WOW Su takes the lead.
The vote so farMotoko 18
Shinobu 14
Naru 4
Su 25
Kitsune 8
Chapter 5: The Kitsune Effect
Keitaro's first thought that morning had less to do with what was going on than what WASN'T going on. The sun was already warm on his face, and his alarm hadn't gone off yet. He reached out and felt the face of it. It was ten-thirty! Snapping upright, he tried to recall if he had gotten up and turned it off. No, he didn't think so. Keitaro had been sure last night to set the alarm for six. How could he have slept through it? It just didn't make sense.
He opened up his suitcase, and pulled out a shirt. Finding the tag, he read "blue and white striped button down." He threw on some clothes, and found his cane.
It annoyed him that he'd forgotten the way to the kitchen last night. He was going to have to try harder. Keitaro was a hard worker by nature. He may not always accomplish his goals, but he always tried. There was no way he was going to give up on being the best manager Hinata house had ever had. Sleeping in wasn't a good way to start….nor was getting lost on the first day….nor was getting beaten for being a pervert. So things weren't going to plan! Keitaro would prove himself.
Keitaro was so annoyed with the way things had gone that he almost didn't hear the grumbling from the couch. "I see you got away from Su last night," a voice drawled with the slightest hint of amusement.
He turned toward the voice, and tried to place it from the night before. "I put her to bed around one," he said a bit stiffly. He knew what they had planned.
Kitsune laughed. "My my, you do have the magic touch."
"Su must have had a hard time yesterday, because she was exhausted. What middle school does Su go to?" She answered his question with laughter. Keitaro frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Su's seventeen."
"What? How's that possible? She doesn't act like an adult, and she weighs nearly nothing!" Keitaro groped for an armchair before sinking down. "I only held her because I thought she was a child! I assumed she was someone's daughter."
Kitsune sounded thoughtful. "Su's a bit….different. I don't doubt that you'll learn that on your own soon enough."
Keitaro wasn't sure what to think of the woman across the room. His experience with women in general was almost nil. Kanako didn't count, and he'd never had a girlfriend. Living with a house full of women was certainly going to be an experience. "I'm sure I'll learn all sorts of things here."
"There you are, Onii-chan! Did you rest well? I turned off your alarm clock so you could sleep in as long as you liked," Kanako announced proudly.
That solves that mystery, Keitaro thought wryly. "That was very considerate of you, but I had things I would have liked to do this morning," he said carefully hiding his anger.
"And you're here," she said caustically to Kitsune. "I thought that you would at least have a day job."
"Oh, I can do my work anytime I please," Kitsune replied. Keitaro was somewhat mystified by the tone of her voice. She didn't sound at all like the woman he had gotten to know so far.
Keitaro cleared his throat. "Kanako, what were you doing anyway?"
"Nothing much. I just rearranged some things in the kitchen, and printed out a few labels for you. Are you hungry?"
Keitaro sighed. "I am but you don't have to make me anything. Actually, I was wondering what you had planned for today, Kitsune?"
He heard the woman laugh. "Why, I don't have a thing to do. My work has been coming a little slower lately."
"If you wouldn't mind, could you show me around town? Maybe we could stop for lunch. My treat," he added. He could practically feel the anger radiating off of Kanako, but it was now or never. He needed to do his best to get rid of his sister before things took a turn for the worse.
The idea of free food seemed to appeal to Kitsune. "You are too kind," she said giving him a playful tap on the hand.
The sun was shining when Kitsune met Keitaro out in front of Hinata house. He'd donned the stereotypical sunglasses of a blind man, and his cane was out. Kitsune had dealt with all sorts of men in her lifetime, but this was a bit different. "So are you ready to earn your lunch?" he asked.
"I thought that was just a ploy to be alone with me," she told him huskily.
He laughed. "No, this is going to be an even trade."
"What do you want me to do?" she asked.
"I need you to help me get the town mapped out so I will be able to go places on my own."
"You're going to be walking around town on you own?" she asked skeptically. The thought of Keitaro walking into traffic didn't seem all that farfetched. Then again, something told her that even if he could see, Keitaro would still be a spaz.
"Of course," he replied firmly, "I can get around just fine on my own once I know where things are. Well, are you ready to get started?"
"I guess," she said reluctantly as she grabbed him by the hand.
He pulled back. "Like this," he corrected as he took her arm. "I want you to tell me when there is a step up or down. Other than that, I am going to be counting and getting a feel for where I'm headed."
She couldn't imagine counting out the steps from one place to another, but it wasn't like Keitaro had much choice. "Where to first?"
By the time lunch rolled around, they had been to the grocery store, the post office, the bookstore, and the drycleaners. The pair hadn't said much. Keitaro was focused on the task at hand, and in her way, Kitsune was too. It was the first time in a long time that Kitsune had actually earned something.
