WOW I GOT REVIEWS! How cool is that! The vote so far is 1 Motoko and 1 Naru. Be sure to vote, even if you don't leave a whole review.
Baretta Thanks for the review and the crit. I need to know when I'm screwing up. I haven't found a beta yet, and I'm not very good at catching my own mistakes. As far as my updates and chapter length….that depends on my school load.
Patch5129What's the story title? I've never seen another Hina fic with a blind character. I would never rip anything from anyone (not that you were accusing me), and if the story is too close I want to make sure I am cool with the other author. Thank you.
Thanks also go to Gingerfan, Martrex, and The god.
Chapter 2: Miss Naru's Miscommunication
The day had begun normally enough. Naru ate her breakfast and then threw on her oversized sweatshirt and braided her hair. Just another day at Hinata House. On her way down the stairs, she was nearly bowled over by yet another one of Su's flying turtle mechs. Gathering herself up and rolling her eyes, glared at the oblivious foreigner who was now hanging from the banister. "Su, you know the rules! No more mechs in the house."
"But he's a super turtle!" Su cried.
Naru shrugged and gave up on that battle for the day. She went downstairs and began searching for her books. A moan sounded from the couch, and a hand rose over the back. "I think I jus might have had a lil too much to drink last night," Kitsune groaned. "Where are you goin' this early?"
"School, after all, it is a Monday," Naru reminded her primly.
The half naked woman sighed. "You really need to relax Naru. It's no wonder you don't have a boyfriend."
Naru sniffed. "There's a new bottle of aspirin in the cupboard."
"Ahem…uh…excuse me, Miss Naru," Shinobu said quietly from behind.
"What's is it?"
The younger girl dropped her head shyly. "There is a phone call from Haruka for you."
Naru picked up the phone in the kitchen. "Hello?"
"Naru, I'm glad…caught you….it seems….and my brother's kid…will be coming….this afternoon," Haruka said through static.
"Ms. Haruka? I can't understand you are breaking up."
"Damn cell phone. I said…..will be coming today….I'm at the airport…..flight….soon….drop off….show around….tell girls….living here…new manager…be there….while…school….CLICK." The connection broke.
Naru set the phone down. From what she had heard, Haruka was picking her niece up at the airport, and she would be the new manager of the Hinata boarding house. Not that they didn't need a new manager, but Naru was a little sad to see her come. All of the girls, including Kitsune, looked up to her. She was the unofficial leader of the group. Well, she though cheerfully, at least I'll have more time to study, and I'm sure I'll be a help to the new manager.
She paused to wonder what the new manager would be like. Granny had been a wonderful landlady. They'd all loved her like another mother. Even Motoko had gotten misty when she told them that she would be taking a world tour. Since then Naru and Haruka had been tag teaming the job, but it would be nice to have a new manager. The new manager must be older. Naru couldn't imagine anyone young taking on such a big responsibility. Perhaps, she would be able to help Naru with her studies.
No more fooling around. She called all of the girls into the living room. "Haruka just called a few minutes ago," Naru began.
"If it's about being late with my rent, I can explain," Kitsune interrupted.
"No, that's not what this is about at all. Haruka is at the airport. It seems her niece will be taking over management….."
Su popped out from under the table. "Does management taste yummy?"
Holding back her frustration, Naru pushed on. "No, Su, it means that someone will be taking care of the place. The new manager will be here today. From what I understand, Haruka will be dropping her off during the day. Is anyone going to be hanging around today?"
"I will training," Motoko said stoically.
"Hmmmm, and Shinobu, Su, and I will be at school. What about you Kitsune?" Naru asked.
"Nope, I've got a very important lunch date, and he's paying."
Naru rolled her eyes. "Well, I guess we'll just leave a note on the door for her."
She scratched out a note, and had all of the girls sign it. That done, it was time for class, and she wasted no time rushing out the door. She couldn't be late. If she missed even a few moments, she could be falling behind. Naru made sure the note was safely secured, and didn't give it another thought.
KaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaKaK
Kanako stared out the plane window. Keitaro couldn't enjoy the view himself, and insisted that she take the window seat. Her brother always was so thoughtful. It was just awful the way her parents were treating him. The family meeting had ended with a "chose another school, or move out" decision. How dare they give him an ultimatum! Kanako was still bristling at the thought. If there was anything she hated, it was to see anyone treat Keitaro poorly. She looked over at her brother who was listening to a science fiction novel on CD. He'd taken it well. In fact, he did seem relieved almost. Keitaro was so smart! He managed to get a hold of Granny by email, and now he would be taking over her apartment complex.
