And the saga revolving around our infamous weakling landlord continues........
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Love Hina, all rights belong to Ken Akamatsu. I am just a high school student who loves to write fanfiction and( has no other life.)-(j/k)
SACRIFICES FOR LOVE
By: KiMitsukai
Chapt. 7: Omae O Korosu! Kei-kun!!!! (Translation: I'll Kill You! Kei-kun!!!!)
~*Naru's POV*~
The sound of fist against metal disturbed the peaceful stillness of the early evening. Someone had knocked on a heavy hospital door. The room's occupant had only moments ago been in a calming sleep. The young woman in the hospital bed stirred as she slowly opened her eyes. The pupils of her eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room. She sat up in bed and looked towards the source of disturbance. "Come in..."
Katsu entered the room, however, he looked different. He wasn't wearing his usual doctor's jacket, but brown jeans and a tan and white striped shirt. When Naru had taken his appearance in fully, she almost laughed. "Whats with the professor look?"
Katsu ignored her comment with a smile as he walked over to her bedside. He gently placed his hand upon her forehead. "It seems to me that your fever is gone. I have reservations tonight at The Yuniko. Would you like to come with me?"
'Whoa, that was very out of the blue! I think he is hitting on me! Should my doctor really be taking me out like this?' She thought to herself while staring at Katsu. He looked so adorable; standing there and smiling at her with his friendly eyes. 'He looks so cute though,.....' She nodded. "Yes, I'd be happy to go with you."
He withdrew his hand, which he hadn't realized was still placed on her forehead, and wrapped his arms around her in an embrace that took Naru very much by surprise. "Good, I was hoping you'd say "yes"! Oh, and by the way, its a fancy place, so dress nicely, okay?"
She nodded while smiling. "I will." 'Fancy place, huh? Well then, I know for sure that I won't see Keitaro there. Theres no way that he could afford a place like this.'
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Keitaro? Are you ready yet? We have to get going soon!" Xueluan yelled up the stairwell to her new roommate.
"Almost! I just need one more second!" Keitaro nervously looked around his room, searching for his favorite tie. 'Oh man, it really doesn't help that my vision is still blurry. I can hardly see a thing!' He thought to himself franticly. 'Even with my glasses on, I still can't really make out anything! I really feel like such a blind bat.' "I'm so pathetic." He whispered to himself.
"Your not pathetic. Your just temporarily without vision." Xueluan had appeared in Keitaro's doorway and she had overheard Keitaro talking to himself.
"Yeah, same thing...." Keitaro retorted dejectedly.
"Now, we really have to be going. Whats the hold up?"
"I, I can't find my favorite black tie......" Shame and embaressment in his tone of voice.
"Oh, its right here." She picked up his black tie from on top of his dresser which had been laying in plain sight. "I take it that your vision isn't back yet, am I right?" He nodded sadly. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you find your way. With me, you'll never be lost again." She winked at him.
Keitaro wasn't sure how to react. After all, he still loved Naru, or did he? There was something about Xueluan that stirred something suppressed and latent within himself. And, he was enjoying the feeling very much so, so much that at times he scared himself. She took the silk tie in her hands and walked over to Keitaro. She slipped the tie around his neck and under his shirt's collar, with a seductive air. Keitaro gulped, took the ends of the tie, and quickly tied it himself. 'No matter how much I like her, I still love Naru. Xueluan is just my roommate-nothing more!' His last thought was more like a thought to convince himself.
~*Naru's POV*~
Upstairs in Katsu's apartment, Naru sat at a vanity in a bedroom on the second floor of the flat. She smiled to her reflection in the mirror before her with pleased satisfaction with her appearance. She applied some rouge to her cheeks and some lovely glossy strawberry lipstick to her smooth lips. Naru's eyes were adorned with shimmering pink eyeshadow and volumizing ebony mascara.
She was wearing a simple satin rose colored cocktail gown. The dress was sleeveless, it had a v-cut neckline, and the hem of the dress was above the knee. Upon her feet where strapless dark pink high heels. To add to the glamor of it all, she even painted her finger and toe nails a glossy pink shade. She had her hair up for a change, decorated in a French twist with a pink carnation pinned in the crest of the twist.
She stood and straightened out the wrinkles in her dress. She picked up her pink handbag, which was outlined in clear jewel studs. She then realized that she had forgotten to put some jewelry on. She placed her bag back down and once more sat at her vanity.
"Naru? Are you ready yet? We really must be going!" Katsu yelled up the stairs. "I know you had to find something out of my sister's things, 'cause you don't have anything like that with you, but you should be ready by now."
"I'm almost done! Just adding some finishing touches." She yelled back down to him. 'His sister really has good taste, even though I'm not too fond of pink, the quality is great! We've even got a close dress size, although I do have to admit, it is a little snug on me. Maybe I should consider a new diet....'
