Chapter 2

As he made his way back to Hinata, Keitaro's spirit from the morning had disappeared into thin air. He had made a fool of himself by answering all the questions wrong in the first lecture…resulting in the whole lecture theatre guffawing at him-including Naru. It was her that had dropped his spirits…he thought that she'd understand him; help him.

He'd been sulking since then…it was true that he hadn't been studying after receiving news that he'd made the university and that he was the lowest score to be accepted. He remembered screaming himself hoarse, running around the Apartments ten times and kissing all the girls on the cheek.

'Argh' He could still feel the stinging of the slap that Motoko had given him…and the bruise on his bum when he fell into the hot springs after she kicked him up on the roof.

After being made a fool of, he'd tried to avoid everyone and sat in the darkest corner of the room and making no noise for the rest of the day. He noticed Naru had settled very well, making friends everywhere she went. He had watched with his eyes squinted at all the fake smiles that were cast towards Naru's direction at lunch.

She had been surrounded by idiotic losers, trying to befriend her. And the guys! It was sickening to watch them hit on her…the seductive smiles, the inappropriate gestures; there were even flowers and chocolate! He'd thought university students were sophisticated, mature and…well, different. But they were all the same when it came to women; they were all the same-trying to hook up with them using disgusting methods.

He tried to pluck up courage many times and battle them to show Naru who the man is…but he was too scared. For some reason, he kept picturing the guys bashing up and leaving him in a deserted alleyway to die slowly and painfully. Plus, some of the guys were already giving him dirties when they caught him staring in Naru's direction. Someone even came up and said he didn't stand a chance with the 'lady'.

Worst of all, Naru seemed to be enjoying all the attention…but it did comfort him to hear that she'd rejected all the offers for a date. As he stared up at the sky, he sighed with defeat as he saw dark clouds gather-it was clearly going to storm. It was just what he needed to end a horrible day.

He was still a couple of blocks from Hinata-and he didn't have anything to protect him from the cold piercing needles of water that had started to slowly fall. He trudged along the wet footpath, trying hard to ignore the downpour that was drenching him from head to toe. He was too lost in his misery to notice that suddenly, he wasn't feeling the soaking water anymore. He looked up and saw that an umbrella had been placed above his head.

He looked beside him and his eyes widened considerably, but not before a wide grin appeared on his lips. He took off his glasses and rubbed away the fog on his shirt to make sure he wasn't seeing things. It was true-Naru was standing next to him, a gentle smile visible on her soft lips.

"I th-thought you were with them" Keitaro spat out the last word with malice.

"Sure, they're nice in helping me fit in" Keitaro snorted and quieted when Naru shot him a glare "but they're a little too fake-and the guys are fake and disgusting; I realize I enjoy spending time with you better-even if you constantly appear at the wrong times, are ever so annoying and always manage to get beaten up by the girls" Naru sighed, but gazed at him with kind eyes all the same.

Keitaro's eyes watered from happiness-the tears were going to come out soon. He couldn't believe that Naru had said those things to him. A bubble of joy made its way around his whole body, making it glow golden. The dark clouds above his head disappeared, and so did the gloom and misery. Even the rain was refreshing; he could imagine it giving life back to dying plants and quenching animals.

Life was so good!

Keitaro skipped all the way back to Hinata, leaving Naru back on the footpath muttering curses that couldn't be comprehended and shaking her head with defeat. She really couldn't find a reason to explain why she liked this crazy man as she stared at him galloping the footpath in front of her. Just as she was about to catch up to him, she let out a loud chuckle as she watched him trip over his own feet and land in a puddle.

After helping him up, they walked arm in arm back to Hinata, wide grins visible on their gleaming faces.

-

Sweet smells were wafting from the Hinata-Shinobu was cooking her masterpieces again. Everybody gathered in the dining room to have afternoon tea. Su had apparently finished her device as she mysteriously asked Keitaro to follow her to the kitchen. Everybody gathered outside to watch the interesting show.

After a minute of watching some sort of spiral, Keitaro's eyes were like zombies. Su grinned in satisfaction as she noticed he had fallen under her spell.

"Okay, now I am your master, you shall only obey me! Act like a dog and crawl around the living room three times"

Unfortunately, the device still had some working on because instead of acting like a dog, Keitaro flapped around like a chicken, squawking…and he only went around the living room twice-but all the same, it was hilarious to watch and the girls couldn't stop bursting into giggles every time they imagined the stupid face he'd made. Even Haruka was laughing her head off and rolling around on the floor with the others.

