Alright, this is how it's going to go down today. Since I don't have school tomorrow, I shall attempt to write the final three chapters of Volume 2 today and tommorow. The time is now 1:25 P.M. PST. If I am successful, I shall post Chapter 24 today, 25 tomorrow, and 26 on Saturday as a 'bonus'. If I complete only two chapters, then things will still go on in this way. If for some reason I can only get 1 chapter up, then I'll write Chapter 25 in the morning, and 26 in the evening. They will be posted on Friday and Saturday, respectively. So, here we go!

P.S. Cast gets new outfits in Volume 2! And a few may even change their hair a bit…

P.P.S. Shima's already gotten his new clothes… =P

---Kouji Tamino

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Rikina yawned, stretching as she awoke. She rubbed her and pouted. "Wait, was getting into Tokyo U a dream?" She looked around and spotted her Tokyo University 'Student Identification Card'. She smiled. "It's true! I am a Tokyo U student!" She jumped up onto her feet, put on her usual dress and ran down stairs into the kitchen, filled with excitement. "Good morning, everyo--" She frowned, looking around. There was half eaten food on the table, but no one was there. She looked around. "Hello?" She began to search the whole house, but couldn't find anyone. She suddenly stopped her searching. She cupped her ear, hearing some talking outside. She looked outside a window and saw that the others were outside, talking to someone that she currently couldn't see. Using the stealth skills and flexibility that Kanako and Kaolla taught her respectively, she quietly slid down the roof until she reached the bottom. Her eyes widened. "That's Luu, my old bodyguard! But what's he doing here?" She jumped off the roof and landed on her feet, shocking Luu slightly. "Luu, what the hell are you doing here?"

Shima chuckled nervously. He was wearing a black vest with a white t-shirt under it, black jeans, and brown shoes. "Um, you see--"

"Ms. Rikina Su…" Luu began. He was a tall man in about his late 30's, but he still had a young looking, muscular physique. He was wearing light blue pants, sandals, and a vest. His short, spiky, pony-tailed hair was the same color as Kaolla's and Rikina's natural colors, and he had a small goatee. He stared at Rikina. "Your parents sent me here to take you home…"

Rikina gasped. "No… You can't!"

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Love Hina Next

Chapter 24: A Maiden's Departure?!

Rikina shook her head. "No! I won't go!"

Luu frowned. "Ms. Rikina… I hate to do this, but your parents insisted… After you had failed to get into Tokyo University 4 times, your parents decided that maybe you shouldn't study abroad in Japan… Besides, she is very over due in choosing a suitor!"

Tokimi, wearing her usual clothes, stepped forward. "Hey, just wait a minute! Rikina finally has gotten in Tokyo U! So u-um…" Tokimi stuttered a bit, backing up a bit. "Um, now what?"

Sarah chuckled. "Nice try, Tokimi…" She walked up to Luu, getting on her tiptoes in order to try and get into Luu's face. "Now listen here, buddy! This is Rikina's home, as it has been for the past 11 years! I'm not about to let you come down here and take one of our girls, just like that!"

Luu frowned, crossing his arms. "I am sorry, miss… But it is not up to you, me, or even Ms. Rikina herself! Her parents want her home, now!" He glared at Sarah, showing that he meant business. "And I will not let my king and queen down!"

Sarah growled, stomping on Luu's foot. "And why can't Rikina and Su's older sister take the throne, huh?!"

Luu flinched as Sarah violently stepped on his foot, but was relatively unharmed. "Because, she has grown too old… and the king and queen, their parents, have finally given up on ever getting Kaolla to marry…"

"Nya ha ha!" Kaolla laughed, wearing a gray sleeveless shirt, backwards cap, and shorts. "I'll never get married!"

Luu leered at the middle Su sister. "Ms. Rikina, however, is not only at a prime age for marriage and bearing children to carry on the family legacy, but she is also more… erm, how should I put this, given Ms. Rikina's temper… Um, more reasonable than her older sisters…"

Rikina bit her lip, glaring. "No! Never!! I will never be forced into an 'arranged marriage'! I will marry whoever I choose, damn it!" Rikina quickly retreated to her room.

Luu stepped forword. "Ms. Rikina!" He was stopped from walking anymore by Kaolla.

