Chapter 25
Trust and Training
Two days later
Wednesday 17th March
The schedule remained the same, Keitaro woke Motoko up on time, and ensured that she was helped to mealtimes and back, without too much effort on her side.
She begrudgingly accepted this.
Meanwhile, the residents were living normally, going to school, lazing about, inventing, cooking and resting.
All this time, Keitaro checked up on Motoko occasionally, not wanting to crowd and upset her any more than necessary. Both were meditating separately, Keitaro only doing his own for the allotted twenty minutes, whilst Motoko spent every moment she had doing it.
This was the day she could finally walk unaided.
11:15am
Manager's Room
"Come in!"
The door slid open and a figure padded in quietly. Closing it behind, the person sat opposite him at the low table.
"What can I do for you Motoko-chan?" He smiled at her, happy to see that she no longer reacted to him adding the suffix.
Motoko was looking much better, the colour in her cheeks having faded, and her fever was reduced to a dull throbbing in her head. However her limbs still felt slightly heavier than normal. She bowed her head forwards and placed her hands on the floor, a respectful bow.
"I am here to request permission to have my sword returned to me." She did not remove herself from the bow, making Keitaro flustered.
"Umm… Errr…" She didn't try to kill me! It's strange to see her being so courteous to me… "O-of course Motoko-chan!"
He got up, Motoko resuming her sitting position. Keitaro walked over to his wall closet and opened the door. Finding the sword lying against the wall in the corner he reached in and brought it out gently. He sat back down and handed over the sword, resting safely over his upturned open palms. Motoko, with her left hand, gripped around the centre, and lifted it up from Keitaro's hold. Bringing it close to her, as he brought his hands back to his side, she unsheathed it with her right hand.
Frowning slightly, she examined the blade, noticing the sheen to be a tad brighter than she had expected. Keitaro grew more nervous.
"Urashima, have you been maintaining my sword?"
He snapped his head to the window. "Hey! Imouto-chan is chasing Tama-chan again!"
Motoko wasn't fooled. "Don't try to avoid the subject, I am merely asking you if you oiled my sword."
The guilty look spoke volumes, though he didn't speak up. Motoko took another look at the gleaming blade and returned it to the scabbard, and sensed him draw back and recoil. "I'm not upset, Urashima. I find it commendable that you even knew that swords had to be cared for. Although it has been three weeks since I last oiled it, one week early won't make any difference." She smiled sincerely. "Next time, I'd appreciate less oil, though ironically it'll make the sword last for another five and a half weeks." She peered curiously at him. "How did you find out about the oil?"
"Heh, it's kind of funny really…" He placed a hand behind his head, a sweatdrop growing. "I was just chatting with Haruka-obasan and told her about your sword. She mentioned the whole thing to me, apparently she had to take care of some old and new swords a while ago. She lent me a bottle of some special oil. I did the job and gave it back to her."
Motoko was mildly impressed that he even thought that far, but she chose not to let her feelings be known. "Thank you, Urashima, though the gesture was meaningless." She almost regretted her words at seeing his eyes shift from embarrassed to hurt and downcast. She stood up.
"Now that I have my sword, I will retire for training." She raised an eyebrow when Keitaro stood up also. "What is it?"
"I-I'm going to watch you train."
"Why?" She intoned dangerously, her eyes narrowing.
"Because you're still sick…" Keitaro sighed. "I can't keep your sword from you forever, I know you need to train…" He looked up at her. "But let me at least help you by saying when you're working too hard, if you get sick again then you won't win…"
Motoko ground her teeth. How dare he force his decisions on me! "Why should you care if I get tired, sick, or even lose to Miki-sama?"
Keitaro turned away and started walking to the door, opening it with one hand, looking back at her with a smile on his face, eyes closed from emotional pain. "I just do, Motoko-chan…"
He walked out, leaving Motoko dumbfounded and alone. Shaking her head of the cobwebs she stalked out. Annoying male… Always lying to me… As she thought that, her heart refuted the claim, beating rapidly in response.
The roof
"49! 50!" Motoko huffed, taking a short break after going through the basics again. This is harder… My arms are getting tired already! I must still be… She wiped the sweat beading on her forehead with her nearby towel and continued her strikes.
Sitting against the banister, Keitaro was watching Motoko's movements idly, also looking at the view of Hinata Springs from time to time. I was right, she's moving oddly. The strikes aren't fluid as they used to be…
He realised that his presence may also be affecting her performance, but he tried to ignore that. I have no choice, I don't want Motoko-chan to lose again… This is for her honour.
Leaning back, he saw the lazy clouds saunter across the bright blue sky, and then drifted his sight back onto Motoko. Still she does move gracefully… Even though her strikes were slowing and becoming unfocussed, he admired her determination and strength. Her hair was bound up in a ponytail to prevent it from getting in the way, though her bangs still hung free. The repetitive movements served to illustrate her athletic figure beneath the kendo garb. Keitaro recalled the time he first noticed her that way, when she left his room with the dagger he gave her for a Christmas present. He smiled at the memories of happier times, a time before his failure to get into Toudai, and for his worsening relationship with the girl in front of him.
Snapped out of his reverie, he could see Motoko having trouble keeping up the pace of her strikes, so he stood up and walked over softly.
