Reforged

by MakKeiUra

A collaboration by Y-PenDraig and MakKeiUra. Happily Ever After was all that Tsuruko ever wanted, but in the battle of good versus evil you do not get what you want unless you grab it. An old and tremendous evil has other ideas; an old artifact may be the key; is Tsuruko capable of balancing the battle and a new love?

2. Chapter 2

"Reforged" - Chapter 2

By Y-PenDraig and MakKeiUra

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Love Hina, Ken Akamatsu does. This is a non-for-profit work of fanfiction with no monies or profit being made from it. No copyright infringement is intended.

AUTHORS' NOTE ON CONTINUITY: This story uses a mixed manga/anime continuity that starts to branch off majorly from the Burning Blades arc/TV series episode 25. Simply stated, Keitaro's initial arrival at the Hinata Inn and the order he meets the girls is the same as it is in the TV series, as well as Granny Hina's departure from the same. The increased presence of Shirai and Haitani as well as Kentaro Sakata is also as it was in the TV series, as well as Mei, and Moe-Chan. Beyond that, events that occur in the manga should be considered completely canon unless otherwise obviously superseded except for ages; we'll keep to the TV series there unless noted.

INTRODUCTION: Y-PenDraig and I welcome you, the reader, to this story. It grew out of discussion between the two of us about Tsuruko Aoyama and a shared desire to tell a good, long story involving her. The regular rating will be T for Teen for the story proper, but owing to the naughty idea that kind of inspired this madness, you will see omake side-stories posted independently that are rated M for Mature

000

Keitaro Urashima crossed the street at the crosswalk, always glancing up to make certain the crossing sign was still illuminated as he hurried across the intersection as best he could with his leg in a cast. Inwardly cursing his luck, broken leg, and the clothes he had to wear on his discharge day from the hospital; unfortunately it was the only clean item that had been packed for him when he was admitted. He was rethinking his polite refusal of Haruka and Kitsune's offer to help walk him back to the Hinata (probably also stopping at a bar for a drink on the way), Keitaro had issued his refusal with the explanation to the Hinata Inn's resident fox that he needed someone with some authority (mischievous though it was) at the Inn to supervise his youngest residents with Motoko still at school and Naru being nowhere to be seen on that morning. Haruka, Keitaro knew, needed to be working in the tea shop as literally right then was the busiest time of the week; and this month had not been kind to the shop when it came to paying customers. On the matter of Naru, he and the brunette had not even said one word to each other since she had last visited him in the hospital…

His head shot up at the sound of screeching tires, somehow he *knew* the sound of the vehicle before he saw the red sports convertible careening wildly towards him. Keitaro briefly recalled that hackneyed saying of seeing one's life flash before their eyes. This happened for him now as it dawned upon him that there was no way he could get himself out of the way in time. Even his semi-famous immortality could not save him this time as he was literally a sitting duck in the path of (he could see now) Kentaro Sakata's out of control vehicle. Keitaro had a fragment of a moment to prepare himself, and that last images were him sustaining his injury just after *finally* getting into Tokyo U (which would be a contributing factor to ending his life today), Naru leaving him alone after he confessed his love for her without a single word, and the fact that Kentaro (someone who he actually considered somewhat a friend, these days) was about to run him down because a certain hot springs turtle that Mutsumi had gifted to himself and Naru really, really wanted a hug from Sakata and decided the best way to get his attention was to hug his wind-shield and cause the poor playboy to lose control of the wheel.

A figure lanced out beside him, to Keitaro's panicked mind all his eyes registered was a blob of white, red, and black as he heard a katana being drawn and a ki slice issued around him.

It was over in a second. The Secret Technique Evil Splitting Spirit Sword had cut Kentaro Sakata's automobile in half, leaving the shocked (but relieved) rich boy and tea house helper sitting on his bottom in the middle of the road, holding his steering wheel.

"Ah…!" Keitaro breathed in relief, happy he made certain to use the bathroom twice before going through the hospital's discharge process.

"... the hell?!" Sakata managed as various pedestrians could only gawk at the cleanly bisected remnants of his vehicle lying neatly in the intersection.

"That was the Evil Splitting Spirit Sword," Keitaro said, now noting the tall gi, hakama, and jingasa wearing figure next to him. 'When did Motoko-chan get a jingasa?' Keitaro thought as his brain clicked, yes indeed he was alive. "Wow, way cool, thank you so much, Motoko-chan! You saved my life!"