"If you want to take her," Kaolla grinned. "you'll have to get through me…"

Luu frowned. "Ms. Kaolla, I hate to have to use force against you, any woman for that matter, but I must do what is best for the future of the kingdom…"

Kaolla snickered, glaring at him darkly. "I now have discovered the perfect person to test this out on…" She pressed a button on a watch on her wrist, and the ground began shaking. The others screamed as the ground began to split. They all jumped out of the way, as Kaolla did a flip onto the giant robot turtle rising out of the ground. She flinched as she twisted her ankle a bit, but ignored it. The giant robot looked like a turtle, as mentioned before, but it had a humanoid look to it. The cockpit, located in it's head, opened up. Kaolla hopped in and cackled. "The Mecha Tama Mk. 250 is ready and online! I was saving this for the final battle with Tama-chan, but oh well! You should feel grateful that I'm giving you such an honor!"

The giant mech was as tall as Hinata House, and Rikina saw the head of the machine out a nearby window. She looked out the window to get a better look and sighed. "Oh god, please don't tell me that she actually built it…"

Kimomo suddenly screamed bloody murder, fainting and falling to the ground in a heap. Everyone outside and Rikina sweat dropped.

Luu shook his head. "Kaolla, your inventions may have been top-notch in the past, and they probably are, but the pilot is not…" He jumped high into the air and kicked at the head.

"He's too fast!!" Kaolla shouted, trying to dodge. Unfortunately, she couldn't do it in time. The kick made contact, destroying the head/cockpit and sending her flying to the other side of the building.

Everyone except Luu gasped. He crossed his arms and smirked. "You see?"

"Kaolla!!" the others all ran to the hot springs, where they found Rikina helping up a sniffling Kaolla.

Kaolla Su looked to the others, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, everyone… I guess I'm too… old and slow!! WAAAH!!" She yanked herself away from Rikina, running off somewhere.

Luu walked into the bath area, a smug grin on his face. "Now Ms. Rikina, will you please just listen to reason and come home with me?"

Rikina bit her lip. She thought about her sister Kaolla, who had just embarrassed herself in order to protect her. She sighed. "Yes…" she looked into Luu's eyes. "But… at least let me have one last night with my friends, to say my goodbyes and pack up?"

Luu's expression softened. "That I will… But we must leave first thing tomorrow morning!" He turned and left the bath area.

Rikina sighed, and looked to the others. "Well everyone, I guess that this is it…"

Shima frowned. "It isn't fair, though… Especially since you worked so hard to get into Tokyo U, just to have to go home after finally reaching your goal…"

Rikina smiled sadly and shook her head. "No, I didn't reach my ultimate goal…"

Shima and the others raised their eyebrows in surprise. Rikina seemed to be dead-set on getting into Tokyo University, it seemed to be the only thing she cared about besides her friends. Rikina walked to Shima. "Silly, that should be obvious…" She kissed him on the cheek, and walked away, leaving a blushing Shima and steaming angry Tokimi. But Tokimi couldn't stay mad for long. She sighed sadly. Her best friend was leaving forever.

"I can't believe she is really leaving us…" Tokimi muttered, holding back tears. "I remember the first time that we met. When I came to Hinata House ten years ago…"

"Oh, no…" Sarah began, in an exasperated tone. "Not a cheesy flashback…"

=====

Hinata House, 10 years ago…

A small girl, about 8 years of age, walked up to Hinata House with her mother. "Dear, please let go of my skirt, you'll ruin it… No one is going to hurt you…"

The girl had short, black hair and was wearing a purple shirt with a bunny on it. She also wore purple shorts, socks and shoes. But the most noticeable feature was the pair of huge glasses that rested upon the girl's face. She whimpered at the unfamiliar setting.

Suddenly, a woman with long, dark blue hair walked up to the mother and child. She wore a light blue hoody, shorts, and white sneakers. She smiled and leaned down to the child's height. "Oh, is this little Tokimi? She is just adorable!"

The mother nodded. "Yes, I hope that she finds it nice living here, Shinobu… I just can't stand watching her live in fear at our house…"

Shinobu frowned. "It's a shame how bad your husband's drinking problem has gotten, Sayume…"

The woman known as Sayume nodded. "Yes, I hope she can have a somewhat normal life while staying here…"

Shinobu chuckled nervously. "If you want normal, you sure picked the wrong place…" Shinobu muttered quietly, so quiet that Sayume couldn't hear.

"What was that?" Sayume asked, sweat dropping.

Shinobu giggled. "Oh, nothing!" She looked over Sayume's shoulder. "Oh, here's one of our girls, now! Rikina? Rikina, come over here and meet our newest resident!"

Rikina, just coming home from school, was 13 at this time. She was wearing the typical middle school girl uniform, she went to the same school Kaolla did, devoid of the black streaks. Her hair was in a long pony tail, and she had insane amounts of mascara around her eyes.

