Wow! Not a single review! –cries- how disappointing. I don't like being disappointed!
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that appear in this fanfic besides my own creations. The others belong to Ken Akamatsu. Moo!
Chapter 8: The Day of Truth January the 16th
Shinobu woke up nervously. It was an important day for her. Today she would attempt the entrance exam for Tokyo University for the second time. She had failed the first time; she hadn't studied enough and had panicked. She was prepared this time. She had studied long and hard with Kanako-senpai and together they would finally hurdle this obstacle between them and Keitaro. She looked forward to the shopping trip that she and Kanako would go on after they did the test, and she knew that there would be a party afterwards, despite how she performed. No, she mustn't think like that, Shinobu told herself sternly. She would pass. She didn't dare do anything else. She woke up early, several hours earlier than necessary, and prepared all her belongings. Glasses, check. English/Japanese Dictionary, check. Student pass, check. Tram ticket, check. Summary sheets, check. She had everything she needed. Breathing a sigh of relief she packed her bag and went downstairs to prepare breakfast for the others.
Meanwhile Kanako was undergoing the same ritual. Clutching a picture of Keitaro, she whispered.
"Soon, beloved brother, soon we can be together again," although in her heart she knew that Naru would never let go of Keitaro or vice-versa. But Kanako was still resolved to do everything in her power to make him notice her, and pay attention to her and not that auburn-haired bitch. Kanako knew that she was a hundred times better for Keitaro than Naru. Kanako was even prepared to admit that Shinobu was better for Keitaro than even herself; Shinobu loved Keitaro so unconditionally that she was prepared to let him follow his own heart, even if that wasn't what Shinobu wanted. Kanako hung her head in shame. Even she didn't love her brother that much. Sighing heavily she packed her study guides and other things she needed and headed downstairs.
Kanako and Shinobu were doing last minute studying, their food left untouched in front of them; neither had the appetite to eat anything as the rest the Hinata residents came downstairs for breakfast. Wu and Meia weren't at the table; when Meia had heard that Wu was getting a lift in with Dan, she immediately asked Dan to get a lift in as well. Much to Wu's annoyance, Dan agreed, so now the two girls were sleeping in. The residents heard the odd bang or thump as Dan went about the early morning chores of the Hinata inn. Soon, Arissa, Su and Sara left for school and Motoko left for university. Everyone wished the two the best of luck in their test. There was a slight spat as Wu and Meia argued about who would get the prime seat behind Dan, a game of rock paper scissors ensured and Meia triumphantly took her position behind Dan, making sure to clutch him extra tight and smirk in Wu's direction. Wu's hand hovered over her halisen shaking with rage, but relaxed when Dan said that they would swap positions when he drove them home tonight. The hour of truth approached, and Shinobu and Kanako left were about to leave when the phone rang.
"Hello, Hinata Dorm for Girls, Shinobu-san speaking," Shinobu answered the phone politely.
"Hi, Shinobu-chan!" a bright voice said.
"Keitaro-senpai?" Shinobu exclaimed.
"Good luck on your test today! There is no way you can fail!"
"Arigato, Keitaro-senpai!" Shinobu said.
Kanako ran into the room, "My brother is on the phone? Give it here Shinobu-chan!" she demanded. Shinobu handed over the pone without an argument; she had heard what she wanted from Keitaro. Determination filled her. She would, without a doubt pass the test and get into Toudai!
"Keitaro-sama?" Kanako said tentatively.
"Ah, Kanako-chan! How are things?" there were sounds of a brief tussle in the background and Kanako recognised Naru's voice. Kanako smiled as she heard Keitaro's response. "No, Naru, I will not hand you the phone, you are in a somewhat fragile state of health at the moment."
"Ah, Keitaro-sama?"
"Ah, sorry about that Kanako-chan. Naru is a little excited; we just found out that the new baby will be female, and since it was my choice for naming, but Naru-chan didn't agree with my choice." There were more sounds of struggling, and a weak "Baka" could be heard.
Despite their rivalry, Kanako did not wish Naru ill. "How is she?"
"She's fine, after the first two babies, Naru-chan said she's used to it. I'm not."
"What did you call the new baby?" Curiosity burned.
"Kanako!" Keitaro said proudly. Kanako held a hand to her eyes, trying to stem the tears that had sprouted unexpectedly to her eyes.
"Arigato, Keitaro-sama, you honour me!"