He heard a giggle beside him, was about to wonder at the tenor of the voice. "My, my, I did not know vehicles in Tokyo have taken to attacking people these days," the woman raised up the brim of her travelling hat. "And… excuse me kind sir, but did you happen to say Motoko, by chance?"

Keitaro, now looking at the tall, beautiful woman gaped. "... ah, yeah. I thought you were her considering what you just did… thank you so much, you saved my life!"

She nodded politely, gave a short bow. "Yes, you already said that, sir. And you are quite welcome." She turned to Sakata who was gingerly getting to his feet and dusting himself off. "And you, sir, are you injured? Do you need medical attention?"

"I'm great, thank you, ma'am," he flashed a perfect smile, he turned to Keitaro. "You good, Keitaro?"

"Uh-huh!" Keitaro nodded back.

"Myuu!" Tama-chan floated around them.

"You!" Sakata glared at the flying hot springs turtle. "I almost killed your best friend because of you!" He jabbed a finger over to where Tama-chan floated, the terrapin looked over to Keitaro.

"Myuu…?" Tama asked quietly.

"Yes, Tama-chan," Keitaro said, "that was very dangerous; you should never, ever block someone's view when they're driving a car."

The little turtle made some apologetic sounds.

"Squawk! Squawk!" A crane flew down and perched itself on the woman's shoulder. She cocked her head to one side as she listened to another series of squawks from the crane. "Shippu-kun says the turtle is very sorry, and did not realize what he was doing."

"Well, great," Sakata shrugged, then to Tama: "I mean it, Tama-chan, don't do that again!"

The turtle only nodded. Silently he hovered over to take his usual spot on Keitaro's head.

Sakata sighed. By wordless agreement, the three moved out of the intersection. Fortunately, the woman's expert katana slices had deposited the halves of Kentaro's sports car neatly into respective parallel parking spaces on either side of the road, so traffic was not obstructed. The playboy started furiously dialing numbers on his cell phone as some people walked by, others watched, while others stole a glance or two at what had happened while they went about their business.

"Oh my!" The woman exclaimed with a smile. "Where are my manners? I have not even introduced myself yet."

Keitaro chuckled. "And where are my manners, too?" He bowed as low as he could in apology.

She smiled. "You have an excuse. My name is Tsuruko… pleased to meet you," she bowed low, Keitaro once again did his best to return the greeting. Tsuruko held up a hand to prevent Keitaro from speaking.

"And you, kind sir, thought I was Motoko before you saw that I was not, and you also correctly named one of the God's Cry School's Secret Techniques" she smiled. "Might I guess that you are Mr. Keitaro Urashima, the manager of the Hinata Inn?"

"Y-yes," Keitaro nodded, blushing. "Very pleased to meet you, ah…?"

"Aoyama is my last name."

Keitaro's eyes widened.

Tsuruko nodded, smiling at the realization in the young man's eyes. "Yes… I am her older sister."

She turned then to Sakata. "Good to meet you as well," she bowed, "and your name?"

Sakata laughed. "Kentaro Sakata, likewise Aoyama-sama." He bowed in response.

"Have you called the police and your insurance company, Sakata-san?" Tsuruko looked around, wondering if anyone had already at least called the traffic police by now.

Sakata shook his head.

"Well why the hell not, Kentaro?" Keitaro asked sharply.

"Dude, you really think I want *this* to go on my Dad's insurance?!"

Keitaro nodded soberly, from what little Sakata had told about his family in passing conversations, they would get along famously with his parents in the 'not getting it; do not care' department. "Point taken," Keitaro slumped his shoulders, once again trying to properly adjust to needing crutches. "So what's next for you today, then?"

Sakata laughed at the irony. "I was just cruising around town since it's my day off from the tea shop. I noticed Naru getting on a bus with a bunch of other girls who I have never seen her with before. Before Tama-chan said 'hello' I was actually heading towards the hospital to see if I could give you a ride home."

"Ah, thanks!" Keitaro smiled.

"And I was hoping for info because I want to ask Naru out next week," Sakata flashed his perfect toothy smile.

"Ugh," Keitaro slumped his shoulders again, feeling the sting. "You never give up, do you?"

