Love Hina

Chapter 7

Feeling the Situation

Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.

I would like to first personally thank all of those reviewing my stories. I enjoy reading your comments, and try to correct the grammatical errors I miss with my final read-through as well as my spell checkers. The suggestions you all make will help make this story better for everyone to enjoy, as well as allow my to fix some plot holes I may unintentionally leave.

If you like, please review, as well as let me know of any spelling errors. I will then re-upload this chapter when I do my next upload.

If you like, check out my other stories.

I also plan to start sending these out to have someone else proofread them before I post them. Volunteers are welcome.

Now, on with the show.

Keitaro sat in his room, the empty tray of his dinner by the door on the small table. At his desk on the other side of the room were several exam books for the Toudai Exam. They had been brought to him by Mitsune, though it had cost him a bottle of sake, but she deserved it for doing him that favor.

He had spent the last few days getting to know the women of Hinatasou, trying to gain some understanding of them for when his bitch of a grandmother would return to quiz him on them.

I wonder if I should let her live long enough to place her through the hell she has put me through.

First there was Mitsune, a girl who seemed to be a forced contradiction. It was obvious she cared for the others like sisters, and even viewed Naru as her best friend. But the girl seemed to thrive on creating conflict, which was fine as long as no one was injured. She was every bit the trickster her nickname Kitsune implied. But there was darkness in her soul. She had lost her mother, a runaway because she couldn't handle the pressures or parenting. Her father had become a drunk, not a violent one mind you; just someone lost in the bottle after his own mother had died. His last act of kindness had been dropping her off at Hinatasou and then disappearing. If she left, she would end up with an uncle who many in the family; those that were still around and talking, would deem a vile pervert and a danger to anything female. She would go somewhere else, probably with Naru, but lack of funds was holding that option back. She had recently been helping out at the tea house so as to build up funds for it, wishing to possibly lower the burden on her new drinking buddy.

Next was Naru, a violent little girl still in high school but also trying for Tokyo U. Keitaro was beginning to think she might be Na-chan, as Mu-chan was about his age. If she was, he had to say he was proud she was trying to fulfill their promise, even if she probably had no memory of it anymore. Her home didn't sound too bad, aside from a hatred of a step-mother. Though she had a new sister, they hadn't seen much of each other as she had come to Hinatasou with Mitsune to attend high school, both having been old friends. When asked why she hated her step-mother, she became very quiet, a signal that she wasn't quite ready to deal with that issue, but she did promise Keitaro to talk more to her sister over the phone, as Keitaro was pointing out that while she had no problem with the sister, children tend to see themselves as the problem, and the girl might see herself as the reason Naru never came back.

Then there was Shinobu, the first girl to make an effort to get to know Keitaro. She had come from a broken home, both parents divorcing and arguing in front of her, often using a simple discussion of their daughter to fly into a yelling match. She had thus become a shy girl, constantly trying to keep the peace at her home and trying to avoid confrontation at any turn. It seemed that her parents were ending up fighting over custody of her when Hina came and gave her the option of living here. Now she had a quiet home, friends who cared for her like family, and thanks to her success with Keitaro, was beginning to come out of her shell. Of course, she would end up right back there should Hina find Keitaro lacking.

The bitch really has no care for them. Hell, I'm surprised she didn't insist I master the Hina Sword while I was at it. The moron probably thinks it really isn't cursed as well.

But then again, it does house a demon.

Maybe I should ask Akiri about it. If this demon doesn't like other demons, maybe I can use it to my advantage. Either way, I both get freed from this demon and temporarily possessed by one in a sword or I destroy the Hina demon and break the curse with the gift of a free sword.

Either way, victory for me.

Also there was Motoko, a member of the God's Cry School who was on her own to train and grow stronger. She was the heir to her school, and would one day return to take it over. The job had originally belonged to her sister Tsuruko, but she had fallen in love and gotten married, a sore point to this day for Motoko, who felt that the man had made her sister weak. Keitaro had to call her on that statement. "You sister found someone to love and be close to who felt the same way. The fact that you willingly try to put yourself into the lifestyle I am forced to live makes me really question whether or not you blame the man for your sister leaving the school, or for her leaving you." She was not happy at that, but returned an hour later to admit that she had felt betrayed. She had idolized her sister, but to leave for a matter of the heart… She would require more time to talk with. The girl seemed to desire the warrior's life, the life of a samurai, but had forgotten the balance that had allowed them to live happy lives.

