A/N: You know, reading another story, there was an idea that intrigued me. The author allowed himself to be interviewed by one of his more frequent reviewers, posting said interview as bonus material at the end. Anyone think that would be a good idea for this series? PM me if anyone is interested.

Finale: The Vows

"Big day, you ready for this?", Seta asked teasingly from where he stood next to Koichi, grinning as the younger man fiddled with his formal black robes.

Up by the small alter that sat on a raised dais at the head of the growing crowd, Koichi uttered a weak laugh and did is best to strike a nonchalant pose.

"Sure, no sweat", he said, wishing that were true as the material of his robes had begun to stick to his back.

"Don't worry about it my boy", Seta advised, giving him a friendly pat on the back, "Everything will be fine, trust me, married life can be a lot of fun".

Koichi watched the older man's fond gaze shift out over the crowd, locating his wife and adopted daughter sitting impatiently in the formal wear neither of them seemed to like much.

"I'll keep it in mind", Koichi promised, offering his new friend a small bow as thanks for the words of support.

"Have either of you seen Keitaro?", both men looked down surprised. Naru was standing at the foot of the altar looking back and forth with something between anger and worry.

She still had yet to locate Keitaro, and her annoyance at him and his avoidance of her after the 'incident', had begun to subside as her insecurities ran rampant, taunting the brown haired woman with possibilities that involved a laughing Keitaro running off with Kanako into the sunset.

Koichi opened his mouth but Seta spoke first, "I'm sorry Naru, I haven't seen him".

"Oh…ok", she looked down at her feet, missing the sidelong glance Koichi gave the older man, "If you see him before me, tell him…tell him I'm sorry, ok?".

"Of course, now why don't you go take a seat, hmm?", Seta gently prompted, waiting until she was gone to speak again, "You get all that part-timer?".

"Yeah", Keitaro's voice echoed softly as he carefully poked his head out from behind the broader man.

"She sounds pretty upset, I think now would be a good time to go make up with her. I'm fairly sure all has been forgiven", Koichi wondered just how a man that did such stupid things at times could sound so wise and benevolent.

"Yeah…Good luck Koichi", with that Keitaro vanished amongst the guests on his hands and knees, something that would have been comical had it not occurred more times than Koichi could count.

"I best be on my way as well", Seta announced, resting his hands casually in his pockets, and nodding to the younger man as he went to find his seat.

From his vantage point, Koichi looked out over the crowd, lingering on all the faces of the people he knew from his Clan, and lastly on those most important to him. Seta and Haruka sat on either side of Su and Sara, the blond duo looking like the incarnation of mischief as they chuckled over something Su had produced from a hidden pocket of her Kimono.

Without looking Haruka snagged the small machine and tossed it over her shoulder. A few seconds later the guests gasped collectively as a small detonation rocked the room.

Koichi just smiled as Su looked at him sheepishly.

Next his gaze found Keitaro and Naru, the latter hitting the former's chest while crying on his shoulder, the older man looked up and gave him a sickly grin.

On the far side of the room was Kitsune and Kentaro, the fox girl receiving disapproving stares from a few of the female members of his clan as she sat with her legs draped over her boyfriend as she absently played with his tie.

She gave him a wink had had some of the stares directed at her turned his way inquiringly.

In front of her sat Kyoko and Shinobu, hands clasped gently at there sides. Shinobu smiled reassuringly while Kyoko gave him a sitting bow and surprised him by offering one of her oh so rare genuine smiles, to which he responded with his own lopsided grin.

Right at the back sat his ushers, Mutsumi flanked by Haitani and Shirai.

Shirai nodded weakly, while Mutsumi waved enthusiastically and Haitani gave him a thumbs up from a pose that made him look like he was lounging in his seat with his arm around the Okinawain woman.

Everyone was here; he had even spotted Tsuruko and her husband somewhere on the other side of the room talking quietly to each other as if reminiscing.

Kanako for better or worse was not present, having been called away by her grandmother, but she had promised to drop by the reception afterwards if she could. He was still trying to convince her to take up a teaching position in hand-to-hand at the Oni's Bane school after hearing the details of her fights with Motoko.

His head came round as he heard the doors at the far end of the room creak open, and an expectant hush fell over the crowd.

His breath froze in his chest as Motoko stepped through, garbed in the purest white kimono he had ever seen, a small silken veil draped loosely over her head and shoulders as she approached the dais at a steady pace, her eyes lowered.

Koichi was only dimly aware of the Shinto priest moving into his position behind him, checking the pillows on which they would both kneel to recite their vows.

His eyes never left Motoko, her pale skin seeming to blend with and shine in time with the kimono she wore until it seemed that all that was approaching was an figure of ethereal beauty, with two dark eyes framed by soft ebony waves.

She reached the platform, taking the stairs at the same measured gait before standing directly opposite him.

Koichi let the priest guide them to their places so that they knelt facing one another, as he led them through there vows, before offering each one a small ceramic dish to our out a measure of sake for the other to drink, completing the ceremony.

If anyone had been listening closely enough amongst the applause that followed, they might have heard what the two newlyweds whispered to one another as the crowd cheered.

"Promise kept Motoko-chan"

"Promise kept Koi-kun"


Love has been said to be many things; a trial, an adventure, a gift, a blessing, a curse. Tears, laughter, brightest joy, darkest sorrow.

All these things and more, above all it is a promise. Once that promise is fulfilled…the rest of the story is up to you…


---Author's Note---

Yes my friends, sadly our journey together is over at last, I will miss sharing with you all the tales of Koichi, Motoko and the rest of the gang, but all good stories must come to an end eventually.

But fear not, on the horizon a new day is dawning, and a new generation awaits the chance to recite their story. Coming Soon: Love Hina: Children of Ice and Fire; 18 years after the marriage of Koichi and Motoko a young man arrives on the steps of the Hinata Sou in search of a legendary blade, the Sword of Two Souls

Till next time, Betweenheavenandhell