Well, guys, it looks like I've managed to drag out another chapter from my brain. :) Thank you all so much to those of you that reviewed, you made my day! …or week, month…however long it took me to get up this chapter. There you go, you made my however long it took to get up this chapter! I know some of you are antsy to find out what happens next, so I won't bore you further with my jabber. Presenting Chapter 17 of A Different Life…

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Vrrroooomm!

Scrreeeee-crash-THUD

Seta climbed out of the wreck that was his van once more, seemingly oblivious to all else as he bound up the steps of the Inn, a huge smile on his face. Pausing only long enough to note the Tea House was closed, he continued his way on up with the same bounce in his step.

Keitaro, standing at the top with a broom, watched him in surprise. Seta had disappeared after everyone had returned from the beach, and originally they hadn't expected to see him for a few weeks at least. Something must have gone wrong, or perhaps in this case, incredibly right for him to have returned this soon…

"Hey, you're back!" Keitaro called when he was within hearing distance, waving in a welcoming manner. "Where were you?"

"Can't talk now," replied Seta as he reached the top, about to run past when he paused to ask, "Haruka's in there, right?"

"Around the back, watching Motoko spar with Su and Sarah," replied Keitaro in surprise.

"Ok, thanks!" Seta disappeared around the corner of the Inn only to reappear second later. "Say…do I look ok?"

"Uh…yeah," replied the manager, now thoroughly confused. "I mean, you're bleeding…but that's pretty normal."

"Got anything I can wipe it up with?"

"Sure…" Keitaro dug a tissue out of his pocket, handing it to the older man who thanked him and immediately hurried away again while dusting himself up and wiping the blood up from his cut on his forehead. "Well, that was strange…"

Seta paused only long enough to regain his usual easy-going composure when he rounded the bend of the Inn, stepping up onto the porch to come stand beside Haruka.

"Can I help you?" she asked as she glanced up at him for a moment before yelling at the trio in the yard. "Keep your guard up, girl!"

"Yes, you can." Seta went down on one knee, taking the puzzled Haruka's hands as he pulled a ring out of his pocket. "Will you marry me?"

Haruka's brows raised in surprise, her mouth falling open for a fraction of a second before understanding snapped into her eyes and she stood coolly.

"Happy 30th birthday," she said simply with a snorted laugh and a shake of her head. Giving him a friendly pat on the arm, she walked away towards her tea house, leaving the man behind her in stunned silence.

Motoko, having seen Seta go down on one knee and heard the exchange between the two adults, but she was unable to stop her two companions from running towards the frozen Seta yelling his name with wild joy.

"Papa! Papa! Papa!"

"New toy!"

"Did I hear what I thought I just heard?" asked Kitsune as she and the other girls came around the corner, shopping bags from the mall in hand. "Did he just…"

RUMMMMBLLE

RWWWWIIIIAAAAAHHH!

Motoko grabbed Kitsune and Naru by the waist, forcefully propelling them back away from where they had stood as a giant turtle erupted from the ground, its skin a sickly blue and eyes flat black and dead as the rest had been. Shinobu lay in Seta's strong arms, and was set well out of danger as the two martial artists turned to face the danger.

The turtle did not seem to realize who its true opponents were, though, and instead turned to Su and Sarah instantly to lash out with its deformed fins, wickedly curved appendages that seemed to be inexorably sharp.

Both Seta and Motoko immediately dove for the younger girls, but both knew as they watched neither would make it in time…

"Myuh!"

Tama's echoing command seemed far louder than such a small turtle should be able to make, but the giant creature immediately cried out in response, its attack missing the younger residents by only a few feet but with enough room to spare that the two warriors dodged in around them and grabbed one of the girls each before transporting them to safety.

All watched in amazement as the small turtle flew up to the larger one's face, speaking the whole time in its 'commanding' tone. The creature seemed to struggle against it for a moment before breaking free, screeching its defiance even as it lashed out at the smaller turtle.

Seta never gave it the chance to land the blow, blasting it several yards away from the Inn with ki-enhanced kick that none of the residents had seen him use before. Tama myuhed something urgently to the martial artist and he nodded tersely, approaching the fallen beast together as it seemed to writhe and groan in agony. At Tama's signal, Seta blasted the beast a second, and then a third time, then seemed to ask him to stop, flying in to land on the creature's head and stare it in the eyes.

"Myuh!"

RII…..RIAWWHH…

"Myuh!"

RIIAAWH…

"Myuh! Myuh-myuh!"

RI…RII…

With a final rumble the beast began to shrink and wither, deep slashes appearing in its hide where the ki had burned through.

"Is it transforming into something else?" asked Motoko ask she carefully approached, having hung back to protect the residents incase it turned against them again.

"Only back to its original form, I think," replied Seta, blinking away his serious look into his usual cheery mask.

"Should we destroy it completely? It may transform back…"

"No, don't hurt him!"

Everyone turned to see the source of the new voice, a buxom young woman with long brown hair running from the side of the Inn, pushing between Seta and Motoko to gather the injured turtle against her chest and begin to hum soothingly.

"Mutsumi!" said Naru in surprise, pausing only momentarily before she hurried over to her friend's side. "What are you…how…?"

"Shh…poor guy, you will take awhile to heal up, won't you? Brave, brave little guy…"

"He attacked our home," pointed out Motoko tartly, reluctant to strike someone unarmed and seemingly unable to defend them self but also irritated with the mess this new creature had made. "If it even is a he…who are you?"

"Ara…I am Mutsumi Otohime!" The young woman practically beamed as she stood, cradling her charge to her chest. "I met Naru-chan on her trip this spring, and she told me wonderful things about this place."

Motoko was looking over to Naru for confirmation when Koshi appeared, immediately greeting his uncle and wishing him a happy birthday before he noticed their new arrival.

"Mutsumi-chan, what are you doing here?"

"Koshi-kun! How good to see you, I was just about to meet some of your friends."

The young man immediately went to her side, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder. "Well, allow me to introduce you. This is Motoko Urashima, the manager's wife and general dorm mom."

Motoko raised a brow at the last title, but bowed politely none the less. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Otohime-san, though I do find the circumstances to be rather odd and coincidental."

"I was sent by my family to find this little guy after he disappeared a while back," explained Mutsumi, still smiling brightly. "And after that, I was going to travel here to study with Naru-chan, if she would let me, for this next year's test into Toudai. Such a surprise, to find our lost friend was right where I wanted to be!"

"A surprise indeed," replied Motoko, glancing at Koshi who shook his head understandingly. This newcomer was not the one who sent, or transfigured, the turtle who had attacked them. "I suppose you are the one who gave the t-…turtle to Naru-chan?"

"If you mean Tama-chan, then yes, I am. He seems to be very happy here." The young woman reached over and patted the hovering reptile's head affectionately.

"I hate to break into this, but I made reservations at your favorite restaurant, Seta, for your birthday," announced Koshi as he let Sarah climb up on his back, ruffling her hair. "And I think we should stop by the clinic and let them have a look at that."

Seta reached up and felt where Koshi had pointed, a great deal of blood coming into view. "Oh…I guess so."

"Can Su come? We were working on another Mecha blue print," asked Sarah quickly.

"Sure," replied Seta, patting the young blonde on the head. "If it's ok with you, Motoko-san."

"Just be sure to have her back before it is too late," she replied with a nod. "I know there is nothing planned for tomorrow, but she is still rather young."

"I know, and she will be. I promise."

"Yay!"

Motoko watched the trio drag the somewhat reluctant Seta away before turning back to Mutsumi and Naru. Kitsune and Shinobu had headed back inside the moment the danger was past, and they were the only ones left outside.

"Have you found a place to stay yet?" asked Motoko politely, though she kept her distance out of habit from the creature in the young woman's arms.

"Yes, an apartment just around the corner actually," replied Mutsumi sweetly. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take my friend there right now and get him set up to sleep. Can I come back and visit you tonight, Naru-chan? We have so much to talk about!"

"Yeah, that's fine. You can come for dinner if you like, Shinobu-chan is a wonderful cook," replied Naru quickly with a smile.

"Ara, that would be very nice."

Motoko stayed put as the two walked back towards the Inn, chatting amiably. Tama hung back as well, peering at her curiously with those eerily intelligent eyes of his. Glancing at him, she steeled herself for the inevitable and bravely took a step towards him.

"Thank you for saving Su and Shinobu," she said simply, nearly shaking with the effort. "You are…trustworthy."

The turtle seemed to accept her hidden apology as well as her thanks with a single nod, giving her a satisfied 'Myuh!' before flying off after the pair. They had made a truce of sorts between them, for the moment at least. Shuddering with the release of the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, the swordswoman shook it off and headed instead for the Tea House where she knew her aunt would be.

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"The demon…failed."

The messenger was thankful for his distance from his master as he heard their leader crack his staff in half on the table's edge.

"Failed! It was a perfect set up, how could it fail!"

Shoji watched as his father turned red in his anger, knowing full well he would pay for it later with his health when he was too exhausted to even rise from his chair. His health, for all the fact that he had managed to finally beat off the cough, was failing, and they all knew it, too."

