Okay, nothing personal, but you people have no patience whatsoever. Keep in mind that if you rush me, you may not like what you end up with. As for those of you who complained about the so-called ending (you know who you are), I hope this proves that the story's not over until I say it is. Anyway, this chapter will resolve issues brought up back in chapter 9.
I don't feel any shame, I won't apologize
When there ain't nowhere you can go
Running away from pain when you've been victimized
Tales from another broken home
---Green Day
Chapter 14
The girls were deathly silent as after leaving Keitaro's hospital room. Even Suu found herself in quiet contemplation. All were relieved that their landlord's injuries would not be lasting ones, but were still saddened that they had been inflicted on him in the first place--some more so than others. It wasn't until they reached the waiting room that the silence was finally, if not mercifully broken.
"I'm glad Keitaro's going to be alright," Shinobu said somewhat timidly. Hearing that, one could almost say that she had lost all the confidence she had gained since confessing and eventually dealing with her fealings for her sempai. Almost.
"We all are, Shinobu," Haruka said, her voice as devoid of emotion as ever. "We all are." It was at this time that the (as much as she would be loathe to admit it) elder amongst them noticed something amiss. "Where's Naru?"
Everyone looked around to find that, sure enough, Naru had indeed gone M.I.A. "I'll go look for her," Kitsune volunteered, heading off back the way they came. "As if I don't know where she is," she thought. She would not even return to Keitaro's room, as she would meet with her quarry en route. She searched for words that did not make her sound presumptuous, failing miserably. Fortunately, Naru answered her question before she asked it.
"I said what I came here to say," Naru said.
It took Kitsune a moment to realize that Naru had walked right by her, not even pausing when she spoke, forcing her to rush a bit to catch up. Not another word was spoken between the two as they rejoined the group. During this time, Kitsune saw that, while Naru did not look happy or cheerful by any stretch of the imagination, she not longer appeared dead to the world. It seemed as thought a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It didn't take long for Kitsune to figure out what that might have been.
After what felt like an eternity, they returned home, but for reasons they were all aware of, Hinata-Sou seemed empty. They also knew that, for at least the next twenty-four hours, is was going to remain that way.
"Listen," Haruka said. "I have to go open up the shop. I want you all to promise me that you won't fall apart while Keitaro's gone. Can you do that for me?" None of the girls said anything, but all of them nodded. Haruka figured that was the best response she was going to get. "Alright. As soon as the doctor calls, I'll let you know, but I think it would be for the best if I went to pick him up by myself. Do I make myself clear?" Another collective nod. "I'll see you then."
After Haruka left, the girls started to go about their own business, albeit with an obvious lack of enthusiasm. However, none of them would even get past the living room.
"Hey, guys," Naru said, stopping everyone in their tracks. "I know you all were worried about me yesterday and I think it's about time I told you what happened." The reason behind this was that she knew she would have to explain her absence sooner or later, and since she was more rational that morning--for more reasons than one--she felt this was as good a time as any.
While everyone was getting themselves situated, Naru prepared herself to recall the events of the previous day. She knew well enough that bringing back such unpleasant memories wasn't going to be easy, but then again, life at Hinata-Sou rarely was.
"Well," Nary began. "After leaving the karaoke club, I wanted nothing more than to leave all my problems behind; I didn't much care how."
Having gone through that routine more times than she can count, Kitsune knew exactly what Naru was referring to, but hoped it was otherwise. "Please, tell me you didn't..."
Naru nodded. "I did, but I was so consumed in my own thoughts that I barely got through one glass." That statement made the fox more at ease, but it would be short lived. "Most of that time was spent purging my negative emotions. By the time I finished that one drink, I had a plan of action laid out, but fate would intervene in the form of one Kentaro Sakata."
"Remind me," Kitsune said. "Who is he again?"
"He is the one currently working at the tea shop to pay for the damages he caused," Motoko said.
"Oh yeah, the guy who's practically slave labor."
"And also who's been trying to win my affection since the day he and I first crossed paths," Naru added. "Anyway, he asked what I was doing and why Keitaro wasn't there worshipping the ground I walk on. Over a few rounds, at his expense, I told him every atrocity Keitaro committed against me in the last week, regardless of how justified they may have been."
Naru managed a weak smile. "I guess it wouldn't take a genius to know that I can't handle alcohol like you can, Kitsune, so it didn't take too long for me to become incoherant. Kentaro helped me to a train station where, within seconds of boarding, I was out like a light. Even now, I'm still not sure if I passed out or fell asleep."
Motoko's hand strayed to where her sword would have been but wasn't, since the hospital did not allow weapons and she did not get the chance to retreive it before Naru's announcement. "How dare he aid in the intoxication of a minor!" she said, standing up and heading off in the direction of her room, intent on getting her weapon of justice and punishing someone who, for a change, actually deserved it, but she wouldn't even reach the stairs.
