A Different Life

by crosseyedbutterfly

AU that starts before the anime or manga. A forced engagment, random turtle demons, throw in some new characters, plus an explination of several people's pasts...well... guess you'll have to read it and see...CHAPTER 23 UP. Fini.

18. Another New Resident?

I started this chapter before I uploaded the last one, and yet three days later poof lappy died! Thankfully, the warranty was still good, so the nice people at Dell revived her and now she's back up and serving her intended purpose, like writing new chapters of ADL. So, I actually might have had this one up sooner, if not for that. Regardless, I hope you enjoy Chapter 18.

Oh, thank you everyone for you comments and reviews, it's always a pleasure to have such wonderful fans as yourselves. :)

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Motoko lightly dodged Keitaro's kick, practically twirling on point to start her counter strike. They weren't going at is as seriously as they usually did, but with a few of the younger residents sitting there watching they could hardly afford to allow themselves the usual pleasures that usually followed a rousing match. Her husband smiled as he allowed the blade to slide between his arm and chest, catching hold of her arm. He didn't plant himself firmly enough, though, and soon found his wife had twisted her arm up and around his own, lifting him clear off the ground to flip him over his shoulder. He grinned as he felt her hold back, unwilling to truly use her full strength against him, and considering the bruises he generated just from just this he was grateful.

Taking the fall in stride, he kept hold of her arm and pulled her after him, forcing her to arch her back and roll off one shoulder to put some space between them. They paused only for a moment before Keitaro rushed her again, this time aiming for the wrist of the arm that she usually used with her sword. They went back and forth as Su and Sarah cheered them on from the sidelines, unaware of how little they were actually helping with their presence.

Seta noticed the movement on the roof from the Tea House, pausing to watch for a moment through the window.

"Something going on?" asked Haruka as she came by, carrying a tray of drinks.

"Motoko and Keitaro sparring on the roof," he replied, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "Brings back memories, hm?"

Haruka seemed about to nod when she caught herself, looking away as she cleared her throat. "Nothing I can recall. Get back to work, there's customers to wait on."

Keeping his sigh inside, he merely smiled with a "Yes, ma'am!" and went on his way. It hurt sometimes, her keeping him at a distance, but he would find a way through. Eventually.

It was two weeks now into the school year, and so far things had been relatively normal. Yes, Su had almost blown up her room over the weekend with an unstable experiment, and Kitsune had been up to her usual, mischievous pranks, but things were relatively quiet and everyone had settled into a rather regular routine of sorts between classes, work and play.

Keitaro wasn't taking a full semester's worth of classes so he could keep up with work around the Inn, but he was enrolled in one of their art programs, now, and was greatly enjoying the many things he had learned. He wasn't allowed to spend as much time with his wife as he wanted, and all sexual activities had been put to a near halt for the last month since their return from the resort, but they managed for the moment and at least they weren't given a great deal of time to think about it as Motoko's kendo season began again and she spent most of her evenings training her friends at school and sharpening her own abilities as well.

Naru, Koshi, and Mutsumi were almost always in and out of the Inn as well, toting around their many books and papers as the two young ladies studied assiduously and the lone guy helped out where he could between studying for his own classes. The watermelon-loving newcomer seemed to fit right in with those two, and it was odd to see one without the others close by.

Seta had taken the semester off of teaching to do some more research of his own, and between trips to the different dig sites he'd started, he worked part time at the Tea House with Haruka. The Urashima elder often grumbled about his odd hours, but whenever asked why she let him stick around she seemed to loose her hearing temporarily and the subject would generally be changed very quickly.

Sarah, staying at the Inn with her father traveling everywhere under the sun, went to the local elementary school as planned, and seemed to actually enjoy school despite her initial statement that it would be awful sitting in a chair all day. She studied in the evenings with Su and Shinobu, though all three often convinced Keitaro to come and help them out when they didn't quite understand something.

The match between Motoko and Keitaro came to abrupt halt when Motoko, letting go of her bokken, was able to pin her husband face down on the deck, her seated in the middle of his back with her hands holding his captive.

"Well done," he offered with a careful smile when she let go, trying to let go of the desire to have her pressed close once again. "I think I saw an opening, though…I might go for it next time."

"Just be careful that it is an opening, and not a trap," she replied, looking away when she noted the suppressed gleam in his eyes. "Perhaps I should go and clean up…"

"Good idea," he agreed reluctantly, turning to pick up her bokken and handing it to her. "I'll pick up here, you go ahead to the hot springs."

"Thank you."

"That was a great fight!" yelled Su as she jumped upon her favorite climbing post, Sarah hanging to Motoko's sleeve as she added, "You sure showed him!"

Keitaro gathered the water bottle they shared and the towel that was usually kept around to help with the worst of the sweat when it was really hot out. Groaning as he glanced down at himself, he quickly headed for the upstairs showers and after locking the door behind himself walked straight under the head and turned on the cold water. The initial spray made him gasp, but it also quickly cooled his rising arousal. Stepping back out, he stripped out of his wet clothes before turning the water to warm instead and cleaning up so he didn't smell.

Changing to the spare set he usually left in there, he placed the dirty clothes in the bin and went out into the hall. There he found Koshi saying goodbye to Mutsumi and Naru who were studying in Naru's room, the other young man holding a packed back and wearing old clothes.

"Going somewhere?" he asked curiously.

"On a trip with Seta," came the quick reply.

"I thought you didn't care for digs," Keitaro asked carefully with a frown.

"Well, I don't dislike them, but I do usually find the history part pretty boring," Koshi admitted, chuckling to himself. "This one's near my hometown, though, so I'm gonna go visit the folks for a few days while he's at the dig."

"Oh, well have fun!"

"I hope to."

Keitaro escorted his friend to the front door, waving after him before heading to the kitchen to help with dinner. Things from there progressed on fairly normally until about halfway through dinner when Kitsune announced she would be leaving for a few days.

"Where are you going?" asked Naru, blinking in surprise. "I though you were going to go out with me and Mutsumi this weekend.

"I know, but something else came up," replied the foxy one vaguely, a satisfied smirk on her face. "I'll make it up to ya some other time, ok?"

"Yeah, ok…"

"Ara, this means we could go visit my friends back at the beach," offered Mutsumi a pleased look on her face. "This weekend is the annual Watermelon Festival, and I'm sure you would enjoy it as much as I do!"

Naru paused, the nodded slowly. "I guess so, since there's nothing else to do. We don't have anything planned as a group, do we?"

"Not that I am aware of," replied Motoko. "Go and enjoy yourselves, if you wish, while your studies are still light. You will not be able to make such a trip farther in the year."

"Ara, that is very true…you are sure you wish to come, Naru-chan?"

"Sure! We'll need to plan what we want to pack, though…"

"You do realize what this means," murmured Motoko with Keitaro as their friends began to chatter between themselves happily.

"What?" he replied, slightly confused. Following her gaze to the younger three residents, he sighed. They had planned to go out together this weekend, but with the rest of the older residents absent, they would need to stay close to keep an eye on things. "Oh…"

"There will be other weekends," she said simply, putting aside her disappoint though it didn't make it any less painful. She had been looking forward to the time alone since he had suggested it a week ago, and they would be hard-pressed to find another time that correlated so well with their respective schedules.

"May I take the night off of dishes?" asked Shinobu politely, Su and Sarah already having placed their dishes in the sink and waiting for her impatiently. "We got our homework done early, and wanted to go to the park…"

"We can take it for tonight," agreed Keitaro immediately, unable to say no when she worked so hard for them. "Just try and be back before dark, ok? It gets dangerous out there at night."

"Don't worry, dork, we can take anyone who tries to bug us!" stated Sarah, striking a martial arts pose that Su quickly imitated. "C'mon, guys, last one there's a rotten egg!"

"Eww, those smell!"

"Auu, wait for me!"

Naru and Mutsumi chuckled at the younger residents before taking their plates to the sink as well and heading back upstairs.

"We're off to study," Naru called over her shoulder.

"Remember to take breaks occasionally, it helps rest your brain," offered Keitaro in return.

"Hey, I don't need tips from you," retorted Naru, though it hardly held the scorn it once had.

Keitaro just smiled as he stood as well, collecting some of the plates that were left. "The fact that I passed begs to differ."

"Oh, shuddup!"

"Do you know how wonderful it is knowing you get along with the same friends that have helped me grow to be the person I am?" asked Motoko as she came to stand next to him, linking her hands about his waist.

"You could show me," he offered, stilling holding the plates in either hand with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Had I the freedom to," she stated simply. "I would show you in every way that I find you wonderful." With a quick kiss, she left the kitchen and headed back to the roof for her usual evening practice alone.

"Ice, think of ice," he muttered to himself as he went back towards the sink, dumping the dishes in it crankily. "Cold, calm…not kissing my wife….argh!"

