Kaolla stared in slight amusement at the sight that was portrayed to her. On the roof lay the newest tenet to the Hinata Dorm. Shigawan had fallen asleep on the slanted roof of the inn, and looked decidedly comfortable. His dark hair swayed with each passing breeze and his jacket strewn across him, acting somewhat as a blanket.

Kaolla watched as he rolled over, turning to face her although he remained asleep. His facial features glowed contentment. He looked at peace with the world, and the usually hyperactive inventor caught herself staring.

Shigawan's breathing was slow. He continued in a pattern; inhale…exhale…inhale…exhale. Kaolla glanced around, and seeing nobody was going to see this, walked shyly over to where the newcomer lay and plopped down beside him. Her breaths gradually lengthened to match his, and she felt herself calming to a point where sleep would be welcome.

Kaolla yawned and stared with heavy eyes at Shigawan. During her slip in attention, he had turned over again, this time so that he was sprawled on his stomach, his arms pulled tightly to his sides.

Su smiled sleepily. She liked him like this; it made him look cute, almost reminding her of the way HER family slept. Always busy awake, and sometimes as annoying as hell, but they make the most peaceful beings when they were asleep. They were always more welcoming asleep than awake.

"He reminds me of why I have my 'sleeping habit'," the inventor thought quietly. "Sleeping with somebody is really the only way for me to remember the happier times with my parents…"

Kaolla finally decided that she had seen enough, creeping silently back to the stairwell, only glancing back to peer at the sleeping Shigawan and giggle.

"He looks like fun," she thought. "Maybe he'll play with me tomorrow, then we can become friends and he'll let me see his room!"

Sudden realization dawned on her. HIS ROOM! Since he was asleep on the roof, Shigawan would never know that she had seen his precious room. It was perfect. In and out, just enough to cure her curiosity.

However, when Su reached the forbidden room, she stopped. Something held her back. Did she really want this?

Of course!

But then why is she feeling so bad about it? Why is there a feeling of want to turn back, to wait until Shigawan deemed her ready?

But she was curious…

But isn't a present always better after the wait, to receive something that you want only after earning it?

…Fine, she would wait. How bad could being friends with Shigawan be?

Pulling her nightcap back on, Kaolla finally reached up and climbed into an air vent connecting her room with Keitaro's. She knew she wasn't SUPPOSED to sleep there, but she trusted him.

"Plus I'm so-o sleepy," she yawned. "I don't think I can make it to Motoko's."

Keitaro was fast asleep when he was slightly jarred awake by something moving him over slightly. Panicking, he turned to find Kaolla curled up next to him on the outside of his covers of his futon, shivering slightly.

The first thing that came to mind was when she arrived. He didn't remember going to sleep with her present. He needed to get her out of his room before one of the other girls saw him like this, but she looked so peaceful…

Recalling that she couldn't sleep except next to another, he relented. He sighed knowing he was going to get it in the morning, but first he needed to make her feel comfortable. Carefully, so as not to disturb her, he climbed out of his futon and covered her with the remaining sheets to stop her shivering form.

He then took her place curled up on the side of the futon, shivering in the cool air.

"At least she looks comfortable," he mumbled before going to sleep. He needed to be ready for tomorrow.

Kaolla then closed HER eyes as well, and mumbled in reply, "I am, big brother, I am…" Finally the hyper inventor fell deep asleep.

Morning peeped down onto the sleepy inn. Inside, the sleepy teens fought to stay asleep, but they all had very diverse reasons to get up. Naru was the first to get up on this particular date.

Yawning, the redheaded beauty stretched and got right to her morning routine, which mainly consisted of starting Keitaro's morning routine. She was so like his morning alarm clock, it was joked about with the other tenets. Not that she cared…or even knew. Everybody, even the ever-powerful Motoko, did his or her best to steer clear of Naru's fiery wrath.

Slipping out of her futon, Naru slid into her indoor slippers and slowly fumbled her way to the small hole that separated her room from Keitaro's. All that covered the hole was a square piece of ply board, topped by a small plushie. The plushy, a Liddo-kun, was a small reminder of Naru's childhood days.

The red head halted before she opened the hole, her head pounding from yesterday's run in with Shigawan. She closed her eyes and picked her doll up instead of the single board that stood as a barrier between her and Keitaro.

Sighing in defeat, Naru wanted to lift the board and check on Keitaro, but what if he disappointed her? She hated to punish him, but she felt she had to. She needed to keep him in line for the other girls that lived here.