"Anyway, just called to wish you and Shinobu-chan best of luck in the exam. If I can do it, there's no way that you can't!" Keitaro said brightly, before saying his farewells and hanging up. The two girls stood slightly apart, lost in their own dreams, neither noticing the clock on the wall was rapidly approaching the scheduled exam time. Suddenly both girls snapped back to reality. It was already past their planned departure time, they grabbed their bags and sprinted for the tram, barely catching it. The two girls stood panting to get their breath back and then promptly giggled as they remembered the problems that Naru and Keitaro had faced when they first attempted to take the exam together. There was no way that was going to happen to them. They spent the moments on the tram doing some last minute cramming, despite the fact that they both knew that it wasn't the best idea, it did wonders to relax them.
They were so absorbed in their studying that they almost missed their stop. At the last minute they managed to squeeze through the rapidly closing doors, and head towards the exam hall. They stopped outside the door, a tentative smile on both their faces.
"Ano, Kanako-senpai?"
"Yes, Shinobu-chan?"
"Good luck!"
"You too!" Shinobu surprised Kanako then, by quickly wrapping the older girl in a warm hug. Kanako was uncomfortable for a moment, but quickly returned the gesture. 'Hmm, Shinobu-chan really had grown in certain areas!' Kanako caught herself thinking. 'This is not...unpleasant. Quite the opposite in fact!' a devious plan starting forming in Kanako's mind as they headed into the exam hall. Taking their seats next to each other, they waited for the signal to start. The professor in charge of the exam signalled the start, and the two girls started scribbling fiercely.
Several hours later, Kanako and Shinobu dragged themselves up the steps to Hinata. Looking forward to a long soak in the hot baths and relaxing after their exams. They were met with a pleasant surprise as they opened the front door. Sitting relaxed in one of the couches, a smoking figure yelled insults at the horse race presented on T.V.
"Damn! Why is Mutsumi-chan always right? I have waaay more experience in horse races, but she always picks the right one!" a string of highly colourful phrases floated past the girls in a Kansai dialect.
"Kitsune-san!" both girls yelled at once, bounding towards their old friend.
"Yo, kiddos! I though I'd come and help you guys celebrate after the exam today!" she said, her eyes their usual slits. She hadn't grown much since they had last seen her. She still wore her brown hair short, and was only rivalled by Mutsumi in the breast department. She wore her usual open t-shirt and jeans. Several flasks of sake littered the vicinity around Kitsune, showing that she had already started with the celebrations.
Dan walked in from the kitchen area and seeing Kitsune casually smoking raised his eyebrow towards Kanako.
"Okay fine, but only while Kitsune-san is here!" Kanako huffed as she and Shinobu rushed upstairs to check their scores. They decided to swap exams so that they could break the news somewhat easily. They all remembered Keitaro's incident with the exams. After another hour spent furiously checking and re-checking the two girls met in Kanako's room. Neither was happy.
"Shinobu-chan," "Kanako-senpai," they both said at the same time. Neither said anything for a few long minutes, as they screwed up their courage to say what was necessary.
"You didn't pass," they both said at the same time. Again, neither could say anything. Tears welled up in both girls' eyes, but were quickly dashed away.
"Well, I guess everyone is expecting us downstairs..." Shinobu started, but her voice quickly wavered. She hadn't wanted to fail a second time.
"Shh, Shinobu-chan, there is always next year," Kanako said reassuringly, surprising Shinobu by hugging the crying girl. Again Kanako was struck by how huggable Shinobu was. 'She's just so cute. She's like a little angel. No wonder my brother loves her, although not the way she would like,' the two girls were united in many things, foremost love of Keitaro. "Look on the bright side, we're now second years ronins. One more year and we'll be equal with my brother."
Shinobu looked up at Kanako, tears no longer in her eyes, and a faint smile playing on her lips. "Did you just crack a joke Kanako-senpai?"
Kanako quickly gulped and looked around, checking that no one else had caught her in the act. She had a reputation to keep after all. No one will think you are a melancholic Goth if one cracks jokes. Kanako coughed uncomfortably, "Try and keep it between us, okay?"
Shinobu smiled warmly. "No worries." She immediately livened up when she heard the spirited chatter from downstairs, "For now, let's hit that party downstairs, there's some sake with my name on it!"
"Are you sure that is the best idea, Shinobu-chan?" Kanako asked, slightly caught unawares by Shinobu's boisterousness.
"No worries!" exclaimed Shinobu, dragging Kanako out of the room and into the teeth of a drinking competition.
