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.

22. Finale

Well, my friends, this is it, the FINAL CHAPTER!

LIGHTNING OF DOOM WITH MANIACAL LAUGHTER!

It's been fun guys, enjoy!

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Motoko had observed from the shadows with her husband as her aunt had questioned their visitor, her fans within easy grabbing distance in her belt and the voices reaching them easily. Her own weapon, the sword Keitaro had given her only a year ago though it seemed like ages had passed, felt heavy in her hands. Usually, she wouldn't even think to carry it with a baby on the way, but the questionable circumstances had prompted her to fetch it quickly before they made their way downstairs.

The face was chillingly familiar, but beneath the heavy bags and deep lines she also could not identify the man. Her blood ran cold when he had fell prostrate on the ground, and even more so when he finally spoke his name aloud.

"Keitaro," she whispered faintly as her vision began to swim, grabbing his arm and allowing him to help steady her as her knees uncharacteristically shook. "Oh kami…!"

Keitaro held her carefully, about to ask Seta to bring them a chair when he heard the sound of flesh being heavily impacted and found his aunt standing over the man with her leg extended upwards and him now bent over backwards with a split lip and blood flowing from his nose.

"Death is too good for you," she said quietly, pulling out a fan with eyes that glowed with an inner rage that chilled Keitaro to the bone. "But that is not my choice. Motoko, just say the word and I will gladly end his miserable existence."

"Haruka!" Seta cried in surprise, coming forward slightly though wisely remaining out of range of her fans. "He's a bad man, but perhaps this is a bit much…?"

"Shut up, Seta! There's a lot you don't know."

"Even so-!"

"Oba-san…?" Motoko found her center once more and stood fully erect, giving Keitaro a reassuring look before moving away and heading towards her aunt, pointedly ignoring the figure on the floor as she gently pulled the elder Urashima away. Haruka allowed herself to be moved, sheathing her fan slowly. "Please…his blood is tainted with the crimes he has committed, and I would not wish such blood upon your hands, or any blood for that matter."

Haruka gave a short, bitter laugh, but left it at that.

"Then what do we do with him?" asked Seta as he carefully moved himself between them and the man as much for their protection as his.

Keitaro moved forward, still unable to believe this wasn't a trap of some kind as he opened his awareness as Motoko had taught him before. He felt…nothing. It was the fact that he felt nothing that brought about his exclamation of surprise with a hint of pity. "Holy-!"

"What is it?" asked Motoko as she let go of their aunt, moving towards his side.

"He…he's not there…"

"What do you mean?" she asked sharply, quickly drawing her blade and deepening her own awareness only to freeze and pale slightly. "He…!"

"He what?" asked Haruka, reaching menacingly for her fans once again.

The swordswoman backed away a few steps, pity entering her voice as she replied breathlessly, "He's been extinguished."

A quick scan proved the samurai's words true, his inner core of life, that which fueled the fire of his being, was gone. Removed completely. She had assumed before that he was merely weakened, or possibly repressing himself, but this…!

"They sentenced him to die," Motoko added, backing away another step. "His own people…"

"I was losing control," the figure explained faintly, moving for the first time on his own since Haruka had kicked him and remaining on the floor in a semi-prostrate position. His blood dripped unheeded from his chin to soak into his shirt and pants. "Or perhaps to be more exact, that which they had placed over me was being corroded away by the demon they had bound to my body."

"Controls? Bullshit," Haruka snorted, a dark gleam in her eyes. "I saw you the day you returned…"

"Hina's daughter," he suddenly broke in, his eyes wide with a glimmer of hope as he prostrated himself before her this time, Seta quickly stepping in between them protectively. "You…you saw me before! You knew me after! Tell them I am not the man I was when possessed, for nearly 15 years I have been under its control, please…!"

Haruka was coldly distant as she turned away, saying, "Motoko, Keitaro, if you would please come with me…?" The couple obeyed, somewhat confused and awed by the last few moment's happenings. The tea house owner pulled a hand gun from under the counter and cocked it with the safety off before tossing it to Seta who caught it deftly. "If he blinks wrong, shoot him."

Seta frowned disapprovingly once more. "Haruka…"

"Do it, Seta!"

The professor set his face in a grim line, but obeyed none the less, training the barrel on their guest's head. It was in this position that they left Motoko's father, Haruka shutting the door to her own quarters behind them firmly once the couple had seated themselves at the table.

"I have a lot of questions," spoke up Keitaro as Haruka had a seat, rubbing her forehead with one hand and looking longingly at the cigarette she'd pulled from her pocket. She stuck it in her mouth, but left it unlit as always when around Motoko, careful not to do anything that might endanger her unborn child. "The first of which, what is extinguishing?"

"It's when you put out someone else's ki, much like when you douse a flame with water," Motoko explained distantly, her eyes trained on her folded hands before her though they were obviously seeing something else. "Without it…they have sentenced him to a slow, painful death where he body will slowly cease to function. Machines may keep him alive for a short while longer, but the deterioration cannot be stopped. Eventually, it will spread to such an extent that the doctor's will be able to do nothing at all. He will die. What I wish to know is how you knew him previously to his…possession, Haruka." The look she pinned her aunt with was cool and hard, with more than a hint of anger likely for withholding a perhaps critical piece of information.

"You recall how we spoke of how I can't have kids," the elder Urashima spoke simply, looking at them both flatly. "When I was deemed 'safe' to train I was taken under the tutelage of one of my great aunts, the only one at the time who knew the full extent of the Urashima martial arts. She was the youngest of her siblings, much like myself but even more to the extreme, and so only 30 years my senior. She's also the one who used to own this Tea Shop, but that's another story. When we began my training, Hina asked permission to allow me to train at the Aoyama family grounds, as we no longer had any such facilities. It was granted, and we lived there for five years in the guest housing, were away for three, then returned for another two years to finish things off." She paused in her story telling, the musings of the past drawing her gaze to a time that only she had seen of those actually in the room.

"I was there when your parents were married, when your sister and you were born, and then when he…changed. Your mother was one of the kindest women I ever met, she treated me very well in the short time I knew her and I mourned as much as any when I found out she had died. She was one of the few who agreed to help in my training, and always included me in everything that she could. She seemed to understand how far away I was from my family, my friends…I only knew your father distantly through her. She seemed happy with him, and I was happy for her to have found someone who made her complete. But when he returned…that was after I returned from spending a year at home, and those two years were very hard watching her life fall apart as she tried tirelessly to continue to pull it back together. Only once I was forced to endure his presence before they banished him from the grounds, and after watching him beat a student nearly to death that one time I told my tutor that he had demon's eyes."

"He claims the demon is gone," Keitaro said carefully, glancing back over his shoulder in the direction of the man in the other room. "What if he's telling the truth…?"

"I find it hard believe that he was acting of any will other than his own for those last 15 years," Haruka replied harshly, adding more gently after she took a deep breath. "It is…possible, though. The Turtle Clan has proved itself capable of more atrocities than we ever would have imagined. However, even if he is your father of old, the man who once loved you and your sister, and revered your mother more than most men are capable of, what now? He is going to die; soon, regardless of whatever it is that we decide about him. Are you responsible for insuring his passing is as comfortable as possible? For anything at all, for that matter."

"This is…too much," Motoko whispered as she put her head in her hands. "Who is he, who is he, who is he? I wish his death, and yet I also…a glimmer of hope that maybe…somewhere inside…"

"You haven't forgotten who he once was, have you?" asked Haruka softly, meeting her eyes squarely. "Though you couldn't have been very old, but…he was once a good man…"

"But that was fifteen years ago," her niece replied, leaning into her husband for comfort and strength as he gladly welcomed her into his arms. "What are we to do, Keitaro?"

"He has no ki," the manager reasoned carefully, turning over many things in his mind as he spoke. "He is no threat to us now, that we can tell…and he has no connections here. This is not some sort of trap, now, but I'm not sure it's a good idea to let him go. His clan has done many things to us, and even though they've sentenced him to death they may try and use him against us yet. I can't see my way clear to kill him outright, not like this, and without proof we can't have the police take him in to prosecute him. Even with a full confession, it would be months before the evidence was gathered, and even then his family may find some way around it all…"

"But we cannot allow him to live with us, among our residents," Motoko argued softly. "To put them in possible danger…! It would be unforgivable should something happen."

"Not to mention somewhat difficult to explain," Haruka snorted quietly.

"Still, we need to keep him close somehow, and if he is innocent as he seems to be, perhaps repair some of the bridges that had been broken between our families," Keitaro replied. "If not…well, they say to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Is there some place on the grounds…?"

"There is the old guest house," Haruka murmured, eyes narrowed as she pondered the idea. "It's about to collapse in the back, but the front is still fairly solid, if a bit drafty…"

"The problem is how do we hold him there?" asked Motoko slowly. "He would need almost a constant guard…how is he fed? There is old furniture in the attic that could be used for his accommodations, but perhaps there should be other boundaries than just a human guard to keep him from 'escaping' or someone getting to him…"

"I can ward the house to his body, so he can't leave the specific area unless one of us breaks the bonds that hold in him place. The smaller the area, the stronger the wall…and with no ki to his name, unless someone or thing of immense power overtakes him or frees the bonds, he will not be able to leave."

"I'll pay for him to get two meals a day from the tea house," added Keitaro, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Furniture and some blankets from the Inn…I think the water is still running out there, though the heater probably doesn't work. I'm lost as far as who should guard him, though."

"Seta will," Haruka said firmly.

"Perhaps Dr. Nori should come and assess his condition," Motoko added hesitantly. "She is a doctor; she may be able to give us a clue as far as his present state and what we can expect in the time to come."

"I think we have our plan," Keitaro said decidedly as he stood, helping Motoko to her feet once he was fully erect. "Haruka-san, would you please take care of transporting him back to the place? I will immediately see to getting something suitable for tonight out there, and setting aside everything that will need to be moved in there tomorrow. The wards will also need to be taken care of tonight. Motoko-chan, would you mind staying at the Inn and making sure none of the residents interfere? I do not believe this is something they should be aware of, at least for the moment."

