Disclaimer:

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

Chapter 6 – An Evening of Firsts

It was late in the evening as life was returning to normal in the Hinata Sou. It was near dinnertime, and everyone was gathering around the table…except for the resident fox and the ronin. The rest of the girls sat in their chairs – they couldn't start eating until everyone was there…a rule-of-thumb that was beginning to test their patience.

"I wonder what taking those two," asked Shinobu, a curious look on her face. "It's not like Kitsune or Sempai to be late for dinner."

 "Let's just go ahead and start eating," said Su, eyeing the food longingly.

The young foreigner was about to reach for the serving until Motoko stopped her.

"Su it's not proper to start eating without everyone present," she commented.

Naru sat in her chair in silence the entire time. She was still intent to talk to the others about Kitsune. Her best friend's odd behavior was starting to make her wonder what was really going on…hopefully they'd be able to shed some light on the whole thing. At that moment, Keitaro and Kitsune appeared, coats in hand.

"Finally you two showed up," said Naru.

"Hey guys," said Keitaro. "Umm…sorry, but you guys are gonna have to start eating without us."

"Why?" asked Shinobu. "I made your favorite dish tonight."

"I know, and I'm real sorry…but me and Kitsune are heading out tonight."

Motoko gave a puzzled look. "Where are you two going for this evening?"

"We're just heading down to the bar," answered Kitsune. "We should be back in about an hour."

"Are you gonna be okay being alone with the pervert," asked Su.

"Well I think I'm capable of defending myself…not like I'll want to," answered Kitsune with a smirk.

"What?!" exclaimed Keitaro nervously.

"Kidding…kidding," the fox girl commented. "Anyway save us some leftovers…that is of course if Su will let you."

"I'll try to," said Shinobu, "but I can't guarantee that I can."

"Well, don't worry if you can't Shinobu," said Keitaro. "We'll see you guys later."

The two disappeared around the corner and the sound f the front door opening and shutting followed soon after. The girls exchanged quick glances at each other, and then proceeded to start eating.

"I hope they'll have a good time," commented Shinobu.

Motoko nodded. "I'm sure that they will both be on their best behavior. Urashima seems to be more considerate of a woman's feelings."

"Speaking of which," said Naru. "Have any of you noticed that Kitsune has been acting a little odd as of late?"

"In what way Naru?" asked Su, piling food on her plate.

"Well for one thing, she's been more –" She stopped to search for the right word. "– conserved than usual."

Shinobu rubbed her chin in thought. "Now that you mention it…she seemed a little uncomfortable when we were talking about the wedding the day before."

"She's also been hangin' around Keitaro too," added Su.

Motoko tilted her head slightly. She then closed her eyes and nodded in agreement with Su.

"That's right," she said. "It's rather peculiar, consider her personality."

"What do you think it all could mean?" asked Naru.

"Maybe Kitsune just wants to play with Keitaro," said Su.

"Huh!" exclaimed Naru and Motoko in unison.

Shinobu's eyes shot wide open. "What do you mean by playing Su?!"

Su shrugged. "We all spent time with him, but Kitsune doesn't."

The others relax a bit but not by a whole lot. Having Kitsune and Keitaro and the word playing was not an image they didn't want forming in their minds.

"That's it – I think we should follow them and see what's what," declared Naru.

"Are you sure that is wise," said Motoko. "Invading their privacy like that?"

Motoko something is going on," replied Naru, "and whatever it is, I have a feeling that someone is gonna get hurt over this.

"What if they spot us?" asked Shinobu.

"They won't if we use this," said Su, pulling out a remote.

The young girl pressed a button on the controller and out flew her latest version of a mecha tama. Unlike previous versions, this one had a camera mounted atop its shell and had no visible weapons. The others looked at the mechanical device with great interest.

"This version not only has infra red and advance night vision, but I was able to implement the optic camouflage from the suits I had lying around."

Shinobu shot a confused look at Su. "Umm, how long have you been working on this…thing?"

"Since this morning."

"Can you program this to follow specific people?" asked Naru, looking at it with great interest.

"Of course," Su answered innocently. "I needed a better way to find Keitaro so he can play with me."

