AN: Greeting to all and many thanks again for all your postive reviews! I also have special thanks to my fellow writers on AIM who have supported my works and gave me insights to improve myself!
Hope you all enjoy!
As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu. Original characters belong to me and may be used with permission.
Bloodstained Heritage
Chapter 4: Deceit
Shinobu's possessed body took in a deep breath through her nose with her eyes closed, before opening them again to reveal the glowing emerald orbs and an evil smile crossing her face. By now the spirits which have been floating aimlessly around her have also locked their attention on the pair of swordswomen and Keitaro, while the green flames cast an odd gloom over her features.
"I do love the smell of fear..." Shinobu's body spoke with a chuckle. "So tell me, which of you wants the honor of dying first?"
"I would know who my opponent is first..." Motoko narrowed her eyes as she assumed an offensive pose. "...So that the clan historians can properly record what foul beast I've sent screaming to hell!"
"Then know this, foolish samurai..." Shinobu's body smiled as the green flames wreathed around her body, forming the look of a young man with stab wounds. "...I am the essence of those who have died against their will..." The flames changed again to form an old man with radiation sickness like the history photos of World War two. "...Those who have died and have been unavenged..." The flames changed once more, and everyone gasped at seeing a young samurai with a ponytail glaring down at them, dressed in a similar fashion as the Shinmei-Ryu disciples and complete with a daisho. "...And of those who are filled with rage!"
"I've heard of you, abomination..." Tsuruko growled. "...You're Tsunari, the Vengence..." She also assumed an offensive stance. "...You're a stain upon our clan's honor, our ancestors banished you before, and we shall do so again!"
"Glad to be remembered..." The samurai spirit grinned. "...And a lot of good banishment did for your ancestors, because I returned and killed every single one of them..." He then smiled before turning into an old lady with the same uniform, causing the two sisters to gasp in shock. "...What, don't remember your dear Grandmother?" The figure chuckled before disappearing, revealing Shinobu once more, grinning evily. "...She was entertaining to kill, even put up a decent fight..."
"You bastard!" Motoko roared. "Not even the devil himself will recognize you when I send you to hell!" The swordswoman swung with all her might, just as the flames around Shinobu formed a blazing sword and shot towards Motoko. Just before impact, both stood in shock as Keitaro leaped between the two, the cold steel of Motoko's sword biting into his shoulder, just as the flaming sword burnt into his side.
"Urashima...!" Motoko gasped, taking a step back as the young man slumped to the floor. "Why...?"
"Don't...!" Keitaro replied with gritted teeth. "I can't let any of you get hurt because of me..." He then slowly rose to his feet. "Besides, we can't attack him... He still possesses Shinobu's body..."
"Sharp kid." An evil smile crossed Shinobu's face as a fist-shaped flame backhanded Keitaro into a corner. "I'll enjoy killing you last..." She then turned towards Motoko and Tsuruko, flames wreathing around and turning Shinobu into the samurai once more. "But first, persistent demon-hunting cockroaches..."
The Shinmei-Ryu disciples stood their ground, despite their hearts being gripped by fear...
"I can't believe I'm doing this..." Kitsune sighed as she uncapped another sake bottle from her large collection...
"Come on Kitsune!" Naru grumbled. "They're all in trouble! We can get your bottles back later!" She then handed the bottles over to Kaolla, who loaded them into a super-sized version of a water cannon, with the sake being the liquid ammo. Grinning evily in military combat fatigues, Kaolla thumbed the trigger mechanism and watched as several gallons of sake shot out in a high pressure stream and douse Shinobu's possessed body. The three women cheered as they saw that the spirit had disappeared under the torrent of sake, but gasped in surprise as the room was suddenly exploded in green flames as the spirit body turned towards them.
"That tickled." The samurai raised an eyebrow, then pointed towards them. "Go ahead and waste all the sake that you want, I'll come after you as soon as I'm done here." As he spoke, the two swordswomen began manuvering to surround the spirit, who noticed quickly and turned to face them once more.
"My strike alone will not be enough, Motoko." Tsuruko whispered as she continued to try and move around her opponent. "I will need you to perform the strike of exorcism at the same exact moment as me." Seeing her sister's surprised look, she shook her head. "We will only get one chance, failure means doom for us all..."