"Motoko-chan…"
"What is it!" She wasn't happy at the interruption, since she already knew what was coming.
"You should rest now, you body can't handle so much stress now." Sensing her malice at being ordered, he smiled and placated her by raising his hands, like you would at gunpoint. "Just for a few hours at least." He lowered his arms and spoke kindly. "Please?"
Motoko sighed regretfully, knowing that seeing his chocolate eyes, with their permanent melancholy and gentleness broke down her own defences. "Fine… But only for two hours." She sheathed her katana and breathed out, calming her heart from the workout. I suppose he is right, I was unable to maintain my form… She looked over at Keitaro, but her glare wasn't as powerful as before. "What time is it Urashima?"
He checked his watch. "Umm, around half twelve, you've been practising for over an hour. Why?"
Motoko turned away and started walking down. "I am hungry, and was merely curious, as Shinobu generally cooks around this time."
Keitaro joined her in walking down the stairs. "Yeah, I'm a bit peckish too… Watching you put all that aside, when you stopped my stomach began to work again…"
He blushed at his words. Great, now it sounds like she stops my body from functioning normally… He gazed at her casually, but was happy inside at her lack of reaction. Choosing to be friendly, he asked a question.
"How was your training? Did you get anywhere?"
Motoko grit her teeth at the veiled insult. "No, I did not." My body was still too weak. "I'm trying to restore my body to a fit state, which should take about a day, then I can practise some techniques which require more power."
"Sounds about right…" Keitaro commented.
What would you know, you're no martial artist. Motoko couldn't understand why she was still walking with him and was about to speed up until he spoke again.
"Have you thought of a way to beat her?" Keitaro asked, again curious. "She looked really strong, and her leaf attack, whatever it was, left you pretty bloody…"
"Yes… That was a powerful attack of hers…" Motoko mused over the battle in her mind. "She didn't hold back at all in the strength, but…"
"What, you thought of something?" He seemed happy.
She snapped. "Why do you care, Urashima? Why all these pointless questions?"
Looking hurt, he flinched backwards and laughed to himself. "Sorry, I shouldn't get involved, it's your battle after all…"
They'd reached the bottom of the stairs and were now facing the dining area. "Ahh, I forgot… something… Tell Shinobu I won't be able to make lunch today…"
"Very well…" What is he up to? Paying it no heed, she walked on to the table and sat as Shinobu served meals to everyone.
Meanwhile
Manager's Room
Keitaro sat down at his kotatsu, and felt a slight chill. Reaching underneath the cover he switched the heater on. As long as it's for a short time only… He looked at the clock. Oh well, I suppose I could last until dinner without food… He sighed at looked down at his empty table. Motoko-chan is mad at me again, I think it's best if I avoid her for a short time…
Grabbing his book from his side, he began to read to pass the time.
Ten minutes later
The dining room
The meal was quiet, given that the cause for outbursts, teasing and fun wasn't joining them. For once it was as if they were all back in time before their manager changed hands. However, the main topic of conversation revolved around the missing person.
"What did sempai say he was doing Motoko?" Shinobu asked, the care evident in her voice.
Motoko sighed, as the others had already asked this in some form or other. "He didn't explicitly state what, but he said 'he forgot something'. What that is, I do not know." She returned to her eating, forcing the conversation to end there.
"Maybe he's sick…" Shinobu wondered out loud. "I'll bring him some food later."
"What, that pervert, sick!" Naru half-shouted. "That'll be the day! Trust him to get sick after failing Toudai…"
"Naru-sempai…" Shinobu began to respond.
"Hey, now come on Naru, there's no need to be so down on him." Mitsune grinned. "He's a grown man, but even he has his limits… Don't gloat about Toudai, or rub it in any more…"
"Suu wants Keitaro to be happy too!" The Molmol princess jumped in.
"I have to agree with Mitsune on this one Naru-san." Motoko conceded. "Urashima is in a delicate state of mind at this time, his failure is playing up on his mind a great deal, and he does not wish to be reminded of it every day…" She recalled the conversation they had a few days ago about how much the university meant to him. "He may even consider leaving if his guilt continues to grow."
"S-sempai wants to leave!" Shinobu cried out. "Auuu…" Her eyes swirled around and she fainted into her chair, causing a concerned Motoko to check if she was okay. Suu joined in too.
"K-Keitaro wouldn't leave, would he?" Naru hesitantly asked.
Motoko remained tight lipped as she carried the young cook to the living room and lay her down on the sofa. Suu came from the kitchen with a small damp towel and placed it delicately on her classmate.
"What do you think Mitsune?"
"Well…" She opened her eyes, looking over the other three people. "It's possible, if everyone keeps reminding him about the exams… No, if we talk about how he failed, that's what affects him." She closed her eyes and smiled at her friend. "He was glad you got in, and wished the best for you, but don't say he was useless, he's not too fond of that…"
She grinned at how Naru flushed. "But… I…"
"I know, you don't really mean it, but Keitaro's a bit dense, and he wears his heart on his sleeve more than our little Shinobu." She got up and slapped her heartily on the back, causing the new university student to lurch forwards. "Just be careful of what you say around him, 'kay?"
