Disclaimer : Ok all together now 1..2...3... I don't own Love Hina

Chapter 4

Shinobu, Naru, Motoko, and the Morning after

Keitaro had already sent three after their presents and now he would send the last three, the hardest of the group, he felt. As he told the three, his heart was wracked by what would happen if these went bad. This was everything for him however. He had planned this for 3 months selecting each present carefully and wording each letter where there was no chance finding dual meanings in his words. He watched each of them head upstairs towards their rooms, and he went outside to his place on the roof, and would wait.

Shinobu was excited to see what her Sempai had brought her back from America. Inside she desperately hoped it wasn't a cookbook, as that had been the default gift for her since she took over the cooking responsibilities. Placed in the middle of her stuffed animal collection was a small box and note setting against it. Suddenly she hopped in excitement as it was too small for a book. She gathered up the alien plushy and sat it her lap, being one of her favorites because he had won it for her.

Dear Shin-chan,

I want to apologize to you, It took me going to America to discover how you really felt about me. Please don't panic or scream, because I will cherish every moment that had happened more now since I understand. I think back to those first months in the house, and your birthday. I have to laugh when I think about your panties coming out of sleeve as I handed you, your present.

You are the gentle lamb that resides inside my heart, and the steadfast defender of my mistakes. You have always been there for me. It is by your example that I wish to lead my life, you follow your heart first, never asking for praise or gain, just the knowledge that you have done your all. Your caring nature for everyone here is a shining example of your selflessness.

Set this letter down and open your gift...then pick me back up and continue...please

Shinobu, placed the letter down next to her, and tore into the paper. She was holding a jewelry box. She started to sweat and her heart raced as she opened the box to discover a beautiful pendant inside. A white gold wreath surrounding her birth stone (topaz), embedded in the wreath was five other stones an emerald, an aquamarine, a blue zircon, a garnet, and another blue zircon. In the center was a heart shaped garnet. It was so lovely, tears were cascading down her cheeks as she pick up the letter again.

Yours was the easiest of the presents to buy, because of how you are. The pendant you are holding represents all of us. You are the center stone, around you are the stones for everyone here, and in the center is my stone. I feel humbled that you care so much for me. I do love you, but not in the same way you love me. I know that this might hurt you now, but you must understand out of all the other girls here the love I have for you is the most pure and without any misgivings or doubts, I know how I love you, and I only hope that you can love me in same light as I do you. As more than a friend, but not as a lover. As your well being and happiness mean the most to me.

Sempai

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The tears had gone from happiness, to sorrow, back to something close to happiness. She kept reading the last to two lines over and over again to herself. She knew in her heart that she was too old for crushes, but she had hoped that she could hold onto this one. The love in her heart for Keitaro changed, but never lessened in any way. She lay there surrounded by her animals thinking to herself , 'More than a friend, but never as a lover'

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Naru was numb as she walked into her room. She had hoped and dreamt to see Keitaro again, but after the initial meeting she felt the same way, unchanged. She pulled the box towards her and noticed on the envelope it said open the box first. She half expected to find see-through nightgowns and edible underwear, but what the box held, shocked her and all she could say was "Baka" as she pulled a gucci black on black backpack out of the box. She examined it and found it quite real. 'That baka, spending money like this, he could have done other things with that kind of money other than spend it on me.' she thought as she picked up the letter and began to read.

Naru,

I sit here in Arizona writing this letter to you, and I have played the events of this evening through in my head about a million times. I know that you will be the one to ask why I never wrote or made contact during my trip, well the answer is simple, you. When I first came to Hinatasou those three years ago I was chasing a childhood dream, a promise to two women. Mutsumi and you, I had preprogrammed myself to only love the ones in my dream. And never had the inclination that I might miss something more.

We, no I have chased this dream, and I have fulfilled it. I think back to all our trials and tribulations during the past few years, and will always hold those memories close to my heart. But if anything let's be honest with each other and say that we will always be friends, but neither of us will ever be romantic to each other. I apologize for always putting you on the spot during those times and even forcing myself onto you. I think the realization came when I also figured out how Shinobu felt about me. I could see the similarities in our relationship as well.

I'm not bitter, nor will ever be towards you and hope that you feel the same way towards me. The gift I got you is from my heart, as you have a drive to succeed and to you only the best will do. That is way I choose this for you, let it carry the future for you. I also want you to know that as your friend I will always look out for you. Its time for you and I to make a new promise, simply that we are friends forever, and nothing nor nobody will become between us. Is that ok?

There is one more thing I want to tell you about, and this is that there is one that I love and right now she is finding out about it..."