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"The seed has been planted."

"We are sure?" asked the Head of the Turtle clan, his voice little more than a rasp.

"90. The final signs shall hopefully appear soon." The messenger ventured a step closer, so sure in his good news that he practically gloated. "The demons are restless and eager, as though awaiting something, and several of the turtles have begun to gather offerings."

"So you may not yet fail after all, Elder Councilman."

"I never intended to in the first place, Master."

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Motoko finished her usual routine just after dark, damp with perspiration and breathing heavily. She had let herself slip a little over the summer, and would need to work herself harder than ever if she were to keep herself up to par. Feeling a familiar presence behind her, she said, "Can I help you, oba-san?"

"Just wondering something," replied Haruka, leaning on the doorframe with a grin. "The girls dropped by the Tea House before they came in, and they were saying all the older people are leaving for the weekend."

"Koshi has gone with Seta on a trip, and Kitsune, Naru, and Mutsumi have all made plans to be away as well," confirmed Motoko with a quick nod, wiping her face quickly. "You will be without your usual help this weekend."

"I don't mind, but that does leave you and Keitaro in a bind too," chuckled her aunt with a teasing glimmer in her eyes. "You were planning on going out, right?"

"Yes, but we have already discussed it," put in the swordswoman quickly. "Please, we could not ask that of you…"

"Sarah's been bugging me to have her over for the night anyway, I'll just bring the other two over as well." Haruka waved off her niece's protests. "It gets lonely down there sometimes, having them will liven things up at the very least. Besides, then I can make 'em help me out on Saturday and if I'm lucky they won't break too many of my cups in the process."

Motoko just stared at her aunt-in-law, clearly greatly relieved and yet moved at the same time. "I…"

"Besides," broke in the elder woman as things began to get too emotional for her. "I figure you've been celibate for two weeks, you could probably use a change of pace, right?"

Motoko smiled at this, turning the tables on her aunt when she quick readily replied with, "Absolutely! It has been a most difficult last two weeks…we shall both owe you greatly for this."

"Yeah, just don't give me details later on," replied her aunt with a wave of her hand, suddenly giving her a close look. "Just make sure you're still taking that stuff…"

"With my morning and evening tea every day," replied Motoko with a nod. "There is no conceivable way since we are not able to join every day that I am pregnant or that I will be any time soon."

"Not if you've taken every one," agreed Haruka carefully. "You're sure…?"

Motoko gave her a level look. "I swear. What is it that worries you so?"

"I…don't know," she admitted with a shrug, giving her niece one last long look before turning away slowly. "I just…oh, forget it. I'm just tired. Seeing things in my old age."

"If you are sure…thank you again for your most generous offer!"

"I'll come by and collect the girls tomorrow in the afternoon," went on Haruka as she left. "Try and make sure Su doesn't bring any explosives, ok? I would be slightly upset if something were to happen to my Tea House."

"I will do what I can," promised Motoko, picking up the weights she had used to train with as well as the rest of her equipment. Heading inside after her aunt, they parted ways downstairs as she went to the hot springs for another bath. Finding the younger residents there, she told them about the plan for the next evening and was met with enthusiastic cheers in her announcement.

Bustling them up to bed after she had finished her own luxurious soak, she met her husband in the hall on the way back to her room.

"Something happen?" he asked, noticing the lightness of her step, and the grin in her eyes.

"Yes, I have good news," she replied, lowering her voice. "But it is not something to be shared here."

Raising his brows, he just shrugged and led the way, her arm tucked in the crook of his as they walked. Wishing Naru pleasant dreams when they passed by her open door, they turned into their own room and shut the door firmly behind them.

"So, what's this new?" he asked, a hopeful note in his voice when she willingly snuggled herself into his chest.

"Your aunt is being kind enough to take the younger residents off our hands for the evening," replied his wife, eyes dancing as his lips curled into a smile.

"For how long? A couple of hours?"

"No…" Motoko leaned closer, whispering in his ear. "Until sometime Saturday evening."

Keitaro's brows rose. "You don't say…"

"I do." Chuckling, she planted a kiss on his cheek before heading for the changing screen. "I look forward to your…attentions, my husband."

He grinned, already knowing the wait would be well worth it in the end. "As I look forward to yours, my wife."

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Naru and Mutsumi met in Hinata's main sitting room at noon, their bags packed and everything set to go.

"Be careful, y'all," offered Kitsune from where she lounged on the couch. "And try and catch some hotties to bring home, will ya?"

"I'm sure wherever you're going, you'll find more men of your style than we will," replied Naru teasingly, giving her friend a hug before letting Mutsumi lead her out the front door. "We're leaving, bye everyone!"

"Do try and return safely," offered Motoko, just coming in the front door to step aside and hold it open for them.

"Ara, we will, Motoko-san," replied Mutsumi, giving the manager's wife a brilliant smile. "Bye!"

"Good bye."

"Why aren't you all packed, foxy lady?" asked Sarah as she bounded down the stairs, Su right on her heels. "Aren't you leavin' too?"

Kitsune's lips curled up into her usual smile. "Yeah, but I won't need anything where I'm going…" HONK! "And that would be my ride. Later, guys!"

"Take care," Motoko called out after her as the resident sneak, watching her trade looks with a foxy lady much like herself in the driver's seat of a slick sports car convertible that kicked up a cloud of dust as it revved its way out of sight.

"Why are you home so early, Motoko-sempai?" asked Shinobu as she peeked out from the kitchen, surprise evident on her face.

"School was cut short due to a power failure, the result of a rather vicious prank," she replied with a shrug. "As a result, we will be unable to hold our practice this afternoon, and so that was canceled as well."

"Auu, that's awful!"

"Yes, well, one accepts disappoints as one can. Have you packed your things yet for staying with Haruka-san this evening?"

Su smacked herself in the forehead as she rolled her eyes. "Doh! I knew I fergot somethin'!"

"I'm packed," announced Sarah proudly. "I did it last night when I found out."

"Auu, I'm almost finished," added Shinobu quickly. "I stopped to make lunch for us, though."

"Remind me why you did not have school again?" asked Motoko, letting Su clamber up on her back and Sarah latched on to her leg.

"School maintenance, some idiot with a 'Rent-a-Zilla' took out several buildings," replied Sarah, obviously in contempt of those who could not control their borrowed reptilian charges. "It's supposed to be useable by Monday, though."

"Auu, I hope so," put in the resident cook. "Or we might fall behind in our studies!"

"We had best go and finish your packing," decided Motoko when she saw Sarah about to pounce on that idea. "Sarah, will you go and assist Su with the last of her things? Remember, no explosives or large inventions of any kind!"

Sarah nodded, dragging her friend off as she muttered under her breath about how it would be boring otherwise.

"I can manage for myself, thank you," said Shinobu when Motoko turned to look at her, bowing slightly. "You and Keitaro-sempai don't mind us leaving for the evening, do you?"

"Not at all," replied Motoko, trying to keep the eagerness out of her voice for the sake of the younger girl. "We shall manage to amuse ourselves somehow."

"Would you like me to make dinner for you? I could leave something cooking in the oven…"

"No, we will be dining out tonight. Go and pack, I will finish up anything you have started in the kitchen."

"Auu, if you're sure…"

"I am sure."

"Thank you!"

Motoko smiled as she watched the young, blue-haired girl run down the hall to her room, obviously excited about the evening away from the Inn, even if it wasn't going to be that far away. Entering the kitchen, she went over to the skin and pushed back her sleeves, turning the water on hot and picking up where Shinobu had left off with the dishes. It looked like the girls had eaten the leftovers from the last meal Shinobu had made, and as she put away the dried plates and plastic containers, Motoko began to take note of what they were running low on and when they would need to buy more.

Writing it all down when she was through, she left it stuck on the refrigerator for future notice and was wiping down the counters when Haruka poked her head in, the usual cigarette hanging from her lips.

"Girls ready to go?" the elder Urashima asked, being answered by the bubbling Su and Sarah bursting through the kitchen door with backpacks on, Shinobu not far behind toting a bag and pillow.

"We're ready!" announced Sarah, striking a pose that was entirely ruined by Su leaping on her back and tugging on her cheeks. "Aww, Su! I was tryin' t'look cool!"

"Haha, now you just look funny!"

"Scamper on down to the Tea House, I have to check over something with Motoko real quick," ordered Haruka with a wry grin, patting Sarah on the head as she passed the older woman and giving Su and Shinobu nods.

"What about?" asked Su, ever curious.

"Adult stuff."

"Pfft, that's boring…let's go!"

"She won't some day," coughed Haruka, giving her niece a wink. "Are you kids set for tonight?"

"Yes, is there some reason we shouldn't?" replied Motoko, giving her a confused look.

"No, just checking. I'll keep the monsters with me for most of tomorrow too, let 'em help out some since my usual help is gone…that ok?"

