Ever Wonder If…

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina, any of its characters, or any thing Love Hina-ish. Ken Akamatsu does. So thank him for creating this awesome manga series.

A/N: Chapter ten! Oh my goodness gracious me, I've never written ten chapters in anything before! CELEBRATE AND POP BALLOONS!!! Okay, now I got a lot of question wondering why, just why Tsuruko called Keitaro a GENTLEMAN?!! I have an answer, though it's probably duller than what you were thinking. I forgot exactly why (in fact, I couldn't find the part where she says it…), but what I was probably thinking at the time is she knows that Keitaro is guy. Somewhere in the untold back story, Motoko mentioned this fact to her sister, so yes, whenever Tsuruko called Keitaro a gentleman, she MEANT it, okay? Just wanted to clear that up! Oh, and I have to apologize in advance for several things about this chapter. First of all, I ended up not actually finishing the story arc last chapter, so this is the true end! I swear! Next chapter is something different. And second thing is that there is a wedding scene in this chapter, and since I don't know anything about Japanese weddings, I made it an American one with a minister etc. so please bear with me on that. Otherwise, this promises to be a good chapter. Please R&R! AND HAVE FUN!!!

"…" Denotes speech

Italics Denotes thought

Bold Denotes sound effects

Certain Sounds: (Just in case you're confused)

GOOMPH! Means fainting

DOONG! Means shock. Just something that I like to do!

::blah:: Denotes time/time change

------------- Denotes scene/scene change

######### Denotes daydreams and sleeping dreams

Chapter 10: Meditation (Christmas, Exam Scores, and PMS?? Epilogue)

--------------Motoko's Room-----------------

::Christmas Night::

"How? How? HOW?!!" Motoko shouted at herself. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor of her room, thinking about the recent battle she just witnessed. She twitched an eye and an angry vein popped into her head. What the heck did ne-chan mean when she said I'd understand when I was older? GRRRRR!!! How did she let him beat her??!! STUPID STUPID URASHIMA!! Motoko wouldn't admit it to herself, but she had wanted to be the first to beat her sister. I HATE HIS GUTS!! Motoko told herself. Plus she had made that stupid bet with Kitsune. What was she going to ask Motoko to do? Does her sister know how much her life was ruined by losing…on purpose? Why why WHY?! Motoko was feeling very angsty at this moment. "LOSER LOSER LOSER" floated in her brain. She began to feel dizzy. No, I must be calm…breathe, Motoko, breathe. She did. In and out, in and out several times she breathed, and began to calm down. Calm…yes…but that IDIOT HAD TO….AHHHHHHHH!!!!! Motoko went dizzy and started to fall over.

"Motoko!" Keitaro shouted, and he ran over and caught her.

"Urashima?" Motoko asked. Keitaro looked over at her with her in his arms. Motoko noticed this. She jerked away. "I-I can take care of myself!" she stuttered, getting up.

"Okay, sorry, sorry," Keitaro apologized.

"No need to say sorry. What do you want?" Motoko asked angrily.

"Sorry, Motoko-chan," Keitaro said, bowing.

"I already said you don't need to say sorry!" Motoko shouted.

"Well, it's just that you didn't seem okay earlier and I wanted to check up on you," Keitaro said. You're just making it worse!!! Motoko thought. Go away!

"So…are you okay?" Keitaro asked.

"Yes, I am perfectly okay," Motoko said with a furrow in her brow and a frown on her face.

"C'mon, Motoko, you're not happy, anyone can see that!!" Keitaro smiled. "Here, I'll be right back. Don't move" Keitaro went out the door and closed it.

"Hmmph, it would be better if he didn't come back," Motoko said. "Maybe I should lock the door." She walked towards her door. Oh wait, I don't have a lock. Why is that? Motoko thought. I can't have that, I'll have to buy one. SLIDE!

"Oh, Motoko-chan, hello. I'm back!" Keitaro said, surprised to see her right in front of the door. He held a tray of steaming hot chocolate. "Look, hot chocolate! Now you'll feel better in no time!"