Finally was Kaolla. She apparently was a princess from an island kingdom named Mol Mol, and had come to Japan to both enjoy her life and flee from the pressures demanded of royalty. She had an amazing intelligence, though she often showed how wild it was with her designs and inventions. A certain sensor package came to mind that was meant to analyze Keitaro's zone and determine how it had made her grow to her adult form, something to deal with a red moon if he remembered correctly. The thing had lasted through one drinking game with Mitsune and Naru before exploding and giving him a slight burn. She promised the new one wouldn't burn out, but she was determined to understand him and "get him to become a new playmate". Keitaro didn't know why, but that statement even made the demon inside him afraid, which of course meant it scared the shit out of Keitaro himself. She would require more time as well, as she seemed to be hiding something: an attraction to the possible knowledge of his abilities or something else, he wasn't certain. But she did seem happy that he was here.

So now he stared at the books, surprised at how low level some of this was. I can pass this stuff no problem. Hell, the math questions at their hardest are stuff I learned at fifteen, the history I can recite in my sleep, and if they wanted to challenge me on the foreign language, they should have tried Russian. The hard part will be taking it in an isolation suit.

The suit, currently being modified by Kaolla (insert huge demon and Keitaro shiver here) was designed to allow him to take the test without worry of his zone, as anything solid, even if clear, was enough to hold it back. The only problem was the test was eight hours long, two four hour blocks, for each of the two days. Even if the room was chilled below zero, he would still overheat in it, as it was little more than a large rubber glove. But Kaolla said she could fix it; though Keitaro declined the self destruct option as well as the assorted missile and laser weapons.

Though why anyone in a simple air-conditioned isolation suit needed heavy artillery currently not even available to the Japanese Self Defense Forces was beyond even him, and he had six degrees from three online colleges.

Of course, Tokyo U didn't have an online forum, so they weren't from there.

But still, it was enough for him. It helped kill the boredom between sixteen and nineteen.

Slamming the books shut, he turned to his laptop; the lonely man's best friend, and began to work on some stories. While drawing was all nice and good, sometimes he needed to express his mind beyond what the pen and pad allowed of him. At one time, he had envisioned himself as a great writer, and in truth he had writing several dozen short stories, with the plan to eventually have them published for the soul purpose of some spending cash to help out his folks, knowing that his welfare was a primary concern. Hell, it had taken Hina two weeks to convince them to leave him here, a decision they would be furious with and apologetic when and if they came back. But the stories now gave him a window into a world outside of his life, a chance to play a different role. It wasn't for profit, but more for fun now. They would be his legacy when he passed on.

But shutting off the computer, he realized that his thoughts were not on anything like this. His stories, his drawings, even the material he was supposed to be studying was not significant enough to draw his mind from the girls, especially Rei. She had confessed love for him, a fact that was difficult, if not impossible for him to accept. Here he was, a man who was cursed for the entirety of his remaining years, and a girl who had been his first, his best friend, confessed that she loved him, even as is.

"How the hell am I supposed to deal with this?" Keitaro dropped his head to the desk. These sorts of emotions and feelings were never an important issue for him growing up, he never thought about finding love, let alone a future with others. He had always assumed he would live a lonely existence with whatever family he had around until death, or at the very least until he was old enough to be considered a shut-in. Hell, Hina couldn't even claim victory for these revelations, as Rei would have confessed to him sooner or later back at his own home. The only thing Hina could claim was the near rape of Naru.

A knock on the door brought Keitaro out of his thoughts, a welcome reprieve. "Yes?"

"Sempai, is it safe to come in and get your tray?"

"Sure Shinobu, come in."

The young blue-haired girl came in a smile on her lips. "How is the studying going?"

"No problem, I learned this stuff before I turned sixteen. I bet my mom will be happy that all that studying I did will pay off. I should pass it the first time no problem."

"That's great sempai!"

"So Shinobu how was your day?" He watched her smile grow as she began to describe her day to him. He listened at her story, glad to see he was bringing such happiness to her by simply being a friend. It wasn't forced, he had seen enough forced happiness to tell the difference, and the young lady did seem to be happy to be openly sharing her time with him.

At least this is one thing I know how to handle.

I have no idea what I am going to do when the other two tenants arrive here.

