Authors Note: It's been quite some time since I last updated my story here. Writers block hit me hard and I couldn't come up with anything to start the story off, and I had a few gray areas in my mind as well. A few things came up finally, and I'm going to give chapter 4 a go. Hope you enjoy.
Legal stuff: Things have changed. I do not own Love Hina, nor do I own Rurouni Kenshin.
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At Hinata-Sou, late afternoon, inside the teahouse, Kitsune and Mutsumi exchanged words.
"I wonder when he'll be back. He's been gone for a few hours now. I wonder how his meditation is going." Mutsumi said blandly.
Kitsune then stirred in her seat at the TV, and turned to face Mutsumi.
"Worried are you? Personally, in my opinion, if Motoko is out there, chances are he didn't get to meditate very long. Motoko probably already got to him. Their probably off in the woods somewhere swinging those sticks at each other."
"You're probably right. But, if that's the case, now I really am worried. Motoko is a skilled kendoist. Even a person allegedly trained like Tsukio doesn't stand a chance."
"You think so? You only saw him fighting hand to hand; maybe he's just as good if not better with a sword?"
"I don't think so, he said kendo wasn't his style, granted he's learned it and did well, he said he doesn't particularly like to focus on it."
"Well, with Motoko in the picture now, I don't think he'll have much of a choice on that matter." Kitsune said with a slight smile.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, Motoko is naturally attracted to men who have martial abilities. You saw how she reacted to Seta, and also Keitaro after he got back from the US. So when a guy like Tsukio comes around…"
Kitsune trailed off in her sentence as she realized Mutsumi had redirected her attention to the teahouse door which Tsukio left from several hours ago.
"But Motoko is so involved in her training she probably won't give Tsukio the time of day. After all, she still threatens Keitaro quite a bit even though she's confessed to him."
Mutsumi continued to look at the teahouse door as if waiting for Tsukio to come walking in at any minute. Kitsune then spoke again after a brief silence.
"Mutsumi, I'm sure he's fine. The way you all described the fight in the alley I'm sure he can handle himself. Besides, I wouldn't worry too much about Motoko making any advances; his eye has been on you quite a bit from what I hear."
Mutsumi then redirected her gaze at Kitsune, who had now grabbed her attention again.
"What you hear? Who's this information coming from?"
"I won't say any names, but he's been caught staring at you a few times already. He hasn't been here a day yet and already news is spreading like a wild fire about him."
"Yeah… Oh well. I just hope he comes back soon. It's almost dinner time. I wonder what Shinobu has lined up for us today."
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Back in the forest, inside the clearing, two warriors engage in a battle of skill. Birds flocked from the tree tops into the dusk as the noise continued bellow. A slight breeze picked up, and filled the clearing with leaves whirling about.
Tsukio's stance was firm and incredibly defensive. He managed to block and parry every one of Motoko's attacks and advances. Apparently Tsukio's training was more than just that of an everyday kendoist. Upon the realization that the fight was moving no where, Motoko jumped back several feet and delivered a wave of ki energy towards Tsukio. The tall grass parted and the direction of the leaves blowing in the wind changed suddenly as the wave of ki extended from Motoko's bokken.
Noticing the shear size and speed of the force moving at him, Tsukio dived out of the way. The force that was moving towards him struck a tree in the distance with such force that it was split right down the middle, as if a bolt of lightning had struck the tree. Just as Tsukio had risen to his feet, another wave of energy came rushing his way. Quickly, Tsukio began a series of back hand springs and jumps to avoid each of the new threats coming at him. Trees split and fell all around the clearing as each one of Motoko's attacks were avoided.
Realizing that the distance between her and Tsukio was too great, she came to the conclusion that it was because of this that he was able to dodge her attacks so easily. Quickly sprinting towards Tsukio, who had just landed from a previous dodge, she raised her bokken and began a downward slashing movement. Tsukio being quick to recover raised his sword over his head and blocked her attack.
Motoko and Tsukio remained in a lock with their swords battling against each others strength. Tsukio was amazed as to how strong the kendo girl was. Remembering that he promised to hold nothing back, he easily overpowered her and pushed her back some several feet. Motoko quickly dug her feet into the ground to prevent moving any further. Tsukio then darted off into the thick of the forest and leapt into the canopy of the trees. Motoko soon followed suit, and began to chase down the fleeing Tsukio.
