Disclaimer:
I do not own anything from Love Hina or any copyrighted material. Any other characters used in this fic are mine, however.
Chapter 5 – An Announcement and a Promise
Keitaro could feel the warmth given from the sun, as he awoke to a new day. Instinctively, the young man moved his hands to his face and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. As his vision came into focus, he looked over to his right to see Kitsune still sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her up just yet, Keitaro quietly slipped out of bed and proceeded to get dressed. Just as he pulled his shirt over his head his eyes gazed on a small picture frame that lay on his desk, containing two important photos – one of him and Kitsune at their wedding, and another group photo of all the tenants.
Thinking back on the night before, it still seemed hard to believe that he and Kitsune were going to be parents soon. It's going to be a shock to their families once they make the announcement…but more so when he tells the girls. The only real problem is how the girls were going to take it From his experience, a simple slip of the tongue or accidental circumstances that were beyond his control has led him to see the business end of Naru's fist or Motoko's sword – or both. He shuttered to think what the girls' reaction would be.
From behind, Keitaro heard a long yawn alone with the sound of sheets being moved about. Turning around, he sees that Kitsune sitting upright in the bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Morning," she said sleepily, "what time is it?"
"Almost ten," answered Keitaro.
Kitsune got out of bed. "Really? Hmm, looks like we're gonna be waking up the rest of the gang…that is unless they're up already."
"After last night, it'll be a wonder if they'll be able to get up at all."
The young woman began to get dressed as usual, until she notices something odd about Keitaro. Moving over to his side, she wraps her arms around his waist and sits her chin on his shoulder.
"Is something wrong?" she asks, cocking her head to one side.
Keitaro sighs and picks up the picture frame. "Well to tell you the truth…I'm just a little worried about…you know…"
"How the others are gonna take the news, right?"
Keitaro nodded, causing Kitsune to sigh. The young man knew that she of all people knew how her close friend could jump overboard as well as Motoko – the little incident at the conclusion of their wedding made it evident. Despite being married and all, they both had a reason to be a little concerned.
"Keitaro…sweetheart," she said, "I know that this could…shake up the others, more so for two individuals in particular. Hopefully they won't overreact as badly as before."
Keitaro turned to her and gave her a small smiled. "You're probably right…but we'll just have to see now, don't we?"
"Kitsune smiled back and kissed him on the cheek. "That's the spirit…and if worse comes to worse, the after affects of last night haven't worn off yet on those two."
Setting the picture frame back on his desk, Keitaro and Kitsune made their way down toward the living room. Sure enough, everyone was present – the only people that were awake were Haruka and Su, who were busy trying to wake the others up. The smell of breakfast meant that the resident chef had already started cooking for everyone. After being aware of their presence, they turned their attention to the young couple.
"Morning guys," said Keitaro.
"Good morning," answered Su, and cheerfully waved at the couple.
"Morning you two," Haruka said, and cocked an eyebrow at her niece. "I thought you of all people would be down here after the party?"
"Well, I have a really good reason why I shouldn't drink to a drunken stupor anymore," she answers.
"We'll explain once we wake up everyone else," said Keitaro, trying to quell the expression of confusion on his aunt's face.
After much persistence by Su and the Urashimas, they finally managed to rouse Motoko, and Naru up from their dream world. It took a moment for the three to realize what exactly was going on, but it became clear to everyone that last night's party had taken its toll on those who were actively involved. On any other day, it would've been a humorous sight to see – but it didn't really help ease the anxiety Keitaro was feeling at that moment. Considering the bombshell he and Kitsune were about to drop on everyone present, it was hard to judge what their initial reaction would be.
"Ugh," groaned Naru. "Jeez…that's the last time I'm partying like that. Ever."
"Kitsune," said Motoko rubbing her head to ease the pain. "Kitsune, I don't recall having dizziness and an enormous headache part of the fun."
Naru then turned her attention to her friend. "Kitsune, how are you able to stand upright after last night. You drank as much as I did."