The others groaned. Ever since Keitaro came to the dorm, he was Su's personal guinea pig for her inventions. It was a wonder that he's in one piece considering what his body goes through on a daily basis.

"Great," said Naru. "What are you waiting for Su? Send this thing on its way."

Motoko got up from the table. "I'm sorry, but I can't approve invading someone's privacy – even if it is Urashima and Kitsune.

"Fine with me," she replied. "What about you Shinobu?"

Shinobu thought for a moment, and then nodded. "Well…I guess it can't hurt."

"Then it's decided," said Naru, and turned to Su. "Time to see if this thing will work."

"I hope you know what you're doing," replied Motoko.

"Don't worry," she replied. "What's the worst that could happen?"

With that said, the three made their way to the living room to set up Su's equipment. As the three were left to their devices, Motoko stood in the stairway and shook her head.

"Why do I get the feeling that we're all going to regret this?"

~~

Keitaro walked along the sidewalk as Kitsune lead the way to the bar. Day was beginning to turn to dusk as they made their way downtown. The forecast called for clear skies and mild temperatures – perfect whether for tonight's occasion.

"So how long until we get to this bar of yours?"

Kitsune turned to her companion. "Only a couple more blocks to go."

"Hey Kitsune," said Keitaro. "That's again for the invite – to be honest I've never been to a bar before."

Kitsune laughed. "I've never had a drinking buddy to go with…so I guess this is a night of firsts, huh?"

Unknown to either of them, a ghostly presence was hovering over the two, transmitting everything that was taking place. Naru, Su, and Shinobu were watching everything that was taking place.

"Wow – I gotta say Su that you've really outdone yourself this time, "commented Naru. "I'm surprised they didn't notice the mecha tama yet."

"Thanks," replied Su. "I'm surprised that it's working flawlessly, even though I haven't field-tested it until now."

"Kaolla," said a worried Shinobu. "You mean you haven't worked out any bugs in it?"

"If there are bugs, we'll know about them tonight," answered a cheery Su.

Naru nervously laughed. "Hehe…great."

A beeping noise got everyone's attention. Their eyes focused on the small monitor that was attached to the controller. The image showed their quarry walking into the bar, leaving the mechanical toy floating above the doorway.

"Why did it stop like that?" asked Naru. "I thought it was suppose to follow them inside?"

"I have the tracking system set to follow them through facial recognition – it only works if the camera's view isn't obstructed," she explained. "Because they moved out of sight of the camera, it stopped."

Su flicked a switch on the controller, causing a light that said 'Manual Control' to come on. Manipulating the small joystick, the image began to move once more – this time to an open window. A moment later, the interior of the bar filled the screen, and once again the camera sighted its intended targets.

~~

Kitsune and Keitaro walked inside the bar, the room filled with the sounds of people talking, drinking, and having a good time. The room was well lit and furnished with dark wooden tables and chairs that shined in the light. The bar itself was well stocked with dozens of liquor bottles of all colors. Keitaro could smell the aroma of alcohol and smoke that hung in the air as they took their seats.

"Wow," he said. "This is nice…for a bar that is."

"Glad you approve," commented Kitsune.

"I take it you come here often, right?"

Kitsune smirked. "Oh…you could say that."

Ordering their drinks the two sat there soaking in the atmosphere. Despite the setting, the two just sat there, stealing glances at one another. Even though they went out before, something about tonight felt different…like a date.

"So…having a good time?" asked Kitsune.

"Um…yeah," Keitaro replied. "Thanks again for taking me out here."

"No problem – think of it as a way of saying thanks for yesterday."

A moment later, their drink were placed in front of them Kitsune raised the glass and took a sip while Keitaro brought his to his mouth.

"Careful, that stuff's strong," warned Kitsune.

Unfortunately her words of warning were too late. The moment he took his first drink, he was surprised how strong it was. Setting the glass on the table, Keitaro placed his hand his chest in an effort to steady himself. Kitsune moved quickly to his side and patted his back to help him breath again.

"You okay Keitaro?"

Not realizing that she was behind him he stood up, knocking the fox girl backwards a bit. This caused her to spill her drink…some of it splashing on the cloaked mecha tama that happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Geez…I'm sorry Kitsune!" he said.