"That is probably for the best," she agreed quickly, pausing to give her aunt a short bow. "Thank you, oba-san. Once again it seems I am in your debt…"

"Hardly," the elder woman snorted. "Get going, we can discuss the details tomorrow since there's no school. Come by the Tea House in the morning and we'll talk."

"Very well."

Arriving at the Inn, it was not difficult to distract Su and Sarah who were the only two to notice Keitaro's unusual activities with a proposition of soaking in the hot springs, and even easier to convince the rest of the residents to join them there quickly. Within the confines of the high bamboo walls, they safely shielded from the activities going on beyond the trees that separated them from the old guest house behind them. Though she herself did not join them, but instead sat on the edge and let her feet dangle in the wonderfully warm water, she kept a calm smile in place at all times as they laughed and joked together lightly.

Her mind, though, was in turmoil over the latest events and by the time everyone went in to bed or to finish something before turning in for the night she was beginning to feel the strain.

Su and Sarah were quickly tucked in before she went to her own room to find Keitaro waiting for her there with arms wide open. Sinking into his embrace gratefully, her mask finally fell and revealed the tension side. The fears and concerns she had been battling since earlier that evening surfacing as she tried to relax the tight spot between her shoulders were the pressure was being felt the most.

"I am not sure we are doing the right thing," she whispered into his shoulder as he held her tightly, sinking into the bed where they huddled together tightly.

"Neither am I," he admitted with a sigh. "But it seemed as though we had little choice in the matter. Haruka said Nori can test more than just his health…she didn't elaborate much, but I think we may learn a lot once she has a look at him."

"She is coming for sure, then?"

"Haruka already called and she's coming after lunch tomorrow."

"Good."

Keitaro seemed to pause, then asked, "Motoko, love, what do we do if he is indeed still evil?"

She huddled further into his embrace, shuddering at the thought. "I do not know, Keitaro, I truly do not know…"

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Haruka let Seta know she was not pleased to find he had moved their visitor from the floor to a seat at the bar, had served him tea, and had the gun stuck in the back of his pants with the safety on. She was even less pleased to find out they had been chatting quite amiably for most of the time, and that Seta had confirmed to their visitor that Motoko was indeed pregnant. And, though some may find it impossible, she was even less pleased again when she found out he believed the old man's tales.

"He's harmless Haruka, anyone can see that," he protested quietly as he ducked away from another one of her fan swings just outside the barely-livable guesthouse. He had disagreed with their choice of placement for the 'old man', as he called their guest, but when given the choice of where else he should go, he agreed that it was probably for the best. Assigned now to watch the ex-samurai day and night, he had a bedroll from his last trip to a dig and a small fire outside to keep him company.

"Harmless as a sleeping cobra," she snapped sourly. "You don't understand…!"

"And I won't unless you tell me," he pointed out, frowning in a rather un-Seta-like way. "Haruka-chan…"

Thwap! "Don't call me that!"

"Fine. Haruka. I'll watch this guy as long as you want me to, make sure he stays in the wards and that no one comes near him, but I'm not going to threaten him with the gun, or treat him like a rabid dog. Not unless you tell me why he's so evil! I know what he did to Motoko and Keitaro, the wedding stuff, and that was wrong. And maybe he did kill Motoko's mother, maybe he didn't. But his story is very possible…"

"You're a witless fool if you believe him without proof," she replied flatly, dropping her third cigarette in the last half hour to the floor and grinding it out with her heel. "You trust too easily, Seta."

"And you never trust enough," he sighed, accepting his well-earned fan-smack with a weak smile. "I take it I'll see you in the morning?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Keep a sharp eye on him, Seta."

"I will, I promise."

"Good."

As upset as she was over his cavalier attitude, the tea house manager knew she would sleep soundly with Seta watching over their guest-turned-captive. Idiot he may be, he was even more of a light sleeper, and deadly with his gun. If something happened, he would know what to do and if push came to shove, he'd have no qualms doing it.

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Motoko was up before the sun, rising without disturbing her husband to make herself a quick cup of tea downstairs after changing into a pair of comfortable jeans and a sweater. Most of the time she was fairly ravenous by now, and ready to consume a rather large meal, but the tension that seemed to settle over her shoulders twisted her stomach too tight to eat, even when the growing infant inside of her protested as it moved slightly.

"We will eat at the tea house," she murmured gently, stroking the bulge absently as she headed for the door. It was sunrise when she reached the bottom of the steps, and even though the Tea House was not yet open Haruka was already up moving things around to prepare for the opening of her shop.

"Fix that curtain, will you?" she asked as Motoko entered the door, her niece obeying silently and twitching the curtain beside the door back into place before coming and having a seat at the bar. "Have you eaten yet?"

"No, I hoped it would not be too much trouble to ask to partake of your meal," Motoko replied softly with a shrug.

Haruka nodded, motioning for her niece to follow. "Come on back, we have a little while before this place opens."

Seating themselves at Haruka's kitchen table, the elder Urashima placed a small meal before both of them before pouring the tea. "Sleep well?"

Motoko gave her a flat look, getting a dry chuckle. "Like a baby."

"Me neither," she admitted lightly. "I know up here that Seta will keep an eye on him, but it still bothers me…"

"I was surprised yesterday, at just how involved you have been in my life," the swordswoman said without preamble, ignoring the somewhat irritated look her aunt gave her. "You knew a great deal before you knew me…I do not even recall seeing you at any point as a child."

"You wouldn't, I was never there when you were old enough to remember me," Haruka explained wryly. "After your mother died…Hina talked quite a bit about getting you out of there somehow, and even though every time she mentioned it I said I'd help if I could, I never thought it would come to all of this."

Motoko gave her an apologetic nod. "You were still traveling with Seta when I first arrived. But I remember every time you came, you went out of your way to spend time with me. Even when I wouldn't speak to anyone, refused to meet your eyes…you were always there, if you could be."

The Tea House manager waved a hand dismissively. "I owed it to your mother to try and give you what she gave me."

"You didn't have to, though."

"I know. You didn't have to take on Su when she first arrived, let her sleep with you, teach her English with Kitsune, or help her figure out her way around without blowing things up. But you still did. Why?"

Motoko smiled. "I suppose for the same reason you did."

"Exactly. Finished? You should get back before that nephew of mine wakes up, he might get antsy if he can't find you." The niece could tell her aunt was quickly retreating from what could become an emotional situation, and she let her, for now.

"You are probably correct…" Motoko paused as she rose to her feet with her aunt, hesitating only for a moment before she walked around the table and hugged her aunt firmly though with a care for her protruding stomach. "Thank you."

Haruka flushed slightly, hugging her back stiffly before gently pushing her away. "Yeah, yeah…now get going, before you ruin my reputation forever."

The swordswoman just smiled as she left, though she still felt the weight of their visitor in the back of her mind. It was a moment, a break from reality, but reality has a horrible way always being there when one returned from such moments.

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Nori was true to her word that afternoon, Motoko having spent most of her free hours running a constant interference against the residents going out in the back of the Inn and distracting them from her husband's unusual tasks. She did manage to slip away with the arrival of the doctor, and with Kitsune keeping an eye on the Tea House (in exchange for a bottle of sake and no questions asked) she waited with Keitaro and Haruka as Seta watched over the examination inside to be sure nothing would be attempted against their dear doctor and friend.

The guest house was back in the trees, away from prying eyes, and so Keitaro knew they were safe from discovery for the time being and relaxed somewhat with his arm about his wife as they waited for the results.

When Nori emerged, it was with lips thinly drawn and dark eyes, Seta following closely with the few things she had brought to help with testing in hand. "He's not lying," she said carefully as she sat on a bench, crossing her legs as she tried to sum up her report as succinctly as possible. "He's been…controlled by the demon for the last fifteen years. All of his mental processes are in horrible disorder, and his ability to even consider wielding a weapon is shot. It's like because it was not he who really used his sword, he has almost forgotten how to even properly hold one, let along conduct a decent offense or defense. As for his time left…a week, two at the most. He's been doing other things, like staying with his Urashima connections until his condition became noticeable, and the travel has worn him down horribly. A few days, and it might be best to move him to the clinic, if only to make him more comfortable."

"So…it's really him?" Motoko asked herself more than the others, letting Keitaro help her sit on a nearby stump. She hated feeling like she couldn't even manage for herself, but her feet and back had begun to ache just from walking the distance to the guesthouse. She rubbed a hand over her stomach absently, feeling her child move in response to her touch. "From before…?"

"All signs would seem to say so," Nori replied slowly with a nod. "He's polite, amiable, though deeply scarred by his experience…even should he have been able to break free without leaving his ki behind, I very much doubt he would have been able to revert back to a normal life afterwards. He has…seen and done too much, even if he wasn't in control. Normally I would advise counseling for him, but given the circumstances…he will not live long enough for it to do any good."

"Thank you for your time, doctor," said Keitaro as he squeezed his wife's hand gently, getting a weak smile in return. "You have been very helpful."

"I'm glad. If you need anything, at all, let me know."

"Of course."

"I'll walk you back to the front," said Haruka as she fell in step beside her old friend, noticing the glance the doctor and Seta shared before they sauntered out of sight.

"Good to see you're letting him back in, even if it is only an inch at a time," Nori teased gently, testing the waters to be sure nothing would blow up in her face.

"Like hell, we're about as close as Japan is to America," was all she got in reply, the elder Urashima setting her face in a mulish scowl as she lit up, possibly trying to hide the faint blush that had settled across her cheeks. "He's helping us out, but that's all there is to it."

"I heard he's been working for you for awhile," the doctor added calmly, watching her friend out of the corner of her eye.

"Sarah and Koshi guilted me into it, whether or not they meant to," she grumbled roughly. "Besides, he brings in extra customers from the campus, works hard, and doesn't make me smack him too often. It's better than hiring someone I don't know, and having to train them from scratch."