Life was clearly wonderful in the Apartments.

The next day at the University, Naru stuck with Keitaro, which definitely surprised all the losers who were trying to pick her up. Naru was becoming really popular in Tokyo U; everybody paid her with respect and admiration-unfortunately, all Keitaro got was dirty stares and threatening glances as he was seen with the great Naru.

Even though it did shatter his ego quite badly, he was just happy to love Naru and spend time with her. All the girls at Hinata were really growing on him as well. All their different personalities made his life interesting, and filled it with laughter and great fun even though sometimes he would find himself with a couple of bruises or broken bones.

However, Keitaro was quick to learn that University life wasn't all it was brought up to be. His homework stack was taller than he was, and in between that he would have to tolerate Su's whacked up mind, Motoko's threatening moves and her dangerous sword, Shinbou's shyness that was starting to annoy him, Kitsune's practical jokes and Mutsumi's clumsiness. Even though Naru was as perfect as could be, he often found himself wandering what she was thinking when she stared into space. He couldn't lose Naru-he really couldn't.

Then, the shattering news arrived a couple of weeks into his study at the University. Naru had gone missing.

What shocked him out of his senses was when a ransom note arrived at Hinata's doorstep demanding half a million dollars in exchange for Naru's…virginity!

"I'll launch my indestructible team of Mecha Tama version 6.1 on them and it'll squash them into meatballs!" Su was jumping around all over the place, finally settling hanging off the fan on the ceiling.

"No biggie! Girls lose their virginity all the time-it's the 21st century for Christ's sake" gurgled Kitsune, throwing up for the seventeenth time that hour.

"We'll be spies and settle ourselves in enemy territory and find the right time to slice them into half!" Motoko cried as she slashed her sword, ripping the sofa cover in half.

"I think we'll just have to work for the half a million dollars-I'll begin by selling my famous cookies for a dollar-no, two dollar each!" Shinobu smiled nervously as she noted everybody's scowls and eye-rolling in her direction.

Haruka puffed a couple of times on her cigar as if deep in thought, but came up with nothing when she opened her mouth while Mutsumi was still comprehending what had happened

Keitaro was still staring at the ransom note, trying to remember where he'd seen the ugly writing that was scrawled all over the place. That was it! He remembered there was this guy that stood out from the rest at the University. He seemed to be extra interested in Naru, and the disgusting looks he cast in her direction made Keitaro gag. So, he was only trying to use her to gain himself money! Well, Keitaro would see to that!

"This guy's an idiot! He should know better than to write a ransom note-I can easily depict his writing! Okay everyone, were going on a mission! At around two tomorrow, I end my lecture and this guy shares all my classes, so we'll follow him and see where he's hiding Naru! Su, take your remote for your team of Mecha Tamas, they might come in use! Motoko, don't forget your sword, even though you do take it everywhere I have to remind you! Kitsune, please don't drink tonight, you need a clear head to think!" There were a few cries of outburst from Kitsune, and after she quieted down from the glares everyone was giving her, Keitaro continued. "Shinobu, take your cooking pan with you and be ready to conk someone's head with it and Mutsumi, I think you should stay home and guard the house"

After receiving nods and grunts of approval, Keitaro went back to his room to complete his homework. He had wonderful dreams that night of Naru showering him in kisses and praise after he successfully rescued her from the evil guy. He knew there were risks involved, and he would prove to Naru that he was worth her love. All would be proved tomorrow!

-

Author's Note:

Thanks to those who reviewed, I really enjoyed reading what people have said about my work and how I could improve on it! Thanks for all the positive words as well! Hope you enjoyed the chapter; plz tell me what you think!

Kawaii Yoshi: Thanks for enjoying the first chapter, and like you, I really like Naru and Keitaro as a pair-it's so cute! Anywayz, thanks heaps for your review and tell me what you think of this chapter…and the kidnapping!

Kei-kun496: Thanks for your praise and I'm really glad you like the personalities of the characters! I really enjoyed reading your review and thank you very much again! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Malcom Yuy: Lol! What do you think of the kidnap? Thanks heaps for reviewing, I really appreciate the encouragement! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Liber Logaeth: Thanks for the wise advice, I will take it to my heart! I really enjoy writing, and I hope that it will bring great enjoyment to others reading it! Good luck with your writing, I'm sure it'll become a great piece of work! Thanks heaps for your review, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks everyone! I really wanna know what people think, so plz review!

Purebliss90