Hey there. Oh man…. Hahaha

Rereading chapter 1 after uploading, I started noticing all the horrible grammatical errors… ayyy. It's funny how so much of that stuff just slips by until it's made public…

Well, since I've made up my mind to write this story just to tell the tale that resides in my mind, I'm not going to apologize for my style. P Sometimes randomly, I'll just have something in life that provides motivation for me to write; some small detail or daydream of life that makes me go "hmmm" haha.

Anyways, so sorry to those who read this story under my kei/mot premise. I've decided I want to change it up a bit, so I won't be announcing the final pairing just yet. This doesn't mean it will or won't still be KeiMot, but you'll just have to see. I think not having affirmation towards who it is or isn't always helps to keep the reader more involved. It's like a movie. While you may end up being pretty sure 3/4 of the way in, you feel emotionally attached to the character as they go through the ups and downs.

Those of you hoping for a ninja/fighting/adventure story, sorry to disappoint but this isn't that type of story. I'm aiming for a romantic story, deep and angsty or light and fluffy is undecided as of yet. I'll just play it by heart.

Oh, and I will be satirizing or alluding to American culture/movies at times, so readers of other nationalities may be confused at times. I hope it's all clear, but if you're reading a part and don't really get my humor, it may be that. Consider this sort of a Lost in Translation style American/Japanese culture story. P

Flashback:

'It's impossible though. But I have to ask to make sure. The man does look quite familiar… I don't know why…'

Once the laughter had subsided, Motoko pushed once more, "Aokaze is his nickname, but what's your family name and his real name?"

"Us? We're the Urashima family. And his real name? It's Keitaro Urashima."

Chapter 2: Mr. and Ms Shocked?

At the mention of Keitaro's name as a brilliant martial artist, the ever calm Tsuruko suddenly choked on her tea and Motoko merely froze up.

While frozen externally, internally Motoko's mind turned from shock to humor. 'What? Urashima, a brilliant martial artist? HAH what the hell, aneue… if that's the best your fabled House of Ancients has got, then it's better to be only remembered as a myth. Urashima, powerful descendant and heir to the mythical ancients; that's a riot'

Sensing something was the matter, the man patted Tsuruko's back as she coughed before asking, "Is something wrong, young one? Do you two know Keitaro?"

Tsuruko, ever the cunning woman, realized this was the time to learn more about the true capabilities of Keitaro. Unlike her sister, she knew to never underestimate a person, even if said person had never shown any fighting abilities what so ever. Thinking quickly, she thought of a way to probe for information. Telling half-lies, she skirted the events leading to the history. "Yes, I've met him before. I saw him in a duel, but he did not display any skills during the fight. I'm just surprised, that's all. I don't know, could you explain that to me? I'm just confused as to why a skilled fighter would act as if he didn't know how to fight after issuing a challenge."

Kyoko chose to respond to this as she was able to read right through the false pretense; Tsuruko wasn't the only manipulative and cunning woman in the Aoyama line. Consider their mental aptitudes and beauty as more characteristic than their sword fighting abilities. "You're side stepping the issue, aren't you? We in this house have nothing to hide, and we reveal all when asked. The least you could do for your hosts is to be completely forthcoming." This comment caught Tsuruko off guard, and her facial expression betrayed her motives for a split second. "I'll tell you the truth though. And this is one of the reasons I left to live in the forest here, the pursuit of truth and honesty between people. Society has become so politically correct and subversive through half-truths and lies. Keitaro is one of the most powerful ever in our history, but he doesn't like combat. Ever since he was little, he's always believed in talking to solve problems. He isn't naive by any stretch though, as he realizes physical violence is required at times, but chooses to avoid conflict whenever possible. Keitaro would never challenge a person to duel unless it was over a matter of grave importance, and if it was, he would never have held back. There's always a reasoning behind his ways, Tsuruko. I'm sure the truth behind the situation you told us will reveal it. We here are lucky though, Keitaro's sister is just as skilled and has agreed to take over the academy since Keitaro doesn't want to."

At this point, Tsuruko and Motoko kept quiet, silently digesting the information, questioning the man they thought they had known.