"An empathic turtle as the base was a wonderful idea, since the trigger could be set as an emotional spike rather than a set time, which could go wrong. However, we didn't count on what that emotional spike might be caused by…" said the elder who was reading the written form of the report. "It seems it was triggered by Haruka, the boy's aunt on his father's side, and a male friend of hers having a…disagreement of sorts. There was very little that happened on the outside, but the resulting emotional overflow nearly tripled the required amount to set the demon off. We were hoping, I believe, to catch the boy and his wife in a moment of intimacy, where they would be completely unprepared to battle the demon and thus would be captured easily, but it seems there has been little of that going on in recent times according to the meter."

"But our reports said the boy had finally bed her! He's a young, healthy male for all that he's a weakling idiot, either he realized he's gay or the wife is simply no longer cooperating. Damn that daughter of yours, Shoji, why couldn't you teach her proper submission while she was still in your control!"

"Submissive or not, if neither enjoys themselves, the emotional levels would never have reached a proper height to set the demon off."

"Whatever…where are they now?"

"The Tea House, thought they will no be there long…it seems they are going given free tickets there by a friend of theirs to a new resort. We're unable to watch them on the grounds themselves, the family who runs it has a good defense set up over the entire place to ensure the privacy and safety of their guests. We were lucky to get a hold of the guest list as it is. But they are hiring…perhaps we could slip one of our operatives inside."

"And do what? Short-sheet their bed?"

The Master's tone was lordly and sneering, his eyes full of contempt.

"No…" The elder's eyes glittered for a moment. "I had something more…subtle in mind."

"Ah, yes, but subtlety has failed in the past. Does anyone-"

"Failed to curse, to harm them, yes, but I am not looking to harm." The elder that had interrupted the Master met his icy stare with one of his own.

"If you were not one of my greatest councilors, I would strike off your head," said the Master, tilting his head to the side as if he were still considering it. "Then what are you looking to do?"

"To give them something that would bring the entire household joy…and yet would be their greatest downfall."

The Master leaned forwards, his interest immediately apparent.

"Keep talking."

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"So, did you see what I saw?" asked Kitsune as she hung around the kitchen, sipping sake as Shinobu began to chop some vegetables for that night's meal. "Before the giant turtle thing appeared, I mean."

"Seta-san wouldn't actually propose to Haruka-san, would he?" asked Shinobu wonderingly as her knife flew along steadily. "Auu…I hope his feelings weren't hurt if he was serious…"

"Haruka just turned him down flat…I wonder why," muttered Kitsune to herself, pouring herself another saucer of her drink. "Even I can tell she still has the hots for him. Hmm…might have to go poke around her place later, see if I can dig up something…"

"Do you think we'll have extra people at dinner tonight?" asked Shinobu as she measured things out, trying to take into consideration the varying appetites of her fellow residents and friends.

"Doubt it. Haruka probably won't be seen for a few days, and Koshi took Seta out for dinner with that kid and Su…"

"Auu, ok."

Kitsune suddenly felt the urge go poke her nose into someone else's business and rose swiftly, taking the cup and bottle with her. "Well, I'm out for a walk. Later."

"Bye."

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Motoko stood just inside the entrance of the Tea House, watching her Aunt as she mopped the floor of the spotless Tea House.

"Something I can do for you?" asked the elder Urashima briskly after awhile, stopping to look up at her niece.

The swordswoman inwardly sighed. "I was just wondering if you would be joining us for dinner tonight, or if I should bring you something afterwards."

"No, I won't be up." Haruka took a draw of her cigarette, exhaling shakily. "The Tea House reopens in a few days…the remodeling left a lot of sawdust behind, so I'm gonna get to work cleaning it up. Might take me a few days, so I should probably start now."

Motoko nodded, even as they both knew the Tea House was a clean as was humanly possible already. "I will bring you something down later, then."

"Thanks."

Leaving the way she came, the swordswoman couldn't help but feel sadness for her stubborn aunt.

Coming to the steps, she met her husband at the bottom and accepted his half-hug half-heartedly as his other arm was filled with groceries.

"Something wrong?" he asked when she only gave him a ghost of a smile, her spirits obviously down. Walking up the steps together, Motoko laid out for her husband everything that had happened. And as usual, neither needed to say anything when she was through, each understanding the other's feelings on the matter instinctively.

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Shinobu set the table as Naru introduced Mutsumi to the rest of the present household, Motoko and Keitaro entering at the tail end of this as they were getting ready to sit down.

"There you are, I was starting to wonder if you'd show at all," said Naru, quickly drawing her friend over. "Mutsumi, you already met Motoko; this is her husband, Keitaro Urashima, the manager of this place.

"Ara, such a handsome husband you have, Motoko-san, he reminds me of Koshi," replied Mutsumi with a deep bow. "It is a pleasure to have met you, Urashima-san."

"Keitaro is fine," replied the manager with a grin, bowing in return. "And the pleasure is mine. Please, sit down so we can enjoy Shinobu's wonderful cooking."

"It smells delicious!"

Kitsune, who had been relatively quiet up to this point, waited until everyone was enjoying their food before she casually threw out a comment. "So, what's everyone think of Seta's failed proposal?"

"Someone was proposed to today?" asked Mutsumi, confused. "Why was it a failure?"

"I do not believe it is any of your business, Kitsune," put in Motoko, though in a courteous voice in light of their guest.

"Au contraire, my friend, it concerns me very much as a long time "friend" of both parties involved," replied Kitsune, immediately turning to address Mutsumi. "Keitaro's aunt was proposed to today by an old friend, Seta, and nobody knows why she turned him down."

"Have you ever thought Haruka may enjoy her life alone?" put in Motoko, trying for a polite, but quick end to the conversation.

Kitsune's smile grew sly. "Motoko, with all due respect, I think you and I can both say a warm bed is far better than a cold one, if you know what I mean. Content, maybe, but I doubt if put to the question she'd say she much prefers single life to that of being coupled." Motoko flushed and glanced away, unsure of how to answer without agreeing or lying to some degree or another. Keitaro cleared his throat, clearly closing his ears to the conversation and simply attempting to stay out of it with that last comment.

"Ara, Seta is a very nice man, he has visited my family many times in the past," put in Mutsumi, a wondering look on her face. "Perhaps he did something to upset her?"

"Or perhaps there's some dirty secret there that's just waiting to be uncovered." Kitsune practically cackled with glee. "Oh, the possibilities are endless…"

"I very much doubt it's anything that exciting," said Naru with a shrug. "It's Haruka, he's probably not her type."

"Are you kidding me? He's perfect for her!" burst Kitsune, slamming her sake saucer on the table. "Able to withstand her fan thwaps and sharp wit, and so disarming with his innocent charm and rough good looks…I'll bet that's exactly the kind of guy she dreams about!"

"Dreams are such fun things," added Mutsumi with a chuckle. "I had one about Lido-kun and Koshi just the other night…"

Naru chose that moment to choke on her drink, Kitsune giving her a few good thumps on the back as Motoko started to rise in case she needed to implement further measures.

"I'm….fine…" gasped Naru after a few moments, still trying to get her breath back. "Just…wrong tube…"

"Be a bit more careful, will ya?" snorted Kitsune, though it was only her relief that mad her gruff. "If you up and die on me, I'll resurrect you to a drunken zombie."

"An afterlife of intoxication and hangovers…that's really ok," replied Naru, carefully taking a sip to clear her throat.

"Au, you know," spoke Shinobu who had remained thoughtfully silent up to this point. "Sarah-chan might know something, her mother was good friends with Haruka when they were younger, and Seta was there then too, wasn't he? She might have some idea of what's going on."

"Good point, but she was really young then, too," replied Kitsune, back to her scheming. "I'll ask the lil' munchkin later tonight…anyone want to pre-buy a copy of whatever I find out right now? Half price before I even know myself what I'll find out, it'll double or more once I've done some snooping."

"That is quite enough," stepped in Motoko, setting her hand on the sword in her belt in a way that meant business. "You may speak of whatever you like, Kitsune, but there will be no selling of information at the table during meals."

"She's right," added Keitaro when the foxy lady turned to him inquisitively. "You can do your dealing elsewhere, but not while we eat."

"Alright, alright…well, if there's any takers, I'll be in later tonight if you want to bargain out a deal of some kind," said Kitsune, admitting defeat in face of those who controlled her rent. She would still probably get a couple of takers, and since they stopped her right in the middle of her pitch, she could up the price later with the excuse the offer had been a limited time only deal. Rising, she added, "Thanks for the food, Shinobu, it was great, but I think I'll be out doing what I do best…"

"Getting drunk?" asked Naru pertly.

"Causing havoc," came the smart reply.

"The sad thing is, I'm not sure which I would prefer," muttered Keitaro as he got up as well and began gathering up the dishes. "You can take tonight off, Shionbu, Motoko and I can handle this."

"Au, are you sure, sempai?"

Keitaro smiled, patting her on the head. "Quite sure."

"Ok!"

It didn't take long for Naru and her guest to wander back towards her room upstairs, and soon the married couple was alone washing dishes and putting a good portion of everything left over aside for their aunt to eat.

"Do you think we should actually try and talk to her about what happened?" asked Keitaro nervously as he dried the last of the dishes carefully.