Naru's eyes then settled upon a glass jewelry box that was set directly under the vanity's mirror. She opened it's lid gently and peered inside to see many pieces of expensive jewelry; diamonds, gemstones, and precious stones. She picked up a pair of diamond tear-drop shaped hanging earrings. She put them on and instantly loved them. She looked further into the box and found a matching pendant necklace and put that on too. Then something rare drew her attention. In the far corner of the jewelry box was an interesting ring. It was a rose colored diamond, flawless, and it was cut in the shape of a blossomed rose. It's band was a bright sliver which highlighted the diamond. She loved it and placed it on her right ring finger. Little did Naru know that this ring held much history and value to Katsu.
She stood up, straightened her dress once more, grabbed her bag, and left the bedroom. She was at the top of the stairs when she looked down to stare into Katsu's eyes which were gazing back into hers with awe. As she walked down the stairs, it was if in slow motion. Katsu reached out and took her hand in his and led her from the stairs to the front door. Upon opening the door, he turned and stared into Naru's crystal-like orbs. He was dumbstruck by her beauty and left speechless. When he found his voice he said, "You look really beautiful."
Even though this was a stereotype answer, she couldn't help but blush. "Thank you..." Katsu was so sweeped away by her regal beauty, that he didn't realize that he was still holding her hand. "Um, Katsu?"
"Yes?"
"You can let go of my hand now,....."
He blushed and quickly removed his hand from hers, never noticing the rose ring on her finger. "Ah,..heh, sorry about that......"
She smiled. "Its okay...I didn't mind." Both blushed.
He slipped his arm through hers as he escorted her to his new black BMW. He opened the car door for her and helped her get inside. He closed the door and then got into the driver's seat. He buckled on his seatbelt, turned on the engine, and took off down the road. They drove to the restaurant in complete peaceful silence; enjoying one another's company.
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Really now!! I could have tied that for you!"
"I-I know, .....but I prefer to do it myself, thats all." He didn't look at her.
"What happens when you get married, Keitaro? Are you ever going to let your wife do things like this for you?"
He didn't like the tone her voice was taking. "Thats a completely different matter. Besides, I don't plan on getting married."
Xueluan's voice softened. "And whys that?"
"The one I love doesn't feel the same about me, and theres no one else in this world for me. So, if she won't have me, then I don't want anyone else."
"Aw,...come now...."
Keitaro cut her off. "There is no use discussing this any further. So please, just drop it." He said that a bit more forcefully then he meant to. Somewhere along the line, Keitaro had seemed to have gained an unknown strength of will. His weak, timid personality was slowly disappearing.
"Since when have you become so unapproachable? Your close to becoming Heero Yuy from Gundam Wing! Is something wrong Keitaro? I've never seen you like this before and your scaring me." She looked at him through worried eyes.
"Yea, ...theres always something wrong. Something I failed to do correctly, another person I love let down. My life is a complete wrong doing."
"Surely you don't mean that......"
He smiled skeptically, and then turned serious again. "No, I mean it. I let down the girl from my past. I failed to get into Tokyo U and so failed to keep my promise to the girl from my most recent past. To top it all off, now I have managed to acquire a serious disease. I just have the greatest luck with life, don't I?" He got so caught up in listing all his grievances, that by the end he was yelling.
"Calm down Keitaro! Really, you don't have to yell. I am standing right in front of you and last time I checked I still have my hearing."
"Ah, ....I'm sorry....."
"It's okay. How about we talk about this after we have a nice pleasant dinner together?" She smiled, trying to get him in a better mood. She hated seeing him so upset and moody.
He nodded. "Okay, sounds good to me. I just hope I don't ruin a nice evening for you."
"Believe me, anytime I spend with you is not ruined." Keitaro blushed.
~*Naru's POV*~
"Table for two." Katsu told the hostess.
"Name?" The hostess inquired.
"Kenta."
"Ah, right this way please." The hostess took two menus and led them to a table at the back of the restaurant. "A waiter will be with you in a moment."
"Thank you." Katsu said to the hostess as he pulled out a chair for Naru. Then he sat down himself. On the table was a bouquet of red roses. "I had these ordered for you. One dozen red roses. I hope you like them."
"I like them very much so. Thank you Katsu." She smiled and flipped open her menu to hide her crimson cheeks.
"Ah, it was my pleasure. I'm glad that you like them." The waiter had brought over a wine list and Katsu was perusing through it. "I think I'll order a glass of red wine. Would you like some?"
"Um Katsu, ....I'm only 19, I can't drink alcohol yet."
"Ah, your with me and I say you can."
"Besides, I'm still taking medicine. Isn't bad to drink while your on medication?"
"I think so, but you should learn how to live a little bit."
