Disclaimer:

I do not own anything from Love Hina or any copyrighted material. Any other characters used in this fic are mine, however.

Chapter 3 – An Unforgettable Afternoon

Kitsune and Keitaro are standing in line getting ready to order at one of the food vendors. Beforehand, they've walked around downtown for the past half-hour and are now in the park, enjoying the nice whether and what the day has to offer. Though it technically wasn't a date by any means, both of the couldn't help but enjoy the company of the other.

"So, are you gonna order or keep staring at the menu as if it was one of those magic-eye things?" asked Kitsune jokingly.

Keitaro turned to her and laughed. "I'll let you know when I'm good and ready – I'm just taking my time deciding."

"Oh decisions, decisions," commented Kitsune.

After deciding what he wanted, they got their food and took a seat on a nearby bench. Eating their meals, neither of them spoke as if they were waiting for the other to start up another conversation. The awkward silence was becoming more and more uncomfortable at each passing moment – luckily Keitaro made the first move.

"So Kitsune," he said, "are you feeling any better?"

"Well I have to admit that it's helping to get my mind off of things," she answered. "Thanks."

He smiled. "Don't mention it…I'm just glad that I could help."

Kitsune felt a small smile forming on her lips. She always knew that Keitaro was a nice guy, but he really went out of his way to help put her mind as ease. She'd been out with other guys before, but this was the first time she was really enjoying herself. Maybe things were starting to look up for a change.

"So where to now?" she asked.

"Well, we could just walk around the park for a while," Keitaro suggested. "Does that sound good to you?"

"Sure," replied Kitsune. "It'd be a waste not to take advantage of the good whether."

Finishing the last of their food, the two began to walk around the park. They took their time admiring the scenery before them; the sun's rays seemed to make everything glow all around them as the wind gently passed through the trees. A clean and pleasant scent was in the air, adding a sense of calm to the surroundings. At that moment, everything was perfect.

It was not until the pair came across a familiar area of the park that made Keitaro stop in his tracks. He began to remember that day in his life when he made that promise – it played in his mind like an old movie over and over again. The third year ronin hadn't been to this particular part of the park since he was a boy. It was strange for him to return here – such an event that happened years ago felt as if it happened a week ago. Noticing this, Kitsune moved to his side.

"Is something wrong Keitaro?"

 Keitaro quickly regained his senses and turned to her. "Hehe…sorry about that. It's just that I haven't been here in a while."

"Oh," she said, "what's so special about this place?"

"Well…this is where I made that promise to that girl," answered Keitaro. "It just feels weird being back her, that's all."

Kitsune turns her gaze at the ground, then back at Keitaro. "Don't worry – I'm sure you'll find her again, whoever she is."

"Yeah," Keitaro said. "Come on, let's go."

They made their way near the park's entrance, not looking back.

~~

Naru was busy trying to manage the six bags of groceries and other items needed in the dorm. Considering how much she was carrying and how much it weighed altogether, it was a good thing she only needed to do this once – until it was her turn again next month.

"Jeez," she muttered, "if I didn't know any better, I'd swear that there's more than just the six of us living at the Hinata Sou."

It was at that moment she noticed two familiar figures emerging from the park's entrance. Adjusting her glasses a bit, she quickly recognized them as the dorm's resident party girl along with its resident pervert.

'What exactly are those two up to?' Naru thought. 'More importantly, what exactly is Keitaro up to?'

Naru immediately diverted from her intended path and began to tail them. Given the fact that she had both her hands full, and she was trying not to draw too much attention to herself, it wasn't an easy task.

"Whatever their intentions are, this definitely warrants some attention."

~~

Keitaro and Kitsune just stepped out of the park, wrapping up a nice afternoon. They had no idea that Naru was in tow a few yards behind them.

"Well Keitaro, I have to admit that this definitely was a good way to spend the afternoon," said Kitsune.

Keitaro laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "I couldn't agree more."

The two walked a little further down the street until Keitaro spotted a familiar looking booth. Suddenly an idea sparks in his mind and his eyes light up.

"Hey Kitsune, how about we get something to remember this day!" he said pointing to the photo booth.

"Huh?" says a confused Kitsune. "Oh, you mean like a picture or something?"

"Yeah," Keitaro replied. "Why not?"

"Sure – I guess it'd be nice way to end our afternoon with," she answered.

