Disclaimer:
I do not own anything from Love Hina or any copyrighted material. Any other characters used in this fic are mine, however.
Chapter 4 – Changes
Kitsune walked back to the Hinata Sou in a state of euphoria. After receiving the results from Dr. Haruna, the young woman couldn't believe it. Stopping in front a store window, she took a long look at the glass' refection.
"Me…of all people," she thought, a smirk on her face. "And to think Keitaro played a huge role in it."
Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach. The fox girl couldn't help but think about the new life that was inside of her. Truthfully, she never gave a second thought when it came to having kids and starting a family of her own. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
"Now how should I break the news to everyone?" she mused.
Kitsune continued to walk down the street, pondering the best way to make her announcement. Glancing around her surroundings, her eyes soon lock onto a nearby shop currently displaying several bottles of wines and assorted liquors. An idea soon popped into her head, followed by a familiar fox grin gracing her features.
"I know just the way."
Keitaro milled around the onsen, methodically scrubbing each area with the deck brush. Although he was focused on finishing the task before him, Keitaro couldn't help but have other things on his mind; it had been the first time in months that he had a chance for reflection. He had always thought that he knew what tomorrow might bring, but his view in terms of predicating his probable path in life changed day he and Kitsune confessed their feelings and began dating three years ago Now that they were married, he didn't know what fate might have in store in the near future. Keitaro couldn't help but be a little intimidated by that.
Finishing up the last part of the onsen, the young manager shouldered the deck brush and walked back to the closet. Tossing it inside, he pulled out his workbook from his back pocket and flipped to today's date.
"Let's see…the onsen's now clean, the windows have already been washed on the ground floor," he commented, turning a page. "Hmm…looks like there isn't anything else to do that really needs my attention."
Stuffing the small workbook back in his pocket, he walked toward the bathroom and washed up. Considering that this was one of those rare occasions of not having to toil the rest of the day away, Keitaro decided that a little relaxation was in order. Reaching the living room, he plopped down on the couch.
"I'm back," said a familiar voice, followed by the sound of the front door closing.
Keitaro smiled as Kitsune walked up, bags in hand. "Did you get what you needed for tonight?"
Kitsune grinned and held up a couple of bottles. "You know it. Considering that it's Motoko's first night free from the rigors of high school, I figured that it was only appropriate to get some things to make it unforgettable for her."
"Just promise me you won't go overboard," commented Keitaro.
A familiar foxy look formed on his young wife's features. "Oh, you know me – Miss Moderation."
With that she proceeded up the stairs and out of site. Keitaro sighed and shifted his weight into a more comfortable position. Despite his best efforts, he could help but feel that something big was about to happen tonight.
Later that evening the small festivities were anything but moderate. The girls milled around, congratulating the young swordswoman for her accomplishments. Keitaro was surprised that everyone was alert, despite it being almost ten o'clock – but at the rate he party's progression is going, he wouldn't be surprised to see everyone sleeping in until noon tomorrow.
"How 'bout another drink Motoko," offered Kitsune.
"Uh, no thanks," commented Motoko, pushing the cup away. "I think one drink is good enough."
"Oh come on – you're going to get exposed to this sooner or later," said Kitsune, playfully nudging her side. "Might as well get used to it by experience it in the safety of the dorm."
Sighing, a reluctant Motoko took out her glass as Kitsune filled it back up. Naru walked up toward them and sat next to Keitaro, holding a glass of sake of her own. Seeing the scene before her made the Toudai student smile and shake her head.
"Poor thing," she laughed lightheartedly, and then sighed. "I remember Kitsune doing the same thing when I graduated."
"I take it that it was a night to remember," Keitaro commented, smiling.
"Well to put it bluntly, it felt like my head was in a vice for the reminder of the week," replied Naru, taking a sip of her drink.
A moment later, Su and Shinobu appeared form the kitchen, joining everyone else in the living room. While the girls were busy enjoying the evening festivities, Keitaro leaned back on the wall and relaxed, watching the seen unfold before him. It had been a while since he had seen all their girls have fun.
"Having fun?" asked Haruka standing next to him, her arms folded across her chest.
"Hehe…yeah," replied sheepishly. "It feels like it's been ages since we were having fun like this."
"I think it was Einstein that said that time was relative," Haruka commented. "Better enjoy these kinds of moments while they last."
The two Urashima's watched the current tenants of the Hinata Sou, having a good time. At this point in the party, it seems that Motoko's serious demeanor has given way to a more subdued one to say the least – seemed to Keitaro that his wife's power of persuasion has claimed another poor individual.
"Au– I mean Haruka," started Keitaro, but quickly corrected himself, "…do you think…well…"
"Do I think about…what?"
"Do you think we'll ever have moments like these in the old inn?" he asked. "I mean…it seems that someone had hit the fast-forward button on time itself and…well…"
Haruka chuckled. "You're worried that you'll all drift apart, right?"
