Disclaimer:

I do not own anything from Love Hina or any copyrighted material. Any other characters used in this fic are mine, however.

Chapter 8 – Crisis and Uncertainty

As the sunrise began to bathe the Hinata Sou in the first rays of light, Keitaro stood in the doorway as he gave the now-repaired changing room a once over again. It had been nearly a week since his sister's arrival and things have been running considerably smoother around the inn. It seemed that Grandma Hina was able to provide Kanako extra funds needed to repair, and even renovate several areas the Hinata Sou, so fixing any kinds of damages in the future wouldn't be much of a problem. Taking a deep breath, the young manager began to make his way back to his room.

'Hmm,' he thought to himself. 'Things sure have gotten a lot quieter around here.'

This new sense of peace was largely due to Kanako's presence as co-manager. Ever since his sister came the old inn began to fall into a more stable and predictable environment – more specifically the absence of any kind of invention creating havoc and excessive collateral damage. Her first day as co-manager, she made it perfectly clear that there were some thing she would and would not tolerate as long as she was there. At first he was a bit worried she may go a bit too far, but after long talk and a lot of persuasion from himself, his wife and his aunt, were able to convince her that any kind of retribution on her part wouldn't be necessary. A potentially explosive situation was resolved…although the part of prohibiting any 'excessive' activities was enforced simply because it was just fixed up.

It was good to have a little peace a quiet around the dorm…but deep down the former ronin couldn't help but feel like something was missing. Reaching his room, Keitaro slid the door open to find his wife and mother-to-be sitting in a chair and staring outside the open window. As Keitaro walked inside Kitsune looked up and, despite looking a bit worn out, gave her trademark grin.

"How's it going?"

Kitsune shrugged and sat up in her chair. "I'm okay…I just a feel a bit tired."

As she began to get to her feet, Keitaro immediately noticed she was a bit unsteady and quickly rushed to her side. Instinctively, he wrapping one arm around her back and grabbing one of her free hands with his. As she leaned against him, Kitsune sighed and gave an apologetic smile.

"Hehe, sorry," she said, trying not to make a big deal out of her sudden dizzy spell. "Guess I'm a little more tired than I thought."

"Well…maybe you just need to lie down a bit," said Keitaro, motioning to the futon.

"Careful there – you're starting to sound like my mom, and that's the last thing we want to happen," replied Kitsune, playfully jabbing him in his ribs to prove her point. "This isn't the first time I've hit a spell like this before."

"That was before this," Keitaro replied, laying a gentle hand on her stomach. "I'm sorry if I get worried but…"

"We'll be fine," she replied. "Anyway, don't you have some sort of seminar to attend this afternoon?"

Keitaro checked the clock on the desk and realized he needed to hustle. Making sure that Kitsune was okay he began to get dressed as quickly as possible. Fidgeting with his tie, he grabbed his bag that was sitting next to his desk and began to walk out. It was not until Kitsune put a hand on his shoulder before he reached the doorway.

"What is it?"

Instead of answering, she straightened out his tie and brushed some wrinkles out of his dress shirt he was wearing. Giving him a once over, she gave him a small kiss on the lips.

"Now you're ready to go," said Kitsune.

"Thanks."

Feeling a little better about his wife's condition he grabbed his bag and walked out. Kitsune sighed and walked over to the main window and gazed outside in time to see Keitaro emerge from the front and disappear down the steps. Turning away from the window she felt another dull ache coursed throughout her lower part of her body. Steadying herself, her hand instinctively rested on her stomach over the life within her as her facial features formed into concern.

"You're worrying yourself too much," she said softly to herself. "No sense in worrying others."

Naru was walking down the hallway making her way to the Tea House. Normally her afternoon would consist of catching up on her studies and a little relaxation when the opportunity presented itself, but today was different. She and the others were going to meet Haruka that afternoon to plan her best friend's baby shower – what to buy, what decorations were needed, the whole nine. Naru felt a bit of excitement – almost every party that the dorm has thrown, it was Kitsune that did the majority of the planning. She knew that a baby shower was long overdue, and it would be a change of pace to have a party thrown for her and not the other way around. As she rounded the corner she saw Kitsune with Shinobu in tow with a laundry basket in her arms.

"I thought you weren't one for laundry," she commented to her friend.

Kitsune formed a weak smile. "Thought I could use the fresh air."