The sound of someone walking toward them made everyone present turn toward the kitchen area. Shinobu, still in her usual apron, appeared from the doorway.
"Morning everyone. Glad to see everyone is finally up," said Shinobu, but then realized that everyone had stopped talking. "Is…um…something wrong?"
"Good morning Shinobu," said Kitsune, "and no, nothing's wrong. Is just that me and Keitaro have something we want to share with you."
The young girl cocked her head to one side. "What do you mean?"
Keitaro and Kitsune looked at each other as the others looked on earnestly. The young manager took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves for what he was about to say.
"Well…um, there isn't an easy way to say this," started Keitaro, fidgeting slightly. "Kitsune and I…well…um, what I wanna say is that…"
Kitsune wrapped an arm around his shoulders and grinned. "What he's trying to tell you guys is that he and I are gonna be parents soon!"
The moment the fox girl uttered those words, it seemed that time itself came to a screeching halt. The expressions on all the other girls ranged from surprise, disbelief, absolute shock, or a mix of all three. The extended silence made the whole situation that much more awkward – it also made Keitaro more nervous. Haruka was the first one to speak.
"Wow…I would've never guessed," the older woman said quietly.
"Sempai…you and Kitsune …" a shocked Shinobu said.
"Good thing all those blows to your body didn't prevent you from having kids," commented Su cheerfully. "Look like you were able to have some fun with Kitsune after all!"
Naru sat up as if she was hit with ten thousand volt of electricity. "Kitsune, you mean to tell me you're pregnant! And that he…and you?!"
"This is…unexpected," commented Motoko, still in a state of shock herself. "How is this possible?!"
"Well Motoko," stated Su, "when a man a woman really love each other the man takes his–"
"Su!" everyone said in unison.
"We've all taken that particular class before – I don't think we need an explanation on how these things are done," commented Haruka.
Keitaro laughed nervously. "A-Anyway…um…yeah. Me and Kitsune are having a baby."
Shinobu clasped her hands together. " Sempai, I'm so happy for you! Kitsune, you are so lucky that you get to experience something like this!"
"Thanks Shinobu," replied Kitsune, smiling.
Kitsune and Keitaro then turned their attention to Haruka. The older woman turned away pulled the unlit cigarette out from her mouth, obviously aware of the health risks associated with smoking. Turning back to them, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Once again, I find myself torn – on one hand, I'm happy that you two are going to have a family of your very own," she said, and then laughed. "Unfortunately for me, it's means I'm now the sister of a grandfather."
Kitsune put on her trademark foxy grin. "I see your point but…you know, it just sort of happened."
Keitaro then shifted their focus on Motoko and Naru, both of whom were sitting on the couch. Their facial expressions clearly showed that they both didn't know how to react exactly. Keitaro looked at Kitsune nervously, then looked back at the two. The young man tensed up as he prepared for each of their reactions.
"So guys," he said, scratching the back of his head, "um…hehe…what do you think of the news?"
Motoko and Naru looked at each other for a moment, then back at him. They both slowly got up from the couch and moved toward the young man. Motoko took a deep breath and let out a long, calming sigh while Naru closed her eyes tightly as if she was suppose to remember something. It was clear that the two young girls were making an effort to restrain themselves from their initial instincts – after everything they've all been through since taking over as manager of the Hinata Sou, it was obviously grating against everything they believed him to be as well as several instances of perverted tendencies.
Naru sighed, opened her eyes and looked at him in his. "Congratulations…I'm sure that you and Kitsune will be great parents."
"I'm happy also that you and your wife are having a child," Motoko said placing a gentle, but firm hand on Keitaro's shoulder. "But remember this – ignore your responsibilities to your family and you'll have to answer to both of us."
"Geez you two, enough with the dramatics!" said Kitsune defensively, moving to Keitaro's side. "This guys would never do such a thing now would he."
"That's right," added Keitaro, wrapping his arm around Kitsune's waist. "I would never do that to her. I'd die first before doing that."
Motoko removed her hand from Keitaro's shoulder, smiled slightly and nodded in approval. "I'm glad to hear that you would."