Naru dropped the letter her eyes as big as saucers. There were no tears, as they weren't needed. He was right, there was no pain, just acceptance. She thought about the last line and giggled to herself about it, 'Well he better watch out, he thought I would get pissed' She couldn't help but laugh, as she emptied the stuffing from her new bag, and placed her school books into it.

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Motoko entered her room thinking, 'How dare that vile male enter my room.' She found her 'present' laying on top the futon. A simple red rose and a note that said meet me on the roof. Her heart started to beat faster as she picked up the rose and smelled it. The note was simple and direct. Before she walked out of the room, she carefully placed the rose on her dresser.

She found him sitting in his old spot, facing away looking at the city lights. "Urashima?" she asked quietly. He stirred a bit and turned around to face her, motioning for her to sit in front of him. As she approached, he smiled at her, "No one is around, Motoko-chan, you can call me Keitaro." She stammered a bit and replied, "That would be discourteous and would not show the proper respect." He shrugged and waited for her to get situated.

He pulled a letter out of his jacket pocket along with a small wrapped box. "Hope you don't mind, but I wanted to give this to you in person, and if you would allow me to read to you the letter as well?" She only nodded at him, her heart was racing and yet she didn't know what to expect from him.

He started to read the letter...

Dear Motoko

Where do I begin to explain to you? All of the things that have happened tonight were set in motion months ago, when I left for America. I thought I was running away, hiding out with Seta-san where I would be safe. But something happened that I could never explain if I tried, nor would I. I spent so much time deep in thought, so worried about how Naru felt, that soon I began to see how everyone felt about me. From Sara to you and back again.

I found myself thinking about my relationship with Naru, in more clear tones, and found that I did love her, but only that of a friend. I felt relieved, but I couldn't bring myself to answer why? Until one day I was training with Seta-san and it became clear. I thought back to a duel and a challenge imposed on me, and the woman I brought back from the rain. Something inside me was released, and my body no longer felt any pain.

Visions crossed my mind's eye. Catching this girl after she was surprised by Su, a touch at the dinner table, seeing her try to honor a defeat by letting Mitsune dress her, being a target so she could learn a new technique, seeing her enjoy her art more, having her ask me to help her in her studies, posing to be her boyfriend, and the events that followed, but most of all a question that was asked to me. 'Would it be so bad' kept flashing in my mind. And then the answer to that question came to me.

He was folding the letter back up and placing it inside his jacket, continuing without it.

"It was at that moment, I saw you, and understood you Motoko-chan. I know how you feel towards me, you hide your emotions under your warrior side, but still I see it. You stand back hoping to honor your friends, and I tell you that there is no one standing between us now. It's just you and I here, I told Naru how I felt towards her, that she is a friend only to me. And now I tell you Aoyama Motoko, that... I love you."

Motoko's eyes were closed as tears were streaming down her face, listening to all of this, trying to understand. Her inner voice was screaming at her to close the distance and embrace him, hold him forever and not let go. Her other voice telling her to smite the vile male before he made her weak. He could see the storm raging in her, the two sides fighting against each other. He only placed the box before her and said, "Open your present."

His words penetrated her turmoil, as she reached out and took the tiny box. Her hands taking the paper off, and she moved the small latch that held it closed, lifting the top to see what was inside. Her warrior side screamed , 'destroy it now, and kill him, or we will be cast amongst the weak', the other side was dancing yelling, 'YES YES YES!' Her emotions fighting with each other, but there was a sense of relief, calm, warmth, and something else spreading through out her as she looked at the item in the box. Her warrior side screamed, 'Its weakness!", but the other side, her heart said, 'Does it feel like weakness to you? Where do we draw our power from?" She realized that the other feeling, that she has suppressed for so long towards Keitaro was love, and with that realization, she felt a surge of strength flow into her.

"Yes", her words were soft and near a whisper, as she turned her tear stained face towards the man she loved, Keitaro. She found herself being drawn towards his lips, she was blushing so hard that it almost hurt, but she needed to touch them, and she surrendered.

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A knock came on the door and a cheerful voice called out, "Sempai breakfast is ready." Keitaro stirred, and answered back, "Ok Shinobu, I will be there soon." He tried to move but found himself held down. He looked at the source of the weight and found his love Motoko wrapped around him, motionless, breathing deeply as she slept. He nudged her and she stirred, "Shinobu was calling for breakfast, Mo-chan"

She looked up into his eyes, yawning and snuggling in closer. With a husky voice she said, "You want to eat breakfast or stay here with me?" It took him less than a second to answer, "Maybe lunch then?" They both blushed and settled back down into the futon. Motoko raised her hand out from the sheets and let her hand touch the sunlight. The rays of the sun caught and sparkled in the diamond that was on the ring, she glanced at the beautiful sight it made, and with a giggle she grabbed the sheet and pulled it over them saying, "You vile pervert" laughing as she did.

End of story...

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