"Absolutely."

"Good. Enjoy your evening."

Motoko smiled as she watched her aunt leave. "We intend to."

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Seta and Koshi stood together on the street, the cab waiting patiently as they got Koshi's bags from the trunk.

"You sure you don't want to come in?" he offered slowly. "They'd love to see you too, it's been at least year since your last visit."

"I know," replied Seta with as shrug. "But then I have to admit I still don't have a home for you and Sarah, and that I haven't gotten any farther with Haruka…well…it's easier to deal with those things without the pity of your mother on top of it."

"You can't say that's entirely your fault. Besides, Hinata is a good home for Sarah, and I'm perfectly fine in the Toudai dormitories. And you can't say you haven't made headway with Haruka-san, she kept the ring, didn't she?"

"She also refused to marry me," his uncle stated flatly. "No, give them my love, but I need to get down to the dig anyway. Be safe, and I'll be back for you in two days."

"Ok." Koshi picked up his bags, and watched his uncle drive away down the street. "Bye."

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Keitaro found his wife waiting for him outside the front of Hinata-sou as planned, dressed in a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt she'd bought, but with a frown on her face as she stared at the sky.

"Is everything ok?" he asked as he sat next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Yes, I am just trying to remember something," she replied, looking at him with a wry smile. "It seems either I have lost count of the days, or my body has decided to change on me."

"How so?"

"My period," she explained, blushing slightly as it was a topic they'd never touched before. "I have been as regular as the moon and the sun, even with the other females living here, all of my life. And now it seems to be off…"

"You didn't miss it, did you?" asked Keitaro, frowning in concern.

"No, it is almost a week early," she clarified quickly. "And it was only a very little bit, rather than the steady flow that generally marks my time of the month."

"Does that…I mean, will we…" trailing off, he coughed, trying not to sound too disappointed. "Should we put off some, um, activities for another night?"

"No, though it may make things…different." Flushing some more, she was about to add more when he silenced her with a kiss, drawing back slowly when they came back up for air.

"If you're sure, let's go enjoy our evening and not worry about it anymore," he replied simply. "If you're still worried about it later, we can discuss it more, but right now I want to enjoy a meal alone with my wife."

She smiled in return, letting him pull her to her feet. "Then I am yours for the evening, husband."

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Haruka sat up on the couch watching the TV, taking the almost dead cigarette from her mouth and putting it out in the ashtray that was always within easy reach. Glancing over, she noted all three forms lying still on the pallet they'd made earlier from blankets and sleeping bags. Getting up, she went and turned the movie they'd been watching off, switching off all but one lamp before heading for the kitchen. In her mind, it was still fairly early, and she wouldn't be sleeping for some time yet. A hot cup of tea and some fan work to finish off the evening was just right for her present frame of mind, so when Sarah entered the kitchen wearing an old t-shirt of Seta's she usually slept in and sat across from her at the kitchen table expectantly she came as close to irked with the younger girl as she'd ever gotten.

"Weren't you asleep?" she asked as she poured herself the tea, getting Sarah a cup of juice from the fridge.

"Nope, but Shinobu and Su are out cold," came the pert reply as Sarah impudently picked up one of her half-finished creations and began to inspect it carefully. "You sure wore them out."

"I didn't really do anything, you three were the ones running all over the place," chuckled Haruka, sitting back down with the cookies left from the batch they'd made earlier on a plate. "Did you enjoy yourselves? I know it wasn't as exciting as you guys probably thought it would be…no blood sacrifices over an altar of death or random shoot outs…"

"We were wondering if there'd be a death match or something going on in your basement," admitted Sarah with a shrug. "It's probably a good thing that it looked normal for Shinobu's sake, she gets jumpy around blood."

"That's sweet of you, considering her feelings like that," muttered Haruak wryly, taking the fan from her hands and opening the bottle of ink that lay by her elbow. "Are you always so considerate?"

"If you haven't noticed, she's bigger than me," came the smart retort. "It's a pain trying to drag someone bigger than you back up a flight of stairs."

"Ah. Very good point."

"You know, you should just hurry up and marry Popa," said the young blonde out of the blue, stuffing a cookie whole in her mouth. Haruka nearly choked on her tea when she heard those words, staring at the young girl in disbelief. "It'll save you a lot of embarrassment when it actually happens if it's sooner rather than later."

"Who said I'm going to marry him?" replied Haruka, quickly putting her mask of indifference back in place. "I though I already made it clear I wasn't interested."

"And I thought I made it clear I picked you out to be my mama," replied Sarah with a grin. "We already went over why you fit the job description well enough. Besides, I know you don't really hate my dad."

"I don't hate anyone, really," pointed out the elder Urashima with a sigh. "But that's hardly the point. You can't just…it's just not that simple, Sarah."

"Pfft, I don't see why not…"

Rolling her eyes, Haruka sorted through her work box, pulling out the necessary items for another fan and pushing them towards Sarah. "You want to learn how to make one?" she offered slowly, finding another set for herself as well.

"I thought only Urashima's were taught the art, though," countered Sarah, a triumphant look in her eyes.

"I'll make an exception for you," replied Haruka, hiding her own smile as she found the glue and an extra brush. "And only this once."

"Until you marry Papa, you mean," added the younger girl pertly. Before Haruka could protest again, she added, "Because then I'll be your daughter, and you can teach me all you like. Ok, so what do I do first?"

Feeling very much like she'd lost some kind of battle here, Haruka began to go through the steps necessary to begin the fan. Moving to the same side as the younger girl, she guided her hands carefully, and bit by bit together they created Sarah's first fan. It was close to morning when they were done, and Haruka let the younger girl lean against her as she wrote her name in kanji down the side and set it aside to dry.

"You did a good job for your first one," praised the older woman softly, absently running her hand through the younger girl's hair as they turned it over together.

"It's a little lumpy, and my lines aren't all straight like yours," she complained, yawning around her words tiredly. "M'so tired…"

"Everyone makes mistakes their first time," replied Haruka, "Or they'd be perfect, and kami knows we've got enough of those who think they are wandering around."

"S'true…zzz…."

Finding her charge asleep and leaning against her, Haruka sighed. She wasn't meant to be a mom, life had taught her that as a child, but why did she long to gather the smaller girl in her arms and hold her close…?

"You're going to be a heart-breaker, just like your father," she murmured as she gently lifted her into her arms, suppressing the urge to press a kiss to that innocent cheek. "Why do you both have to break mine?"

Placing her next to Shinobu, Haruka quickly tucked the young blonde in before turning off the lights and heading straight for her room. Throwing on some sleep clothes, she fell into bed, and for the first time in years, cried herself to sleep.

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Keitaro was pleasantly woken in the morning by his wife nibbling on his ear, one hand occupied with the nape of his neck and the other teasing the front of his shorts.

"I thought you had your fill of me last night," he murmured as he rolled flat on his back, slowly coming more into consciousness as she continued with her ministrations.

"Yes, but now I have slept," she whispered teasingly. "Unless you would rather not…"

"That I never said!"

"Then wake up, sleepy head, I will not wait forever…"

After a satiating themselves again, the married couple moved on to the showers before finally getting dressed and heading downstairs to eat. Having a peaceful breakfast together, they readied themselves for a day of leisure, and after spending several hours just lounging together talking and occasionally showing affection in various ways they greeted the returning trio of residents and helped them make dinner together.

"That was so fun," said Sarah with a big grin, carefully pouring everyone a cup of iced tea. "Haruka let me work the coffee machine, and I learned how to make lattes and all kinds a good stuff."

"Yeppers, was lots a fun," added Su as she scampered by with one of the dinner platters balanced on her head.

"Au, Su, be careful! Yes, Haruka-san was very kind in showing us how everything went," added Shinobu once Su had set the tray down, relaxing visibly. "It was hard sometimes, especially remembering what everyone wanted, but so enjoyable too!"

"Do you think you might try and work there when you're older?" asked Keitaro half teasingly, transferring the rice from its pot to a bowl.

"No, I'm gonna own it, when I get older," put in Sarah with a triumphant smile.

"The Tea House is passed down through the Urashima family," Motoko gently reminded her with a slightly admonishing smile. "And I do not think that is going to change any time soon."

"I know, that's why I'm gonna get them married, so I can inherit it," replied Sarah, still smiling. "All that's left is to get those two knuckleheads to go along."

"Au, you shouldn't say such things, Sarah-chan!"

"Oh, Shinobu, you're such a worry-wort…"

"What's a wor-wy-wort? Is it good to eat?"

"Why don't we go ahead and sit down?" suggested Keitaro, breaking into the chaos carefully. All three girls immediately agreed and sat down, digging into the meal as though they hadn't eaten in days. Perhaps even weeks.