"S-sure thing..." Naru was still stunned from the back slap, and nursed it slowly. Well, if I failed, I'd've been sad too if everyone kept mentioning it. Maybe I should be more considerate…
She saw Mitsune go over and gaze at Shinobu for a few moments, before switching the television on and splashing on the armchair. Suu had run upstairs to work on another invention. Motoko continued to tend to the blue haired girl, and gently woke her up.
"Wha…? Where am I?"
"You fainted at the table, I brought you here to make you more comfortable." She removed the towel from the head as she sat up. "How are you feeling?"
"Umm, just a little dizzy…" She shook her head quickly, remembering what made her faint. "I-Is sempai really going to leave us?"
"Now, now, don't get all stressed again." Motoko spoke softly. "He's not going to leave if there are people who care for him here, but if we constantly remind him of how he failed, then he will lose all hope…"
"I know, I'll never say that to him. I have faith in him!" Shinobu brightened up considerably.
"I know you do." Motoko patted her head tenderly. "Make sure he knows that, as you have more impact on him than you imagine."
"R-Really?" She stammered, blushing profusely. Motoko only chuckled inwardly at seeing the crush displayed once again.
"Do you feel up to finishing your meal?" Motoko changed the subject.
"Not really, I'm quite full anyway." She got up and started walking back to the table. "Oh, maybe I should take up sempai's meal." She stared at the untouched plate on the table.
Motoko bit her lip for a few moments. "It's okay, I'll take it up to him…"
"You will?" Shinobu was mildly surprised. "I can do the washing up quicker then…"
"I'll see you later Shinobu." Motoko smiled. "Take it easy for today…"
"I will!" She picked up some glasses and walked into the kitchen as Motoko took the plate full of food and the nearby glass of water.
One minute later
Manager's Room
Motoko stared at the door, frowning at her full hands. Damn… Balancing on one foot was an easy task for her, as her school required full control over their state during battle, especially when in midair. While on one foot, she kicked lightly at the door frame a few times.
"Who is it?"
"It's me… Can you open the door?"
"Umm, sure…" The door slid back revealing a bemused Keitaro. "What're you doing here Motoko-chan?"
"Shinobu was worried for you, and saved some food for you. I took the liberty in bringing it up here."
She walked inside without invitation and carefully lowered the plate and glass onto his small table. He followed her from a distance. Feeling a warm breeze from beneath the cloth she raised an eyebrow.
"You switched on the heater?"
Keitaro laughed to himself. "Yeah, well, I'm a little cold, and I think it helps a little."
"I suppose you are right." Motoko made a mental note to turn on her own heater when she returned to her room. Looking deep into his eyes she came straight to the point. "Why weren't you at lunch, you said you forgot something…" She looked around and saw nothing different, except the book on his kotatsu was open.
"I did forget something!" He replied too quickly. This earned him a dark glare from Motoko.
She turned away and walked up to the door, not facing him. "Fine, whatever you say." She opened the door and took a step out, but paused and turned back slightly, still keeping her face away from his view. "I will be training later today, I will inform you so you may observe me further, if you so desire."
"O-Of course!" Keitaro smiled back. Motoko paid it no heed and left, closing the door behind her.
4:00pm
Manager's Room
"Okay, I'll be out in a moment!"
Keitaro gathered up his fleece and zipped up the front until just under his chin. Taking his socks and slippers, he opened the door.
"I'm ready Motoko-chan. Let's go."
Raising an eyebrow at his appearance, Motoko walked on upstairs onto the roof. Keitaro settled down in the same place as before and began to oversee her training.
Motoko shivered a little beneath her outfit. Better warm up quick… Peeking at Keitaro from the corner of her eye, and seeing him smile at her, she darkened and bit her lip away from his line of sight. Pervert… Why must he look at me like that…? The rational part of her mind kept repeating to itself that he was only smiling, not leering at her, however she was able to ignore that voice of reason as her strikes began.
After twenty one head attacks, varying between the three vital areas, she realised her body was already healing much faster, as she wasn't as tired as her earlier session. The small exercise had already heated her up considerably, and she felt better with the new course of adrenaline flooding her body.
Keeping to the same fast pace, she changed her warm up to torso hits, or those aimed at hands. In the unlikely chance I knock away Miki-sama's weapon, I will have an opportunity to win… Sixty more strokes, again alternating between the torso and hand, then from both sides.
Lowering her katana she took a deep breath and stood up straighter. I feel stronger somehow… She looked over to Keitaro who was puzzled at why she stopped. She flicked her eyes back to the horizon, still thinking to herself. Why? I have trained a lot less now than I did practising the Zan Gan Ken… These are merely the basics… Looking at her hands, she noted that they weren't shaking. As I'm not tired yet, I shall continue, until I find reason to stop…
Motoko performed her kata, using only the basic attacks that she first learned in the world of kendo. Having warmed up her body moved faster than it had for the past few days, and she was able to fight of imaginary opponents every step of the way. Pacing around on the roof brought her battle lust back, and she began to grin, uncannily similar to her sister.
I see… Is this what power feels like? To dominate the battlefield without any weakness?
Even after thinking that, she was shocked to note that she had not made a single mistake so far, playing back her previous performance while still going through the moments. So caught up in her memory she was shocked when she heard a pitiful squeal.