"Hot chocolate?" Motoko asked.

"Yes! It soothes the soul and mind," Keitaro said, and he walked towards the empty table and put the tray on the ground. "Here, take one," he said, holding a cup of hot chocolate towards Motoko. It can't hurt… Motoko thought, and she took the cup and sipped.

"So? Is it good?" Keitaro asked. Motoko took another sip.

"I am sorry to say I am forced to compliment your culinary skills again, because the hot chocolate is very good," Motoko said.

"Sorry to say?" Tsuruko asked, coming in.

"Ah, Tsuruko-ne-chan!" Keitaro said. "Here, you can have some too." He handed her the second cup that was on the tray.

"Ay, okay," Tsuruko said. She took the cup and sipped. "Hmm, that's really good." Keitaro just smiled and laughed nervously. Motoko watched on.

"Ne-chan?" She asked.

"Hmm?" Tsuruko said, sipping more hot chocolate.

"I-is Urashima really stronger than you?" Motoko asked cautiously.

"He beat me, didn't he?" Tsuruko said, smiling broadly.

"But, but...Urashima can't be!" Motoko said.

"Haha, your sister probably let me beat her!" Keitaro said, laughing like he always did.

"No! Ne-chan you didn't, did you?" Motoko asked, almost crying.

"No, I didn't let him beat me," Tsuruko said.

"You didn't?" Keitaro asked, suddenly confused. No one heard him.

"But how can he be stronger than you? It's impossible!" Motoko whined.

"Motoko Motoko Motoko," Tsuruko said. "You don't understand, do you?"

"No! I don't understand at all!" Motoko cried, tears starting to fall.

"No need to cry, Motoko-chan," Tsuruko said, and she took Motoko's face in her hands.

"But I don't get it at all!" Motoko blubbered. Keitaro felt slightly out of place. Perhaps I should leave… he thought. Tsuruko must have read his mind, because she said,

"Keitaro, please stay and listen." Keitaro didn't move. "Motoko? To understand you first must listen." Motoko nodded as Tsuruko took her hands away. "Are you listening?" Motoko nodded again. "Okay, it is true that I did not let him beat me, but perhaps I was not trying as hard as I could have been."

"I knew it!" Motoko suddenly cried.

"Now now, wait a moment. Just because of that underestimation would not cause me to lose, as I realized how good he actually was after the first few moments of battle," Tsuruko said.

"…oh…" Motoko said, sitting down.

"So as it turns out, it happens, I quickly recovered. But it turns out that his ninja techniques were better than I thought," Tsuruko said.

"So? He actually is stronger than you?" Motoko asked, her face dropping in dismay and slight apprehension.

"No Motoko, to understand do you know what grace is?" Tsuruko asked.

"Grace? You mean kindness?" Motoko asked. She seemed to brighten.

"Sort of. It really means underserved kindness," Tsuruko said.

"So you gave Urashima grace?!" Motoko asked anxiously.

"No, I didn't. But you need to, because he has given you it," Tsuruko said.

"What?" Motoko asked, looking towards Keitaro.

"Do you realize no matter how many times you hit him he doesn't do anything?" Tsuruko asked.

"But…he deserves it every single time!!!" Motoko cried in defiance.

"Really?" Tsuruko asked.

"Yes!" Motoko declared.

"But every time he could defend himself, do you realize, now that he can use his ninja techniques?"

"Yeah…but he's probably just to dumb to use them," Motoko said. STAB!! Keitaro was hit deep.

"Hey! I-I…have a good reason for not using them!" Keitaro interjected.

"Really? Like what?" Motoko asked, waiting for an answer like a lion waits for prey. Her face showed this and Keitaro almost didn't answer. Almost.

"Because I don't want to hurt anyone!" Keitaro suddenly said, decisive. Motoko was taken aback. Did he really not protect himself because he was afraid of hurting…her? Is that true…or is he just making things up? Motoko wondered.