Slowly, another side of Katsu was being revealed to her. 'I guess one glass wouldn't hurt.' "Sure, I'll have a glass of white zinfindel."
"Okay, now your living." He winked at her.
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Well, we're here. It was a quick walk." She glanced at Keitaro. "And you were silent the whole time. Aren't you going to say anything to me?"
He had been daydreaming-of Naru. He snapped out of his thoughts and stared at Xueluan. "What? Oh,..yea, sorry..."
"Have you heard anything that I've said to you?"
He shook his head. "No, sorry...."
"Try and cheer up and have a good time. Or, is my company really that bad?"
"No! No, its not your company!"
"Then what is it?"
"I was just thinking about the past..."
She looked at him with a sad smile. "Everything will turn out alright, Keitaro."
"I hope so."
"But for now, try to have some fun."
"I'll try, but I'm not promising anything. I just have this feeling like the evenings not going to end well."
~*Naru's POV*~
'Ah! Finally, a nice evening without Keitaro ruining everything on me!' She looked over her menu at Katsu, who was intently reading the menu, trying to decide which dish he wanted to order. She smiled as she watched him, then she felt her cheeks grow hot, she lowered her gaze back to her menu.
As if sensing that he was being watched, he looked up at Naru just as she looked away. "Um Naru? Do you know what your going to order?"
She nodded. "Yes, but first I would like to know, would you like to share an appetizer with me?"
"Sure. Which one?"
"I was thinking the Yakitori. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes, its alright with me. I love yakitori!!" He smiled. "So, what are you going to have for dinner?"
"I think I'll have the Chicken Teriyaki."
"Good choice. I think I'll join you ."
A waiter walked by and Katsu flagged him down. "We're ready to order."
The waiter took out his pad and a pen. "What would you like Sir?"
"An appetizer of the Yakitori and two Chicken Teriyakis."
"Anything to drink Sir?"
"Oh yes, of course, our libations. I would like a glass of red wine and the lady will have a glass of white zinfindel."
The waiter eyed Naru. "She looks a bit young." He spoke directly to Naru. "How old are you Miss?"
'To lie or not to lie?' Katsu gave her a nod, motioning for her to say she's of drinking age. "I'm 20."
"Do you have some ID?"
She shook her head. "No, not on me."
The waiter dropped it. "Well, okay. I'll take your word for it. Your dinner should be ready shortly." He then pocketed his pad and pen as he walked towards another table.
Katsu winked at her. "Now, how did that feel? You passed inspection!" He was making light of the situation. However, Naru couldn't exactly rejoice with him. She had never done something like that and she felt a twinge of guilt for having lied.
"Yea, it felt great."
He didn't notice the falseness in her voice. "Please excuse me for a second. I have to visit the little boy's room." She nodded and he got up and walked towards the restrooms.
She sat there, idly playing with the ring on her finger. 'It kind of resembles an engagement ring. I wonder how it would look on my left hand.' She took the ring off her right hand and slipped it onto her left ring finger; the finger where a wedding band would fit. She stretched her hand out before her musing over how absurd a ring of any kind-(especially an engagement ring) would ever belong on her hand. 'I actually think I could eventually get used to this.' She smiled as she moved her hand so that the diamond reflected the overhead lights. 'However, I think I would only want that idiot to give me a ring like this.....'
She heard footsteps approaching from behind and immediately put her hand back in her lap. She didn't want Katsu to find out that she was wearing a ring on her left ring finger, so she kept her hands clasped together in her lap so as not to draw attention to herself.
"I'm back! Did you miss me?" Katsu walked around Naru and then sat down in his chair opposite his potential love interest.
"Hmm, you don't know how much I missed you."
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Table for two." Xueluan told the hostess of The Yuniko.
"Name?"
"Urashima." Xueluan answered without hesitation.
She picked up two menus. "This way please." The hostess led them to a table near the back of the restaurant. She placed the menus, one at each table setting. "A waiter will be with you shortly." Then she walked away while mumbling, "What's with all the couples tonight? I feel so alone....."
Keitaro pulled out a chair for Xueluan and then seated himself opposite her. She smiled at him, but he scowled in return. "Urashima, huh? Isn't that a little presumptuous?"
"Is it so wrong to think ahead?"
"What makes you think I'll marry you anyway?!" Keitaro spat at her which left her in a shocked silence.
Keitaro then examined his menu like he had never read one before. He didn't want to look at Xueluan. 'I had told her earlier that there was only one person for me. What makes her think that she can just walk right in and take Naru's place?!' He got so caught up in his thoughts that before he knew it, the waiter was asking him for his order.
"Sir? What would like to order?"
"Um,....I'll take the Beef Teriyaki."
"Madam?" The waiter asked Xueluan.
"I'll have the Salmon Sushi."
"What would you both like to drink?"
