Chapter 5 - Ruminations Pt. 1

Naru

I guess I'm sorry for treating Keitaro so badly. I mean, all those things were probably accidents. But for crying out loud, he should have stood up for himself. He always could've. But then again, I probably would have only gotten madder. Still, he should have said something. He just acted like the loser he was. I hate to think that al this time, he was stronger than us and still did nothing. No, what am I thinking? That pathetic ronin, be stronger than Motoko and me. No, he couldn't even take on Shinobu. But what about yesterday? Just a fluke, he could never pull of something like that again, even with all his 'power'. God why can't I stop thinking about him. He's like a cockroach you'd love to kill, but he always comes back, as annoying as ever. I hope he leaves Hinata Inn. I don't care what anyone else says, I have no feelings for that weak, pathetic ronin. Only Seta. Just thinking about him makes me dizzy with happiness. I gotta go, Kitsune has once again raided the sake supply. God, sometimes she makes me so sick, her and her drinking. Just like Keitaro, so annoying yet you can't live without them. *Sigh* If only Keitaro was more like Seta.

Kitsune

I've been in the car for half an hour and already I can feel Naru seething. I've drunk a little bit of sake to polish me smile, but she doesn't seem so happy. She's always like this, withdrawn and ungrateful. Sometimes, I feel sorry for her, because she can't understand how lucky she is. People like me have to watch from the sidelines while people like her get the best grades, the best families, and all the love. I had a drunk bastard for a father and a mom that cleaned her troubles away.

I remember the time I left my folks in Osaka. It was a Friday and I had just 'broken up' another boyfriend for Naru because she couldn't tell him herself. I could see that she didn't appreciate anything, the way she just rejected everyone. She always put me down because of my drinking. Funny how everyone that has had a good life says it disgusting to drink, but as soon as they lose their money, alcohol becomes their liquid bible.
Anyway, when I got back home, my mother, as usual was scrubbing the tiles for the eighth time and my father was in the living room, t.v blaring and a beer in his hand. I tried to walk to the stairs unnoticed but my mom, being the airhead she must have been to marry my dad, said in her loud voice, "Oh, hi sweety!" I ran up the stairs, praying that my father left me alone today.
Obviously, god must have bee out for lunch, because my father came bursting up the stairs, his tone already set on drunk rage. He came into my room and smacked me, followed by cursing and asking what he had done to deserve a slut daughter like me. I wont bother repeating the whole incident in here, but I knew I couldn't stay any longer.
I stole my mom's wallet, my dads being empty because of his beer extravaganza, and found a midnight trolley to Hinata. I met Hina on the trolley and we talked and she said that I could stay at Hinata Sou for as long as I wanted. I thought I had found heaven on earth. Then two months later Naru came to Hinata Sou. I made a promise to myself that day. That no longer would anyone see these eyes, or the silent tears, no longer would anyone hurt me, no longer would I cry. The day I made my mask.

Motoko

I cannot stop thinking about my spar with Urashima yesterday. He was so raw, it was as if he was finally releasing all his pain and anguish. Maybe this is true, but I have seen the error of my ways and I wish I had not caused such grievance to him. However, I must rid myself of my guilt and focus on my training. I cannot allow myself to be sidetracked, even by Urashima. Starting tomorrow, I must coninue to train, train like I've never trained before. I must surpass even Urashima. I cannot allow myself to become weaker than he is, I must show myself as being worthy of the family dojo, by defeating Urashima. I must, I cannot allow myself such weakness. Slowly I can feel the air start to get a bit thicker. Naru is arguing to Kitsune, who for once isn't grinning like a fool. Everyone else is passive, even Su. I cannot come to believe that I am one to have such hate. I must depart once again, goodbye.

A/N - I call this diary format, can you guess why?