Author's Notes: I'm in a hurry, so nothing else, thanking all reviewers!
xxx
Keitaro stood alone, and slowly readied himself for the grueling task ahead of him…
x Naru's Room, 10 am x
"What has Keitaro become? He just confessed his love to me not too long ago! He follows me like a puppy dog all the time, and struggles to please all of us… what caused the drastic change in personality? What? When? Why!" Trapped within her own self-denials, she screamed out in frustration.
Just then, a ghostly voice rang out. "Its you…"
Naru swung around in surprise. She saw Keitaro, wearing shades and a jacket, showing off his toned muscles, trained by grueling hours of fixing hot springs, walls, boilers, ceilings, holes and the long treks back home after being smashed in the face.
"How did you get there?" questioned Naru. "I have my own methods", came the cryptic reply. Naru sat silently, contemplating her next question. Keitaro merely stood leaning on the wall. "What do you mean by, 'Its you…'?" Naru knew she was asking an exceedingly stupid question, but she had to find out.
"Exactly what it means".
"What does that mean?"
Keitaro looked at her as though she was the stupidest person in the world. "Are you in self-denial, or are you just plain stupid? Its pretty obvious that I mean you are the cause of everything." "How so?", shot back Naru. "You have the audacity to ask me such an obvious question? Your punches, your cold heartedness, your leaving me in the dark for a long time about whether you return my feelings, your 'righteousness', your automatic judgment that all males are perverts? Do you need me to continue?"
"No…"
"Well then, I guess now you know why I'm asking you girls to leave." Naru was silent for a long moment before she softly replied, "Yes…"
With that, Keitaro disappeared.
x Motoko's Room, 10 am x
Motoko had just recovered, so she was a bit wobbly when Keitaro exploded into her room. She was in the middle of waking up when a bright flash blinded her. The light disappeared to reveal Keitaro, standing tall and proud, wearing a jet-black gi and hakama. Motoko got over her shock quickly, and hastily, albeit sloppily moved over to her sword and lifted it up. A challenge.
"I am not here to fight."
"Then why are you here?" Motoko said in a strangely subdued tone. Much unlike the cocky and loud tone she normally used."
"I am here to make you understand why you are leaving"
Motoko laughed. "Isn't it because of your own selfish desires? You filthy lying perverted male." Keitaro was silent. "You…" she was cut off before she could get to her point. "I am forcing you to leave, because of your extremely biased views against men." Motoko narrowed her eyes, and in a ice-cold tome said, "Males are all sex craved manias that seek only one thing." Silence reigned. Keitaro finally spoke after a few moments.
"Do you have any proof of that?"
"Yes. Perhaps. You peek on the girls at least 10 times a day, and claim that they are all accidents. It is very obvious that this is not possible." Keitaro looked her straight in the eye, and growled in threatening tone. "They ARE all accidents. Most of the accidents are actually a chain of events that are set off by ether you or Naru. Both of you mistake a harmless action such as patting Shinobu's or Su's head as a perverted act, and purposely send me flying to the hot springs, where either of you will lie in wait, pretending that you are there bathing. Then, just for your sick and twisted pleasure, you hit me, hard."
"…How would you explain the instances with Kitsune then?" said Motoko defiantly.
Keitaro looked away. "This is where your bias starts to really show. Have you ever considered that fact that it might be Kitsune's doing?" Still in a defiant tone, Motoko answered. "A woman is incapable of doing such things."
"…If that is what you truly believe, then, I believe that I have no purpose here." Said Keitaro in a sad tone.
"Wha…?" was all she got out before she was blinded again.
x Kitsune's Room, 10am x
Kitsune was, if it could be said so, behaving weirdly. First, she had not drank for a couple of hours now, and she was actually doing something productive, such as packing her bags. Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Keitaro, who was dressed in black from head to toe, with a black jacket coupled with a pair of black jeans. He was cradling a bottle of Sake and two cups.
"Care for a drink?" said Keitaro. "Sure, I'm always ready for a drink… why are you here?" Keitaro smirked at her. "Why, to have a drink of course. You are the only one who can hold their liquor well." Kitsune smirked as well. "Hmm, I guess so. Well then, sit down." Keitaro walked in and sat at a small table in the middle of the room.
"So. I'm sure you have another reason for coming here. Shoot."
"Heh. Straight to the point. Well then, I'm here to make sure you understand why you are leaving." Kitsune's smirked came on even more powerful. "I already know, you just want the money. After all, Hinata is a pretty popular tourist attraction."
"No. Will you people stop painting such a monstrous picture of me?" laughed Keitaro as he filled the glasses. "Its doesn't matter. Once a monster, always a monster." Keitaro laughed merrily. "I wouldn't know, I've always been a saint to you girls!".
Kitsune's eyes flashed. "Right, then what was that stunt about killing Motoko all about then?" Keitaro's eyes flashed too. "Then what about all the abuse piled on me throughout my entire stay here? Piss off the guilt trip things".
A short laugh.
Keitaro emptied his cup, stood up and walked out of the open door.
x Top of the stairs, 12 Noon x
"I guess its time." Said Naru.
"It sure feels weird! Leaving a place we called home for so long.", added Kitsune
"Yes." Motoko completed the chorus.
They all looked at the building one last time, before moving down the steps and going their separate ways. Surprisingly, Keitaro was nowhere to be seen.
x Top of the stairs, Unknown time x
Keitaro is seen talking to two men, who walk away after Keitaro signs something.
"My work here… is finally done." Keitaro looked at the Hinata inn one last time before fading away into the mist.
End.