"I'll have a bottle of Sapporo."
"And the lady?"
"A small bottle of sake."
The waiter scribbled this all down. "Your food should be ready shortly." He walked away to bring some desserts to an elderly couple.
As the waiter moved away, Katsu and Naru's table came into view. He was looking just over Xueluan's left shoulder and he saw Naru sitting at a table with some man he didn't recognize. 'Whats she doing here?' He couldn't take his eyes off her. 'She looks so stunning when she gets all decked up like that.' He studied the way she looked at him, obviously with some kind of emotion, but from afar and with his bad vision, he couldn't tell just how she was looking at him. 'However, I mustn't let Naru see me. If she saw me with another woman!' He involuntarily flinched. 'She must think I'm lost somewhere on the brink of death. If she were to find that I am right under her nose and very healthy.....' He couldn't even finish his own thought.
"Are you going to ignore me the whole night?"
Keitaro looked at Xuluan, startled. "Ah,..no. Sorry." 'I mustn't let Naru see me.'
~*Naru's POV*~
"Now, wasn't that the funniest joke you've ever heard?" Katsu laughed between the words, still hung up on his joke.
"Yea......" 'Man, where does he get these jokes?' She quickly cast her gaze around the room, as she did so, she saw a pair of familiar square lensed glasses, a dorky smile, and in her opinion, a mop of messy hair. 'KEITARO!!??!! No, it can't be!' She looked more intently at the man who was seated two tables over. 'It is Keitaro!, but whats he doing here with another woman?!' Anger began to burn within her. Her smile turned to a scowl.
"Naru? What is it? My joke wasn't that bad was it?"
"Ah,...no it wasn't.....Um,....its nothing. Don't worry about it." Katsu nodded and proceeded telling his next joke.
Naru watched Keitaro like a hawk. 'After all this time! I thought he was dying! And here he is eating an expensive meal with some woman!!' She watched as Keitaro talked to the woman, not noticing that he was actually arguing with her. 'I searched all over Japan for him, caught the flu for him, and here he is.......Arg!!!! His very existence makes me so angry!!!' She had her hands clenched in fists at her side. Her blood was burning with rage in her veins. Jealousy taking over all of her senses.
Abruptly, she stood up and marched over to Keitaro's table. She was hovering over him. Her shadow creating an ominous cloud over Keitaro. Her voice was icy as she spoke, and rattled with suppressed fury. "Keitaro! What the hell are you doing here!!!!???!?!!"
~*Both POV's*~
He was so startled that he dropped his beer bottle. He looked up into Naru's fierce glare. "Uh, Naru!?! Um....its nice to see you......"
"Cut the pleasantries Keitaro and answer my question! What are you doing here?" Her voice was so loud that she was attracting stares from everyone in the restaurant.
"I'm eating dinner......" He voice was once more one of the timid weakling landlord that Naru had grown to love.
"I know that you idiot!! But, aren't you supposed to be somewhere near death?!!"
"Um,...well, about that...."
She cut him off. "So, you lied to us? All of us at Hinata were so worried about you!! We've spent the last couple of week searching all over Japan for you!!! You don't know how worried I—WE---have been about you!! And now you just show up here having dinner with some chick!!"
Xueluan looked up indignantly at Naru. "No offense,...." Naru said to Xueluan.
Keitaro stood so that he was at eye level with her. However, as he stood he caught a glimpse of the ring on her finger. It felt like his heart shattered into a million pieces. "Well, it looks like I'm not the only one that lied, Naru....."
"What do you mean by that?!"
Keitaro reached out and took her left hand in his. "So,....whos the lucky man?"
Naru looked down, embaressed. "Its not what you think...."
"How would you know what I'm thinking?" Naru just stared at him. "Well,....it looks like you're happy now...." He took out his wallet and threw down some money to take care of the bill. "I'll see you around Naru." He looked at Xueluan. "I'll see you back at the house."
"You live with her?!!"
He nodded as he walked towards the exit. "You just can't leave like this Keitaro!"
Without even turning around he told her, "Just watch me!" and he walked through the doors.
Katsu walked over and looked at Naru. "What was all that about?" Naru remained silent. Staring down at the tell-tale ring. Katsu caught sight of the familiarly unique ring. "Where did you get that?" His voice was serious and stern.
"I found it in your sister's jewelry box. Why?"
"Take that off now!!"
"But why Katsu?"
"Do you want to die?"
'Was he threatening me?' "What kind of a question is that?"
"Just take off the ring dammit!!"
"Whys this ring so important to you? Its was only your sisters after all."
"It wasn't my sister's,.....it was my wife's!"