"Ah, I see."

"You can stop pestering me about him now," went on Haruka, continuing to scowl grandly. "I don't like him, don't care about him, and wish he'd just disappear back to some other dig for the most part."

Nori just smiled as they reached the bottom of the stairs, patting Haruka's arm lightly. "Of course. Let me know if you need anything, I'll be in touch."

"Alright, until then."

"Bye."

Haruka stood there for a moment, watching her leave before growling to herself. She got the feeling Nori had come away with the exact opposite feeling of what she wanted her to, which irritated her greatly. Letting out an annoyed sigh, she headed back up to her Tea House to relieve Kitsune of duty. She'd stop babbling randomly when this stress was over with, whenever that may be.

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Shoji sat quietly on the porch beside Seta, watching the wind move the trees as his warden smoked contemplatively. Motoko had let almost immediately after the doctor had, almost seeming unable to comprehend what they had learned with Keitaro trailing after worriedly. Seta had the feeling that they would see the couple later that day, after Motoko had time to digest the information properly. It was a lot to take in, but there was also a lot father and daughter needed to say, before the end.

The old man had accepted his confinement very well, almost expecting it and being a little surprised at the generosity of how they had treated him. Haruka kept well away from him, and even if the few times they had had contact she had scowled threateningly she had yet to move against him again. He had been supplied with another change of clothes Seta had produced from somewhere in his belongings, and seemed grateful for what fortune had currently dealt him.

"I will not go to the clinic."

The archeologist glanced over in surprise at his charge. "Hm?"

"When the time comes, I will not go to the clinic," Shoji repeated carefully, continuing to watch the trees. "I have caused my daughter and son-in-law too much trouble as it is. No more! I will die when I die, and I will die a death fitting of what I have done with my life."

"I doubt Nori would charge them for something like that," Seat reasoned quietly with a shrug. "She'd probably love the chance to study a case like yours…"

"Regardless, I do not deserve even the barest of comforts that I have been granted," he replied firmly, his voice just as polite as before. "So I will not go to the clinic, where they will try to ease the pain. It is only my fair reward for my actions, and one I will unflinchingly accept."

"I see…"

Silence fell between them again, Seta extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray Haruka had thrown at him the night before.

"He has taken good care of her hasn't he?"

The professor looked over again. "Hm?"

"Keitaro, he has taken good care of Motoko, hasn't he?"

"He has indeed," Seta agreed with just a hint of envy. "They are more content with each other than most people who are allowed to choose their marriages."

"Haruka will come around eventually," the old man assured him wisely, Seta glancing over in surprise and suspicion. "Please, do not give me that look. The Turtle Clan has been monitoring all the branches of the Urashima line since they became entangled. Haruka was once considered a prime candidate to marry back into their line until her illness as a young child. It has caused her some troubles in the family, I believe, being unable to carrying on the bloodline, but it possibly saved her from a far worse fate."

"I don't think she'd want to know that they have all that information on her," Seta advised slowly with a spreading grin.

"I do not intend to tell her," the ex-samurai replied flatly. "I simply thought to inform you of something else. When trying to decide how to best influence Keitaro to their side at a young age, they listed his weaknesses. She is one of them. Her weaknesses were listed as well after a few years of observation, to see if there was crack that could be exploited to their benefit. You were one of those listed, and it was a very short list indeed."

"Perhaps I was then, but sometimes I wonder," Seta chuckled bitterly. "I have made a great many mistakes, old man, she may never forgive me."

"I have made more mistakes than you could ever hope to imagine," came the soft reply, Shoji rising to head back inside. "If I, a shell of a man, can hope to find such a thing from my daughter, then surely you can as well."

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Motoko carefully considered her words as she held the small, blank scroll of paper open before her while skillfully wetting her brush. Family messages were always sent in this manner, without fail.

Sister,

A family member has arrived, and it is most important that you come and visit him. Please come as quickly as possible.

Motoko

Satisfied with what she had said, she blew on it gently to speed along the drying process before rolling it up firmly and heading downstairs.

"I need to make a trip to the post office," she told Keitaro when she found him in the office preparing some bills for the mail. "May I come with you?"

"Of course," Keitaro replied quickly, giving her a smile as he hastily closed up the last envelope and rose while gathering up a few others. "Are you sending something?"

"A message to my sister. I thought that in light of recent events…perhaps it would be best for her to come and visit, and soon."

"That's probably a good idea."

Holding out his arm, he smiled all the wider though she could see the lines of worry etched on his forehead and at the corner of his mouth when she took it willingly. Linked thus, they made there way out of the Inn and down the steps, talking quietly each step of the way.

"They suspect nothing," she murmured as Su, Sarah and Shinobu waved to them happily on their way up the steps, shopping bags in tow.

"That's probably for the best, though I hate lying to them like this," he replied softly, eyes sad for a moment. "I know it would only confuse them, and complicate how things are run, but I almost wish we could tell them the truth and bring him inside…"

"I do not care to leave him out there any longer than we must, yet at the same time I wonder if we will ever feel it is safe to allow him to enter there," she replied slowly, shrugging her shoulders slightly. "Keitaro…it has been difficult, these last few hours, attempting to assimilate what we have learned into that which I already knew. And even though I feel like I can finally face him when we return, I am not sure that there will ever be an opportunity in which he can safely enter our home. And I mean for his safety as well as ours and that of our residents."

"I think he knows that, and understands," her husband replied as he steered her down the correct street, reluctantly parting ways as he headed towards the mail bin and she went to the counter. There he watched while sending off the envelopes as she caught the eye of one particular old man in the back. He took the scroll from her, with a quick smile, and assured her it would be on its way immediately before she came back to Keitaro's side quickly.

"She should receive it tomorrow, and be here perhaps the day after," she explained as she took his arm once more, letting him lead the way back to the Inn.

"Why don't you just call her?" asked Keitaro, giving her a sidelong look as they walked along. "It would be easier, and quicker."

"Phone lines can be tapped, and unfortunately I very much doubt ours have been safe for some time if their plots are as deep as they seem," she explained slowly. "I fear we shall not see the end of this for some time…"

"Whatever they throw at us, we can face together," he reassured her with a gentle squeeze, giving her a bright smile as always. "Do you want to go talk to him now?"

"I think so…I just wish I knew what to say."

"Perhaps it's best not to try and plan it ahead of time, but to accept it as it comes." He squeezed her hand warmly again, getting a weak smile in return. "I love you, Mo-chan, and I won't let anything happen to you, or our baby."

She smiled, for one not surprised how he always knew just what to say. "I know, and I love you too."

They stopped by the Tea House, briefly checking in on their aunt before heading up the steps and through the Inn to the backyard. Su and Shinobu chorused greetings while Sarah just hrmphed at them around the cookies Shinobu had made for them as they passed through the kitchen and Kitsune winked alluringly as they came upon her leaving the hot springs changing room still wrapped in her towel (which she had been forbidden to do more than once). Though they did have to dodge a zooming robot Su claimed would clean the house for them (Koshi was already in the process of trying to shut it down) and Motoko nearly went after Kitsuse for a proper talking-to over such lewd behavior, they made it to the yard without mishap and quickly were lost from sight in the many trees that surrounded the dilapidated guest quarters.

The walk was silent, but purposeful, and as they reached the building Seta rose and walked a little ways away, giving them their privacy but staying near incase his presence was needed.

Motoko sat along side her husband, facing the man who she had once known as 'Father'. "Shoji."

He turned towards her, immediately putting himself prostrate before answering in a low voice. "Yes, daughter?"

"Please, sit up," Keitaro requested politely when his wife seemed unable to speak. "We understand the situation, and…we believe you. It's just hard…"

"I only want forgiveness, and the chance to die in peace," he replied softly, lifting his himself slightly from his bow. "That is all I have left to live for." Sliding his hands forward as far as they would go, turned over in supplication. "Please…" He looked up when a strong pair of hands, bearing the calluses of a warrior, filled his own. His daughter rose above him, her firm grip pulling him to his feet with his son-in-law steadying him on his other wise.

"I forgive you," she whispered before gathering him in her arms, the hug only lasting a few moments as neither party was entirely comfortable with it before she moved away and helped him sit again, Keitaro's smile very pleased as his wife took her place by his side once more.

"You have grown more beautiful than I could ever have imagined," he said softly as he once faced away from them slightly in a sign of deference, refusing to meet their eyes and with his head slightly bowed. "I am very proud of you, daughter."

"I wish mother could be here for this," Motoko replied sadly. "She knew that someday, somehow…she never gave up faith that you would return to the man you once were."

"I wish that she had lived as well…if only…" He trailed off, eyes falling to his hands for a moment as he stared at them bleakly. "I should have been a stronger man for her, and for you. Perhaps, if I had been, she would still be with us today."

"From what I've heard, your wife knew the truth, and I don't think she'd want you blaming yourself for something that you could hardly help," Keitaro put in gently with a reassuring smile when his father-in-law glanced up at him.

"Perhaps…but I doubt I shall be able to let go of my regrets regardless…"

"It feels very strange, to try and call you 'Father'," she said suddenly, focused more on her hands than the man in front of her.

"I understand, continue to call me Shoji. I do not deserve the title of 'Father' anyways."

Motoko paused, her eyes suddenly filled with curiosity. "Shoji…?"

"Yes, daughter?"

"If I may ask…"

He nodded, with a sense of obedience. "You may ask anything you like, my life is yours to study as you will, daughter."

She nodded in understand, immediately launching into her question. "How were you captured, at the beginning?"

He seemed to consider his words before he spoke again. "That…is a very long tale. I can shorten it…"

"I would like to hear all of it…if I may."

"Of course, daughter." He seemed to settle himself into his position further, as to say it would be a very long tale indeed. "You know that I was called home in a rather urgent manner right around your first birthday. Upon arriving home I found things…different than when I had left. I had not been back to visit since marrying your mother, there had been no need as my family had been more than pleased with coming to visit us in our home and the Aoyama's demands upon your mother so great that she could never take more than a day or two away from her duties at a time.

