The Beast
Chapter 2
Loving the Beast
The massive doors swung open again and Tsuruko moved up behind him. Nodding to the elders she wheeled Keitaro out of the room. As they moved the hall Keitaro continued to hold tight to Motoko's sword. Keitaro found his gaze drawn to a massive double steel door. Its surface pitted and corroded by time. It was old, but transmitting the idea of immense strength and purpose. Those were made to last the passage of Ages.
As they approached the door Keitaro saw that this was the only door without engravings or any carvings on it. They were plain and massive, imparting strength.
Ancient strength
Tsuruko stopped his chair and moved around him. She then places her hand flat along the seal in the middle of the doors, which began then to glow a soft blue. When Tsuruko moved her hand back they swung open, revealing a dark interior.
They enter a big stone walled room, now faintly glowing in blue.
As Tsuruko pushed Keitaro into the room he notices a stone table sitting in the middle of it. Surrounded in the room and table's faint blue light Tsuruko pushes Keitaro's wheelchair to the table. Keitaro looks at it with a bit of skepticism. Tsuruko nods and helps move Keitaro onto the table where he lays down. Tsuruko hands him Motoko's sword then pushing the Wheelchair out in front of her, she leaves Keitaro alone in the room.
Keitaro watches as the doors close, feeling a sense of foreboding.
As he lies there he suddenly feels a tingling sensation through his body.
A soft buzzing fills his ears and Keitaro is stunned as the buzzing gets louder he realizes that voices were speaking softly to him. Keitaro tries to sit up but feels his body go numb all of sudden. He panics when he no longer feels Motoko's sword in his hand, and he suddenly realizes that the voices become quiet.
Sensation comes back into his right hand where he feels the handle of his loves blade resting. With a sigh he lets out the breath he was holding without even noticing it.
As he smiles softly his ears register a new sound. Straining Keitaro tries to pinpoint the sound source. The sound gets closer and Keitaro tries to sit up as he notices sounds of footsteps approaching. The footsteps stop and Keitaro sees a young woman near his right arm staring at the sword in his grasp. Looking to his left Keitaro nearly jumps at the young man standing there as well. The young woman looks up and Keitaro is startled when she speaks. Her voice sounded like many voices, speaking the same words at once.
"A fallen lovers weapon."
The young man looks up, and moves around the table, standing above Keitaro's head.
"Why are you here?" He asks, looking gravely at Keitaro.
His voice was like of the young woman, a multitude of voices were coming out of his mouth.
At first Keitaro doesn't realize that he was talking to him. The multi voiced young man moved to stand beside the young woman.
She looked at Keitaro. "Why are you here?"
Keitaro lifted the sword and grasped the sheath. With a nod from the two Keitaro pulled the blade free. He saw the flicker of surprise in the eyes of the young woman as she saw the blood stained blade. She held out her hand and Keitaro let her take the blade.
"The blade of a lover, stained with her blood."
The young man looked down at him.
"Grief for the young woman. Sorrow that she hurt herself for you. So why are you here?"
Keitaro tried to speak but to many thoughts assailed his mind. As the girl offered him back the blade Keitaro grasped it and placed it back into its sheath. With the click of the blade sliding home Keitaro knew why he was there.
"I want to protect the girl that wields this sword."
The girl smiled softly. "A worthy cause, but how will you protect her if you cannot walk?"
Keitaro smiled back. "Anyway I can."
The young man looked down at him. "Even paralyzed he is willing to fight for her."
Stepping back the two young people seemed to disappear. Keitaro looked about. The light seemed to pulse. Keitaro blinked and started as a figure emerged from the darkness.
"Motoko?"
The figure moved forward till it stood just in front of him. Keitaro tried to sit up, but before he could he heard someone running towards them. Looking back the direction that Motoko had come he saw the light pulse again. Bile rose to his throat as he saw the beast emerge from the light. It's long arms dripped with ichors and gore. The long blade like fingers were nearly touching the floor as it moved. The head split down the middle revealing the massive mouth ringed with teeth. The creature increased its stride raising its long arms making a swinging motion it attempted to rip through Motoko.
"NOOO!"