From the corner of his eye, Keitaro could see that Naru had her eyes closed again, but this time it looked as though she as in deep thought. Before he could ask his former study partner anything, the young cook broke the silence that lingered in the air.
"Well since that's settled, why don't we all go have breakfast," chimed Shinobu, making her way to the kitchen.
"That's the second good thing I've heard all day," exclaimed Su, who quickly followed.
While Keitaro followed the others to the dining room, he felt someone tug on his arm slightly. Turning around, he sees that Naru holding onto his arm.
"Hey Keitaro – can I talk to you for a moment later today," she asks, quickly glances behind him, "alone?"
Keitaro turns to see Kitsune standing a few feet from them. His young wife had her arms crossed across her chest as she leaned against the wall. Looking down at the floor for a brief moment, she looked back up and nodded, telling him that it was all right.
"Sure."
Keitaro was sitting in the manger's room, staring outside. He still wondered what Naru wanted to talk about with him, but whatever it was, it concerned Kitsune – if it wasn't something that involved her, she'd be there as well. Whatever Naru wanted to say to him, it must be important he thought. Just then he heard the sound of the door sliding open, Turning around, he sees Naru standing there with a slight blush on her face.
"What took you so long?"
The longhaired girl walked toward him and took a seat across from him. "Su brought on this…pictorial diagram…and asked her if you two…well, I guess you can imagine."
Keitaro felt his cheeks warm up. "R-Right. So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Keitaro, I know you wouldn't do anything to Kitsune," she said clasping her hand together, "and I believe you."
"And I won't, if that's what you're wondering."
Naru nodded and smiled at his comment, leaving him more confused than before. Earlier that morning, she seemed reluctant to accept the news. Now it seemed as if someone flipped a switch in her head completely changing her personality from before. Naru broke her gaze from him and turned it toward the window.
"Kitsune's my best friend. She's always been there for me – even now," Naru continued. "But I guess I just wanna make sure she'll be okay. What I'm try to say is…well, you're good with promises, right?"
"Of course I am," replied Keitaro.
"Well…can you make a promise to me?" she asked. "Promise me that you'll always be there for her – that you'll be by her side…and you'll watch out for her."
"Naru you know that I'll always–"
"Promise me," she interrupted turning back to him. "It's important to me to hear that you will."
Looking deep into Naru's eyes, the young man could tell that she was being serious. Whether it was the realization that things were changing or it was the simple fact that her best friend was entering an important stage in her life, Keitaro felt obliged to fulfill to her request. She's his wife's best friend after all – if someone married any of the other girls, he'd probably ask the same thing from their husbands.
"I promise Naru," Keitaro replied, smiling at her. "I promise that I'll always be by Kitsune's side."
Naru smiled, seemingly satisfied with his reply. "Thank you Keitaro. I really appreciate it."
With that, Naru got up and walked over to the door and slid it open. She looked back at him and gave a smile that seemed genuine. Stepping out into the hallway, her figure disappeared.
Inside the adjacent room, Kitsune got up from the small holes she'd drilled a few years back – it seemed that her pervious handiwork back then when she just lived next door has paid off. Leaning against the wall, Kitsune couldn't help but feel a little choked up from what she just heard. A small, sad smile formed on her face as she remembered all the good times she and Naru had together.
'I was always the one who had to look out for you Naru," she thought. 'Don't worry about me…I'll be okay.'
With that, Kitsune quickly covered up the holes and walked out of her old room.
A/N – I hope everyone enjoyed chapter five; it took me a while to figure out how to write the big announcement, so I hope it lived up to everyone's expectations. I have several ideas about which direction to take this story, but if you have any suggestions I'd be willing to hear a little input via a review or by dropping me an e-mail.
Anyway I got some homework that I've been putting for some time that needs my attention now – just FYI, I try to put any major announcements on my profile, so check there if you're wondering why it's taking me so long to update. Please feel free to leave your comments/reviews and I'll have chapter six up soon.