Disclaimer:

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

Chapter 9 – Hidden Feelings

Keitaro and Naru sat around the table; several heavy textbooks and notepads lay opened before them. The young manager glanced at the clock that sat behind Naru and sighed in frustration when he saw what the time was.

'Great…it's almost nine-thirty and I haven't done a thing,' he thought, twirling his pencil around his thumb. 'As much as I want to, I just can't get focused.'

Looking up, he sees Naru making good progress studying. She worked tirelessly, the sounds of her pencil scribbling on paper the only thing that filled the room. Keitaro turned his gaze down on his notebook – the small drawing he made of Kitsune smiled back at him. For the past hour and a half all he could think about was his feelings for the young woman; he intended to talk to Naru about it – indirectly. Looking back at Naru, he figured now would be a good time to talk.

"Hey Naru," said Keitaro, "can I talk to you about something?"

~~

Kitsune listened intently to what Keitaro and Naru where saying. She knew better than to ease drop, but from what Shinobu told her earlier, it might involve her in a way. As quietly as she could, she eased herself in a better position.

'I wish I could see what's going on in there,' she thought to herself. 'Oh well…I just hope after that, I'll be able to talk to him later.'

~~

Beyond the door, Naru looked up and placed her pencil down. "Sure. What about Keitaro?"

"Well…have you ever had the feeling that there's a once-in-a-chance lifetime sitting in front of you but you weren't sure if that's what it is?

Naru shot a puzzled look at him. "You mean like a chance for your dream job or something like that?"

"No, not really," he explained. "I mean…in a more emotional sense."

"Oh, I see," said the young Toudai aspirant. "Well, I really can't say that I have before. Why?"

"I was just wondering if it'd be right to…um…seize this opportunity?"

Naru closed her notebook and pushed it aide. "Personally, I'd wait and see if there isn't some sort of catch or if it's what you think it is and not something else completely."

"Okay…"

"But," she continued, "it's important to not take too much time before such an opportunity slips away. Remember – 'always strike when the iron is red-hot.'"

"Hmm…interesting," he said to himself.

"Is there something else you'd like to talk about?"

Keitaro sighed. "Yeah. About Kitsune…um…she didn't happen to mention anything about me, has she?"

Naru shook her head. "No – come to think of it, she's been keeping to herself for almost a week. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason," he replied. "I was just wondering."

Naru closed her notebook and pushed it aside. "You two spent a lot of time with each other last week…there isn't anything going on that I should be aware of, is there?"

"N-No! Nothing I swear," replied Keitaro nervously. He knew that when Naru had that tone in her voice, a fist connecting to his face usually follows it.

Naru just shook her head, a small smile forming on her face. "Okay, just thought I ask. By the way, since we're on the subject, can I as you something?"

Keitaro shrugged. "Sure – what about?"

"What did you and my best friend actually do that night when you went to the bar?"

Keitaro's mind replayed what happened – including the little 'incident' in the park. "Um…we just did what normal people do at bars, you know. Nothing spectacular happened – we had a couple drinks…although I have to admit I'm not up to the level of drinking Kitsune is."

"I see," mused Naru. "I take it you didn't act like a drunken pervert that evening too, right?"

"I was on my best behavior, if that's what you're implying," Keitaro replied, and without thinking he said, "You can ask Kitsune if you'd like - she seemed to have a good time."

Naru wrinkled her brow in surprise. "Really? That's a surprise…you really don't seem to be her type."

'Am I really her type?' he thought. 'I really should talk to Kitsune about this later.'

~~

Outside Naru's door Kitsune couldn't help but crack a small smile at Naru's comment. A faint blush began to appear on her face.

'If you only knew Naru…he's definitely one-of-a-kind,' she thought.

She leaned a little closer to the opened door. From her better vantage point she could see Keitaro gathering up his things. Shoving his books and other items in a small bag, he got up and moved to the hole covered by Naru's stuffed Liddo-kun.

"Thanks for the talk Naru."

"You're done already? We haven't even covered the history section tonight," said Naru.

"Umm…I'll just look that over tomorrow," he replied.

"Well okay, but no procrastinating – I don't wanna have to go over it with you instead of learning more material on the test," commented Naru.

Keitaro just sighed and dropped down the hole, out of sight. As Naru moved to cover the hole again, Kitsune begins to lose her footing. Without thinking, she grabs the door to regain her balance…and opening it in the process.