Shinobu sweat dropped. "Rikina, don't you think that you're overdoing this 'goth' thing?"

Rikina stared blankly at Shinobu. "Um, what?"

Shinobu sighed. "Nevermind…" She pointed toward Tokimi. "This is Tokimi Matsuda… She will be staying with us this summer."

Rikina stared at Tokimi. "Oh, a little kid… Just what I need…" She sighed. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be scrawling depressing poems in my own blood… Please don't disturb me during this time…"

Shinobu chuckled nervously as she attempted to smile at the shocked Sayume. "Um…"

Tokimi began crying. "Mommy, I don't like that girl…"

=====

Tokimi sweat dropped. "Okay, maybe that wasn't the best memory! How about when we became friends?" She thought for a moment.

=====

A few months later, Rikina was doing some homework in the bath area. Fortunately, she had eased up a bit on the mascara. The steam from the springs comforted her for some reason. She sat near the edge, her toes swishing through the water, when she looked to Tokimi. The young girl was looking into the water, and had been doing that since Rikina got there. "Um…" Rikina tapped Tokimi on the shoulder. "Hey--"

Tokimi suddenly screamed, falling into the water. She began to splash violently. "Eeek! The water's hot! I'm drowning! Help!!"

Rikina sweat dropped. "Um, the water is not that hot, and just stand up…"

Tokimi blinked rapidly, then looked around. She stood up, smiled at Rikina, jumped up, and hugged the girl. "Thank you! You saved me!!"

Rikina growled. "Hey, you're getting my clothes wet! Stop it!" She screamed.

Tokimi pouted and began walking away.

Rikina sighed, and yelled over to Tokimi. "Hey!"

Tokimi looked back. "Huh?"

Rikina smiled a bit. "I'm sorry… Look, please hang out with me… You're the only person besides the woman here at Hinata House that can stand to be around me without making rude comments… Goths in Japan are quite rare these days, but this is the price I pay for trying to be unique…"

Tokimi looked to Rikina, smiled, and nodded. "Okay!" She ran back over and looked at Rikina's work. "Hey, what's that?…"

Rikina frowned. "Homework, and I absolutely hate it…"

Tokimi giggled. "Oh, that's easy!" She took the pencil and began writing. "See? You just cross-multiply here, then carry that over to here, then--"

Rikina sweat dropped. "Oh god, I'm being outdone by an eight-year-old… I truly am pathetic…"

=====

Tokimi sighed, smiling slightly. "And that's how we became friends…" Her expression quickly changed into a look of anger. "And the bitch made me do her homework for 6 years!" She growled angrily, raising her fist in the air.

Shima sweat dropped, smiling nervously. "Well, that was an interesting story…" He quickly got a serious look on his face. "But if you've been friends with her that long, then you're the only one that can bring her back to her senses! She's giving up too easily!"

Tokimi nodded. "I'll try talking to her tonight…"

-----

Later that night, the full moon glowed brightly. Sarah stared up at it, smirking. "I can tell that there's gonna be a red moon tonight…" She crossed her arms and stared at the moon.

Suddenly, Nina popped up, staring at the moon with wide eyes. "What's that mean?…"

Sarah chuckled. "It means that it's Kaolla's time to shine again…"

-----

A bit later, Shima was walking past Rikina's room. He saw Tokimi walk out, frowning. He walked up to her. "Tokimi, did you talk with her?"

Tokimi nodded. "But… She wouldn't listen…" She ran off, bursting out crying.

Shima frowned. He heard sniffling and crying coming from Rikina's room, so he knocked on the door. "Rikina! Are you okay?"

"Go away!" Rikina yelled from behind the door.

Shima growled. "Rikina! Are you just going to give up like that and leave everything that you stared here?!"

"What can I do?!" Rikina screamed angrily. "He's been sent by my parents, I can't defy him!"

"But still! This isn't right!"

Suddenly, the door opened. Rikina stared at him, her make-up gone again. She burst out crying again and hugged him. "You're right! It isn't right! I don't wanna leave! I don't wanna leave Tokimi, or you…" She hugged him tighter. "Oh Shima, I don't wanna leave!"

Shima looked at Rikina sadly, brushing a hand through her hair. "I know… I… to tell you the truth, I don't want you to leave, either…" He smiled. "At first, you annoyed me a lot… But after a while, you really grew on me…"

"I wish we could stay like this forever…" Rikina said softly.

Shima blushed. "Um, don't you think that's going a little far?!"

"Hey, Shi-kun…" a voice said from the doorway. "How come we never hugged like that, huh?"

