(comes back from outer space) Hi, I'm back. I'm well aware that it's been over TWO weeks since the last chapter. Well, I have a damn good excuse. College. That's right, I'm a freshman at a community college about 20 minutes away from my house. It's actually pretty cool there (no screwing around is allowed, unlike high school Xp). Also, I've had my 20th birthday, and the mandatory birthday party the weekend after (basically, last Sunday). Anyways, sorry for the wait, and here's chapter 32 for you!

I do not own Love Hina, nor any other properties that appear in here. They are the respective properties of their owners.

Chapter 32: Shinobu's Birthday! Or A Special Present

Brandon: Ehhhmm…no, not that one either…sighs

Brandon had been looking for a present for Shinobu all night. Unfortunately, very few stores were open at the hour it currently was.

Brandon: Goddammit! You'd think stores would stay open at nine at night! Then again, this isn't America…

He rounds a corner and sees some more shops that have what he's looking for. Neon signs flashing bright greens, yellows, and pinks, he walked into one of the shops, with a sign that read "Jewelry and Antiques". It was somewhat cramped, what with all the random antique clocks and cabinets, some that looked like they were ripped off of walls.

Brandon: Gah…Hello? Can someone help me in here, I'm looking for something for my girlfriend?

He wandered around for a bit, looking from an ornate headboard clock to an old, rickety 8-track player.

Old woman: Yes, what is it you're looking for?

Brandon jumped slightly, since the woman appeared right behind him. She had a wizened look about her, yet in her eyes there was a youthful spark rarely seen among her age.

Brandon: Yes, I was wondering if there was anything in here that I could give as a gift to my girlfriend?

Old woman: Oh! I've got a couple things that might interest you, if you want to take a look.

She led him to one of the counters, skillfully weaving through the clutter, while Brandon, being taller, had a harder time, having to duck under bridges of old novels and broken vanity cabinets.

Old woman: Here. These are all antique items that have some historical significance, usually passed between lovers.

Brandon had a tinge of red on his cheeks, thinking about what the woman said. He scanned through them, going over an old silver watch to a brooch. His eyes stopped on a circlet that had a somewhat ornate design. It had small rubies and diamonds trickled on its surface, but what really got his attention was what looked to be Japanese scripture that said, "For the one who means the world to me, I pledge my eternal love".

Brandon: Tell me about this circlet.

Old woman: Oh, my. You've got an eye for romanticism, don't you? This was worn by a noblewoman, as a gift from a foreign prince who fell in love with her. She was said to be very beautiful, and she felt the same way about him, and eventually, she married him. However, something happened to her during a carriage ride to a neighbor's residence, and she wasn't seen since. There were reports of strange lights in the area, like spirits. Some speculate that a spirit grew jealous of them and took her to the netherworld. A few months later, this was found by the roadside where she disappeared.

Brandon: So, this is cursed?

Old woman: Oh my, no! Others have worn it since, particularly those who are in your predicament, and nothing has happened to them at all! In fact, how I came upon this was that someone sold it to me because his wife was against material treasures.

Brandon: ….How much are you selling it for?

Old woman: Hmmm…I'll sell it to you for thirty thousand yen.

Brandon: Damn, that's kind of pricey, especially because of the budget I'm currently on. I'll buy it, though.

He handed over the required amount, the circlet exchanged hands, and Brandon went out into the night. Passing by a derelict building, an attractive woman wearing a revealing dress accosted him.

Woman: Hey, pal. Can I help you?

Brandon: Eh, no thanks.

Woman: You're sure? You and me could have some fun.

Brandon furrowed his brow, and quickened his pace.

Woman: Hey! Come back! My rate is a bargain compared to the other girls!

Brandon: (thinking to himself) …damn prostitutes, coming after me…

The next morning…

Su: Wake up! Wake up! It's Shinomu's birthday!

Himeko: Nnnghh…Su, could you keep it down, people are trying to sleep…

The rest of the dorm was decorated similarly to when they were celebrating Brandon's birthday, except there was a banner above the TV room that read, "Happy Birthday Shinobu".

Kaoru: Brandon-sama, what else do you need for the cake?

Brandon (looking over the recipe for the frosting): Hmmm…we just need to let it stand in the kitchen for an hour and a half. Then we need to put it on the cake.

Sarah: I'd better stand guard. Su might get her hands on it.

Brandon: Good idea.

Upstairs, Shinobu was in her bra and panties, changing her clothing, since she, Brandon, Himeko, and Motoko had a moderate workout with Brandon pulling a Keitaro, slipping on a stray banana peel and landing face-first into Shinobu's chest. Motoko was going to instinctively beat the crap out of him, but Shinobu told her to stop and Brandon apologized over and over again.

Shinobu: Pretty soon, we're probably going to get engaged. Then…

She fantasizes about their wedding, seeing Brandon leaning in for a kiss. Then she realizes that honeymoons come after weddings, and she had all sorts of images of the two of them. She blushed as red as a tomato.

Shinobu: Oh, man. By that time, I'll be ready. But what's he like in bed? What if he turns out to be really wild?

She then gets images of them having all kinds of kinky foreplay.

Shinobu: AUUUUUU! WHAT IF HE LIKES THAT STUFF!

Peter rushes in, thinking something's wrong.

Peter: Shinobu-san, what- O.O

Shinobu: KYAAAHHHH!

She belts him across the hall and he crashes downstairs.

Kitsune: I guess Peter pulled a Keitaro.

Kanako: You know, onii-chan isn't the bumbling pervert you make him out to be.