"Motoko-chan, do you not see it? Keitaro cares about everyone in the Hinata-sou, even everyone that does not care about him," Tsuruko said. She smiled at Keitaro. "Even if he might not admit or know this," she said. Keitaro turned red and looked down while he coughed.

"Urashima…no, it can't be…" Motoko mumbled to herself, but her sister heard her.

"Ah, Motoko-chan, you don't understand do you?" Tsuruko said, and she stood up to leave.

"Wait! You never explained it!" Motoko shouted, desperate for an answer.

"I did, Motoko-chan, you just didn't understand," Tsuruko said. She walked out the door, then paused and turned around. "By the way, Keitaro?" He was feeling confused and got up.

"Yes?" he answered.

"If you ever gain your manhood back…I'd let you marry Motoko-chan," Tsuruko said. "You'd probably make a good match." She left, and Keitaro and Motoko stood there in shock, staring at each other. An awkward pause ensued unbroken.

"Err…" Keitaro stuttered, and he cleared his throat. Motoko looked away. She was just as confused as Keitaro. Is my sister giving me a subtle…or not so subtle hint? No, it can't be!! I would never marry Urashima!! Motoko declared inside her head.

"Well, err…good night, Motoko-chan," Keitaro said. "Don't think too much tonight, eh?" He walked out, his skirt swishing as he left. This reminded Motoko of a very important fact. Urashima is a girl anyways. He's not going to become a boy – and this caring is just like Naru-sempai would care, as a friend. Nothing more, nothing less, Motoko thought, confidently. She took out her futon. But, she suddenly realized, After all, Urashima is in essence a guy…I don't treat him like a girl now, do I? I call him him and not her. Perhaps…no, that would just be too odd, too odd indeed. Motoko shook her head violently, hoping perhaps that this would get rid of these thoughts in her head. It worked, but only for a couple seconds. Why did my sister have to come here? She moaned inside her brain.

"MOTOKO!!♥" Su suddenly shouted, and she flew in the room and landed on Motoko.

"Ah! SU!! Not so suddenly like that!!" Motoko cried, as Su hang onto Motoko and nearly choked her to death. Motoko fell down on top of her futon.

"Weee!" Su cried.

"Acck!" Motoko shouted, pulling on Su.

"Haha!" Su laughed.

-------------------------Keitaro's Room------------------------

Keitaro was laying on his futon in the darkness. He was trying to go to sleep, but he was uncomfortable. I can't get used to sleeping, he thought. He usually liked to sleep on his stomach, but now, two round things on his chest prevented him from doing that comfortably. One day, I am going to get that genie back! He thought angrily. He did this almost every night, though recently he hadn't thought about it very much. It almost routine for him, to wake up in the morning and put on a bra, panties, blouse, and – he shuddered – a skirt. No, correct that, a mini-skirt. Who invented those revealing pieces of cloth, anyways? He asked himself. Ever since Kitsune had burned his clothes, he had not worn a sweatshirt and jeans. He didn't have money to buy new ones, and of course Kitsune refused to replace the ones she had burned.

"You look so much cuter in a mini-skirt Keitaro!♥" she had exclaimed when asked why not. "I don't want to disappoint anyone!"

"Disappoint whom?!!!!" Keitaro had shouted in anger. Kitsune had giggled answered with,

"Why, all those people out there that need to watch lovely young ladies in mini-skirts!" Keitaro had fainted while Naru had cried out "PERVERT!!!" to Kitsune.

