Backstory: Takes place two months after the events of Blademasters (before the final chapter), Koichi and Motoko thought they had it easy, but they have yet to face Koichi's family
Love Hina: Family
Prologue: Another Day of Wine and Roses
"Get back here you lecherous pervert!"
Keitaro cringed involuntarily where he sat at the breakfast table. Even though that comment had not been directed at him it still set off old reflexes urging him to flee as if the very gates of hell were opening up behind him.
Catching his flinch, Naru sniggered quietly behind her hand, finding the whole thing quite amusing; fighting back peels of laughter when Keitaro finally noticed what she was doing and dropped his head to hide his embarrassment.
"Make me!", came the typically mature reply of the Hinata Sou's latest resident, Koichi Sagura, his shadow passing quickly by the door, followed rapidly by that of his girlfriend and technically speaking, fiancé, Motoko Aoyama.
"They sure sound like their having fun", Kitsune commented from where she lounged in her seat, only the smallest hint of annoyance audible in her voice after two months of adjusting to the new couple.
"Motoko always has fun with Koi-kun", Su piped up from where she was shovelling her third breakfast into her mouth, some how lacing that cheerful comment with enough innuendo that everyone felt momentarily awkward.
"Yeah, well as long as they don't tear up the place", Naru said, shuddering at the thought of the devastation two Special Arts Blademasters could inflict in collateral damage by way of a lover's spat.
"I wonder why Motoko-sempai is so upset", Shinobu wondered out loud, poking at her food nervously, "They don't usually fight like this…"
Everyone but Naru and Keitaro caught the brief glance she threw their way as she said that, but no one commented on it.
There was a splash and a loud crash from the direction of the hot spring.
Sighing world wearily, Kitsune stood and ambled off in the direction of the disturbance, muttering under her breath the whole time.
"Ha! Nowhere left to run!", Kitsune heard Motoko's triumphant cry as she neared the outdoor baths.
"Or perhaps I was merely luring you out exactly where I wanted you", came back Koichi's slightly flirtatious reply. The fox girl chuckled; she could almost see Motoko frowning as she worked that one over in her mind.
"W-what do you mean?", Motoko's voice now carried a note of uncertainty.
Kitsune sidled up to the door and slid it quietly aside, poking her head around the gap to catch the show.
Koichi was now advancing toward Motoko slowly through the water, holding her gaze, her katana seemingly forgotten at her side.
"You know what they say Motoko, in the bathes, no one can hear you scream"
Kitsune chuckled at the corniness of that line, and the effect it seemed to have on the younger woman. She gapped like a fish as he got slowly closer, a huge and slightly menacing grin on his face.
"You wouldn't dare", she choked out, but Kitsune could see the smile making a break for her face.
"Hey", she spoke up, emerging from her hiding spot, unable to stomach another round of amateur flirting, shocking them both as she walked over onto the deck and crossed her arms, effecting a vaguely disinterested air, "What's going on? If you two are gonna fool around in here you could at least do it more quietly…or have at least invited me"
Their responses were different and the same. Both blushed, but where as Motoko looked away awkwardly, Koichi grinned lopsidedly and rested his hands in the pockets of his black jeans.
"So someone going to tell me what was with the game of tag you two have been playing all morning", Kitsune frowned at the sound over own voice, she sounded like some nagging old aunt.
Motoko seemed to come back from her embarrassment at this question, casting a baleful glare at an all too innocent looking Koichi.
"I-we, and then he", she ground out, seeming unable to vocalise the source of her anger.
"I touched her butt accidentally", he shrugged, resting his hands behind his head and shrugging as if it were no big deal.
"And?", Kitsune prompted, waiting for the rest of the explanation.
"What do you mean, 'And'?" Motoko answered indignantly, "I was just saying good morning-"
"You mean playing tonsil hockey", the older woman put in helpfully, ignoring the glare it earned her.
"-and he just…grabbed me", she finished blushing again.
Kitsune raised an eyebrow at Koichi and mouthed "Way to go stud" at him, bringing out a blush to rival Motoko's on his face.
"I was half asleep", he said scratching at the back of his head, "I wasn't in full control of my actions, I'm sorry already".
Motoko sighed, muttering under her breath for effect, though Kitsune had the vague impression she wasn't as put out as she was trying to make them believe.
She could also see a faint smirk at the corners of Koichi's mouth, and a twinkle in his sea grey eyes that meant he was about to do something incredibly stupid.
"In my defence though", he drawled lazily, taking a half step backward at the same time as Kitsune, "You do have a great hiny Motoko-chan".
When she turned to face him, Koichi panicked for a second, wondering how Tsuruko had managed to change places with her younger sister without him noticing.
Yep, I'd say you're pretty screwed, his brain put in observantly, having long since given up on trying to stop these monumental acts of idiocy.
Oh, really, you think, he fired back sarcastically as he watched Motoko's blade come up at her side and sensed the building Ki swirling around the Hina.
"It was worth it", he said smiling winningly as her eyes narrowed, the sword reaching its zenith, waiting to sweep down and complete the strike.
Baka"Baka! Rock Splitting Sword!"
Kitsune shuck her head as the young man she had once thought she was in love with was propelled through the fence ringing the hot springs, riding a wave of summoned spiritual energy.
She sighed as she watched Motoko dither for a moment before following after him, anger and concern flickering alternatively across her porcelain features.
Another happy couple the fox girl mused dejectedly, and another beautiful day at the Hinata Sou.
Just another day of wine and roses, she thought sadly, leaving Motoko to tend the semi-conscious Koichi and heading in search of something to lighten her suddenly sour mood.
With a delicate grunt, if that term can be applied, the young girl heaved the suitcase she carried up over the last step of the Hinata Sou, stopping to wipe her brow on the white handkerchief she kept in the pocket of her pale blue summer dress. She readjusted the wide brimmed hat that kept the sun out of her face and looked up at the building in front of her.
It was beautiful she thought, looking over the massive structure with wide sea grey eyes as the wind tussled her short black hair, cherry blossoms almost obscuring the building from sight momentarily, like something out of a fairytale. The towering castle of the prince and his princess, she thought, allowing the childish thought to cross her mind though it would never cross her lips.
She turned slowly, drinking everything in before turning back and walking toward the door, suitcase in tow.
I hope you're well, Oni-chan.
----Author Notes----
Another day, another story, welcome back to the Blademasters universe, I hope you'll find this stay as fun as the last. R and R people