What the…? As the life returned to her eyes, she looked down and saw Keitaro cowering on the floor beneath her feet, arms above his head to protect himself. She glanced up and saw that her blade had neatly embedded itself in the wooden railing, almost cutting all the way through.
Dear God… Using both hands to pull it out, a few splinters sprayed in the air, some sawdust falling on Keitaro. Blowing off the dust from her blade, she wiped it clean with the cloth she had prepared, and sheathed her katana away from harm.
"I apologise greatly, Urashima." She bowed to him. "I wasn't concentrating fully on my actions." She placed a hand on his upper wrist. "Are you injured anywhere?"
Keitaro looked up, his eyes still fearful as his head shook in the negative. Sighing in relief, mostly to herself, Motoko felt tired but invigorated at the same time. She sat down next to him.
"I did not mean to attack you, my kata must have brought me to this point." She looked down then closed her eyes, the tiredness finally reaching her. "I apologise, Urashima."
She felt a tentative pressure on her left arm. She saw that he was painfully smiling. "I-It's okay, Motoko-chan, I'm fine as you can see." He looked up to the sky for a moment and said in sotto. "Though my life flashed before my eyes… It was one relentless collage of grey…" He shook his head of such thoughts. "I accept your apology, no harm done." She beamed at her, and the girl next to him felt a tiny bit better about herself.
Keitaro frowned. "Why were you so preoccupied? I've never seen you practise like that before, with such…" He didn't know how to put and he paused, then clicked his finger after a minute. "I know! Emotion! You hide your feelings when you practise, but now I saw anger, joy, frustrations, and a load of others…"
"Is that so?" Her eyebrows now were midway across her forehead. Were my barriers lowered that much by the fever? I doubt that an illness would affect me this much. Perhaps then it was due to something else… She pondered further, tapping her chin to no particular beat. Well, in any case, that has nothing to do with the battle, I have to come up with ways to defeat Miki-sama…
"You seem much better." Keitaro remarked. "Do you think that will beat her?"
Motoko looked at Keitaro dubiously, but realised he had no idea, so she decided to explain. "That wasn't a technique, when I practise I do kata. These are pre-prepared sequences of moves designed to improve movement, naturally I have become very fast at them. However, Miki-sama was also taught this kata, as have the rest of the Shinmeiryu, so it is not a viable option against her."
Keitaro scratched his head. "Then why do it if it won't help?"
"It helps me to focus, by placing all my awareness in that I achieve a peace, which may help me to find an answer. To me it is similar to meditation."
"And, have you figured out a way?"
Motoko didn't reply verbally, choosing to shake her head. Keitaro looked at her fully and noted the smell of sweat was strong.
"How was your body? Do you think you could do some more?"
"Yes, my muscles have revived and the pain in my head is only slight now." She felt a breeze tickle her nose, and it twitched. She sneezed into her hands.
"Oh no! Are you cold Motoko-chan?" Keitaro almost stood up, forgetting that the wind had picked up.
"I-I'm fine, Urashima…" Her teeth chattered involuntarily, but she wasn't about to run because of nature.
The sun began to set beyond the horizon, casting golden and purple colours across the roof. "Here…" Motoko saw that Keitaro was holding out his fleece to her. "You need this more than I do."
She stared at it for a long time.
If I take, will there be some catch to it? Will he try to take advantage of me? Does he mean anything by me needing it more?
"Come on, please? You look cold Motoko-chan, and I don't want you to get worse in your recovery…"
"If you say so…"
She accepted it reluctantly, and threw it over her gi, tucking her arms in.
"No, put it on, your arms will still be cold that way."
"But…" She wasn't in denial, the smell of two hours of training was obvious, it will get dirty."
Keitaro waved it off. "It's okay, it was an old one of mine, and I can just wash it afterwards."
Keeping her lips sealed, she hooked her arms inside properly and zipped it up, not needing to go all the way as it was baggy, the high collar reached up beyond her ears. Instantly she began to feel warmer and crossed her arms, actually liking the feel of the soft material against her skin.
"Is that better?" He asked kindly.
Motoko smiled beside herself. "Yes, thank you, Urashima." She looked over at him and saw a bandage on his hand. "What's that?" She indicated with her head.
Keitaro followed where she was looking at and blushed. "I-It's nothing…"
"Show me." The command was impossible to disobey.
Holding out his hand, Keitaro unwrapped the bandage to expose what was beneath. "This is…" She looked up at him seriously. "I did not realise that the blade cut you that deeply…"
"Well, I was holding onto it rather tightly." He said in a self-mocking voice. "You were kinda determined to use it on yourself."
"Why did you not use the cream I gave you a while ago?"
"I used it all on you, after I pulled those leaves out…" His eyes winced. "It looked really painful, and I couldn't have you suffering from that as well as the fever…"
"I will supply you with more, though I am surprised that your own healing hasn't fixed that." She frowned as reasons were analysed.
"Tell me about it…" He put the wrap back on his hand, hiding it from view once again. "It was hard enough cleaning the hot springs with a hand that hurt each time I used it."