Thats it for now readers. I hope you like it so far. Please review. Thank you to everyone who has constantly reviewed. I hope to up-date soon, but with school now, updates will take a bit longer. Bye for now!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Love Hina, all rights belong to Ken Akamatsu. I am just a high school student who loves to write fanfiction and( has no other life.)-(j/k)
SACRIFICES FOR LOVE
By: KiMitsukai
Chapt. 7: Omae O Korosu! Kei-kun!!!! (Translation: I'll Kill You! Kei-kun!!!!)
~*Naru's POV*~
The sound of fist against metal disturbed the peaceful stillness of the early evening. Someone had knocked on a heavy hospital door. The room's occupant had only moments ago been in a calming sleep. The young woman in the hospital bed stirred as she slowly opened her eyes. The pupils of her eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room. She sat up in bed and looked towards the source of disturbance. "Come in..."
Katsu entered the room, however, he looked different. He wasn't wearing his usual doctor's jacket, but brown jeans and a tan and white striped shirt. When Naru had taken his appearance in fully, she almost laughed. "Whats with the professor look?"
Katsu ignored her comment with a smile as he walked over to her bedside. He gently placed his hand upon her forehead. "It seems to me that your fever is gone. I have reservations tonight at The Yuniko. Would you like to come with me?"
'Whoa, that was very out of the blue! I think he is hitting on me! Should my doctor really be taking me out like this?' She thought to herself while staring at Katsu. He looked so adorable; standing there and smiling at her with his friendly eyes. 'He looks so cute though,.....' She nodded. "Yes, I'd be happy to go with you."
He withdrew his hand, which he hadn't realized was still placed on her forehead, and wrapped his arms around her in an embrace that took Naru very much by surprise. "Good, I was hoping you'd say "yes"! Oh, and by the way, its a fancy place, so dress nicely, okay?"
She nodded while smiling. "I will." 'Fancy place, huh? Well then, I know for sure that I won't see Keitaro there. Theres no way that he could afford a place like this.'
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Keitaro? Are you ready yet? We have to get going soon!" Xueluan yelled up the stairwell to her new roommate.
"Almost! I just need one more second!" Keitaro nervously looked around his room, searching for his favorite tie. 'Oh man, it really doesn't help that my vision is still blurry. I can hardly see a thing!' He thought to himself franticly. 'Even with my glasses on, I still can't really make out anything! I really feel like such a blind bat.' "I'm so pathetic." He whispered to himself.
"Your not pathetic. Your just temporarily without vision." Xueluan had appeared in Keitaro's doorway and she had overheard Keitaro talking to himself.
"Yeah, same thing...." Keitaro retorted dejectedly.
"Now, we really have to be going. Whats the hold up?"
"I, I can't find my favorite black tie......" Shame and embaressment in his tone of voice.
"Oh, its right here." She picked up his black tie from on top of his dresser which had been laying in plain sight. "I take it that your vision isn't back yet, am I right?" He nodded sadly. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you find your way. With me, you'll never be lost again." She winked at him.
Keitaro wasn't sure how to react. After all, he still loved Naru, or did he? There was something about Xueluan that stirred something suppressed and latent within himself. And, he was enjoying the feeling very much so, so much that at times he scared himself. She took the silk tie in her hands and walked over to Keitaro. She slipped the tie around his neck and under his shirt's collar, with a seductive air. Keitaro gulped, took the ends of the tie, and quickly tied it himself. 'No matter how much I like her, I still love Naru. Xueluan is just my roommate-nothing more!' His last thought was more like a thought to convince himself.
~*Naru's POV*~
Upstairs in Katsu's apartment, Naru sat at a vanity in a bedroom on the second floor of the flat. She smiled to her reflection in the mirror before her with pleased satisfaction with her appearance. She applied some rouge to her cheeks and some lovely glossy strawberry lipstick to her smooth lips. Naru's eyes were adorned with shimmering pink eyeshadow and volumizing ebony mascara.
She was wearing a simple satin rose colored cocktail gown. The dress was sleeveless, it had a v-cut neckline, and the hem of the dress was above the knee. Upon her feet where strapless dark pink high heels. To add to the glamor of it all, she even painted her finger and toe nails a glossy pink shade. She had her hair up for a change, decorated in a French twist with a pink carnation pinned in the crest of the twist.
She stood and straightened out the wrinkles in her dress. She picked up her pink handbag, which was outlined in clear jewel studs. She then realized that she had forgotten to put some jewelry on. She placed her bag back down and once more sat at her vanity.
"Naru? Are you ready yet? We really must be going!" Katsu yelled up the stairs. "I know you had to find something out of my sister's things, 'cause you don't have anything like that with you, but you should be ready by now."
"I'm almost done! Just adding some finishing touches." She yelled back down to him. 'His sister really has good taste, even though I'm not too fond of pink, the quality is great! We've even got a close dress size, although I do have to admit, it is a little snug on me. Maybe I should consider a new diet....'