"But I can't!" Motoko gaped at her older sister. "I just learned the technique only a couple days ago! What if I didn't channel the ki properly...?"
"Exorcise me?" The samurai chuckled, then reverted to Shinobu's appearance. "Go ahead and try, little ones." Blazing green eyes narrowed as her lips curled into an evil grin. "I like a bit of sport before the slaughter, anyways..." Her eyes shot wide open in surprise as Keitaro leapt up from behind, restraining her arms and holding her down.
"Hurry!" Keitaro shouted, the spirits and flames dancing angrily around him. "I can't hold her down for much longer!" Seeing Motoko's indecision, he smiled reassuringly. "Do it Motoko, I believe in you..." The comment made the younger swordswoman look at him in surprise, as she watched Keitaro struggle to hold down Shinobu. A determined look now in her eyes, Motoko nodded silently to Tsuruko, and the two held their katanas overhead as blue energies began coursing through the metal. As one, the two swordswomen roared and shot a burst of energy towards the spirit...
The attacks hit on the mark, sending Shinobu and Keitaro back into the wall from the force of the impact. Cushioned by Keitaro, Shinobu surprised him by looking up with a weak smile and her deep blue eyes.
"Keitaro..." Shinobu whispered, touching his cheek with her hand, before slumping back into unconciousness. The two swordswomen quickly rushed to his side, and the three breathed a sigh of relief as Tsuruko informed them that Shinobu would be fine. A cackling laughter made them look over their shoulders, and all three froze at what they saw...
The spirit continued to float in the air, but seemed larger and even more menacing from not possessing a body. Snarling in anger, the spirit drew his katana as he glared down at the group, his eyes blazing with anger. "Annoying pests!" Tsunari spat, raising his weapon high above his head. "I'll start with you!" With blinding speed, the sword soared through the air like a blazing comet towards Motoko, but everyone gasped as Keitaro leapt forward once more, this time taking the sword in his stomach.
"Damned fool!" The spirit grumbled, withdrawing the blade and watching the young man slump to the ground. "How can you still move after..." He then raised an eyebrow at seeing his wounds on his shoulder and side have almost completely vanished, and grinned in realization. Before he could act again, the two swordswomen sprinted past him on both sides, and he roared in pain as two swords slashed through his sides. Growling in anger, Tsunari turned and glared at the two sisters, his wounds slowly closing. "How...?"
"Holy steel." Motoko exclaimed, holding up her sword. "Sanctified by the highest order of Shinto monks..." The spirit was seething in rage as the swordswomen prepared for another strike, but smiled as the lights in the house grew extremely bright for a short second, before exploding from overload. Tsanuri then began to laugh as a familiar black form rose beside him, as several tenants gasped in recognition.
"Hakon?!" Naru blinked, still shaken from her last experience with the soul vampire.
"Not quite as bloodthirsty." The shadow replied with a calm voice. "Though just as deadly." He then turned to look at Kaolla just as she prepared to fire the cannon again. Raising a clawed hand, the figure clenched it into a fist as he narrowed his pale blue eyes. With a startled yelp, the foreign inventor quickly leapt off as the machine began shaking, and exploded shortly afterwards. "Pathetic, I do not know how Hakon could lose to this rabble..." The figure commented, glancing over at the evil spirit.
"Nice to have you as backup..." The spirit smiled at his companion. "But this hunt is mine, don't interfere!"
"On the contrary." The shadowy figure replied. "The council has requested to regroup, you are to return."
"WHAT?!" The spirit stared at his companion in a mixture of shock and disbelief, but found him already disappearing into the shadows. Cursing, Tsunari turned and glared at the tenants. "This isn't over yet!" He then laughed as his form was engulfed in green flames, and disappeared in a flash.
"No one escapes the Syndicate!" The group blinked at the spot where the spirit once was, but then quickly rushed to tend to Keitaro...
Tsunari glared at his fellow council members, his eyes showing his anger and disappointment at being ordered away from combat. Nontheless, he obeyed their wishes, as he knew that the Syndicate worked with cooperation, rather than independant actions. Having possessed a civilian who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, he resumed his appearence as the consumate businessman.
