I'M BACK! Okay, here's some news. First, I've gotten over 290 hits on my fic. OMG. Second, I've gotten a total of 22 reviews (that's good news, btw, as your opinions WILL influence how the story progresses). A special thanks to GYRAX, for showing his support by reviewing many times. Also, I will be cutting back on the shojo-ai for a while (hey, I listen to my fans. One has voiced some disapproval of the shojo-ai, but will still read this fic. If the demand for the Barbara/Motoko relationship increases, though, I'll listen to that as well). And finally, be sure to read GYRAX's new fanfic. It's pretty good (btw, aside from being bishonen, Brandon is also a nerd. Just letting you all know that in case you missed it). Wh-huh? I've got a weird feeling in my hands…. OH NO!

(Brandon and Keitaro look whistfully into each others' eyes. Slowly, they lean in for that forbid-)

FUCK NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! whew Gained control in time. There. Yaoi for you fangirls reading. (shivers) …that word…it scares me…

I do not own Love Hina. It is property of Ken Akamatsu.

Chapter 24: Summer Vacation pt. 3 or Haitani and Shirai return!

Shirai: Hey, get that shadowing effect off of us!

DrgnmastrAlex: (moves it) Sorry…sorry…(thinks to himself: YOU WILL FEEL MY WRATH SOON! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)

Haitani: Dude, it's not a good idea to piss off the author…

Shirai: TEH FOURTH WALL!

Haitani: Now you say that….

They both look around, seeing all the couples, and grow envious.

Haitani: sighs We're in our late twenties, and we still haven't gotten any girlfriends…

Shirai: Maybe we should change our strategy…

Both think thoughfully.

Both: …Naaaaaahh.

They walk down to the coastline, hoping to at least keep their boredom in check. That's when they see Kitsune lounging on the beach.

Both: o.o

Shirai: Is that who I think it is?

Haitani: Yes, it is!

Kitsune hears guys shouting her name, looks up, and face faults.

Kitsune: Small world! What're you two guys doing here!

Shirai: (crys bloody tears) We're still looking for girlfriends…

Haitani: I don't suppose…

Kitsune: sighs You aren't the only one single here.

Haitani: (perks up) You wanna go out later!

Kitsune: Uhhh…oh hell, I don't see the harm. Not like guys are flirting with me all the time.

Haitani suddenly looks up to the sky, thanking God.

Shirai: By the way, are you here alone?

Kitsune: No, I've got the rest of the group with me.

Shirai: What about Keitaro?

Kitsune: Oh, he's with Naru right now. They're mentally prepping for the twins.

Haitani: But, you said you've got the rest of the group with you…

Kitsune: Oh, we've got new people with us now. As well as a new landlord.

Haitani & Shirai: O.O Is the landlord…a guy?

Kitsune: Yeah, although he's a lot different from Keitaro. He's quite the charmer.

Shirai: (whispering to Haitani) What do you say? We scope out this guy?

Haitani: (whispering back) Yeah. Let's see if we can screw with him like we did with Keitaro. (talking to Kitsune) Umm, what's his name, and what does he look like?

Kitsune: His name's Brandon, and he's right over there with Shinobu.

They look in the direction Kitsune points to, and are completely shocked.

Haitani: ohhhh man, there's no way we'd be able to hold a candle to him…

Shirai: That's SHINOBU? Damn, she's grown up in the right places. And when did she change her hair to red?

They start to run over to where Brandon and Shinobu are, but then a laser blasts the sand in front of them, creating glass. Needless to say, they slipped and skidded to a halt.

Sarah: Hahaha! Take that, you dorks!

Shirai: Oh God, it's the Gaijin…

Himeko: Sarah-chan! Don't shoot lasers at other people!

Shirai looks up, and immediately falls head over heels for Himeko.

Shirai: Ohhh God, she's so hot! My ideal girl… but she looks not even twenty! NOOOOOO!

Motoko: Wait, I know those two.

Haitani: Noooo, Motoko-san! DON'T KILL US!

Kanako: You haven't done anything yet, so she shouldn't have a reason to kill you two. You haven't done anything, have you?

Haitani: Nooo, I swear we haven't!

Ema: Wow, I haven't seen you guys in a while!

Shirai: You're…the girl who swiped Naru's veil, aren't you?

Ema sweatdrops: Yeah… that's me…

Barbara: Who are these two idiots?

Motoko: Funny you use that word…

Haitani & Shirai facefault.

Su: Hey! It's Keitaro's friends! Ummm…what's your names again?

Haitani: I'M HAITANI! THE TALL ONE!

Shirai: AND I'M SHIRAI!

Su: Oh, I remember the fat hobbit! How you guys been!

Everyone chuckles at Su's remark, while Shirai gets that "I'll gut you" look on his face.

Peter: Hey, what's happening over here?

They all turn in Peter's direction, seeing him with Adara. Himeko glares at Adara, and Adara glares back.

Haitani (to Shirai): Wow, who's the cooler version of you with the kogal?

Shirai: …shut up…

Su: That's Peter-kun, Brandon's younger brother, and this is Adara, my cousin!