"A playboy never gives up!" Sakata proudly straightened.

'Neither do the insane,' Keitaro thought grimly.

"Once again, I apologize about your means of conveyance, Sakata-san," Tsuruko spoke clearly, obviously apologetic, but it was clear that it would not bear too heavily on her conscience.

"Awh," Sakata gave a good nature wave of his hand. "I have another one, think nothing of it, Tsuruko-sama."

"So who did you call, anyway?" Keitaro asked, honestly curious.

"The manager of a wrecker company that my Uncle owns," the rich boy commented, "he owes me a favor or three; they'll clean this up and give me a ride home." Just then, a large truck pulled up beside them, honking its loud horn. "There they are now!" Sakata bowed deeply to Tsuruko and Keitaro, "catch you two later!" He turned around briefly, waved at the driver of the large vehicle, then he turned back to Keitaro.

"You know, Keitaro…"

"Yeah?" Keitaro asked.

"That bus Naru got on said Kyoto, private charter too."

Keitaro sighed. "Thanks for the info, dude."

The K University student then turned his attention to Tama-chan, he pointed a finger. "Naughty, naughty, Tama-chan!"

The little turtle hung his head in shame before snuggling ever deeper into Keitaro's hair.

Sakata only nodded, satisfied and deeply relieved that things had ended so well today, then he turned around (but not before giving Tsuruko another deep bow in gratitude) to give the driver orders to begin cleaning up the remnants of his sports car.

Keitaro looked up, he forced a smile onto his face for Tsuruko's benefit. It was not too difficult, as Tsuruko was easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on before. "Tsuruko-sama, might I offer to take you to lunch, to show my gratitude for you saving my life?" He tried to bow as best he could, fortunately Tama-chan myuu'd and assisted with the bow from his perch on the top of Keitaro's head.

Tsuruko laughed pleasantly. "I would be honored, Manager-san. No doubt you have many questions about how I know who you are."

Keitaro chuckled. "I do. Say, I know a good beef bowl place on the next block…" Keitaro started to trail off when he realized he was asking a woman of obvious wealth, property, and refinement to go lunch with him to a beef bowl stand. He felt his face flush in embarrassment and shame at his faux pas.

She smiled radiantly. "I would be honored to join you, Manager-san."

000

"So, Tsuruko-sama, how did you know who I was?" Keitaro sipped on some tea carefully. He had just finished his beef bowl. While very hungry, he had forced himself to eat slowly and properly so as not to seem uncouth to his guest. Tsuruko ate elegantly, but without much of any air about her save for the natural grace she possessed.

"Well, for one, I know your grandmother." She broke a cracker in her hand, and fed it to the crane perched on her shoulder.

Keitaro blinked. "What, y-y-you know Granny?"

"Why do you think my mother and I approved of Motoko-han moving down here when she was only fourteen?" Tsuruko chuckled. "We knew and trusted Granny Hina; and when we learned she decided to go on her grand world tour with your younger sister, we knew she would leave the Hinata Inn in good hands."

Keitaro blushed, panic reaching up his spine. He reminded himself about his bad luck, and that old saying about if something sounds too good to be true, it probably was. Keitaro warned himself that Tsuruko's kind manner with him would most likely melt away as she started to recount the various things he feared Motoko said to her mother and sister whenever she called home or sent a letter.

Tsuruko smiled. "I thank you for taking such good care of Motoko-han."

"Ah, you are most welcome!"

"Even if she can be… most difficult at times towards men." Tsuruko lowered her voice a bit.

"Oh," Keitaro laughed nervously. "It's nothing, really."

"You are so tolerant and forgiving of that girl," Tsuruko smiled. "Tell me, why was Sakata-san the only one who seemed to want to help you home from the hospital?"

"Right now, with Motoko-chan in school and Narsuegawa-san just gone, the only adult at home is Mitsune Konno and Haruka Urashima; my au-er, cousin. They both asked to walk me home, but I refused and asked them both to supervise things at the Inn and tea shop until I made it home." Keitaro's voice started off quiet, then only grew more quiet during his reply to Tsuruko.

She nodded. 'He is so sad,' she thought.

Keitaro opened his mouth, almost seemed about to speak, then closed it again.

Tsuruko finished her own beef bowl and then resumed sipping on her tea, she smiled at Keitaro but said nothing.

'I am just going to ask, might as well,' he thought.