In the distance, Naru could see that Keitaro motioning at something – she really couldn't tell from her vantage point what. A moment later, she had enough time to see them entering a booth; a thousand scenarios played through her mind in rapid succession… naturally none of them were pleasant.

"He wouldn't!" she exclaimed. "But if he is…"

Moving as quickly as she could, she began to ball her hand into a fist – so much so that her knuckles cracked in readiness.  If he was up to anything perverted, she was hell-bent to teach Keitaro a lesson.

Keitaro and Kitsune took a seat inside the booth. Although it had enough space to accommodate up to three people with ease, the fact that they were so close to each other made it somewhat awkward for Keitaro. The last time he had his picture with anyone was with Naru…and that was without knowing that it was her when he traveled to Kyoto.

"So this is what you did before coming to the Hinata Sou," commented an amused Kitsune.

"Yup. It's been a hobby of mine for as long as I can remember," Keitaro laughed.

"Hopefully you'll enjoy it."

Naru had just gotten close enough to the booth that she could hear part of what Keitaro talking about to Kitsune. Unfortunately she was still unaware that it was a photo booth and nothing else – what's worse was that, Naru only heard the last part of the conversation.

"… you'll enjoy it."

"What?!" cried Naru.

At that moment, Naru dropped all the bags and ran to the curtain. Pulling it back, she caught a glimpse of a surprised Kitsune with an arm around a more surprised Keitaro.

Paying for a sheet of photo stickers, they prepared for the camera to take the shot. Kitsune placed her hand on Keitaro's shoulder, causing him to blush slightly. A moment later, the curtain ripped open, revealing an irate Naru.

"What the-" started Keitaro, but was cut short.

The sudden surprise entrance caused poor ronin to fall backward and onto Kitsune, pinning her against the wall of the booth. Since Kitsune's hand was on his shoulder, this sudden movement caused her to run her hand all around him into a 'suggestive' embrace.  The final touch added to his current situation was when his head was resting on Kitsune's chest.

All of this happened in a span of a few seconds. Before Keitaro or Kitsune could explain, Naru had already seen enough to make her own conclusions.

"Keitaro!" she screamed. "You have some nerve!"

"No! No! It's not what you-"

Too late – Naru's fist connected with his face and was sent flying high in the air, his voice fading in the distance. Kitsune sat there for a moment, not realizing what just happened. Seconds later she regains her senses and turns to her friend who was rubbing her fist at that moment.

"What was that for Naru?!"

Naru turned to her friend; a confused look was etched on her face as her anger subsided.

"What do you mean Kitsune?" said Naru. "You know how much of a pervert he can be – there's no tell what could've happened if I didn't come along."

 "There wasn't anything going on Naru," exclaimed Kitsune, getting out of the wrecked booth. "We were just getting our pictures taken as a way to finish up an outing we took!"

"Is…that's what it was all about?"

"Yeah," said Kitsune giving an exasperated sigh. "Listen I know you mean well, but I can take care of myself – after all I am a big girl."

"Oh…" said Naru, feeling a bit guilty. "Hey Kitsune…I'm real sorry about this."

"It's alright," she replied. "Think of it as one of those things we'll turn back and laugh at in the distant future."

Kitsune walked over to Naru's side. "Come on, we better get back to the dorm – the way I figure it, that's where Keitaro probably landed."

"Right."

Picking up the groceries, the two began to make their way back to the Hinata Sou, until a mechanized noise caught their attention. Turning around, they both saw it came from the picture dispenser on the side of the booth. Kitsune bent down and picked it up – the camera was able to capture Naru's punch frame by frame.

~~

Meanwhile at the Hinata Sou…

The familiar shape of the dorm's manager came streaking in from the sun at a high rate of speed. An instant later, Keitaro's frame crashes onto the roof, sending wooden debris flying in all directions.

"Ah…ouch."

Pulling himself up he manages to drag himself to the top of the roof. Getting up on his feet, he's shocked at where he just landed.

"Oh no!" he moans. "I just fixed that part of the roof too!"

***

A/N – Hope everyone enjoyed chapter three! It took me a while to write that whole scene with Naru, Kitsune, and Keitaro because I'm trying to keep everyone true to their personalities as possible – hopefully my efforts weren't in vain.

Also on another note, I'm not sure how long this story will be, but count on it being around 8 to 10 chapters. Just FYI.

Thanks for everyone who reviewed my last chapter!  Stay tuned and I'll have chapter 4 up soon!   ^_^