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 of course they are owned respectably by their own creators.

I understand now why everybody writes fanfics. It's like creating your own world, and that, you are a part of it. It's much better than watching the anime or reading the manga because in this particular issue, you create the story. And it's not like you actually create the story, most of the time it works its way out of your head, from the deepest pits of your imaginations. Until now I don't know how this fanfic will end, just a vague idea, and as I type, the story builds itself. Isn't that something? I made a slight revelation in this chapter. Although I really hate saying too much, I want to keep my readers on the edge of their seat.

For all the spelling and grammar mistakes, I apologize in advance. Other than that, just enjoy the story.

4

1051. Sat. Hinata Hotel. Top Floor.

"I guess this is as high as this building could go," Akito said in disappointment.

"How about the rooftop?" Megumi suggested looking around the room.

Akito and Megumi found themselves checking in at the local district hotel, the highest building they reckon in the area and the closest to the Hinata Apartments. The room was luckily made available, the occupants checked out minutes before Akito and Megumi stepped inside the hotel. It was a normal two bed room with a small lounge on one corner. There were two high windows that are facing towards the hills, fortunately towards the Hinata Apartments. The view shows the Hinata Apartments' hot springs' area, although it doesn't completely show the area due to the high fence but it shows part of the door that leads towards the lounge room, it also shows part of the front park that leads to the stone steps.

"Somebody just got in," Akito said suddenly while unpacking his video equipment and looking out the window.

"What do you mean?" Megumi started, unpacking her set laptop on the small table.

"I just saw somebody came up from the steps and ran inside the apartments," carefully setting the video camera, Akito inserted a blank tape and started recording.

Megumi was busy setting up the laptop and connect herself into the Internet using the telephone lines. She looked up, "I thought the police cordoned the area?"

"I thought so too, but this guy was in a hurry,"

"What does that mean?"

"Some sort of a rescue mission, I guess… "

"Huh? Just one man?"

"Yeah, weird thing is, he doesn't look like the police nor the Special Forces,"

1051. Sat. Hinata Hotel. Top Floor. Next Door.

The room was dark. All the window blinds are down giving an eerie dark atmosphere. In the bed, a woman in mid twenties, with long black hair, covered in black garment, was watching the television, the only light in the room. In the small lounge on the corner, was a young man, sitting comfortably, sipping coffee, but his eyes were burning, in complete concentration. The telly though does not show your usual Japanese primetime, it shows the front park of the Hinata Apartments as well as the hot springs area, it also shows the roads at the bottom of the stone steps where they can see the Hinata Tea House.

"They're blundering," said the young man.

At this time, a small commotion was seen at the Hinata Teahouse. The two watched a man jump over a group of policemen then ran up the steps; after a few seconds that man reached the top of the steps, knelt and then entered the Hinata Apartments.

"Madam," said the young man on the lounge anxiously.

The woman didn't speak.

"Are you planning to use the countless hours and hard work my men did to make all these possible?"

Still, no answer.

"Madam, if we're going to make a move, this is the perfect time," the young man stood, "They're all in there!" pointing frantically at the television.

The woman raised a hand. Then looked straight into the young man's eyes, grounding him to silence. He sat down quietly.

The woman turned towards the television again. She thought, onii-chan, then secretly smiled.

1051. Sat. Hinata Tea House.

Haruka made a decision. She's normally a decisive person. Her strength came from complete understanding of the situation. But today is a very different day indeed; not only in magnitude but the implications it had on her and the people she care about. This is something she will never forget.

Haruka stood, ignored the offered tea prepared by Shirai.

"Haruka?" asked Shirai nervously, following her as she walked towards the door.

There is something in her eyes that made Shirai completely uneasy.

"Please, Haruka, we need to trust Keitaro on this one, he knows what he's doing, he maybe an idiot but we can rely on him!" reasoned Shirai desperately and at this moment Shirai is close to panicking. He may have blocked out the enormity of the whole situation out of his head and his heart so he can think clearly and not run blindly into something he doesn't understand, but seeing the person he cares the most crack before him rocked his confidence.

Haruka turned to him. "I'm thankful. But you don't need to worry about me now." Haruka looked outside and found that there are several people gathered on the area now. The barricades, the swarm of policemen, the army truck and a number of heavily armed soldiers, and the noise of several ambulances finally attracted unwanted attention. And among the gathered people, she saw familiar faces – Motoko's friends.

"Shirai, I'm going to need your help," Haruka said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"At the back, I have several blankets, I want you to get as many as you can,"

"Okay!" Shirai was about to go when Haruka placed a hand on his shoulder. A different Haruka is looking at him now. A stronger Haruka, a much more determined Haruka, the Haruka he always admired.

"I'd like to thank you again," A small smile, "You're right, we have to trust in him, we have to trust Keitaro… meet me at the steps,"

Shirai nodded then ran towards the back of the teahouse.