"Liddo-kun, what should I do? I-I don't want to judge him, but even so I-he…" she desperately asked her childhood doll. "I feel I have to…"

Although Naru knew that Liddo-kun could never answer, it always helped her to ask, to squeeze the doll and to know that nobody was around to judge her. To feel safe about herself and her insecurities.

So, with this in mind and feeling slightly better, Naru lifted the barrier and peered into Keitaro's room.

Kaolla slowly closed Naru's bedroom door and quietly tread down to her room. Maybe today she could get a head start on being Shigawan's friend.

She really wanted to see his room, but something else was there to. It came when she watched him sleep, watching his chest rise and fall with each passing breath. The feeling she got when she felt his eyes on her. He was even considerate enough to share lunch with her today…

He seemed really nice, and Kaolla hoped that he was fun, but she had to remember to keep an eye on Keitaro. He was her big brother, her rock to lean on. He may be a little ditzy, and a total klutz, but he was always the same and always nice. He kept her happy, so she would do all in her power to do the same…

"See, big brother, I promise you will never be hurt because of me…never because of me…"

"Today's the day!" muttered Keitaro as he finally woke, rubbing the dreamless night away. He felt a little worried at Kaolla's absence, but he figured that she just got up ahead of him and decided to let him sleep. "That was nice of her."

Well, fist things first, he decided. Maintaining the dorm was his life at present. He may have spent a lot of his free time studying, but it was essential that he 'put the dorm first' as Naru so often put it.

Deciding on a plausible plan of action for the day, Keitaro quickly pulled on his clothes and left to trot down the hall in search of the inn's current problems.

"He's not there," Naru muttered under her breath. Grasping the covering once more, she hastily placed it back onto its given placement. "He better be working on the dorm," the red head growled, brushing aside a few loose hairs that had been mocking her appearance as it reflected back at her.

"Bed head…blemish…is that a pimple? …Stupid nose…" Naru stood quietly, her vacant eyes staring blankly at a reflecting surface, at her body, as she counted her flaws, her imperfections. She needed to be perfect, the best, the smartest, the prettiest, and the strongest. She hated distractions from her goal. She hated men.

Reaching her hand out slowly to grasp the cold handle of her small wooden dresser, Naru dressed in light attire. Simple clothes, it was unneeded of her to dress up.

It only encouraged them…

Afternoon came quickly to the people living in the Hinata dorm. All of the trees surrounding the grounds of the inn whistled through their branches as the wind gave them breath. The grass bent slightly, bowing to the wind's superior might.

Keitaro stood ready, his face set and his eyes narrowed, bracing himself for the coming duel. Light beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he thought about the pain that might be waiting in the future. He stood, clearly nervous, but entirely determined to fight to the end.

At least the end wouldn't result in death. He didn't want to die, just protect the honor of one of his few 'special' people…

Motoko was more confident, her face showing the years she had spent perfecting her martial arts, in other words, her face clearly showed impassiveness. She knew that she would win.

Motoko was ready.

The other spectators had gathered in the surrounding area, giving a wide berth to the soon to be duelists. All of the tenets had gathered and each positioned themselves uniquely.

Naru watched from against a tree, not showing any inclination of actually caring who won or lost.

Kaolla swung from the upper branches of a spruce tree, throwing encouragements to both of the fighters, making it difficult to see her favorite.

Kitsune opted for a more comfortable vantage point; dragging a small mat to the side of the inn and plopping herself down, ready to watch with relative ease. She was currently showing her trademark fox grin as she awaited what she hoped would make history.

Shinobu's choice victor was the most obvious. At the edge of her seat, currently a rock, she waited with concerned eyes and a first aid kit. The young cook watched Keitaro as if she thought that he would collapse at any given moment.

Shigawan held a high vantage point. He had decided to watch from the roof of the inn. His face was hidden from the others at the moment, as he had decided to wait out until closer to the beginning of the fight until he actually came out. He had said he needed to do something in his room…

Motoko brought in a large breath, held it, and released before she announced, "It is time." Her voice rang out and the others finally snapped to attention. As quiet thump was heard as Shigawan plopped down on the edge of the roof.

"Urashima, are you ready?"

Four words that held so much meaning. Was he ready?

"Yes, lets get this over with Motoko." Clenching his fists, Keitaro slowly treaded towards the female warrior. She held the power in this match, so he would have to draw it out. Her power and speed were great, but if he held on long enough, Keitaro could outlast her.