/Running? Cowardice! When I catch you I'll teach you the dishonor of running from a duel!/
Jumping from tree to tree, remaining high above the ground, Tsukio worked his way deeper and deeper into the forest. The light had become near black; the only light in the forest were small rays of light from a setting sun. Tsukio then slowed himself down a little, allowing his pursuer to catch up a little more. Motoko, realizing the change of pace, made a sudden lunge at Tsukio for an aerial attack. Tsukio, expecting this, had lunged to the tree in front of him, and used it to change his direction suddenly and began to fly in Motoko's direction with incredible speed; much more than Motoko had anticipated.
Time slowed down for an instant, as the two rushed toward one another for a final aerial attack. Motoko, certain that her skills in kendo would give her the advantage, performed a heavy horizontal swing. Noticing the direction of Motoko's bokken, Tsukio decided there was only one way to avoid it. Knowing he might regret what he was about to do, it was the only way to prevent serious injury to either one of them.
Motoko's bokken took its wide swing in Tsukio's direction, contacting nothing. In that same instant her swing would have made contact, Tsukio had already rotated upside down. Motoko's bokken had swung directly bellow him. While still rotating, Tsukio used his momentum to bring his bokken out into a horizontal slash himself, holding his sword close to his body. His spinning resulted in avoiding her attack, and striking her horizontally in her back. During the movements in the air, Tsukio shouted his succession moves name:
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu : Ryu Tsui Sen!"
Motoko was struck hard from above, but still kept most of her foreword momentum. Tsukio still traveling incredibly fast twisted his body around in midair to spring off the tree which Motoko had jumped. Suddenly changing his direction, Tsukio lunged toward Motoko once again. Motoko was falling fast and had dropped her bokken, and was seemingly unconscious. Quickly catching up to the falling Motoko, Tsukio grabbed hold of her midair. Upon almost hitting the ground, Tsukio managed to rotate his body to keep Motoko safe. His back turned to the ground, he landed with a hard impact.
The fall was at least 18 feet. Motoko remained safe, as Tsukio's body cushioned her fall. However Tsukio, still holding Motoko, let out a soft cry of pain. The ground that he landed on was a large dense patch of moss growing near the tree. Amazingly, it was thick enough to cushion most of his fall.
Tsukio then rolled Motoko off himself, and began to work up to his feet. Feeling his back throb, he was sure he was in the same pain Motoko was in, only awake to feel it. Bending over, he picked Motoko back up, and began to walk in the direction which he came.
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"Hey! Shinobu! What's for dinner tonight?"
"Oh, I um, I thought we would have a party for out new tenant, Keitaro"
"A party eh? Hmm"
"Eeee! That is, um… If you don't mind… sempai!" She quickly responded. Feeling rather childish after asking to throw a party.
"Party! Party! Yippee!" Exclaimed Su as she darted around the corner and ran into the hallway that Shinobu and Keitaro occupied.
"A party? Who said something about a party?" Came Haruka's voice from the stairwell leading into the hallway.
"Um, I just, um… I thought it would be a good idea so we could all get to know Tsukio-san better." Shinobu's small voice let out.
"Party Party Party. Seems to be Hinata-Sou's specialty. We should open a catering business one of these days." Muttered Haruka. "Well Keitaro, you're the kanrinin. What's your take on the idea?"
/Where did… What… Huh? Say the word 'party' and suddenly people show up! I guess I know how to get their attention now. Jeez./
"Umm, I have no problem with it. But if were to throw a party, we better start setting up right now! We'll have to be prepared before dinner or Tsukio might show up and the surprise will be ruined! Go and tell the others to start getting ready."
"Ha… Hai!" Shinobu then took off and followed Keitaro's order.
"Yay! Keitaro!" was all he heard before getting a foot in his face courtesy of Koalla, followed by another, and another. Keitaro lay on the ground a bit confused and dazed. He wasn't quite sure what he was looking at, but he was sure it was pink with a bit of white, surrounded bye a… blue pleated skirt…
/Oh crap. I'm done for./
"KEITARO!!!!"
Echoed through the house. Naru had been listening in on the conversation behind him. She then bent over and picked up the hapless Keitaro by the shirt collar and held him to face height. Which was more so picking him up then anything else.