Kanako stared at the TV in the hotel room, her new roommate beside her. It wasn't her fault things had ended up this way. She should have arrived at Hinatasou this morning, but a rock slide was blocking the tracks, something they hoped to have clear by tomorrow afternoon. Turning to her left, she saw her roommate on the other bed, watching the TV with of all things, a turtle on her shoulder. When a scene arrived in which the audience was supposed to be sad, she had watched in amazement as both the girl and the turtle pulled out hankies to wipe away the tears.

"That was very touching, wasn't it Tama?"

"Myuh myuh myuh."

"Yes, but I wish she would have survived."

"Myuh myuh."

"Well, maybe Akane was a better match for him that Jasmine."

Kanako just shook her head. The woman is talking to a turtle. I mean, true I talk to a cat, but it talks back in Japanese. How the hell does she understand a turtle?

"Yeah!"

Turning back, she saw that their hankies had been replaced with victory dance fans. Where the hell are they getting those things from?

"Ara that was a good story. Kanako, would you like some watermelon?"

Kanako didn't bother to look over; she knew the girl had just produced a huge watermelon, a fruit she apparently had an obsession with. "No thank you, it wouldn't be right for me to eat before bed. So where are you headed and why if you don't mind me asking?"

The girl had just finished placing a small wedge of the watermelon on a plate, which was given to the turtle who was now wearing a bib. "Oh, my name is Mutsumi, and I am heading to Hinata Springs to stay with an old friend. His grandmother offered me a place while I am taking the entrance exam for Tokyo University."

No way, there is no way in hell the fates are this spiteful to my family! "The woman's name wouldn't happen to be Hina and the place Hinatasou, would it?"

"Oh my yes, however did you know? I know; you must be psychic. That would explain the dark clothes."

Kanako rubbed her forehead. "Nope, I am going there to visit my adopted brother Keitaro."

"Oh, you know Kei-kun?"

She turned, looking at the turtle woman Mutsumi. Is this that promised girl my brother was telling me about?

Wait! She doesn't know what Hina has done to him! "Mutsumi, how long has it been since you last heard about my brother?"

"Oh, about forty-five seconds when you mentioned his name."

She can't be that dense. "No, I mean other than the letter, what was the last contact you had with him."

Mutsumi's expression darkened. "It was the day I left Hinatasou with my mother to move to Okinawa. I tried to write him, but I forgot the address."

"Mutsumi, something happened while you were gone to Keitaro, something that changed his life, and not for the better."

"Done, meow."

Kanako turned towards the bathroom door. In the air was her cat Kuro, floating with a damp towel around its body. Below him was a small girl with long black hair, wearing an oversized black shirt with a towel wrapped around her wet hair. "No ducky."

Kanako smiled. "We'll get you a new ducky later Sakura, now come to bed."

The little girl giggled before dashing to the bed, showing her strength and skill by hopping on it, despite her young age. Once there, she crawled over and began to give Kanako a hug.

"Ara, I forgot, who is she again?"

Kanako smiled. "Her name is Sakura Urashima, and tomorrow, she gets to meet her father." Though he doesn't even know she exists.

"Oh, that is good everyone should spend time with family. I'll go to bed now; can you tell me the story about Kei-kun tomorrow?"

Kanako smiled and nodded her head. The story about her brother was one of the things she hadn't even explained to her daughter, as she didn't want her afraid when she met her father.

As the lights were shut off, Kanako began to think again about why she was making the trip. She had never told Keitaro about Sakura, and had ensured from the family they wouldn't do it as he might not be able to stand the knowledge; a fact quite possible given the scars they knew existed on his wrists. But she deserved to meet her father, and quite frankly, was the only one besides Aunt Haruka who could even get near the guy to touch him right now.

She remembered the letter sent to her by Hina, cursing the old woman for still being alive. She told Kanako about what she had done after her own adopted caretakers had left for a trip, informing her of the situation she was now exposing her brother to, inviting her to go there and confront him about their daughter and make him finally grow up.

Hina you bitch, my brother grew up too soon as it was, and now you do this to him. If you hurt him anymore, I will kill you old woman, even if you did teach me the family style.

She looked down and saw her daughter cuddling her side, Kuro on her own chest with the tail tickling the girl's nose, causing small giggles. If this results in my daughter being hurt, there won't be a place on this world where you can hide.

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