Keitaro's brown eyes met Motoko's hard eyes. Without pausing in his approach, he blinked. Motoko charged.

Opening with a ki blast, Motoko quickly replaced her sword in its scabbard. Keitaro was forced to dive in one direction, where the more battle experienced of the two was waiting. Throwing a flurry of punches and ending each combo with a swift kick, Motoko knocked Keitaro around like a broken rag doll.

However, with every fall, Keitaro got right back up. He fought on, but Motoko was simply warming herself up. Falling slightly back, she knew of her weakness. Conventional attacks just wouldn't cut it in this battle. She needed to bring her sword into play if she was going to win.

Finally she saw the opening she had been waiting for. Jumping back, she redrew her sword and slashed the air in an arc. Forcing her ki out through the swing, the ebony haired warrior called out,

Boulder Cutting Blade

Keitaro skidded to a stop, unable to dodge. He closed his eyes and waited for the unavoidable outcome of excruciating pain to make its way into his body. "I wasn't cut out for this, I'm not a warrior. Just a manager to this inn. I couldn't hurt her if I wanted."

He felt the power of the strike wash through him, but no pain came. He opened his eyes to find an unexpected option to the excruciating pain.

Shigawan was standing in the way of the former path of the ki strike, his mallet once again held in front of him as he waved off the last of the blocked blast. His eyes were once more blank, not the usual hazel orbs, but now two black pits.

"Motoko," he announced, his voice had too changed back to a low monotone. "You get your battle with me. Leave Keitaro out of this duel, and I will fight you."

"That is…acceptable," Motoko replied, her face only lightly betraying her excitement. Keitaro she didn't car much for in battling, but this child, Shigawan, looked to be a challenge. While he may emanate no power to speak of, he still held an air of confidence. "He could be suppressing his aura," Motoko thought, "but that is a very difficult technique to accomplish against a skilled aura sensor. Yet I feel nothing from him."

The two new combatants faced each other and bowed, formally accepting the thought of a duel. Shigawan readied his stance, but Motoko held back for a moment. She wanted to know something.

"Why," she inquired slowly, "did you not accept this duel when I first offered it to you?"

"Yes, why indeed?" he mused. "Motoko?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes, what is it?" the warrior's voice beginning to show excitement at the thought of battle.

"I'll answer your question, but first I must ask you one of my own. Perhaps it will help you to see where I'm coming from…"

"…" Motoko looked onto Shigawan's expression, clearly showing her distrust to answering any question of his. "Ask your question, and I may bring myself to answer…"

"This is all I ask." Breathing deeply, Shigawan began. "Why did you challenge me to a duel? There are other ways to portray anger, to show strength."

All of that preparation for such a simple answer? "Shigawan, I am a warrior, I fight to defend the honor of myself and my friends. My way is carried out by the sword."

"Yeah, where all very aware of THAT…" whispered Keitaro.

Kitsune hushed him before returning her attention to the two duelists.

"That answer is already half of mine," began Shigawan. "I didn't accept your proposal because of what you are compared to what I am.

You, Motoko, are a senshi, a warrior. You are one of the few demon slayers left in this world. You are trained in the arts, and fight for your honor. You have placed years of training into you position of martial strength, and you should be proud.

I, on the other hand, am a nobody. I am not like you, I did not train in the arts, nor do I posses great skill, as you do. In short, I could not win; the only possible outcome was for me to lose."

Confusion screwed up on Motoko's tanned features. Her eyebrow shot up as she wondered what his accepting the duel might possibly mean. "What makes now any different from then?"

Slightly smirking, the young teen replied, "On the first occasion, I was fighting for somebody's honor. Honor is not tangible, nor does it have any real value to this world that could be worth fighting for. There is something, however, that is.

You are a warrior, Motoko, and I am a protector. You are free to fight as you please, but I can only protect human life when it is threatened. Otherwise I may not use my strength, I am not allowed to fight. I adhere to this rule strongly."

"But why do you obey such a rule so strongly?"

Chuckling, he replied, "That's enough questions for one fight. I thought you wanted to duel me?"

"Fine, begin!"

Both teens formally bowed, waists bent to a sharp angle. Showing courtesy was important to both, even in battle.

And the battle began. Both combatants were pretty easily matched, trading blow for blow as each waited for the opportunity to bring their weapons into play. Almost dancing in a whirl of movements, the two fought with flourish as Motoko struggled to take the upper hand.