Motoko remembered a statement he made a few months ago. "Perhaps the blade itself is to blame. You told me of a legend associated with it…"
"Oh… That could be it…" Keitaro smiled and put his injured hand behind his head, laughing all the way. "Oops… Haruka-obasan told me that once it was in motion, nothing could stop it… I don't know much more, but she told me it was used all the way back in the Meiji era."
"You're telling me that its powers also stop the healing process!" Motoko was outraged and impressed at the same time. "This makes it a supremely deadly weapon!"
Keitaro shrugged it off. "I'm glad it's away from me, I might get clumsy and drop it, or lose a couple of fingers…" He breathed out and saw his breath in the air with the twilight remaining in the sky. He stood up and held his uninjured hand out. "Shall we go inside? The weatherman said it would be very cold outside tonight, and I don't want to risk your health any more…"
Blushing, Motoko took up his offer and accepted his help up. "Th-thanks…"
Side-by-side, they left the roof as the winds picked up.
One minute later
Motoko's room
"A-are you sure it's okay for me to go in?" Keitaro knew better than to burst into another girl's room without permission, after the nightmare over the diary incident.
"Yes, I'll permit it just this once…"
Stepping in, Keitaro hovered near the entrance, unsure as to why he was there.
"Come, sit here." Motoko was sat at a table. After a few moments she grew impatient, "Well? What are you waiting for? Get over here."
"Umm…" She sat where she indicated. "Why?"
"Were you just born stupid or did you need to learn to become this way?" She angled her head to one side and bit her tongue. Damn, I have to keep my calm… I just insulted his intelligence, just what I told the others not to do… "The roof, your hand, I'm going to apply the cream and some powder to your wound."
"C-can't I just do it?" He asked nervously.
Motoko sent her dark eyes flicking at his own. "No, the powder is a family secret. While I am happy for you to possess the cream and use it, only I alone can use or apply the powder."
"What's in it?" Seeing her somewhat patronising look, he chuckled meekly. "Ah yeah… Family secret. I forgot." Motoko rolled her eyes. "Can you at least tell me what it does?"
Motoko withdrew it from her sleeve and held it up to his face. It looked like a black cylindrical sachet of sugar, but possessed no markings of any kind.
"It contains a strong painkiller, ten times that of the cream, along with advanced healing powers. While the cream 'encourages' the body to heal faster, the powder instead orders the body to accelerate this healing. Once I apply this, half of your body's biochemical energy is diverted onto the area in particular. With all that power it then can heal much more rapidly thanks to an increased metabolism, to the point where you can see it making a difference by the naked eye. The cream is necessary to hold it in and to let the skin grow back normally."
"Wow…" Keitaro shook his head of the usefulness of the drug. "Why are you giving it to me then?"
"If what you say is true about the blade, then it either holds some sort of anti-coagulant in it to prevent clotting, or it has some form of magical input to stop your body from trying to heal that cut." She paused for thought. "I would wager that it has both, thus adding to its lethal qualities."
Keitaro gulped loudly and eyed the blade, which was on her shelf behind her. "D-don't try to use it on me, please?"
"I'll try not to…" She smiled wryly, feeling the mood lighten at Keitaro's paler complexion.
"Okay…" He looked at the sachet again. "What's the problem with the powder, if it's so useful, why not use it all the time?"
Motoko coughed to clear her airway. Despite this nuisance questioning everything, it's the most talking I've done in days. It's also quite relaxing talking about things I know about…
"As with every drug there are side effects, use it too often and your tolerance level with grow to an extent where it will no longer have an effect. The withdrawal symptoms are also something to avoid… The pain relief is the best, but it is only temporary for the healing to take place. The amount of energy it uses from your body also tires you out greatly for the time being, and prevents you from doing much more than walking, eating and sleeping."
"I see…" Keitaro nodded. "So it's best to use it rarely."
Motoko nodded as well. "Correct. The Shinmeiryu only use it in cases after a heavy battle, where wounds are too large or dangerous to leave open and unattended for long."
"Battles?" He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Yes, against demons."
"D-demons!"
"Never you mind, their incursions into this realm are growing lesser by the year." She closed her eyes and spoke soothingly. "Do not worry about a thing, my clan is here to protect the people of Japan."
Keitaro grew more reassured by her sincere words. "I believe you Motoko-chan…"
"Good, now hold out your hand."
He did so, and Motoko held it with her left hand whilst removing the bindings with her right. Her cheeks grew hotter at the contact, though Keitaro failed to notice. As the cut unveiled she pursed her lips. It does look serious, my assumptions about that blade seem to be correct, as it hasn't healed at all...
She picked up the sachet and tore the top off. Pouring it slowly around his wound, she began to push it inside. Seeing Keitaro flinch instinctively she calmed him down. "I know, the pain will hurt for a few seconds, but it'll soon go once it's deep inside." True to her words, his visage relaxed immediately as it began to take effect. Good, he's responding to the chemicals. Once the powder was inside the cut and around it, she withdrew the cream and began to massage it into the skin.
This required a lot of pressure, which she could now do thanks to the lack of pain receptors. Another blush crossed her features, one which was mirrored by Keitaro this time. She's really good with her hands... They're so soft but powerful...