Keitaro cried, throwing himself somehow forward as he suddenly found himself holding Motoko's blade, intercepting one of the creatures' claws. Surprised, the creature turns its lifeless eyes on Keitaro. Keitaro looks the creature dead in the eyes.
"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER! I WILL NOT LET ANYTHING HURT HER EVER AGAIN!"
The creature and Motoko disappeared from sight and Keitaro found himself sitting up holding the blade of his love. Laying down again he waited. He didn't have to wait long before he realized the room was growing darker. Looking about he wondered what was happening.
As darkness filled the room Keitaro found that even though he was completely blind he wasn't scared. He was at peace. Complete and utter peace washes over him. Keitaro smiles and pulls the sword up to his chest and held it close. Thinking of the woman who wielded it before him.
In the darkness Keitaro feels that he is no longer alone. The sounds of footsteps suddenly register in his ears. He opened his eyes but found that the room was still too dark. The footsteps finally stopped and Keitaro could feel whoever or whatever was standing next to him. Keitaro jumped when he felt something placed on his chest. Reaching up with his free hand he suddenly felt fur. Worry spread across his face as he felt the arm thick with muscle was also covered in hair like that of a dog or wolf.
"So you wish to become stronger in order to protect your love?"
Keitaro was startled to hear the voice. It sounded so much like his. "Yes."
"Good."
Keitaro was about to ask when his chest exploded in agony. Moving the hand back to his chest he found that it was ripped open. As hot warmth spread across his hand and his body he suddenly felt as if something was being poured over him. The pain in his chest disappeared and as the light returned, and he could still see the long rips in the fabric of his shirt. A bright white light lit up the room and Keitaro winced at its brilliance. After blinking like mad he saw another figure walking towards him. As his eyes finished adjusting he saw it was Tsuruko pushing his wheelchair towards him.
Looking to his right side where the voice had been Keitaro saw something lying on the floor. Rolling his shoulders slightly so he could see over the lip of the table and get a better view he saw a large furry being laying on it's stomach. Keitaro didn't see much before Tsuruko touched his shoulder.
"Keitaro this part of the ritual is complete now you need to eat, then you can rest and heal."
Keitaro looked up at her. "How long have I been here?"
Tsuruko looked hesitantly at him. "You have been here for two days."
Keitaro was shocked. "Two days."
Tsuruko nodded as she helped Keitaro into his chair. As she pushed him out Keitaro turned, hoping to get a quick glimpse at the body lying beside the stone table. However Tsuruko was blocking his view, and as they moved past the doors they closed and sealed themselves once more.
As Tsuruko moved him about the courtyard Keitaro realized that his senses were exceptionally clear. The air was clean and didn't have many pollutants in it. A sudden new scent interrupted his concentration. It was subtle. Breathing deeply he figured out what it was and smiled to himself. As they neared the dinning hall Keitaro stopped her as she passed near an open window. She looked at him questioningly Keitaro smiled softly and pointed up at the window. Tsuruko moved to the window and looked inside.
"It's only the greenhouse."
Keitaro nodded and took another deep breath. And Tsuruko understood what he was referring to. Then she waited till he nodded to her. "Thanks Tsuruko for letting me enjoy that."
She just smiled down at him as they continued towards the dinning hall. As they entered the dinning hall Keitaro's senses were assaulted by a sensory overload. Loud screaming and giggling girls were calling out to each other and the smells from the kitchen overpowered all other scents and each girl running about was a cause for distraction. Suddenly things became very quiet. Tsuruko pushed him past most of the tables to the table at the front of the room. Keitaro couldn't help but blush under the scrutiny of the students.
"Tsuruko why are they staring at me like that?" He asked when she sat beside him.
Tsuruko grinned. "The males of the school eat somewhere else. They aren't allowed to join so they probably think it is odd that you're allowed to be here."
Keitaro nodded slightly then settled into his seat to wait for dinner. As the cooks brought out trays laden with food, conversations once again resumed among the tables. Keitaro ate with gusto and Tsuruko watched him eat several dishes of food. As one of the cooks went back towards the kitchen Keitaro called out to her and complimented her on her heavenly cooking. His reward was another platter of the succulent meat he found extremely tasteful. As he was settling down to enjoy the new meat he suddenly saw something flying towards him, and he reacted by reaching out with his chopsticks and snagging the projectile out of the air. A small gasp from the girls and Tsuruko smiled while Keitaro looked at the small potato that had been thrown at him. Grinning he took a bite out of it. He nodded enjoying the taste before going back to the meat. Tsuruko laughed in her rich voice as she saw the shocked expressions on the young girls who had thrown the vegetable. Keitaro finished off the platter and looked at Tsuruko.