Kitsune stared at the man sitting across from her in the restaurant. It was a nicer place—not really fancy, but nice enough. He didn't seem to mind too much when she ordered desert, but even if he had, it was the price of escaping his psychotically obsessed sister. Keitaro was an odd guy. Maybe it was because he was blind, but Kitsune couldn't help but think he was just born that way. The man practically had the word "doormat" printed on his forehead.
"Not to be rude, but what do you do, Kitsune? I know you said you have a job," Keitaro asked as he pulled out his credit card for the bill.
"I'm a writer. Freelance journalism," she added swirling the ice in her glass.
"I'm impressed. What kind of writing do you normally do?"
Kitsune nearly toppled her glass. Men never asked more than that! They were always more interested in getting laid…not that she found anything wrong with that. She respected people who went for what they wanted. Once again, Keitaro was different. "Well, my last piece was on misused government spending….but that was a while ago."
"Still, you're published," he said sincerely. "That's a lot more than most people can say."
"Yeah, say that when you can't pay your bills," Kitsune quipped. Instantly, she realized her mistake. This wasn't the way the game was played. She changed the subject. "So why did you want away from Kanako so badly?"
"She can be a bit overbearing. She tends to forget that I'm an adult. I do feel bad for her."
Kitsune cocked an eyebrow at that statement. What could be so wrong with Kanako that she even got her blind brother's pity? The way she saw it, Keitaro was the one with the short end of the stick. "She doesn't seem like the kind of girl that needs much sympathy."
Keitaro smiled. "Maybe you're right."
"Can I ask you something?" she asked curiously. It was hard for her to judge how sensitive he was about his blindness, and where the line was. Pissing him off wasn't in her best interest however she looked at it.
"Hmmmm, let me guess," he said with a chuckle. "I was hit by a car when I was seven, and have been completely blind ever since. Was that what you were going to ask?"
"No," she lied. "but I'm glad that you aren't touchy about stuff."
"So what were you going to ask?"
Kitsune thought fast. "I was going to ask if you had a girlfriend."
"No girlfriend." Keitaro still seemed amused. "Can I ask you something?"
"So long as it isn't too personal," she joked.
"Were you really going to make me sit there with Su all night?"
Her face turned red. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Even though he knew she'd tricked him, Keitaro didn't look angry. Instead, he looked somewhat satisfied. "Thanks."
"Now, what in the world is that supposed to mean?" Kitsune didn't know what kind of game he was playing, but it was getting on her nerves.
"Thanks for treating me like you would anyone else."
All the vixen could do was stare. Yes, Keitaro was certainly one odd guy.
Naru waited after class to speak with her teacher. He was a kind man in his late forties, and he was an excellent teacher. "Naru-chan," he said with a smile. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, you see, sir. I don't think I will be able to be a reader for the student you were telling me about," she said nervously.
"Oh?"
"I just don't want to fall behind," she lied. In the beginning, that had been her reason for not wanting to do it, but now it was more about the fact that she didn't want anything to do with Keitaro Urashima.
"Naru, I hardly doubt that is a possibility. I wish you would reconsider, because the only other student who volunteered was Shinobu," he told her.
Oh, no. This left her in a bit of a bind. She knew Shinobu would never be able to help him out and still keep up with her own work. Maybe she could talk Shinobu out of it? After all, they didn't want him to get too comfortable at the house because he was NOT staying.
"Maybe someone else will step forward," she said pushing away the pangs of guilt she was feeling.
On the bus, Naru did her best to ignore Su's nonstop chatter to Shinobu. She'd talk to the shy girl at home. Surely, Shinobu would see the wisdom in the plan. They just had to get rid of Keitaro Urashima! Naru wouldn't stop until he was gone.
When they stepped through the door, the first thing that caught their attention was the delicious scent of something baking in the kitchen. "C'mon, let's go find the yummy stuff!" Su cried as she pulled Shinobu along. Naru trailed just a step behind. Maybe Kanako had made something.
Kitsune was sitting at the table eating a cookie, and Keitaro was taking another batch out of the oven. Both of them were laughing. How could Kitsune do this! Weren't they united against the guy just last night?
"You guys just have to try these!" Kitsune told them swallowing a bite.
Su didn't waste anytime. Within seconds, she had devoured almost a dozen. "YUMMY!"
Well, at least Shinobu isn't being taken in by this guy, Naru thought huffily. No soon had the thought entered her mind than Shinobu had taken her own place at the table. "These are wonderful," she said shyly.
"Thanks. I'm glad you like them. They're Kanako's favorite," he told them. Naru watched as he carefully maneuvered around the kitchen with the hot pan.
"Where is your sister?" Naru asked hoping the thought of Kanako would bring the trio back to their senses.