"Well?" The spirit asked with an annoyed look.
"I am sure that during your hunt, you have noticed that a member of the Shinmei-Ryu is currently residing at the Hinata-Sou." The businessman with blue eyes exclaimed. "Needless to say, this has complicated the matter of hunting down Urashima, as their swordmasters are hunters of our kin."
"I know full well what they are capable of!" Tsunari growled. "Need I remind you that of everyone present, I alone have the most experience combating the Aoyoma family and their pathetic line?"
"Experience is one thing, friend." The businessman in white cut in. "A grudge which may put our operation in risk is another." He then smiled at the spirit. "Coordinate our next attack, and I promise you that revenge against the kendo girl will be yours..."
"Fine then." Tsunari sighed. "Have we severed all outside ties with the tenants of the Hinata-Sou?"
"I already took care of their cook's little family." Hakon grinned, and everyone stared in surprise as he let out a loud belch and patted his stomach. Shaking their heads in disgust, the group began devising their next strategy...
Haruka sighed.
Having to watch her nephew survive enough punishment to kill a platoon of soldiers was one thing, but having to inform Shinobu of her parents' deaths was something else altogether. The young woman was already shaken from Keitaro's injuries, and simply broke down when she was informed by Haruka and the police of the news. Though it was difficult, the elder Urashima managed to take Shinobu into their custody temporarily, as all the tenants watched over Keitaro...
Haruka sighed again, the day couldn't possibly get worse.
Hearing the door open to her teashop, she raised her head to greet the customer, but her cheerful mask immediately fell apart at seeing the person walking in...
'Looks like today might get worse for him, after all...' Haruka thought, taking a drag from her ever-present cigarette.
Keitaro groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, and found himself looking up at the faces of five beautiful women. "Angels... I must be in heaven..." He commented quietly, causing the women around him to either smile, blush, or a combination of both. He was about to close his eyes again when recent events clicked in his head, and would've leapt up from his futon had the tenants not held him back down.
"Easy, tiger." Kitsune blinked. "If you're worried about the bad guys, they've left already."
"Yeah!" Kaolla added with a bright smile. "Motoko and her sister kicked them good!" Upon hearing that, Keitaro turned and thanked the swordswoman, who smiled slightly and shook her head.
"You have nothing to thank me for, Urashima." Motoko replied. "You threw yourself in harm's way to protect the innocent, against the hated foes of my school. I respect you for that, and vow to be by your side should they strike again."
"It's my fault that you're all in this mess to begin with..." Keitaro sighed, then looked up to see Naru place a cool damp cloth on his forehead.
"What happened was out of your control, Keitaro." Naru reassured the young man. "Besides, you helped protect all of us, especially Shinobu. That says a lot by itself." He then turned to the high schooler, who blushed slightly and nodded her thanks to him silently.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise." A kind voice chuckled behind the group. "I'd never expected young Keitaro to have this many young ladies caring for him..."
As one, the group looked towards the speaker, and all except Shinobu gasped in surprise.
"Granny Hina?!"
The owner of the Hinata-Sou, a kind old lady no more than three feet tall and wearing a traditional kimono, smiled at the gathered group. Her companion however, was a young woman with long black hair and wore a black and white business dress, whose expression darkened at seeing the fallen young man surrounded by the other tenants.
"Big brother..." The young woman quickly rushed to Keitaro's side, nearly bowling Naru and Shinobu aside. She then took one of his hands into hers. "Are you alright...? Who did this to you?"
Chuckling, Keitaro smiled up at the concerned woman. "Hello Kanako, nice to see you again..." The smile brought a small flush to her cheeks, as he turned to Granny Hina. "Granny, what are you doing back? I thought you were on vacation..."
"I was, but I came back after hearing about what happened." The old lady replied, then looked to the others around him. "If it's not too much trouble, could I have a moment with my grandchildren alone?" The tenants blinked at each other for a second, before Kanako rose from Keitaro's side, her eyes narrowed in anger.
"Didn't you hear Granny?!" The dark haired woman growled, causing even the usually unshakable Motoko to flinch at the fire in her eyes...