"If you want I can go to my room and you can remain with the girls."
Tsuruko looked shocked and offended. "If I let you do that what kind of hostess would I be." She smiled. "No I will take you to your room. Besides the girls might not like it if you go wandering around in the dark."
Keitaro nodded and pushed himself away from the table. "Well if you are ready then lets go. I could use a good bath before going to bed I think."
Tsuruko smiled and stood up. The students all turned to watch her leave pushing Keitaro out on his wheelchair. As they left the dinning hall Keitaro grinned as his eyes adjusted to the moonless night. Tsuruko stopped and waited for her eyes to adjust to the absence light. After a few moments they continue. Keitaro thoughts began to become chaotic as he debated about talking to Tsuruko over what happened in the stone chamber.
"Tsuruko what will happen now?"
Tsuruko was silent for a while. Then she stopped the wheelchair near a bench where she sat down.
"I don't know what happens now. I thought you would be able to walk out of that chamber on your own. You were in there for so long I was concerned that something had gone wrong. I was worried about how I was going to tell Motoko, when the elders called me, and told me to go get you."
Keitaro turned to look at her. "Tsuruko I have been through a lot but I don't regret making my choice. I thank you for offering me the chance to become stronger. So that I can protect someone who has become very precious to me."
Tsuruko watched him as he held her sisters blade close to his chest. Smiling she stood and continued her way down the path to Keitaro's room.
…
Keitaro feels at peace as he watches Tsuruko walk away, leaving him to his bathing.
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Morning came to the school and Tsuruko roused herself from her husband's arms. She moved with practiced ease to get ready for the day. As she relaxed in the bath she couldn't help but feel as if something big was going to happen today. The anticipation excited her and scared her as well.
She finished her bathing and moved to the dinning hall. She never did reach it as a sudden commotion drew her attention away from the thought of food. Two combatants in the closest practice field were going all out launching massive ki attacks at each other. Curiosity got the better of Tsuruko as she moved closer to see the combatants. As she moved closer she saw that a young lady was standing completely still, barely able to counter the attacks being launched at her.
Tsuruko stared hard at the blur that moved with such speed that it would reduce their top student to only being able to block. As she watched the blur moved in again to attack. The student raised her blade to block but as she did so the blur shifted direction and the student realized too late where the attacker was going but was unable to stop it. The audience was stunned when the student felt something strike her legs from behind forcing her knees to buckle but instead of falling the young girl was hoisted up higher until she was laying across the back of her attacker while her arms were held tight in his grip rendering her completely immobile. The young girl blushed as she realized that she had been defeated so easily. The young man released his grip and pulled her up so that she was sitting on his shoulder. Turning he knelt down and allowed the girl to step onto the ground. Grinning he looked her in the eye before speaking.
"Very good but don't get lulled into making that same mistake again. You never know when your opponent may change tactics on you. Adapt, learn to flow with your opponent."
The young girl blushed again. "Thank you for making that flaw apparent to me."
Keitaro smiled and moved towards Tsuruko. She smiled back, and then realized that Keitaro was walking letting alone beating one of their top students. He grinned at her shocked expression.
"I woke up this morning and felt my toes so I though why not try and walk.
"I felt joy as I was able to stand and walk. I felt strong! Then I went for a walk, realizing the Marvell of a simple thing like strolling around, but as I was walking about these young ladies challenged me to a fight." Keitaro grinned at this, shrugging. "So I accepted."
He bowed respectfully and then gestured for her to precede him to the dinning hall. Tsuruko was stumped for the first time in her life, something she couldn't predict had happened. As she walked to the dinning hall she glanced over her shoulder at the new Keitaro.