Tsuruko almost seemed to sense this thought as she raised an eyebrow as Keitaro mentally prepared himself.

"I really must apologize, Tsuruko-sama."

"Oh, why so Manager-san?"

"I… can only imagine how I must sound in Motoko-chan's letters." Keitaro squirmed in his seat, almost seeming to will himself to somehow disappear into his seat.

Tsuruko put her hand up. "Her attitude towards men is nothing new, I assure you, while Motoko-han does speak the truth; sometimes her mother and I must view her statements through the lens of how she currently chooses to view menfolk." She favored Keitaro with a little smirk. "I also have the benefit of knowing your grandmother; she has spoken highly of you, but also truthfully about your human… foibles."

"So…?"

"I do not view you as a depraved pervert, no," she finished the tea and placed it on the table. "But I do wish to get to know you in person a bit more before I pass any further judgments."

"Judgments?" Keitaro questioned.

"Just as I am sure you are waiting to form your judgment on me." Tsuruko smiled thinly, but her tone was absolutely cordial with a hint of good humor.

He found himself chuckling. "Well, even though I have just met you I can tell you I think pretty highly of you. But I'm biased, you did save my life after all."

"You did take me out to lunch, and hold the door for me even though you had a broken leg," she touched a finger to her chin. "A very good start in our friendship, Mr. Manager-san."

"I apologize I could not offer you more than a beef bowl and a couple of teas…"

"Oh?" Tsuruko asked.

"Well, a great lady like you deserves a great feast." Keitaro blushed.

She smirked. "You flatter me, Manager-san." She nodded her head towards him across the table. "But I accept things in the spirit in which they were given. I have been known in my time to enjoy a beef bowl or even a cup of ramen from a vending machine."

"Same here."

They shared a good natured laugh, then as Keitaro paid the bill and the tip, he decided to venture another question. "So you're here to visit Motoko-chan. She said nothing about having family down for a visit."

"It is somewhat of a surprise, Manager-san…"

Keitaro nodded slowly. "Well," he checked his watch, "school just let out. Motoko-chan still has her train ride home from Tokyo. We should arrive at the Inn with plenty of time for you to get settled in and then spring that surprise on her!"

Tsuruko nodded, "oh she will be surprised."

"Happy to offer you a room for a night or two. No charge, of course."

She smiled. "Thank you, I will let you know if I will take you up on such a generous offer."

Keitaro returned the smile, not for the first time thinking that Tsuruko had to easily be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her manner also helped ease his mind from the circumstances that led him to be walking home with a broken leg after being discharged from the hospital.

'He certainly has a sunny disposition, no matter what life throws at him,' Tsuruko thought as it conformed closely with how Granny Hina described her grandson.

After paying, the two were soon out on the side-walk slowly but steadily navigating their way through the early evening hustle and bustle of foot-traffic in Hinata City.

"If you do not mind me asking, Manager-san, how *did* you break your leg?" Tsuruko asked softly beside him, she was looking around to make certain that Keitaro faced no obstructions as he carefully navigated walking uphill with his crutches.

All at once Keitaro remembered the events that led up to him breaking his leg not long after finding out he got into Tokyo U, then his stay in the hospital, and finally Naru… He looked down, morosely he replied to Tsuruko: "I guess you could say my luck finally ran out."

Tsuruko listened sympathetically, but could tell that currently Keitaro was unprepared to say more. She decided to pass the rest of their walk up the hill to the Hinata Inn by telling Keitaro about the Aoyama family and God's Cry holdings in the mountains of Kyoto, which Keitaro found fascinating, and also how she knew his grandmother.

"Amazing, so you used to stay at the Inn back before Granny and Auntie Haruka turned it into a girls' dorm?"

Tsuruko nodded in the affirmative. "That was when I was guest teaching kendo at Reika Girls High School." She tittered, "I was scarcely older than the girls I was teaching."

Keitaro huffed as he worked the crutches up the ever steeper incline of the sidewalk, heading towards Hinata mountain and home. "That must have been something else."

"It was. The girls even had a nickname for me, the Kendo Wolf of Kyoto, or just 'The Wolf' since I was born and raised in the mountains and the forests," Tsuruko smiled at her memories. "I was a bit of a loner then, too, but hardly anti-social."

