Mutsumi: A choice

By Daimyo Shi

Disclaimer: I don't own Love Hina. Why do the loveable losers in anime always pick the wrong girl, Tenchi picks Ayeka and Keitaro picks Naru what is with this dumb boys? If Keitaro had any taste, he would pick Mutsumi or at least Shinobu!

Mutsumi gets up from her bed and looks in the Mirror on her dresser.

"To slay my foe? Naru is my foe?" asks Mutsumi to her mirror twin.

"Of course, Naru is who keeps you from the man you love." says the Mutsumi in the Mirror.

Mutsumi blinks twice and then nods.

"I swear, here and now that I shall make Keitaro mine! I will defeat Naru and claim what should be mine!" yells Mutsumi to the ceiling.
Then Mutsumi wander to her bath room. Ah she take of her nightgown she starts the water running in the shower. Mutsumi test the water and thinks But how shall I win his hard he so fixated on Naru. Mutsumi allows the warm water to run over her young supple body. Perhaps Kitsune could give me some tips, she seems like a woman who understands men. Eii, She is Naru's friend she won't help me, not that I blame her. Motoko is too naive, Shinobu is too young, Su is , well Crazy. That leave either Haruka, Talon or Daimyo Shi. I not comfortable with asking Haruka, after all Keitaro is her nephew, which leave Talon or Daimyo Shi. Talon thinks a lot like Keitaro, and sometimes seems to be a lot like him except that he can't stand Naru. Daimyo-Shi is a lot older than Talon and I think much more experienced in such matters. He might give me a better answers than Talon. However Talon has know Keitaro long than Daimyo Shi so that might be a bigger key to the puzzle. Of course he might be totally embarrassed by the questions I need answered. Daimyo Shi has university behind him and fancies himself as a scholar. He has improved everyone's English skill with his tutoring. I think Daimyo Shi is the best choice for now. thinks Mutsumi as she gets out of the shower. Mutsumi goes back to her room and puts on her classic brown dress, and white Stockings. She leaves her apartment for Hinata Sou. After several minutes of walking and a huge stair climb, Mutsumi finds herself in front of Hinata Sou. Mutsumi rings the door bell. After a couple moments Shinobu comes and opens the door.

"Konichiwa, Mutsumi-senpai." says Shinobu as she opens the door.

"Konichiwa Shinobu-chan. Is Shi-san around?" asks Mutsumi I had forgotten I had slept in late.

"Hai, Mutsumi-senpai. He is in his room Can you find it alright I have something on the stove." responds Shinobu.

"No problem, Shinobu-chan, I can manage alright." replies Mutsumi.

Shinobu head back to the Kitchen and Mutsumi goes down the hall to her right. She passes the door to the wash room and change area for the Hot Springs to the door at the far end the Doors are slid open giving a view of Daimyo Shi's room. Daimyo Shi is sitting at his computer. One wall is a Framed Print of Yasuki Hachi Exp 2 from Legend of the Five Rings. Two daisho set on stands on a coffee table to one side. On the other side it a wall to wall Bookshelf that is filled with huge number of books. A Chest of drawers with a Stereo system completes the room. On the Cd player in the Stereo is "I'm Going to get you good" by Shania Twain.

"Konichiwa, Shi-kun." says Mutsumi.

"Konichiwa, Mutsumi what brings you by here today?" asks Daimyo Shi.

"Well . . . Can I close the doors?" asks Mutsumi.

"Sure if you want to." says Daimyo Shi with a puzzled look.

Mutsumi carefully closes Daimyo Shi's Doors and then sits on the floor quite close to Daimyo Shi.

"Daimyo Shi-san I have a problem and I hoping you can help. You see I am in love with Keitaro but I am at a loss what to do about Naru. I just don't think she is interested in making Keitaro happy."

Daimyo Shi gives Mutsumi a thoughtful look. "Well you can start by being more overt with Keitaro. He is a little dense, and despite prodding from me doesn't think you are interested in being more than friends. I have already been in your corner, Mutsumi, I know you want Keitaro. Hell, how Keitaro is not interested in you bogles the mind. My suggestion is be clear with Keitaro, when Naru is not around. Naru is a separate issue, I not sure how to handle that." says Daimyo Shi.

"Naru is my enemy, I have far too long been accepting of her. I must remove her from Keitaro." says Mutsumi.

"Well agreed, my suggest is to work on Keitaro first, while I don't think it is the case, Perhaps she just waiting for someone to take Keitaro away from her. However, I think that Naru does have fillings for Keitaro and is so sure he take anything she dishes out, the key is to undermine her while allowing her to think that she still has control. That should allow you to gain Keitaro without much of a fight until the very end when you will have the advantage." says Daimyo Shi.

