Disclaimer: Love Hina is not my creation. I would have to stab Akamatsu in the heart with the ancient bonesaber of Zumacalis. But my dagger isn't made of bone, so no dice.

Author's note: I can honestly say that I'm really enjoying this story arc. It kind of reminds me of the girlfriend I never had. sobs

---scene change

Italicsthoughts

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"We're back! How's everybody been?" asked Naru who entered alongside Mutsumi. Kitsune waved the two over to the card table. "You two are already 379 yen down the drain. Are you sure you can go through with this?" Haruka wagered an extra 100 yen. Kitsune and Sarah wagered an additional 150. "Whatcha got?" Kitsune and Sarah revealed a pair straights. Haruka only grinned and revealed a royal flush.

"Nooooooooooooooo!" both girls yelled at the top of their lungs. Naru poured herself a glass of water and sat next to Haruka. "Deal me in." Haruka didn't think twice.

"Ara, that reminds me. When do you think the other two will be getting back?" Naru wagered 50. "I don't know, Su and Shinobu saw them leave the movies earlier. What they're doing now, beats me." Kitsune aid plainly. Naru sweatdropped. "You know, normally you'd be making up some bull crap story about sexual conquest." Kitsune wagered another 25. "Well normally I'm not down 679 yen. Now Naru, whatcha got?"

"Royal Flush."

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"Can I open my eyes now?" Ryusei asked as he stumbled on what he assumed was a tree root. Motoko smiled and led him up a flight of stairs. "Alright, you can open them."

Ryusei was amazed at what he saw. Motoko had led him to the roof of an apartment complex, but that wasn't what amazed him. From the top of the building you could see the entire town bathed in the glow of the setting sun. "It's beautiful." he whispered. Motoko signaled him to sit next to her. The two smiled at each other then directed their attention to the view.

"You know, with all the I put into writing my stories, I had never found any free time to go out. I was always too busy trying to make sure that it was perfect, to make sure that anyone who picked up a copy wouldn't want to put it down." Motoko took hold of his hand. "I'm glad that you could show me what I've been missing, Motoko."

"This is nice. I could get used to this, but I'm still so confused. If I go through with this my swordsmanship will suffer and I have Toudai to worry about, I don't know. Motoko rested her head on his shoulder once again. But until I make up my mind, this will have to do."

Ryusei shifted his gaze to his date. "I don't know if we can be happy, if we can be together. I don't know what the future holds for us." Ryusei placed his arm around her. "The least I can do is to make sure you enjoy every second. Motoko, I think I may be in love."

They both knew that they had feelings for each other, but they decided it would be best if they waited for the other to confess these feelings before they went any further. In the end though, will their feelings stay the same? Will they meet someone else? Will circumstances split them apart?

I don't think that's important right now.

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"Three-of-a-kind! Lose it!" Naru roared ferociously. Kitsune removed her shirt. "I'll win that back, you know I will!"

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It was 8:00 before the two had made it to the steps of Hinata-sou, both had a wonderful time, but Motoko decided she needed to explain her situation. "Ryusei, I want you to know something." He halted his ascent in order to hear her out. "I had a wonderful time today, you were a complete gentleman and I thank you for that. But I don't know if this will work. If we were to continue like this, I would have to give up being a swordswoman and maybe even forget about Toudai, I would have to put my focus on you. I just, I don't know if I want to give all that up." Motoko began to sob.

"Motoko." Ryusei said as he pulled her in for a hug. "You shouldn't give up on your dreams, you have to fight for what you believe in. I couldn't ever come between you and your studies in the way of the sword or the scholar, but you can't just give up because things are hard."

Motoko pried herself loose and dried her eyes. "Does that mean that you'll be trying to get the Kokusho account again?" Motoko asked.

Ryusei nodded. "Yes. I refuse to give up on Kokusho. I just need to show them what they're missing." Motoko smiled and walked up the stairs to Hinata-sou. "I don't know what will happen between us, but I promise I haven't given up on the idea of us being together.Oh, and Ryusei, the others don't need to know the intimate details of our date." Ryusei laughed and followed her to the house. "You make it sound so dirty."

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"They're coming, they're coming!" shouted Su as she prepped a rocket launcher. "About time, Motoko missed her study session with me because of him." Naru complained. Kitsune shivered. "Can I please have my shirt back?" Naru plopped down on the couch. "Just go get another one." Kisune continued to shiver. "But, my rooms so far away. I'll freeze to death before then." Naru threw the shirt at her face. "Lazy bum."

"We're back."

Su fired the rocket right at Ryusei's face, thus launching him back down the steps of Hinata-sou. "That's for being so late!" Motoko sweatdropped. Kitsune decided to pump Motoko for information. "Sooooo? How big was he?" "Thwack!" Fan meets face. "What did I say?" Kitsune asked. Haruka plopped down on the couch next to Naru. "Did you have fun, Motoko." "I suppose." Motoko stated apathetically.

Right on cue, Shinobu and Mutsumi entered the room with Sarah. "Harukaaaa! You can't just take money from a little girl!" Sarah complained. "Well then, let's hope you can win it back tomorrow." Mutsumi giggled while Shinobu brought out some tea.

"Is it safe to come in?" asked Ryusei. Sarah immediately noticed a new voice. "Is this the new guy?" Ryusei walked up to the little girl. "Do I know you?" Sarah shook her head and stuck out her hand. "No you don't. My name is Sarah Mc'Dougal. And you are?" Ryusei reached his hand out to shake hers. "My name's Ryusei Tanaka." Sarah gasped. "You are? My papa reads your stories all the time, he says his favorite is "Final Hour". He actually thinks you may have gotten the inspiration from some ancient legend." Ryusei laughed. "No, It just came to me is all."

Motoko smiled at him from across the room. Kitsune noticed this and smirked devilishly. "Something happened, didn't it?" "Thwack! What did I just get through telling you?" Haruka fumed.

Motoko felt a little embarassed, but overall she felt a warm sense of happiness flow throughout her body. Maybe it could work, maybe.

End Chapter 8

Authors note: Whew, that was difficult. I couldn't decide on where their last destination would be. I was torn between a karaoke bar, an arcade, a temple or the building. Anyway, please review.