Seeing the dour mood, the grandfather tried to lighten up the mood. "Oh, Kyoko… dear, they were just worried we would think they were prying about our grandson. Cut them some slack. I remember a young samurai once who tricked me into a date when I just wanted to get my sword mended in town. All you Aoyama women are the same, conniving and beautiful." This elicited a blush from all three women present. "I will tell you one possible additional reason though; Keitaro has problems with women. Well, he doesn't really have problems with all women, just ones with violent tendencies. When he was younger, his adopted sister Kanako would tell him she loved him as more than a brother. She's gotten past that now, but you can imagine how awkward that was. And now that he's manager of Hina's Inn, he's been attacked ceaselessly by those so called friends. As a noble man who would never hit a woman, think how hard it is for him to deal with constantly being attacked. I honestly don't even know why he stays there. I'd love to give those girls a piece of my mind, but I'm sure you two don't want to hear my rantings. Anyways, all this has led to Keitaro's clumsiness whenever confronted by an emotional or violent girl because he doesn't want to get hurt yet won't defend himself for fear of hurting the girl." Hearing the grandfather's explaination, Motoko could not help but wince at the accusations towards the residents that she knew were true.

However at hearing Hina being mentioned, Motoko suddenly had another line of thought in her head. "Wait… what about Hina? Isn't she the Urashima grandmother of Keitaro?"

"Oh, she's from the other side. It just so happens Keitaro's parents both have the surname Urashima, completely unrelated to us though. It's sort of like you and that motorcycle racer Hiroshi Aoyama. He isn't a member of your family, now is he? It's just a common surname."

"True," replied Motoko. While still doubtful in her mind about the physical prowess of Keitaro, she knew what the man had just told her was truth.

After more talking of various topics, mostly involving Keitaro, Tsuruko and Motoko decided it was time to take leave. As they walked towards the entrance, the grandfather, in his jovial spirits and with a twinkle in his eye, said, "You know, Motoko, you'd make a great partner to Keitaro. If only you'd meet him, you'd see the kind person he is. I think you two would look lovely together." Kyoko suddenly elbowed him, but he continued on. "Tsuruko, you could arrange a meeting, couldn't you?" At this Tsuruko nodded with a mischievous smile, formulating another one of her "fool proof" plans.

"Don't mind him, Motoko," advised Kyoko. "He just wants Keitaro to find a girlfriend. Kei's always studying and hasn't had many experiences dating."

Approaching the main gate, Tsuruko has one last question to ask before leaving. "I have a final question, if you don't mind." She waits for the Urashimas to nod before continuing. "Why does your family remain hidden in the forest? Why do you not live in society and show the world that you truly exist and are here to protect humanity? As visible enforcers, you could have a great effect upon injustice." It had been a question weighing on her mind since she was little and had first heard the story of the mythical people.

As they all stepped out into the forest, the grandfather tells her the reasoning. "We do walk amongst society; we just do not reveal ourselves as warriors like your school does. Our people live and work as normal people in society, but we believe in a different way of combat. We are, much the way of Superman and Batman, those American cartoons. I know…just bear with me. I love it when I get to explain this to new visitors since we have so few. But yes, we believe in fighting evil not as a person, but as an ideal. As a person, you can be killed and forgotten about. As an ideal, you strike fear into the hearts of criminals throughout the ages. And as such, we live much the way of Clark Kent. During the day, we are just normal people; it is only under cover that we become supermen." Kyoko elbows him. "Oww, and superwomen too. Well, I shan't stop you anymore. I trust you will keep to secrecy about this place, Shinmeiryuu sisters."

Saying their goodbyes, the sisters start on their trek back to Tokyo. Both are silent on the walk back to their respective homes as they silently reflect upon the completely new Urashima Keitaro in their minds.

'Urashima… Clark Kent?'

(Hinata Sou)

"I'm home!" announced Motoko as she walked through the doorway.

"Motoko-sempai, dinner's ready! We're all gathered in the dining room," said Shinobu.

Motoko enters to see everyone sitting at the table, conversing in loud voices. Su, hyperactive as always, is jumping around while waiting for Motoko so they can start eating. "Hurry up Motoko! I'm hungrryyyyyy."