"Slow down, there!" warned the manager when Su nearly swallowed her bowl whole, immediately reaching to refill it. "Careful, Su, or you'll make yourself sick."

"Nah, my stomach can take it!" she replied, grinning maniacally. Keitaro was about to refute that when he remembered all the foods Su liked, so spicy they about burned the skin off your tongue, and usually kept you up half the night with indigestion. Sighing with a shrug, he turned his attention on his own food and kept his mouth shut.

It was finished and cleaned up all too soon, and Motoko could tell the trio was running out of energy as they flopped down on the couches.

"Why don't you go ahead and bathe?" she suggested when they appeared too worn out to even turn on the TV. "Then, should you wish, you will ready to go right to bed."

"But it's early," whined Sarah, trying unsuccessfully to hide her yawn.

"Then soak for a long time to make up for the extra time," replied the swordswoman with a smile. "Go, and I will join you in awhile. Ok?"

"Ok…"

Keitaro came up beside his wife, looking a little tired but pleased as he pulled her down to sit snuggled in his embrace on the couch. "We haven't even had kids yet, and I still feel like a dad sometimes," he sighed as they relaxed together, enjoying the few moments alone.

"Well, they do call the heads of dormitories 'Dorm Moms' or 'Dorm Dads' for a reason," she replied slowly. "Have you ever considered…well…when you would…wish to have children?"

"A little bit," he admitted, blushing. "I figured in 3 or 4 years I'll have graduated from Toudai, but you'll still be in college, if you decide to attend one, so it would probably be best to wait until after you're out too. What do you think?"

"That sounds just fine to me."

Staying like that for awhile, they speculated a bit more before Motoko remembered her promise to the younger residents and got up slowly.

"You go ahead and take your time," her husband told her honestly. "I think I need a long soak myself, and without Koshi or Seta barging in randomly I think it'll be pretty relaxing."

Motoko nodded in understand. "That is fine."

Heading out to the baths, she found the younger three all sitting in the changing room wrapped up in big towels and almost asleep where they sat.

"Shinobu-chan…" The swordsman carefully shook the younger girl awake, holding her steady as she blinked sleepily. "You might want to go ahead and go to bed."

Yawning, the chef nodded sleepily and turned to pick up her clothes and start dressing. Doing the same with the other two, Motoko found she couldn't wake the youngest resident and picked her up instead, heading for the door to the stairs when she was intercepted by her aunt.

"They fall asleep after their bath?" asked the elder Urashima, a wry look on her face though Motoko thought she caught a glimpse of longing in her aunt's eyes as she shifted the sleeping child carefully.

"Yes, you must have exhausted them in letting them help," she replied with a warm smile. "If you will excuse me, I will take Sarah up to the bed she shares with Su."

"You coming back to soak for awhile after that?"

"Yes."

"D'you mind if I have a soak? It's been awhile…"

"No, please, go right ahead."

"I'll be here waiting."

"Ok."

Maneuvering the stairs easily, she lay her burden down in Su's room with the other girl immediately latching onto her friend in her dreams before padding back down to the hot springs and stripping to wash herself in the outdoor baths.

"Were the girls good for you last night?" asked Motoko once she had finished cleansing herself and slowly lowered her body into the springs.

"Very, they wore themselves out for the most part," came the calm reply, Haruka sitting with her back against one of the walls and eyes closed with a cigarette hanging from her lips. "Did Keitaro behave himself?"

"No more or less than I would expect him too," replied Motoko with a ready grin, getting a surprised look from her aunt as she added, "If he behaved all the time, life would hardly be as enjoyable as it is."

"Life?"

"Well, at least the parts we spend together wouldn't be…"

"Perhaps it is a good thing after all that you can't have him to yourself all the time," snorted her aunt in amusement. "You'd be pregnant in a month flat."

"Perhaps less."

Haruka shook her head. "I don't want to know…"

"Have you settled your differences with Seta-san?" asked the niece suddenly, quickly changing the subject and catching her aunt off guard.

"Well, I…I didn't know I had differences with him," came the stuttered reply, the older woman looking away across the hot springs.

"I would call nearly blowing up the pool area a few weeks ago having differences," came the smart reply in a low voice. "But if I am wrong, please correct me…"

"You…" giving Motoko a half-hearted glare, the Tea House owner just grumbled to herself and sunk further in the water.

"Sarah informed everyone today that she planned on having you marry Seta," added the younger woman a tad more softly. "She was quite serious…"

"She's declared me as her 'mom'," came the snorted reply. "Kid has no idea what she really wants…"

"Perhaps…"

Falling silent, they sat there companionably before Haruka carefully broke in with, "I'll never marry him."

"Never say never," replied her niece, giving her an odd look. "I swore I would never submit to any of the Turtle Clan, or a man period…ever…yet…" She trailed off, shrugging. "I know Keitaro isn't truly one of them, and it does make a difference in knowing that, and yet I am still doing exactly what I said I would never do for he is a man and I do certainly submit to him."

"I don't expect to you understand the difference," said Haruka simply after awhile. "And neither will I try and explain it to you. It was a long time ago, and it no longer matters."

Motoko paused as her aunt rose, unable to find the words until just before her aunt left. "And if Seta truly does love you still?"

She heard the foot steps stop, and the hiss of a cigarette being extinguished sharply. "That's his problem, not mine."

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The next few days flew by in a blur as everyone returned and resumed their usual schedules, rushing this way and that with studies, school, training, and the usual insanity that always seemed to take place.

On one unusually calm afternoon, though, Keitaro was about to head out and buy some groceries when Seta intercepted him at the bottom, Koshi at his side.

"Hey, part-timer! Want some food?" called Seta, waving cheerfully.

"We're grabbing lunch at the Beef Bowl," explained Koshi. "His treat. Wanna come?"

Being reminded of how little he saw these two men, Keitaro grinned. "Sure." Falling in step with them, he asked, "How was your trip a few days ago?"

"It went well," said Koshi. "Mom and dad were happy to see me, as were the sibs…got into a few fights, but that's pretty normal."

"And the dig?"

"One of the most productive sites I ever found," started Seta excitedly. "Incredible the things we're uncovering…it could rewrite entire sections of history!"

"Nothing my family doesn't already have in their records," replied Koshi with a touch of pride.

"Yeah, well, they won't let me peak at the records so it's still new to me." Seta grinned cheekily, paying for the three bowls before they took it over to a nearby bench to eat.

"It really sounds very interesting," offered Keitaro politely.

"Hey, what if you came along next time, part-timer?" offered Seta out of the blue. "Koshi can't come, so I have an extra plane ticket already paid for. And it's during that week where Toudai is closed for three days for national holidays so you'd only be missing a day or two of school."

"I'd have to check with Motoko-chan…" hedged Keitaro, unsure of whether he could take such a trip without feeling as if he'd abandoned his wife and residents. "Maybe, if things work out well…"

"That's great! I'll put in the paperwork so you can get everything filed right away."

"But, I didn't…"

"Say," broke in Koshi, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "How'd the latest part of 'Wear Down Haruka-chan' go?"

"Ah, well…" Seta sweated, rubbing his chin. "She took the flower, then turned around and gave it to this cute kid at the Tea House, and said it was a gift from me. Guess that's what I get for wordlessly giving her something…"

"You just have to make sure there's no one else around who can accept it," offered Keitaro encouragingly.

"Easier said than done when you're in a thriving Tea House."

"True…what's the entire plan?"

"It was my idea," put in Koshi with a wink, spreading his hands expansively. "The idea was to get Haruka comfortable with my uncle in little jumps at a time. The first step was compliments, and that seems to be going fairly well…"

"Or at least she doesn't refute them or smack me anymore," added Seta with a shrug. "I think they're mainly ignored, but I've gotten a positive response a couple of times."

"Second," went on Koshi, not to be deterred by any interruptions. "Is receiving a single flower. Not a rose, or anything in the least bit romantic, but pretty ones that could just be friendly if coming from the right person."

"So far, there hasn't been any success there," Seta broke in for the second time, getting a glare that he ignored from his nephew. "But there's always hope…"

"What are the other steps?" offered Keitaro in an attempt to get Koshi to stop giving his uncle dark looks.

"Third, small gifts, trinkets and the like (useful and non-), fourth: single roses, fifth, dinner with the family, sixth, multiple roses, seventh, dinner alone but in a public setting that's non-romantic…it goes on from there, but I think you get the idea."

"Wow…" Keitaro paused, thinking about Haruka for a moment, then added, "You do realize even to get to that point could take years."

"Yes, but the fact that that point may someday be possible is the part that makes it worth it," countered Seta with a nod. "Trust me, if you hadn't married Motoko the way you did, but you met her like I knew Haruka, you'd fight just as hard for her."

"If I thought she'd have me, yeah," admitted Keitaro with a nod. "Well, good luck."

"Thanks, I'll probably need every bit I can get."