Finally she saw her hole. Quickly grabbing Shigawan's over extended wrist, she drove her palm straight into his gut. Wheezing as he flew, Shigawan's journey was stopped by a sturdy tree.

Now, she decided, was a good chance to bring in her ace. Quickly drawing her katana, Motoko dashed into the settling dust, upsetting the few leaves behind her as she moved. Holding the sword at ready, Motoko waited for those familiar hazel eyes to catch hers and begin the fight once more.

However, as the dust once more found a resting place, Shigawan was nowhere to be seen. Glancing up the tree and to her left and right, there was only one option left.

"Behind you," a voice whispered as she jumped forward to avoid being smashed by Shigawan's heavy looking mallet.

The second weapon had been brought out.

"Beginning to tire yet, Motoko?"

"No," was her somewhat untruthful answer. Her chest heaved slightly, and she felt the aftereffects of rigorous exercise beginning to wear on her.

"Funny, I am. Wish we could just end this, but one will have to win, and I intend to stay. I like this inn," he glanced around at the remaining tenets, "and all the inhabitants within." Slowly his eyes moved up to Kaolla, who sat in her spruce, and the hazel orbs lingered on her for a second before moving on.

Turning back to the battle, he found that Motoko had taken the opportunity to get herself up and prepare to release her ki blast.

Boulder Cutting Blade

she cried, once more bringing her sword into an arc. The wave of ki moved in rapid haste, blowing over grass and rock towards its target.

Grinning, Shigawan was finally able to release his blast.

Metal Mallet Reflection

Bringing his sword upright, the ki blast that was meant for him blasted his metal hammer. The chi gathered at impact, forming a ball of energy, and was reflected back at Motoko!

She froze in surprise. Her sisters never mentioned this in her studies. This had never happened! He was reflecting her own chi back at her!

With no time to dodge, she could only watch the incoming wave flow towards her. The blast seemed no weaker, nor anymore powerful. It was simply retaliation against her attack, a redirection.

The blast neared her, and she closed her eyes, something she had never done before. Motoko was scared. This was her own attack, a part of her. It was like she had just lost control of her right arm, and that arm was mercilessly beating her.

She felt helpless.

Nobody to save her, her own attack getting ready to beat her down, she caved. Motoko gave up.

Crumbling to the ground she awaited the impact. She was beaten, and she knew it.

However, before the ki had a chance to reach her, she felt herself being lifted, moved out of the way of the blast.

"Does this mean you give?" a voice whispered in her ear.

Tossed out of the blast, Motoko looked back to see whom her savior was. Who had tossed her out of the way of the oncoming wave of energy?

Keitaro.

He wasn't fast enough to get out of the way of the blast himself. "Ho boy, this'll be painful," he thought as the blast finally connected.

Keitaro had watched from the sidelines, silently wishing that neither had to fight the other. Motoko seemed to clearly have the upper hand, but Shigawan surprised him. He surprised them all.

Motoko seemed to loose her fight at the sight of her rebounded attack. "She's giving up…" Keitaro muttered.

The blast, however, wouldn't stop because she quit. It couldn't. She would be hurt, and Keitaro couldn't allow that so instead of letting her take the shot, Keitaro stepped in and took a hit for her.

He was currently unconscious, and would stay that way for a while. Even though he was seemingly immortal doesn't mean that he couldn't be hurt. In his slumber like state he would heal, his hair plastered to his face and his glasses knocked askew. He looked much worse than he was…

Shigawan wouldn't let it go, however. Knocked down for hurting his friend, he felt guilty and locked himself in his room only to emerge to check on the waylaid manager and once a day to eat.

Relationships grew between the tenets for the next few days, and when Keitaro awoke, he was surprised at the new alliances, and even the new rifts…

From the Desk of Tyr'll

There, a new chapter! The finale to New Neighbors. I hope it was up to par, and if it wasn't, let me know so I can fix it. The next section will be based on the time Keitaro spends healing, which may take a few days, as he was already tired before getting injured. I figure this will slow down recovery time.

It may take a while to get up, but I hope that you enjoyed this chapter's length. Its special because it's a finale so I made it twice as long as my usual chapters…

I apologize for my inconsistency at updating, but I don't get too many reviews, although I have had some 1000 hits. What kind of record is that? Oh well…

Finally, I would like to dedicate this chapter to Havenoname. Thanks for your consistant reviewing!

Until next time!

-B