"If it wasn't for your broken arm… Keitaro…" She trailed off her sentence, breathing hard with an obvious inclination to deal some serious pain to the face of poor Keitaro.
"N-N-N-N-Narusegawa!!!!"
/Oh man oh man why did SHE have to be there when I fell! I'm so unlucky. sob/
"Don't 'Narusegawa' me!"
Naru then grabbed Keitaro's right arm and began helping him down the stairs past Haruka all the while lecturing Keitaro on his 'clumsiness' and 'perverted' deeds. Haruka remained still and let the two pass, slightly chuckling to herself over Keitaro's dilemma.
/Ah those two. Never a dull moment. Unlike Seta./ a look of dissatisfaction came across Haruka's face. /He's the total opposite. Then again, these past few weeks here alone without him has been kind of Boring. He even took Sara this time./
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/Man, she's really talented. So that's what Shinmeiryu is like. Seems most of her abilities rely on the usage of 'Ki'. Maybe Keitaro was right. Perhaps she can teach me a thing or two./
Upon entering the clearing in which the larger part of their duel had taken place, he realized that they made quite a mess of things. Multiple trees were split in two, a few completely uprooted, and some bore deep lacerations where stray streaks of energy nipped at them. The ground was torn in some places where feet were dragged in attempts to stop oneself, and a few small craters were made from waves of more 'explosive' energy.
/Wow. She's a real dangerous girl. Strong too, although a bit reckless. I don't think she was at her best performance. Just looking at this mess… makes me wonder how I survived. She really wanted to kill me I think. What did I do?/
Trudging through the thick grassy woods, he then came to the place where they first encountered. The setting sun could be seen through the trunks of trees as rays of light shone through the steam surrounding the small lake. The large rock in the middle, now with a deep cut and a few cracks along it, reminded him of that first attack Motoko had launched at him.
Walking over to the side of the pool of water, he carefully lay Motoko down on the warm rocks. The thick steam began to envelop the two of them due to lack of movement. Tsukio plunged both hands into the bubbling water and, about to do the only thing that came to mind, suddenly stopped.
"Don't even think about it"
"Nani…? Oh, good you've come to."
Tsukio then took his seat besides Motoko, carefully overlooking her to make sure she was alright.
Attempting to get up, a slight pain shot down Motoko's spine.
"Ack! Ow…"
"Hey! Relax. I overdid it a bit with that last one didn't I?
"I'd say. What the hell did you do anyways? I couldn't even see your movements"
"Oh, hehe" Tsukio laughed lightly.
"It's not funny!" Motoko growled, snapping into an upright position. "Ungh!"
/Argh! This is painful… I can't believe he did this to me. Has my training faltered to be overcome by some lowlife street fighter?/
"Hey, I'm deeply sorry. I should have let you whoop me. Then you wouldn't be in all this pain. I think I'm more tolerant to it, I should be aching right now"
/What? Consideration? He cares?/
Tsukio then took off his Hakama down to his boxers and quickly waded into the deeper portion of the spring.
"NANI!?" Protested Motoko, half covering her face with one hand and slightly looking away in disgust. "What the hell do you think your doing in front of me!?"
"What? Were both adults. Nothing we've never seen before right? Besides, it's a hot spring. Think about it. Your back aches. The hot water will alleviate the pain and relax the muscles."
"Don't tell me what I already know! But did you really have to strip down to your shorts!?"
"Hey, it's a new Hakama, and if I were to walk back to Hinata-Sou soaking wet, I'd catch a cold. So come on in and relax that back of yours. And don't worry! I'm not gonna' peek regardless of what you think."
"Why should I even trust you enough to believe those words!?"
"I carried you back here and attempted to wake you didn't I? I didn't take advantage of you while you were unconscious did I?"
/He does speak the truth there. He didn't do anything, and he did care enough to try and wake me. And he knew how my back would feel, and carried me to a hot spring…/
"Alright… But if you peek I'll have your head!"
"Yeah yeah."
Tsukio then waded over to the rock at which he first meditated. Perched himself atop it, and sat back facing Motoko, who was beginning to take off her Hakama.
"HEY! I saw that!"
"Saw what!?"
"You tried to peek! I don't tolerate perverts!"
"I did no such thing woman! Stop worrying so much and get in before your back stiffens again. Jeez… women these days…" He muttered under his breath.
"I heard that."