Kanako, of course, had managed to convince her parents to let her come along. Well, maybe "convince" wasn't the term. When she got her mind set to something, there wasn't anything that could stop her. Keitaro had been so unselfish about it. He told her that he didn't want her to miss out on any school. Kanako did what any good loving sister would do and transferred right away. After all, what would her big brother do without her?
Ever since the accident, Kanako had been dedicated to him. He had saved her life, and lost his sight in the process. She would never let anything happen to him again. Forever, Kanako would be there to protect and care for her dear oni-chan. Though Keitaro was so brave and so well adjusted, she would always be there to help him. Nothing would ever come between them. Every so often, Keitaro would start to protest that he was a grown man and could take care of himself, but she knew it was just because he was a good brother and didn't want to take over her life.
When they landed, Kanako took his cane out of his hand as he began to unfurl it. "Hey! I need that," he said angrily.
"Really, oni-chan, you don't need it. You have me," she told him reassuringly.
It was just her imagination, but for an instant, she though she heard him say, "I was afraid of that."
Though it had been years since they'd been to Hinata, Kanako recognized her Aunt Haruka right off. The woman hadn't ever been a good influence on Keitaro. She was always pushing him around. The last time they had spent a holiday together, Haruka had even gone as far as to ask Keitaro to help out in the kitchen. Kanako narrowed her eyes at the woman. "I see Aunt Haruka," she whispered to her brother.
Keitaro smiled, and waved. He was such a nice person that he won't even be rude to that evil, old bitch, she thought.
"Hello, Keitaro," Haruka greeted warmly as she returned Kanako's glare. "I see you didn't travel alone."
"You expect Keitaro to do the work all by himself?" Kanko cried indignantly.
"I would have been fine," Keitaro told her. "Kanakno wanted to see me settled is all. She'll be leaving as soon as things get into a pattern."
"Anyway, I called the girls this morning and told them you were coming. Granny didn't give us much notice that you were coming, so they might be a bit surprised to see you. Most of the girls are students, but there should be someone there to greet you. I need to get back to my own business, or I would hang around."
"Thanks for taking the time to come get us," Keitaro said appreciatively. He was so much nicer than the woman deserved.
The car ride to Hinata was relatively quiet. It seemed like eternity before they pulled up the drive. Hinata house was a very old style looking building. The only way in was to climb a massive staircase. Kanako did her best to count quickly, but Keitaro was already out of the car with his cane in one hand and duffle bag in the other, and on his way up. "Thanks again," he said to Haruka. "I appreciate your help. I hope you come around more often."
"That may be a while," Haruka said cryptically. In translation, she wasn't coming back until Kanako was gone. "It was nice to see you again Keitaro. I hope you and the girls get along."
Kanako trailed her brother nervously, and breathed a sigh of relief when he was finished. "Sixty-two," he commented, "that's quite a climb. Ready to meet the girls?"
"Of course," Kanako agreed taking a protective hold of him. "The place hasn't changed since we were little kids."
It was true; Hinata didn't look any different than it had been when their parents had brought them for visits as children. Kanako hadn't liked it then, and she was sure she wouldn't like it now. She spotted a not on the door.
Dear Manager,
Welcome to Hinata House. We are all very pleased that you have come to take over. The place hasn't been the same since Granny left. We hope that you like it here. Unfortunately, we were not expecting you and we all had prior engagements. Please make yourself at home. The fridge is well stocked, and after such a stressful flight, the baths should make you feel better.
Until we meet,
Naru, Motoko, Kitsune, Shinobu, and Su
"How rude," Kanako said after she read the note aloud. "You'd think they'd at least be here to meet us. You're going to have to set down some real rules for these ones, I can tell. I bet they're all trouble makers."
"But you don't even know them yet! Give everyone a chance, Kanako. Besides, this is just temporary. You'll be home in no time."
Kanako frowned. She was not leaving him, but she wouldn't argue with him just yet. The girls at Hinata House had another thing coming if they thought they could be rude to her brother and get away with it. They would act right, or they would be packing their bags. Keitaro may be the manager, but she would be right behind him all of the way…forever.