Keitaro sighed. Just now, Tsuruko had said she would let him marry Motoko. He had tried not to think about it by thinking about other things, but the subject floated into his brain again. A good match? Me and Motoko-chan? He asked himself. Naaahh…it can't be. She's a super duper kendo swordswoman and I'm…well, I'm a guy who's failed the entrance exam to Todai three times in a row, a three year ronin. His next thought immediately said, well, okay, actually I'm a girl. He smiled in the darkness of his room, then caught himself and stopped. Why did I smile? He wondered. He shifted position, though he still didn't fall asleep. His mind wandered to his recent experiences. Now he no longer received the angry and disgusted stares from girls when he walked along the street. Of course, instead, he received inappropriate whistles from guys as he walked along the streets, and sometimes he was even approached. He shivered and remembered the event that had prompted him to learn his "ninjutsu" techniques. He shifted again. Why would Tsuruko say something like that, and what had she meant when she said she didn't let him beat her? He had assumed the moment he whipped her sword from her that she had let go and for some odd reason let him beat her. He didn't understand it at all. Was she saying that for Motoko's benefit, perhaps to teach her a lesson?

I don't understand it at all! I feel confused. I can't possibly be that good, after all, I just learned this technique not too long ago. Keitaro scratched his head in the darkness. What had happened? How had he beaten Tsuruko? The more he pondered upon it, the less it makes sense. Maybe he should just follow the advice he had given Motoko – don't think too hard, or actually not at all. Sleep. Yes, sleep, this is what I need. He closed his eyes, not that he could see anything anyways.

###############Keitaro's Dream################

"Ah, I knew this day would come!!♥" Mutsumi cried out in joy. Keitaro was a man again. He was confused.

"What the? Where am I?" he asked Naru, who was standing there with a white dress on besides Su, Haruka, Kitsune, Mutsumi, Shinobu, and even Kanako.

"You idiot, you're at your wedding!" Naru said, and she hit him on the head. "Jeez, you're such an idiot all the time!" Keitaro looked around and yes, he was standing in front of an altar and there were many people watching, including Seta, Shirai and Haitani.

"You lucky dog, you!" Haitani said. Keitaro looked and saw Tsuruko walking down the aisle with Motoko by her side.

"I-I'm getting married to Motoko?!!" Keitaro suddenly exclaimed.

"Yes!♥" Mutsumi said. "Isn't it exciting?"

"Huh? But wait, I'm so confused!" Keitaro said. No one heard him and Motoko kept on walking down with his sister. The music in the background kept on playing while Keitaro sweated. Keitaro had to admit that Motoko did look beautiful in a flowing white dress with her long black hair peeking out of the veil. She reached the altar and the music stopped playing. The minister began to speak.

"We are gathered here today to unite this man, Urashima Keitaro, and this woman, Aoyama Motoko, in the bonds of holy matrimony which is an honorable estate. Into this, these two now come to be joined. If anyone present can show just and legal cause why they may not be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace," the minister said, pausing. Motoko gazed upon Keitaro.

"Keitaro-kun," she whispered, smiling. Ah ah ah she's so cute!! Keitaro thought, sweat pouring faster down his face.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" the minister asked.

"I do," Tsuruko said.

"Urashima Keitaro, will you have this woman as your lawful wedded wife, to live together in the estate of matrimony? Will you love her, honor her, comfort her, and keep her in sickness and in health; forsaking all others, be true to her as long as you both shall live?" The minister asked.

"I-I will," Keitaro answered. He didn't know why, he just played along, totally confused.

"And you, Aoyama Motoko, will you have this man as your lawful wedded husband, to live together in the estate of matrimony? Will you love him, honor him, comfort him, and keep him in sickness and in health; forsaking all others, be true to him as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes!" Motoko cried out. "I will!" Sara walked up in a flowery dress, holding two rings on a pillow. The minister took the pillow and began to speak again.

"Behold the symbol of wedlock. The perfect circle of love, the unbroken union of this man and this woman united here today. May you both remain faithful to this symbol of true love. Please join hands and repeat after me," the minister ordered. He gave the rings to Urashima, who nervously put them on himself and Motoko. Motoko grasped his hand and Keitaro blushed even redder than he had been since Motoko arrived at the altar.

"I, Urashima Keitaro, take Aoyama Motoko as my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." Keitaro repeated it nervously, stuttering every other word.