Motoko then slipped into the spring and submersed herself up to her neck.
"Now how's that feel? A lot better eh?"
"Oh shut up."
A few moments passed and Motoko decided to glance over at the man perched atop the rock. She took notice of a series of scars across his back hidden by a tattoo of the ancient code of the samurai. Written down the spine of his back: Benevolence, Politeness, Bravery, Honor, Justice, Loyalty, and Veracity. Opting not to inquire about the scars just yet, she decided to ask about the tattoo.
"Um, Tsukio?"
"Eh?"
"Your tattoo. What's the meaning of it? I mean, not what it means, but why is it there? You're no samurai. Why would you bare such a thing?"
"Such a thing? The tattoo is in honor of my master, in honor of what he has taught me in my younger years, and in honor to all those before him who passed their knowledge onto their successor, Motoko" He said flatly, slightly offended at her tone.
"Your master and those before him?"
"Yes. The one who taught me everything I know with that stick"
"So, then, what style were you taught?"
"It's an old style. Used way back during the wars, and even before them. Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. It's a style that favors speed above all else, and reading the opponents emotions to effectively counter attack."
/I suppose that would explain why he was capable of dodging and blocking all of my attacks, and why I didn't see his. I've never been up against someone of a different school./
"I see…"
A brief moment of silence passed as Tsukio tensed at the question he felt was coming, but never came.
"Uh, you aren't going to ask about the scars?"
"Nani? Scars? Oh…"
"It's Ok. I was still young and stupid then. My dad was, well. My back shows what he was. My mom never stayed with him, and I don't blame her. He used to get drunk a lot and take it out on us. As you can see."
"Us?"
"Yeah I have twin brother. He took all the brains while I took all the brawn. I haven't seen him since he left with mother. And I left with my master."
"Oh…"
Tsukio gave a deep sigh and hopped off the rock he was on back into the water. He then waded back to where his Hakama lay and began to don his clothes.
"I think we should get going. It's probably near dinner time don't you think?"
Shortly thereafter Motoko did the same, with a few new thoughts in her head about the new friend she seemed to have made.
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"Hey Tsukio?"
"Motoko?"
"You can train with me first thing tomorrow. I think we have a lot we can learn from each other."
"Oh yeah, about that" –
He then began describing the 'Air Blast' technique to Motoko, and how he wanted to learn to use it and his Ki in general.
The two began the rest of the walk back to Hinata-Sou and continued to chat over techniques and history of each others school. As they came to the bottom of the hill; the woods end; there lay a beautiful scenery of the setting sun. The sky a pleasant swirl of colors; from a royal purple into a creamy orange near the sun itself. The water along the horizon reflected the suns dieing glow, and gleamed in the distance. A gentle breeze picked up as if ushering the two to continue walking to their destination, but not one moved.
Tsukio glanced over at Motoko, whose hair was blowing about the wind. Off in her own world, she didn't take notice to Tsukio's eyes looking at her.
/The way she looks now, so peaceful. She's really quite attractive./
/I've always though of a scene like this I would be looking at with someone I love. But instead I've got this street guy next to me to ruin the moment. But then again, he's not all that bad. I guess I could lighten up a bit./
"So, I get to stay at the Inn right? No questions asked?" Tsukio suddenly blurted out.
"Eh?" Motoko turned to face him with a look of disgust. He had just ruined her entire thoughts and visions on the setting sun without knowing. "I did say you could train with me tomorrow right?"
"… Yeah"
"Then I guess to do that, you've got to stay. You don't seem as irresponsible as that perverted Keitaro does. So I'll let you slide for now. But that doesn't mean I'm not watching you Sakamoto!"
"Hehe, of course it doesn't. Thanks" Tsukio said politely, giving Motoko a smile.
Blushing slightly, Motoko quickly looked away and began walking hastily back towards Hinata-Sou. Jogging Tsukio caught up to her.
"If we don't run, it looks like well be late for Supper! Look, you can see them getting prepared from here!"
Grabbing hold of Tsukio's hand, Motoko sped off with Tsukio running off balance and out of step behind her.
/Two pretty girls grabbing my hand in the same day. Ah, this is great. sigh/
When they both arrived at the door, Motoko pushed it open and rushed in with Tsukio still trailing by hand. Standing in shock, neither let go of the other.
"SURPRISE!!!! ---- NANI!?!?"