"Kitsune!" exclaimed a surprised Naru. "What are you doing outside my door?"

"I, uh, just…wanted to see what's happening here – that all," Kitsune replied quickly.

"Sure," replied Naru. "So what brings you her anyway?"

"Nothing really…I noticed Keitaro isn't here studying like always," commented Kitsune.

"Yeah…seemed like his mind was on other things tonight."

Kitsune took a seat across from Naru. "Anything in particular?"

"Not that I know of," answered Naru, then gave Kitsune a strange look. "You two have been acting a little different recently – is there anything going on that I should know about?"

"Umm…no," answered Kitsune. "He didn't do anything perverted if that's what you're thinking."

Naru expression softened slightly. "So I take it he treats you well."

"You could say that," replied Kitsune. "What's with you sudden interest in Keitaro and me all of a sudden?"

"Hey, I'm just making sure there isn't any foul play going on behind everyone's back."

"I appreciate you concern."

The two sat there for a moment, until Naru looked back at her friend and said, "So…just out of curiosity…what's he like?"

"You mean when we went out?" asked Kitsune, in which Naru nodded. "Well…I guess I can sum it up this way – Keitaro definitely knows how to treat a woman right."

"Is that so," said Naru thoughtfully, shifting her gaze away from her.

"Hasn't he ever treated you like that when you two are together studying?"

"What are you talking about?! I-I mean sure he does…I've just never heard of him act so…."

"So…what?" asked Kitsune. "He's a nice guy – what'd you expect?"

"Yeah…he sure is," said Naru softly.

Kitsune raised her eyebrows, surprised at her reaction. She hasn't seen her friend act like this when they ever talked about guys. The last time was when they were in high school together.

'Oh no…' though Kitsune. 'Could it be?'

Memories of their time in Hinata Sou surfaced in her head. Naru hadn't acted this strangely about a guy since Seta was their tutor. Kitsune remembered that Naru had a deep crush on the older man – so much so that the fox girl thought it'd be best to keep her feelings about him to herself.

"…Kitsune? Are you alright?"

"Huh," said Kitsune, coming out of her train of thought. "Uh, sorry…I kinda zoned out there."

"Ah, I see," said Naru.

Kitsune reluctantly got up and walked toward the door.

"Where are you off to now Kitsune?"

Kitsune turned back to her friend. "Oh…nowhere in particular. Have a good night Naru."

"You too," replied Naru, returning to her studies.

~~

As Kitsune wandered in the hallway, she was deep in thought. Her gaze was shifted downward as her mind churned everything that she had learned this evening. She was torn between the feelings of jealousy and reluctant acceptance.

'It's hard for Naru to admit her emotions to someone,' she thought. 'I mean, she's an amateur in the world of dating…come to think of it, so is Keitaro.'

Kitsune stopped near one of the windows and stared out into the night sky. 'Maybe…it'd be better if I'd just stay out of their way. I mean…they're a perfect match – both of them are gonna be attending Toudai and are gonna have successful careers.'

Kitsune closed her eyes and continued to wander aimlessly; she reflected on what she has…which isn't nearly as close to the level as her friend has to offer. All she did with her life is drink and gamble – she didn't even have full-time job, let alone a stable career.

'If Naru didn't fly off the handlebars all the time…' she thought.

Before she realized it, Kitsune found herself in front of Keitaro's room. She then noticed the door was slightly ajar; as quietly as she could Kitsune slid it open and peered inside. Keitaro was lying on top of his textbooks fast asleep. Sighing to herself, she picked up the covers of his futon and placed it over his sleeping form.

"Keitaro," she whispered, "you deserve someone better…whoever that may be. I know you'll make her happy."

Kitsune leaned in and gently kissed him on the cheek. Getting back up, she walked out into the hallway and slid it closed. A moment later Keitaro stirred and settled, apparently dreaming. He sighed and whispered so softly that he alone can hear it.

"Kitsune…"

***

A/N – Hope everyone enjoyed chapter 9! Sorry for the late update, but my final exams took a lot more of my time than I had anticipated. Fortunately I'm now done with school, so it looks like I'll have plenty of time to write.

 I had another version of chapter 9 ready to be posted…but the problem was that it was a bit, shall we say, a little mellow-dramatic and rampant OOC-ness. Luckily it looks as though waiting to do it more properly was the right decision.

All right – that enough from me! Keep sending me your comments and reviews and I'll have the next chapter up ASAP!     ^_^