"She went to pick up a few things for dinner. I…uh…well, I kind of forgot about it when Kitsune and I were in town, and Kanako had a few things she wanted from the store," he explained sheepishly.
"So you can remember your way around the house perfectly, but you can't remember to buy food?" Naru grumbled.
He just shrugged. "I can be a little bit forgetful sometimes."
"Except when it comes to every since character that's ever been in one of the Star Wars novels," Kitsune added with a laugh.
"You actually read that stuff?" Naru couldn't hold back her snort. "You really are a dork. I'm going to go read over tomorrow's chapter."
Safe inside her room, Naru sank down onto her bed. This was unbelievable. Why should they all fawn over him like that just because he can cook? Didn't he just invite himself into their home? Didn't he cause the whole incident in the hot spring? A little voice inside her answered that question, "no, he didn't." She wished he would just hurry up and go so she wouldn't feel guilty anymore. This wasn't her fault!
Motoko crept through the darkened doorway and removed her shoes. She's spent the majority of her day training, and the evening in meditation. This whole situation with Urashima had thrown her off. It went against her nature to be anything less than completely in control of every situation. Urashima's appearance was annoying at best, and then there were thoughts she just wasn't ready for yet. When Su had fallen asleep in his arms, it had opened old wounds. The odd girl was something of a sister to her, and she had already lost one sister to a man. Even Motoko couldn't get Su to sleep like that. In truth, she was jealous. As jealousy was unacceptable, Motoko had upped her training regiment to improve her outlook.
She had no soon stepped into the kitchen then her stomach started growling. Hopefully, Shinobu had managed to save her just a little dinner. On the shelf of the fridge was a covered dish loaded with steamed vegetables and chicken. She wondered how Shinobu had managed to keep that much from Su, but she was glad she did. After the grueling day, the food tasted even better than it usually did. She would have to thank Shinobu in the morning.
On the way up the stairs, Motoko spotted Urashima sneaking out of Su's room. Her blood ran cold. What had he done to her? Motoko moved silently up to follow. He'd pay for going into Su's room at night. She was just a step behind him…..
WHAM! It took Motoko a minute to realize what had just happened. The move had been nothing more than a basic self-defense toss, but it had caught her completely off guard.
"Who are you and what do you want?" he demanded as he positioned himself between Motoko and the hall leading to the rest of the bedrooms. Urashima was trying to protect them!
Motoko's heart pounded out of control. "What were YOU doing in Su's bedroom?"
Urashima relaxed. "Motoko," he said letting out a heavy sigh. "I was only putting her in bed. For some reason she crawled in bed with me, and went to sleep. I didn't want to wake her, but I couldn't let her stay there so I put her in her own bed. I swear that's all I did."
The swordswoman had to admit that it sounded perfectly plausible. "Su usually comes to my room at night."
"Then she must have been missing you," Urashima suggested.
Motoko wasn't so sure of that. Su had been acting rather strange since he'd come, but she wasn't about to admit that to him. He may not be a pervert, but he was still a man and Motoko couldn't trust him. However, one thing about Urashima puzzled her. "How did you know I was behind you?"
The blind man shrugged. "Your breathing. I barely heard your footsteps, but you were breathing pretty heavy. I thought you were a man to be honest."
"And what could you have done if I was some deranged rapist?" she spat. Urashima was weak. His toss had to be pure coincidence.
The thought seemed to bother him. "Whatever it took. I'm not a great fighter, not like you, but I did take some classes. If I could keep someone's attention for long enough…maybe get a hit in or two…"
"Baka. You could be killed," Motoko said harshly. "I'll just come home earlier. I won't trust their safety to you. That toss was pathetic at best, and if I hadn't been so shocked, I would have pummeled you."
He smiled. "At least I know you're not pitying me. I respect that about you, Motoko. You really would have beaten the hell out of me."
Motoko was confused. "You respect me because I would beat someone who is nearly defenseless?"
"I'm not broken," he said proudly, "and I'm not just a blind man. I am a man who just happens to be blind."
"Not a blind man? You really are a fool, Urashima," Motoko said bitterly.
"I'm a man first. Just like any other. The only difference is that I can't see. Don't patronize me, and don't think of me as helpless. I might just surprise you. Maybe I can't stop someone who breaks in, but I am sure as hell going to try." With his jaw set and his lips thinned, there was no doubt that he was being honest. He couldn't know that the blind part was the part of him that she found least appalling.
"Well, if you're going to be a fool, the least I can do is help you to be a prepared fool," Motoko told him. "If you are so determined, I will teach you a thing or two…..and I won't be easy on you."
He smiled. "That's all I ask for. Good night, Motoko."
"Good night," she returned. Things were never going to be the same at Hinata house.
