Chapter 12 - Meeting Kanoko
The Hinata gang huddled in the cold foyer at 5 in the morning. Most of them were trying to fight of sleep, except for Haruka and Seta. The reason for them to still be there was that Keitaro and Kitsune had still to come down. Haruka had called to suggest/demanded they head down soon. Naru, tired as she was, was fuming already jumping to conclusions that often had Keitaro in an awkward situation with Kitsune, him a smug expression on his face, with a helpless one on Kitsunes. She stood fuming in the corner, with Haruka glancing at her wearily.
Finally she could stand waiting around anymore. She marched to the elevator, planning on giving the 'rapist' a piece of her mind and fist. She pressed the button, when Haruka asked her in a bored voice. "What do you think you're doing?" "I'm going to save Kitsune from that rapist!" "I would worry but, honestly, it's just way too early." Naru ignored her as she heard the ring of the elevator, announcing its arrival. She was about to walk in, when she bumped into someone.
She looked up and saw Kitsune. Grabbing her friend by the shoulders and began to ask questions a mile a minute. Kitsune, being half asleep, couldn't answer well, but Naru kept on asking. "Are you OK? Did he touch you? He didn't try to put his pervert moves on you did he?" She stopped when she felt a finger tapping on her shoulder. Turning around, prepared to dish out some punches, she was surprised to see Keitaro wide awake holding his only piece of luggage as well as Kitsunes.
"Look, you're not going to get an answer out of her until later. It took me half an hour to wake her up alone. She can't even carry her luggage, not that I;m surprised, especially after last night." he said eyeing the bag warily. Close by them, the gang was in various states of surprise. "Jeez dork, I thought you said it'd be either Naru or Mutsumi?" "Wow big brother, I didn't expect you to go after Kitsune!"
Keitaro stared at them for a minute before understanding. Shaking his head in dismay, he sighed, preparing for his explanation. "This is really getting annoying. We were just watching movies last night. Nothing else. If you don't count breathing sleeping and eating." He said in a slightly exasperated tone. Naru smacked him upside the head and gave a disbelieving sigh. "When will you learn pervert?" she said leading Kitsune away.
The ride to the cruse ship was silent and uneventful, albeit the furious stare of contempt, Naru kept shooting him. Keitaro just sighed and slept through the entire thing. The cruise ship was gigantic. As everyone stared in awe, Haruka presented there tickets as Seta and Keitaro pulled the luggage out of the van.
"Alright, here's how it's gonna work, the trip lasts for three days, we've got shops, restaurants, etc. on the boat. We have 4 cabins to split between us. However, participants have there own area on the top three levels. So, Naru and Kitsune will share the first room, Shinobu and Motoko in another, Su and Sara in a third, Me and Mutsumi in a fourth." "What about the baka pervert?" "He's participating." The girls gaped at the ronin. "What about Motoko?" "She has been allowed to stay down her by request."
Keitaro and Seta walked off, to the higher levels, both wanting to do nothing more than hit the sack. "So, part-timer, looks like another adventure, eh?" "Yeah, I can't wait until I see Kanoko." "Kanoko?" "My younger sister." "Oh." "Anyway, this is my level, see ya!" Keitaro clambered off the elevator, looking at his key and wondering who he would be bunking up with. Upon reaching the door, he opened it and entered the room and was shocked that he knew his bunk partner. "KANOKO!"
"Keitaro?" Keitaro looked at her, clad in a tank top and sweat pants, and hugged her. "How long has it been?" "Too long." They broke away, and started chatting about things they had missed.
"So, you finally decided to join again?" Kanoko asked.
"Yeah, I figured it was high time I picked up a sword." He answered, climbing onto the surprisingly comfy bed.
"I'm glad you never forgot your training."
"Me too. Though I'm still rusty."
"Not like there isn't enough time to practice."
"True. So what have you been up to."
"Oh nothing much. I still do my impersonations."
"Those were always so funny when we were growing up."
"Yes, but mom and dad never did approve."
"Point taken. So how about a little reunion celebration tonight. My treat."
"I don't see why not."
"Boy have I got some stories for you." Keitaro finished chuckling slightly darkly.
It was noon when Keitaro woke up. The window was open and fresh ocean breeze was coming in. He looked around and spotted Kanoko meditatig on the floor beside his bed. She slowly open her eyes and gazed at him. He cleared his throat. "How bout a little spar?" she suggested. Keitaro smiled back, "sure, why not?"
The sun hung high in the sky beating down on the pair as the stood opposite each other. Kanoko stood in a white tank top with black sweatpants, a good sized sword with a black hilt with two snakes swirling around it. One black, the other white. Keitaro stood across from her in a black mossimo shirt, with white khaki shorts, and a long sword, with a long dragon engraved right down the middle of the blade, and a lavish black hilt in tow. Around them, a crowd had gathered. Among them were Seta, Haruka and Naru.
A bird cawed from a distance and to Keitaro and Kanoko, it was a signal to start. Kanoko charged at Keitaro, who stepped back and to the right, extending his left foot. Kanoko avoided it and came back again for another attack. This time Keitaro blocked with his sword, sending sparks flying. All resistance gone now, the battle really began.