Taking the remaining seat next to Keitaro, Motoko quickly apologizes for being late. Immediately Su shouts "OK! LETS EAT!" and begins to dig in with her voracious appetite as everyone just laughs before picking up their bowls. The dinner is another treat of Shinobu's with perfectly steamed salmon as the main dish.

While the household eats merrily with constant conversation, Motoko merely sits silently.

'Why won't he defend himself?' she ponders to herself, as she tries to rationalize his past years at Hinata Sou. She takes careful notice of his actions, looking for any show of the legendary powers. Finding nothing, she decides to forget about it for the time being, and joins in with the conversation around her.

After dinner is finished, everyone starts to stand up, when Shinobu motions for everyone to stay seated. In her meek, timid voice, she quietly announces, "Everyone please. I made a new dessert that I want you all to try." At this point, Keitaro has already walked to the door and is just out of earshot. Upon seeing her manager continue leaving, Shinobu starts to sniffle, drawing the attention of Naru.

"YOU INCONSIDERATE JERK!" Naru yells out at Keitaro as she chases after him. Not realizing what had occurred, he turns around only to be meet with a Naru-punch that sends him ricocheting around the living room, until he shoots back into the dining room, landing in a pile against the wall. Satisfied with her work, Naru sits back down as she asks Shinobu to continue.

Looking at the event with her newfound knowledge of Keitaro, Motoko is still baffled by his behavior. Any normal person would defend themselves, and yet the supposedly powerful warrior does nothing. 'This doesn't make any sense. I mean… he doesn't even have to do anything. He just needs to block or move aside. I'm sure his training has taught him something useful. Why would he just keep getting hit? Where is his training! All these years and his supposed training is still never shown. He gets beat all the time and does nothing. It's like he isn't even the Keitaro Urashima the old man told us about.'

Unbeknownst to Motoko, a similar train of thought went through Keitaro's head for the n-th time. 'Man… that punch just keeps getting more and more powerful. It's like she's getting a full sparring session each time she hits me. Dang, that'll leave me sore. Good thing my family has a trait for healing, so sore is all it'll be. But seriously… I didn't even hear Shinobu, and suddenly it's my fault as usual. I wish I'd gotten out of the way of that one.' Standing up, Keitaro apologizes to Shinobu before taking his seat and continuing on his ponderings. 'Ah…I know though… each time it's the same. Each time I want to, but I know it's not worth possibly getting noticed by Motoko. The only reason she's even somewhat okay with a male here is because she thinks I'm weak and spineless. If she caught me redhanded using my training, I bet she and Naru would somehow rally the support to get me kicked out.' His mood darkening internally, he puts on a fake smile while his mind just blanks out to the world around him.

The dessert turns out to be a rich chocolate cake, which while good, makes everyone incredibly thirsty. Motoko, seeing an opportunity to test Keitaro's abilities, goes to help Shinobu get water for everyone. Returning with several bottles of water, Motoko uncaps them all before walking into the room. After she has distributed water to the girls, Motoko walks back to her seat next to Keitaro. As she nears him, Motoko pretends to trip, releasing her grip on the bottle of water. Just to make sure his attention is further attracted, she whispers just loud enough for him to hear, "Aokaze!"

Registering Motoko trip and upon suddenly hearing his nickname, the lost in thought Keitaro instinctively catches the opened water bottle just before it hits the ground. The second he does though, he realizes that it was a trap and releases his grip, dropping the bottle. As the bottle strikes the ground and spills out its contents, Motoko's and Keitaro's minds are racing.

As the others shout in surprise at Keitaro's purported carelessness, the two suddenly shout in unison, "I'll get some towels!" before running upstairs to their respective rooms.

Chapter 2 End

I know, it's short and bleh. But I figured I'd try and get something posted up. This is really a background chapter just to continue setting the stage. Expect chapter 3 to showcase my actual story.

Oh, and the real reason I wanted to post this up is because I have an idea in my mind. Well, it's more of a daydream I had, and I think it'd go great with Keitaro. But just to make sure I have the motivation to write it, I'm trying to get myself to writing it down ASAP.