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Motoko looked around the room, feeling a slight headache forming behind her eyes as she stared at her homework on the desk. She needed to have it finished before dinner so she could devote the remaining hours to training. She hadn't reached the point in her training where she could feel her body gaining strength from taking it easy over the summer, and she needed to reach it soon if she was to remain at the top of her performance.

Glancing up as her husband entered the room, she smiled warmly at him as he filed away some papers in the cabinets that had been moved into their small space. Silly as it seemed, they both worked better together when in the same space, so it just made sense to have the office moved up to their room so Keitaro could do the Inn's paperwork and college homework while Motoko finished her school work.

"Have a good day at school?" he asked as he sat across from her at the table, taking her hand when she offered it and stroking it tenderly.

"A tiring one," she admitted with a frown. "Perhaps I should go to sleep early tonight…it seems the last few days I find myself short of energy."

"With the busy schedule you keep, it's not that surprising that you're a little tired," replied Keitaro practically with a shrug. "If you decide to, let me know so I can be sure and finish up the filing for tonight early."

"You do not have to do that," Motoko replied with a shrug. "I will sleep soundly even if you are moving about the room."

"I'd still rather be sure I'm not disturbing you."

"Thank you."

Keitaro let go of her hand for a moment, pulling out his own homework and setting it in front of him. Pulling out his sketching set, he began practicing the shading techniques they'd gone over in class that day. It wasn't incredibly difficult, but as he began to copy the picture of a broken pot with jagged bits throwing the light in different directions he was reminded of Seta's offer.

"Mo-chan…?"

"Hm?" She looked up from her own paper, filled with partially-completed equations. "Is there something you need?"

"Do you remember that long weekend we have coming up?"

"At Toudai? Yes."

"Seta would like me to accompany him to one of his digs during the days off," he explained slowly, watching her as she continued to fill in the numbers with a thoughtful expression on her face. "Do you think…I mean, would you be ok with…?"

"Do you want to go?" she replied, holding his gaze firmly.

"I would like to, yes," he admitted with a shrug. "I always thought his line of work was interesting, even if it perhaps wasn't for me…to go once would be quite the adventure, though."

"I think we can manage without you for a week," she said slowly, putting down her pencil as she reached for his hand. "I would miss you…a great deal…but if you want to go I have no objections to it."

"I'm not sure I like leaving you, or even the rest of the residents, alone for that long," he sighed, putting both hands around hers. "You're all very precious to me…but especially you."

"We can care for ourselves for a least a little while," she reminded him gently. "Will Seta-san be disappointed if you do not accompany him?"

"Likely, yes…he seemed very excited about me coming."

"Perhaps it would be best if you did go…" Grinning almost in a Kitsune-like fashion she added, "It would bring Seta even higher in your aunt's eyes. She may not say so, but she is quite proud of you…perhaps it would facilitate her own feelings towards him to see you getting along so well."

"You're not playing match-maker, are you?" he asked suddenly, giving her a teasing look.

"No, for then they would end up hating each other," she snorted with a shake of her head. "No, I will not try and interfere with their relationship, but I will support anything that seems to…help it along."

Keitaro chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze before he let go and turned back to his work. "Well, if it's in the best interests of our dear aunt, and I could use a few new places to sketch to get a fresh perspective for one of my classes…I guess I'll go."

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Su and Sarah ran around the house before school, getting their schools supplies together before rushing towards the kitchen.

"Gotta be careful, Naru's cookin' breakfast," explained Su with a wink. "An' she said she's makin' pancakes!"

"But I like pancakes," protested Sarah, frowning.

"Well, Naru hasn't made any good one's yet…"

"Ohh…"

They reached the kitchen door just as Motoko was about to enter, almost running into the older young woman as she stopped abruptly in the doorway and turned a slight shade of green.

"Are you ok, Motoko-chan?" asked Su, clambering up onto her friend's back as she turned away from the door quickly.

"Ah…yes, I…simply do not wish to eat breakfast this morning…" Detaching the younger girl carefully, she slowly headed back up the stairs and met her husband halfway down.

"Are you ok?" he asked in concern when he saw her pale face. In a lower voice he added, "Are the pancakes inedible?"

"Ah, I did not try them…" Giving him a shaky smile, she patted his hand affectionately. "I am fine, I merely do not wish to eat. You had best hurry, though, your train will be leaving soon."

"Oh, you're right! Have a good day, I'll see you after classes." Giving her a quick kiss, he rushed down the stairs and out of sight.

"Good morning, Keitaro-sempai," greeted Shinobu as he rushed in the kitchen, sitting at the table eating the pancakes. "You should try some of these, Naru-sempai did a wonderful job!"

"They aren't as good as my dad's," contested Naru lightly, though her eyes shone with pride. "But they are certainly passable."

"Serve me up a few, then," he replied, seating himself quickly.

"Is Motoko-sempai not eating with us?" asked the young chef between bites as she rushes so she wouldn't be late.

"I don't think so," he replied with a shrug. "She looked a little pale…"

"Au, she didn't eat yesterday morning either…you don't think she's getting sick, do you?"

"I'll check after school, but I'm sure she's fine," he said simply, digging in after the first bite revealed it was edible and indeed rather tasty with the maple syrup on top. "She's not the type of person who gets sick very often."

"That is true…"

"Time ta go!" crowed Su as she swallowed her last pancake whole, grabbing her bag and running out the door.

"C'mon, Shinobu!" added Sarah as she ran after her. "Don't wanna be late!"

"Coming! Au, wait for me!"

"This was very good, Naru," said Keitaro as he rose, quickly clearing the plates left behind and putting them in the sink. "You don't mind cleaning up, do you? I gotta run for classes…"

"I can do it this once," she replied with a grin. "You owe me, though!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Catching a glimpse of his wife as she made her way the opposite way down the street to her school, he paused to smile for a moment before running off to catch his train. Whatever it was, he was sure she was fine, she always was.

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Keitaro wandered along the hall on his way to his next class, nose buried in his notes when he felt someone tap his shoulder, turning around to find Seta standing there beaming down at him.

"So, you coming part-timer?" he asked hopefully.

"On the trip? Yeah, I worked it out with Motoko-chan," replied the student with a grin. "It'd be nice if you'd send me the details, so I can let her and Haruka know how long they have to fill in for me as Manager."

"Sure thing, kid! Well, I gotta run, and I'm sure you have a class, so bye!"

"Bye!"

Chuckling to himself as he entered his next class, he took out his notes and checked over them to make sure he had everything he needed. This was going to be one very interesting trip.

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"Have the parents been informed?"

"Yes Master."

"And their instructions made clear?"

"Crystal, sir."

"The preparations?"

"Nearly complete."

"And the plans for the razing?"

"Ready and waiting."

"Very good. Councilman, I leave it in your thus far capable hands."

"Thank you, Master."

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Motoko entered the Tea House after school, giving her aunt a warm nod when she caught her eye and sitting at the main counter as she usually did.

"School go alright?" asked Haruka as she came over with a cup of the special family blend tea, leaning on the counter across from her as she smoked her usual cigarette.

"Yes, it was fine as usual," replied Motoko, sipping the tea gratefully. "I merely wished to ask if Keitaro had informed you of his trip."

"Seta did, actually, but I got the gist of it either way." Haruka rolled her eyes. "He's hoping to hook him the way he used to hope he could hook Koshi. It didn't work then, and I don't think it'll work now."

"I do not usually judge events before they take place, but I believe you are correct," added Motoko with a nod. "Keitaro shows an interest in that line of work, but it is not his passion."

"Yeah, I figured."

"How has business been?" asked the niece, taking her time through the rest of the tea. "Are things picking up?"

"A bit, I might have to hire on more help if Kitsune and Seta keep skipping out on me like that have been for the last few weeks…"

"Hey, I'm here on time!" put in Kitsune as she appeared from the back, tying on her apron quickly. "And I've only missed on day thus far…"

"This is true," admitted Haruka with a shrug. "Is it my imagination, or are you showing a spark of responsibility, Kitsune?"

The foxy one snorted, rolling her eyes. "Entirely your imagination, trust me."

"Ah, well, it was too good to be true…" Haruka turned back to her niece, grinning pertly. "Business is good, for the most part, and since half of them come to ogle Kitsune and Seta I guess I'll keep 'em around for awhile yet. Eye candy is always good for business."

"But of course you would never do this with the other residents," put in Motoko quickly.

"Never without their expressed permission," replied Haruka. "And they have to be legal first, too. I was their dorm mom once, Motoko, I do care at least a little about them."

"I know, it was just an automatic response…you would never do anything to harm our residents."

"Of course not. Except foxes," she added as Kitsune tried to sneak a drink out of one of the sake bottles behind her back. "Especially thieving ones. I personally like to take their ears and hang them on the wall."

