Love Hina – Forgotten

Fanfic by Steven Biggs

Chapter Four – Fortress Hinata

Saturday Noon

Keitaro shakes his head, unable to believe that things could get worse.

"Destroy Hinata-sou! But, this is our home!"

Tsuruko looks at him firmly and hands him his sword.

"Do you value it more than your life and the lives of your friends?"

He looks around the room.

"It seems like we'll lose everything and gain nothing."

At the moment the front door slides open and fifteen women dressed in traditional gi rush into the room. Tsuruko holds up a hand in greeting and makes a circular motion followed by a fist with two lifted fingers. Instantly, twelve of the women move back outside and surround the inn, swords raised and chanting mystic phrases.

Tsuruko looks at the remaining three women and places the tips of three fingers to her lips and points at Keitaro. They move into positions surrounding him and begin their own chanting. Su stares at her and leaps on the back of the couch.

"Whoa! That's even slicker than ninjas!"

Kitsune grabs Tsuruko's shirt.

"Why didn't ya'll call them sooner? Maybe Naru and Shinobu wouldn't have been killed!"

Tsuruko bows her head.

"It did not seem necessary at the time. The danger we now face was deemed remote by the Council. Motoko was the true threat, since her form allowed her access to her demonic powers. Shinobu did not represent such a threat, but as part of the spirit of the sword she would have been lost in any case."

She looks at Kitsune.

"I did not know of the connection between Naru and the spirit until I arrived last night. I am sorry, events quickly got out of control, and I was powerless to prevent her loss."

Keitaro rises and places a hand on the fox's shoulder.

"Don't blame Aoyama-san. This all started because of me. I'm the one that, that . . ."

"She's coming!"

Tsuruko leaps for the front door and Keitaro follows closely. As they look outside, the female warriors, already aware of the demon's approach, quickly make preparations. The leader of the dozen, standing directly in front of the inn, turns to the left and releases a powerful vortex from her blade. It reaches the second, who thrusts her own sword into the swirling mass, adding her own power and passing it to the next woman. This continues repeatedly, until the vortex reaches the leader once more. Using her power, she deflects the vortex upwards and over the inn. As the force reaches a point directly above Hinata-sou, all of the others launch more power towards it and the mass settles into a spinning plane of energy, which slowly expands like an umbrella until it touches each of the twelve swords.

On a smaller and more mobile scale, the three remaining women continue their defense around Keitaro, their only hope for re-capturing the demon that threatens them all. Tsuruko nods in satisfaction.

"The greater barrier is designed to dampen the demon's power. While she remains inside, the spirit will be deprived of a great portion of its strength."

She turns to Keitaro.

"You should remain within this smaller barrier, Urashima-san. It will be able to deflect the weakened attacks that the spirit may produce. However, it will not prevent her from physically entering. You must watch for any opening that would allow you to strike."

Keitaro looks at the shimmering blue field that surrounds him.

"What if Motoko-chan doesn't try to come near me? How will I be able to use the Hina Sword?"

Tsuruko raises her own sword.

"Then, you must exit this protection to confront her. I shall remain close so that I may protect you."

She turns and looks at Kitsune, Su, and Haruka.

"You three should flee. It will become dangerous when the demon attacks. I know that all of you wish to stay, but we will be better able to protect Urashima-san if we do not spread our forces to cover you also."

They remain silent, recognizing the need to keep Keitaro safe. One by one they wish him good luck. Haruka hugs him.

"You're my favorite nephew, Keitaro. Don't do anything stupid. Well, not too stupid."

He smiles at Haruka.

"Thanks, I wish we could save Hinata-sou. It looks like all of us will need to find new homes when this is over."

"I have an extra room in the back of the Tea Shop. Try not to wreck it too or you'll be working for me at minimum wage to pay for the repairs."

"I'll do my best."

Kitsune kisses Keitaro on the cheek and quickly steps back.

"Finish that thing off and don't let it hurt ya'll anymore, Keitaro-san. We'll be cheering for you!"

Keitaro blushes and touches his cheek.

"Thank you, Kitsune-san."

Su jumps over and hooks the small remote control to the front of his shirt.

