Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina or any of the characters contained in here. Love Hina is owned by Ken Akamatsu. This FanFic is purely for the enjoyment of myself and for others to read. So please don't sue

In Between

(Author Space)

Keitaro Urashima is seen approaching the empty desk of Gotenks01013. He stops short of of his mark after a cursory inspection of said desk. He frowns as he notices the thick layer of dust on the furniture as well as the many cobwebs which seemed to form as well. Worried, he looks around the immediate area hoping to catch any sign of the missing author-in-training.

Keitaro : "Gotenks-San? Hello? Are you here?" Damn, where the hell could he be? Keitaro looks back at the desk and notices a particular picture which caught his eye. Gently picking up the photo, he carefully wipes away the dust. His eyes widen in surprise at what he sees. Well I'll be. While examining the picture in his hand he fails to notice the approaching footsteps behind him.

Motoko: "URASHIMA!"

Kei: "ACK!!" (The picture slips from his hand as Motoko surprised him. Just as it was certain to smash on the ground in front of him, Motoko's uncanny reflexes allow her to catch it. Without looking at it, she instead gives the landlord a disapproving frown.) Whew! That was a close one. Uh oh! Looks like she's mad at me again.

Mot: "FOOL! What is the meaning of this? Why are you snooping around Gotenks-San's desk like a common thief?"( with that she points the tip of her wooden bokken at the frightened young man.)

Kei: "M-Motoko-Chan. I-I can explain. It's not what it looks like. Really!"

Like Keitaro less than a few moments ago, Motoko fails to notice the sound of footsteps behind her as both Haruka and Shinobu approach..

Haruka: "What's all the ruckus over here? Oh. I should have known you had something to do with this nephew."

Shinobu: Sempai? What's going on?

Kei: "Aunt Haruka! Shinobu! Can you PLEASE tell Motoko I'm innocent!!"

Haru: "Hmph! Motoko, would you mind handing over your bokken for a moment?"

Very reluctantly, the swordswoman hands over her bokken to Haruka who very swiftly begins to throttle Keitaro with it much to her delight.

Kei: "ACK! What did I do NOW???"

Shin: "Aaauuu!! SEMPAI!!"

Haru: "How many times have I told you? It's MISS Haruka. Got It?"

Kei: "Yes! Yes! I got it. Now would you PLEASE stop?"

Much to his relief, MISS Haruka returns the wooden sword to its rightful owner who deftly puts it back in its scabbard.

Haru: "Ok then. Now would either of you mind explaining what you are doing here?"

Shin: "Yes. Why are you both by Gotenks-San's desk?" Shinobu notices the picture frame that Motoko is holding. "Motoko-Sempai? Is that a photograph your holding?"

Mot: "Hmm? Oh this? I caught this after Urashima's clumsiness almost destroyed it."

Kei: "I wouldn't have dropped it if you didn't surprise me like you did."

Mot: "Vile male! You shall pay for you insolence!" Motoko begins to reach for her bokken with her free hand as Keitaro starts backing away.

Haru: "Stop It you two! We don't have time for this!" Motoko stops what she was doing as Keitaro wipes his forehead in relief. "Now would someone PLEASE tell me what's going on here?" Damnit! Picked the wrong day to try and quit my smokes!

Kei: "Ok Au- I mean Ms. Haruka. Can I ask you all one question first?"

Shin: "Sure."

Mot: "I suppose Urashima. Be quick about it."

Haru: (rubbing the throbbing vein in her forehead) "I agree with Motoko. Please make it quick so we can get to the bottom of this. "

Kei: "Ok then. Basically, I just wanted to know......Has ANYONE seen Gotenks- San at all?"

Haru: "Nope. Can't say as I have."

Both Shinobu and Motoko sadly shake their head.

Kei: "I was afraid of that."

Haru: "Oh I see. That's what you were doing here then. Trying to find out where he's been."

Kei: "Something like that. I figure noone's seen him since Chapter 2 of VALENTINE. Hell, that was February. I just wanted to see if he was ok"

Mot: "Urashima is correct. He has not shown himself since that day. He still hasn't allowed me my vengeance on that Foul Demon in FRIEND" Remembering the photo, Motoko begins to look at it for the first time. As Keitaro did earlier her eyes widen in surprise.

Shin: "What is it Motoko-Sempai?" the young chef cranes her neck to take a better look.

Haru: "Here lemme have a look." Haruka gently takes the photo from Motoko , examinies it, and chuckles.