"My home had once been a bare, but warm and bright place, perhaps a bit careworn, but kept in good condition by those who looked after it night and day. When I returned though it was dark, cold…and so filthy and broken down I scarcely recognized it. We were far from the beaten path, so I knew I could not have mistaken something else for it. My father met me at the gate, older and far more haggard than I ever remembered him being. True, ten years are a long time, but he had been a strong, hale man with many years before him when I had left. He explained to me that he needed my help…that things could be fixed, if I would come with him, trust him without question and obey.

"I believed him."

Shoji paused as he drew in a deep breath, taking a sip from the cup of water he had on hand to wet his throat once more. "My apologies, I am…very tired."

"Take your time," offered Keitaro when his wife didn't reply, too deep within her own thoughts notice the pause in storytelling. "We don't have to be back for some time yet."

"Thank you, I shall resume." He straightened himself slightly, looking out towards the sky as he continued to speak. "I went with my father immediately, and he took me to a place deep within the bowels of the buildings that had once been my home. It was a new experience for me, I had never been allowed this far into the secret complex of our family and to be honest I was very excited. Though I was incredibly strong and skilled with the sword, I lacked several…talents that my brethren shared. So, be told that there was something only I could help with, my pride was my downfall in that hour. Lying upon a table of stone, they had me restrained and prepared for the demon to enter into my body before I fully understood what was happening.

"Perhaps you are wondering why the demon was not extricated upon my return to the Aoyama family groups, it was because it was passive, much like Keitaro's, only designed to bring out my darker side with the demon making the thoughts and decisions but not doing anything that is not physically possible for a man such as myself. I was suppressed just enough that it could take control without erasing my presence completely, something that was necessary as the body would simply die if the original host was erased. The demon was also constrained some, so that it would retain a semblance of my personality, enough to convince most people. Your mother wasn't most people…"

"Why did she not try and remove the demon herself?" asked Motoko suddenly, aware of the fact that she had interrupted him but noticing he seemed to gloss over that detail lightly.

"She wasn't sure, I think. Besides, as much as I loved your mother we both know that by the time your sister was twelve she could beat Naoko in a fair fight. She had the fire, and enough of the talent to lead her family, but she was not the prodigies you two became. When the truth came out…though I was severely wounded, it was only because I was able for a short time to seize control once more. It wasn't enough, though, to save her life, or end mine…that is why I was withdrawn back to my family grounds. It took them a year to reestablish the bonds the demon held on me back to their former permanence. I fought as I could, but he was simply too strong, they were all too strong for me."

Keitaro took Motoko's hand as she clenched them into fists. "Do you know how this came to be? Why they did such a thing?"

"The strongest of the demons for some time had been relegated to the head of the clan, who had to be the strongest man in order to be able to master the strongest of turtles. My father's father was incredibly well-bonded to his, so much that my father seemed forced to try and do the same in order to match that kind of legacy. Unfortunately…it was too much for him. The demon left the turtle and seized him instead. That is when everything changed. I am unclear on all the details of how this occurred, but when he showed me his true nature down there in the chamber while restrained to the stone table, I hated him as I had never hated another before. Because of him and his precious pride, his public face, my life, that of my wife and my two daughters and countless others such as yourself Keitaro…how many lives did he ruin with that one fatal choice?"

"I used to hate you," admitted Motoko gently, her eyes downcast as she carefully threaded her fingers through that of her husbands. "Loathed you, in fact, and if given the chance I would have gladly ended you existence in a heartbeat. For a short time, I would have given anything to have beaten you that night, in the rain, but that changed. Perhaps this horror has wrought a few things that would never have happened otherwise, such as my marriage to Keitaro, the child that now grows inside of me, and the wonderful friends I have made here. I would not wish my life upon another, but I can also say that given the chance I would not change any of it for the world. It has given me my love, a child, and now…it has given me my father back. Is it so bad, that I have gained all of that from a single tragic choice?"

"Your wisdom far exceeds my own, daughter," replied Shoji, seeming to wilt a bit in the fading light though his eyes shone with inner warmth that made his companions smile all the more. "Thank you."

"You are tired, so we shall leave you to rest," said Motoko as Keitaro got to his feet before helping his wife to hers. "Do you require anything…?"

"No, Seta-san has been more than kind in helping me with my needs," he replied with a smile, waving one hand slightly. "Please, go back to your duties, I do not wish to distract you from them anymore than I already have."

"Spending time with my father is not a distraction, it is a duty that is ranked far above most," replied Motoko immediately with a sincerity that touched Shoji to the point that his eyes shone slightly. "Thank you for sharing with us, we shall return tomorrow to speak with you more."

"I look forward to it."

The couple walked most of the way back in silence, contemplating what they had learned until Motoko broke the stillness softly.

"Keitaro…thank you."

"For what?" he asked, somewhat surprised.

"For helping me to give him the chance that he deserves," she explained softly, pausing to bury her head in his shoulder and wrap her arms tightly about his chest. "If not for you…you truly are the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me."

"Thank you for giving me the chance to have such an honored place in your life," he replied as he hugged her back, resting his cheek atop her head. "I would do anything to make you happy."

"I know, you have proven that fact over and over again. I only wish I were more deserving of such a blessing."

"No, I'm the one that's not worthy," he argued teasingly, lifting her chin so he could look her in the eyes. "You are the most beautiful, wonderful, and loving person ever. I am the one who is blessed to have you in my life."

"Thank you…"

"Keitaro, Mo-chan, you out there!" called Su suddenly, appearing in the backyard doorway waving a pan over her head. "Shinobu-chan says dinner's ready! You comin' ta eat!"

"We're coming!" Keitaro called back, laughing as Su whooped happily and sped inside to share the news. "You don't think they've noticed our prolonged absences to the back yet, right?"

"Probably not, we have been careful to give logical explanations every time such an event occurs," she replied cautiously. "Though they are all quite intelligent, I believe they do not suspect, yet."

"Alright."

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"Anyone else noticed how much time Motoko and Keitaro are spending in the backyard behind the trees?" wondered Sarah aloud as she, Shinobu and Su lay around Su's room with several mechanical pieces and tools lying around randomly. Dinner had been fairly quiet, and they had come up here afterwards as Motoko and Keitaro had taken the dishes for the evening. "They said something about checking out the old Guesthouse…"

"Au, you don't think they're hiding something from us, do you?" asked Shinobu quietly with a small frown. "Sempai and Motoko have always been honest with us before."

"Who's hiding something?" asked Kitsune as she stuck her head the door, a bottle of beer hanging from one hand. "I smell a plot…"

"Sarah-chan said Motoko and Keitaro have been going out back a lot," Su explained as she leapt to her feet, pacing a bit. "Whatcha think?"

"They did say something about possibly reopening it last time I saw them head out there," Kitsune replied, her chin in her hand and her lips slightly pursed. "It'd take a lot of work, but I think the point was to give guys a place to stay if they wanted to, since the Inn is strictly girls-only."

"Logically speaking, with business stuff, opening a place for guys would be the next step of your girl's dormitory was doing well," Su observed with an uncanny knack for business strategies. "Especially if they were on the same property. But Motoko and Keitaro aren't really expansionist types of people. They're happy with what they have now, so what's the point in that?"

"Au, perhaps they are trying to make things easier for Koshi-kun, and some of his friends," put in Shinobu softly. "Even Seta could stay there."

"Bah, Haruka'll crack before they ever get that dump fixed up enough to let someone live there," Sarah scoffed with a smirk. "I've got a bet with Koshi that she'll give in before next Christmas, and I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure I win."

Kitsune grinned. "Meddling in adult affairs is dangerous, kid, I know."

"Aw, whatever." Sarah sat up, and gave her a cocky grin. "You big folks aren't as complicated as y'all think, and tipsy foxes shouldn't mess with kids like me."

"Alright, alright…" The foxy one raised her hands in mock supplication. "Fine, but is anyone else interested in actually finding out why they're back there so much? Personally, I think their excuses are starting to get a bit weak."

"Me!" cried Su excitedly, jumping on the older resident excitedly.

"Au, perhaps we shouldn't," whispered their resident chef nervously. "If they are hiding something, I'm sure its for a good reason…"

"Who is hiding something?" asked Motoko gently as she appeared next to Kitsune, the foxy lady nearly falling over in surprise as she began to stammer nervously.

"Ah, no one, just ah…you know…stuff…and all…"

"Whatcha hiding in the back behind the trees?" asked Sarah straight up, Kitsune trying to edge away slowly though Su still being wrapped around her waist made it rather difficult.

"Who said I had anything to hide back there?" replied Motoko, immediately giving them all a confused look.

"Kitsune," replied Su with a wide smile, the foxy one slinking away quickly as the foreigner latched herself onto her favorite playmate. "She said you had to be."

"Kitsune is hardly the person you need to be listening to about such things," she snorted lightly. "I am starting to doubt the abilities of her mind other than the fact her brain will likely still exist 1,000 years from now simply because of all the sake she has embalmed herself with."

"Au, what about the old guest house?" asked Shinobu curiously, blushing slightly when Motoko raised a brow in question. "Were you not going to try and restore it…?"

"The old guest house has been condemned," explained Motoko in a rather irritated tone. "We had thought that perhaps it could be saved…but it is not so. I ask you to stay away from there, for your own safety. I would be very saddened to lose any one of you, and would likely not last long against any of your parents for allowing such a travesty to occur."

"Au, ok…"

"Sure, whatever."

"Su-chan promises!"

"That is very good to know." Smiling a little wider, she added, "Perhaps you three would like to accompany me to the hot springs for a bit? I know you haven't had your baths yet, and you should get them in before it's too late."

Her suggestion was met with immediate compliance, and it wasn't long before she then escorted all three girls back to their rooms for the evening.