Tsuruko blinked in mild surprise outside of Keitaro's room, as she watched all the female tenants of the dorm being bodily flung out of the room. As the door slid shut, she struggled to stifle a laugh at seeing the tangle of bodies trying to free themselves. Kaolla was the first to crawl from the bodies, and blinked at the door to Keitaro's room.
"Wow Naru..." Kaolla smiled at the older woman. "She's definetly stronger than you when she gets mad!"
"The nerve!" Naru grumbled. "I'd show her a piece of my mind if she wasn't Keitaro's sister!"
"So, I assume you're all staying to listen in on what they're talking about?" Tsuruko smiled at the group, her hands crossed before her, and her daisho tucked into her obi.
"Um..." Shinobu looked up at the swordswoman timidly. "I don't know, I don't think it's right to spy on Keitaro..."
"I agree with Shinobu, sister." Motoko nodded. "We should honor Granny Hina's request, and give them the privacy they deserve."
"I'll believe that when I get a divorce..." Tsuruko grinned. "The poor boy who saved all of your lifes many times over is probably deciding on the course of his future, and none of you are curious in the slightest bit?" The comment made the tenants turn to look at each other, before they pressed their ears up against the screen door. Motoko joined her sister's side, their acute senses of hearing allowing them to listen in as if they were beside the others.
"You know, sister." Motoko glanced at Tsuruko with a mildly annoyed look. "I hate it when you're right..."
"You shouldn't." Tsuruko smiled in reply. "It seems like a regular occurence, anyways."
"First off, Keitaro..." Granny Hina smiled, handing a pen and a document over to her grandson. "...Be a dear and sign this form at the line, will you?" Confused, but trusting in his grandmother, the young man did as he was told. "Excellent." The old lady smiled, taking back the form and filing it away. "Since I'm constantly travelling, the government required that I designate someone who will be available in the country as the landlord." Keitaro's face paled as realization came to him as to what he had signed.
"No..." Keitaro's eyes widened. "NO! I can't stay here any longer, Granny!" He then sat up, despite Kanako's efforts to try and keep him resting on his back. "If I stay any longer, the risk of someone getting hurt gets worse!"
"They will be persistent, Keitaro." Granny Hina sighed. "They are villians with no morals, dear child. What makes you believe the others will no longer be at risk simply because you leave?" She then looked at Keitaro in the eyes. "No, it's time to confront your past... You must defend yourself, through defending the others..." She then lifted a wrapped package from her bag and held it in front of him.
Sighing, Keitaro took the package and unwrapped it partially, revealing a beautiful black katana in its sheath. "I thought I never had to see this thing again..." He then looked between his sister and grandmother, before nodding quietly. "I accept the position of landlord, Granny, provided the others will accept me..."
"I'm sure they will, Big brother." Kanako smiled, then walked over and opened the screen door, spilling all the tenants except for Motoko and Tsuruko into the room. "Right, everyone?" Kanako asked, grinning at the women who were previously spying in on the conversations. As one, the tenants agreed heartily, as they were more than grateful for Keitaro's efforts around the dorm.
Keitaro smiled slightly with everyone's acceptance, still clutching the dark katana in his arms. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he stood, drawing concerned looks from everyone else except Kanako and the Shinmei-Ryu swordwomen, who shared the same look as Keitaro on their faces.
"Someone's at the front door..." Keitaro whispered, and made his way towards the said location, with his sister and the two swordswomen following close behind, ready to defend the dorm once more. As the landlord slid the door open, he blinked in surprise at the sight that greeted him. "You again...?!"
"Oh my!" A businesswoman wearing a blue and white business suit smiled at Keitaro, a finger playing with her long black hair. "You're that artist from the other day, fancy meeting you here!"
"What are the chances of that?" Her comapanion, who appeared to be an identical twin, smiled as well. "We've actually heard that this was an all- girl's dormitory..." Her deep brown eyes, coupled with the elegant red oriental dress she wore, seemed to put a sudden stop to Keitaro's thoughts. "...So we were wondering, are there any more rooms available...?"
Like? No like? Please review!
To the readers, my humblest apoligies, I've been tied up for awhile on top of wanting to make this chapter the best I can. I hope you've enjoyed, and stay tuned as more is on the way!