He was walking with an air of confidence and a smile that would make any girl swoon plastered on his face. Tsuruko reached the door but before she could reach for the handle she saw Keitaro's hand reach out and open it for her. She smiled, already used to small acts of courtesy from him. He was always a gentle and caring man. She moved to the spot she had occupied last night and Keitaro followed suit. They sat down. The hall was unnaturally silent as the young students kept glancing at the young man. The cooks waited only long enough to see that everybody was seated before bringing out the food. Keitaro found a large platter of food placed in front of him by a blushing cook who seemed a bit nervous in such close proximity to him. Keitaro smiled and accepted the dish. As the cook hurried off Keitaro attacked the food enjoying every mouth-watering bite.
Keitaro was eating with such speed he almost missed the movements of a young woman walking nearby until her leg came swinging into view out of the corner of his eye.
The strike landed and everybody stared hoping to see Keitaro laying flat on his back but as the dust settled, so to speak, everybody stared as Keitaro slurped up the rest of the noodles. The young woman was startled to see that her kick had been blocked not by Keitaro's hands but by a pair of chopsticks, which were being braced between Keitaro's thumb and forefingers. Tsuruko stood up and the young girl stepped off the table and blushing heavily made her way back to her seat.
Tsuruko glared at each of the girls in turn. "Who is responsible for planning these attacks on Keitaro?"
The girls all remained silent. Tsuruko was a sight to behold when she became upset but the girls were used to seeing her upset like this and held their tongues. Keitaro noticed the cool look some of the students were returning at Tsuruko. Standing up he touched Tsuruko's shoulder.
"May I try, Tsuruko?." He asked Smiling softly.
Tsuruko saw the mischievous look in Keitaro's eyes and she sat down and nodded for him to continue. Keitaro moved into the aisle between the tables and slowly made his way down but as he walked the air seemed to change from a calm feeling to that just before a storm. Some of the girls edged back from the aisle as Keitaro moved down. As he reached a certain table he made his way down the seats till he reached two girls sitting side by side. Reaching up he placed a hand on the head of each girl.
"Now these two girls have decided to attack me for no reason but for me being a male and sitting with Tsuruko. That is prejudice, and ShinMei Ryu Masters will eventually teach them to move out of such behavior. However I personally can't let these attacks go unpunished, or else would not prove then the foolishness of their acts but since the others here didn't do anything wrong I shall make this a private affair."
As soon as he finished the two girls lost all looks of calm and they reached up grabbing at the hands holding them down frantically batting at his hand, looks of pure terror on their faces. As they struggled for a moment longer they opened their mouths and screamed till their voices cracked. Keitaro released his hold and the girls slumped against the table. Tears streaming down their cheeks. They looked up at him and Tsuruko could see the terror in their eyes. Keitaro bent down and pulled the girls into an embrace where they cried for a few moments. Their tears finally stopped and they released their grip on his neck and Keitaro stood up once more and gently squeezing the shoulders of the two girls walked back to his seat next to Tsuruko. She looked at him with a quizzical look but all he did was smile.
Shrugging she continued her meal as Keitaro pigged out next to her.
The cooks seeing that Keitaro was enjoying his food brought more out for him and he accepted everything, eagerly digging in. The dessert dishes finally made their appearance and Keitaro found that even though he was full he could enjoy a little bit of dessert.
Dinner rounded out and Tsuruko found herself wondering what had happened between Keitaro and the two young girls. She looked at him as they made their way outside hoping to gain a little insight into the changes that had happened overnight to the young man. She was startled to see him looking at her.
"Tsuruko tomorrow I need to go back to Hinata Sou. It has been four days since I left and the girls are probably getting worried.
And he displayed a pained expression suddenly. "And I am worried about Motoko." He looked up, to the moving white clouds.
Tsuruko nodded and as they neared Keitaro's room she stopped him with a gently grip on his arm.
"I have a favor to ask about Motoko, but not here and now. I will ask tomorrow when we are going back."
He nodded and bowed to her before walking inside his room and shutting the door behind him.
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It was early afternoon when Tsuruko saw Keitaro again. He was walking along the path, seemingly lost in thought and oblivious to the looks he was getting from passing students. That is until he heard his name called and she saw to students come running up to him. She nodded as they bowed to him and he waited patiently for them as they caught their breath and were able to stand up again. Tsuruko noticed that these two girls were the same ones that had undergone Keitaro's punishment in the morning meal. The conversation was too low for her to hear but as she watched Keitaro smiled and beckoned them to follow him through the garden. Tsuruko followed as she saw them enter and disappear around a corner. Tsuruko rounded the same corner and ran straight into Keitaro.