The others look at Haruka in confusion, as she puts the photo back where it came from.

Shinobu was the first to speak. "A-Are those his children?"

Haru: "No mistaken it. Those three look like him alright."

Shinobu chuckles : "They're cute. "

Kei: "Wow. I didn't know he had kids."

Mot: "He is not required to divulge personal information such as this Urashima."

Haru: "Motoko is right. He's not" ( she rubs her chin in thought) "Still doesn't explain where he's been though."

Kei: "Maybe one of the other girls know where he is "

Haru: "Hmph. Good Luck asking them. Keitaro, you know they're gone for the summer."

Kei: Yea that's right. Kitsune is on assignment. Can't believe she finally got a job at a newspaper. Su went back Molmol to visit her family. Sara's with her dad Thank God and Naru finally decided to spend some time with Mei and the rest of the family.

Shin: "Did they go to America like they planned Sempai?"

Kei: "I think so Shinobu. "

Mot: "Urashima? What about Mutsumi-San?"

Mutsumi: "Hmm? What about me?"

Everyone: "ACK!!" Everyone FaceFaults.

Haru: "Mutsumi! When did you show up?"

Kei: "Yea! H-How long have you been standing here?"

Mut: (chuckling slightly) "Kei-Kun. I've been here all this time"

Mot: "How can that be Mutsumi-San. We would have seen you."

Shin: "Um. Mutsumi-Sempai. Where exactly WERE you all this time?"

Mut: ( Chuckling continues) "Why hiding behind Gotenks-San's desk of course"

Another FaceFault

Mut: "Oh Dear. Gotenks-San's children do seem happy don't they." Mutsumi examines the photograph much like the others did earlier; However, her usual cheery expression slowly turns into one tinged with sadness. A single tear begins to form on her normally lovely face. A fact that doesn't go unnoticed by the others.....especially Haruka.

Har: "Mutsumi. What's wrong?" The older woman approaches the young Okinawan and gently places her hands on Mutsumi's shoulders. "You do know something don't you?"

Mot: "Mutsumi-San. Are the children alright?" asks Motoko with some concern.

Mut: "Hmm? Oh my, I do seem to be crying don't I?" Keitaro fishes in his pocket for a clean handkerchief which he offers to his friend. Mutsumi gratefully accepts it and gently wipes her eyes. Turning to Haruka, she answers. "Do not worry, the children are fine."

Haru: "What then?"

Mutsumi slowly moves away from Haruka and perhaps without consciously realizing her actions, begins to clean away the desk.

Kei: "Mutsumi?"

Mut: "It's ok Kei-Kun. Gotenks-San is ok as well."

Mot: "How would you know this Mutsumi-San? Has he contacted you?"

Mut: "Vash." She said simply

Shin: "Vash?" she repeated.

Mut: "Yes, Shinobu-Chan. As you know, Vash is fond of my melons."

Haru: (mumbles) "I Bet"

Mut: "Hmm?"

Haru: "Nevermind."

Mot: "What did Vash say Mutsumi-San?"

Mut: "Well Motoko-chan. Vash and Gotenks-San would banter back and forth with each others skits and reviews."

Kei: "Hey. I used to read those. They were funny."

Haru: "Keitaro."

Kei: "Yea?"

Haru: "Shush".

Kei: "Um, Okies."

Mut: "They also used to talk outside of "

Shin: "You mean they are friends"

Mut: "Yes, Shinobu-Chan." She paused, remembering what was said that day. "I remember him saying to Vash.....that his marriage was ending."

Haru: "Oh No!"

Mot: "Unfortunate."

Kei: "Now it makes sense."

Shin: sniff "How sad." Shinobu looks at the photo and approaches it. "I know what it's like. "

Kei: "Oh Shinobu that's right. You do know don't you?" Keitaro puts a comforting hand on the younger girl's shoulder.

Shin: "Yes Sempai! I know what is like to have your parents Divorce." She wipes her tears with her own handkerchief. "So I can easily imagine what they will be going through."

Haru: "Well, I wish the best for them. Quite frankly, it's none of our business."

Kei: "How can you say that Au- I mean Ms Haruka. Gotenks-San is our friend."

Mot: "Haruka-San. I-I'm forced to agree with Urashima. We should help him."

Haru: ( Finally deciding enough was enough decides to light up) "I hate to break it to you all, but as Gotenks-San is fond of saying—we ARE fictional characters after all."

Kei: "But?"