Hope you all enjoy!
As always, Love Hina and its characters belong to Ken Akamatsu. Original characters belong to me and may be used with permission.
Bloodstained Heritage
Chapter 4: Deceit
Shinobu's possessed body took in a deep breath through her nose with her eyes closed, before opening them again to reveal the glowing emerald orbs and an evil smile crossing her face. By now the spirits which have been floating aimlessly around her have also locked their attention on the pair of swordswomen and Keitaro, while the green flames cast an odd gloom over her features.
"I do love the smell of fear..." Shinobu's body spoke with a chuckle. "So tell me, which of you wants the honor of dying first?"
"I would know who my opponent is first..." Motoko narrowed her eyes as she assumed an offensive pose. "...So that the clan historians can properly record what foul beast I've sent screaming to hell!"
"Then know this, foolish samurai..." Shinobu's body smiled as the green flames wreathed around her body, forming the look of a young man with stab wounds. "...I am the essence of those who have died against their will..." The flames changed again to form an old man with radiation sickness like the history photos of World War two. "...Those who have died and have been unavenged..." The flames changed once more, and everyone gasped at seeing a young samurai with a ponytail glaring down at them, dressed in a similar fashion as the Shinmei-Ryu disciples and complete with a daisho. "...And of those who are filled with rage!"
"I've heard of you, abomination..." Tsuruko growled. "...You're Tsunari, the Vengence..." She also assumed an offensive stance. "...You're a stain upon our clan's honor, our ancestors banished you before, and we shall do so again!"
"Glad to be remembered..." The samurai spirit grinned. "...And a lot of good banishment did for your ancestors, because I returned and killed every single one of them..." He then smiled before turning into an old lady with the same uniform, causing the two sisters to gasp in shock. "...What, don't remember your dear Grandmother?" The figure chuckled before disappearing, revealing Shinobu once more, grinning evily. "...She was entertaining to kill, even put up a decent fight..."
"You bastard!" Motoko roared. "Not even the devil himself will recognize you when I send you to hell!" The swordswoman swung with all her might, just as the flames around Shinobu formed a blazing sword and shot towards Motoko. Just before impact, both stood in shock as Keitaro leaped between the two, the cold steel of Motoko's sword biting into his shoulder, just as the flaming sword burnt into his side.
"Urashima...!" Motoko gasped, taking a step back as the young man slumped to the floor. "Why...?"
"Don't...!" Keitaro replied with gritted teeth. "I can't let any of you get hurt because of me..." He then slowly rose to his feet. "Besides, we can't attack him... He still possesses Shinobu's body..."
"Sharp kid." An evil smile crossed Shinobu's face as a fist-shaped flame backhanded Keitaro into a corner. "I'll enjoy killing you last..." She then turned towards Motoko and Tsuruko, flames wreathing around and turning Shinobu into the samurai once more. "But first, persistent demon-hunting cockroaches..."
The Shinmei-Ryu disciples stood their ground, despite their hearts being gripped by fear...
"I can't believe I'm doing this..." Kitsune sighed as she uncapped another sake bottle from her large collection...
"Come on Kitsune!" Naru grumbled. "They're all in trouble! We can get your bottles back later!" She then handed the bottles over to Kaolla, who loaded them into a super-sized version of a water cannon, with the sake being the liquid ammo. Grinning evily in military combat fatigues, Kaolla thumbed the trigger mechanism and watched as several gallons of sake shot out in a high pressure stream and douse Shinobu's possessed body. The three women cheered as they saw that the spirit had disappeared under the torrent of sake, but gasped in surprise as the room was suddenly exploded in green flames as the spirit body turned towards them.
"That tickled." The samurai raised an eyebrow, then pointed towards them. "Go ahead and waste all the sake that you want, I'll come after you as soon as I'm done here." As he spoke, the two swordswomen began manuvering to surround the spirit, who noticed quickly and turned to face them once more.
"My strike alone will not be enough, Motoko." Tsuruko whispered as she continued to try and move around her opponent. "I will need you to perform the strike of exorcism at the same exact moment as me." Seeing her sister's surprised look, she shook her head. "We will only get one chance, failure means doom for us all..."