"Well, that wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be," she murmured to herself as she paused outside Kitsune's door for a fraction of a second. "But I shall have to keep an eye on her…" Moving on, she disappeared into her bedroom for the night.

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Motoko, after that fateful day of reaching an understanding with her father, began to spend every spare moment that she could with him, often disappearing for hours at time when not in school, coaching her kendo team, or taking care of her duties at the Inn. Keitaro always told the residents when they asked that she was just taking some time to herself, with the baby and all, and they would let it lie at that. It went on like this for two days until a visitor appeared very early on the third day.

"Tsuruko is here?" Motoko replied quickly when Naru came up to tell her about their visitor.

"She won't come inside, she said she'd wait for you at the top of the stairs," the ronin added with a small frown. "She better not be here to cause trouble again…"

"I very much doubt so," the swordswoman assured her quickly before disappearing down the hall, moving much more swiftly than Naru would have guessed a pregnant woman could.

Tsuruko met her sister at the top of the stairs as she said she would, gathering her younger sister into a warm hug with a care for the unborn child between them.

"Is it true…?" she asked softly, incase there were any others nearby who could hear.

Motoko smiled with a small smile. "It is. Would you wish…?"

"Immediately. I must…see for myself."

"Of course."

The two sisters parted ways, the elder disappearing from sight the moment she reached the bottom of the steps and the younger quickly going inside to disappear moments later into the back. There, they met behind the safety of the trees. Keitaro, who had taken over watch for the morning so Seta could take a break (and a bath that he was horribly in need of), rose when he saw them approach.

"You're looking well," he said as he exchanged bows with his wife's sister.

"As are you, brother-in-law, I am pleased to see you are taking good care of my little sister," she replied with her usual bright and creepy smile. "Is he inside?"

He nodded, motioning over his shoulder towards the dilapidated building. "Yes, he wanted to take a nap after breakfast this morning, I think he didn't sleep well last night."

Tsuruko nodded, heading towards it purposefully while glancing at them with an eerie light in her eyes. "I will be back momentarily, please do not disturb us."

"Oh, ok…" The manager sweated slightly as he and his wife took a seat on the stump they had occupied a few nights before when the doctor had been present.

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she looped an arm affectionately through his. "How has he been?"

He shrugged, rubbing his chin thoughtfully though his frown was tinged with concern. "Tired…its almost like sleep is doing less and less for him…"

Keitaro paused as an unholy shriek filled the air, followed by the echoes of spoke words that were too skewered to fully understand. "What the-!"

"She's testing him, but she will not harm him," his wife explained carefully, holding him back gently. "She would not care to be interrupted…"

"That's not even human sounding!" he protested when it suddenly went silent, both turning towards the building expectantly.

Tsuruko emerged from the old guest house, a satisfied look in her eyes. "It would seen you are correct, sister."

"You should have warned me you were letting a she devil loose in the room," grumped their father teasingly, already much more relaxed in their presence than he had been before and leaning heavily on a cane that had not been there the day before.

"Are you alright?" asked Motoko when she noticed the pronounced limp. "We can call the doctor."

"Just an old man's aching joints," he explained quickly with a shake of his head. "There is no need to contact Nori-san, she is a very busy woman."

"If you are certain…."

"I am."

"May I remain here, with our father, for the day?" asked Tsuruko as she sat gracefully on the porch. "I am sure Seta would enjoy the added break, and there is much I wish to discuss with our father."

"It's fine with me," said Keitaro with a small nod. "I would stay, but I've been letting things get behind at the Inn."

"And I should probably go as well, to avoid suspicion," added Motoko reluctantly. "We have not alerted our residents of his presence."

"A wise choice, sister. I would like to return for dinner, is that possible?"

"Absolutely, we will see you then."

"Of course."

"We'd better head Seta off and inform him of his good fortune," said Keitaro as he linked arms with his wife and began to head back downt he path. "Though Haruka will probably just put him work at the Tea House, she's gotten used to having him around to help and muttered something about paying him to wait tables, not guard old farts the other day."

"Shoji does not require a guard, but I feel better with Seta watching him, to take care of his needs and let us know if his condition worsens suddenly."

"That's true."

"Hey, guys, what's up?" asked Seta as he appeared in front of them, towards the edge of the trees close to Hinata-sou with his usual big smile.

"You're off duty until dinner time," Keitaro informed him cheerfully. "Tsuruko is going to stay with him until then."

"Is that safe?" the archeologist asked as he peered behind them carefully as though he could see the building through the heavy woods. "Something like a banshee scream came from over there earlier…"

"They're fine," Keitaro reassured him quickly. "Why don't you go back to the Tea House, give Haruka a hand. I'm sure she'd appreciate it."

The professor perked up. "Oh, good idea! Bye!"

"I hope he convinces her someday," sighed Motoko as they resumed their walk to the Inn.

"I think he already has, she just hasn't admitted to loving him back," Keitaro mused with a laugh. "She's stubborn as a mule."

"That must be an Urashima trait," his wife teased gently. "I know a certain someone who can pursue what he wants relentlessly until he receives it."

"Really? That's how I would have described you…hey!"

Motoko gave him an innocent look as he rubbed the side where he had been poked. "Yes, dear husband?"

"You are wonderfully sneaky," he informed her lightly. "Been taking lessons from Kitsune lately?"

"By observation, perhaps," she returned with a shrug. "She does it so often, it is almost impossible not to learn."

"Very true."

They reached the Inn and slipped inside to find Su and Sarah bothering a flustered Shinobu in the kitchen.

"Why don't you two come with me," offered Motoko as Keitaro went to help their resident cook clean up from the breakfast rush. "We have not spoken for some time, have we?"

"You can't play 'cause a the baby, we know," grumped Sarah, though she obediently came just the same. "So what're we gonna do?"

"Exactly what I suggested," replied the swordswoman with a small smile. "Talk." Taking a seat in the middle of the couch, she patted the cushions on either side invitingly.

Su snuggled up to her side immediately, gently nuzzling their cheeks together before moving down to the protruding belly and rubbing it with a tenderness that surprised her elder companion. "Hello, little person."

"He or she says hi back," she replied as her child moved slightly in response to the touch. "You'll be a good aunt, won't you Su-chan?"

"Isn't Su too young to be an aunt?" asked Sarah as she plopped down on Motoko's other side, more careful than usual despite her casual attitude towards the unborn child.

"I was an aunt by her age, from the offspring of my elder sister," Motoko explained slowly. "Would you like to be an aunt as well, Sarah-chan?"

"That doesn't mean I have to change diapers or make bottles or anything, does it?" the younger girl asked suspiciously, eyeing the bulge as though it was trying to rope her in to some sort of life long commitment to its constant care.

"No, aunts are more like sisters than mothers," the swordswoman laughed, putting an arm about both girls. "You would be there for him or her, love them like you love anyone else you are close to, play with them of course and help spoil them when I am not present to stop you…"

"Hm, a possible minion of my own does have its appeals," Sarah admitted as she drummed her fingers against her lip carefully, considering the protrusion in a new light as she tentatively reached out with the other hand and rubbed it much like Su had. "Would you like that, being my minion? Of course, they'd have to be like you, not that dork of a father they're stuck with. He'd be a useless minion, really."

"I dunno, he can reach the top of the counter where Shinobu stashes the best cookies pretty easily," Su commented with a crazy grin. "And he always shares, too!"

"True…and if they were indestructible, it'd be even better. We could test all your inventions out on them like we do Ketiaro!"

"I do not believe that shall be the case," broke in the expecting mother, somewhat concerned as to what they might plot for her child before it was even born. "Aunts are to protect their nieces and nephews."

"Haruka doesn't seem to do much protecting of Keitaro," objected Sarah with a snort. "And she's the best kind of aunt ever!"

"She does so protect Keitaro, she's just so good at it that you never know she's helped out until after she's done," Motoko explained quickly, seeing a way to divert the possible disasters of the future. "She is the best kind of aunt, because she does care, but neither does she try and hover over him every second of the day. Just like parents, aunts have to let go, sometimes, and let their kids, nieces and nephews grow up into the fine young men and women they were meant to be."

"Like Su and Shinobu moving here away from their folks while going to school," added Sarah.

"Precisely."

Naru listened, unseen, behind the couch as the two girls argued over possible names for the child as the conversation turned to what the gender might be. Keitaro and Motoko had decided to wait, at least for now, to find out what it would be, and it would likely remain that way until the day he or she was born. Something in her chest constricted slightly at the sight, though, and she nearly jumped out of her skin when Koshi spoke close to her ear.

"Motherhood agrees with Motoko, don't you think?"

"She'll make a good mother," she agreed, putting a hand to her chest with a faint blush. "Don't scare me like that!"

He backed of, sincerely apologetic though he still smiled. "Sorry, I didn't realize you weren't paying attention."

"Right…" She rolled her eyes, but went back to the scene, the trio having moved on to discussing when the baby would be old enough to be taken out to the part and be able to run around with her two new 'aunts'.

"I bet you'll get made into an honorary aunt, too," Koshi commented as he moved away towards the stairs.

"Who, me? Yeah…I don't do so good with little-little kids." Naru followed a step behind, as they had already made plans to study together some more tonight. "Where's Mutsumi?"

"She had something come up about her family and watermelons. Wasn't really specific on the details, but I got enough to know we'll probably see her again tomorrow night."

"Oh, ok." She sat in her usual spot, Koshi taking the one across from her as he opened up the books.

"You ready?"

She nodded, putting on her glasses, though she'd begun to hate wearing them around him. "As much as ever. Let's get to it."

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Tsuruko was at the front of the Inn just as dinner was about to start, being welcomed to the table as always before being assaulted with questions from all ends of the tables as to why she was visiting this time.

"Family business," was all she would reply with a small, dangerous smile. "Motoko-chan has been taking care of a few loose ends for me, I simply had to see for myself that everything was going so well."