Naru was taken aback by how worn out Kitsune appeared. She was a little over six months pregnant and it was concerning to see her in such a state. As if reading her mind, Kitsune gave a playful shove on her shoulder.

"Don't worry about it," said Kitsune. "I'm okay…I just need a little fresh air. That's all."

Naru sighed. "Well okay, but don't overdue it."

"You can overdue rest and relaxation huh?" commented Kitsune sarcastically. "Wow Naru, looks like those extra classes you've been taking are starting to pay off."

Naru just shook her head in defeat as her best friend walked off a familiar grin on her face. If there was one thing she had learned over the years is that the fox will always have that last word in everything. Once her retreating form was out of range of hearing, Naru turned her attention to the Hinata Sou's resident cook and housekeeper. Shinobu was the first one to speak.

"Naru," she said in a low voice, "Kitsune isn't okay, is she?"

"Well…she really isn't one to verbally announce that something's wrong, let alone seek out any kind of help," Naru said.

"I'll keep a close eye on her Naru," said Shinobu.

"Thanks. Give us all a holler if something happens, okay?"

Shinobu nodded and walked off toward the laundry deck as Naru began to make her way to the Tea House. As she walked through the corridors of the dorm, she still couldn't believe how big it really is. Her late-night study sessions, as well as the frequent chaos that used to be a daily occurrence had virtually blinded her to its immense size. Reaching her destination, she was surprised to see Motoko already there along with Su and Haruka already do a bit of brainstorming. Kanako was already there…though deep down Naru kind of wished she wasn't. Although she didn't openly display any hostility toward her or Motoko, she could still feel a twinge of iciness in her voice whenever she addresses either of them. As she came closer, it was apparent that many of Su's ideas as gifts were being rejected left and right.

"But why not! This cold really come in handy and you can't find anything like this in stores," the young foreigner exclaimed.

Kanako sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "The last thing we need is for my future niece or nephew to grow up traumatized from a automated diaper changer – especially if it decides to go berserk and toss the baby into the next prefecture."

"Sorry Su," added Haruka, "but anything home built has to be left out of consideration."

"Buuu," pouted Su as she sat back down.

"Glad you could make it Naru," commented Motoko. "But as you can see, we haven't accomplished a whole lot as of yet."

Naru took a seat next to Haruka and pour herself a cup of tea. "Did you guys decide what Keitaro and Kitsune would need, at least?"

"Of course," Haruka answered, tossing her the list she made. "Already made a list of essentials like clothing and other things. The only thing we need to decide is who gets what and how we'll hide it."

"We'll hammer something out," said Naru. "What about food?"

"That's easy," chimed in Su. "Curry and bananas – lots of 'em."

"No!" everyone shouted.

For almost two hours the conversation continued like this – ideas would spring up and get either approved or rejected. As the final pieces of the party began to fall into place, Naru began to wonder how Kitsune could whip up plans for a party in a quarter of the time it took them. She made a quick note on the side to ask her that after the baby shower. Suddenly the all too familiar ring of the telephone got everyone's attention in the room. Haruka got up from her seat and grabbed the headset from its cradle and put it on the side of her head.

"Hinata Sou Tea Shop, this is Haruka speaking," she said. "Shinobu? W-Wait a minute Shinobu, calm down, what's going on?"

Haruka's expression went from confusion to borderline shock and panic as she listened on – seeing the older woman like this sent a chill up her spine. Naru felt the pit of her stomach turn inside out with worry as her thoughts drifted to her best friend. Turning to the others and saw that they too were growing as concerned as she was.

"Okay Shinobu listen, just stay with her – I'm coming up to you right now!" Haruka exclaimed, and slammed the phone back on its cradle.

"What's going on Aunt Haruka?" asked Kanako.

Haruka grabbed her coat. "Something's wrong with Kitsune."

"Wrong! What happened!" exclaimed Naru.

"There's no time to explain – we need to get back to the dorm now!" she shouted. "Call Keitaro now – tell him to meet us at the hospital! Kanako get the car ready!"