"But I can't!" Motoko gaped at her older sister. "I just learned the technique only a couple days ago! What if I didn't channel the ki properly...?"
"Exorcise me?" The samurai chuckled, then reverted to Shinobu's appearance. "Go ahead and try, little ones." Blazing green eyes narrowed as her lips curled into an evil grin. "I like a bit of sport before the slaughter, anyways..." Her eyes shot wide open in surprise as Keitaro leapt up from behind, restraining her arms and holding her down.
"Hurry!" Keitaro shouted, the spirits and flames dancing angrily around him. "I can't hold her down for much longer!" Seeing Motoko's indecision, he smiled reassuringly. "Do it Motoko, I believe in you..." The comment made the younger swordswoman look at him in surprise, as she watched Keitaro struggle to hold down Shinobu. A determined look now in her eyes, Motoko nodded silently to Tsuruko, and the two held their katanas overhead as blue energies began coursing through the metal. As one, the two swordswomen roared and shot a burst of energy towards the spirit...
The attacks hit on the mark, sending Shinobu and Keitaro back into the wall from the force of the impact. Cushioned by Keitaro, Shinobu surprised him by looking up with a weak smile and her deep blue eyes.
"Keitaro..." Shinobu whispered, touching his cheek with her hand, before slumping back into unconciousness. The two swordswomen quickly rushed to his side, and the three breathed a sigh of relief as Tsuruko informed them that Shinobu would be fine. A cackling laughter made them look over their shoulders, and all three froze at what they saw...
The spirit continued to float in the air, but seemed larger and even more menacing from not possessing a body. Snarling in anger, the spirit drew his katana as he glared down at the group, his eyes blazing with anger. "Annoying pests!" Tsunari spat, raising his weapon high above his head. "I'll start with you!" With blinding speed, the sword soared through the air like a blazing comet towards Motoko, but everyone gasped as Keitaro leapt forward once more, this time taking the sword in his stomach.
"Damned fool!" The spirit grumbled, withdrawing the blade and watching the young man slump to the ground. "How can you still move after..." He then raised an eyebrow at seeing his wounds on his shoulder and side have almost completely vanished, and grinned in realization. Before he could act again, the two swordswomen sprinted past him on both sides, and he roared in pain as two swords slashed through his sides. Growling in anger, Tsunari turned and glared at the two sisters, his wounds slowly closing. "How...?"
"Holy steel." Motoko exclaimed, holding up her sword. "Sanctified by the highest order of Shinto monks..." The spirit was seething in rage as the swordswomen prepared for another strike, but smiled as the lights in the house grew extremely bright for a short second, before exploding from overload. Tsanuri then began to laugh as a familiar black form rose beside him, as several tenants gasped in recognition.
"Hakon?!" Naru blinked, still shaken from her last experience with the soul vampire.
"Not quite as bloodthirsty." The shadow replied with a calm voice. "Though just as deadly." He then turned to look at Kaolla just as she prepared to fire the cannon again. Raising a clawed hand, the figure clenched it into a fist as he narrowed his pale blue eyes. With a startled yelp, the foreign inventor quickly leapt off as the machine began shaking, and exploded shortly afterwards. "Pathetic, I do not know how Hakon could lose to this rabble..." The figure commented, glancing over at the evil spirit.
"Nice to have you as backup..." The spirit smiled at his companion. "But this hunt is mine, don't interfere!"
"On the contrary." The shadowy figure replied. "The council has requested to regroup, you are to return."
"WHAT?!" The spirit stared at his companion in a mixture of shock and disbelief, but found him already disappearing into the shadows. Cursing, Tsunari turned and glared at the tenants. "This isn't over yet!" He then laughed as his form was engulfed in green flames, and disappeared in a flash.
"No one escapes the Syndicate!" The group blinked at the spot where the spirit once was, but then quickly rushed to tend to Keitaro...
Tsunari glared at his fellow council members, his eyes showing his anger and disappointment at being ordered away from combat. Nontheless, he obeyed their wishes, as he knew that the Syndicate worked with cooperation, rather than independant actions. Having possessed a civilian who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, he resumed his appearence as the consumate businessman.