"Motoko, stop," Naru said. "It's not his fault. It was my idea to get drunk in the first place. All he did was foot the bill." Everyone was surprised to hear this, as they figured Naru more than anyone would want to see Kentaro on the receiving end of a beatdown, if only as payback for what happened to Keitaro because she wasn't there to prevent Kitsune from blowing her top.
"Even if I had passed out on the train," Naru continued. "It must have become sleep at some point, if the dream I had was any indication..." Naru then explained her nightmare in vivid detail. She described how, one by one, everyone, expressed their abhorrence for her actions of the recent and not-so-recent past. As she neared the ending, she became more and more emotional. "...And then..." she sobbed. "You two shared a kiss and left me alone... alone till the end of... of..." Finally losing it, she buried her face in Kitsune's shirt. "I'm so sorry!" she wailed. "I never meant to make you all hate me like this!"
For a moment, the others just sat there, shocked at what they may be capable of. Perhaps the only ones exempt from this were Suu, for whom it was just par for the course, and Kitsune, only because of her recent tirade.
"That's not true," Kitsune said, hoping she was speaking for everyone. "We don't hate you."
"It IS true!" Naru said. "All I'm ever good for is causing problems for everyone. You should know that better than anybody."
"Uh..." In a rare turn of events, Kitsune was at a loss for words. Naru's argument caught her off guard and left her without a way to counter it. Looking around the room, she silently pleaded for the others to help back her up.
Motoko quickly took the initiative. "You speak as though you are the only girl forced to bear emotional stress. That could not be farther from the truth, even among your friends. What you have had to go through is known especially by Shinobu and myself."
"What do you mean?" Shinobu asked, not quite catching on.
"In recent days, she has had to face unrequited love," Motoko said. "How long did you have to endure it?"
"I see," Shinobu muttered, nodding in understanding.
"As for me..." Motoko seemed somewhat reluctant to continue, illustrated by the increasing redness of her face. "Well, Naru is not the only one who has done some soul searching in regards to matters of the heart. Let us just leave it at that, shall we?"
The others were awestruck. Never before had they heard, nor did they ever expect such an admission from someone as set in her ways as Motoko. The look on her face--not to mention the blush that apparently refused to leave-- signified that the path to the revelation was no doubt rife with obstacles, most of which of her own creation. Despite all this, there was one thing her expression did not possess: shame. Whatever it took for her to come to terms with her own feelings, it was not something she would willingly undo any time soon.
For their part, the other girls did not inquire about the subject of Motoko's newly accepted affection was. This was mostly because one, it was already established that the swordswoman did not wish to speak of it further, and two, they already had a pretty good idea as to who it was. Everyone found themselves so involved in this, they briefly forgot their original train of thought.
"Um..." Shinobu started. "This might sound awful, but What were we talking about again?"
"Oh yeah," Kitsune said. "Naru was describing that dream she had."
Almost imperceptibly, Naru flinched. For her, that day--that week would be better left forgotten. However, she knew that if she did not speak up, the issue may remain in everyone's minds, unresolved for a long time to come.
"Well," Naru continued, openly dreading what might ensue at the conclusion. "When I woke up from my nightmare, I found myself in what I can only assume was Kentaro's house--and his bed."
Seeing the uproar coming, Shinobu tried to stop it before it started. "That was nice of him."
"What do you mean, nice?" Kitsune asked. "He got her drunk and took her to his house."
"And he could have had her sleep on the couch," Shinobu countered with aggression non of the girls, herself included, knew she had. "But he didn't. He sacrificed his own comfort for her."
"Not exactly," Naru said. "He was in bed with me."
"Well..." Shinobu rolled that information around in her head a bit. "I wouldn't want to wake up alone in a strange place, would you?"
"I suppose not."
"Why are you defending Kentaro?" Motoko asked.
"Because not everything is the worst-case scenario," Shinobu responded. "You of all people should know that." That shut the swordswoman up.
"There's one more thing," Naru said. "I was... naked." A moment of uneasy silence followed.
"Well?" Kitsune asked. She, along with the others, turned to who had become the voice of reason. "Try and rationalize that."
"Uh..." Shinobu's mind scrambled to find some way to make it appear in a better light, but came up empty. "I guess you would have to ask him," she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"I was hoping you would say that," Motoko said, once again heading up to her room. This time around, nobody tried to stop her.
---
For Kentaro, that morning seeming like any other, mostly because he was unaware of his recently appointed position on death row. Perhaps the only thing that was amiss was that Naru was not there. He had hoped that he'd have a talk with her over breakfast, but apparently, that was not to be. He could only make assumptions as to where she had gone, but since he was going that way anyway, he figured his original plan wasn't entirely shot. Little did he know what would befall him while there.