Charging up his ki, Keitaro charged forward, giving a loud war cry. Kanoko block, barely and reciprocated. Soon an all out fight had broken and the two were duking it out like never before. The crowd could barely keep up, the two moving so fast they looked like nothing but blurs. The crowd 'ooh'ed and 'aah'ed, snapping pictures like crazy.
Of course, the two fighters remained completely unawares as the charged again. Kanoko's sword was now glowing a vibrant blue, while Keitaro's was a crimson red, with the dragon engraving glowing faintly. Keitaro ducked underneath Kanokos wide swing and tried to swipe the sword at her feet. She jumped over him and brought her sword above her head and prepared to slice it downwards.
Keitaro, knowing what was going on, layed his sword flat on the space just above his back. The two swords met once again and sparks flew. The two jumped back and stood panting. They finally decided to end it. They rushed forward at the same time, nothing more than blurs. To the crowd it seemed as if they had passed each other without doing and harm, but within seconds of them 'passing' each other Keitaro sank to his knees, breathing heavily. Kanoko smiled slowly and collapsed onto a beach chair as the crowd applauded. Keitaro joined her later with two bottles of water. They cooled off and had a swim, followed by a long shower. By five, both of them had fallen asleep on the beds.
Naru, fuming, had asked Seta where Keitaro was staying and Seta had given her the room number. She was now heading there to confront Keitaro about challenging poor defenseless girls on the deck. She marched down to his door and barged in, the door having been unlocked. She saw Keitaro, and whoever his partner was resting on the beds. She marched up to him and slapped him awake.
He immediately woke up and started trying to find the source of the blow. He didn't have to look long. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? ATTACKING THAT POOR GIRL?" Keitaro gave his groggy response, "People call it sparring. She asked me for a spar and I accepted. Simple as that."
"What's all this commotion?" came a sleepy voice from the top bunk. Kanoko, peered down on her brother and Naru. Naru quickly bombarded her with questions. "Did the pervert try anything on you? Can I though your sword? He didn't try anything on you did he? That was so cool how you kicked his butt, can you show me? Etc." Kanoko raised an eyebrow and rolled back onto the bed, muttering something about slipping sedatives in a certain someones drink. Naru turned her attention on Keitaro. He smiled softly and signaled for her to be quiet. "That stuff you saw outside was nothing compared to the pain you'll be in if you interrupt my sisters sleeping."
"YOUR SISTER!"
The Hinata gang huddled in the cold foyer at 5 in the morning. Most of them were trying to fight of sleep, except for Haruka and Seta. The reason for them to still be there was that Keitaro and Kitsune had still to come down. Haruka had called to suggest/demanded they head down soon. Naru, tired as she was, was fuming already jumping to conclusions that often had Keitaro in an awkward situation with Kitsune, him a smug expression on his face, with a helpless one on Kitsunes. She stood fuming in the corner, with Haruka glancing at her wearily.
Finally she could stand waiting around anymore. She marched to the elevator, planning on giving the 'rapist' a piece of her mind and fist. She pressed the button, when Haruka asked her in a bored voice. "What do you think you're doing?" "I'm going to save Kitsune from that rapist!" "I would worry but, honestly, it's just way too early." Naru ignored her as she heard the ring of the elevator, announcing its arrival. She was about to walk in, when she bumped into someone.
She looked up and saw Kitsune. Grabbing her friend by the shoulders and began to ask questions a mile a minute. Kitsune, being half asleep, couldn't answer well, but Naru kept on asking. "Are you OK? Did he touch you? He didn't try to put his pervert moves on you did he?" She stopped when she felt a finger tapping on her shoulder. Turning around, prepared to dish out some punches, she was surprised to see Keitaro wide awake holding his only piece of luggage as well as Kitsunes.
"Look, you're not going to get an answer out of her until later. It took me half an hour to wake her up alone. She can't even carry her luggage, not that I;m surprised, especially after last night." he said eyeing the bag warily. Close by them, the gang was in various states of surprise. "Jeez dork, I thought you said it'd be either Naru or Mutsumi?" "Wow big brother, I didn't expect you to go after Kitsune!"
Keitaro stared at them for a minute before understanding. Shaking his head in dismay, he sighed, preparing for his explanation. "This is really getting annoying. We were just watching movies last night. Nothing else. If you don't count breathing sleeping and eating." He said in a slightly exasperated tone. Naru smacked him upside the head and gave a disbelieving sigh. "When will you learn pervert?" she said leading Kitsune away.
The ride to the cruse ship was silent and uneventful, albeit the furious stare of contempt, Naru kept shooting him. Keitaro just sighed and slept through the entire thing. The cruise ship was gigantic. As everyone stared in awe, Haruka presented there tickets as Seta and Keitaro pulled the luggage out of the van.