Motoko tried to keep herself focused on the job, but her thoughts drifted. His hands are surprisingly young, the skin is still tender for his age. She noticed a similarity between her own. His thumb, index and middle fingers have thick calluses... She tried to figure out why that was, until the obvious came to mind. His studying... She inwardly gasped. These are the marks of his pen... She looked up, her expression both sympathetic and impressed. This will be his third year repeating... His dedication to learning and trying to get into Toudai must have carried through his very being for most of his life... She recalled that her own callused hands came from eight years of training in the arts. For Keitaro's hands to have suffered in the same way meant that he also did practice tests, exams and essays for the same amount of time.
She finished off the massage by creating a high friction, heating his hand up remarkably. "This is to remove any of the stickiness of the cream." Once she was done, she wiped her own hands clean with a nearby tissue. "There, all done..." She looked up at him and saw his eyes lull over a bit. "Yes, the feeling is strange. For the first half hour you'll feel extremely drained and sleepy, as your body is changing priorities to your injury. However, as with any other new interference, you will adapt to being a little bit weaker and slower than usual."
"Yeah, if I took this every time I hurt myself it would get annoying..." Keitaro was beginning to understand why it was not used often.
"Have you changed your bindings?" She asked.
"N-no, I haven't got round to it yet..."
"Well, I'll change them now, it's better to keep the area clean and covered for the healing to take place."
Picking out a new roll from her medical kit, she cut off a long piece and proceeded to protect the hand again. Tying it up securely, she nodded to herself. "It's done... It should be about a day for the healing to be completed, but don't be afraid if it takes longer."
"Th-thank you Motoko-chan..." Keitaro was touched. "Th-this means so much to me... I had no idea that my hand might never have healed. Without your help I would have a big scar -"
"It was nothing..." She interrupted. I nearly killed you just a few short minutes ago... "Don't do anything stressful for now, until you get used to being sluggish. Be safe as well, your pain tolerance has increased a hundred-fold, so you may not even feel it if you burn your hand against a kettle."
"Heh..." Keitaro sweatdropped. "Tread carefully in other words..." Let's hope my feet don't trip me up... "Thanks again Motoko-chan. I owe you for this."
As he opened the door, she spoke up. "No, you do not." She opened her eyes, wisdom and hindsight now providing clarity. "Your acts in providing me with a week's reprieve against Miki-sama, and the life debt as evidenced by that cut, are worth much more than a simple healing potion. I thank you for all you've done for me." She turned towards him by shuffling her knees on the floor and lowered herself to the ground, her arms in complete contact with the tatami mat, her deepest bow.
Keitaro grew redder and more flustered. "Ah... But..." She wasn't getting up from it any time soon. He shut the door fast and knelt in front of her. "Motoko-chan, please sit up!"
She did so, but the look of veneration did not dissipate from her expression. Keitaro again blushed. "P-please, I didn't do much, okay? I didn't even know how much it meant to you. If..." He paused as his brain kicked in. Perhaps I shouldn't say that I would do it for anyone... That might get her mad at me... "If you were in trouble, I would do my best to help. I promise, that if you need me any time in the future, just say the word and I'll be there!" Oh no, what am I saying! She might use me as a training dummy!
He smiled good naturedly. "So, don't bow for me, I'm no one special, just another ronin..." He clouded over for a second before pushing it away, reforming the upwards tilt of his lips. "But... You're welcome. I did what I thought was right, and I'm happy you see it that way too. It's nice to feel appreciated sometimes."
He reopened the door and looked back, his outlook never brighter. "I'll see you at dinner Motoko-chan."
Leaving swiftly, both had smiles on their faces, happy that the air was cleared between them. While Motoko still felt irritated at the intrusion into her life by him, she also felt relief. Truly, without Keitaro, I would not be on this plane... Her eyes filled with tears. My life would have ended that day, by my own hands...
Cupping her face with both hands, Motoko wept.
7:45pm
Dining room
"Everyone! Dinner's ready!" Shinobu cried.
She giggled at hearing the stampede of footsteps, which heralded the arrival of Suu, cart wheeling in. She was soon followed by Mitsune, grumbling about headaches and sake. Naru was third, Motoko and Keitaro appeared soon after.
"Ah, sempai..." Shinobu held her hands together on her legs, the oven mitts keeping them warm. "D-did you find what you were looking for?"
"Looking for?" He scratched his head for a second before he remembered. "Ah, y-yes, I did, thanks for asking."
"Did Motoko bring up your lunch?"
"Yes she did, it was really tasty." He rubbed his stomach for emphasis.
Shinobu beamed back, even if she knew her cooking was good, it always sounded better coming from Keitaro. "I'm glad you liked it sempai..." Motoko said we should make sempai wanted... "I hope you can help try out some new dishes one day. I have the recipes but never made them before -"
"Say no more." He put a hand on her shoulder, making her heart speed up. "I'm looking forward to them. You make the best meals ever." This time her blush at his praise was unmistakable. "Come to think of it..." He looked up at the ceiling, as if consulting the sky for help. "Yeah, why not, I'm going to give you a wage."
"Wh-what!" This she did not expect. "W-why?"
"You go out of your way for all of us." He smiled as she sat down in his chair. "You cook, you clean and hang the laundry. Even though technically they're not my jobs, you do them for all of us." He playfully messed up her hair. "You deserve it..."