And then, of course, when everyone turned to Motoko to ask her, she would simply echo, "Family business. Trust me, the actual details are quite boring and rather private."

"Private and boring are two words I never use in the same sentence," Kitsune spoke with her trademark grin. "Lay it on me, sister."

"I did not think it is appropriate table conversation," Tsuruko put in carefully. "Also family matters are just that, within the family. And there they will stay."

"Alright, alright…"

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough, and while most were surprised with Tsuruko announced she would be taking the evening train back home, no one tried to talk her out of it either.

"Have a safe trip, sister," Motoko told Tsuruko as they stood together at the top of the stairs.

"And you take care," she replied with a warm hug. "Keep in touch, alright?"

"Very well."

"I will return when the time has come…you understand, do you not?"

"I do."

"Good, until then, farewell."

"Farewell, sister."

Keitaro just exchanged nods with his sister-in-law before she was gone from their sight, probably already halfway to the train station by the time they were inside the front door.

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From here the days began to meld into one another, Keitaro splitting his time between the Inn and helping Seta with guard duty and thus Seta splitting his time between Guard duty and the Tea House. Kitsune was called upon to help out more with Seta's absence (though, she never got a satisfactory reason as to why he was gone so much) and Motoko often times felt she was doing her husband an injustice when she fell in their bed and immediately was asleep night after night. Between school, helping out around the Inn with Keitaro unable to handle it all, her kendo club, homework (they were to be preparing to decide what college they wanted to attend the next year) and spending as much time as possible with her father, she was unable to even think of attending to her husband's other needs she was so exhausted. The few times it came up, he always immediately reassured her that it was fine, and since things couldn't keep up like this for too long when it was over he would be more than happy to help her make up for time lost.

This usually ended with Motoko elbowing him gently with a knowing smile and him just shrugging innocently. How could he help it that she was so beautiful, he would usually sputter, and she would just shake her head before giving him a quick kiss and moving on to whatever demanded their attention next.

Two weeks later, Shoji was confined to his bed, unable to really walk on his own anymore. Nori was contacted swiftly for the best ways to make him comfortable, and she lent them some basic equipment (it was snuck in under the cover of night) to help with dealing with bodily fluids and daily bathing, but he refused any drugs offered to help with the pain that was growing in the center of his being. He suffered in calm silence, trying to continue on as he usually did, but sometimes he would succumb, for a short while, into the darkness that awaited him when it got to be too great to bear. They never snuck in anything with his food or drink, knowing he would be offended by such a move, but at the same time it was hard for Motoko especially to sit there and watch him suffer alone.

One fine morning, dressed in her old practice clothes because they adjusted better to her growing girth than even her maternity clothes did and carrying her sword because Shoji had asked to see it, she sat upon the porch and ate one of the two breakfasts from the Tea House she had brought with her while waiting for to awake.

"Daughter…?"

"I am here," she replied, immediately rising (though it was a bit more awkward than it had been before she was pregnant) and going to his side, bring the food and fresh pot of tea with her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," was all he would say, allowing her to help him sit up gently in his bed. "Ah, you have brought me my breakfast! Where is Seta-san? He is usually here when I awake."

"Haruka needed his help, so I offered to come early," she explained as she set the tray across his lap, pouring him a cup of tea before settling herself in to finish her own.

"Ah…and that husband of yours, where is he?"

"Taking care of the Inn, the hot springs were getting rather questionable and there are a few minor repairs he has ignored a bit longer than is prudent."

"I see, he is such a hard working fellow. You must be very proud."

Motoko smiled. "I am."

"Good. I am glad to see that not everything that happened in my…extended absence turned out to be a disaster."

"Tsuruko wrote to me again," his daughter went on lightly, as they generally skirted the subject of his capture and many years in captivity. "Once again, she apologizes for not bringing the grand children to see you."

"I have met one of my grandchildren, though he or she has not yet fully joined us in this world, and that is enough for me," he returned as he always did, hands shaking slightly as he drank from his cup.

"Do you require assistance?" she asked hesitantly when he fumbled for a moment to hold his chopsticks properly.

"Not today, no. But that day is coming upon us, and very soon I am not sure I will even be able lift a finger without spending great amounts of energy. Oh, how old and broken I have become…" He looked at his hand, the flesh beginning to droop much in the way of most older people with his joints somewhat red and swollen with deep wrinkles forming in the skin. "But…even this has been worth it, to spend the little time I have had with you, and your family, daughter."

Motoko bowed in her seat, slightly. "I am honored that you think so."

"No, it I than am honored, to be here with you today." He held up a hand when she began to protest, a small smile on his lips. "Please, tell me more about your residents. The sound of your voice is soothing to me, and we have a whole day to pass together. I believe you had just finished with young Sarah last time, and how she views Haruka and Seta's current relationship."

"I suppose, then, the next logical person to talk about would be Koshi," she replied obediently, taking another sip of tea to clear her throat. "He is Seta's nephew, Sarah's cousin, and one of the few who were there when his uncle and my aunt were actually dating. Though he does not actually live with us, one might think so with the amount of time he spends at Hinata-sou every week."

She went on to explain the various relationships he held with the residents around the Inn, a big brother to Su, Shinobu and Sarah, a helper to herself and Keitaro, a study buddy to Naru and Mutsumi, and someone to be teased often in Kitsune's case. She was about to move on to why he was one of the few males allowed within the all-girls dormitory when she realized his eyes had closed completely, his breathing deep and even.

Smiling slightly, she was about to rise and go outside to await his awakening when one gnarled hand reached out and grasped the edge of her sleeve.

"Please," he whispered eyes barely fluttering open. "Do not go. Keep speaking, it gives me peace."

Nodding, she gently disentangled his hand from the hem and set it back by his side, beginning to talk again as she picked up where she left off. The pot of tea grew cold beside her, though she continued to pour from it when her cup emptied and her throat was dry. She did not mind such a small inconvenience for this memory that she was being given the chance to form.

Hours passed as he dozed lightly, Keitaro stopping by to check on them with a fresh pot of tea and lunch for Motoko around noon. He sat up again as she paused to eat, doing most of the talking this time and mainly upon the subject of his life before he had met his mother.

He was the eldest and only son of his father, his mother having passed away when he was very young. His grandmother had been the main female influence in his life, though that had been severely limited to his basic needs, and he had never had a constant female companion until marrying her mother. His childhood had mainly consisted of following his father around and training constantly, learning everything that he would someday be required to do as the new head of the clan. At the age of seven he was given his first turtle to care for and learn to train, a skill that he greatly lacked for the most part. This was disappointing to his father, but he pushed past that, managing to be quite adept with his blade, even if he wasn't the strongest of his year mates. His inability to bluff or see through such tactics was also met with disapproval, but he somehow balanced it out with a stripe of honesty and integrity that won over many of those who originally opposed his being named heir.

Motoko listened with interest, somewhat surprised at how well his story occasionally mirrored Keitaro's. They both had been too sweet, too kind of the life others were trying to force on them. Her father recounted how the council had breathed a sigh of relief when he had renounced his claim on the family title in order to marry Naoko, and how he had honestly never expected to see his family again after leaving. In truth, at first he truly fit better among that Aoyamas that his own people, something that made the transition from one clan to the other incredibly easy.

"But enough about me," her father said at last, when her dishes had been set aside and the effort of speaking that long began to show its toll upon the old man. "I see you brought the blade your husband bought for you."

"It is worthy of any Master swordsman or woman," she explained proudly as she drew it and held it out to him hilt first. He allowed it to rest across his knees, careful not to touch the metal with his fingers as much as possible as he inspected the gleaming surface with his squinting eyes.

"So I can see…solid, and well balanced, with a touch of elegance to prove that there is beauty even within death," he murmured more to himself before handing it back respectfully. She accepted it, sheathing it before laying it to the side once more. "A worthy blade indeed. Did he acquire such a fine weapon on his own?"

"A good friend helped him as he is not well-versed in the art of swordsmanship." She poured them both a fresh cup of tea, his long gone cold during his nap and hers empty once more. "He would not have attempted such a purchase otherwise, as there are many fine details to watch for that he is unaware of."

"To admit a fault is to know yourself, rather than being weak as most would assume." Shoji smiled as he accepted his tea, blowing upon the surface gently before taking a careful sip. "Ah…the Urashima family blend, truly a thing of marvel when experienced freshly brewed."

The two sat in silence for awhile, enjoying their drinks before Shoji sighed and set his cup aside, lying down once more. "It seems I am fading faster than before…please speak to me again, daughter, that my dreams may be filled with peace."

"Of course."

Motoko settled herself in once more, this time speaking of the trip to the beach that summer and the production they put on for the local residents. Occasionally when mentioning things such as Su's radical inventions or the way Naru and Koshi had poked fun at each other constantly when in costume his lips would curl into a slightly bigger smile, then it would fade back into a neutral pose as he listened intently with his eyes closed. The actual performance itself was described in immaculate detail, including the part where Seta and Haruka were forced to stand in at the last second as lead characters and the funny moments that had occurred as a result. Hours once again passed in what seemed like the blink of an eye, Seta coming and dropping off two steaming dishes of noodles, chicken, vegetables, and some kind of sauce Haruka had whipped up with another fresh pot of tea. When he saw everything was just fine, he left with a smile and a wave, heading back to the Tea House promptly.

"I am not sure I shall be able to finish this," Shoji joked as he allowed his daughter to assist him in sitting up once more, taking his chopsticks up in trembling hands and staring at the tray in his lap. "Such a pity, for it looks simply delicious."

"Haruka is a very well-learned cook," Motoko replied simply, having already started on her own. Her second mouth was demanding sustenance, and she doubted her father would take offense at a time like this. "Eat what you can, it is best if you keep up your strength."

"My strength…heh…" He paused, looking around as if he sensed something. "Perhaps…it would have been best if I had not come here."

"You should not dwell upon such things, I would not trade the time we have been given for the world," she stated firmly, motioning for him to start on his meal.