She began to stammer an apology but saw the smiling face of Keitaro and the two students standing behind him. "See I told you she would follow. Now then what was it you would like to talk to me about?"
The last comment was directed towards the two students who nodded to themselves. One of them spoke up. "We were wondering why you choose to be helpful and show us that we were wrong in our judgment of men?" Both girl displaying shame and respect towards Keitaro.
Keitaro smiled. "I once met a young lady who thought along the same lines as you do. She believed that all men were evil. Regrettably she ended up living with this young man who tried his best to be kind to her, but she only saw that he was male and her opinion was that he was bidding his time until he could strike." His eyes glazing over for a fleeting moment.
The girls nodded slowly as Keitaro told his story. Tsuruko realized that Keitaro was speaking from personal experience since she knew a little about Keitaro's misadventures with Motoko. She smiled as she enjoyed listening to Keitaro telling his story.
"This young man was the victim of several attacks that were delivered by her. He felt that even though she attacked him she still held back, and she was mostly goaded by a friend of her into these attacks anyway." This brought a undecipherable look into Keitaro's eyes.
And he continued.
"This intrigued the young man. As far as he knew she despised all men but here she was pulling back most of her power so that her attacks did barely a fraction of their usual effects. Overtime she grew to love the young man but she still blamed herself for being blind to him all that time. It wasn't till he tracked her down after a humiliating defeat at the hands of her sister that she finally realized what she had. This young man found her and helped her and even when she was in such a weakened state that he could have taken her and she would have been powerless to stop him, instead of taking advantage of her fragile state he choose to hold her close and protect and comfort her. Those two now live happily and I think you two could also find happiness but not if you are blind to it. So when you planned your attacks against me I thought I should show you that your beliefs were misplaced. Someday you will find someone who will care for you and love you. I was just hoping to save you some pain and misery when that time comes."
Keitaro looked fondly to both young girls in front of him, smiling a bright smile.
The girls nodded and before Keitaro could act they ran up to him and embraced him. Keitaro smiled and hugged them back. Tsuruko who had watched this whole incident smiled as she watched the two girls walk off.
"Keitaro what did you show them in the dinning hall that made them react this way?"
Keitaro's smile disappeared as he turned to look at her. "I hunted them down and killed them."
Keitaro then turned and walked out of the garden leaving Tsuruko standing there surrounded by flowers absorbing that little bit of information.
She found herself wondering what sort of beast had joined with Keitaro while he was in that room. She turned and made her way out of the garden and watched the young man walk slowly down the path, and as she watched she swore she saw a flicker as if he phased out and a new creature stood where he once was. It was tall well muscled it turned it's head to regard her. She could only stare in awe as the head of a dragon gazed upon her. She wasn't intimidated by it but even from a distance she could feel its power. The head turned once more as the beast began walking back down the path and the image faded back into that of Keitaro.
And one thing did not escape Tsuruko's awareness. Keitaro on his story never said that the misguided lady, before finding happiness, was goaded to a final, shameful act of violence, almost killing, and ultimately crippling the man she actually love under the wraps of her confusion and pride.
He never said that, and his story ended with them together.
A tear ran her down beautiful face.
Keitaro, I see you already forgave her, even though you almost died under her sword. You do not hold even a fleeting resentment on her memory, despite all you have been through…and I see how much you love my little sister. She looks up, to the bright sky above her. Ah Motoko, I hope you learn to forgive yourself, as I can see the man that chooses you already have. I am happy for you, as I know you also love him.
She clears her eyes, feeling happy inside, and moves back to the ShinMei.
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Keitaro awoke early and packed his bags in preparation for his trip home. As he finished packing he walked outside and was startled to see Tsuruko standing outside waiting for him with his wheelchair. He arched an eyebrow at the chair and Tsuruko just smiled and gestured for him to sit. Thinking it was better to just go along with her Keitaro moved to the chair and sat down. She began pushing the chair through the school and Keitaro felt his face heat up as the students watched with a bit of puzzlement since the entire school knew he could walk.