"I…I do not think she will wish to speak of what happened, but I could be wrong," replied Motoko hesitantly. "Perhaps we should simply offer our presence as a comfort…just to be there and speak of other things if she wishes, but leave if she wishes to be left alone."

"That sounds good." Keitaro sweated as he covered the plate they'd put together with a dishtowel. "I don't want abandon her or anything, but she's always so scary when she gets emotional…"

"You know, we are very lucky compared to some people," said Motoko out of the blue as she paused by the counter, slowly wiping her hands on a towel. "We were put together, rather than having to find each other…"

"And I will always be very thankful for that luck," he replied as he drew her in for a quick kiss, "But right now we have an aunt to take care of, and she's going to require all the…well, whatever she needs that we've got."

The couple quickly put everything away and was soon on their way down to the Tea House, to see what the dear Haruka was up to now. Finding the front door of the Tea House unlocked, even with the 'Closed' sign up, they went in and found Haruka sitting at her counter slowly going through a box of what looked like pictures with a cigarette hanging from her lips and a bottle of brandy and a shot glass by her elbow.

"Oba-san?" ventured the swordswoman when they closed the door behind themselves unnoticed, the elder Urashima sitting up with a start.

"What do you want?" she asked brusquely, quickly standing and putting the box behind the counter.

"We brought you dinner," said Keitaro quickly. "Hungry?"

Haruka began to shake her head when her stomach spoke up noisily, making her sigh with a shrug. "A bit, I guess. C'mon in, guys, I've got some tea on in the back."

"Did it take less time than you thought to finish cleaning?" asked Motoko carefully, not meant as a barb but more of a measure of her aunt's emotional stability.

Haruka gave a rough laugh, glancing back at her knowingly. "No time at all, actually."

"Good." Keitaro glanced between the two in confusion, settling for a shrug when neither gave him a clue as to what they were talking about. Finding themselves in her private kitchen, they seated themselves at the table while she reheated the food in the microwave, bringing the tea pot to the table as well as a few cups.

"Mind pouring for us?" she asked Motoko, the swordswoman immediately acquiescing and gracefully serving them all in the traditional manner. "Have you thought about what you'll be doing for the rest of the summer break?" she asked once they were settled with food and tea.

"The residents seem to enjoy having their days to themselves, and it is difficult to leave when it would be unfair to ask another to take over our duties for any measure of time," replied Motoko, having already had the 'let's finally go on our honeymoon' discussion with Keitaro a few days after they realized it was nearly impossible to be intimate with the residents in the Inn.

"I agree," added Keitaro, setting his cup down carefully. "I…we would love to go for a week, or even a weekend, on a vacation, but with you Tea House just opening up again, and the most responsible guests of the dormitory gone or now busy with visitors…"

"That does make things difficult," admitted Haruka with a nod. "Like you said, I would do it, but between the Tea House and my hired help now gone…well…even if I could find a replacement for Ami on such short notice, they'd probably be untrained, and unfit to run things alone when I would be needed up at the Inn."

"We don't mind staying here," the manager said simply, which was the truth, mostly. "Worse comes to worst, well…we can always take an afternoon for ourselves it things get too hectic. Besides, we already had a week to ourselves before everyone came home from the Tea House, and it doesn't seem to fair to ask our residents to let us off more than that."

"Well, I guess that is your call," said Haruka with a shrug. "Shinobu really outdid herself tonight, didn't she? Almost wish I'd been there for the meal, but even reheated her cooking is better than most anything I could make."

Motoko chuckled lightly. "I believe that is true for many of us."

Haruka was about to comment again when there came a knock at the back door, all of them turning towards it.

"I'll get that," said Haruka as she stood, waving them back to their seats. "Wonder who it could be…"

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A foxy figure came slinking up to the Tea House, slipping inside as soon as she was sure the main restaurant part was deserted. Poking about, she came upon an old shoebox behind the counter, which with a smirk she immediately began to dig through. Finding a few things of interest, she 'borrowed' what she needed and quickly set the rest back as they had been. Tonight's hunt had been very fruitful indeed.

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Nori stepped into the kitchen much to the surprise of the young couple and Haruka's obvious puzzlement.

"Hello, all," she said politely with a bow. "I hope I'm no interrupting anything."

"Nothing that important," replied Haruka, recovering her usual demeanor. "Let me get another cup, and Motoko will pour you some tea."

"No thanks, I won't be here that long. I just wanted to make sure you were alright after Seta came in to be patched up a few hours ago. He mentioned something about a Turtle demon, but wouldn't really say anymore than that."

"There was another attack!" Haruka immediately whirled on the couple, Keitaro shaking his head in utter denial as Motoko sighed and smacked herself on the forehead.

"Please, listen," she said holding up her hands as everyone began to speak at once, slowly calming down as she did. "A turtle demon did attack, but due to the efforts of Seta-san and Tama it was quickly subdued."

"No one was hurt? Or anything damanged?" asked Keitaro quickly."

"The back is a bit torn up, but nothing serious, and Seta sustained a cut to his forehead, but I suspect it was there previously from the state I saw his van in later," she replied. "That was all."

"How did it attack?"

"It came up from the ground, almost like…well, it almost seemed to have been planted there in our absence."

"Sounds like it was a weaker attempt than usual, which seems contrary to their style," commented Haruka with a frown. "That's…very strange."

"Yes, well, strange things have always happened around you, dear," said Nori as she gave Haruka one more once over before nodding in satisfaction. "Anyway, I have another reason I came by. My family opened up another new resort, and for the grand opening they gave all us kids free passes for any of our friends. Interested?"

"How long?"

"Three days, a long weekend if you will."

"Three days…how many passes could you get me?"

"Enough to cover you three, the residents, and Seta's group."

Haruka considered this carefully, obviously plotting something as she drew Nori aside from the other two.

"I'll accept on one condition," she said carefully, glancing at her niece and nephew and then back at the doctor. "I want you to give those two a private suite on the other side of the resort away from the rest of us. You two've almost been married a year, and you never had a honey moon. Consider it my wedding gift, since I never got you one of those, either."

"A wedding gift you aren't paying for," Nori pointed out lightly.

"Ah, don't look a gift horse in the mouth…"

"That's not necessary," added Keitaro. "We'll be happy next door to our residents, if need be."

"And then you'll never get a moment's peace. The kids like you watching them best because you actually play back. If you're on the other side of the resort, we can reach you if something happens, but let you have your privacy if you want it. C'mon, this is the closest you'll get as far as generosity from me, hurry up and take it already."

The married couple traded glances, Keitaro slowly nodding in reply. "Alright, if you're sure…"

"Then it's settled." Pulling out her purse and digging around for a moment, she added, "The rooms will be ready for you in two weeks, here's your papers to get in, and I hope you have a good time."

"You won't be there?" asked Haruka, a little surprised.

"No, I went last week while you were still at the beach," replied the doctor with a stretch. "I highly recommend the spa and massage centers, they do wonders for your stress levels in lieu of other…remedies."

"I'm sure…"

"I'll be on my way now." Nori gave Haruka a hug before the other woman could protest and told her admonishingly, "Take care of yourself, now, you're not as young as you think you are."

"Young enough," replied Haruka with a pert grin. "You take care too."

"I will. Good bye, you two, it was good to see you again."

"Good bye," chorused the couple, starting to rise to bow when she waved them back down.

"I never did like formality," she said with a shrug. "Bye."

"Well, isn't this nice," said Haruka as she sat back down, the good doctor having already seen herself to the door. "A whole three days at a resort, free. You gonna head on up and tell the others?"

"I guess we should," said Keitaro as he got up, helping Motoko to her feet after he was. "I don't suppose you'll tell us why you decided to help us out getting a honey moon, will you?

"No," replied Haruka with a grin not unlike Kitsune's. "You're intelligent young adults, though, I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually. Now get, so I can call Hina and let her know about this in case she has work or something she wanted me to do then."

"Alright. Bye!"

"Have a pleasant evening, oba-san, and thank you very much for your kind gift."

"You too, and it was no trouble. Literally. Bye."

"I think she'll be alright," said Keitaro once they were outside and heading back up the steps to the Inn.

"I hope so," replied Motoko as she cast a worried look back over her should. "But sometimes I can't help but wonder…"

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"Hey, can I ask you something?" requested Koshi as he pulled Naru away from the others the moment they returned to the Inn. "Anything happen to my uncle before I got there? He's been acting weird all evening."

"Yeah," replied Naru, surprised Sarah and Su had neglected to mention it. "He proposed to Haruka, I think, and she shot him down."

"He what! Why in the world did he do that?"

"I don't know, he's your uncle!"

Koshi groaned, running his hands through his hair. "That idiot…well, at least I know why. Thanks."

Naru nodded. "No problem. I was wondering, though…were they together ever?"

"Back when they were younger?" replied Koshi. "Yeah, he used to bring me here to eat dinner with her and her family when I was visiting. But, I heard he did some pretty stupid stuff, and she swore she wouldn't even think of going out with him ever again."

"Like what sort of stuff?"

"All I know is it involved her friend, Sarah's mom, and some sort of promise." He paused, rubbing his chin. "I wonder…you don't think Seta cheated on Haruka with her friend, do you?"