"And neither would I, yet…I feel as though our troubles have not yet ended."

"Nonsense, even if your family has discerned your whereabouts we are more than capable of protecting you from anything that is thrown our way," she assured him with a smile.

"Daughter…you need to leave, now."

She set her bowl down as his face became set in a grim line, her eyes reflecting a touch of hurt as his hands suddenly clenched the bedcovers tightly. "Father..?"

"Leave! Now!"

"But, I-"

Motoko's words were drowned out as mighty wind suddenly burst through the doors and windows, knocking everything aside from its path as the screams of death itself began to fill the air. Shoji went stiff as a board as a red light burst from his mouth and eyes, his skin almost pealing away as a presence suddenly came and took over his body, transforming him slowly, painfully into whatever it was it wanted him to become.

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Seta returned from dropping off dinner for Motoko and Shoji with a bounce in his step, pausing beside Haruka who was leaning against the counter with a distracted look on her face.

"Everything ok?" he asked, putting a hesitant hand on her shoulder.

"How were they, when you checked on them?" she asked, inwardly intent on something though she glanced at him for a second.

"Fine, he's wiped out but fine," he reported immediately, moving in her line of vision carefully. "What's up?"

"Hm…" She glanced back over her shoulder in their direction, fidgeting with her lit cigarette as she sighed to herself. "Something isn't right."

"Everything is fine up there," he assured her, gently steering her back towards her customers in an attempt to get her mind off whatever it was that was bothering her. "I promise."

She shrugged, absently brushing his hand away when her head suddenly snapped towards the old great house, eyes opening wide. "Oh shi-"

Only Seta's quick reflexes saved her from hitting the floor as her legs crumpled beneath her, head lolling to the side with blood trickling from her nose and mouth, eyes still open and the pupils completely dilated.

"Haruka!" He checked for a pulse immediately, finding it weak and erratic before yelling for someone to call an ambulance as the Tea House burst into a flurry of chaos.

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Keitaro was cleaning the hot springs when the first of the tremors hit, the sound of groaning, twisting rocks reaching his ears before he was almost knocked to the ground by the force of the vibrations underfoot. Immediately, his eyes turned towards where his wife was, opening wide as a pillar of red light burst from the trees and an unholy screaming filled the air. His feet were moving before he was conscious of it, running faster than he had ever in his life.

Through the trees, he spurred himself on all the more when the cries stopped and in its place was a deathly quite. He rounded the last bend to find the guest house gone, and in its place a transforming monstrosity with Motoko standing before it, sword unsheathed and eyes cold as ice. It was nearly twice her height, vaguely resembling the man it had once been melded with the essence of the turtle in its shelled back with three long spikes going down it, black, beady eyes and thickly hided limbs.

"Motoko!" he cried, as the beast moved one cruelly clawed appendage, crushing the place she had previously stood as she leapt back to her husband's side.

"They trapped him," she growled fiercely, knuckles turning white she gripped the handle so hard. "Tricked him…they knew he would come, to us, and now they have possessed him once again!"

"That isn't possible, is it?" asked Keitaro in amazement. "You have to have contact, with some sort of object, right?"

"I had once thought so myself," she agreed. "But apparently that is not the case any longer."

The two were forced to split ways the creature reached behind its back, ripping off the middle spike in a twisted imitation of a sword and swinging it towards them with a vortex of ki. The attack ripped up the ground and shredded the trees it came in contact with, almost clearing another path to the Inn.

"Run!" Keitaro yelled as the monster approached his wife, doing his best to get between them as quickly as he could. "I'll handle it, you get Seta and Haruka!"

She was about to reply when twenty more creatures appeared, surrounding Keitaro immediately. They burst from the ground, turtle-like in appearance but made of rock and then mud as the sky opened up suddenly and began to pour. The main monster ignored him as he went in for the fight of his life, ducking and dodging the best he could as he began to decimate them one by one. Thankfully, most of his work with Seta had been hand to hand, and his body remembered the moves perfectly, so he wasn't in need of a weapon to even the odds. However, neither he nor his wife had practiced much since the realization of the pregnancy and he began to feel the toll on his muscles not long into it from not keeping up with his martial studies.

Motoko was forced to stay as the monster cut off her retreat, putting himself firmly between her and the Tea House or the Inn. She would have obeyed, this once, simply because of their child, but she adjusted her stance to defend the precious bundle inside of her most of all and waited for whatever may come.

"Does this not bring back a certain memory, granddaughter?" the creature asked, his voice a grating mockery of what her father's had been. "Now, when was it…oh yes, the day you married Keitaro." His heavy lips spread to reveal jagged fangs in what may have passed for a smile or a leer. "Are you ready to relive the pain, granddaughter of mine, of defeat once more? You should hear how your father cries for you, 'Not her! Not her!' feh. He shall receive as he deserves."

"You won't defeat me," she replied simply, watching as he set himself in the stance she found so familiar. It had been just about a year and a half, but she would never forget that battle, ever.

"We shall see, granddaughter, we shall see…"

Keitaro was helpless to do anything but occasionally glance at the soaked blurs that were his wife and her opponent, each appearing occasionally as they slowed from the fight for a fraction of a second before disappearing again with their blurring speeds. Praying silently for her safety and the safety of their child, he was forced to focus more on his own plight than hers as his own opponents continued to block any hope he may have had of escaping to her. He had managed to knock out nearly half of them, but the mud ones were particularly difficult, for as they were blasted apart they simply reformed themselves again as the rain helped mold their parts together.

Hoping his was remembering correctly, he shifted his hands slightly and flew through the seal Seta had once shown him, hands flat to form two blades of sorts that he used to slice his opponents to pieces. The mud turned to dust as he went through them, but that just meant when they reformed they were smaller and more agile that before. Cursing his luck as he noticed for a fraction of a moment as his wife was pushed back suddenly, he was forced to continue to focus on his own foes as they tried to swarm him once more.

Motoko dodged another furious set of attacks, barely holding her ground as she began to wheeze for air. The extra weight of her child was an added burden she had not previously accounted for, and as much as she hated to admit it she had let her skills slip some with the announcement of the unborn babe. She had been so afraid of harming the little one that she had cut back to the barely minimum just to be on the safe side, and as she tried to keep up with the demon it was beginning to show. She had scored a few times, yes, if the angry lines dripping green icor were anything to go by on his arms and legs, but none of them had been a crippling hit.

Her arms and legs ached and her lungs burned as they tried to bring in enough oxygen. Her pause was too long, though, and she was caught in the edge of his attack, her body flung to the other end of the clearing though she managed to curl into enough of a ball to protect her baby from the worst of it. Rolling to her feet, she nearly experienced it again, the left sleeve of her hamaka disintegrating with sheer amount of ki flung past her and her arm taking thin but painful slices from wrist to elbow.

He was suddenly in front of her, and in the familiar move from when she had battled Shoji created an opposing force with her right forearm, just as easily snapping it now as he had in the past. She dropped her sword just as he had hoped, his second blast catching her full in the face and sending her painfully tumbling to the ground.

"You never did know when to quit," he taunted her when she simply rose again, going to her sword and picking it up with her left hand just as she had the first time. She could not run, but even given the chance she was not sure she would have taken it. Her husband was still there, battling for his life, how could she leave him, even at the risk of her own life? Their child…she felt it move within her, almost an encouraging sort of feeling. Of course, he or she was the product of her love for her husband, and would understand. They were a family, they stood together, no matter what.

He was toying with her, she could tell, with his leering smile and delighted look in his soulless eyes as he pulled his swings, narrowly missing her time and time again. She blocked what she could, dodged the rest, but her left arm had never been the stronger of the two, and she had a sinking feeling that it was going to end much as it had the first time. Only Keitaro would not be able to protect her, and she would surely die. Death…it had once been something she hoped for, had never been something she feared, but now…

He forced her to one knee, hooking the other with her foot and popping out of joint exactly as he had the first time. Tossing aside her sword with a flick of his wrist, he stepped on her broken arm and laughed as she nearly passed out from the pain, her vision swimming horribly.

"Don't worry, I have no use for you dead," he whispered as he bent over her, putting one hand around her throat and the other on her stomach. Her hamaka was torn from the pants, her protruding belly laid bare as the rain continued to fall, everything now soaked to its core. "Nor your child."

She tried to scream as his hand tightened around her throat, the other positioning itself before all five claws inserted themselves into her, forming a cage about her baby as she felt the demon try and leave its current host for a new one: the child. Draining herself of ki, she formed a protective barrier around it, fighting with everything she had as it slowly broke through her inward defenses one by one.

"NOOOO!"

"Motoko!"

Keitaro appeared out of nowhere, his opponents gone and Motoko's sword in hand. Clumsily, he shoved it through the gap in he whom used to be Shoji's shell, the blade piercing through to the other side and dripping the dark green icor onto Motoko below. Distantly, she realized it was burning her like acid, but could do nothing as it mixed with the rain and ran in rivulets down her chest to her sides.

She watched, with dimming vision as the creature withdrew his talons, giving Keitaro an eerie look before striking her a final time with the flat of his blade across her chest and stomach before diving at her husband ferociously. The scream of sirens in the distance barely managed to penetrate the fog that surrounded her, and as everything faded to black she saw Ketiaro manage one final thrust into his opponent's chest before toppling over himself.

No…

NO!

KEITARO!

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The darkness was comforting almost, but she knew it could not last forever. Occasionally, bits and pieces of what had happened would float back to her, and she would fight it, for a time. But it was never enough, not to break free of what held her in its warm cocoon. She wasn't afraid, nor was she alone, there was a….presence with her. Keitaro? Perhaps. It filled her with love and hope, but at times an overwhelming sense of sadness would be there instead, and she wondered if it were Keitaro what it was that made him that sad. Occasionally…something would echo back at her, through the darkness, but it was always just too low for her to hear and understand it.