"You a loner at Reika High School?" Keitaro blinked, "the girls there treat Motoko-chan like she's a goddess."

Tsuruko nodded, smirking. "In a manner of speaking, yes. That is how my mother and I knew of Reika High School and how it would be a good place for Motoko-han to go to high school. I started off a loner there, but I learned a lot, made many friends, and helped its kendo program become the best secondary school program in all of Japan," her tone took on a touch of melancholy, "when I left, even the principal wept, and so did your Grandmother."

Keitaro listened closely, then nodded. Memories from his childhood began resurfacing. "Back around then when I used to visit, Granny used to tell me about a man who was talented with swords, too, not kendo but another art… but also different from the Urashima arts she learned in her younger days," Keitaro wracked his notoriously dense brain as he remembered his stays at the Inn when he was young and also whenever Granny Hina would come to visit his parents, him, and Kanako. "She said he also stayed at the Inn a lot, too," Keitaro chuckled, reminiscing out loud: "Granny Hina also used to whisper to me that he was a demon-slayer."

"I knew him," Tsuruko smiled, but her tone was distant, sad.

Keitaro sensed that, and was thankful politeness provided an opportunity to let the conversation end as they had arrived at the stone staircase leading up to the Hinata Inn.

000

Keitaro splashed cold water on his face. How the hell did he get himself into this? The walk up the stairs had filled Keitaro with pride as he was able to manage going up with his crutches all on his own. Kitsune, Shinobu, and Haruka had met them at the front door, followed soon thereafter by Su and Sara. Keitaro had made initial introductions, and everyone settled in the common room. Soon Tsuruko was enjoying some tea as Keitaro commented that Motoko should be home any minute…

'Well, that part went according to plan,' Keitaro thought as he dried his face off. It was everything else that happened after Motoko walked in the door that he was still making sense of.

Before opening the bathroom door, Keitaro took one look at his reflection. He double-checked that his lips were sealed so that he would not voice the thoughts careening their way around his head. 'So, Motoko-chan is scared Tsuruko-sama is going to take her home and force her to become head of the dojo when she is not yet ready; so now I am playacting as Motoko-chan's fiance until Tsuruko-sama decides to go home to Kyoto.'

His shoulders slumped. Inwardly, he was relieved that his words to Tsuruko earlier had said nothing about his relationship status in the house; giving Motoko a shot to spin her tale about them being engaged. When Tsuruko had questioned Keitaro about why he had not told her this earlier in the day, Motoko had covered for him by thinking fast and telling Tsuruko that a gentleman does not just up and tell his fiance's older sister about the engagement on the city street; he waits until a proper sit-down meeting for such a declaration.

'And now, I have to get ready to take a bath with Motoko-chan… great, kami knows I have certainly fallen in there or walked in on her enough times,' Keitaro's morose interior monologue continued as he unlocked the door and hobbled out into the hallway.

"Hey sugah, you feelin' all right?" Kitsune's tone was hardly more than a whisper, and she looked up and down the hallway to make sure Tsuruko was not anywhere around.

"Oh hey, Kitsune," Keitaro hastily threw on a smile. "Yeah, just fine here. What's up?"

"You will be if you aren't extra careful with this little charade you and Motoko cooked up," Kitsune pointed a finger right at Keitaro's nose. "I know you only want to help kendo girl; and I do too, but you two have to watch your asses on this one!"

"Well, you helped too."

The fox of Hinata cracked a grin. "Hell yeah, I did."

"I hope this will all be over soon," he whispered, "so just play along until then, okay?"

Kitsune nodded. "Sure I will," she shrugged, "I just wish kendo girl had a better plan than this."

"You and me both…"

"Another thing," Keitaro opened her eyes just a bit more, "don't you be lingerin' in there with Motoko, in fact nag her a bit to hurry up and git. The less time you spend in the hot springs, the better everyone will be."

"Gotcha," Keitaro nodded, it sounded like good advice. "Oh, Kitsune…?"

"What hon?"

"Did you talk to Naru today?" Keitaro almost felt his heart sinking as he forced out the words.

"A little bit before she left on her club trip to Kyoto, why?"

"Did… did she say anything about me?"

Kitsune favored him with a probing look. "What happened, Keitaro?"

"... I… told her I loved her when she visited me in the hospital," Keitaro looked down at the floor, almost willing himself to meld into the floorboards.