"Somehow, I think if he did she'd skewer him and roast him over a pit of coals without hesitation and no regret," she replied carefully. "But you never know."

"Hey guys, guess what!" called Su as she and Sarah came running towards them, Motoko and Keitaro behind them with the rest of the residents and friends. "We're gonna go on another vacation!"

"Yeah, free tickets to a resort for three whole days!"

Seta and Haruka's love life issues were forgotten as the young people were swept up in the excitement, and soon everyone was planning their activities for the three day stay.

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Haruka flipped through a phone book under her counter, glancing at the clock and hoping she wasn't too late she dialed the highlighted number. Cradling the phone to her shoulder, she lit another cigarette and inhaled as the line rang on the other end.

"Ted's Drywall and Specialties, what can I do for you?"

"Ted, it's Haruka."

"Haruka! Long time no see, what do you need?"

"I got a special job I'd like done…any free time in the near future?"

"I'm booked solid for at least another two months. How about sometime this fall?"

"Well, let me tell you what I'm thinking, and you tell me when you can fit it in."

"Ok."

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The next day flew by in a rush, and the first time Motoko found herself with a moment to spare (which meant she was not playing with Su or Sarah, keeping them from destroying things, or helping the other residents in the million ways they could ask for assistance) she headed up to the roof to watch the sun set before dinner. There, she found Keitaro, seated on the railing with his eyes closed breathing in a rhythmic pattern.

"Hectic day?" she asked when his eyes opened, joining him on the railing.

"Yeah, just one thing after another…you know, I miss sparring with Seta and Koshi simply because it was such a good way to end the day. Wearing yourself out so you slept well, releasing all your worries, your cares, the stress…your mind isn't empty, it's just focused. In a calm, relaxing sort of way."

"Would you like to spar with me?" his wife asked carefully, watching him out of the corner of her eye.

"…well, I…" Keitaro pauses, looking over at her slowly. "I guess I never thought of it before. It'd be very different from sparring with Seta."

"How so?" she replied, cocking her head to the side. Truth be told, she had never considered it either, but that was partially because she hadn't had a steady training in years, and because she hadn't been sure if Keitaro had truly enjoyed the training he'd received at the time. "You would not hold back, would you?"

"Well, I guess I would be afraid of hurting you," he admitted with a nod. "And not because I'm stronger than you, but because I'm not as well-trained and what I do know is completely different from your style of fighting. What if I made a mistake, and you were harmed because of it."

"I would be a very poor master of my art if I were not able to dodge a mistake, or fall without greatly harming myself," she replied teasingly. "And I have trained against those who use a style that does not depend upon a weapon before. For you, that would be different, but I believe you could grow used to it very quickly. If you do not wish to train with me, I will not ask again, but I thought perhaps if you missed it I could help be of assistance in that area."

"Are you sure I wouldn't hurt you?" he asked seriously.

"You might, on accident, and I might hurt you on accident," she freely admitted. "It is a risk, but I believe it is a small one, because I could never wish you harm, and I do not believe you would ever wish it on me."

The manager thought about it for a moment before standing with a firm nod. "Ok, let's give it a try. We can always stop later if it goes poorly. Do you need to stretch or warm up?"

"If we start out slow, I can do so as we go," she said simply, drawing her bokken from her sash.

"Alright, let's begin!"

They took their stances across from one another, eyes shining in a sort of anticipation as they waited for the other to make the first move. Keitaro swore later Motoko provoked him into moving first with her smile, but whether he got overeager or she teased him into it he charged towards her, running faster than any who didn't know him would've given him credit for. It wasn't an incredible speed by any learned martial artist standard, but it was still very swift and Motoko found herself unable to hold back as she had been planning to in meeting his first strike. Neither was at full power, yet neither was entirely holding back, and it was an impressive display to any who watched. Motoko was clearly the master of the two, her moves smooth and precise with no hesitation what so ever. But Keitaro had a raw potential that was impossible to hide in this, and the possibilities of what he might reach were astounding.

Weaving back and forth, twisting and dodging, it was almost like a dance as they laughed and goaded on one another as they grew more comfortable with it.

"You're not using ki attacks," commented Keitaro as he ducked under a slice.

"Neither are you," she replied cheerfully, quickly leaping back from his counter strike. "I think it is better this way."

"I agree. Have I told you you're beautiful today?"

Motoko flushed, distracted for a second and was nearly put in a wrestling pin before she managed to dodge out of it. "That was low," she said, sweeping her hair back over her shoulder.

"I merely complimented you," he replied, all innocent as he waited for her to come.

"Is that so?" She charged, but instead of attacked as she had every time before when she ducked under his guard she rather pressed herself close to him for a brief moment with a kiss before twirling off and leaping in again with a strike.

"Not fair!" he called as he barely dodged, leaping back a few times to put some distance between them.

"I am only finishing what you started," she replied.

"That was hardly a finish," he chuckled, "More like an invitation."

Motoko raised her brow. "To do what?"

Keitaro quickly closed the space between them, capturing her lips in a deep kiss that sent her bokken clattering to the floor.

"You're disarmed," he murmured when they finally came up for air, nuzzling one ear gently. "Does that mean I win?"

"Technically I could say I have you pinned, does that mean I win?" she replied with an impish smile as she held him even closer, her hands suddenly snaking around his and holding them clasped behind his back.

"Oh, now that's really not fair."

"Really? Then you do not care for this?" She began to work her way down his neck with little kisses and nips, smiling when he leaned his head over to give her better access.

"I…I didn't say that…"

"Does that mean I win?"

"Y-yes…if you don't stop…"

"Motoko, Keitaro, play time! Where are you!"

The couple immediately separated themselves, though very reluctantly.

"So…wanna try that again later?" asked Keitaro, carefully keeping his distance even as he ached to gather her close again.

"Yes, I believe if we started later we may not be interrupted next time," his wife replied. Unfortunately, for once she wrong, and even though they sparred every night (and often took it beyond that) each was counting the days to the when they would leave for the resort and finally have some time for themselves.

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The two weeks passed in a flash, and before they knew it they were piling out of the vans that had come to pick them up and standing there staring up at the five story complex that sprawled out before them.

"Welcome," said the greeter politely as he took the papers Haruka offered him, immediately calling a few attendants from inside. "We've been expecting you, honored guests of Nori-san! Please follow the men towards your designated rooms."

"Wow, isn't this exciting!"

"Yeah, this place is huge!"

"We'll have to thank Haruka's friend when we get back."

"I know!"

"Auu, everything's so pretty…"

"Excuse me, ma'am and sir," said the greeter as the couple brought up the rear, blocking them from the rest of the party. "You Keitaro and Motoko Urashima, yes?"

"Yes," replied Motoko, "Is something wrong, sir?"

"No, but you have been given a honeymoon suite as Nori-san requested on the secluded side of the resort. Please follow Tai-san, he will take your things and show you the way."

"Oh, thank you!" replied Keitaro, Motoko immediately nodding with a smile. Following the said man, they were quickly show to a spacious set of rooms with a king-sized futon, a gigantic bathroom, a patio that lead to a private garden, and a triple bolt on the door. Putting down their bags, the young man accepted his tip and added, "Here are the rooms your friends are in," as he handed them a slip of paper.

"Do the others have our room number?" asked Keitaro.

"They will only be given it if you wish them to know," he replied carefully.

"Give them our telephone number, that they may reach us if it is necessary, but I believe that is all that will be necessary," said Motoko, glancing at Keitaro who agreed quickly. "Thank you very much, Tai-san."

"It was my pleasure."

The young man grinned cheekily as he closed the door behind himself, not surprised to hear all three bolts ram themselves home a moment later. He could only imagine the mess house cleaning was gonna have later…

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"That was weird," said Sarah as she jumped on her bed, chewing on lip carefully. "The guy knew their phone number, but not the room number. How are we gonna find 'em if we don't know where they are?"

"I'm sure they'll catch up with us later," replied Haruka with a chuckle, in better spirits than she'd been the last two weeks. She had been given a room with the two youngest residents, but she didn't mind, it meant she had her own room in the loft above. Shinobu, Naru, and Kitsune were next door with Mutsumi who had been invited along and Seta and Koshi were across the hall. "We can call them if they don't show by dinner, ok?"

"Ok…"

"They gotta pool and water slides!" yelled Su as she looked at the resort map on the table. "C'mon, c'mon, let's go swimming!"

"Alright! You coming, Haruka-san?"

"I guess I'll come and keep an eye on you kids," she replied, grabbing something from her suitcase and heading for the bathroom. "Call over to the other rooms if you want and ask the others along, I'm getting ready."

"Ok!"

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"I found out some interesting things," said Kitsune with a sly grin as she put on a bikini, already planning on hanging out by the pool in the sun. "Any takers on info?"

"About Haruka and Seta? What is it?" asked Naru.

"Now, you know I can't tell you that until you pay up," replied the foxy lady sweetly. "Nice try, dear. If anyone wants me, I'll be out soaking in the sun with some sake."

"Ara, she'll be lying in a tub of alcohol?" asked Mutsumi, looking a bit confused.

"No, she's going to drink while she sunbathes," explained Naru quickly.

