I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is the nagging idea inside my head that caused me so many sleepless nights. By the way you might find some other familiar anime characters in here that I crossed over, so sorry for those! And ofcourse they are owned respectably by their own creators.
I'm slowly beginning to slide down to a writer's block. You know that feeling when you just want to write something, just take that bloody idea or clatter of words out of your head and form them into decent set of sentences or paragraphs. It happened to me and after writing feverishly for more than 6 hours straight, editing and re-wording all that time, I suddenly lost that mood. Can you believe it! But I'm writing this third chapter while watching Four Weddings and a Funeral! Something's wrong with me.
I know I'm not a good writer. I apologize in advance for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Other than that, just enjoy the story.
3
1010. Sat. Hinata.
Keitaro limped his way back to the Hinata Apartments. He landed a few meters from the Hinata Park, scared a group of children and a couple of teenage girls. He picked himself up quietly, brushed himself off, not minding the bits and pieces of soil, dirt and wood chunks, wondered vaguely how he managed to get a nasty gash on his shoulder, stretched his back, felt for broken bones, everything seems to be intact and finally concluded that he'll live another day. It's an all too familiar scene for him.
He has been walking for more than half an hour now. Gosh! I landed farther than I thought, Keitaro thought with a hint of depression, no matter, but it really hurts though, I thought after everything that had happened, I thought Narusegawa would change somehow, it's like she has already condemned me to a lifetime of pain. Keitaro shivered. Then a thought came inside his mind, making him pause for awhile, just standing there in the middle of the street, a smile on his lips, his eyes closed, his head raised, facing the warmth of the morning sun --- I'm a Tokyo University student.
For Keitaro, it sounded so right. It feels like he had finally passed that big barrier of life. And that single triumph is all the victory he needed to prove himself to everybody. He's not a looser anymore, nor would he be sidelined by anybody… not even Narusegawa.
He heard a screeching noise. He snapped his eyes open and saw a careening vehicle going straight at him. Keitaro didn't have time to think, he quickly jumped on the side, landing on a – girl. Before he knew it he received a slap in the face, everything happened so fast he didn't realized that he conveniently landed on the poor girls legs pulling down her panties. Such is his fate, a gift, a curse. Just like the unknown girl, the speeding car disappeared in sight, didn't give him time to neither curse the clumsy driver nor apologize to the nameless girl. Gosh! This day is starting to get into me! It'll be a long long long day! I better keep my head low! Keitaro thought, brushing himself for the second time, and that's weird, there seems to be awfully lot of people around, I'm probably getting near to Aunt Haruka's teahouse, I better see her first, I need to ask her something.
"Yo! Keitaro?"
Huh? Keitaro turned and saw two familiar looking faces, although their names just zipped by his head. "Hi? Er? Do I know you?"
A pause, then a slap, causing Keitaro to spin around like a top, then a hand gripped on his head.
"You know Keitaro, we're really getting tired of this game, I mean, we're both in the manga and anime series, there's no way readers and viewers can just forget about US," the taller guy with small round glasses said, "It's me – Haitani, and Shirai," pointing to the smaller, rounder guy behind him wearing the same small round glasses.
"Oh, its you guys, so sorry, it's like I'm supposed to forget you or something, it's supposed to be funny,"
"Huh? What are you talking about? You can't keep on spewing the same joke all the time? Anyway!" Haitani said, "We heard that something's going on at the Hinata Apartments, we're on our way there now,"
"Huh? What do you mean Haitani?"
"Didn't you notice? There's a lot of police around," Shirai said.
Keitaro looked around and realized for the first time that the people he's been seeing around are all wearing police uniform. And the noise that he's been hearing are all coming from police sirens. "What's going on here?"
"It's only a few blocks from Haruka's teahouse, so why don't we go there together!" Haitani wrapped an arm around Keitaro's head, putting him on a headlock.
A horn. The three gave a collective – "Huh?"