Kitsune blinked. "Wow… heh, way to go, Keitaro." Kitsune chuckled, "what did she say-and why didn't she tell me?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Kitsune's mouth gaped open. "Wait, hold on… you told her you love her, then what did she do?"

"She had her back turned when I told her, she was about to leave, I could tell she heard and understood what I said by how she was standing." Keitaro fought back tears. "She said nothing and left the room."

"... I can't believe her…" Kitsune muttered, absolutely shocked.

"... did I do something wrong?"

"What?!" Kitsune looked up at Keitaro.

He repeated the question.

"No, of course not, Keitaro. You did nothin' wrong, hon," Kitsune took a steadying breath. "Look, you pull yourself together, go sit with your back turned to Motoko in the hot spring, don't rile up kendo girl; we'll talk later. Okay?" Kitsune gave him one last soft look as she walked down the hallway.

Keitaro nodded, trying again to pull himself together. This happened whenever he recalled what had happened in the hospital.

As Kitsune rounded a corner, she thought. 'What the hell, seriously what is that girl thinkin'? This is the last time I go to bat for her if this is how she plays somethin' like this, like *him*'

"Oh, Kitsune?" Keitaro called out.

She peeked her head back around the corner.

Keitaro smiled, that same hopeful smile he always had in trying times. "Thank you for offering to help me home today. I really did appreciate it."

"Sure, yeah," Kitsune replied, then smiled. "Of course I was going to offer. That's what your friendly neighborhood fox is for." She smirked, "you can show your appreciation in buying me a drink next time we're all out on the town."

He actually chuckled. "You got it."

Maybe it was his smile or him laughing a little bit, but Kitsune found herself not turning back and going back down the hallway as quickly as she normally would.

000

A week earlier…

It was late at night; near the peak of one of the mountains of Kyoto prefecture on the opposite side from where the Aoyama family compound stood. At that altitude the only things in view were scattered pine trees, massive boulders and what could only be described as an ominous blood red full moon.

Stopping on her voyage and letting out an unusual but small sigh Tsuruko turned her head to face her ever-present shoulder companion. "Is it not an amazement that for her age, Hina-sama is able to make it all the way to the mountain peak of one of her clan's most ancient retreat?"

"QUAW!" replied a happy Shippu as he lowers his head towards his master, allowing her to more easily pet him.

Over the last few weeks since separating from her husband; the swordswoman had found it more difficult to come to terms with the event than she had anticipated. Though a mutual decision on their part and for the benefit of her closest friend and her children, it still hurt. Hurt in a way Tsuruko never imagined. There were moments in the day when she had to make an honest mental effort to *not* resent Kimiko for putting her in this situation in the first place. Letting out another sigh the ever vigilant swordswoman looked around using her senses and ki to search for any presence… human or otherwise. Finding no one for the moment, she resumed her conversation with her pet. "I hope Hina and her little 'offer I cannot refuse' will be able to help ease these doubts and feelings I am having, Shippu."

"QUAW!" Shippu lowered his head further this time and smoothed his head against his mistress' forehead to show his support.

With an affectionate smile Tsuruko gently stroked his beak. "You are a most loyal familiar," she chuckled, turning back towards her eventual destination. With an amused smile the elder Aoyama daughter continued as she gazed at the mountain peak ahead. "Though I find it hard to believe with its size, I swear the dwelling changes location each time I visit and the surrounding terrain with it."

Suddenly broken from her conversation with her pet by a slight rustling in the branches above; Tsuruko placed her hand on the hilt of her dreaded Ikazuchi tightly, sensing a familiar presence. "Kanako-san? Show yourself at once, you have let your presence be known and I am not keen for games unless I choose them."

Amused, jumping from her perch in the tree above, Kanako lands gracefully into a crouching position a few feet in front of Tsuruko. "I cannot answer the first question for you Tsuruko-sama; as it is an Urashima family secret. However I can guide you to your destination as Hina has instructed me to do so."

Seeing no threat from her new companion Tsuruko takes on her usual stoic demeanor. "I believe I will accept your most generous offer, Kanako-san. Though I do not care to admit it as it is something that almost never occurs, the Urashima retreat seems to elude me each visit."