Haru: (Puts a finger to her nephew's lips) "I'll put it to you like this......weren't you the one looking for him earlier?"

Keitaro nods.

Haru: And didn't I just remind you that we are fictional characters when it comes right down to it?

Everyone nods.

Haru: "Well, doesn't that means that our existence is based on someone WRITING about us?"

Kei: "Yes , but what does that have to do with------?" Comprehension begins to form on Keitaro's face.

Haru: "I see you figured it out nephew. Anyway, I have to head back to the teashop before my break is over. Bye now" Haruka starts to walk out of AuthorSpace, Pauses a moment, turns her head around and looks outside the screen. After a few seconds tick by, she resumes her stroll outside. Mumbling can be heard as she fades out of view.

Mot: "Urashima. What was that Haruka-San was mumbling just now?"

Kei: "Dunno. Although it sounded an awful lot like' 'Don't take so blasted long next time' Least, that's what I think I heard."

Mot: "Indeed. I will follow her lead then. I shall see you all back in Hinata-Sou."

ShinMut: "Okay"

Motoko can be seen walking away as well. However, as she passes the desk she can be seen writing what looks like a note , then continues on her way.

Kei: "Let's go girls. Something tells me things will get better after all."

Mut: "They will Kei-Kun, they will."

Keitaro regards his childhood friend then follows the path Motoko and his Aunt took just moments ago. Upon reaching the desk, Both Keitaro and Shinobu take similar action much like Motoko had done, then continued on their way.

Mutsumi, looking on as her friends exit Author-Space, produces a photo of her own, out of nowhere, and places it for Gotenks-San to see when he decides to return. Before taking her leave, she looks at the photo of the children, then of the one she had just left, then finally looking outside of the screen. After a few moments, she smiles, and happily walks along the same path her friends had taken until she fades from view herself.

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Somewhere out of the distance, a pair of familiar footsteps approach the desk. The figure stops short of the mark and slowly lets out a breath. Slowly, he closes the remaining distance and settles into his chair, getting used to its feel. Turns on his PC and is pleased to see it still runs. As he waited for it to finish booting, he noticed the picture of 3 young children .......and smiled. He was about to turn his attention back to the computer when something ELSE caught his eye. There were 3 sticky notes and a new photo that weren't there last time.

The first note read: "I hope this note finds you in good spirits Gotenks- San. I look forward to vanquishing the Foul Demon that has plagued me for so long. Until next Time." -Motoko. Poor Girl. It's been over a year since I first started that wasn't it?

The second note read: "Hey there. Sorry to hear about what happened. Hope you come back soon. Isn't the same man." – Keitaro

BTW if you start up again, can you finish VALENTINE first? Naru's been bugging me to ask you to finish it. Heh, I bet she has.

The last note read: Please tell your kids that they are not alone Gotenks- Sempai. And PLEASE make sure they know that both their parents love them. That's what used to scare me the most was that I was the reason they divorced. Until Sempai made me realize that I wasn't and that they BOTH loved me...Ok? -Shinobu Sigh! How SO right you are Shinobu-Chan.

Finally, he examined the photo. It was of the whole Hina crew posing in front of Hinata-Sou. The was another note written, this time on the photo itself. It said:

"Please come back to us Gotenks-San. Your friends here and outside in your world miss you. Let the adventures begin anew. Until next time." –Mutsumi

Gotenks01013: "Let the adventures begin anew then. This one's for you Kids."

Author's Notes: Hello all. As you can see this isn't any of the other 3 stories that I really need to get back on and for that I humbly apologize. As you can guess, the last few months haven't exactly been a bowl of cherries for me, which explains my long absence. I pretty much wanted to get some stuff off my chest as well as get back into writing in general. The last thing I wanted to do was write about anything romantic...that is until a good friend of mine reminded me of why I loved doing this in the first place. Thanks Kellie. Hopefully, I WILL get back into finishing up my stuff as I am as much looking forward to seeing these things in print as much as you guys are(I cant believe im still getting reviews to this day WOW keep em going) Bare with me guys, im coming back.

Also, I'd like to thank Vash and DennisDud( as well as the aforementioned Kellie aka Songlark2000) who have helped cheer me on as the BS was unfolding and kept me on the straight and narrow. I also cant forget my children, who continue to spread joy my way as I try to do so for them. Thanks Kids.

I don't expect any reviews for this as I don't really consider it a story although I thank those that have continued to send some my way for the other 3( especially Warrior's re-Write) . Instead I'd just like to say:

Let the adventures begin anew.