Naru's eyes then settled upon a glass jewelry box that was set directly under the vanity's mirror. She opened it's lid gently and peered inside to see many pieces of expensive jewelry; diamonds, gemstones, and precious stones. She picked up a pair of diamond tear-drop shaped hanging earrings. She put them on and instantly loved them. She looked further into the box and found a matching pendant necklace and put that on too. Then something rare drew her attention. In the far corner of the jewelry box was an interesting ring. It was a rose colored diamond, flawless, and it was cut in the shape of a blossomed rose. It's band was a bright sliver which highlighted the diamond. She loved it and placed it on her right ring finger. Little did Naru know that this ring held much history and value to Katsu.
She stood up, straightened her dress once more, grabbed her bag, and left the bedroom. She was at the top of the stairs when she looked down to stare into Katsu's eyes which were gazing back into hers with awe. As she walked down the stairs, it was if in slow motion. Katsu reached out and took her hand in his and led her from the stairs to the front door. Upon opening the door, he turned and stared into Naru's crystal-like orbs. He was dumbstruck by her beauty and left speechless. When he found his voice he said, "You look really beautiful."
Even though this was a stereotype answer, she couldn't help but blush. "Thank you..." Katsu was so sweeped away by her regal beauty, that he didn't realize that he was still holding her hand. "Um, Katsu?"
"Yes?"
"You can let go of my hand now,....."
He blushed and quickly removed his hand from hers, never noticing the rose ring on her finger. "Ah,..heh, sorry about that......"
She smiled. "Its okay...I didn't mind." Both blushed.
He slipped his arm through hers as he escorted her to his new black BMW. He opened the car door for her and helped her get inside. He closed the door and then got into the driver's seat. He buckled on his seatbelt, turned on the engine, and took off down the road. They drove to the restaurant in complete peaceful silence; enjoying one another's company.
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Really now!! I could have tied that for you!"
"I-I know, .....but I prefer to do it myself, thats all." He didn't look at her.
"What happens when you get married, Keitaro? Are you ever going to let your wife do things like this for you?"
He didn't like the tone her voice was taking. "Thats a completely different matter. Besides, I don't plan on getting married."
Xueluan's voice softened. "And whys that?"
"The one I love doesn't feel the same about me, and theres no one else in this world for me. So, if she won't have me, then I don't want anyone else."
"Aw,...come now...."
Keitaro cut her off. "There is no use discussing this any further. So please, just drop it." He said that a bit more forcefully then he meant to. Somewhere along the line, Keitaro had seemed to have gained an unknown strength of will. His weak, timid personality was slowly disappearing.
"Since when have you become so unapproachable? Your close to becoming Heero Yuy from Gundam Wing! Is something wrong Keitaro? I've never seen you like this before and your scaring me." She looked at him through worried eyes.
"Yea, ...theres always something wrong. Something I failed to do correctly, another person I love let down. My life is a complete wrong doing."
"Surely you don't mean that......"
He smiled skeptically, and then turned serious again. "No, I mean it. I let down the girl from my past. I failed to get into Tokyo U and so failed to keep my promise to the girl from my most recent past. To top it all off, now I have managed to acquire a serious disease. I just have the greatest luck with life, don't I?" He got so caught up in listing all his grievances, that by the end he was yelling.
"Calm down Keitaro! Really, you don't have to yell. I am standing right in front of you and last time I checked I still have my hearing."
"Ah, ....I'm sorry....."
"It's okay. How about we talk about this after we have a nice pleasant dinner together?" She smiled, trying to get him in a better mood. She hated seeing him so upset and moody.
He nodded. "Okay, sounds good to me. I just hope I don't ruin a nice evening for you."
"Believe me, anytime I spend with you is not ruined." Keitaro blushed.
~*Naru's POV*~
"Table for two." Katsu told the hostess.
"Name?" The hostess inquired.
"Kenta."
"Ah, right this way please." The hostess took two menus and led them to a table at the back of the restaurant. "A waiter will be with you in a moment."
"Thank you." Katsu said to the hostess as he pulled out a chair for Naru. Then he sat down himself. On the table was a bouquet of red roses. "I had these ordered for you. One dozen red roses. I hope you like them."
"I like them very much so. Thank you Katsu." She smiled and flipped open her menu to hide her crimson cheeks.
"Ah, it was my pleasure. I'm glad that you like them." The waiter had brought over a wine list and Katsu was perusing through it. "I think I'll order a glass of red wine. Would you like some?"
"Um Katsu, ....I'm only 19, I can't drink alcohol yet."
"Ah, your with me and I say you can."
"Besides, I'm still taking medicine. Isn't bad to drink while your on medication?"
"I think so, but you should learn how to live a little bit."