Shima and Rikina looked over to the door to see Kaolla, transformed by the power of the red moon. Kaolla was 19 again, wearing the outfit she usually is wearing in this form. "Hi, Shi-kun…"

Shima's eyes widened. "Holy shit! Kaolla, what happened?! You're hot!"

Kaolla pouted. "Does that mean you think I'm ugly in my true form?"

Shima shook his head. "No, but now you look… younger!"

Rikina sighed. "Yes, that's what happens on the night of the red moon… Well, I'd better get back to packing…"

Kaolla smirked. "Nuh uh… You're staying here, sis…" She rubbed her chin, grinning. "I fixed up the Mecha Tama Mk. 250 and upgraded it to Mk. 251!"

-----

A few minutes later, Luu stood in front of Hinata House, staring at the turtle mech. "Please, I have no time for this…"

Kaolla's voice could be heard from a speaker. "I think you'll find that it will be a little harder to hit me this time!"

Luu chucked. "I don't think so… HYAH!!" he jumped and kicked… air. "Huh?!" He was pounded into the ground by a giant metal fist.

"Oh my god, Kaolla! Don't kill him!!" Rikina screamed.

Everyone else began rubbing her eyes. "What's going on?…" Ami muttered.

Shima chuckled. "Kaolla's beating the crap out of Luu…"

"Not quite…" a voice said from the pile of dirt caused by the punch into the ground. Luu popped up, having only a few scratches.

"What the hell?!" Shima screamed.

Rikina's eyes widened. "How could I have forgotten?!"

"What?" Sarah asked, getting worried. "Forget what?!"

Rikina looked away. "Luu, wanting to protect me so badly, pledge his soul to our islands idol for more power…"

"Eh?" Shinobu said, confused. "I didn't see an idol on Mol-Mol…"

Rikina nodded. "I shouldn't tell you this, but our island has an idol hidden away from outsiders…"

Luu laughed evilly. "Yes, Rikina is correct… So you see, you cannot beat me…"

"You're insane!" Ema yelled.

Luu chuckled. "Why thank you…"

"… Wait…" Kaolla said sadly. "I… I will go in Rikina's place!"

"No! Kaolla, please don't!" Rikina pleaded. "This is MY responsibility now…"

Kaolla shook her head. "Rikina, it's my fault that this whole thing has been put on you…" The cockpit opened. Kaolla stood up and jumped down. She walked over to Rikina and hugged her. "I love you, little sis… I want you to be happy… So now, I am doing what I should have done years ago…"

Rikina began crying again, this time in happiness. She smiled at Kaolla. "Thank you…"

Koalla walked up to Luu, holding both her hands out. "Alright, slap the cuffs on me!"

"Wonderful!" Luu exclaimed. "The king and queen will be delighted that Kaolla is finally ready to accept the throne!"

Kaolla looked to Rikina. "Sis, I leave all my stuff here with you… Keep it safe for me, okay?"

Rikina nodded sadly. "I will…"

The others looked on sadly as Kaolla and Luu walked down the stairs. Shinobu and Sarah suddenly burst out crying. "Goodbye, Su! We'll never forget you!"

Kaolla looked back and winked. "Hey, remember what I said years ago… 'It's not a goodbye… It's just an until we meet again!' Besides, you're welcome to come over to Mol-Mol whenever you want! When I'm queen, I'll provide free trips for you all! And maybe when I'm not busy with royal duties, I'll stop by Hinata House! Seeya!"

"Bye!"

"Goodbye!"

"Farewell!"

And so, that was the night that Kaolla Su left Hinata House…

End of Chapter 24.

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Time: 9:25 PM PST. Chapters completed: 1.

My arms and wrists hurt, I'm getting tired… Sorry, everyone. But oh well, I'm still writing two chapters tomorrow. It's a two parter, so I'll just write it as one big 4000 word chapter, and then split it up where appropriate. On the plus side, you get a slightly longer chapter than usual, and today I picked up Rurouni Kenshin Volume 5 and…

Magister Negi Magi Negima Volume 1! Akamatsu-san's newest series! It's about a 10 year old genius magician who ends up as an English teacher at a Japanese all girls middle school. It's pretty interesting so far, but I've only read 2 chapters so far. But geez, 31 girls to memorize the names of… They're all really cute, though, so oh well! Seeya tomorrow! Gosh, this chapter a day thing is really killing me, though…

---Kouji Tamino… (So tired, I keep spelling 'Tamino' as 'Yamino'…)

P.S. I apologize for the rushed ending… Don't hurt me!

P.P.S. I like Naru, so nyah! =P