Kitsune shook her had, trying to get it dry. "It's okay, it's okay…I should've warned you earlier huh?"

"Guess I'm not much for hard liquor?"

Kitsune laughed. "Haha…guess not.

~~

Back at the Hinata Sou, a warning light lit up on Su's controller as the video feed shorted out. Su shot a puzzled look at the device and flicked at a few switches. Naru leaned over her shoulder, a nervous look on her face.

"Su, what just happened?" she asked. "How come we're not getting a picture?"

"We got our first glitch of the evening," she announced. "All transmissions have been cut and the system is shot."

"Then what were you doing just now?" asked Shinobu.

"Well," replied the young foreigner, " as a fail-safe, I have a recall program installed."

"Su," asked Naru, "what do you mean by recall?"

"The mecha tama will head back the way it came for repairs – specifically homing in on the controller."

As Su finished that last sentenced, the small device came flying through an open window and straight toward the girls. Shinobu and Su managed to duck out of the way…Naru on the other hand wasn't as fortunate.

"Gah!!!!!"

Mecha tama smacked right into Naru, sending her tumbling end over end. She finally came to a rest when she crashed into the wall, making a notable dent in it. Su and Shinobu rushed over to Naru side.

"Are you alright Naru?!" exclaimed Shinobu.

Naru looked up dazed. "I'll…be…fine."

With that she fell backwards, stars filling her vision.

~~

Later that evening, Keitaro and Kitsune were walking back to the dorm. The rest of their evening at the bar went on without much fanfare – they drank a couple beers and had a good time. They weren't drunk by any means…just slightly buzzed by the affects of alcohol on the brain.

"Woah," said Keitaro. "I gotta sit down real quick."

"Sure thing," replied Kitsune. "Beer had that kind of affect on a person."

Taking a seat on a park bench, the couple relaxed as Keitaro rubbed his temples. Kitsune couldn't help but smile, amused at this sight. She never thought that she'd get to see Keitaro loosen up like this before.

"Man Kitsune, how do you put up with it?" Keitaro asked, not looking up.

"Practice," she merely answered, and jabbed him playfully in his side.

Keitaro jumped. "Haha…careful, please! I'm a bit sensitive there."

"Really," Kitsune mused, a foxy look gracing her features. "I did not no that."

Without warning she jabbed him again, making him jump. Keitaro scooted slightly away from Kitsune, still laughing

"Hehe…stop seriously."

The two sat there staring at each other. Seconds passed until Keitaro saw that same glint of mischief in the fox girl's eyes, followed by a sly smile. Before he could react Kitsune launched an all-out assault on his side. Keitaro was helpless as he laughed uncontrollably.

"Hahaha – no, no stop!" he choked out.

"Saying that only makes it worse," Kitsune proclaimed.

A moment later, Keitaro was at his limit of endurance. He moved his arm to try and shield himself – inadvertently knocking Kitsune arms away. Crying out in surprise, she fell forward…right on top of Keitaro. Her weight added to her momentum caused him to fall backward in the bench.

The pair came to a stop – Keitaro lying on the bench, and Kitsune on top of him. Their faces were much closer to each other than before, making both of them blush. The distance between them began to shrink…until their lips softly touched into a lingering kiss. Keitaro's mind suddenly kicked into overdrive, making him panic. Wriggling out from under her he quickly got up.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry," he quickly said. "I didn't…I mean…uh-"

Kitsune quickly regained her senses and waver her hands dismissively. "It's okay! It's all right – really…it sort of…um, yeah."

The two remained still trying to think what just happened. Both Kitsune and Keitaro were embarrassed – so much so that they couldn't look at the other. Finally Keitaro cleared his throat and looked at Kitsune, a reddish tinge still visible on his face.

"Come on…why don't we call it a night," he said.

"O-Okay," Kitsune replied, and got up. "Sure."

The two made there way back to the Hinata Sou without saying another word.

***

A/N – Whew! Well, I hope you enjoyed chapter 6 – sorry for the long wait, but I ran into some technical problems earlier that set me back a few days. I guess that was a good thing…it gave me a time to really focus on making the last scene tie in with the rest of the chapter.

Well that's it from me! Keep sending me your reviews and comments, and I'll try to get chapter 7 up soon!    ^_^