Pouting, the foxy one set the bottle back down and headed back out to wait on a table.

"She'll never change," pointed out Motoko, raising her brows.

"No," agreed the elder Urashima. "She won't. But she does her job for the most part, so I put up with the minor annoyances. It's that, or find new eye candy, and most of the time they're more trouble than their worth."

"So you merely employ the one that's too scared of you to be too much trouble."

"Exactly, glad you see things my way."

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The plans had been laid, and all arrangements been made, the bags packed and tickets and times checked and double checked, the only thing left was to wake up the next morning and say their good byes before he left. But seeing as they had the evening to themselves, Keitaro took Motoko out to eat a late dinner at a relatively nice restaurant as a sort of reward for being so nice about him leaving for a few days. It was now Friday, and he would not return until late the next Wednesday.

"Do you like your meal?" he asked as he took another bite of the tasty meat and vegetable dish.

"It is…different," she replied as she tasted her own again, brows knit slightly. "It is a tad more spicy than I prefer…what is it you said it was called?"

"Thai food. My dad loves it, so mom used to make it a few times a month for him," replied Keitaro with a shrug. "If you don't like it, we can go and get you something somewhere else."

"No, this is fine, it just takes some getting used to."

Talking quietly, they enjoyed the meal and time together before they headed back for the Inn and readied themselves for bed, Motoko trying not to show her discomfort when he held her from behind and put pressure on her roiling stomach. It wasn't the first time she'd been rather queasy the last few days, but she was fairly sure it was the meal that had caused it, and not whatever the others had been triggered by.

"Are you ok?" he asked when she shifted against him, trying to get herself a little more room.

"Ah…I do not think I will be eating there again," she replied flatly as she rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.

Sitting up in concern, he gently felt her forehead with one hand as he ran his fingers through her hair with the other. "I'm sorry…I just thought it'd be nice…"

"No, it is not your fault," she countered, pulling him back down and snuggling into his side while taking care not to jostle her abdomen too much. "You did not know. Go to sleep, you will travel quite a ways tomorrow."

"You're sure you're ok?"

"Yes, I am sure."

"Ok."

Closing his eyes, Keitaro felt it wasn't more than a few minutes when he felt the alarm clock go off in the room, reaching over and turning it off as he pulled himself from the bed. Careful not to disturb his wife, he changed his clothes quickly and carried his bags downstairs and left them in the main room before heading up again and stopping by the bathroom to finish his usual toiletries.

He was in the middle of brushing his teeth with Motoko came running in, paler than usual as she fell before the toilet and emptied her bowels quickly into the basin. Immediately moving to her side, he held her hair out of the way as she loosed another torrent into the bowl and moaned softly. Gasping for air, she sat back slowly on her heels once she felt she had regained control of her stomach and grateful accepted the soaked rag he handed her to wipe off her hands and face.

"Are you ok?" he asked softly, cupping one cheek with his hand the same way he had the night before as the other felt her forehead gently.

"Fine, my stomach must have disliked the food last night more than I thought," she replied with a shrug, giving him a weak smile.

"Are you sure?" he pressed, carefully pulling her to her feet and flushing the toilet to rid them of the sight of her vomit. "You just don't look very well…"

"I am fine," she insisted, moving to the sink and rinsing her mouth repeatedly with the running water. "My stomach was unaccustomed to such spice…nothing more…"

"You look pale," he said, nodding his head suddenly. "I'll stay, I don't want you here by yourself if you're sick."

"Keitaro, I am hardly alone," she pointed out, slightly irritated with his sudden decisiveness. "And I am not sick. Now Seta will be here in a few moments, and you are going with him."

"Seta's waiting. Something wrong?" asked Haruka as she carefully peeked her head in the bathroom, seeing her niece still in her sleeping shirt looking like she'd gone through a wringer and the faint smell of up-chuck still permeating the air. "You ok, Motoko?"

"I am fine, dinner did not agree with me," she replied, giving Keitaro an annoyed look. "Tell him I am not sick, and he should continue to go on the trip."

Haruka went to her, putting a hand on her forehead before giving her a slow once over and sighing inwardly. "She's not sick," she conceded slowly. "But if it'll make you feel better we'll go by and see Nori today. If it was just your stomach, she can give you something to make sure it doesn't rebel again today, at least."

Keitaro looked from one to the other, then nodded slowly. "Ok. If you go to Dr. Nori today, I'll go on the trip."

"You are being overprotective," she informed him softly as Haruka quickly withdrew, heading back downstairs to let Seta know what was going on.

"Maybe," he admitted with a soft grin. "But it's only because I care." Kissing her on the forehead, he gave her one last gentle hug. "Be careful, and take it easy. It'll make me feel better if you do."

"For you, I will," she replied, kissing him on the cheek in return. "Take care, and come back in one piece."

He chuckled. "I'll try."

Going back to their room, she changed into some jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt and scrubbed her mouth out again before heading down to the kitchen where she knew her aunt would be waiting for her.

"Now that Keitaro is gone, we can forget this foolishness about the doctor," she said firmly as she entered, pouring herself a cup of tea from the kettle on the stove. "I am fine, you can see so yourself."

"No, you're going," replied Haruka simply. "I already called Nori, Keitaro made me do it before he left."

"But I do not wish to waste the good doctor's time," protested the swordswoman with a frown. "She is quite busy, I am sure…"

"No, her weekends are pretty open," countered her aunt. "It was no problem to get you in. If you want food, you'd better eat now because we'll have to leave soon to get there in time."

Feeling her stomach roil again the mere thought of something to eat, Motoko quickly shook her head with tightly compressed lips and forced herself to take another sip of her tea.

"Look, I know you don't want to go," put in the older woman. "But humor me, ok? It'll make me feel better too, knowing for sure."

Motoko gave her a wry look. "I never knew you for the doting sort, oba-san…"

"Motoko…"

"I will go, alright? I think it is silly, but if it makes you and Keitaro rest easier, I will go."

"Then let's go."

Leaving a note for the residents, they headed out along the streets of their fair city towards the doctor's office.

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"What's the note say?" asked Su as she sat herself on the counter and ate a banana from the bowl of fruit on the counter.

Shinobu pulled it off the refrigerator, reading it to herself before she replied. "Motoko-sempai and Haruka-san have gone to run an errand together…"

"Well, that's boring," put in Sarah, pulling an annoyed look.

"Coffee…" moaned Kitsune as she came stumbling into the kitchen, grasping for the mug and pot waiting for her on the counter.

"Don't you usually sleep 'till noon?" asked Sarah with a pert grin.

"Yeah…gotta open the Tea House…Haruka said so…" Gulping down a mug full quickly, she looked at the trio a little more coherent than before. "Where is she anyway?"

"Running an errand," explained Shinobu, handing over the note.

Kitsune glanced it over before setting it back down. "Whatever. Gotta go, later."

"Bye!"

"Have a good day, Kitsune!"

"You too, kid."

"Let's build a rocket," suggested Su suddenly, grinning from ear to ear.

Sarah jumped from her seat. "Heck yeah!"

Shinobu stood there, looking rather scared as the pair's maniacal laugher filled the dormitory. "Oh dear…"

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Motoko sat patiently in the doctor's office, toying with the ring Keitaro had given her over New Year's. Haruka was out in the hallway speaking with the doctor, and while she only occasionally caught a word or two she wasn't worried either. Their voices were light and pleased with a tone that made it sound like it was perhaps more of a 'growing up' issue rather than a 'deathly illness'.

"…a big change…"

"…be pleased…"

"…too young?"

"…be fine."

The door opened right then, Haruka's face wearing an uncharacteristic smile as the doctor sat down across from her with a knowing look.

"I'm actually a little surprised your aunt didn't get you in here a week ago," started Nori wryly. "She's always had a knack for spotting it quite early…"

"It's been a few years since I've used that 'knack'," pointed out Haruka with a shrug. "So I'm a bit rusty…"

"Even so…"

"If I may ask," put in Motoko politely, looking a bit lost. "What 'knack' would that be?"

"You don't know?" replied Nori, looking even more surprised. "Why I thought it'd be obvious…Motoko, you're pregnant."

The swordsman broke out into an amused chuckle after eyeing them briefly. "Very funny, oba-san, and you almost had me there for a moment, Nori-sama…no, really, why am I here?"

"This isn't a joke," replied Haruka, completely serious as she watched her niece suddenly let it hit home. The young woman seemed to blink a few times, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to process the information and it seemed to hit a roadblock somewhere in her mind. "Motoko, they did the test three times with the samples they took. You're going to have a baby. Keitaro's baby."

"Keitaro's baby…" she repeated softly, one hand going to her abdomen as her eyes grew even wider. "But…that is not possible! I have been taking care to take the contraceptive, and our joinings have not been that many…"

"Thin walls," explained Haruka when Nori gave her a questioning look.