Kitsune and Dan had hit it off like a shot, much to the annoyance of Wu and Meia, who spent their time trying to drag Dan away from the voracious vixen. Su and Sara were already bouncing off the walls; the small amount of alcohol they had imbued was more than enough to make them more hyperactive than normal. Motoko had hit the alcohol as usual, starting off calm and collected, she was soon swirly eyed and waving her sword around claiming, "I am the sword!" Arissa viewed the entire spectacle with a severe frown on her face, although that did not halt from drinking a small amount of sake. Sake had bad memories for Arissa. In the middle of the chaos, Kitsune and Dan were pulling out all stops. Both had cigarettes coming out of their noses and ears, whilst each had another four cigarettes in their mouths. They were chugging down bottles of sake as if there was no tomorrow and bellowing numbers. Dan had brought a small stash of European liquors, much to Kitsune's delight, and the two started the competition in earnest.
"We'll start light. Whisky?" Dan offered.
"Why not, a warm up, before the main event." Kitsune graciously replied. Soon both bottles were gone, and neither contestant showed any signs of being affected.
"I made the last offer, so it is only polite that you may chose the next drink."
Kitsune almost drooled as she considered the huge array. Should she go for tequila, and try for an early knock out punch? "Gin." She'd save the tequila for when things got ugly. As if by magic two bottles disappeared, Meia and Wu decided to try and tone things down.
"Uhm, are you guys sure that's a good idea?" Meia offered.
"Sure, why don't you guys join in?" Kitsune offered, just as Shinobu and Kanako came down the stairs without any smiles. "How'd it go?" Kitsune asked gently; she had dealt with Keitaro and Naru, she knew how drastic it could get around here.
"Don't worry, its just university! Most things you don't learn in school, you learn out in the streets!" Dan said, Meia remembered all that Dan had been through, but the others were slightly vicious about hushing Dan up. A halisen solved the problem, as Dan suddenly had an urge to go find more alcohol for the growing numbers of contestants.
"We both failed. By less than 20 points," Kanako said calmly, although she was hiding her disappointment.
"We were so close!" Shinobu screamed, not sharing Kanako's control.
"Don't worry about it! There's always next year!" Kitsune comforted the two girls.
"That's right!" Dan seconded, appearing out of nowhere, startling all the girls present. "Why not join our little competition to help you forget!"
Both Shinobu and Kanako looked at each other and shrugged; they had nothing to lose, why not? Meia and Wu joined in just to have fun, whilst Arissa looked on derisively, Motoko, Su and Sara had already passed out. They drinking contest started off lightly, at first they stuck to glasses and lighter alcohols. Shinobu and Kanako were used to Hinata parties, having lived through the 'Kitsune Years' and so had a higher alcohol tolerance than Wu and Meia, who rarely drank. Soon however they started on the harder stuff, and soon Wu and Meia had passed out. Everyone else had a very red face, and Shinobu and Kanako were starting to lose control. Dan and Kitsune had very red faces, but seemed to be in control, although Kitsune was starting to make very suggestive passes at Dan, who tried his utmost to ignore her, although his sweat was starting to bead. Shinobu, who was feeling very bold, decided for the next drink, and foolishly chose Tequila. Grabbing her shot glass, she drank the contents in a single gulp and everyone else followed her lead. The first glass was gone, and quickly a second followed the first. Shinobu reached for a third, but promptly passed out. Looking at her best friend, Kanako's plan reached its final stages.
"I'm going to put Shinobu in bed, and tuck in myself, we've had a hard day!" Kanako said, an evil light glinting in her eyes, as she picked up Shinobu and disappeared up stairs before Kitsune or Dan could say anything. Kitsune looked up the stairs and then back at Dan.
"Well, sugar, it's just us two now. Want to continue, or try another type of competition," she said suggestively, "How about strip poker?"
Dan started sweating in earnest.
Shinobu woke up groggily the next morning and tried to roll over. She rolled right into Kanako's breasts. Naked breasts. Shinobu quickly realised she was also naked, and they were in Kanako's room.
"Iaaaaaa!" Shinobu screamed.
Kanako opened her eyes, "Good morning Shinobu-chan," there was a very evil glint in Kanako's eyes.
"Wha...where...what did we do last night?" Shinobu managed to stutter out, covering herself with her hands.
"Let me give you a hint," Kanako reached out, and kissed Shinobu on the lips her tongue worming into Shinobu's mouth, as she removed Shinobu's hand. "Got it yet?"
That's right. I did it. I made Kanako and Shinobu into lesbians. Shoot me! I am not going to right a lemon scene however...leave it up to your imagination. –gulps- I'm going to get killed for this...