Slowly, another side of Katsu was being revealed to her. 'I guess one glass wouldn't hurt.' "Sure, I'll have a glass of white zinfindel."
"Okay, now your living." He winked at her.
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Well, we're here. It was a quick walk." She glanced at Keitaro. "And you were silent the whole time. Aren't you going to say anything to me?"
He had been daydreaming-of Naru. He snapped out of his thoughts and stared at Xueluan. "What? Oh,..yea, sorry..."
"Have you heard anything that I've said to you?"
He shook his head. "No, sorry...."
"Try and cheer up and have a good time. Or, is my company really that bad?"
"No! No, its not your company!"
"Then what is it?"
"I was just thinking about the past..."
She looked at him with a sad smile. "Everything will turn out alright, Keitaro."
"I hope so."
"But for now, try to have some fun."
"I'll try, but I'm not promising anything. I just have this feeling like the evenings not going to end well."
~*Naru's POV*~
'Ah! Finally, a nice evening without Keitaro ruining everything on me!' She looked over her menu at Katsu, who was intently reading the menu, trying to decide which dish he wanted to order. She smiled as she watched him, then she felt her cheeks grow hot, she lowered her gaze back to her menu.
As if sensing that he was being watched, he looked up at Naru just as she looked away. "Um Naru? Do you know what your going to order?"
She nodded. "Yes, but first I would like to know, would you like to share an appetizer with me?"
"Sure. Which one?"
"I was thinking the Yakitori. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes, its alright with me. I love yakitori!!" He smiled. "So, what are you going to have for dinner?"
"I think I'll have the Chicken Teriyaki."
"Good choice. I think I'll join you ."
A waiter walked by and Katsu flagged him down. "We're ready to order."
The waiter took out his pad and a pen. "What would you like Sir?"
"An appetizer of the Yakitori and two Chicken Teriyakis."
"Anything to drink Sir?"
"Oh yes, of course, our libations. I would like a glass of red wine and the lady will have a glass of white zinfindel."
The waiter eyed Naru. "She looks a bit young." He spoke directly to Naru. "How old are you Miss?"
'To lie or not to lie?' Katsu gave her a nod, motioning for her to say she's of drinking age. "I'm 20."
"Do you have some ID?"
She shook her head. "No, not on me."
The waiter dropped it. "Well, okay. I'll take your word for it. Your dinner should be ready shortly." He then pocketed his pad and pen as he walked towards another table.
Katsu winked at her. "Now, how did that feel? You passed inspection!" He was making light of the situation. However, Naru couldn't exactly rejoice with him. She had never done something like that and she felt a twinge of guilt for having lied.
"Yea, it felt great."
He didn't notice the falseness in her voice. "Please excuse me for a second. I have to visit the little boy's room." She nodded and he got up and walked towards the restrooms.
She sat there, idly playing with the ring on her finger. 'It kind of resembles an engagement ring. I wonder how it would look on my left hand.' She took the ring off her right hand and slipped it onto her left ring finger; the finger where a wedding band would fit. She stretched her hand out before her musing over how absurd a ring of any kind-(especially an engagement ring) would ever belong on her hand. 'I actually think I could eventually get used to this.' She smiled as she moved her hand so that the diamond reflected the overhead lights. 'However, I think I would only want that idiot to give me a ring like this.....'
She heard footsteps approaching from behind and immediately put her hand back in her lap. She didn't want Katsu to find out that she was wearing a ring on her left ring finger, so she kept her hands clasped together in her lap so as not to draw attention to herself.
"I'm back! Did you miss me?" Katsu walked around Naru and then sat down in his chair opposite his potential love interest.
"Hmm, you don't know how much I missed you."
~*Keitaro's POV*~
"Table for two." Xueluan told the hostess of The Yuniko.
"Name?"
"Urashima." Xueluan answered without hesitation.
She picked up two menus. "This way please." The hostess led them to a table near the back of the restaurant. She placed the menus, one at each table setting. "A waiter will be with you shortly." Then she walked away while mumbling, "What's with all the couples tonight? I feel so alone....."
Keitaro pulled out a chair for Xueluan and then seated himself opposite her. She smiled at him, but he scowled in return. "Urashima, huh? Isn't that a little presumptuous?"
"Is it so wrong to think ahead?"
"What makes you think I'll marry you anyway?!" Keitaro spat at her which left her in a shocked silence.
Keitaro then examined his menu like he had never read one before. He didn't want to look at Xueluan. 'I had told her earlier that there was only one person for me. What makes her think that she can just walk right in and take Naru's place?!' He got so caught up in his thoughts that before he knew it, the waiter was asking him for his order.
"Sir? What would like to order?"
"Um,....I'll take the Beef Teriyaki."
"Madam?" The waiter asked Xueluan.
"I'll have the Salmon Sushi."
"What would you both like to drink?"