It was Kentaro on his red, top-down, sports car. The last person the three would like to see at any given time. What greeted them though is not the usual smug face, but a surprisingly shaken, worried expression, that made even Keitaro wonder.
"Kentaro?"
"Keitaro, you have to come with me quick," Kentaro said with a shaky voice.
"What? Where?"
"To the Hinata Apartments! You idiot!"
Keitaro didn't say another word. The heaviness in Kentaro's voice, the seriousness in his face is all he needed to be convinced. They may be rivals but when it comes to everybody's welfare especially when it involves Narusegawa, you can really rely on Kentaro's instincts.
"My father told me what's going on, or rather he hinted without realizing it," Kentaro started, Keitaro next to him, while Haitani and Shirai sitting at the back seat, "He told me to start packing, and that we would fly to America, he said something about Japan not being safe from Asian Terrorists,"
No body said a word, willing Kentaro to continue. His unusual behavior unnerved all of them.
"He told me to avoid the Hinata. Especially the Hinata Apartments," Running a shaky hand on his hair, Kentaro nearly ran over an old man, "He told me that Special Forces are being deployed to the Hinata Apartments,"
"Special Forces?" Shirai asked.
Kentaro looked straight at Keitaro, "Yes, Japan's bomb squad,"
1042. Sat. Hinata.
"You almost ran that guy over, you idiot!" Megumi screamed more in shock rather than in anger.
"We can't let the police see us. Didn't you notice the cordon they're preparing? Something's definitely up!" Akito said while swerving the car to avoid a collision with an army truck. "And I guess the Special Forces are here too,"
"It's the same as what happened in Kyoto,"
"You're right. Even though they managed to save some people, the reports said there are only four deaths, the truth is, the whole building burned from beneath before collapsing to the ground killing more than twenty civilians,"
Megumi fell silent.
"And until now the government is still trying to minimize any media contact to all affected parties, hiding details, but I guess that's normal. It would definitely shake the confidence of the people on the government and the competence of the nation in the face of a terror attack,"
"But no matter how hard the government tries, the truth will always be revealed in time, right?"
"Yes, but that's what the government needs. Time. And hopefully, one of these attacks will show answers,"
"But that's unfair, the people has the right to know!"
"Yes! That's why we're here, we can't trust the authorities with this, this kind of crisis should not be hidden but exposed, people need to know, because the truth is, the people are the one's who are suffering, we need to face the truth and learn how to protect ourselves as a nation,"
"Drive faster," Megumi said her face set in determination. Akito smiled.
1048. Sat. Hinata Tea House.
It took Kentaro less than 10 minutes to reach Haruka's teahouse. And as soon as Kentaro hit the road side, Keitaro quickly jumped out and ran, followed closely by Haitani and Shirai. The teahouse it seems just opened, it was surrounded by a number of police officers, he noticed that there are some sort of road block on the stone steps, closely guarded by a lot of policemen, he also noticed that an army truck was parked in front, and several men wearing thick protective pads are busy in preparation. But what really surprised him is how his Aunt Haruka reacted when he appeared on her door.
Haruka was white as a paper. She has been desperately calling the Hinata Apartments but no one's answering. And her shock on seeing a rather dirty Keitaro only made her look worst. Dropping the phone without even realizing it, she ran towards Keitaro then locked him into a tight, air-gasping hug.
"AAAARGH!" Keitaro wheezed, his hands clawing up, gasping for air.
Haruka seems not to care. And then she let go a green-faced Keitaro after a few moments, "How did you get out? Where are the others? Are they with you?"
"Huh? No, Aunt Haruka, I mean Haruka, what do you mean?"
"Huh? Didn't you come from the Hinata Apartments?"