Haruka rushes out of the Tea Shop, followed by everyone else. Naru grabbed the phone and hastily dialed Keitaro's cell phone number, all the while her head spun with what's happening. She hoped it's all some sort of practical joke Kitsune was playing on her and would suddenly appear from the back room with the others smiling in triumph at her latest stunt. Naru knew she was only trying to fool herself – there was no way in hell Kitsune would ever pull a stunt like this, not while she was six months pregnant. Naru eyes grew large at her last thought. She clutched the phone in a death grip, fear for two best friend's unborn child crept in her mind.

'Oh please…please be okay!'
On the streets of the city Keitaro Urashima was running toward the hospital, now only a couple blocks away. He looked back at his wristwatch and gritted his teeth in frustration and ran even faster than before. Nearly an hour had passed since Naru called him on his cell phone – he had no clue what was happening to Kitsune, but all he knew is that he had to be there by her side. As he weaved through crowds of people he was nearly oblivious to what was going on around him and as he rounded a corner, Keitaro's foot slips off the sidewalk and looses his balance. Falling hard on the concrete surface, he feels a burning sensation on his left hand and arm. As he began to stand, a sharp pain from his left ankle nearly sends him back to the pavement almost making him cry out.

'Dammit!' he thought bitterly. 'Of all the times to get hurt, why does it have to be now!'

Despite what his body has been through living in the Hinata Sou, he could still feel pain. Fighting through the immense pain the young man forced himself into a small run, the thought if his family driving him to push on. Somehow he was able to keep a steady pace until he reached the hospital doors. Taking a moment to get his bears he began to make his way to the Front Desk. A nurse who happened to be standing near it quickly went over to him.

"It's okay sir," she said. "The Emergency Center is this way."

"What?"

"Your arm and hand is bleeding badly sir," she explained. "Also you were limping pretty badly went you walked in."

"I'm fine, I'm fine," he replied sternly. "My wife – I was told she was just brought in the hospital almost an hour ago."

The nurse pulled out a slip of paper from the pocket of her uniform. "Are you Keitaro Urashima?"

"Yes that me!" he hastily answered.

"Your sister told me to keep an eye out for you," she commented. "Your wife has been moved to the New Life Birthing Center on the seventh floor – the south elevators will take you directly there."

"Thank you so much miss," said Keitaro, and rushed down the hallway despite his injured leg.

It didn't take long for him to reach his destination – getting off of the elevator he immediately spots Haruka, Kanako, along with Motoko and the dorm's two youngest residents sitting in the adjacent waiting room. The expression Keitaro saw on their faces her made the pit of his stomach sink even lower. Noticing his presence, Haruka stood up from the chair, a mix of relief and worry on her face.

"There you are! We were beginning to worry you weren't gonna make it."

Keitaro grabbed her shoulders as panic began to take hold. "Haruka what happened! Where's Kitsune – where is she,"

"Kitsune began to have contractions," Haruka answered, removing his hands off of her. "And…well…it's hard to say right now. The doctor…she said something about complications, I-I don't know…"

"Naru is with her right now," added Motoko. "They're only allowing one person at a time to be with her until you came."

"Where is she right now?"

"I'll show you where she is," answered Kanako, getting up. "It's this way."

Leaving the others in the waiting area, Keitaro followed his younger sister down another hallway adjacent to the waiting area. At a slow walk, his injured ankle was beginning to make itself known to him as a dull throbbing pain traveled throughout his body with each step. He shook his head slightly and pushed the sensation to the back of his head as best he could; all that mattered now is being by his wife's side. The pair finally stopped and Kanako motioned to one door to his immediate right.

"Thank you Kanako," he said quietly.

Kanako patted her older brother on the back in assurance. "I'll be with the others if you two need anything."

Keitaro nodded in replay, giving his sister a reluctant smile. Gripping the doorknob he opened the door and headed inside.

A/N – Hey guys! It's been a long time hasn't it since my last chapter huh? I know I said I'd update more frequently back in May and I was planning on trying to finish this story before I went back to school. Unfortunately a lot of things had kept me preoccupied that left me with a less-than-ideal summer to write. Before I knew it I was back on campus. I hope Chapter 8 will make it up to all of you…but I suspect I've already lost a lot of readers due to my hiatus.

I still have a good foundation to work off of to continue this story, and trust me I WILL finish this story if it kills me. The only real hard part of it is writing everyone's reactions as close as they would while trying to stay true to their personalities – I'll have Chapter 9 good and ready for all of you to read when I feel it's ready for release. Until then, send me any thought or comments and tell me what you think!