"Ohh…"

"Are you coming with us?" Naru asked Shinobu, finding the younger girl had already left and her towel was gone. "Well, seems like we're the slow pokes today."

"Ara, she seems awful shy," commented Mutsumi. "Would she rather stay with the younger girls?"

"She might, but I don't know if there's room over there," replied the ronin as she put up her hair and opened the door. "I guess she could share a bed with Haruka, but I don't really see how that'd been any better than sleeping with us. Ready to go?"

"Yes!"

The two met Koshi and Seta in the hall, both in swim trunks and tank tops in bright colors. "Ready to go swimming?" Seta asked, giving them both his usual smile.

"Yep!" replied Mutsumi brightly. "You look very handsome today, Koshi-kun!"

"Thanks," he replied, flushing a bit as he looked at Naru. "You guys like your room?"

"Yeah, it's great," replied Naru, quickly stomping the leap of jealously in her heart. Why should she be jealous of Mutsumi and Koshi? They were more like siblings than anything else. "How about you?"

"It's nice, we've got separate rooms, if they are a little small, with a bathroom in between them."

"We have a loft in ours," replied Mutsumi. "Ara, it's so high up…Shinobu and Naru were kind enough to take it so I wouldn't have to climb up the stairs."

"That was very kind of them," agreed Koshi as Seta led the way outside, holding the door open for them when they reached the end of the hall. "Wow, this place is amazing…"

There were multiple pools of varying depths scattered around, some with slides and others with nets or baskets set up around them. One was specifically set up for children, with one end barely a foot deep and floaties available for everyone, and another was several feet deep with a high dive set up. Nice chairs and lounges were scattered everywhere, with tables in between most of them. Servers wandered around taking orders and picking up empty glasses, bringing or carting away towels and in general being helpful however they could be.

"I say we come back next summer," voted Koshi immediately.

"If we can afford it, I think so," agreed Naru breathlessly. The plants set every where made the scene incredibly beautiful, and everything looked so clean and new it almost made you sorry to use it. "There's Su and Sarah with Shinobu and Haruka, and I think that's Kitsune a little ways down from them."

"Do you see Motoko or Keitaro?" asked Koshi, looking around. "They're usually the first ones out with the kids."

"They're probably tired from the van ride," replied Seta with a shrug. "I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see them until dinner time. Well, I'm gonna go join the girls, see ya!"

"Ara, Kitsune's drink looks very good," added Mutsumi. "I think I'll go and see if I can get one."

"Aren't you worried about her drinking alcohol?" Naru asked Koshi as their friend wandered off. "She seems like she'd have a very low tolerance."

"No, she can drink a sailor under the table," he replied with a shrug. "Her liver's as big as her hoo…heart."

Naru's temper flaired. "What did you say?"

"Heart! Heart, I swear!" Koshi backed off a bit, looking truly frightened. "Hey, I just stumbled over the word, ok? Didn't you want to talk to Haruka about the her and Seta thing?"

Naru allowed herself to be distracted reluctantly, nodding her head. "I guess now would be a good time, she is by herself."

"That's what I was thinking."

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Haruka lay with her eyes closed, apparently completely at ease though her mind was just the opposite. Seta had insisted she keep the ring, and since then she'd developed an unusual paranoia she'd lose it. As such, it remained in her pocket all the time, which was even more irritating because it constantly reminded her of…him. And her friend. Even now, the fact that she didn't have it with her bothered her, which reminded her even more, and just started the cycle all over again.

Opening her eyes when a shadow fell over her, she was about to tell whoever it was to buzz off when she saw Koshi and Naru standing over her looking rather nervous.

"Can I help you?"

"I was just wondering if you were ok, you've been…acting strange the last couple days," replied Naru quickly, trying to remain cool and calm and quickly failing.

"I'm fine," came the short reply.

"Oh…ok."

"If that's all, can you move on? You're blocking the sun," said Haruka as she closed her eyes once more, attempting to at least look relaxed.

"Actually, I was wondering…" Naru's courage deserted her as the elder woman opened her eyes again, looking less than happy, and she blurted out, "If you'd ever thought about getting married."

Haruka looked from her to Koshi carefully and replied, "You two are trying to elope or something, are you?"

"What!"

"Marry him! Never!"

"Well, gee thanks, I didn't know I was that bad," huffed Koshi, still blushing bright red.

"I mean, you're not, it's just…" Naru turned back to Haruka, finding the older woman long gone. "Why that sneaky little…"

"Hey, back to why I'd be so horrible to be married to," said Koshi, getting an impatient look for his troubles as Naru began to look around for the older woman amongst the crowds and coming up negative.

"Dang it, Koshi, you've ruined it!"

"I ruined it! You're the one that blurted out that stupid question!"

"Yeah, well, you should've been the one asking anyways, you've known her longer."

"What!"

"Hey, dorks, whatcha arguing about?" asked Sarah as she floated by on her back, Su close behind as usual.

Naru quickly put a smile on her face, a hit of her earlier blush still apparent. "Nothing, just…say, you wouldn't know why your dad proposed to Haruka, would you? Or why she turned him down?"

"I might…" Sarah's smile suddenly turned very Kitsune-like, little fox ears practically popping up on her head. "What'll ya give me to know?"

"Aw, c'mon Sarah," pleaded Koshi, giving her a puppy dog face. "Would you really make your 'big brother' pay for something like that?"

Sarah's smile grew even wider. "Yes. In fact, I might charge you extra."

A jumbo banana split and a couple of sodas later Sarah finally set aside her spoon and straw and prepared to tell the story. Naru, Koshi, Su, and Shinobu crowded around closely eager to hear the tale that only the two older ones had had to pay for.

"Before I was born, I know Seta and Haruka were together, sort of," started the blonde, propping her head up on her fists. "Like, they did the adult stuff or something of being a couple, but nothing permanent. Then, he said he loved her, and she never got back to him. Then something happened, and they were apart for awhile, but her best friend was still around, and they started dating."

"Is Seta your blood dad?" popped in Naru curiously.

"Nah, she had me with her ex husband, some guy Haruka helped her get rid of by force when he started being mean to her. I'm his legal kid, though, he adopted me after Mom died. Anyway, so, they're together, but mom and Haruka are just too good of friends to let a guy come between them so everything's cool for a little while. Then Seta says he still loves Haruka, and he loves mom now too. Well, that didn't go over so well, apparently they weren't willing to share. Not that I blame them, there's not much there to begin with. Anyway, so he promised he'd give them their answer when he turned 30, only mom went and died, so Haruka's the winner by default. I'd be pissed too, knowing I might have been second choice and now I'm only picked 'cuz I'm all that's left."

"Are you sure she's only nine?" murmured Naru, blinking as she tried to take it all in.

Koshi chuckled. "Sometimes we wonder. So that's what happened…how'd you find out?"

"I got grandma to tell me. She loves telling bad stories about Pops, so it wasn't too hard to get all the dirty details out of her while I was living with 'em. Some how I get the feeling she doesn't like him too much…"

"Auu, you poor child!" Shinobu practically glomped onto Sarah, holding her close as one might cradle a baby. "Growing up without a mommy…never knowing her tender love and care…auuu!"

"Crazy girl, gerroffa me! I'm fine!"

"That was an interesting story, and it explains a lot," added Kitsune as she popped in from nowhere.

"Where you were hiding!" demanded Sarah as she struggled free of Shinobu's grasp (which was surprisingly strong for such a small thing). "You gotta pay up!"

"How about I trade you some pictures of your mom and Haruka from their younger days?" replied Kitsune, all down to business as she pulled out a thick deck of photos.

"Where'd you get those?" asked Naru as the foxy lady began to show them the pictures a glimpse at a time, insisting they pay at least for a good look if they weren't gonna buy the picture itself.

"I made copies of a box I found in Haruka's Tea House," replied the foxy one in a manner much like the cat who got the cream. "Nice, huh?"

"KITSUNE!"

The foxy lady jumped as a pissed Haruka came stalking up behind her, the pictures flying in the air in her startlement.

"Give me those!"

Haruka quickly gathered the photos to her chest, snatching them up quicker than anyone would've thought possible except one that seemed to evade her grasp and land face up on the pavement. Koshi picked it up, shock written all over his face, at the sight of a younger Haruka in a bikini leaning rather seductively against his uncle. A heart had been drawn in one corner with a giant 'X' through it, and everyone got a good look at it before Haruka dove for it. It was taken from the tips of her fingers, though, by Seta who had wandered over to see what the commotion was about.

"Oh, I remember this!" he said as he held it just out of her reach, seemingly oblivious to her rage. "Those were good times, Haruka…"

"Give me that, right now!" she demanded, making another grab for it, and coming up short.

"Why? Do you care about it that much?"

"NO!" she immediately yelled, flushing bright red. "But it's still mine, so give it to me!"

"If you don't care about it, then it doesn't matter if I keep it, right?"

"Seta!" Haruka suddenly changed, the pictures practically disintegrating in her hands as she began to glow brightly. "Fine, you want me pissed? NOW I'M PISSED!" The light disappeared to show a new Haruka tricked out in several guns, bombs, and a grenade launcher than all had Su's three eyes symbol on it.