As they reached the gates Keitaro saw Kyo with the schools van waiting to help load him into the vehicle. As Kyo moved to assist Keitaro into the vehicle he found himself facing a very irate Keitaro.
"I can walk and move about just fine! If you want me to continue playing the invalid you had better explain yourselves why the charade?"
Tsuruko looked at Kyo, then back to Keitaro. "Motoko believes that you are paralyzed from the waist down. She has sworn to me that she will try and make the rest of your life as comfortable as possible. What I want you to do is to play along for a while till she is more stable, then you can tell her about the ritual. She may be upset at us for keeping this from her but in the long run it is better this way. If she believes you to be fit after such an attack it may push her over the edge completely. And she also has a lesson to learn. Her act was terrible and despite loving my sister, I cannot overlook the fact that she deserves some punishment over what she did. Goaded into it or not, she must learn better if she wants to be a ShinMei warrior. So will you abide my wish for the time being?"
She looked into his eyes, and he could feel the fire on them. He was powerful, but he was still a novice. And actually deep inside he felt that even knowing the full extent of his powers; he would not be match to this woman.
Uh, thanks Heavens she is gentle and wise…otherwise she would be a terrible menace! Thought Keitaro, smiling at Tsuruko and her husband.
Keitaro thought about her request. Such seemed even a bit cruel to his Motoko, but Tsuruko was right, and she needed to learn and outgrow her prejudices and immaturity. Acknowledging the rightfulness of Tsuruko's request, he decided. "Very well I will play along but when I feel it is safe to reveal the fact that I can walk, I will do so."
Tsuruko nodded as Kyo moved and picked up Keitaro and placed him in the seat.
As the door slid shut Tsuruko heard him voice one more comment. "Still doesn't mean I have to like it."
Tsuruko smiled as she climbed into the passenger seat while Kyo moved behind the steering wheel. The drive was a quiet one, Keitaro too preoccupied with anticipation over meeting Motoko again to focus on anything else. Before he realized it the van was coming to a stop in front of the train station. Looking about he watched as Kyo slid open the door and smiled.
"Are you going to be nice or am I going to have to pull you out and make a scene?"
The look on Kyo's face told Keitaro that he was trying to make the best off the situation. Laughing Keitaro pulled himself out of the seat and into the wheelchair. Grabbing Kyo's arm he squeezed it in appreciation.
"Thanks Kyo for everything. Maybe sometime soon we can see each other as family."
This time Kyo was caught off guard and Keitaro laughed at the look of surprise on his face. Kyo laughed then and pumped his arm.
"Yes that would be nice. See you around Keitaro Kun."
"Goodbye Kyo Sama."
With that Keitaro released the arm and pushed his wheelchair up the ramp leaving Tsuruko and Kyo to say goodbye in peace. As Keitaro sat waiting for the train to arrive he felt Tsuruko move up behind him. He turned and saw the content look on her face and smiled at her. Tsuruko snapped back to reality and blushed slightly. She was about to apologize when she noticed Keitaro had turned back and had adopted a similar look as he gazed off into a possible future.
Motoko Chan... Keitaro sighs, his heart fluttering a bit.
When the train arrived Keitaro and Tsuruko moved on board without much discussion. Keitaro let Tsuruko have the window seat this time and as he moved himself onto the hard plastic of the trains seat he found that it was probably the most comfortable seat for thinking about ones future.
Tsuruko watched the scenery flash by before turning to the young man riding beside her. She felt happy that Motoko had attracted such a good hearted and courageous young man. True she didn't know much about Keitaro and that she had only meet him a few times. But every time she had seen him he was trying his best to make those around him happy even if it hurt him. She had been weary of him at first as he seemed too good to be true, but as she watched him she saw him in a new light. He was pure and uncorrupted. Even after all the pain her sister put him through he continued to believe in her and support her.
Tsuruko loved Kyo with all of her heart, and looking at Keitaro she was aware that even if Motoko never returned his love she, Aoyama Tsuruko, would love him as a brother from now on. She watched him drift off to sleep. Reaching over she gently pushed the hair from his eyes. Yes even if Motoko rejects you I will always love you, my little Otooto Chan.
A/N Otooto – little brother in Japanese.
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The train pulled up to the Hinata station.