"I think that ya can handle this, considering how many times I used it on ya. A little extra firepower never hurts!"

Keitaro laughs.

"Finally, I get to be on the serving end of this thing. This makes me feel a lot better!"

The three women quickly make their way to the steps. Kitsune and Haruka start walking out of sight, but Su turns around and yells at Keitaro.

"If ya's get in trouble, just point the controller at whatever ya wants to hit and press the big red button!"

Keitaro waves at her and she leaps down the steps. He turns and looks up at Tsuruko.

"What do we do now?"

She studies the inn.

"We wait. As long as we remain within the protection of the barrier, we have the upper hand. However, do not become complacent. She will still be a formidable opponent."

Keitaro looks at the sword in his hands.

"I never thought that I'd be in a fight for my life with Motoko-chan. She's given me a few cuts and bruises before, but she never tried to really hurt me. Tsuruko-san, will I still remember them when this is over? Or, will those memories be erased like Motoko-chan was to everyone else?"

"You are the master of the Hina Sword. Even with its destruction, your memories should remain intact."

"I was afraid of that. I was kind of hoping that I wouldn't remember being the one to slay Motoko-chan and Shinobu-chan. And, with Hinata-sou being destroyed, I won't even have a proper place to keep their memory."

Tsuruko looks at him sadly.

"It is a heavy destiny that the fates have set for you. From the beginning, I have known that Motoko was not in reality my sister, so I have been able to prepare myself for this day. You have not had the same opportunity. She is still, to you, your friend. I would gladly take your place, if it were possible for me to wield your sword. Alas that its power responds only to the commands of the master of the sword."

Keitaro thinks for a moment.

"How was I able to tell that she is coming? I'm not a sword master."

Tsuruko stares at him and then tightens her grip on her sword.

"Something is wrong. I should have noticed it. You do not have the training required to sense such a spirit! It is a trap! Guard yourself, Urashima-san!"

The ground under their feet begins to rumble and heave. Tsuruko quickly grabs Keitaro's arm and tosses him towards the entrance of the inn. As if training for it all their lives, the three sword women maintain their positions around him and use the barrier to soften his fall, enabling him to land on his feet. He turns, only to see Tsuruko fall as the ground collapses.

Vibrations rock the ground, signs of a violent confrontation occurring beneath their feet. Volleys of power echo though the earth. A blast ruptures the ground and is quickly followed by Tsuruko as she leaps into the sky. Motoko, claws trailing ribbons of darkness, hurtles upward. Tsuruko spins until she flies feet first. Pushing off the protective barrier, she unleashes another blast from her sword. The demon raises its claws and barely manages to deflect the attack, but is unprepared as the sword master follows through. Tsuruko's sword plunges through Motoko's chest, driving her backwards in agony. She crashes to the ground, still impaled on the blade. Tsuruko calls forth another attack while her sword pins Motoko.

"SHINMEI SCHOOL SECRET ARTS! DEMON RENDING SWORD!"

The demon explodes, unable to defend herself from an attack which originates from within her own body. The vortex of power scatters the shredded darkness across the ground, where it sinks into the dirt like drops of water disappearing into a desert. Tsuruko pants as she drops to her knees on the once more quiet earth. Keitaro quickly rushes over.

"Tsuruko-san! Are you okay?"

Sweat drips from her brow as she rises to her feet.

"I am unharmed. Fortunately, the barrier is as effective as we hoped. I would not have survived if the demon had access to her full powers."

Keitaro shakily holds his sword, still shocked at the sight of Motoko's body being ripped apart by Tsuruko's attack.

"Let's, let's try to finish this soon. I don't know how many times I can stand seeing Motoko-chan hurt like that."

"You must forget of the demon as Motoko! She will use your weakness to her advantage if you falter!"

Keitaro shakes his head.

"I'm not sure about that. If I'm such a threat to her, why did she attack you first? Wouldn't it have been easier if she came after me directly?"

Tsuruko stares at him.

"I am the strongest sword master here. It would be a tactical advantage to remove me."

The manager sits on the ground and taps the tip of his sword on the dirt.