"Well?" The spirit asked with an annoyed look.
"I am sure that during your hunt, you have noticed that a member of the Shinmei-Ryu is currently residing at the Hinata-Sou." The businessman with blue eyes exclaimed. "Needless to say, this has complicated the matter of hunting down Urashima, as their swordmasters are hunters of our kin."
"I know full well what they are capable of!" Tsunari growled. "Need I remind you that of everyone present, I alone have the most experience combating the Aoyoma family and their pathetic line?"
"Experience is one thing, friend." The businessman in white cut in. "A grudge which may put our operation in risk is another." He then smiled at the spirit. "Coordinate our next attack, and I promise you that revenge against the kendo girl will be yours..."
"Fine then." Tsunari sighed. "Have we severed all outside ties with the tenants of the Hinata-Sou?"
"I already took care of their cook's little family." Hakon grinned, and everyone stared in surprise as he let out a loud belch and patted his stomach. Shaking their heads in disgust, the group began devising their next strategy...
Haruka sighed.
Having to watch her nephew survive enough punishment to kill a platoon of soldiers was one thing, but having to inform Shinobu of her parents' deaths was something else altogether. The young woman was already shaken from Keitaro's injuries, and simply broke down when she was informed by Haruka and the police of the news. Though it was difficult, the elder Urashima managed to take Shinobu into their custody temporarily, as all the tenants watched over Keitaro...
Haruka sighed again, the day couldn't possibly get worse.
Hearing the door open to her teashop, she raised her head to greet the customer, but her cheerful mask immediately fell apart at seeing the person walking in...
'Looks like today might get worse for him, after all...' Haruka thought, taking a drag from her ever-present cigarette.
Keitaro groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, and found himself looking up at the faces of five beautiful women. "Angels... I must be in heaven..." He commented quietly, causing the women around him to either smile, blush, or a combination of both. He was about to close his eyes again when recent events clicked in his head, and would've leapt up from his futon had the tenants not held him back down.
"Easy, tiger." Kitsune blinked. "If you're worried about the bad guys, they've left already."
"Yeah!" Kaolla added with a bright smile. "Motoko and her sister kicked them good!" Upon hearing that, Keitaro turned and thanked the swordswoman, who smiled slightly and shook her head.
"You have nothing to thank me for, Urashima." Motoko replied. "You threw yourself in harm's way to protect the innocent, against the hated foes of my school. I respect you for that, and vow to be by your side should they strike again."
"It's my fault that you're all in this mess to begin with..." Keitaro sighed, then looked up to see Naru place a cool damp cloth on his forehead.
"What happened was out of your control, Keitaro." Naru reassured the young man. "Besides, you helped protect all of us, especially Shinobu. That says a lot by itself." He then turned to the high schooler, who blushed slightly and nodded her thanks to him silently.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise." A kind voice chuckled behind the group. "I'd never expected young Keitaro to have this many young ladies caring for him..."
As one, the group looked towards the speaker, and all except Shinobu gasped in surprise.
"Granny Hina?!"
The owner of the Hinata-Sou, a kind old lady no more than three feet tall and wearing a traditional kimono, smiled at the gathered group. Her companion however, was a young woman with long black hair and wore a black and white business dress, whose expression darkened at seeing the fallen young man surrounded by the other tenants.
"Big brother..." The young woman quickly rushed to Keitaro's side, nearly bowling Naru and Shinobu aside. She then took one of his hands into hers. "Are you alright...? Who did this to you?"
Chuckling, Keitaro smiled up at the concerned woman. "Hello Kanako, nice to see you again..." The smile brought a small flush to her cheeks, as he turned to Granny Hina. "Granny, what are you doing back? I thought you were on vacation..."
"I was, but I came back after hearing about what happened." The old lady replied, then looked to the others around him. "If it's not too much trouble, could I have a moment with my grandchildren alone?" The tenants blinked at each other for a second, before Kanako rose from Keitaro's side, her eyes narrowed in anger.
"Didn't you hear Granny?!" The dark haired woman growled, causing even the usually unshakable Motoko to flinch at the fire in her eyes...
