Yo, Dawgs and Dawgettes!! The DarkHeart returns with his newest chapter!! Yo, to kick things off, I really, really am sorry about not updating in quite a while. But now that I am able to use my puter again, I can continue with my story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina. That right belongs to Ken Akamatsu, but if I can convince Su to loan me her Hypno-ray...hey, it could happen :P

A Samurai's Heart and a Ronin's Love

Chapter 8

As Keitaro and Tsuruko were making their way back to the Hinata-Sou, a lone figure was following them, trying to stay undetected by the two swordmasters. The two said persons were talking back and forth, catching up on each other's lives. While doing so, they could feel that they were being followed, but they made no body movements that would reveal that fact. While verbally exchanging banter for the sake of outward appearances, they were mentally talking to each other about the new presence.

Do you feel that, Tsuruko-Neesan? Keitaro thought to her. Ever since the incident with the truck, we have been followed.

Yes, Kei-kun, I do feel it, Tsuruko replied. It feels like a young child, but has a very strong aura around it. As if it has demonic blood but yet posesses a childlike naivé. Although we shouldn't scare it off, we should still be ready to defend against whatever happens. So let's surprise it by doubling back and come from behind.

Agreed, Neesan, Keitaro thought. But let's lead it to the Hinata-Sou staircase and out of the eyes of the residents. And with that, they broke their mental link and continued on conversing as if nothing strange was happening

"So, How have things been going on with you, Tsuruko-Neesan?" Keitaro queried. "Motoko-chan told me you had married. Who was he, and how did you two meet?"

Tsuruko sighed in happiness as she remembers her marriage. "His name is Kojima, and he is the nicest soul I have ever met outside of the family. He was travelling all over, as his family is descended from a well-known samurai family, particularly since that family also had a type of nomadic lifestyle. And when we met, it was love at first sight." She then blushed and added, "Well, it was more or less love at first duel..." She sighs again, but shakes out the memories in order to move on to a different topic. "But enough about me, Kei-kun. What about you?"

Keitaro thought for a bit and said, "Well, after I finished my training in other styles of martial arts in America, I had received a fax from Grandma Hina at my last training grounds. How she got the fax number there I will never know. Anyways, she had asked me to come back to Hinata-Sou. So I left on the first available flight. I got here, but she wasn't around." He then blushed and continued. "After a few...events that shall remain nameless(basically cuz the author is too darn lazy to write a flashback)..."

Just then a loud voice that came from nowhere stated, Bite me, Keitaro.

Tsuruko jumped up in fear, extracted her sheathed sword, and said, "What sort of demonic trickery is this!!??"

Keitaro just sighed and said, "Don't worry about the voice. That's just the writer of this fanfic, DarkHeart. He's harmless, so pay him no mind."

The voice then said, I heard that, Keitaro. Now answer me this: Do you want me to go back in the story and give you back all your clumsiness and none of your skills so that you could get the crap beat out of you again if this were a normal fic??

Keitaro just shrunk back and squeaked out,"No."

Good. The voice then said in glee, I win, I win, I win!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Tsuruko then resheathed her sword and said, "Well, that was...interesting.

Keitaro then resumed his story: "ANYWAYS...after Haruka-san came up to the dorm, she introduced me to the girls that were already there. Motoko-chan came in a few minutes later, almost mistaking me for a perverted intruder. But as soon as I reminded her of a lesson I taught her before I left the God's Cry School, well let's just say she was more than surprised at seeing me there." He then smiled and said, "I guess it is true that the red string of fate will bring those tied to it back together."

By that time they had reached the bottom of the stairway leading up the hill to the Hinata-Sou. Keitaro opened up the mental link telling Tsuruko it was time to enact the plan. They quickly split up and got into hiding, waiting for their stalker to make their appearance. A couple of minutes had passed, and being seen at the bottom of the stairwell was in fact a young girl, maybe about junior high age. She had gorgeous, long blonde hair, and a pale complexion. She looked around for her "prey", but couldn't find them. Dejected, she turned around and was about to leave, when Keitaro and Tsuruko stepped out of the shadows.

Tsuruko was the first one to speak. "Tell me, little one, why were you following us?"

The girl stammered, "W-well you s-s-see, I was l-looking for..."

Keitaro then looked at her closely and then said, "I remember you! You were that girl that fell in the middle of the crosswalk. I am glad to see you safe."

The girl then turned to Keitaro and then suddenly hugged him, causing both Tsuruko and himself to sweatdrop. "Oh, thank you for saving me, kind sir. No one ever stopped to help me, but you risked your life for mine. I can never repay you for your help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!" she cried out. She then did something that caused Keitaro to multiple sweatdrop--she sniffed him.

"Um, ano," she said. "Please forgive me for asking me this question, but because you have his scent on you, I have to know. Are you my Oniichan?"

Both Keitaro's and Tsuruko's mouths had just touched the ground as they both said simutaneously, "NANI??"

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And there you have it. Chapter 8 is in the can. What will happen in the next chapter? Who knows? Only You can prevent forest fires. OOPS, wrong PSA. Oh well, in any event, Read and review. Also, give me ideas as to how this story should go, as long as it can lead to Keitaro and Motoko getting to the alter.

Thanx--DarkHeart P

DON'T GET ELIMINATED!!