"Er? No actually, I was – er – let out courtesy of Naru's fist this morning," Keitaro said, plastering a silly grin, his right hand at the back of his head. "I've been walking for almost an hour till I ran into Haitani, Shirai and Kentaro, who drove me here,"
Haruka felt relieved. But that didn't make anything better. "Keitaro, I don't know how you will handle this but, I guess there's no sense hiding it, Hinata Apartments is in trouble, the police officers just explained it to me a few minutes ago, there is bomb in there that's about to explode,"
"A bomb?" It can't be true. "Has anyone gone up there to warn the girls? They're all still in there," Keitaro panicked.
"No, nobody's allowed to go up there," Haruka said helplessly, bowing slightly in desperation, "I tried reasoning with the police officers but no one would let me,"
"But, did you try calling them?"
"I've been calling them but nobody's answering, I think they're all in the hot springs,"
"But, we can't just stay here and do nothing! We have to reach them somehow!"
"I'm sorry kid. We have to wait for the terrorists demand," a tall man in suit came inside followed by a shorter man, "I'm Fujita Goro of the police department and this is Kenshin Imura, chief of police force,"
"What? We'll just sit here and do nothing?"
"Yes, we are in a middle of a battle here, your friends, I'm sorry to say, are caught in the crossfire, I'm sorry, I know it's hard for you," consoled Fujita, placing a hand on Keitaro's shoulder.
No! This is not happening! Shinobu! Su! Kitsune! Motoko! Mutsumi! And GOD! Narusegawa! No! I have to do something, there's no way I can just sit here and do nothing! They're all gonna die if I don't do something – anything!
Keitaro turned, saw his friends looking at him, grim expressions on their faces, Haitani and Shirai nodded, as if to say they understood. I'm sorry guys, you might get upset about this but I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm so sorry. Then Keitaro turned to Haruka, his face set in determination. Haruka's mouth opened in utter horror, she finally understood what he's planning to do.
"No!" Haruka screamed.
I'm so sorry aunt Haruka. I can't sit here and do nothing. If they'll die, I'd rather die with them. I'm so sorry.
"No!" Haruka screamed again and started to run towards him.
Keitaro finally faced Fujita who still has his hand on Keitaro's shoulder and oblivious of what's going to happen. Keitaro bowed low, hit Fujita in his stomach who doubled in pain, then raced towards the door. Kenshin was about to block his way when Shirai backhanded him. Keitaro was out of the teahouse in less than 5 seconds followed closely by Haitani. The policemen outside heard the commotion inside the teahouse and quickly made a human barricade on the closest stone steps that leads to the Hinata Apartments.
"HALT!"
"Make sure you all get back alive, Keitaro! Or I'll never forgive you!" shouted Haitani, launching himself onto the human wall and crushing three officers with him. There's a way in! Keitaro dashed, jumping over heaps of bodies, groaning in pain and frustration. And Keitaro ran like he never ran before without looking back.
I'm sorry everybody. I may never see you again.
Fujita came out too late, Kenshin beside him.
"I will order three men to get him, he can't ran that fast, we still have time," Kenshin was about to call when Fujita raised a hand.
"An unknown element in battle is always advantageous, he's got courage, he might even make it,"
"You know Fujita, you're tactics and careless use of human life always unnerves me,"
"What? Still holding to that vow not to kill of yours?" Fujita said lighting a cigarette, he turned towards the teahouse, saw a kneeling Haruka crying silently consoled by Shirai, then turned towards the bottom of the steps, saw Haitani being cuffed by the police, then looked up towards the stone steps, saw Keitaro running as fast as he could, "At this time, battle tactics has changed, people kill for lesser reason other than personal gain. Honor is no longer part of every human struggle, but self preservation, using force of any means no matter what the cost to get what is wanted. We can't save everybody, what we can do is prevent this from happening again; lives will be lost no matter how hard we try. Times has changed,"
"I guess you're right," Kenshin said darkly.
1030. Sat. Hinata Apartments.
Soaking in the hot springs always makes her day. Motoko was in deep relaxation when she heard Su jump in gleeful enjoyment causing waves.