For how long she had been there, she didn't know, but eventually she felt it begin to part, and as her body began to feel sluggish and stiff she knew she was returning to consciousness. Eyelids heavy with disuse slowly opened, a low light filtering into a sterile and hard room in the whites and grays that most hospitals and doctor clinics use. Carefully turning her head to one side, she found Keitaro at her side, holding the arm without IVs in it and fast asleep. As much as she hated to wake him, something wasn't right, and as she shook his shoulder he sat up quickly, brown eyes meeting her gray-green ones with a look of relief.

"You're awake," he breathed, reaching tentatively to touch her face as if he was afraid it might be a dream. "You're really…Motoko…"

"What happened?" she croaked as she wearily cupped his cheek with her hand. "I remember…so little…"

"He attacked me, but when I hit him it was a killing blow. He slashed my arm, barely a graze, but managed to pool enough of our blood together that he could cross over into my body," he explained quietly, kissing her palm as he continued to stare into her eyes as though if he looked away she might disappear on him again. "That's how they got to Shoji, when they extinguished him he lost a lot of blood. For a moment, I was joined with the demon, and I saw all that he saw, I knew his plans…I was so scared."

"How did you…?" Her voice cracked and she put her other hand to her mouth as she coughed weakly. Without looking, he got the cup of water waiting on the table and brought it to her lips, helping her take a few sips before setting it aside once more.

"Do you remember when we fought the daemon that possessed me through the sword?" he asked softly, brushing his fingers along her hair line. "I remembered what it felt like when you hit me with that final attack…and I'm not sure how, but I replicated it on myself. It worked, though it was a close thing. Your father, Shoji…he's probably the only reason I made it through. He grabbed the demon, and dragged it with him as he died. They buried him yesterday, quietly. It seemed like for the best all around. I was unconscious when the paramedics got there; barely alive the way Nori explained it when I woke up. I came here, as soon as they would let me, and I haven't left since."

"I'm…so glad you are…alive…" She glanced at the cup again, taking in more this time when he held it to her lips. "Something's…not right…Keitaro…?"

"Shh, something happened," he admitted, his eyes suddenly becoming bright with tears. "Motoko-chan…when they arrived, whatever that demon did to you caused you to go into an early labor."

Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, finding it as flat as when she had first married Keitaro. "No…!"

"They couldn't save her," he whispered as he held onto her hand with both of his own as the tears began to fall, the pain obvious as he forced the last of his words out. "Motoko-chan, she's gone…"

"She…?" She stared at him, unable to believe what it was that she was being told as she felt her heart shatter inside. "A little girl…?"

"She was beautiful," he chuckled weakly, though the tears continued to stream down his face. "Perfect, she looked just like you."

"Why…how…?" She felt the tears begin at the corners of her eyes, slipping unheeded down her cheeks as he got up and sat beside her on the bed, gathering her into his tight embrace.

"They thought it was a boy, so that was their main goal, to capture him, make him their new leader," he explained as he comfortingly ran a hand through her hair, remaining in place when she began to shake with silent sobs. "They didn't count on Dr. Nori being wrong, or the fight our child would put up against them. They were right about one thing, though…with us as parents; she could have been more powerful than either of us." He knew he was babbling, but he felt like it was helping some as she slowly calmed down, pulling away to look at him sadly.

"Keitaro…it hurts…"

"I know." He kissed her tenderly, wiping away her tears as best he could. "I feel it too. But I still have you, and you don't know how scared I was that I'd lose you too."

The door opened suddenly, a nurse popping her head in. "Ah, she's awake? I'll get Dr. Nori."

"They'll want to check you over and make sure everything's ok," he told her as he sat down again, getting a tissue from the box beside the bed and drying her face. "How are you feeling?"

"Stiff, how long was I gone?"

"A week."

"Keitaro…?"

The couple turned to see Haruka in the doorway in a wheelchair dressed in a loose robe, an IV in one arm and Seta pushing her from behind.

"You're awake," she said as she was wheeled in on the other side of the bed, looking very much like she'd been chewed up and spat back out when it figured out she was too tough to eat. There were dark circles under her eyes, her face more deeply lined than she remembered, and her body limply sitting without its usual strength. "How are you feeling?"

"Horrible," she sighed, letting Keitaro help her drink more water as her voice began to gain a semblance of normalcy. "What happened…?"

"When the wards were broken, it was done all at once," explained Seta as Haruka gave a weary shrug. "The force was so great it nearly gave her an aneurism and put her body through an incredible amount of stress. She's been about as weak as a kitten since she woke up."

Haruka grumbled impotently, giving her a niece an irritated shrug that brought forth a ghost of a smile.

"She'll recover, though," Nori said as she entered as well, clipboard in hand and a sad smile in place. "It's good to see you awake, Motoko, you had us worried there for awhile. Let's have a look at how you're doing, shall we?"

She checked the machines around the bed before putting the samurai girl through a basic physical, the once broke arm fully healed (courtesy of Keitaro as he had not wanted her to be in pain while she was out, though it had nearly put him under again) and her body fully functional though quite sore from being abed for so long.

"Looks like you're fully back, though you're all about as weak as water so you should take it easy for awhile," she said as she sat on the bed where Keitaro had been previously, catching Motoko's eyes and holding them steadily. "I assume your husband already…?"

The samurai's eyes' filling with tears was enough of an answer, so she nodded and rose. "I am sorry for your loss. If you need anything, please ask, and if you are strong enough to walk by tomorrow morning you will be discharged and allowed to go home."

Haruka leaned forward, taking Motoko's hand as Keitaro took Nori's place on the bed and held her tightly once more, letting her cry as long as she needed to as her grief rose anew. He had cried more than he even thought possible when they had first told him the news, sobbing incoherently for hours while holding her hand beside her bed. Now was her time, and he would give her as much as she needed.

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The residents greeted their manager and his wife gladly the next day, helping in any way possible and staying rather calm for once as the funeral for the next day weighed heavily on their minds. The grief of losing the growing babe cast its shadow over them, with the meals quiet and causing even Su prone to moments of silent introspection as the time for the service drew near.

Everyone respectfully wore black to the small ceremony the next day, Tsuruko and Kenjou showing up in time to attend it as well with their little ones back home with the council. It was a solemn, nearly silent even with Su curled up in Motoko's arms with Keitaro holding them from behind, all three unashamedly shedding tears as they stood beside the grave afterwards in the city's place for such totems. Sarah held on tightly to Haruka's hands, the elder Urashima still confined to a wheelchair with Seta behind her with his hands on her shoulders. Shinobu leaned into Naru who was also holding on to Kitsune, Koshi rubbing the young girl's back on the other side.

Eventually, they began to drift off in pairs or threes, Seta leaving first because Haruka looked like she was about to fall asleep she was so exhausted and Sarah had curled up in her lap miserably. Su saw them leave and, after leaning back to give Motoko a kiss on the forehead, jumped to the ground, coming to take Shinobu's hand and head after them with their arms around each other. Kitsune wasn't long in following, and while Koshi was more than happy to act as a leaning post for Naru when her friend left, he was also growing cold as a soft drizzle started to fall. Gently pulling her along, they left as well for the warmth and comfort of the Inn. It was not long before Tsuruko glanced at her husband who nodded slightly, going and giving her sister a silent hug and kiss similar to the one given to her by Su before they left for the train station, unable to leave their family for long.

"How are we going to move past this?" she asked when they were finally alone, leaning into Keitaro for support as much as comfort as her energy was quickly running out as she had been out of bed for less than two days.

"One step at a time," Keitaro told her as he squeezed her hand gently, bringing her around so he could look her in the eye. "Together."

Putting his arm about her shoulders, he led her away as well, looking back only once at the new grave at the entrance while walking away.

Naoko Urashima

Forever beloved daughter,

We will miss you dearly.

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The end.

Author's Notes: (It came to my attention that I didn't post these last time, but unless the review was a question I will not be answering it. Sorry!)

#1. Thank you so, so much to my many wonderful reviewers. You know, in the two or three years this has been going, it has never, ever generated a poor review? Thank you so much for your confidence in me, it means more than you can know!

#2. The webcomic that I mentioned previously based upon my work has been listed in my profile. If you wish to access it, you can do so there, sorry for taking so long to answer that need. I hope you all enjoy it.

#3. It has come to my attention that someone though nuking the turtle clan would be a good idea. Do you know what nuclear bombs do for miles to the surrounding country side? And have you also noticed that most of Su's work never quite works the way its supposed to? Besides, asking a young girl like that to kill a few pesky demons, well, it's just not right.

#4. Please refrain from inappropriate language in the reviews. I know that I have used some foul words in this story, and they are occasionally useful, even necessary to keep people in character. But people who use it incessantly are simply proving their inability to think of another word longer than four letters. That is sad, don't you think?

#5. I have made people shudder with my cliff hangers, now that is an accomplishment! 

#6. No angry mobs with pitchforks, I have posted this fic as I said I would! I know it's a bit late, but what can I do? Sometimes life gets away from me, and a week and a half is not the longest wait this fic has seen.

#7. Um, no sequel. We've already discussed this. There will be an epilogue posted within the next few days, but nothing more than that. I am officially retiring from the realm of full-length fics to the possibility of a few one-shots in the future. But those currently on the back burner have nothing to do with this story of Love Hina. I very much doubt I shall be posting anything in this section ever again.

#8. I seem to have more than a few of you who wish my death. It is good that I am not dead, because then you wouldn't have this chapter, or the epilogue soon to follow. Right?

I guess there aren't as many Author's Notes as I thought there would be. Thank you for joining me on this fictional journey and it saddens me that I shall soon say goodbye from this story forever. But it pleases to me to have had such a wonderful support group along the way, I thank you once more for your kind comments and encouragements, they meant a lot to me. As another author said, you want to make a writer's day? Leave 'em a good review, its better than crack! We do not question how she knows this, she had a tendency towards being slightly odd. :)

CB

I need tacos or I'm gonna' SPOLDE! …that happens sometimes.

-GIR