"I-I, Urashim-ma K-Keitaro, take Aoyam-ma Motoko, a-as my wedded wi-wife, to h-have and to hold from th-this day forward, for better or f-for worse, f-for richer of f-for poorer, in sic-sickness and in h-health, to l-love and to cherish, till d-death do us part."

"Please repeat after me. I, Aoyama Motoko, take Urashima Keitaro as my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." Motoko smiled as she spoke.

"I, Aoyama Motoko, take Urashima Keitaro as my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." The minister smiled and continued.

"For as much as Urashima Keitaro and Aoyama Motoko have consented together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company of friends and family, and have given and pledged their promises to each other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands. And now, by the authority vested in me, I pronounce this couple to be husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the minister said, and motioned to Keitaro and Motoko. Keitaro sweated as Motoko leaned forward. Everyone in the audience held their breath. Her face came closer and closer and Keitaro he just couldn't resist her face. He leaned forward too, and slowly clenched the hand that was holding on to Motoko's…

Keitaro woke up suddenly, sweating. What was it he had been dreaming? What craziness inhabited my mind? He knew it had something to do with Motoko – that was certain. But what? He remembered…something. It was a good dream, I think, Keitaro mused. But what was it? He thought nervously.

-----------------------Motoko's Room---------------------

Motoko was trying to sleep. She couldn't due to the very potent comment her sister made. Why would she say such a thing, and how would she know anyways? Hmmph! I don't want to marry Urashima, how could I? He's too dumb and stupid and spineless to be marrying material. Motoko shifted in her futon. Su moaned something, already asleep. Her mind was filled with all the times he had done something bad, and justified her response. Yet ne-chan spoke of grace. Why should I show people who don't deserve it grace? Motoko shifted again, getting angrier by the moment. I have enough things on my plate without worrying about junk like this. Maybe tomorrow morning it'll be better. I should just sleep. Yes…sleep, Motoko thought, and she closed her eyes.

###############Motoko's Dream##############

Urashima was sitting on a bench in a park. He was a man again, and he was looking quite studious as he read a book. Is that really Urashima? My, he looks like nicer, Motoko involuntarily thought. No wait, did I just? Urashima looked over and noticed Motoko.

"Oh, hi Motoko-chan, you're just on time!" he said. On time? On time for what? Motoko asked herself. He walked over. "My my, you look prettier every day, Motoko-chan!"

"Wha-? What are you talking about?" Motoko asked in surprise. Urashima was never this bold.

"I'm glad you're wearing that skirt I got you! It looks so good, just like Narusegawa said it would," Keitaro continued to compliment. Skirt? What skirt? Motoko asked, and she looked down and indeed she was wearing a skirt. "That mini-skirt Kitsune suggested was to short, in my opinion. I'm so glad I decided to get this one!" Keitaro smiled, and he held her hand. "Shall we go?" Motoko blushed, but suddenly whipped her hand away.

"Oh, so your hands only for you, eh?" Keitaro asked in a joking manner.

"What are you talking about?" Motoko asked again.

"Aren't we going to go out on the river?" Keitaro asked. "Like we always do on your birthday?"

"A-always?" Motoko asked, gulping.

"Let's go!" Keitaro said, and grabbed Motoko's hand again, dragging her along. Are we on a date? Am I on a date with…Urashima? Motoko wondered in silence as she was dragged along. They reached a stall by the river.

"One boat, please," Keitaro asked, giving the right amount of money.

"Okay, you can take the Moonlight. It's right over there," the old man managing the stall said. They began to walk. "Oh, hold up, what are your names?"

"Urashima Keitaro and Aoyama Motoko," Keitaro responded.

"Ah, okay," the man said, scribbling it down. "The couple Urashima Keitaro and Aoyama Motoko have rented the Moonlight. Be back by nightfall, otherwise I'll have to charge you more," the old man warned.

"Sure thing. Let's go, Motoko-chan," Keitaro said, and he led her down to a boat where they slowly paddled out onto the river. Motoko had to admit, the scenery was beautiful. The sun had started to set, and a pink-orange haze set itself over the river and the trees.