"Ah…well, in any case, something went wrong," went on the doctor. "I would say, from what your aunt has told me, you're in your fourth or fifth week."

Motoko counted back the days in her head and simply said, "Fourth. It would have to be…we have not been together since the trip, and had not been…active for at least three or four weeks before that point." Blushing as she spoke, she continued to stare off into space as if she were still hitting a few mental blocks in her thinking. Suddenly snapping back to reality, she looked at the doctor and her aunt as she slowly smiled. "You are…certain?"

"Absolutely," replied Nori, "There's no doubt. In another 38 weeks or so, you're going to give birth to a baby."

Seeing her niece's eyes fill with tears, Haruka felt that odd tug at her heart that seemed to be happening a lot lately and before she realized it she was standing next to the young woman with her arms about her shoulders, letting the swordswoman rest her head against her stomach comfortingly.

Getting up silently, Nori left with a small smile and let them share in this private moment of joy together.

"I am…going to have a baby…" whispered Motoko breathlessly as she looked up, eyes full of joy. "Oba-san…I'm going to…give birth…"

"I know," replied Haruka softly, stroking her hair gently as she did. Teasing, she added, "I thought you said you were using the stuff."

"I was…I am…!"

"Keitaro must be better than any of us thought," coughed the older woman, getting the desired blush and laugh out of her niece.

"He is…very good at completing his…duties," replied Motoko, steapling her hands in front of her tomato-red face. "I…I am sorry, I have gotten your shirt wet, and all because of this silly crying…I do not even know why I am crying!"

"Well, you just found out you're having your first kid, something that should be technically impossible. I think you have a right to be a little emotional."

"I suppose so…" Drying her eyes on her sleeve, the young woman suddenly looked up in confusion. "What did Nori-san mean by you should have had me in a week or two ago?"

"That? Well…" Haruka shrugged as she rolled her eyes. "For some reason I usually know when women are pregnant. One of the first times, we had this professor in college, and when I came in one day I looked at her and said 'Congratulations.' You know, she wants to know why, so I said she was pregnant. And then she laughed in my face. Well, she went home, did a test, and it came out negative, so she came back the next day and showed it to the class to prove I was wrong. A week later, she was getting sick every morning, went to the doctor and the test came out positive. I could tell a week before the tests can even register it."

"That is why you were constantly asking me."

"Yeah…I thought, maybe…but technically, it wasn't a possibility, so I thought it might just be my 'eyes' playing a trick on me."

"Do you think…" Motoko looked away suddenly, another thought coming to mind. "Do you think Keitaro will be happy…?"

"You're giving him progeny," pointed out the older woman with a snort. "Why wouldn't he be happy?"

"It was not to happen for some time…I mean, we had spoken of it, of this, but…not for some years yet…" Looking up again, she repeated, "Do you think he will be pleased?"

"He'll be so happy he'll shout it from the top of the Inn," replied Haruka, patting the younger woman on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's head on back. You can tell the others your good news."

"…no. Not just yet." Haruka looked at Motoko, obviously confused before her niece continued. "I want to tell Keitaro first, and in person, so they'll have to wait for when he gets back."

"Fair enough…this'll be bloody hard to keep from the others, though. You're going to have to start making some changes in the way you live…starting today."

"Like what?"

"For starters, no more kendo matches."

Motoko's eyes grew wide. "But my team…!"

"That I will have to put my foot down on," put in Nori as she entered again, this time holding several pamphlets and booklets of various sorts. "I understand you are quite the master, but you will not be able to spar with anyone until after the birth has occurred."

"What about my daily regime?" asked Motoko, clearly concerned.

"Exercise is good for the baby and yourself, so I would say you will be able to continue it to a certain extent," replied the doctor calmly. "But you have to be careful you don't become overheated or exhausted. I would say stick to your forms, stretches, simple things that keep you in shape, but don't risk harming the baby."

"That'll probably put you out of the hot springs as well," added Haruka. "The temperature's too high, and taking it down wouldn't be fair to the residents."

"I will say it will likely do no harm if you were to use it in the next few days if another option isn't available," went on the doctor quickly. "You're very early in your pregnancy, and I or which ever doctor you choose won't need to see you again for another month."

"Unless Keitaro has a preference, we will likely remain with you," put in Motoko with a slight shrug. "It seems silly to go to anyone else when you understand the family histories so well."

"I'm glad to hear that. Anyway, here's several things for you to read that I think will help you understand some of the changes that are going to happen to your body. First and foremost, though, trust your instincts, and come to me immediately if you have any serious problems. If you're not sure, call me first, and we'll talk through it. Other than that, and letting that cute hubby of yours know soon…I think we've covered for now. Any questions?"

"One," admitted the swordswoman with a frown. "I had a monthly cycle not a week ago. How can I be pregnant and have had that?"

Nori frowned, clearly surprised. "How long was it?"

She shrugged in reply, thinking it over before she replied, "A day, maybe two."

"Is that normal for you?"

Motoko shook her head. "No…and it was a few days early, in fact."

The doctor nodded, clearing satisfied with what she had been told. "Ah, then that was spotting. Sometimes, when the little sperm meets the egg, it can cause just a little bit of bleeding. A few dribbles here, a few dribbles there, correct?"

The swordswoman went red as she nodded. "Ah…yes."

"Then that's all it was. Anything else?"

"No…though I'm sure I will next time we meet."

"I'll be ready and waiting. Get your next appointment for a month…let's say a month and a week to be on the safe side and we'll see you then."

"Thank you very much, Doctor Nori. You have been…most helpful."

Nori smiled, nodding as she handed her the paperwork from the visit. "Anything for an old friend." Turning to Haruka, she held out her hand. "You take care, Haruka."

The elder Urashima took it and squeezed it gently with a grateful smile. "You too. Thanks again."

"Think nothing of it. See you again in a month and a week."

"Ready to go home?" asked Haruka as they stopped at the receptionist desk, Motoko putting a hand to her stomach in wonder as though she could somehow detect the small life that had begun to grown inside of her. And suddenly, as the weight and magnitude of what was to occur several months from now, she felt very old, and very tired. She was shocked, pleased, worried, and wondering all in one, and it felt as though she had aged several years within a few short minutes.

"Yes."

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The days between Keitaro's departure and arrival flew by in a dizzying haze that seemed to through the swordswoman off balance in a way that the rest of the residents noticed in one manner or another. Shinobu had found Motoko in the kitchen, preparing a small meal for herself one evening in a distracted manner, her mind obviously elsewhere though her body continued to go through the motions of cooking without seemingly realizing it was doing so. Su and Sarah had tried to ambush her several times with no Keitaro around to amuse them, yet each time she dodged them in an absent-minded fashion before patting them on the heads with a 'perhaps later' reprimand. Naru and Mutsumi had seen her several times up on the roof when they came in from their various activities, just staring off into the distance with a lost sort of look on her face, and even Koshi had found her to be rather absentminded in the few times they'd spoken in her husband's absence.

Most of them chalked it up to Keitaro being gone, and they would have been partially correct for the swordswoman had taken to sleeping in her husband's clothes at night just to have it smell like he was lying beside her and even then it was difficult for her to rest knowing he was so far away from her side. But most of her mind was taken up with the news of her pregnancy and the way it was going to change their lives forever. She had read the pamphlets through several times, and even done some research herself at the local bookstore after being sure no one she knew would be around to witness her doing so. But even with all the new knowledge she had acquired, a few small details still bothered her.

How had Keitaro managed to impregnate her? Yes, she knew the birds and the bees, obviously, and had they been without some form of protection, it was only logical through their times spent together that she would be with child. But she had been on a contraceptive, her own special family blend, twice a day with the prescribed cup of tea. Even during the time spent at the resort, she had been sure to take the powder every morning and evening despite their activities. Though, they had joined together several times in that short space of time…

And even beyond that, though, how was she to tell Keitaro? Despite Haruka's reassurances, she still worried he may see this as a snarl in their original planned timeline. He had said no children before she finished college would likely be wise, and here she was going to have their first before she finished high school. Granted, it wasn't that unusual among the married folk her age to begin a family early on. She had lost some of her best kendo members for a season due to pregnancy, and it now seemed she would have to inform her team she would be on hiatus until close to the end of this season. But how was she to inform the love of her life of that?

Thankfully, she was not given much time to let her mind gnaw on her concerns between school, planning things out for the kendo team, and constantly reassuring her friends that she was, indeed, ok and just a bit tired from keeping up her school schedule. Haruka made herself as available as possible, and Motoko spent as much time as she could just basking in her aunts comforting presence. They rarely spoke on these occasions, but words were not needed at this point in their relationship.

Wednesday came and was almost over when the tired, but pleased Keitaro finally returned to his place of residence. He greeted Kitsune, who lounged on the couch lazily, with a bright, but exhausted smile.