"Hello, Motoko, I thought I was the only one thinking of going into the hot springs, is it okay if I join you?" it was Kitsune, smiling, a towel over her beautifully curved body.
"Sure, Kitsune-san,"
There was another splash and Su was laughing like a child having a good time.
"Su! Could you please stop that!" Kitsune said in irritation.
"Sorry 'bout that!" Su followed, settling comfortably beside Motoko.
"Where's Naru-sempai?" Motoko asked.
"She's with Mutsumi showing the uniform she'll wear for the opening ceremony,"
"Oh," Motoko became silent for a moment, "I wonder how it feels like, to be a Tokyo University student, I mean," blushed a little.
"Any plans of going for Tokyo U?"
Motoko was silent for a while. "I think I will. If that idiot can pass so should I!"
"Ah! You mean Keitaro? Wanna follow his steps aren't you?"
Motoko blushed even more, "Are you crazy? Follow his steps? What do you mean --- fail three times then pass? There's no way I'll be like that idiot!"
"Don't be so defensive Motoko," Kitsune said looking up at a blue cloudy sky, for her it really is a perfect day, "But you have to hand it to him, you know, it is a bit amazing, it's almost like a miracle, a clumsy, perverted, idiotic guy like him to pass, driven not by brains but sheer determination and a single promise!"
After a while, Motoko finally agreed, "That IS something,"
"Are you all talking about that pervert again?"
Everybody turned and saw a towel-clad Naru walking towards them.
"Honestly! I don't know what you see in that pervert but shouldn't you be talking about someone else?"
"That's a bit harsh! Are you jealous or something?" Kitsune asked putting her jester-hat on again.
That one made Naru blush. And before Naru retort Kitsune added, "Besides, it's not like there're other guys to talk about anyway. I mean, we live in an all-girls dormitory and with one guy we consider less than dirt,"
A debate was about to happen when Motoko interrupted, "Where's Otohime-san Naru-sempai?"
"Oh, I left her in my room, she kinda fell asleep,"
"It figures," Kitsune smiled.
This is definitely a perfect day, Kitsune thought, closing her mind from Naru's banter and about everything else.
1050. Sat. Hinata Apartments.
"Sempai? Are you okay? If you're not feeling well, I could cook your favorite dish…"
"Hei! Keitaro! Are you alright? Wanna play with me?"
"Urashima! You vile creature! If you don't pull yourself together, I'm going to personally cut your head! Stand up and be a man!"
"Ooooh! Something the matter, Keitaro, eh? Come with me in my room, I'll make you feel better… and I think we're gonna need a lot of sake for that too!"
"Keitaro-kun… everything will be okay, I'm always here for you,"
"Keitaro! You pervert! What are you up to now? Don't pressure yourself too much, no matter what happens – I'm always here for you,"
Shinobu, Su, Motoko, Kitsune, Mutsumi… O God give me strength! Narusegawa! I won't let you die!
I won't let you die!
I won't let you die!
I won't let you ---
Keitaro knelt down in front of the Hinata Apartments. His body shaking, his lungs gasping for air. Ignoring the pain in his legs, Keitaro dashed inside the Apartment. It took him less than a minute to climb the stone steps and when he finally got inside, he saw an empty lounge room.
"SHINOBU!" Keitaro shouted, ran towards the dining area and found it empty too. Aunt Haruka thinks that they might be in the hot springs. And so Keitaro proceeded to the hot springs. When he reached the door that leads to the changing room, Keitaro hesitated. Wait a sec? The girls' are gonna kill me if I go inside! Keitaro shook his head, it doesn't matter, I don't have time for that! They can do whatever they want with me after this, I just want to get all of them out of here while we still have time.
I won't let you die!
I won't let you die!
I won't let you ---
"SU! KITSUNE! MOTOKO!" Keitaro shouted sliding the changing room door open and found a very shocked towel-clad Shinobu.
Shinobu screamed.