"You really are a very attractive woman, Haruka," commented Seta as he tucked the picture in his pocket, smiling as always.

"You want it in the head or the chest?" she asked as the leveled a rocket launcher at him.

"And you get so much cuter when you're mad!"

"Head it is!"

"Run for cover!" cried Koshi as everything started to explode around them, diving behind an overturned table and dragging as many as he could grab with him.

"Ara, is it time for the fireworks already?" asked Mutsumi as she came wandering by.

"Get down!"

"You've been keeping up with your jujutsu, haven't you?" asked Seta blocked all her blows and dodged most of the bombs sent his way. "This is the best workout I've had it years! Impressive!"

"Work this out!" growled Haruka as she blasted him in the head with the rocket launcher.

"Will you help?"

"Idiot! Bastard! Jerk!"

"Only because you're the queen of my heart!"

"I'll be ripping it out of your chest shortly, then!"

Seta just chuckled and dodged the blow to his head, coming up inside her guard and staring her straight in the eyes. "I meant it when I said you were beautiful."

She shoved him away forcefully, both landing and standing there still. "And I meant it when I said no. Did you actually expect me to say yes? Be the consolation prize of a promise gone wrong? No, never."

She threw down the gun she carried and walked away, and Naru swore she saw the older woman wipe away a tear as she went back inside. Seta just watched her leave, a look of unimaginable love and pain etched on his usually care-free features. It was gone as quickly as it had come, though, and he joked with the attendants who came out to clean up the mess about short-tempered women.

"That was…unexpected," commented Koshi as he got back to his feet, helping Naru and Mutsumi as well.

"Haruka still loves him," declared Kitsune from her place in the back, a crafty look in her eyes. "I wonder if there's a way to get her to admit it."

"You can't be serious about trying to get them together," said Koshi, shaking his head slowly. "Thanks, but no thanks, I'm out of this one if you are. If that's how she treats people she loves, I'd rather not be around to see what happens to those she's less attached to."

"Hey, where'd Sarah go?" asked Su as she attached herself to Naru's back, looking around everywhere.

"Probably to the bathroom, after drinking all that soda," said the older resident, looking at Shinobu who was still crouched behind the table with wide eyes. "You can come out now, hon, it's safe."

"Big, big blasty-things…" was all she got in reply.

"Say, someone wanna get Shinobu a drink or something?" she asked, crouching beside the younger woman carefully. "I think she's been traumatized here…"

"Here's a watermelon, that'll make her feel better," said Mutsumi as she pulled one out of nowhere, cracked it open and handed her a piece before anyone can protest. Shinobu took a bite and slowly stood up, seemingly coming back to her herself.

"It's safe now?" she asked, nibbling on her chunk of watermelon carefully.

"Ara! Yes, it's safe," replied Mutsumi brightly. "Have as much watermelon as you like, ok?"

"Ok!"

Naru looked at Koshi, who just shrugged.

"Wow…"

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Sarah found Haruka back in their room, just putting on her shoes dressed for a hike.

"Something wrong?" asked the older woman when the young girl stopped beside her, staring at her intently.

"You're not not marrying Pops because of me, right?" asked Sarah seriously, her blue eyes as penetrating as her mothers had once been.

"No," replied Haruka as she felt a lump rise in her throat, hesitantly putting a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "It has nothing to do with you, understand?"

"Then if it's not me, why don't you go ahead and marry him?" she asked, brow furrowed. "Mom's not around anymore, and you don't know you weren't first pick."

"Ah, but I don't know that I wasn't, either," came the soft reply. Haruka suddenly looked up as if remembering who she was talking to and added more briskly, "Anyway, you dad needs to marry someone who'll be a good mom for you. Not to replace your first mother, no one could ever do that, but you still need someone to help take care of you."

"You'd be a great mom, though!" said Sarah in an exasperated tone as she rolled her eyes. "You can fight, and make those cool fans, yeah, you could teach me how to do that! And let me spar with you and ride on your shoulders like Motoko does. Besides, you really loved my mom, so I know you'll always love me too. No other person Pops could find can say that!"

Haruka stood slowly, shaking her head as she did. "No, Sarah, I'm not the right one to raise you. I…just trust me, ok? I'll always be here if you need me, because…I…do care about you. But that's the best I can do." Giving the young girl a pat on the head, she left, headed out for awhile to be alone.

"Gees, why do adults always have to make things so complicated?" she muttered with a pout. "Haruka's gotta be my mom, so she's gotta marry dad. And I know she likes me, so I gotta find out if she still likes him. I wonder if Su has something that can help…"

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Motoko lazily cuddled into Keitaro's shoulder, drawing circles on his stomach as they took a break from their exertions.

"I wonder how much it would cost to rent a room outside the Inn once a week," he sighed as he played with her raven hair, letting the silken strands slide between his fingers.

"I would think far more, in the end, then sound-proofing the room," replied Motoko carefully. "The only problem with that is explaining it to the residents."

"If I thought I could do it myself, I would, but I'm not sure about what sort of materials to use or how to go about doing it."

"Haruka likely knows someone who could do it for us, but then there is the question of where how long it would take, and where we would stay in the mean time," added his wife as she began to tickle his ribs lightly, delighting in the way his lean muscles flexed under her finger."

"Hehe….well, anyway, I'm getting hungry. You want to order something to eat here in the room or head down to the restaurant?"

"I would prefer to stay here," she replied as the phone suddenly rang. "But then, that may not be a choice…" Answering it, she spoke to the other person for a moment before covering up the mouthpiece and asking, "Do we have a good reason not to be in the restaurant in 30 minutes?"

"Not one we can give them," he replied, sighing as he slid off the futon. Letting her reply and hang up, he pulled her up as well. "We'd better shower," he commented as he led the way towards the bathroom, holding her hand and glancing back at her mischeviously. "Although, we may not have time to take separate ones…"

"You may be right, husband of mine…what shall we do about that?"

"I think I have an idea…"

Needless to say, they were late getting to the restaurant.

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Haruka watched in amusement as Motoko and Keitaro entered arm in arm, chuckling about something in a private manner with a tired, but pleased look about them.

"You don't think…?" asked Kitsune, momentarily distracted from her conquest of hooking up Seta and Haruka. Glancing at the elder Urashima, who just looked back blandly, she shook her head with a sigh. "No, of course not, it'll be at least another year before he gets that much spine."

"Motoko-chan!" cried Su, latching onto her favorite climbing pole with a hug that would've crushed the ribs of any other. The swordswoman bore the torturous hug with a smile, mussing the younger girl's hair before setting her down in her chair.

"Hello," said Keitaro as he sat, Motoko automatically taking the seat next to him. "We haven't missed much, have we?"

"We haven't ordered yet, if that's what you mean," put in Kitsune with a mischievous chuckle. "But we had quite the firework display earlier…" Leaving it there with the death-level glare she received, she added after a moment, "That's about it, though."

"Has anyone decided to try one of the free planned activities?" asked Motoko, sensing the topic was a dangerous it and shying away from it for the sake of a peaceful meal. "There were a great many listed, I believe."

"We wanna do the water ball tournament," said Sarah, trading excited looks with Su and Shinobu. "The Hinata Trio of Doom!"

"Auu, I thought it was the Hinata Sweethearts…"

"But then we don't sound tough!"

"I think I'll spend part of tomorrow in the spa area," said Kitsune, glancing over at Naru. "You coming for a facial and massage, hun?"

"That's very tempting," admitted Naru with a smile. "What do you think, Mutsumi?"

"Ara, a massage would be wonderful!"

"How about you, Koshi?" asked Seta, seated between his daughter and nephew. "Wanna try out the trails they have marked behind the resort?"

"If the girls are going to the resort, we might as well, then," he replied with a grin. "They'll be up to their elbows in beauty supplies, and I'm quite alright staying away from all that."

"Are you sure you're not the one that needs it the most?" asked Naru faux sweetly.

"Are you kidding? This stud muffin has all the good looks he'll ever need!" Koshi struck a pose, only to get hit in the head with a roll Sarah chucked at him. "Hey!"

"Stop acting like a dork, you're an embarrassment to the family," she informed him seriously. "Papa, can we disown him?"

"Nah, he's too much use to get rid," came the laughed reply.

"Hello, my name is Reiko and I'll be taking care of you today," said the server as she came up, opening her notepad as she did. "Can I start you off with something to drink?" So was the start of an unusually 'normal' dinner. The fun part, however, all seemed to have saved itself for later that evening…

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The messenger stood back, well away from the table, as the Master read word of their latest plan.

"It seems to go well," he announced in mock seriousness. "But one can only hope…"

"All will be well, she is very competent," spoke up the elder who had planned it in the first place.

"You sent a woman to do a man's job," replied the Master, disgust curling his lip. "We can only hope she will not perform too poorly, even if she is a member of this clan she is still just a woman."

"We have secured the insider, as well as the necessary information," went on the elder, ignoring the Master's remarks but maintaining a respectful demeanor. "May we proceed to the second portion of the plan?"

The Master leaned back in his seat, nodding slowly. "Yes, you may, however well it may work or fail."

The elder simply stood, nodding politely before heading out the door.