"B-but..." She looked around the table and saw the rest of the residents smiling back at her. She turned to her current female role model, and stammered out. "M-Motoko, there's no way I -"
Motoko shook her head. "You underestimate yourself in this household. You are very important, though the role you play is small in comparison to Urashima repairing, polishing and cleaning the hot springs, you keep us fed and in clean clothes."
Naru nodded in assent. "She's right Shinobu-chan, without you we'd struggle to do our own things while doing what you do."
"Yeah, you're a real help, I can't cook to save my life, and you know the best cures for hangovers!" Mitsune raised her non-alcoholic drink in toast to her.
"Suu likes it when Shinobu cooks!" She raised her hand enthusiastically. "And what's laundry, does it taste good?"
Shinobu was beyond flattered and endorsed with all the praise she received from the others. Her mouth was hidden behind her giant oven mitts, tear globules on the extremities of her eyes.
"I... I..."
"See? Everyone feels the same as me. We all know how hard it is to live independently, but when our youngest member mothers us with great food and clean laundry, we all feel a bit guilty." He put his hand behind his head and laughed to himself. "I don't know how else to repay you. I hope you accept..."
He went on laughing lightly, waiting for Shinobu's reply. She was still in shock.
"I..." She began looking at everyone in turn faster and faster until her head began to spin, and her eyes turn to swirls. "I... Auuu!"
Surprising all present with her agility, she darted out of the room, still crying, into the kitchen, whereupon sobs and sniffles could be heard. Keitaro, now fully stunned, could barely speak. "Did I... say something wrong?" He glanced at Naru and Motoko, and cringed, thinking that they would inflict more pain on him. He began to run through the conversation in his head, trying to figure what went wrong. I don't think I insulted her... Wait, maybe it was because I said she was mothering us...
A hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up.
"N-Narusegawa..." His eyes conveyed confusion, as hers didn't show any hostility.
"It's okay Keitaro, I'll go see her. She's just a bit overcome with emotion." I must admit, he does have a good heart inside him... Naru walked off into the kitchen, and the sounds of sobbing became muffled.
Motoko was in the seat next to him. "That was good of you Urashima, it is true, she does deserve some form of compensation for her work." Perhaps I should give him another chance...
"Yeah! No one here would bother to do all that!"
Tears flew out of Keitaro's eyes with indignation. "Kitsune, just because you're like that, doesn't mean we all are."
"Shinobu should wear a uniform too!" Suu joined in.
"Erm..." Keitaro sweatdropped. "I don't think that would be fair..."
Meanwhile
The kitchen
"Are you okay now?" Naru asked. My blouse is soaked through now... Oh well...
Shinobu pulled out of the big hug and looked up, her eyes red with emotion. "I-I think so..." She choked up a bit, but swallowed it down so she could speak better. "I shouldn't get money just for doing what my mum said...:"
This was news to the older girl. "What did she tell you to do?"
She wiped her eyes with some kitchen roll. "She said I shouldn't get in the way and to do my own chores."
Naru chuckled. "I think you're doing a little bit more than 'your own chores'. You're doing all of ours as well!"
"Ah... Auu, maybe I should leave if I bother sempai -"
"Whoa, hold it right there. Where did you get that idea from?"
"I... I don't want to be a burden to him... He'll have to pay me money, which means less for the inn, and -"
Naru rolled her eyes at the poor turn of logic, and brought Shinobu into another engulfing hug. "Listen, Shinobu-chan. If you say it like that, then we must be a burden to you, for having you cook all our meals and do our laundry. Then we should leave Hinata-sou too." She felt the girl struggle to get out and presumably protest. "But you don't see us as that, I know..." Shinobu relaxed, and after a few seconds Naru pulled her out, gently cupping her head with both hands, staring into each other's eyes. "And so, that means that Keitaro doesn't see you as a burden. He never has, and never will. He wants you to stay so much that he's willing to pay you for what you're doing."
Shinobu took everything in and began to doubt herself. "But... I'd stay anyway, it's not like- I can't go home, it's too... busy there..." Naru nodded, already understanding of how things were with her parents. "I'll still cook and clean, even if I wasn't paid."
"Then just accept." Naru smiled. "He may be a complete pervert, clumsy, stupid and lots of other bad things, but if there's one thing he has, it's honest determination. When he wants to do something, he lets everyone know about it, and won't stop until he does it." She winked. "How else could he retake his entrance exams three times to get into Toudai? He promised someone he'd get in, and he'll do it, no matter how long it takes..."
"W-will he be angry if say no?"
Naru kept her tone even. "No, I doubt he'll ever make you sad, let alone shout at you. But he's right, you mean so much to us, and..." She nudged the smaller girl suggestively. "Since you'll be a paid employee, you'll be helping run the inn alongside Keitaro, an 'assistant' for the manager..."
"As-Assistant...?"
Her eyes swirled a bit. Fantasies about illicit meetings behind closed doors, accidentally bumping into each other while both working somewhere alone, and having him help her out flashed by. All were pure innocence though, as each hallucination ended up with Keitaro about to kiss her before something or someone interrupted them.
Naru giggled at the dazed girl, recognising the milliard of emotions present in those faraway eyes. "So, what are you going to do?"
"I… I'm going to say yes…" Shinobu spoke, her trance still in effect.