Keitaro moved his wheelchair off the train and down the ramp. Tsuruko followed him. They were surprised to find Haruka with her van waiting at the bottom.
"Kyo called and gave me a heads up, and I thought you two might need a ride."
Tsuruko smiled and Keitaro started laughing. Haruka moved up and helped move Keitaro's wheelchair to the van. "So I take it the ritual was a success?" Haruka made a quizzical face, but hinting knowledge of the situation. A mischievous tone to her apparent request.
Keitaro spun in his seat to look at her. "How do you know?"
"Easy" And she pulled one finger up, as if lecturing Keitaro. "If it had failed, you wouldn't be here right now." She looks at his eyes, smiling. That startled him. That, and the undertone of relief and happiness he could sense under Haruka's usual stoic countenance.
Keitaro stared at her and then started laughing again. "To true. Heheh."
He was still laughing as they pulled away from the station. Haruka kept glancing back at him through the rearview mirror. Tsuruko was chuckling as they pulled up in front of the Hinata Sou. As Keitaro pulled himself into his chair he was surprised that there was no one around to greet him.
Before he could ask Haruka shook her head signifying that they did not know of his return. Smiling he moved his chair over to the stairs. Finally realizing that this was going to be rather tough until Haruka pointed out the small path off to the side. Keitaro was stumped. The path had always been there but he just never realized how important or convenient it was. Moving his chair around the corners he began to think of what his unexpected arrival would do to the Hinata crew. As he finally reached the top he waited for Haruka and Tsuruko to move up the last of the steps.
They offered to help him up, as the ramp was a bit hard to climb, but he refused. It would be hard for them to push him up. And he was more than capable of going by himself.
Ah, actually this new strength is quite easy to get used to! Thought Keitaro, going up like it was nothing more than a little distraction on his way home.
Pushing his chair up the ramp to the doors he slid it open and rolled inside. Tsuruko and Haruka followed him in. Kitsune was sitting on the couch watching TV and looked up to see Keitaro rolling towards her. She gasped unable to respond as the words stuck in her throat. A loud gasp and a cry of surprise came from the door leading to the kitchen and Shinobu nearly dropped a platter of food she had been carrying in her excitement. She sat the tray down and ran to embrace Keitaro. Kitsune also joined her in the embrace and tears could be seen coming from the eyes of both girls. But before they could speak Keitaro gestured for them to be quiet. They did with puzzled looks until Keitaro pointed to the tray Shinobu had been carrying.
"Is that for Motoko?" he whispered.
Shinobu looked surprised for just a moment. Then she nodded.
Keitaro looked to Shinobu. "Please Shinobu Chan, let me take her this." His eyes pleading to the young girl.
She hands the tray to Keitaro, and says: "We moved Motoko downstairs so she wouldn't fall down the stairwell. Her room is right next to yours."
With a look that spoke volumes of gratitude he rolled he nodded to both girls and motioned down the hall. Without knocking Keitaro slides the door open and rolls inside. Motoko was sleeping peacefully on the futon in the corner, and Keitaro smiles softly to himself as he places the tray on the small table and moves his chair closer to the futon. As he neared the futon an idea came to him putting the brakes on his wheelchair he made sure the tray was within his reach so that his fake paralysis would be maintained. Then he gently lowered himself done onto the futon.
Motoko was roused by the smell of the food and as she opened her eyes she found Keitaro sitting beside her with a food-laden tray beside him. At first she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Keitaro?" She asked in a whisper as if the mere sound of her voice would chase this illusion away.
Keitaro only smiled as he reached up and caressed her check. Motoko placed her hand on his and held it there. Her eyes filled up with tears and Keitaro gently wiped them away with his free hand. Motoko reached up and brushed the small tear that was slowly rolling down Keitaro's check. She stared at it then looked back at Keitaro. Using his free hand he took hers and moved it so he could see the bandages that were wrapped around her forearms. Motoko tried to pull her arm back and keep him from seeing the self-inflicted wounds, but she found that she couldn't as he gently lifted the bandage to stare at the freshly healed wounds.