"It will not fail."

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Motoko sat back in the hot springs the resort had to offer, letting the heat work its way through her muscles and relax any tension that still might be present. She hoped the warmth would have a regenerative effect as well as soothing, giving her energy for later. Naru and Kitsune had headed for the spa center to see what it might offer tomorrow with Mutsumi, and the younger girls had headed out for the pool again for some net-ball practice before the tournament, so the couple had decided to take a long soak and rest for awhile before they met again for the night and went back to their previous activities.

Seeing her aunt enter as well and sink up to her nose in the water at the edge, she got up and quietly shifted over, clearing her throat when the older woman remained still with her eyes closed.

"You look tired," said Motoko when Haruka cracked an eye at her inquisitively.

"I went on a ten mile hike before dinner," came the slow reply. "I'm no slouch, but I wasn't taking it easy as I should've after sticking to the city streets for the past few years."

"By yourself? Was there some reason you went on it?"

"Felt like it."

Motoko fell quiet at this, sitting their patiently as she waited for the steam to loosen her aunt's tongue as well as her muscles.

"So…" Haruka started after awhile, sitting up a little with a mixed look on your face. "I'm assuming this marriage is no longer just in name only? I don't need details, or when it first started or whatever…"

"You would be correct," replied her niece, flushing lightly.

"You are taking the stuff your family gave you, right?" Haruka became very serious as she leaned forwards. "Children are not something to be taken lightly…"

"Double dose, every day with my morning tea," came the pert reply. "While I would like to have them in the future, they are not part of the present plan." Motoko watched Haruka nod in reply, obviously satisfied. "Have you…have you ever thought of having children, oba-san?"

"I was never given a chance to develop that dream," she replied softly, eyes focusing on something in the distance as she spoke.

"But…" Motoko hesitated, unsure of whether or not she could continue, and yet unable to stop herself from asking, "Are Urashima's not incredibly fertile by nature? I do not wish to pry, but…"

"It's alright, it was a long time ago." Haruka seemed to come back to the present and spoke more briskly, almost brushing the topic off coldly. "Yes they usually are, and it is likely I was as well. I got sick as a kid, though, with an incredibly high fever. They say I barely pulled through, but it left me…barren. It was then I was first taught the family jujutsu with the fans. Generally women didn't learn it unless they proved to be incredibly strong, like Hina, because there's a chance they'll hurt an ovary in battle, even just sparring. And of course, not being able to have kids was about the worst thing that could happen to you back then."

"But then you became 'safe'," put in Motoko when her companion fell silent.

"That, and the doctor recommended something to help me get my strength back faster. Martial arts seemed to be just the thing. I was stronger than ever by the time I was finally given a full bill of health, and could finally beat the crap out of my brothers when they wouldn't leave me alone."

The swordswoman lowered her head, hiding a smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "I am very sorry, I would not have asked…"

"It's alright, I've been well-adjusted to the idea for most of my life," came the curt reply. "Besides," she added with a 'Kitsune' smile, trying to lighten the mood. "It came in handy in high school and college. Infertility is about the only failsafe contraceptive there is."

Motoko's mouth dropped open ever so slightly, eyes wide with surprise. "Y-you…!"

"What? Not all of us were moral, self-conscious citizens in their younger days," Haruka chuckled lightly. "Oh, don't look that shocked, can you honestly see me as a goody two shoes that always follows the rules?"

"No, but somehow 'school slut' never entered my mind either," came the blunt reply. Motoko immediately covered her mouth, standing and bowing. "I am very sorry! Please, forgive me, I do not know what came over me…"

"Oh, sit down, you're making me feel old again." Haruka waved her away in irritation, sighing ruefully when she finally obeyed. "Compared to you, kissing a guy could be considered slut-hood before marriage, so in that sense you might be right, but it wasn't like I slept with every guy who had a decent face and was willing. I had a few more pieces of criteria then that."

Motoko was about to reply when Haruka waved her quiet, glancing behind her.

"Naru," she called out teasingly. "The water is fine, and I don't bite. Even if you have been standing there listening longer than you should've been."

"S-sorry!"

Naru came skittering out from behind the screen, blushing faintly with a sweat drop. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, you were just talking and I stopped to make sure it wasn't anything too personal."

"Oh, I'll tell you anything about being in high school you wanna know. Now, I thought you were heading to the spa with Mutsumi and Kitsune…?"

"It was closed, so they headed off to the bar. I thought my head might thank me more for a soak tonight than a hangover in the morning," she explained quickly, shaking her head. "Those two might be at it for hours. I also wanted to make sure you were ok, though."

"Should something be wrong?" asked Motoko, glancing back and forth between her companions.

"There were some issues earlier, nothing serious," replied Haruka, settling back in her seat."

"I wouldn't calling nearly destroying half the pool area nothing serious," murmured Naru with a shrug.

"Did you meet Seta in high school?" asked Motoko suddenly, as mischievous glint in her eyes.

"What's it to you?"

"You said we could ask about high school," came the pert reply. "I am sure if you did, he got you into all sorts of trouble."

"Oh yes, he did," she replied immediately, rolling her eyes. "Almost more than Sarah's mother did before we met him. He joined us in Junior High, actually, when she got sent to another school. I swear, the first day he attached himself to my side in first period and wouldn't leave even when I punted him across the soccer field. Then he followed me home from school, the same day she came over, and it was all over from there. I can't even remember how many times we were almost suspended or expelled…"

Naru and Motoko listened as Haruka rambled on, recounting times passed with a sad fondness that seemed more and more apparent the closer she got in the tales to the day her dearest friend died. After awhile she fell silent, and nobody said anything, just sitting there in reflective silence.

"It should've been me," she said after awhile, breaking the still night air.

"What should have been you?" replied Motoko, confused.

"I should have died, not…not Sarah's mom," she sighed, standing slowly. "Sarah wouldn't be short a parent, and Seta would have his perfect wife. If I could I'd trade places with her in a heartbeat, because it should've been me that died, not her."

Motoko opened her mouth in protest, but it was too late for by the time she spoke the woman had already left, her form gone from sight.

"That was…unexpected," said Naru as she blinked a few times. "Do you think we should follow her?"

Motoko frowned and shook her head, obviously troubled. "I do think she wishes to be followed."

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Seta found Haruka sitting alone by the pool, already halfway through a pack of cigarettes with an overflowing ashtray beside her.

"You dropped this earlier," he said as he dropped the ring in her lap, knowing she would catch it as she always did.

"Go away," she growled without her usual force, looking away as she extinguished her current cigarette in the tray. "Just leave me alone."

"No, because we both know you don't like being alone," he replied as he sat next to her, taking care not to touch the emotional woman beside him just yet. "C'mon, wanna talk about it? It'll help you feel better."

Slamming her fist down on the table, she replied angrily. "You are my problem!"

Seta smiled. "Then who better to talk about it with than me?"

Groaning in frustration, she began to rise when he gently took her hand, the one that held the ring.

"Do you remember when I told you I loved you for the first time?" he asked before she could protest, something in the depths of his beautiful brown eyes making her voice still. Carefully he pulled her to her feet at her reluctant nod, dropping her gaze when she was no longer able to meet his.

"I meant it then," he said as he softly stroked her cheek. "And I still mean it now."

"You mean it because I'm all you have left," she replied coldly, finally finding her voice. "Mary Anne-"

"Informed me I was an idiot the day after the bet was made, and that I had better chose you then while you'd still have me." The professor chuckled weakly, rubbing the back of his head. "She told me, it didn't matter how often I said it, or we were…eh…um, together. Because I would never love her like I loved you."

"That's all very convenient that she never told me any of that," came the half-hearted growl. "And you spent a great deal of time with her for not 'truly loving' her."

"Time spent trying to work up my nerve to speak with you," he replied in a low voice, putting a hand on either side of her face. "I'd finally feel like I could…and you'd give me one of those glares, and scare me halfway into next week."

"Wimp…" she muttered unconvincingly.

"Haruka-chan, please…" Feeling her go still, he lifted her chin, seeing tears in her eyes. "Haruka-chan!"

"You're not supposed to be this nice," she spat as she allowed herself to be gathered up in his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. "Idiot…I missed you…"

Seta beamed, stroking her hair tenderly as he replied, his voice thick with emotion. "Not half as much as I missed you."

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Motoko and Keitaro ambled along outside, both dressed in comfortable cotton robes from the hot springs. They had met back up and agreed to check out the rest of the resort before heading back to the room, and pausing on a balcony that overlooked the pool deck they spotted a couple that looked very familiar after all.

"Is that your aunt?" asked Motoko as she peered into the dark curiously.

"Yeah, and I think the guy is Seta," he replied as he watched them break apart for a moment. "Looks like they finally found each other."

The swordswoman smiled as the elder Urashima was pulled into a deep kiss down below. "At least for a little while."

"C'mon, I'm thinking we could have some fun ourselves back in our room," he murmured into her ear, kissing her on the neck before leading her back in that direction.

"I agree completely."

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Koshi was wandering around outside when he bumped into Naru, fresh out of the hot springs and heading back to her bedroom.

"Have you seen my uncle?" he asked quizzically. "I swear, he was right beside me in the game room, and then up and disappeared on me."