"Good, shall we go back in?" Naru patted her back.
"O-okay…" Her eyes returned to the present, her shyness returning.
The dining room
Keitaro was still talking with the others when Naru and Shinobu entered. The young girl tiptoed up meekly.
"Umm, sempai…?" Keitaro said nothing, waiting for her to go on. "I… I accept…"
He smiled back, very happy with himself. "That's great news!" He stood up and placed a hand on her head. "Shall I help you carry out the dinner?"
Her heart had already skipped a few beats from his proximity, and her blush was receding fast. "Ah… Y-yes!"
They both walked off into the kitchen and carried out the dishes, plates and cutlery.
The meal went by with its usual peace.
---
OMAKE 1
Frowning slightly, she examined the blade, noticing how dull it looked, with lots of rust on the length of it. Keitaro grew more nervous.
"Urashima, what have you done to my sword?" Her eyes narrowed. "Tell me now…"
He swallowed hard. "I asked Haruka-obasan and she said something about oil, so…" He trailed off.
"So?" Motoko's eyes were glowing now, power exuding from her body.
"So… I asked Shinobu-chan, and I borrowed some of her cooking oil." He backpedalled into the wall at her shadow covered face. "I only poured a little!"
"Yes… But in doing so, YOU HAVE RUINED MY ONLY WEAPON!" She raised the corroded weapons above her head. "DIE URASHIMA!"
The squeals of a battered ronin was heard throughout Hinata Springs. The subsequent property damage that day equalled the Japanese defence budget…
---
OMAKE 2
"Okay…" He looked at the sachet again. "What's the problem with the powder, if it's so useful, why not use it all the time?"
Motoko coughed to clear her airway. This might be hard for him to grasp… I need to explain slowly.
"As with every drug there are side effects. For some reason, the healing works better when there is a large amount of testosterone present in the bloodstream... If you use it often, then bad things will happen."
"I see…" Keitaro nodded, then shook his head. "No I don't. What happens?"
Motoko gritted her teeth. "The testosterone dissipates after awhile, but its effects linger permanently." She closed her eyes from the shame and pulled out something from behind her. My darkest secret…
"Huh? A razor?" Keitaro scratched his head. "What does that…?" Realisation dawned. "Y-you mean…!"
"Yes." She nodded.
"You have to…"
"I know, Urashima…"
"You use that down there!" He stood up, in near outrage.
"Ye-NO!" She stood up, her face now purple in embarrassment and rage. "You imbecile! I NEED TO SHAVE MY FACE EACH DAY!" She was huffing at her yell, which the residents heard and sweatdropped at the same time.
Keitaro was laughing to himself. "Y-you get stubble!"
"Do not try my humour today, Urashima…" She growled.
No wonder you act like a man so much… "So, if you use it often, then…"
"Then the effects are much, much worse…"
Earlier that day
Kyoto
Two people were curled up in bed.
"Mmm, good morning… Sleep well?" The woman asked.
"Yeah." The man yawned. "Umm, honey…?" His eyes were worried.
"What is it, husband?" Tsuruko cracked her neck.
Shin stuttered. "C-could you please get rid of that…? It's not very feminine…"
She hmphed. "Only when I see fit!"
Tear streamed down his face. "I… I understand." He covered himself up again in the quilt, as Tsuruko walked into the en-suite.
"What's wrong with it?"
The mirror stared with a beautiful ivory skin, raven colour hair and a humongous beard and handlebar moustache.
"Doesn't it give me some character?"
She admired herself for an hour.
---
OMAKE 3
She finished off the massage by creating a high friction, heating his hand up remarkably. "This is to remove any of the stickiness of the cream." Once she was done, she wiped her own hands clean with a nearby tissue. "There, all done..."
She looked up at him and saw his eyes lull over a bit. "Yes, the feeling is strange. For the first half hour you'll feel extremely drained and sleepy, as your body is changing priorities to your injury. However, as with any other new interference, you will adapt to being a little bit weaker and slower than usual."
She began to worry when his face reddened, and his eyes glazed over while staring at her. A small line of drool poured from one side of his mouth, and a thin stream of blood poured from his nose.
"Oh shit…"
She blushed even more when 'other' parts of Keitaro's body began to react, and expand, in a typically male fashion.
I didn't realise it… What happens when you give a man more testosterone? The Shinmeiryu are all women…!
She was caught unawares when Keitaro lunged out and grabbed Motoko's arms, his tongue approaching her neck slowly.
NOOO! – SCENE DELETED -
---
Author's Notes
The title sets the feeling for this story, the meaning of trust between two people, and the constant training to become better. Let's just say that I've found my muse for this story once again. A small trip away to our summer home did wonders, and I managed to include a good scene with Shinobu in it, a spur of the moment type of deal.
If you're curious as to why it took me so long, see the forum for why I couldn't write. I have to thank A.C.C here as his comments helped me to forge onwards and to realise that I am too critical of my own early writings. Thanks to him I kept a positive outlook on the story, and was able to get more inspiration.
I hope some of you Brits will catch the Bottom quote, I think GlazedandConfused will see it and laugh, just as I did when I saw it on the show.
I think you will all enjoy this one. Reviews will be warmly received.
- J