She expected him to get upset but was surprised when he moved the tray in front of her and she was surprised further when she found him holding a spoon full of the warm soup up to her. She blushed heavily unused to such treatment. At first she wanted to refuse but as she looked into his eyes she saw something there that told her that he wouldn't take no for an answer. So swallowing her pride she accepted each spoonful. Keitaro was enjoying himself immensely. He never thought how much fun it would be to feed Motoko in bed. As she finished the meal off he began the process of getting back into his chair and found that when he slipped Motoko was there to catch him and help him get safely back into his chair. Keitaro moved to grab the tray only to have it snatched out of his reach by Motoko. She smiled at him before moving to the door. Sliding it open and allowing Keitaro to go through first She followed balancing the tray so that she could shut the door. In the hall they encountered Kitsune who usually would start teasing them about him being alone with Motoko but as she watched them move down the hall. Kitsune decided that even though it would be fun to tease, Motoko needed support now more than anything.
The two walked down the hall talking of mundane topics like what was it like staying in the hospital. Keitaro answered each question and found that even though the talk was boring he rather enjoyed the company. Once in the kitchen Shinobu quickly snagged the tray from Motoko and shooed them from the kitchen. Keitaro was laughing when he didn't move fast enough that Shinobu grabbed the chair and assisted him out the door.
Still laughing Keitaro realized something he hadn't thought of before. His small bathroom was on the second floor and unless there was an elevator hidden somewhere he was going to have a hell of a time getting up there while marinating his rouse. Tsuruko made her appearance then, scaring both Motoko and Keitaro.
"Keitaro, Haruka and I have finished setting up your new bathing area." This came with her trademark smile, right hand over her mouth.
Keitaro looking confused and a little worried followed Tsuruko out into the Onsen.
The Onsen was just the same as before except for the rope hanging from the fence at the far side of the pool. Keitaro looked at it with a little skepticism.
"You expect me to use that?"
Haruka smacked him upside the head with a fan. "It was all we could do in such short notice. The only other option was for one of the girls to bath with you. Which I doubt that will happen so be happy you got the rope." She says, her tone not wavering a bit while explaining the situation.
Before Keitaro could reply though Motoko spoke up. "That is quiet all right Haruka. I will bath with him so that I can assist him in and out of the Onsen."
The only thing that would have gotten a bigger reaction was if Motoko had told them she was marrying Tama. But as it was, this was still a big shock.
Haruka who usually wore a passive and indifferent face jaw dropped at the boldness of Motoko.
Keitaro was the most stunned, his brain had just blown every single fuse it had and more.
Tsuruko smiled and gestured for Haruka to follow her. "I heard you had some new tea and I was wondering if I could try some of it?"
Haruka looked at Tsuruko and then at Motoko before smiling softly. "Yes we do! Come on and I will let you try some."
The two left and Motoko quickly shut the door and Keitaro suddenly found himself in the Onsen alone with Motoko.
He frantically looked around for a escape as every single instinct cried for him to get the hell out of there. The sounds of fabric landing softly checked his movements. Looking back he saw Motoko, who was blushing a brilliant shade of red while covering herself with her arms.
Keitaro was stunned! He was expecting her to be ready help as much as she could, but this! His brain threatened another overload. Motoko seeing his shocked expression misunderstood and with her blush turning even darker dropped her arms. Revealing all to Keitaro.
She calmly walked over to him and got down on her hands and knees and bowed placing her head on the stone floor. Keitaro was overwhelmed… he had expected something but never this. He nearly lost it as he heard her speak softly.
"I am yours to do with as you please."
She looked up at him and he looked into her eyes and saw the fire that once burned with such passion was now nothing more than coals. This saddened Keitaro.
Oh my love, what has come over you! Such pain I can see on your soul, I can see on your eyes! It hurts me, hurts more than any cold steel or hot fire would!
Keitaro's face turns from concern to deep determination. His own eyes were on fire, like small Novas burning through the vastness of deep space.
But if carefully tendered, your passion, your light will come forth again, my sweet Motoko. And I will be here for you. Always!
He knew that her fire could be stoked back into a raging inferno. But the choice was his alone to make. What was he going to do? The future of this fragile creature rested entirely on what he would do next.
With his right hand he gently lifted her chin so that she could stare into his burning eyes, and with a voice unlike anything she had ever heard before he spoke.
"Yes my sweet Motoko you are mine."
A/N Thanks to VoidHawk for the preread and the suggestions.