As he approached the tea shop, he saw Haruka there, opening it for business. This in itself was a rarity, as she usually had it up and running a couple hours prior to his arrival. It was possible that she could have overslept, but there was a better chance of the world coming to an end. He decided not to call attention to it. "Hello, Haruka," he said.
Haruka's only response came in the form of a cursory glance before heading inside. This struck Kentaro as strange, as he had gotten accustomed to her usual "get to work" style of greeting. By the time he got himself situated, he was ninety-five precent sure there was something troubling her. He kept this to himself, as prying into one's boss's personal life is never the wisest thing to do.
His mind quickly turned to Naru and the conversation they had the previous day. He considered it hard to believe that Keitaro--whom, in his opinion, had a weak mind and a spine to match--could ever do the things she described to him. Despite this, he couldn't help but believe her. Granted, she has been one to blow things out of proportion on many occasions--most of which result in giving Keitaro a one-way flight into town--but making up something as major as a complete reversal of fortune in regards to affection received would be a bit much, ever for her.
Kentaro was so engrossed in the combination of his thoughts and his work, he was unaware of someone entering the tea shop, nor did he notice the visitor speak briefly with Haruka, who then pointed in his general direction. In retrospect, he wished he had been more attentive. Turning around, he suddenly found himself face to blade with Motoko. With a yelp he reeled, slamming his back into a counter.
"You're coming with me," Motoko said, not wasting any time at all.
"A-Are you sure?" Kentaro stuttered. "I mean, I still have work to--"
"Haruka was kind enough to let us borrow you for a while," Motoko said. "Now move. You will not be told twice."
Without a second thought--and maybe a first--Kentaro started walking toward the door. As he passed by Haruka, he wordlessly pleaded to her for salvation, or at least an explanation for his summons, but was met by another glance and nothing more. He would not get a second chance, as Motoko was prodding his forward like a cow to the slaughter.
As Kentaro trudged up the steps, he became even more concerned by one word that stuck in his mind: borrow. The issue it brought forth was not if, but when he would return, and in how many pieces. Despite, or perhaps because of his mounting fear, he dared not speak.
When he entered the living room, he found the other girls already there, staring right at him. If looks could kill, the resulting carnage would make Texas Chainsaw Massacre look like Hamtaro.
"Sit down," Motoko said, shoving Kentaro toward the couch, where he was flanked by Suu and Shinobu. Kitsune and Naru sat in chairs to his left and right respectively, and Motoko took a seat at the table directly in front of him.
"What do you all want with me?" Kentaro asked, his eyes shifting nervously.
"It's simple, really," Kitsune said, her arms crossed. "You're going to tell us a little story."
"What kind of story?" Kentaro asked.
Naru got straight to the point. "We want you to explain what you did to me last night."
Kentaro was stunned. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "I didn't do anything."
"Cut the crap!" Kitsune said. "Naru told us how you two crossed paths. It's time for you to fess up and take what's coming to you."
"The way I see it," Motoko said. "You currently have three strike against you. If you can explain your actions, you may save yourself a fate worse than death. Are you ready to defend yourself?"
"Sure," Kentaro said, suddenly relieved that he was attending his trial and not his execution. "I have nothing to fear, since I'm innocent of whatever it is you're accusing me of."
"We'll see," Kitsune said. "First question: Why did you take Naru ti your house and not here?"
"Self-preservation," Kentaro said. "I don't even want to think about what Motoko would have done to me if I brought her in passed out drunk."
"That makes sense," Motoko said, trying to be impartial. In her de facto role as judge, it was more or less a requirement. Indeed, everyone present was considering the possible outcome if that scenario had come to pass. However, in the minds of the girls, the one dishing out punishment was not Motoko, mostly because it would be happening during Kitsune's period of enragement--no pun intended.
"Okay," Kitsune said. "Second question: Why was Naru in bed with you?"
"What, you expect me to just leave her on the couch or something?" Kentaro asked. "I don't have to be callous just because I'm a man."
Shinobu couldn't help but grin as she heard this, knowing her prediction just came to fruition.
"This morning," Kentaro continued, turning to Naru. "I intended to talk to you about this whole Keitaro mess, but when I woke up, you were nowhere to be found."
"Which brings us to the final issue that needs to be settled," Kitsune said. "No matter how much you try to make it look like you were being comforting, that is no excuse for stripping her naked in her sleep." She balled her fists. "So help me God, if you raped her, I'll--"
"Hold on," Kentaro interrupted. "Is that what you think I did! You've got it all wrong!"
"Do I?" Kitsune said, obviously not convinced. "If you're so confident, then why don't you enlighten us?"