"Daimyo Shi, you make it sound like a military campaign." says Mutsumi.

"Of course have you heard the old western saying 'All is fair in Love and War'?"

"Of course, but I don't understand what that has to do with it." responds Mutsumi.

"It means that Love and war are to be fought the same, no mercy, you must have clear objective and understanding of the terrain and your opponent. If you fail to take in account all factors you will fail."

"Oh, That like the dream I had, I was a samurai trying to defeat Naru in Battle, I couldn't do it until I was focussed for killing her."

"Exactly, you can't be friends with someone after the same person you are. They are your enemy. I have learned that lesson the hard way." replies Daimyo Shi.

"I see Daimyo Shi-san, I thank you for your help. I have a plan now, I must go and set it up." says Mutsumi with a deep bow.

Mutsumi leaves Daimyo Shi's room and leaves through the front door. As she does Kitsune sees her.

I wonder what that was about? Could Mutsumi be playing around with Daimyo Shi? thinks Kitsune. Kitsune sneaks down towards Daimyo Shi's room only to see that Daimyo Shi's Door is open.

"Konichiwa, Daimyo Shi what was Mutsumi here for?" says Kitsune with a sly fox look.

Ah, Kitsune, my foil in this matter, she will help Naru, I shall help Mutsumi, hopefully when the game is done, we will be able to sit and laugh about it. Thinks Daimyo Shi.

"She came to ask me an opinion on something that I am afraid must remain between her and I." says Daimyo Shi with an evil smirk

The Games is afoot, what could it be? It at least clearly not romance between Mutsumi and himself, at least not yet. He knows I do crafty to simply tell a lie to.

"Really? What could possibly you have to keep a secret about. Mutsumi is so truthful. After all it clear to me that she not interested in you rather she interested in Keitaro."

A slight look of distasted briefly flashes on Daimyo Shi's face. Then he smirks again.

"Trust me Kitsune, if I wanted Mutsumi, I would have her." responds Daimyo Shi.

Shit, I was hoping that Kitsune didn't know that. I guess it pretty easy to put together. Damn I was fooling myself into thinking she hadn't figured it out. thinks Daimyo Shi.

Haha, so your ego is bruised. Oh well, you are probably right. Still, that not what this is about. There is something up, and Mutsumi is at the core of it. thinks Kitsune.

"Oh really, you really think you can compete with the loveable loser?" says Kitsune.

"Do you want him for yourself Kitsune, I would imagine it wouldn't be too hard. I mean a woman like you is a loser's dream." says Daimyo Shi with a smirk.

A brief twitch affects Kitsune's face for a moment. Keitaro and I? Please he doesn't have enough money . . . still loyalty is a good trait and he does own the Hinata Sou (1). Woah! Don't go there he a loser and . . . well I really can't be doing that to the guy that Naru likes, well sort of likes.

"Please, Keitaro just not the kind of man for me." says Kitsune.

I twinge, of what guilt, truth? What could it mean? Still I not making much head way here. And I tipped my hand too much. thinks Daimyo Shi.

"Not tall, Handsome and Rich enough?" asks Daimyo Shi.

"Kuso I not that shallow." says Kitsune with a little anger.

"I sorry Kitsune, I really didn't mean it." says Daimyo Shi.

"Well you forgiven, this time!" Anyway I was going out soon so, I leave you to you writing." says Kitsune as she turns to leave.

"Thank you, Kitsune as always it was fun." says Daimyo Shi.

Kitsune walks away Fun? Of course it always a game we play. Oh well. I have things to do. thinks Kitsune as she walks to her room.

Owari

Author's notes:

(1) While I often look more to the anime than the Manga. In the Manga Keitaro owns Hinata Sou, his Grandmother hands it over to him in the first vol.

Japanese Terms

Hai, Yes

iie no

-chan, honorific means small or little often used between parents and children, sometime between friends can be use between lovers too.

-kun, Sort of a male version of Chan but more masculine often used between friends Shi and older people to boys that they know. Kei-kun is a favourite of Mutsumi for Keitaro.

San is Mister or Miss, a polite way to address an inferior or an equal. Note that both this and sama are used with a family name which in Japan comes first

Senpei: senior student

Sensei: Teacher or Professionals, often doctors are called Sensei too.

Katana: the long Sword of the Samurai

Menpo: Face mask common to Samurai armour.

Yari: Japanese Spear.

Saya: Sword scabbard

Onna no Ken: Sword woman literally Woman of the Sword

Oni: demon