"Alright, here's how it's gonna work, the trip lasts for three days, we've got shops, restaurants, etc. on the boat. We have 4 cabins to split between us. However, participants have there own area on the top three levels. So, Naru and Kitsune will share the first room, Shinobu and Motoko in another, Su and Sara in a third, Me and Mutsumi in a fourth." "What about the baka pervert?" "He's participating." The girls gaped at the ronin. "What about Motoko?" "She has been allowed to stay down her by request."
Keitaro and Seta walked off, to the higher levels, both wanting to do nothing more than hit the sack. "So, part-timer, looks like another adventure, eh?" "Yeah, I can't wait until I see Kanoko." "Kanoko?" "My younger sister." "Oh." "Anyway, this is my level, see ya!" Keitaro clambered off the elevator, looking at his key and wondering who he would be bunking up with. Upon reaching the door, he opened it and entered the room and was shocked that he knew his bunk partner. "KANOKO!"
"Keitaro?" Keitaro looked at her, clad in a tank top and sweat pants, and hugged her. "How long has it been?" "Too long." They broke away, and started chatting about things they had missed.
"So, you finally decided to join again?" Kanoko asked.
"Yeah, I figured it was high time I picked up a sword." He answered, climbing onto the surprisingly comfy bed.
"I'm glad you never forgot your training."
"Me too. Though I'm still rusty."
"Not like there isn't enough time to practice."
"True. So what have you been up to."
"Oh nothing much. I still do my impersonations."
"Those were always so funny when we were growing up."
"Yes, but mom and dad never did approve."
"Point taken. So how about a little reunion celebration tonight. My treat."
"I don't see why not."
"Boy have I got some stories for you." Keitaro finished chuckling slightly darkly.
It was noon when Keitaro woke up. The window was open and fresh ocean breeze was coming in. He looked around and spotted Kanoko meditatig on the floor beside his bed. She slowly open her eyes and gazed at him. He cleared his throat. "How bout a little spar?" she suggested. Keitaro smiled back, "sure, why not?"
The sun hung high in the sky beating down on the pair as the stood opposite each other. Kanoko stood in a white tank top with black sweatpants, a good sized sword with a black hilt with two snakes swirling around it. One black, the other white. Keitaro stood across from her in a black mossimo shirt, with white khaki shorts, and a long sword, with a long dragon engraved right down the middle of the blade, and a lavish black hilt in tow. Around them, a crowd had gathered. Among them were Seta, Haruka and Naru.
A bird cawed from a distance and to Keitaro and Kanoko, it was a signal to start. Kanoko charged at Keitaro, who stepped back and to the right, extending his left foot. Kanoko avoided it and came back again for another attack. This time Keitaro blocked with his sword, sending sparks flying. All resistance gone now, the battle really began.
Charging up his ki, Keitaro charged forward, giving a loud war cry. Kanoko block, barely and reciprocated. Soon an all out fight had broken and the two were duking it out like never before. The crowd could barely keep up, the two moving so fast they looked like nothing but blurs. The crowd 'ooh'ed and 'aah'ed, snapping pictures like crazy.
Of course, the two fighters remained completely unawares as the charged again. Kanoko's sword was now glowing a vibrant blue, while Keitaro's was a crimson red, with the dragon engraving glowing faintly. Keitaro ducked underneath Kanokos wide swing and tried to swipe the sword at her feet. She jumped over him and brought her sword above her head and prepared to slice it downwards.
Keitaro, knowing what was going on, layed his sword flat on the space just above his back. The two swords met once again and sparks flew. The two jumped back and stood panting. They finally decided to end it. They rushed forward at the same time, nothing more than blurs. To the crowd it seemed as if they had passed each other without doing and harm, but within seconds of them 'passing' each other Keitaro sank to his knees, breathing heavily. Kanoko smiled slowly and collapsed onto a beach chair as the crowd applauded. Keitaro joined her later with two bottles of water. They cooled off and had a swim, followed by a long shower. By five, both of them had fallen asleep on the beds.
Naru, fuming, had asked Seta where Keitaro was staying and Seta had given her the room number. She was now heading there to confront Keitaro about challenging poor defenseless girls on the deck. She marched down to his door and barged in, the door having been unlocked. She saw Keitaro, and whoever his partner was resting on the beds. She marched up to him and slapped him awake.
He immediately woke up and started trying to find the source of the blow. He didn't have to look long. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? ATTACKING THAT POOR GIRL?" Keitaro gave his groggy response, "People call it sparring. She asked me for a spar and I accepted. Simple as that."
"What's all this commotion?" came a sleepy voice from the top bunk. Kanoko, peered down on her brother and Naru. Naru quickly bombarded her with questions. "Did the pervert try anything on you? Can I though your sword? He didn't try anything on you did he? That was so cool how you kicked his butt, can you show me? Etc." Kanoko raised an eyebrow and rolled back onto the bed, muttering something about slipping sedatives in a certain someones drink. Naru turned her attention on Keitaro. He smiled softly and signaled for her to be quiet. "That stuff you saw outside was nothing compared to the pain you'll be in if you interrupt my sisters sleeping."
"YOUR SISTER!"
