Urashimas Demon
Ch 2
Burying the pain.
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Morning came to the dojo. Kanako stirred when the sunlight flooded the room. Something was off this morning she knew it. Normally she would wake up holding her pillow thinking it was Keitaro or found her self tangled in her blankets but this morning was different. As her mind clawed its way back from the welcoming darkness of oblivion she felt something warm. Without thinking she pushed herself away from whatever she was hugging and rolled into a fighting stance. She blinked away the sleep from her eyes expecting an attack; she was surprised to find that whatever she was holding onto in her sleep didn't respond when she rolled away.
Dropping out of the fighting stance she cautiously crept closer to the blanket wrapped object. Hesitantly she pulled the blanket away and starred as the memories from last night flooded into her mind. She gently pulled the blanket back up and stood. She moved back to the phone and dialed a number.
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Haruka was serving her last customer for the morning when the phone rang. She quickly excused herself and rushed over to the phone.
"Hello, Hinata tea house."
She snapped to attention when she heard Kanako's voice on the other end. "Haruka its Kanako."
"Is something wrong with Keitaro?"
"No. That's not why I'm calling. Keitaro is fine he is sleeping peacefully."
"So what's the problem then?"
"I was wondering if I could come and get the blade?"
Haruka nearly drops the phone but quickly recovers. "Why do you want it?"
"It's not for me. I think it is time that Keitaro learns why he was never allowed to practice our family's martial arts and I will need the sword. So can I have it?"
Haruka thinks for a moment taking her time before answering. "Yes you can claim the sword just remember what it contains. I will be waiting for you."
"Thank you Haruka I will be there shortly."
There is a sharp click on the other end. Haruka winces and moves to clean up now that the customers are gone. She pauses for a moment realizing her error. What Kanako is coming here? I better make sure Motoko and Naru are conveniently absent before she gets here.
Thinking quickly she moves outside and up the steps. Once up the steps she walks inside and spots Motoko and Naru walking out of the changing room. They both pale at the sight of her. She motions for them to come over. Which they hesitantly do, and Haruka smiles which only makes the girls cower a little more at her.
"Naru and Motoko I need you to do something for me?"
Both girls look startled then nod.
"I need you two to go down to Toudai and inform them that as of this moment Keitaro Urashima will no longer be taking the entrance exams."
The two nod and ease past her and quickly run down the steps towards the train station. Haruka smiles and hears noise from in the kitchen. Peeking inside she sees Shinobu pulling something out of the oven.
"Aauuuu….. I hope sempai will like these cookies."
Haruka smiles and steps inside the kitchen. "I am sure he will Shinobu. In fact his sister is coming over to get some things for him since it will not be a good idea to move him. So you can give her the cookies and she will take them to him." Shinobu had jumped at hearing Haruka but calmed as she heard that her sempai will still get to enjoy her cooking.
"So sempai is ok now?"
"He is better but he cannot be moved for now but we can hope he will be home soon."
Shinobu nodded and returned to her cooking as Haruka left the kitchen. Moving into the common room she sat down on one of the couches and waited for Kanako to show up.
She didn't have to wait long.
Haruka was sitting in her teashop when she felt someone approach. Turning to the door she saw Kanako step inside. Her red-rimmed eyes told Haruka that the poor girl had been crying recently. Standing quickly she moved to the younger woman and wrapped her into a hug. Kanako embraced her back but did not cry. Braking off the hug Kanako stepped back and eyed her aunt.
"You sent the girls responsible for Keitaro's condition away so I couldn't seek revenge didn't you?"
Haruka nodded but before the younger woman could speak; she silenced her with a shake of her head. "Yes I did send them away because I think Keitaro might have something planned for them when he finishes his training."
Kanako smiled not one of happiness but one that could make even Tsuruko cringe.
Haruka motioned for her to follow as she walked outside and up the steps to the dorm. Shinobu was sweeping off the front porch when she saw Haruka walking up the steps with another young woman she did not recognize.
"Hello Haruka." She called
Kanako snapped to attention but relaxed when she saw a smile on her aunt's face.
"Hello Shinobu." Turning to Kanako she gestured to Shinobu. "Kanako this Shinobu. Shinobu this is Keitaro's sister Kanako."
At the mention of Keitaro's name Kanako found herself starring at the largest set of puppy dog eyes she had ever seen.
"Is Sempai alright?"
Kanako nodded slightly. "Yes Keitaro is recovering nicely but he will stay with me until he has completely healed."
Shinobu nodded and ran off still clutching her broom. Kanako nodded to her aunt and continued inside. The two quickly moved down to Keitaro's room. Kanako looked about then moved to Keitaro's closet and slid it open. She smiled as she saw the item she was looking for sitting on a rack at the back of the closet. Gently she picked up the sword and felt the sudden impulse to draw the blade free. Quickly she severed her mental contact with the sword. Meeting Haruka at the door she bowed to her aunt and turned to leave.
"Kanako are you sure you're doing the right thing by giving him that weapon?"
Kanako turned and looked back at Haruka then at the sword. "No, but it is going to be his choice to make."
Haruka nodded and followed her niece down the steps. Once outside the teashop Kanako hugged Haruka before turning and walking away.
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Back at the dojo Kanako quickly moved upstairs to see how her brother is doing. Sliding the door open she hears something move. "Who's there?"
Her heart jumps at the sound of his voice. "Just me onichan."
Sliding the door all the way open she can see him visibly relax. She moves to the futon and kneels down beside him.
"Onichan, are you feeling any better today?"
He nods that was when he noticed the sword beside her. "Is that the Hina blade?"
She nods. "I brought it incase you want to take up the families training and awaken the power that lies inside of you."
He smiles and holds out his hand. "Yes I don't have anything to hold me back anymore."
Kanako smiles and hugs her brother when she breaks the hug she grips the sheath and places the handle in her brothers' hand. Standing up she turns to leave and pulls the sheath with her. Keitaro feels the beast worming its way into his head and lowered the mental barriers that blocked its path. Grinning he lowers the blade to his side and falls into a deep sleep.
Kanako smiles softly to herself as she moves to the phone downstairs. She laughs as she dials the number given to her incase the Hina blade was ever stolen. This time the Aoyama clan would now defeat at the hands of the most powerful Urashima to ever live.
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Haruka had watched Kanako walk away before she moved to her phone and dialed the number given to her for emergency use.
"Grandma Hina we might have a problem."
Five minutes later she hung up the phone. She can be such a pain in the ass. Better let my brother now what is going on with Keitaro.
That phone call was even faster than the one with Hina. After she was done explaining everything she turned and walked back outside in time to see Naru and Motoko walking towards her.
"Girls you had best prepare your selves." Their vacant expressions told her that she had better elaborate. "Kietaro is coming back soon, but when he does he will be different and most likely will want revenge for all the grief and pain you two caused him."
Motoko scoffed at her. "Like that wimp could ever hurt us."
Haruka only smiled. "My dear Motoko once Keitaro is done with his training he could beat your sister without breaking a sweat so I would recommend that you get ready for his return."
With that she turned and walked back into the teashop leaving two very confused girls outside.