"It's a really nice view," Motoko said. Keitaro slowly paddled. He stopped, and they drifted slowly. Motoko gazed at the trees and water before her and sighed. "It really is pretty." Keitaro moved and sat next to Motoko.

"You know, you're right. But you're even more beautiful, Motoko-chan," Keitaro whispered into her ear. Ahhhh! Motoko suddenly thought. I forgot! I'm on a date with Urashima!! I can't let the mood take over! Why would I want to be here?

"Err…" Motoko said, "Shouldn't we head back?"

"Wait for just a minute," Keitaro said. He fumbled around in his pocket for something. "Do you remember that it was here that I first professed my undying love for you, Motoko-chan?" No! NOT AT ALL! Motoko thought. I must get out of here! Should I swim to the shore?

"Well, I thought it would be appropriate if I gave you this on the same day and place," Keitaro said, and he bended down on one knee and opened a ring box.

"U-Urashima?" Motoko asked, shocked out of her thoughts. "Are you asking me to?"

"Yes, Motoko-chan, will you marry me?" Keitaro asked, his voice sweet as honey and strong with confidence.

"I-I…" Motoko stuttered. How did this happen? When did she start – she shuddered – dating Urashima? How had it progressed this far? It must be a dream! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!! She pinched herself.

"Ahhh!" Motoko cried out, sitting up suddenly in bed. Su groaned and hung onto Motoko's shoulder. She had dreamed…no she could not think about it. It was too unreal – like an out of body experience. Had Urashima asked her to marry him? That would never ever happen. No, never! She declared to herself. Su suddenly got off her shoulder and stretched.

"Hmm? Did something happen, Motoko?" she asked sleepily.

"Uh…" Motoko replied, not sure what to say. She certainly couldn't tell anyone about her dream, not even her sister. No, change that. Especially not her sister.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Su asked. Motoko paused.

"Yes, I had a nightmare, but it's okay for now." She lay back down. No more dreams about Urashima!! She told her brain, and slept soundly and dreamless the rest of the night.

----------------------------Hinata-sou Living Room--------------------------

::The next morning, post-Christmas Day, after breakfast::

Tsuruko had all her bags in the living room, packed up and ready to go.

"It's been fun being here," Tsuruko said. "Everyone is so inviting and kind. I wish I had lived here when I was younger!" Everyone smiled and Tsuruko picked up her bags and walked to the door.

"Thanks for coming, Tsuruko-ne-chan!" Keitaro said as she crossed the threshold of the door.

"Motoko-chan," Tsuruko said, suddenly stopping at the door.

"Yes, ne-chan?" Motoko asked.

"Remember what I told you and Keitaro last night." She walked out the door, leaving Motoko slightly flustered. She remembered her dream and blushed. She looked at Keitaro who also was blushing.

"?" Su asked, along with Naru.

"Why are you guys all red?" Su asked.

"Uh…"

"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Keitaro and Motoko denied.

"Liar! I know you've done something!" Su cried, and she jumped on Keitaro and Motoko, holding them between her legs and holding their heads together. "What did Tsuruko say? Tell me! Tell me!" Keitaro and Motoko only turned a deeper shade of red, and they separated themselves, causing Su to almost fall over, but she hung onto Motoko.

"Tell me, Motoko!" she whined.

"N-no!!" Motoko said. She left and so did everyone, except Naru.

"Keitaro…" she began.

"Y-yes?" Keitaro answered, stuttering due to his nervousness.

"What did Tsuruko tell you?" Naru asked.

"Oh, nothing…nothing at all…" Keitaro said. He left and walked out of sight.

"I'm going to find out, one day," Naru said to the retreating form of Keitaro. "It must be something important." She left to find Kitsune.

A/N: I just want to say I'm sorry that this arc lasted one more chapter than I thought it would. I began typing and realized that unless I made it super long (which you guys probably wouldn't mind) I would have to separate it out. Also, this way I can update faster. Please R&R!!