristic, perverted, peeping tom!" Naru shot back as she took another swing at Kitsune.

Shinobu went over to Ken and gently shook him. "Come on, wake up. We need your help in stopping Naru."

Kanako, Sarah, Hotaru, and Moriko watched in amusement as the others ran around in a complete frenzy. "Baka." They laughed in unison.

Su came out of her room to investigate the commotion in the hallway. In her hand was a small palmtop computer. "Is this what everyone is all upset about?"

Everyone stopped and gathered around the blonde girl, even Ken seemed to spontaneously recover, as Su opened the file marked "Girls Gone Wild". Everyone's eyes went wide as the video appeared.

"Whoa!" Su remarked. "Why did you have such a big banana in your pants Keitaro?" The video continued to play. "Hey Naru? Did the banana taste good?"

Shinobu fainted.

Luckily Ken caught her before she fell. He glanced back at the screen, his eyes widening slightly. "Damn man…" He glanced over at Sarah, Hotaru, and Moriko. "Hey! You're all too young to be watching something like this!" He began to push the two girls off to the lower levels of the inn.

"You can't tell me what I can or can't watch!" Moriko protested.

"Me either!" Sarah yelled as the tan boy grabbed her shirt collar to haul her away.

"Watch me." Ken replied and forced the girls down the steps.

"Onii-chan…" Kanako gasped as she watched.

Motoko couldn't help but watch in complete amazement. "So that's what is looks like…"

"Turn that crap off!" Yelled Naru and Keitaro at the same time.

Naru brought her blade down and smashed the small screen in Su's hand.

"Aww, why'd you do that?" Su complained.

Naru panted heavily. "To destroy the evidence."

Su blinked in confusion. "But that was a streaming video."

"Nani?"

Su nodded. "The website is using that clip as a free preview to get people to buy the full video."

Kitsune sweat dropped as the remaining members of Hinata-sou turn on her position. "Wait a second! I may have taped it, but I didn't sell it! I'm not that immoral!" She glanced around seeing that no one was listening to what she had to say. "Umm, bye!"

Down stairs Ken, Shinobu, Hotaru, and Moriko did their best to ignore the yelling above them as they ate lunch.

"So what are you two doing as your Christmas Eve date?" Inquired Hotaru.

Shinobu blinked in surprise. She hadn't even thought about that. It had always been that she would do most of the cooking for the party they threw right here at the dorm, but now that she was part of a couple…did that mean she had to do something different?

Ken smirked. "And why do you want to know imouto?"

Hotaru took another bite of her meal. "No reason, just curious."

"Well, I was thinking that…"

"Hello? Is anyone home?" Called a voice from the front door.

The others rose and walked to the front door.

Moriko gasped as they met the visitor.

A girl of about fifteen stood waiting for them. She was dressed in a school uniform despite the fact that the school was out still. Her eyes were a pale, silvery gray. Her hair was the same color and flowed down to her mid back. Her skin was pale and in the mid-afternoon light seemed to shine pure white. She would have looked very much like an angel if not for the fact that at her back a large pole was wrapped in black fabric, rather than a golden halo.

"Hello, I'd like to rent a room here." The girl greeted. She turned to Moriko. "Hello little sister. What? No hug?"

"Sora! What the hell…I mean, what are you doing here?" Moriko trembled at the sight of her elder sister.

"Father asked me to run some errands for him, but onee-san took them over for me so I could go play." The silver haired girl replied. "Oh, that's a really bad color for your hair by the way. You should let it go natural again."

"Play?" Moriko squeaked.

Ken stepped in, seeing that Moriko was about to fall over because she was so nervous. "Well, rooming arrangements are up to Keitaro, but he's a bit…" He grimaced as there was a loud crash followed by Kitsune screaming. "Things are a little bit crazy right now. I'm sure he'll introduce himself later. You might as well have some food in the meantime."

"Thank you." Sora followed Hotaru, Sarah, and Shinobu into the dinning room.

Moriko grabbed Ken's shoulder. "We need to get her out of here quickly!"

"First off," Ken turned to the younger girl. "What is this 'we' you speak of?"

"Oh come on! You just majorly baled me out!" Moriko insisted.

"Which you're welcome for by the way." Ken turned and walked back to the dinning room where his food was waiting.

Moriko rushed around and stopped Ken. "Ok, ok, thank you. Now please help me? We can't let my sister stay here. Nothing good will come of it."

"Like I said, it's Keitaro's choice, not mine." Ken moved forward.

Moriko stopped him again. "You don't understand…"

Ken placed a hand on her head and rubber her hair gently. "I understand better than you realize. You have the strength to stand up to your sister, believe that. Don't let her get to you."

For some reason Ken's words and gentle touch reassured Moriko. She felt all her worry and fear disappear. Without reason she hugged Ken close, and smiled as Ken awkwardly hugged her back. She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks."

"Uh, yeah, sure." Ken separated himself from the girl. They turned and walked into the dinning room.

"So where are we going again?" Asked Motoko as she climbed into Seta's van with the other tenants.

Hotaru shrugged. "Onii-chan said he had a special gift for us for Christmas."

Sora yawned. "So we have to go get it?"

"You should be thankful that onii-chan is including you in the gift giving since we only just met you." Hotaru replied.

"How come we're not going with Ken and Shinobu like we usually do?" Su pouted. "I like riding in the motorcycle!"

"The coupling rod for the side cart is still busted."

Naru looked around the confines of the van. "Maybe we should use your van too Keitaro."

Keitaro shook his head. "Nah, we'll be fine."

Seta entered the van and got behind the wheel. "I agree."

Haruka grabbed her husband by the ear and removed him to the passenger seat. "I'll drive this time dear."

The others let out a sigh of relief that Seta wouldn't be driving this time.

Kitsune pointed out the window, while holding a bag of ice to her head with her other hand. "Ken wants us to follow him."

"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Shinobu leaned into the turn as Ken rounded the corner.

Ken looked back and smiled. "It wouldn't be surprise then. No worries, only another couple miles." Sure enough very soon they arrived at their destination. "And behold!"

"Kanagawa Neverland!?" Shinobu looked up at the gates in awe and then back to Ken. "You have tickets to Christmas in the Parks?"

Ken nodded and pulled a handful of tickets from his pockets as the rest of the Hinata-sou tenants came up to their position. "My gift to all of you for putting up with me the last few months. Enjoy."

Shinobu watched as the others moved off towards the different attractions in the park. She smiled at Ken and took his hand before dashing into the park.

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