Motoko: That's bullshit. He was always falling down, slipping on Su's banana peels, and accidentally falling face-first into someone's breasts or their crotch. Still, he did turn out quite a man…

Kitsune: Is that pining I hear in your voice, Motoko?

Motoko: Knock it off, Kitsune. He chose Naru. I'm over him.

Adara: …Then how come you write about seducing him and having a threesome with him and Barbara?

Motoko: I DID NO SUCH THING!

May: Yes you did. Here's proof right here.

May pulls out a magazine-thick stack of papers out of thin air.

May (with a huge grin on her face): "Slowly, she bares her full breasts to him, hoping he will take her and make her his. Her other lover lies naked on the bed, beckoning both of them to come over-"

Motoko: I'LL KILL YOUUUUUUU!

Later that night, celebrations were in full swing, as everyone was singing karaoke (again). Brandon was giving a great performance, singing "Simple and Clean" and then going into some hard rock, with Breaking Benjamin's "Firefly" and finishing up with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's "War Pigs".

Peter: Great stuff, man!

Su: The Karaoke Wonder is a success!

Peter: It's for you Shinobu-san. From me and Su, since we both worked on it.

Kitsune: Here's my gift for your birthday, Shinobu-chan: Imported malt liquor!

Shinobu: O.o ……….

Ema: I think we shouldn't give Shinobu-san any liquor…

Peter: That has my vote.

Shinobu also got CD's of her favorite artists from Ema, May, and Sarah; a palm pilot from Himeko; formal clothes for a date from Motoko ("For your second date with Brandon", Motoko teased); a box of…female condoms…from Barbara ("Hey, you two could get freaky at any moment", she said, which made Kaoru pass out); a friendship charm necklace from Kaoru (Shinobu really liked it); a DVD player from Kanako; and a Yaoi DVD from Adara ("...You might enjoy it.", she said, making Shinobu get a slight nosebleed). Then she came to Brandon's present for her…

Brandon: Just to let you know, it took me awhile to find a present I thought you would really love. I found this just last night.

Shinobu opened it up and gazed upon the circlet that Brandon bought last night. It seemed to shine brilliantly in the well-lit living room.

Shinobu: It's…gorgeous! "For the one who means the world to me, I pledge my eternal love".

She got sparkly-eyed, blushing immensely, staring off in Brandon's direction.

Brandon: Well, I really do love you. It's as simple as that.

Barbara (veinpops): …………..GODDAMMIT! WHY CAN'T I FIND A GUY LIKE BRANDON! THIS IS RIGHT OUT OF MY ROMANCE NOVELS!

The rest of the night goes by with partying, cake and ice cream, and a final round of karaoke before everyone went to bed.

Around 1 'o clock, Brandon woke up, having a dream about dueling lightsabers with a Sith. He wakes up to see Shinobu's face over his, ready to kiss him while he was sleeping. He let her, and as she got back up, he faked sleeping. She went back to her futon, and after twenty minutes, he heard her snoring lightly. He smiled to himself, glad to have a woman like her, and went back to sleep.

Over in Okinawa…

A brown-haired man with yellow eyes walks up to a console, adjusting a microphone.

Man: Attention all personnel, the Mistress has an announcement!

He presses a button on the console, static blares for a second, then a familiar voice echoes over the speaker system.

Yami Shinobu: OHOHOHOHOHOHO! Hello my faithful servants! This is your mistress, here to give you some good news! The first step in my plan to take over the world has been confirmed as a huge success!

Out in a massive fortress courtyard, an army of 12,000 men and women break into loud cheers and applause.

Yami Shinobu: Step two will begin in three days, so prepare for infiltration of all neighboring islands and countries besides Japan!

All the soldiers salute and execute the order that they have been given. Up in her throne room, Yami Shinobu faces someone who has recently come into the story.

Yami Shinobu: Agent S, you have done wonderfully! I must say, you would make an excellent General of my army!

Souichi: Thank you, Mistress. I live to serve…

Yami Shinobu: You will head back to Japan tomorrow morning. Stay as far away from Brandon Miyamoto as possible, as I do not want him to be suspect of our plans as of yet.

Souichi: Yes, Mistress. By the way, once you've gotten the world-

Yami Shinobu: Yes, yes, I will give you what you desire. Patience is a prerequisite for world conquest, as well as life in general. You'd do well to remember that. You are dismissed.

Souichi took his leave, and as he left, two of Yami Shinobu's royal guards brought in none other than Mutsumi, her hands bound behind her and being led to Yami Shinobu herself!

Yami Shinobu: Ohohohoho! Mutsumi-chan, welcome! Now, I must know…where can I find Keitaro and Naru Urashima?

What Yami Shinobu didn't figure, due to her arrogance, was that someone hacked into her security system and was videotaping the entire conversation she was having with Mutsumi.

DrgnmastrAlex: DAMMIT! She's gaining power sooner than I thought she would! And I'm in New York, of all places! Well, I'd better send this to Su by burst stream, otherwise they'll be able to accurately track my location! I just hope Brandon finds out soon…

(plot twist music) YAMI SHINOBU RETURNS! What did I tell you! As for the stats of this fic, here's it in a nutshell: over 1750 hits, 48 reviews, 10 people have put it on their favorites list, and 6 people have put it on their story alert list. Many thanks to those who have reviewed and put this on their favorites or story alert list. These include GYRAX, negisensei, and all the rest who have done so (sorry I didn't put your names up here, I'm a bit lazy. Lol). Many thanks to those who have also taken their time to read this story. One more thing. I am now officially part of the Dark Icon brigade! It feels pretty damn good to be with a group of fellows who have the same passion for a good story and go out writing them. Be sure to review. Once again, happy reading/writing!