"We weren't expecting you for another hour, according to the paper you left with Motoko-chan," commented the foxy one lightly, sipping her sake. "So she's probably up in your room, doing homework or something. The kiddies went to bed awhile ago, and Naru and Mutsumi turned in early too…party poopers."

"Sounds like things have been pretty quiet," he replied, putting his shoes in their holder and picking up his bag once more. "Well, I'm beat, so I'm off to bed as soon as I see Motoko-chan. Goodnight, Kitsune."

Though tempted to tease him about his lovely wife, for some reason the foxy one declined for once in favor of remaining on Motoko's good side for awhile. "Night, Keitaro."

Slowly, he made his way up the stairs, stopping outside their cracked door to peer curiously in on his wife, sitting there at her desk with something spread open before her that she seemed to be reading intently. His heart wrenched at the sight of her, and he acknowledged silently that this was indeed the woman he was meant to be with the rest of his life. His arms had ached at night not having her to hold, for though they were rarely able to join in a sexual fashion they had only once slept separately during the course of their marriage, and then only at Su's request.

Tapping lightly on the door, he smiled as she jerked her head up in surprise and looked at him with wide eyes as her hands discreetly placed whatever she had been reading away from where prying eyes could find it. "Keitaro…! You're home early…"

She wasn't given time to say anything else as he dropped his bag by the bed and had her in his arms quicker than he might have once thought possible. Kissing her soundly, he breathed in the wonderful scent that was simply Motoko and reveled in the feel of her body pressing close to his once more.

"I missed you," he said when she drew back slightly to look at him, chewing one lip in an uncharacteristic expression of anxiety.

"I missed you, too," she replied, the begging look in her eyes confusing him as they moved to sit on their futon, closely snuggled in one another's embrace.

"Is something wrong?" he asked when she moved to speak, then paused with a sigh. Putting a hand on her forehead, he eyed her in concern. "You've been cutting back on your sleep again, haven't you?"

"No, I've been going to bed early every night since you left," she replied with a shake of her head. "That's not it…I…"

"Are you sick?" he asked quickly

"No," she replied again, this time pushing his hands away from her face in annoyance. "Keitaro, please…I have something to tell you…"

"Did something happen while I was gone?"

"Well, sort of, but not really…"

"Then what is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Motoko finally met his searching eyes, her voice quivering slightly with some unknown emotion as she whispered, "I am…pregnant."

The manager of the Inn froze where he sat, mouth hanging open ever so slightly as he tried to process what she had said. Inside, his mind was telling him, logically, it was impossible…they'd been so careful, her taking that powder of hers, and they were never really able to have 'multiple encounters', not with the way things worked out between their residents and the thin walls separating them…

"Keitaro?" she asked quietly when he didn't respond, mouth still hanging open and eyes looking at her in disbelief.

"You're…you're sure?" he squeaked, breathless all of a sudden. "Positive?"

She nodded, feeling her heart sink as he seemed to be in shock with the news. "Absolutely. In 38 weeks, according to Doctor Nori, I will give birth to our first child."

"That's…what's wonderful!" Keitaro laughed out loud as he crushed his stunned, yet relieved mate to his chest, and it only took one look at his face to see he was serious in his response. "I'm gonna be a dad! Can you believe it? I know it's sooner than expected, but that's ok, because we're gonna have a kid!"

"You're really ok with it?" she asked him as she pulled away, searching his exuberant face and finding only joy and contentment in his chocolate brown eyes. "Really and truly, this is what you want?"

"I want you," he replied softly, his love for her shining through his gentle gaze. "And because this child is yours, I want him or her to be a part of our lives as well. Our child, Motoko, ours...that a new life is the result of our love seems right to me, and I welcome this small gift with open arms."

"Oh, Keitaro…" All off her worries set to rest, and her fears cast aside, she began to weep quietly in his chest and he comforted her tenderly as they continued to sit on their bed. "I was so afraid," she whispered after awhile, wiping her eyes on her sleeve and looking up at him lovingly. "So afraid that you wouldn't want the baby yet, that you may be disappointed in me…"

"Why would I be disappointed?" he replied, brows raised in surprise. "If anything, it makes the times I've had with you all the sweeter, because it means we did something so right in one of them that we completely bypassed your powder and…got pregnant! I still can't believe it…I'm gonna be a dad…!"

Laughing softly at his antics, she rested contentedly in his embrace when another thought occurred to her.

"How are we going to tell the residents?" she asked carefully, watching him with trusting eyes as he suddenly paused and looked thoughtful.

"Do any of them know?" he asked.

"Just Haruka, she went with me to the doctor," she said with a shrug. "She promised not to tell anyone until we were ready to tell them ourselves."

"Ah…well…I don't know." Moving them so they leaned against the wall with pillows behind them, he mulled over this small problem as they rearranged themselves to cuddle some more. "We should probably tell both them, and make sure they're all there so we don't have to explain it all more than once…how about this weekend? We want to make sure it isn't when some of them are about to rush off to school or work, that way they can stay for the whole discussion."

"That sounds very wise to me," she replied, stifling a yawn that threatened to crack her jaw. "Ah…excuse me…"

"Let's get ready for bed," he suggested, getting up and turning off the main light so the only source of illumination was from the small study lamp on her desk. Quickly they dressed in their sleep clothes and slipped into their futon together, spooning together with Keitaro's hands resting on spot where his son or daughter was growing inside his wife's body. "Thank you," he whispered as he buried his nose in her hair, kissing the crown of her head tenderly as he gently held her close. "You are so precious to me, and now you're giving me another gift that I don't come close to deserving."

"You deserve everything that I can give you, and more," she replied, squeezing his hands lovingly. "Goodnight, Taro-kun."

"Goodnight, Mo-chan."

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Haruka slowly worked through the last of the dishes from the Tea House, waiting for the usual sound of Seta coming in the front and calling her name. He always came over to see her when he got back from trips, even if he didn't get in until late, and she might even admit she'd be disappointed if he didn't come over the same day he got back.

"Haruka…?"

Letting herself grin briefly, she smoothed her features before she poked her head out of the back and nodded to him simply. Ducking back to the sink, she rinsed off her hands and dried them on a towel before picking up the sake bottle she'd left warming and two saucers. She could hear him take a seat at the bar, and when she came back out he had removed his coat and was waiting for her patiently with his usual goofy grin.

"Have a good trip?" she asked flatly, pouring them both drinks before she slid the saucer towards him carefully.

"Excellent, Keitaro makes a wonderful assistant, though you could tell he missed Motoko something awful," he replied with a nod. Taking a swallow, his eyes flew open, looking at Haruka in surprise before asking, "Celebrating something?"

"Yes," she admitted with a slow nod. "But I can't tell you what. You'll find out soon, I'm sure."

"Really? Hm…" Holding the saucer up, he said, "Then I toast whoever it is that warrants the celebration and wish them the best in whatever it is they have or are accomplishing."

"I'm sure they appreciate it," she replied, taking a drink at the same time. They exchanged a few more words before Haruka claimed to be tired and took the bottle and saucers away, Seta watching her with a sad feeling in his chest. It was so hard, being this close to her and not knowing if she'd ever let him a step closer. He'd give anything, everything, just to have her again, yet it seemed more and more apparent that she didn't return his feelings. Failure after failure got to a guy after awhile…was there anything wrong with admitting defeat? Giving up?

A small voice in his head said, no, not if you could stop loving her. Can you? And he had to reply honestly, no, I can't. He was at that impasse in his thoughts when something caught his eye, a silver chain that peeked just above the back of Haruka's collar. Pretending he was suddenly interested on something in the wall, he traced it out of the corner of his eye to a circular-shaped bump that rested on her chest, just the size of the ring he had insisted she keep not that long ago.

Haruka raised one brow in question when his face suddenly lit up with joy, slightly confused with the overly warm look he gave her and happy promise to be there bright and early in the morning for work as he left. That didn't stop her from picking up and examining the purple flower he left on the counter for her to find, or briefly pulling out the ring she wore on a chain around her neck to check if it was still there. She would never marry him she promised herself again as she placed the flower in a vase on the counter and headed back to her rooms where her bed awaited her. Never. Ever.

Then why do those words ring so hollowly in my heart…?

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And there is your chapter, my friends.

Two disclaimers: Rent-a-zilla was shamelessly borrowed from Megatokyo (which, if you don't read that, shame on you, you way should) and 'Let's build a rocket' was lifted from Platinum Grit, which is relatively good and should be read by serious webcomic people.

Look for Authors Notes listed on my author-page-thingy (aren't technical terms wonderful?) and please leave me a review of some sort. I am very curious as to how this chapter will be taken by my wonderful readers. :)

CB

'You seem a decent fellow, I hate to kill you.'

'You seem a decent fellow, I hate to die.'

-Princess Bride