Tsuruko blinked in mild surprise outside of Keitaro's room, as she watched all the female tenants of the dorm being bodily flung out of the room. As the door slid shut, she struggled to stifle a laugh at seeing the tangle of bodies trying to free themselves. Kaolla was the first to crawl from the bodies, and blinked at the door to Keitaro's room.
"Wow Naru..." Kaolla smiled at the older woman. "She's definetly stronger than you when she gets mad!"
"The nerve!" Naru grumbled. "I'd show her a piece of my mind if she wasn't Keitaro's sister!"
"So, I assume you're all staying to listen in on what they're talking about?" Tsuruko smiled at the group, her hands crossed before her, and her daisho tucked into her obi.
"Um..." Shinobu looked up at the swordswoman timidly. "I don't know, I don't think it's right to spy on Keitaro..."
"I agree with Shinobu, sister." Motoko nodded. "We should honor Granny Hina's request, and give them the privacy they deserve."
"I'll believe that when I get a divorce..." Tsuruko grinned. "The poor boy who saved all of your lifes many times over is probably deciding on the course of his future, and none of you are curious in the slightest bit?" The comment made the tenants turn to look at each other, before they pressed their ears up against the screen door. Motoko joined her sister's side, their acute senses of hearing allowing them to listen in as if they were beside the others.
"You know, sister." Motoko glanced at Tsuruko with a mildly annoyed look. "I hate it when you're right..."
"You shouldn't." Tsuruko smiled in reply. "It seems like a regular occurence, anyways."
"First off, Keitaro..." Granny Hina smiled, handing a pen and a document over to her grandson. "...Be a dear and sign this form at the line, will you?" Confused, but trusting in his grandmother, the young man did as he was told. "Excellent." The old lady smiled, taking back the form and filing it away. "Since I'm constantly travelling, the government required that I designate someone who will be available in the country as the landlord." Keitaro's face paled as realization came to him as to what he had signed.
"No..." Keitaro's eyes widened. "NO! I can't stay here any longer, Granny!" He then sat up, despite Kanako's efforts to try and keep him resting on his back. "If I stay any longer, the risk of someone getting hurt gets worse!"
"They will be persistent, Keitaro." Granny Hina sighed. "They are villians with no morals, dear child. What makes you believe the others will no longer be at risk simply because you leave?" She then looked at Keitaro in the eyes. "No, it's time to confront your past... You must defend yourself, through defending the others..." She then lifted a wrapped package from her bag and held it in front of him.
Sighing, Keitaro took the package and unwrapped it partially, revealing a beautiful black katana in its sheath. "I thought I never had to see this thing again..." He then looked between his sister and grandmother, before nodding quietly. "I accept the position of landlord, Granny, provided the others will accept me..."
"I'm sure they will, Big brother." Kanako smiled, then walked over and opened the screen door, spilling all the tenants except for Motoko and Tsuruko into the room. "Right, everyone?" Kanako asked, grinning at the women who were previously spying in on the conversations. As one, the tenants agreed heartily, as they were more than grateful for Keitaro's efforts around the dorm.
Keitaro smiled slightly with everyone's acceptance, still clutching the dark katana in his arms. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he stood, drawing concerned looks from everyone else except Kanako and the Shinmei-Ryu swordwomen, who shared the same look as Keitaro on their faces.
"Someone's at the front door..." Keitaro whispered, and made his way towards the said location, with his sister and the two swordswomen following close behind, ready to defend the dorm once more. As the landlord slid the door open, he blinked in surprise at the sight that greeted him. "You again...?!"
"Oh my!" A businesswoman wearing a blue and white business suit smiled at Keitaro, a finger playing with her long black hair. "You're that artist from the other day, fancy meeting you here!"
"What are the chances of that?" Her comapanion, who appeared to be an identical twin, smiled as well. "We've actually heard that this was an all- girl's dormitory..." Her deep brown eyes, coupled with the elegant red oriental dress she wore, seemed to put a sudden stop to Keitaro's thoughts. "...So we were wondering, are there any more rooms available...?"
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To the readers, my humblest apoligies, I've been tied up for awhile on top of wanting to make this chapter the best I can. I hope you've enjoyed, and stay tuned as more is on the way!