You idiot. I'll knock the lights out of you when you get back. Haruka went towards Motoko's friends.

1052. Sat. Hinata Apartments.

"No! Shinobu! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to ---," Keitaro stepped forward which only made Shinobu scream louder. Probably due to the way Keitaro entered the changing room unexpectedly or the fact that she is naked with only a towel on, Shinobu was both shocked and embarrassed.

"Sempai!" squeaked Shinobu then ran towards the hot springs.

I don't have time for this! "No! Shinobu wait! You have to come with me!" Keitaro ran after her.

It only took Keitaro three big leaps when he finally caught up with Shinobu. He lunged onto her, grabbed her right shoulder, causing her to spin and fall to the ground taking him with her. Keitaro on top of a naked shaking Shinobu, his face merely inches from hers.

"Sempai?" Shinobu whispered unsteadily, blushing furiously underneath him.

Why?

"Oooooh! Keitaro! You finally decided to be a man!" Kitsune teased with her jester hat on and an infernal smirk on her face.

Why does it have to be like this?

"Keitaro! Did you come here to play? After Shinobu, can I be next?" Su was jumping like toddler out of her playpen.

Why does it have to turn out like this?

"Urashima! You've finally shown your true colors! I knew a man like you can never be trusted! And now you intend to assault Shinobu!" Motoko said menacingly as she advance towards him, unsheathing her Hina sword.

I just want to help… Why does it have to be so darn hard!

"Kei – ta – ro!" Naru shouted, red battle aura glowing around her body, eyes red in fury, fists ready for action. It was like hell impersonated.

I never wanted any of these to happen!

Keitaro quickly jumped away from Shinobu, his arms frantically waving in front of him, desperately trying to reason with two very mad girls. "No! No! No! You have to listen to me please! Narusegawa! Motoko! Please! I just want to take Shinobu with me! I mean I want to take all of you with me!"

For some reason, whatever is Keitaro trying to say only made Naru and Motoko angrier. Keitaro can see murder in their eyes. And for the first time in his life, he is truly afraid.

"Narusegawa! Motoko! Please you have to listen to me!"

I don't have time for this!

Naru was the first to reach Keitaro.

Why? All I ever wanted was to help. Why don't you listen to me? Why do you judge me so? Why? Why….

Naru delivered a bone crunching punch. And for the second time that fateful day Keitaro felt himself lifted off the ground. His body started to go to I'm-going-to-get-beaten mode: For the past year, under daily attacks from his tenants, Keitaro's body learned to adapt itself from the harsh environment to enable to survive. And during attacks like this, Keitaro's body automatically folds his legs or his arms to minimize pain, scratches or broken bones – for example – if flying upwards, receiving a hit from below, his legs and arms folds forward so that only the back will hit any objects obstructing his way as he go and most of the time it's the wall, upper floors or the roof. His mind would also go to a temporary shutdown to minimize trauma or shock which also keeps him from feeling real pain. This is what he had named as – I'm-going-to-get-beaten mode, which on most occasion saved his life and his sanity.

I can't! I can't let her take me out of here! And not like this! It'll be hours before I can get back! If I let this happen – they'll all gonna die! I have to hold on… no matter what!

Keitaro tried his best not to faint. Damn! This is going to hurt!  Keitaro knew that in a few seconds he will hit a wall, so he spread his arms and legs to slow himself down and spread the object-contact throughout his body. He finally crashed onto the top of the door frame and the impact was overwhelmingly destructive, quickly crushing wood, disintegrating anything on his way, instantly bathing himself in a cloud of dust. Keitaro desperately held onto anything and somehow managed to grab hold of good strong timber.

"AAAARGH!" Keitaro cried in pain as he dropped heavily on to the floor.

The pain was unbearable. Awareness is threatening to leave him but he fought hard to stay awake. There were scratches all over his body. The nasty gash on his shoulder is bleeding profusely, blood trailing from his forehead down to his cheek. His right arm felt numb and so is his left leg.

Shinobu! Su! Kitsune! Motoko! Narusegawa! O God… please give me strength! Narusegawa!

1054. Sat. Hinata Hotel. Top Floor.

"Whoa!" Akito whistled in complete amazement.

"Did you see that? Did you see that?" Megumi was in utter shock.

"I've never seen anything like it!" The two watched Keitaro fly into the top of the doorframe, crash into the wall and disappear in a cloud of dust. "Man! I've never seen anybody take something like that head-on!"

"I can't believe it! He risked his life to save them all and this ---" Megumi was shaking in anger, "I can understand if they're upset because he walked in to them while they're at the baths, but this is just --- way over!"

"I can tell you for sure; this is no ordinary rescue mission. Man! He should have let the Special Forces handle this,"

Then amidst the cloud of dusts, Keitaro's form came into view.

"He's still alive!"