"Something like that," he answered. "I dunno…maybe I'm just thinking way too much on what's happened recently."
"I think that the problem – you're thinking too far into the future," comments Haruka, "take it one day at a time. I don't want you to worry so much about the future you begin to neglect the present."
Keitaro felt a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Thanks…really."
Haruka gave him a half-smile. "Hey…what are relatives for?"
There was a stillness that hung throughout the Hinata Sou as Keitaro sat on the roof. The party had ended almost an hour ago, although it was because none of the girls had the stamina to stay up to the wee hours of the morning – with the exception being of course Kitsune. Although he wasn't present to witness the party's end, the fact that the sounds of celebration gradually faded in obscurity certainly told him. As he stood on the deck, he heard someone walking up behind him. Turning around, he spots Kitsune with her trademark foxy expression along with a blanket in hand.
"Figured you'd be here Keitaro," she comments, sitting next to him.
"I take it the party's over."
"Yup," replied Kitsune. "I could've been up here sooner, but I had to take care of a few things."
Keitaro cocked his head to the side. "Like what, exactly?"
Kitsune laughed lightly. "Let's just say that when I tell Motoko that she snores after having a few drinks, I'll have the evidence to support it.
Keitaro smiled and turned his gaze to the stars above. "What brings you out here?"
Keitaro sighed, turning his gaze up toward the stars. "Nothing really."
"Is that it?" asked Kitsune, wrapping the blanket around both of them. "Well if you really wanted to think about nothing, might I suggest you bring a blanket – it's a bit chilly out here."
"Point taken," Keitaro comments, smiling. "To be honest…I just came up here to think."
"About what?" asked Kitsune.
Keitaro sighed. "Well…I guess I just realized that things are changing faster than I thought."
"Kind of crazy isn't it?"
"Yeah," answers Keitaro. "But change is a part of life – it's not necessarily a bad thing."
"Speaking of change," comments Kitsune, "how'd you like to have another one?"
"Huh…what are you talking about Kitsune?"
Kitsune smirked. "Well, what would you say if we needed to start thinking about…our little Urashima?"
Keitaro stared back at Kitsune surprise, his mind a complete as the young manager thought about what she was implying. After what felt like an eternity, slowly put a hand on Kitsune's shoulder. Looking straight at her, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
"A little Urashima…as in…a child," he said slowly, still in disbelief. "Our child?"
Kitsune nodded.
His eyes grew wider. "Which means…you…you're…"
"…Pregnant." Kitsune said finishing his sentence.
Realizing that it wasn't a joke, Keitaro was overjoyed. Wrapping his around her and smiling from ear to ear was excited that they were about to have children together. Suddenly the events of earlier that evening crept in his mind as his natural instincts began to kick in.
"W-Wait! Kitsune, Haven't you been drinking all this evening!" he exclaimed, resting his hand on her stomach.
"There's nothing to worry about – I filled up on non-alcoholic wine all this time. I didn't want to arouse too much suspicion with the gang," giggled Kitsune and kissed him on the cheek for reassurance.
Keitaro sighed in relief. Even though they've been together for a while, he should've realized that she's still sly as ever. He pulled himself closer to her and wrapped his arm around the small of her back.
"Hehe…I still having trouble believing it," commented Keitaro. "But I'm happy all the same."
"Yeah, I can see our little girl now," replied Kitsune, envisioning their child. "She'll have your sweet personality along with her mother's gorgeous looks – probably be an instant hit with the guys also."
Keitaro grinned and formulated his own vision of their child. "He will definitely have his mother's sense of charm and personality along with his father looks. He probably won't do that many sports, but he'll most likely find time for other things like writing or art."
"I think it's way to early to figure out what our kid will be interested in or not – hell we don't even know if it's gonna be a boy or girl," she laughed, laying her head on his shoulder
"I guess you're right," said Keitaro.
The pair sat on the roof, letting time pass by. Keitaro was still trying to get over the fact that he and his young wife were about to be parent soon, but the more he thought about it the more he liked it. After what seemed like an eternity, he got up.
"Come on, let's go to bed – we can make the big announcement to the other later in the morning…or when ever they'll all be up."
Kitsune nodded and got up. As the pair made their way to their room, Keitaro couldn't help but smile as he came to a simple conclusion – he and Kitsune were about to start a family of their own.
A/N – Hi guys and gals…it's been a long time hasn't it. I feel really bad and I'm very sorry for not updating sooner. I know the last time I said that I'd update regularly, but school ended up taking a lot more of my time than I thought. Believe me I'd give both my legs just to get one day to write, but I guess it's better late than never, right?
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed chapter 4. I'm not really sure when I'll write chapter 5, but let me assure you I haven't abandoned this story – no sir! Send me your input and I'll try to get chapter 5 up a little more sooner next time!