"No," she replied as she raked her damp hair back from her face. "But I'm sure…."

"Sure of what?" he asked when she let the sentence trail off, her eyes focused on something in the distance. "Narusegawa…you home?"

"Shh!" she replied, dragging him behind a couple of bushes before pointing to whatever it was she was hiding from. "Look!"

"What!" Peering around the edge after she glared at him, he came back with a sigh and replied, "It's just Seta and Haruka playing tonsil hockey…kami!" Darting back around the edge, he glanced at her a moment later and hissed, "What happened! I thought she turned him down!"

"I dunno, she was pretty mad with him earlier…maybe he's more persuasive than we thought…"

"Looking at something?" asked Kitsune as she appeared between them, nearly scaring the two young people to death as she smirked at their surprise. "Or sneaking off to have some fun of your own?"

"It's Haruka and Seta," explained Naru with a quiet glare, jerking a thumb around the edge of the bush. "They're making out out there!"

"Really now? Lemme see…" The foxy one peered out, coming back a moment later with a snort. "Nice, guys, they're just playing in the water with Sarah and Su…like they'd do that in front of those two. If ever."

"But…but they were…!" Naru popped her head out, seeing the scene exactly as Kitsune had described it.

"Look, I don't know what you two are trying to hide, but you may as well tell me now, I will find out eventually," sighed Kitsune, obviously disappointed.

"We're not hiding anything!" protested Koshi, obviously irritated.

"Me think you protest too much…" Kitsune just smiled with a shrug. "Have it your way. I'm out to drink some more, maybe pick up a few guys to pick up the bill."

"That was way not cool," growled Koshi, running a hand through his hair as he turned to head back towards their rooms. "Mind if I walk with you? I'm not sure what you're supposed to say when you just saw your Uncle kiss a woman who tried to murder him earlier."

"Especially when the woman may murder you for spying," added Naru sagely. "C'mon, Mutsumi might be back."

"Alright!"

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"You're sure you won't reconsider?"

Haruka shook her head, looking down at her left hand. "I'll only wear it for the rest of today."

"But that's only another hour or two," protested Seta, a little disappointed.

The Tea House boss just whapped him with a fan, though a great deal softer than she normally would. "No complaining! You're lucky you got this much…"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"I'm not a ma'am!"

"You're sure they like each other?" Su whispered to Sarah from where they played in the pool, splashing each other as much as they could. "She looks more ready to eat him than give him a kissy."

"Yeah, well, they're weird. All adults are."

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Everyone met the next morning for breakfast, Haruka and Seta sitting on either side of Sarah with a sort of truce between them for the moment.

"So, when's the wedding?" asked Kitsune teasingly during a lull in the conversation, eyeing the two adults suspiciously. "It'd be a very sad thing if the resident fox were the last one to know."

"Weasel is more like it, but who said anything about a wedding," replied Haruka, putting her left hand in plain sight. It was as ringless as ever. "Regardless of what anyone may say, I'm never marrying this idiot, you can be sure of that."

Motoko and Keitaro traded looks at the unconvincing tone their aunt had used, but remained silent as Kitsune took the hint and kept her other comments to herself.

"Does anyone else think the tea has a slightly…odd taste to it?" asked Motoko in an attempt to change the subject.

"Not that I noticed," replied Keitaro, reaching over at her nod and taking a taste from her cup. "Mm…no, nothing."

"It must just be me, then," she reasoned, finishing the cup carefully. In it she had placed her double dose for the morning, and she had to make sure she drank every drop available. "Everyone has their activities for today planned?"

"Yeppers!" cried Su happily as Sarah gave her a high five over the table top.

"Would you like to join us at the spa, Motoko?" asked Naru, already having reserved spots for both Kitsune and Mutsumi with her. "I know that's not usually your thing, but you never know…you may like it."

"I appreciate the offer, but we already have made plans of our own today," replied the swordswoman with a smile. "What time does your tournament start, Shinobu-chan?"

"10 o'clock, I believe," replied the young chef. "You'll be sure to cheer us on, right sempai?"

"Of course," stated Keitaro with a grin. "Why else would we come? Not that you'll need it, you guys will probably crush anyone who tries to take you on."

"Like we'd do anything else!" crowed Sarah, hopping up with her meal finished. "C'mon guys, we've got a couple hours to practice before it starts, let's get moving!"

"Let's go, go, go!" added Su as she leapt up and followed her at a sprint.

"Wait!" called Shinobu, scuttling after them. "You're not supposed to go in the water until an hour after eating…!"

"We'd better go make sure they don't run poor Shinobu ragged," commented Seta as he rose as well, dressed in his usual slacks and a rumpled shirt.

"That, or tear the room apart 'practicing' indoors," replied Haruka, accepting his hand up from her seat. "We'll see you at 10 sharp, right?"

"If nothing changes, yes," replied Motoko with a smile.

"Are we gonna make it in time for the first set of massages today or not?" asked Kitsune as she pulled out the schedule, waving it under the other two's noses. "Let's move, people!"

"We'll see you tonight, hopefully," called Naru over her shoulder as Mutsumi linked arms with them both and they walked away down the hall chattering like a trio of magpies.

"Say…" started Keitaro, but his wife seemed to be of one mind as she sneaked a hand under the table and stroked his upper thigh invitingly. "Back to the room?"

"Of course, we haven't had our morning shower yet," she replied with a mischievous smile.

"My thoughts exactly!"

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"It is done."

The Master looked up in surprise when the elder entered his private study without permission, cold anger lighting his eyes.

"What is done?" he replied loftily, paying more attention to his papers than the man standing before him.

"The chosen target has been administered with the…antidote."

"And you are sure conditions have proven to be…amiable to such a plan?"

"Yes, more so than we thought."

"Perhaps I will not have to order your execution after all," said the Master, waving his dismissal lightly. "Do properly send a messenger should anything else need my attention."

"You shall be notified when we are of any changes," the elder agreed, his voice victorious. "All of which shall be in our favor."

"We shall see," the Master intoned, his eyes fastening on the calendar as he began to count down the days. "We shall see…"

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The rest of the vacation passed quickly, but pleasantly, with each resident or friend absorbed in their own activities before the vans arrived late on the third day to drive them back home.

"You know, school starts in a week," commented Keitaro as he and Motoko shared the back seat with some of the luggage, Shinobu, Su, and Sarah asleep in the seat in front of them. "This really was a final get together before things get hectic again."

"I am sure we will manage somehow," replied his wife as she snuggled in the crook of his arm. "Our anniversary will be soon…it is very strange to think, nearly a year has passed since I first met you."

"It's even stranger to think that we weren't properly introduced until a few days after the wedding," he added ruefully. "We will have to think of something to do, perhaps leave for the weekend it works out with our schedules."

"Perhaps it is a good thing we will be back to our busy lives," she murmured, her voice almost too low to hear. "I will not have you as I have these last few days for some time, I fear…and while that may keep additions to the family at bay, I will miss it."

"Believe me," he replied, sighing as he settled back in the seat. "I feel the exact same way."

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The week passed all too quickly, and before they knew it they were back to the usual dashing out in the morning after breakfast had finished in their school uniforms to a day behind the desk in a classroom. Motoko held her first team meeting with her kendo mates, and soon their practices were back in full swing as they strove to one again hold the greatest Kendo team in the county.

Naru and Mutsumi began to study in earnest for the next Toudai exam, Koshi actually volunteering to tutor them in the evenings in lieu of a cram class. Often times in the evenings they could be found in the Hinata living room with their books and papers spread everywhere as they studied on, or up in Naru's room with the door tightly shut when the other residents got to raucous for them to continue their studies.

Seta disappeared two days after they returned on some dig, and Sarah remained behind in Keitaro's care (though she was with Haruka more often than not) to begin her first year of formal education in the public school system. Though she disliked school in general, she did well and raced there and back every day with Su and Shinobu, whose school was near the younger blonde's.

Keitaro began his first semester at Toudai with Koshi, and they had several classes together as they were both freshman with first year requirements to fulfill. His classes outside of the few required, though, were art courses where he more fully explored his talent with pencils and ink and began to possibly think of a career in which he might fully put these abilities to use.

Haruka remained at the Tea House, as always, and soon hired on Kitsune as a part-time worker for when Seta couldn't come in (he seemed to some how retain his job, even with disappearing for long periods of time) though she had to keep a wary eye on the foxy one and the restaurant's sake collection in the back. Somehow one always seemed to go missing at the same time the other did.

Time continued to wend its way on, and yet the next six months would seem slow compared to what had occurred in the past. Slow, perhaps, but more important than any could yet imagine.

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Well, my friends, there is your next chapter. This was finished on December 31, 2005. Yet I was unable to upload it until over a week later due to the fact that I wasn't in a place where I had working internet. I hope you enjoy the chapter, a little over a week late or so, and that all of you have had a pleasant holiday wherever you may be in your life. Please do review, I do enjoy those so much, and look on my profile for the replies to reviews from this last chapter. I will continue to reply there, as it seems to be easier than posting it at the end of these chapters, which are long enough as is. Until next time!

Crosseyedbutterfly

"God bless ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay…"

-English Carol