"Man! What a guy! What – a – guy! He's one hell of a fighter!"

"I can't believe he's still alive!"

"Well, it looks to me, he's in pretty bad shape, I don't think he's gonna last though,"

Akito zoomed-in his video camera towards a badly injured Keitaro. His shirt torn, glasses broken, head and shoulder bloody, arms and legs riddled with scratches. He listed for a second but stayed on his course, walking unsteadily towards a young naked girl, a few feet from the hot springs.

"Man! I hope he survives this, I want to meet this guy, and oh --- that doesn't look good," Akito's view was suddenly obstructed by another figure, coming from the hot springs pool, a tall girl with long black hair, running straight to Keitaro with what seems to be a long shiny object.

"My God! Is that a sword?"

"I hope she's not going to do what I think she's planning to do," but he spoke to soon. Akito's face went white when the tall girl raised the sword blade.

"O MY GOD!" Megumi screamed in horror, "SHE'S GOING TO KILL HIM!"

1054. Sat. Hinata Hotel. Top Floor. Next Door.

By Kami! I never thought women in the baths could be so – vicious! The young man watched the whole incident with absolute astonishment and wonder. That man is unbelievably strong. To stay awake like that… I don't mind if he survive all this. A truly brave man. Maybe we could…

"He will die before we push the button," the young man commented coolly. He glanced onto the bed and found the woman calmly watching the scene. But something was different. Her eyes were full of – anticipation.

This is the first time I've seen her like that. The young man wondered, and then quickly returned his gaze towards the television. Does this entertain you? Or does it remind you of something? What is it --- oba-san?

1054. Sat. Hinata Tea House.

"Are you sure about this Saito?" Kenshin asked for the fifth time making Fujita sigh in exasperation.

"Kenshin, we have to trust these people. The government can make an ass of itself but not our department. We need to build some sort of rapport," Fujita lit a cigarette, "Make them feel like they're a part of this and besides, the Special Forces are with them and they've been given proper protective body pads,"

"They're a bit close to the apartments, and why just girls?"

"Kenshin, you are totally clueless with women are you?"

"Is that a trick question?"

"Haruka mentioned something about the girls being in the baths and so – you know what I mean?"

"Oro?"

They heard a crash. Fujita and Kenshin quickly turned towards the apartments and waited. The crash faded and there was silence again.

"Was that…"

"No. I don't think so. They haven't called me yet nor given any clues,"

"What is it?"

"We'll soon find out,"

1055. Sat. Hinata Apartments.

Please! Just listen to me!

Keitaro agonizingly made his way towards Shinobu who seems to be rooted on the ground. This is the first time she had seen her sempai like this. Most of the time, Keitaro just take these punishments with a simple apology and he always manage to come out unscathed. But something is definitely different today. Keitaro, her sempai, is actually resisting the ordeal, trying hard not to loose. This is the first time she had seen Keitaro fight. Sempai? What are you doing? Shinobu thought as she watched Keitaro reach out for her. Something's wrong! Sempai! What's going on? Shinobu's shock turned to deep concern. She can see the blood, the scratches all over his body, and his shoulder doesn't look good either.

"Sempai ---,"

"Shinobu… we have to ---,"

"URASHIMA! PREPARE TO DIE!" Motoko leaped into the air, sword high over her head, eyes murderous. I won't let you get away with this Keitaro! How could you do this? How could you do this to me? "DIIIIIIEEEEEE URASHIMA!!!" Motoko screamed.

I've had enough of this… enough of this… ENOUGH OF THIS!

Something snapped.

What's going on? Why don't you cower and fear my wrath like you usually do? Motoko's head was in confusion, why don't you run away and beg for forgiveness? For as long as Motoko can remember, seeing Keitaro shake in fear always made her feel better as a woman. She needed that sense of power, that sense of strength. She needed to feel assurance that Keitaro would never see her as a fragile little girl. She wants Keitaro to see her as a warrior, a warrior that commands respect, allegiance and loyalty. Although she hated Keitaro more than anything, she really doesn't want to hurt him, she always let him get away in the end; to see him so vulnerable, so fragile --- weaker, is more than enough. FEAR ME! FEAR ME! FEAR ME! Motoko's mind screamed as she dive down towards Keitaro.

Keitaro raised his head and look straight into Motoko's eyes. Motoko skipped a heartbeat. My God! His eyes! He's --- different! It's not Keitaro! It was in that split second that Motoko realised, Keitaro is not going to move at all and his eyes said it all. It wasn't the normal calm and composed eyes --- they were different eyes --- they were the eyes of a mad man. BAKA! MOVE AWAY! MOVE AWAY! MOVE AWAY! Motoko tried to hold back but her body was in momentum and she couldn't stop herself. The sword sliced down, aimed at Keitaro's head.

The sword made contact.

Blood dripping on the floor.

Shinobu fainted.