"So this is what they brought me in for," Kentaro thought. He took a deep breath before speaking aloud. "When I got home yesterday, I immediately put Naru in bed and went on with my business, assuming she would not be waking up any time soon. The time eventually came for me to catch some Z's myself... and that's when fate threw a curve ball."
The girls were all hanging on Kentaro's every word--the majority of which eagerly awaiting his confession to crimes accused or otherwise.
"When I entered my room," Kentaro continued after a brief pause. "Naru was writhing about on the bed. I can only imagine what kind of dream you were having, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't pleasant. Upon further inspection, I saw that she was practically sweating buckets, completely soaking her clothes. I did the first thing that came to mind, not giving any thought to the possible consequenses."
"So you took off her clothes, just like that?" Motoko asked.
"Would you rather I let her freeze overnight?" Kentaro asked, his confidence growing as he went along. "And I did what I felt was necessary, I hung up her clothes in the laundry room and went back to bed. Next thing I knew, it was morning and Naru was gone."
"Oh please," Kitsune said. To say she was skeptical would be a slight understatement. "You expect us to believe that's all you did?"
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this," Kentaro thought, sighing. "Well," he said. "To be honest, her unclothed state did not go... shall we say... unobsserved."
"So you admit to ogling Naru while she was incapacitated," Motoko said.
"Yes," Kentaro said. "Nothing more, nothing less. It is true that many men would not hesitate to violate Naru if given such an opportunity, but I am not one of them. Despite my failed attempts to win Naru's affection, I will not, now or ever, stoop so low as to sate my desires in such a forceful manner." He crossed his arms. "I've said my piece. If you're still going to persecute me, go on ahead, but keep in mind that you'll be punishing an innocent man."
The girls all exchanged glances, not entirely sure of what to do next. "Oh, come on," Kitsune finally said. "We can't just let him get away with this! I mean, you've gone after Keitaro's head for less!"
"Do no remind me," Motoko said. "While it is true that if this had happened some time ago, Kentaro would be execued, or at least castrated for his actions. However, times have begun to change and I will not harm anyone, regardless of gender, without probable cause."
"And you don't call what he did probable cause!" Kitsune asked, almost screaming. "Naru, you agree with me, right?"
Naru shook her head. "No." She turned to Kentaro. "I thank you for caring for me while I was intoxicated and for your show of... restraint."
"You don't really believe him, do you?" Kitsune asked.
"Yes, I do. Were I to follow your lead and give him a trashing, I woulod find myself in the same cycle of abuse I found myself in with Keitaro. We all know where that lead. Kentaro, you are free to go."
"Thank you," Kentaro said, taking the opportunity while Kitsune's views were still in the minority. As soon as he was outside, he let out a sigh of relief. "And so, truth prevails." Not wasting any more time, he returned to the tea shop. "I'm back," he announced.
"So you are," Haruka said, inwardly surprised that Kentaro came back at all, much less whole. "What did the girls want with you?"
"They just wanted to have a talk with me," Kentaro said, heading off into the back to get back to work, effectively end the conversation. While he had his back turned Haruka allowed herself to narrow her eyes in confusion.
---
"Have you guys all gone nuts?" Kitsune asked once the defendant was out of sight.
"I might ask you the same thing," Motoko said. "Ever since yesterday, you have expressed enough anger to compensate for both Naru and myself."
"Considering what has happened in that span, I'm sure you can understand why," Kitsune said. "I still can't believe you let Kentaro go like that."
"He's not at fault for this," Naru said. "I'm the one who ran away from her problems. The only other one I could blame is Keitaro, and you already know, he has received his punishment and then some. Besides, what Kentaro did was not that bad."
"Are you kidding?" Kitsune asked. "You've given beatdowns to Keitaro for so much as suspiscion of peeping. Kentaro flat out admits to it and you do nothing. What's gotten into you?"
"Awareness, that's what," Naru responded. "I never truly realized what it was like to be appreciated for my looks until I stopped receiving it. In a way, I'm kind of flattered."
"Whatever," Kitsune said, getting up to leave the room, but was stopped by Motoko grabbing her arm.
"Kitsune, you need to calm down," the swordswoman said. "We know you're angry about what happened to Naru; I can empathize with you on this. However, you must not let your anger consume you."
"That's right," Naru said. "After all, look where I ended up."
"You have a point," Kitsune said. "I guess if you can learn to keep your temper, I have no reason to lose it for too long, no matter the circumstances. Hopefully, I won't fly off the handle like I did ever again."
One by one, everyone left each other to their own devices. Not surprisingly, the day seemed to go by relatively quickly, despite their beloved landlord's absense. Perhaps it was thought of his return in the near future that helped things along.
End of Chapter 14
Long-winded perhaps, but it gets the point across. It seems every time I think the plotline for a chapter is too thin, I'm surprised by how long it becomes. Please R&R, but do so at a reasonable volume, as I do not appreciate being yelled at.