"That makes sense, but I don't think that's the reason. She seemed intent on confronting you, even when I was a relatively easy target. I know I'm right, but I don't understand what it means."

The barrier above the inn ripples, a sign that the demon is near once more. Tsuruko concentrates and then points to the inn.

"She is pulling her powers back together near the hot spring! Come, let us hurry before the demon can completely reform!"

They rush through the inn and cautiously exit through the changing room. They stand near the water, readying themselves for another attack. Tsuruko gazes into the wisps of steam.

"She is near, yet she holds back. Perhaps she hads learned fear once more and is hesitant to confront us."

Keitaro looks around and furrows his brow.

"Something's familiar about this. What am I missing?"

Tsuruko turns to him.

"Familiar? In what way is that?"

"That's the problem, I don't know."

The sword master lifts her blade and prepares a chant.

"We must go on the offensive while the demon is weakened. I shall attempt to read the touch of her power and determine her location."

Keitaro watches as she moves around the hot spring. Something about her words causes his mind to start racing.

("Touch of her power. Touch her power. Touch. Touch. Feel. Poke. Tag . . . Tag!")

He slaps his forehead.

"That's it!"

At that moment, Tsuruko releases a vortex of brilliant force directed at the boulders near the rear of the hot spring. Darkness swirls and leaps above the attack as it envelopes the rocks. Keitaro looks at the nearest sword woman that protects him.

"Can you throw me at Motoko-chan?"

She nods her head and cups her hands, not questioning his request. Keitaro places his right foot in her hands and rests one hand on her shoulder.

"Wait until I say, and then throw me as hard and fast as you can. Don't worry, I'm used to it."

The darkness reforms and Motoko, hatred dripping from her words, snarls at Tsuruko.

"If you think that I will allow your blade to touch me again, then you are sadly mistaken, dear sister!"

Keitaro smiles, knowing that his guess is correct. Tsuruko hurls another volley of chi at the demon, but Motoko slips sideways to avoid it. Keitaro nods his head and whispers.

"Now."

Like a spear thrown by a warrior of old, Keitaro flies through the air over the hot spring. Sword held ready, he yells his challenge at his foe.

"Shinobu-chan! Tag, you're it!"

Motoko spins around, terror in her eyes. The Hina Sword flashes, cleaving through the demon. Peals of agony rend the air and Keitaro soars through the dispersing darkness. As he crashes into the fence surrounding the hot spring Tsuruko quickly rushes over and takes a defensive position over him.

"Why did you not strike at its heart? What purpose did it serve to sever the demon when it can reform itself?"

Keitaro rolls over and sits up, rubbing his head.

"If I'm right, we've just won half the battle. Look."

Tsuruko lifts her head and stares at the sight above the hot spring. The darkness swirls closer together, attempting to reform itself. However, next to it, a blinding white light also coalesces. Tsuruko whispers.

"What is it that you have done, Urashima-san?"

He pushes himself to his feet and smiles.

"I was just playing Shinobu-chan's favorite game. She always loved to play tag. That's what she was trying to tell me by making Motoko-chan go after you first. Shinobu-chan was always too shy to chase me.

They watch as the separated powers of the demon solidify. Motoko rushes at Shinobu, but a flash of brilliant light drives her backwards. Shinobu's voice emanates from the light.

"No, I shall not return to you again! You hurt Sempai and I shall make you pay!"

Waves of light flash from her hands and drives Motoko up against the barrier. Screaming, the spirit twists and struggles until she slips past. Hurtling downward, she strikes the ground and flows into it, disappearing from sight. Shinobu gently floats to the rocks surrounding the hot spring, landing in front of Keitaro. She bows to him.

"Thank you, Sempai! I knew that you would understand my message."

"So, that's why I could sense when you were coming."

Shinobu smiles and nods her head.

"Motoko was so terrified that she wasn't able to hold onto me when you struck. She thought that she was going to be imprisoned again."

Tsuruko looks at Shinobu then back to Keitaro.

"That was an impressive maneuver, but what does it accomplish other than weakening the demon?"

Keitaro smiles as he rubs Shinobu's hair.

"I have a plan, and I need Shinobu-chan's help to pull it off."

End of Chapter Four.