"I'll have a bottle of Sapporo."
"And the lady?"
"A small bottle of sake."
The waiter scribbled this all down. "Your food should be ready shortly." He walked away to bring some desserts to an elderly couple.
As the waiter moved away, Katsu and Naru's table came into view. He was looking just over Xueluan's left shoulder and he saw Naru sitting at a table with some man he didn't recognize. 'Whats she doing here?' He couldn't take his eyes off her. 'She looks so stunning when she gets all decked up like that.' He studied the way she looked at him, obviously with some kind of emotion, but from afar and with his bad vision, he couldn't tell just how she was looking at him. 'However, I mustn't let Naru see me. If she saw me with another woman!' He involuntarily flinched. 'She must think I'm lost somewhere on the brink of death. If she were to find that I am right under her nose and very healthy.....' He couldn't even finish his own thought.
"Are you going to ignore me the whole night?"
Keitaro looked at Xuluan, startled. "Ah,..no. Sorry." 'I mustn't let Naru see me.'
~*Naru's POV*~
"Now, wasn't that the funniest joke you've ever heard?" Katsu laughed between the words, still hung up on his joke.
"Yea......" 'Man, where does he get these jokes?' She quickly cast her gaze around the room, as she did so, she saw a pair of familiar square lensed glasses, a dorky smile, and in her opinion, a mop of messy hair. 'KEITARO!!??!! No, it can't be!' She looked more intently at the man who was seated two tables over. 'It is Keitaro!, but whats he doing here with another woman?!' Anger began to burn within her. Her smile turned to a scowl.
"Naru? What is it? My joke wasn't that bad was it?"
"Ah,...no it wasn't.....Um,....its nothing. Don't worry about it." Katsu nodded and proceeded telling his next joke.
Naru watched Keitaro like a hawk. 'After all this time! I thought he was dying! And here he is eating an expensive meal with some woman!!' She watched as Keitaro talked to the woman, not noticing that he was actually arguing with her. 'I searched all over Japan for him, caught the flu for him, and here he is.......Arg!!!! His very existence makes me so angry!!!' She had her hands clenched in fists at her side. Her blood was burning with rage in her veins. Jealousy taking over all of her senses.
Abruptly, she stood up and marched over to Keitaro's table. She was hovering over him. Her shadow creating an ominous cloud over Keitaro. Her voice was icy as she spoke, and rattled with suppressed fury. "Keitaro! What the hell are you doing here!!!!???!?!!"
~*Both POV's*~
He was so startled that he dropped his beer bottle. He looked up into Naru's fierce glare. "Uh, Naru!?! Um....its nice to see you......"
"Cut the pleasantries Keitaro and answer my question! What are you doing here?" Her voice was so loud that she was attracting stares from everyone in the restaurant.
"I'm eating dinner......" He voice was once more one of the timid weakling landlord that Naru had grown to love.
"I know that you idiot!! But, aren't you supposed to be somewhere near death?!!"
"Um,...well, about that...."
She cut him off. "So, you lied to us? All of us at Hinata were so worried about you!! We've spent the last couple of week searching all over Japan for you!!! You don't know how worried I—WE---have been about you!! And now you just show up here having dinner with some chick!!"
Xueluan looked up indignantly at Naru. "No offense,...." Naru said to Xueluan.
Keitaro stood so that he was at eye level with her. However, as he stood he caught a glimpse of the ring on her finger. It felt like his heart shattered into a million pieces. "Well, it looks like I'm not the only one that lied, Naru....."
"What do you mean by that?!"
Keitaro reached out and took her left hand in his. "So,....whos the lucky man?"
Naru looked down, embaressed. "Its not what you think...."
"How would you know what I'm thinking?" Naru just stared at him. "Well,....it looks like you're happy now...." He took out his wallet and threw down some money to take care of the bill. "I'll see you around Naru." He looked at Xueluan. "I'll see you back at the house."
"You live with her?!!"
He nodded as he walked towards the exit. "You just can't leave like this Keitaro!"
Without even turning around he told her, "Just watch me!" and he walked through the doors.
Katsu walked over and looked at Naru. "What was all that about?" Naru remained silent. Staring down at the tell-tale ring. Katsu caught sight of the familiarly unique ring. "Where did you get that?" His voice was serious and stern.
"I found it in your sister's jewelry box. Why?"
"Take that off now!!"
"But why Katsu?"
"Do you want to die?"
'Was he threatening me?' "What kind of a question is that?"
"Just take off the ring dammit!!"
"Whys this ring so important to you? Its was only your sisters after all."
"It wasn't my sister's,.....it was my wife's!"
Thats it for now readers. I hope you like it so far. Please review. Thank you to everyone who has constantly reviewed. I hope to up-date soon, but with school now, updates will take a bit longer. Bye for now!