Author's Note: This episode actually seems to be shorter than the last one, now that I look at it. Oh well. 'Nyways, I only own Maru. Other chars with names are someone else's property. There were no mods or refs in the last chapter, but it was rather short. This chapter has one of each. This note is done in 12 pt. Librarian, the chapter in 16 pt. Quill. Hope it's not too hard to read. By the way, in case it wasn't obvious, this story takes place on December 13th, for those of you keeping track. I was gonna use my real birthday, but then I realized that the Christmas Special episode wouldn't work. So Maru's birthday is in December now. Next chapter will be the last of the Long Author's notes.
It happened several1 years ago, when Naru was still the young star of Love Hina. Though she was in a hit series, she still had to go to school, like any other 17-year-old. So it was that one day she met a rather handsome young man by the name of Maru Haboku. He was a year older than she, and stood head and shoulders above her, not counting her antennae.2 She was sitting in the library, listening to the newest CD from Limozeen, when she felt a hand gently tap her shoulder. She looked up and took off the headphones. "Is this seat taken?" She found herself looking into a pair of very deep green eyes, and she forgot what she was going to say. There was a twinkle in the dark-haired man's eyes, and he indicated the seat next to her. She shook her head, and he smiled, very conscious of the effect he was having on her. "Hey... don't I know you?" She sighed. 'Here it comes.' Naru was used to this. Everyone knew her, and wanted to be "friends" with her. Ever since she had joined the show, she hadn't been able to enjoy a normal social life. "You might." He smiled. "Yeah! I do! I always see you walking around with a stack of books tucked under your chin." 'Oh.' "So you don't know me from, say... the TV?" Maru tilted his head to the side, mimicking a confused dog. Naru stifled a laugh. "Should I have?" Naru lifted an eyebrow. "You've never heard of Love Hina?" "Not really..." She smiled. 'I like him already...'3
"Hey! Maru... Maru!" She thwapped4 him in the side of the head, brining him back to the present. "Ack! Dammit! What the hell, Naru!" Naru glared. "Are you listening to me?" Maru rubbed his head. "Gomen. I was thinking of the day we met. Remember?" She smirked. "Duh... I seem to recall you somehow managed to charm me back then." Maru laughed. "I always have been a charming guy... and modest, too." She rolled her eyes. "I doubt you'd have that effect on me anymore though... I've built up a tolerance." Maru clutched his chest, miming a stab wound. " Oooh, ouch. The little lady has a razor tongue. But I'll let it slide, as I smell a potential wager." "You're on. Name the terms." Maru smiled. "I'll bet... that, without speaking, I can get you to try and kiss me. You have to initiate the kiss, of course." "No speaking? At all? Damn, Maru... that's quite a handicap you're taking." He grinned. "I think I can manage. Agreed?" "HA!" She looked defiant. "Name your price, Maru." He grinned wickedly. "As long as we're using old bets, lets use an old prize. Whoever loses is the others slave for a month." "And the slave does...?" "Anything and everything, according to the masters whim." Naru chuckled evilly, plotting out what she would have Maru do. "Deal."
Maru turned on the couch, to sit facing towards Naru. A small smile played across his lips, and a familiar twinkle was in his eyes. He looked deep into her eyes, making sure her gaze was locked on his. 'He's got such pretty eyes,' she thought as she gazed. "I feel like I could stare at them for hours.' She unconsciously wet her lips with her tongue. 'And those ears. I just want to reach out and caress them.' She started to lean forward. 'His lips... look so inviting.' Her eyes closed, as she leaned ever closer. 5 inches. Four... three inches... ever closer...
There was a loud rapping at the door, and Naru's eyes flew open, just as her lips touched Maru's. Her hands had found their way to his ears, and were gently caressing him. She pulled away, cursing, and Maru leered at her. "Naughty naughty, Naru dear. Cursing your loss of the bet, or perhaps the interruption?" She growled. "Shut up. There's someone at the door." "He smirked. "Why so there is. Tell me... what are you doing to do about it, my dear slave?" Naru grumbled, taking the hint, and went to answer the door. 'I still gots it.' Maru thought, smiling. 'Now... What to have her do? Shall I be a cruel, evil master? Or perhaps-' His train of thought was broken by Naru's reappearance. "Did you make an appointment with the landlord or something?" "Yeah, why?" "Because apparently he's ready to meet with you." Maru smiled. "About goddamn time... I went in there like a month and a half ago. Did he come himself?"
"No, he sent Excel to do it." Maru grimaced. "Typical. Delegating it to his wife. Naru, when I get back, we'll go over to your place. For the term of your service you will be sleeping on my couch." "But Maru-" She was too late. The elfin man had already slipped out the door.
1 7 ½ years ago, to be precise
2 The little antennae hairs she has. Watch the series and you will understand.
3 Though he's the one having the flashback, i notice that flashbacks tend to have all chars thoughts, if they're important. He's not reading her mind.
4 Thwap is smack. It's an example of onomatopoeia, used as a verb.