Haitani: Damn, they look a lot alike…

Brandon: Hey all, who're these two?

Everyone turns to see Brandon and Shinobu, both looking great.

Shirai: Holy shit…I bet you get all kinds of girls fawning over you. And Shinobu-san, you look GREAT!

Shinobu: Thanks. As for girls, well, haha, me and him are boyfriend and girlfriend.

Haitani & Shirai (as well as some of the Hinata housers) O.O

Brandon: Hahaha, well we genuinely care about each other, so why not, you guys?

Haitani: (thinking to himself) Damn, I'm jealous. Shinobu-san is friggin' GORGEOUS. And that Brandon guy…shit. He's got half the guys on this beach beat by default…

Shirai: Brandon? So, you're half American, huh?

Brandon: Yeah. Motoko-san, Su-san, who are these guys?

Haitani & Shirai: WE TOLD YOU-

Brandon: I heard your names, but how do you know them?

Motoko: They were Keitaro's school friends and study buddies.

Brandon: (gets a look of disdain on his face) Oh, NOW I know who you two are. You're the guys who are partially responsible for Keitaro-sempai having such low self-esteem when he was younger.

All: EHHH!

Brandon: That's in the past, though. Let's try to get along. How about it?

He offers a handshake to the two of them.

Haitani: For your information, we were BEST FRIENDS with Keitaro. And why would someone he doesn't even know get landlordship of the dorm?

Shinobu: He does know sempai though. His family is the top customer of sempai's family's candy store.

Brandon: I've known Keitaro-sempai since I was five. But like I said before, that's in the past. (sighs and turns to Shinobu) You want something cold to drink?

Shinobu: (smiles) Sure!

Brandon: I'll be right back. Anybody else?

Su: Soda for me!

Sarah: Me too.

Himeko: I'll have some iced tea.

The rest weren't thirsty at the time.

Brandon: Okay. I'll be back in a bit.

Shirai: (to Haitani) Dammit. He knows Keitaro as long as we have! What if Keitaro told him about us picking on him at one point?

Haitani: Relax. He doesn't look like the kind of guy to hold a grudge. Then again, I could be wrong…

As the sun was beginning to set, all the people on the beach were heading back either to their homes or to their hotel rooms, to come back the next day. However, some of the Hinata housers stayed out to party until late night.

Kitsune: WOOHOO! Yeah! Bring on some more sake!

Kaoru and May: She's doing the same thing she would've done back at the dorms……….That was weird………..RUTH BADER GINSBURG. Ooooooh…

Peter: More Family Guy references…(shakes his fist at the sky, in the direction of DrgnmastrAlex) Knock it off!

DA: -.- I'll knock it off when you're the author of this fic…

Kanako: We're breaking the fourth wall for the second time…

DA: Sorry…

Meanwhile, off towards the rocks, Shinobu and Brandon were having a sparring session. Both were doing various parries, blocks, and counters.

Brandon: Damn, a month ago you would've been halfway pooped by now. Haha, you're doing great!

Shinobu: Thanks! You've gotten better too!

Kanako was watching from the side, serving as a point man (or woman, in this case).

Kanako (thinking to herself): These two really get along well with each other. It almost seems that they were destined for one another. (sighs, then smiles a bit) It may yet be time for me to hook up with a guy. I guess I should get over Oniichan. Shinobu already has, so why not me?

Shinobu, during this time, managed to land a kick to Brandon's side.

Brandon: OOof!

He lands in the water, getting soaked.

Shinobu: Haha, don't need a point guard to know I got that hit!

Brandon: (gets up) Heh, good one there! I need to train some more, if you can find a hole in my stance.

They walk up to each other, both ready to go into stances. But instead of that, maybe because of the mood, they get a little closer and hold each other.

Shinobu: Brandon?

Brandon: Yeah, Shinobu?

Shinobu: Let's remember this night, okay?

She then kisses him deeply on the lips, and he returns the kiss.

Kaoru, meanwhile, went to check up on Brandon and Shinobu, worried that they might need some help with their sparring, and walk up to see the two kissing.

Kaoru: o.o

Finishing the kiss, they separate, and Shinobu catches sight of Kaoru.

Shinobu: Oh, Kaoru-chan, did you…?

Kaoru: (a tear running down her face) Why…why doesn't Brandon-sama feel the same way I do about him?

Brandon: Kaoru…are you alright?

Kaoru then runs off in the opposite direction, headed towards the hotel.

Brandon: Dammit! I should've known this would've happened!

Shinobu: Brandon, it might be best if we hold off on this. We should see if she's alright.

Brandon: No, she's not alright. She has a huge crush on me. This might've broken her heart.

Shinobu: …Then it'll be a very good idea to take her on that date I mentioned. Do it for the festival that'll be here in three days.

Brandon: Good idea. Dammit, I hope she's alright…

There you go, the end of chapter 24. O.O Damn, Chapter 25 is next. And Kaoru caught Brandon and Shinobu having a personal moment. Things could go alright…or the shit may hit the fan. Anyways, chapter 25 will take place on the festival. Don't ask me what it's called, I don't have time right now. Lol Read and review. Until then, see you later, and happy reading/writing!