Offering her charge a smile Kanako opens her hands then arms towards Tsuruko to show no ill intentions. The dark haired Urashima martial artist and witch laughs pleasantly. "It is meant too, we do not wish just anyone finding us up here as it is called a retreat for a reason. Though I do feel I still owe you for helping me before, I will always be glad to offer you my aid."

"I am glad to hear that you offer me your aid if I so require, though any more than you acting as my guide to the retreat and your grandmother I do not believe I require it at this time; I thank you for your gracious offer nonetheless." Reciprocating in kind Tsuruko smiles at her acquaintance, nods, and removes her hand from her blade to signify no ill will.

Momentarily surprised at her friend's outward display of affection, Kanako carefully reads Tsuruko's expression for a moment. "How have you been these last few weeks? Granny informed me of your split from Ko… I am willing to talk. Anytime."

Tsuruko takes a deep breath to steady herself from the one topic that seemed to frustrate her of late. "I thank you for your offer Kanako, nevertheless I hope to discuss the matter with you later after speaking with Hina-sama." She offered the black-clad girl a weak smile. Sensing multiple strong presences around them, her weak smile turned into her trademark smirk. "For now we have a few unexpected guests..."

Amusedly Kanako's smile deepens a little. "They are not of any concern Tsuruko-sama, they are merely a few of Hina's guards." Kanako then raised her voice. "THOUGH IT TOOK THEM LONG ENOUGH!" Kanako pointed in two directions, once in front of where they stood on the mountain path, and once to their rear. "Yeah! I'm talking to you two!"

Suddenly two slender women appeared like phantoms and began to approach from opposite sides of Tsuruko and Kanako from the sparse tree line in what looked like modernised Shinobi clothing. Tsuruko hid her bemused reaction at the level of stealth the two women employed.

As they got within several feet of both Kanako and Tsuruko they stopped and bowed before them each in turn, then one began to speak in measured tones. "We apologise for our delayed reaction Kanako-sama, however we were already aware of the Aoyama samurai's approach for quite some time as was Hina. We were instructed not to interfere, our orders were to leave you to greet your friend."

The other Shinobi then began to speak in a smug tone. "Additionally Hina became concerned that you had something urgent to discuss with Aoyama-sama. Something about that 'little problem' with your brother-"

"Huh?!" That was all the shocked Urashima could think to reply. "WHAT PROBLEM?! I…I…I got here first, that means I'm better!" Kanako quickly retorts. "And I am completely fine now with my onii-chan… Granny needs to stop worrying!"

One of the shinobi females stands and removes her mask to reveal an attractive modern looking woman who looked to be in her mid twenties with dark hair cascading down to her backside. "As if! I'm older, wiser, and much more experienced than you. And recovery takes a while, in your grandmother's words."

Kanako, not one to back down, gets right into the girl's face. "Aiko, compared to me you're nothing!"

"Nuh-uh… Not only am I one of Hina's personal guards but I've got bigger tits too; not like you and Tora!" Aiko, placing an arm under her rather large barely constrained bust. "See? Even when tied down now they are still bigger than yours!" Aiko moved closer to Kanako and began to snigger as the Urashima clan resident witch looked down eyeing at the difference in size as her face began to seethe in jealousy.

Despite herself, Tsuruko could not resist a stifled chuckle. This Aiko's ability to rattle Kanako's cage was entertaining to watch.

The other shinobi stood and removed her mask to reveal an attractive but old fashioned looking woman also around her mid twenties with shoulder length dark hair. She greeted Tsuruko, seemingly unfazed one way or another by Aiko and Kanako's display. "As Aiko just explained my name is Tora and I am also one of Hina's personal guards. Don't worry about those two, Aiko's been one of Kanako's sparring partners for quite some time; though you wouldn't believe it they are also good friends. Little spats like this have gotten a lot more vocal since you helped her to open up more. Which I must thank you for." She bowed her head to the samurai.

Watching the shenanigans of the two under discussion, Tsuruko laughed merrily. "I am Tsuruko Aoyama. It is good to see her finally open up to someone other than close family or myself. Though I count Kanako-san among my short list of friends, I do not often get time to converse with her as much as I would like."

Tora regarded Tsuruko with awe, momentarily stunned at her effortless beauty. Finally, she gathered her wits about her. "It is best that we begin our way to Hina-sama as those two could take a while to complete their …ummm…. greeting ritual of sorts."

Still very amused, Tsuruko looked at Kanako unable to believe her the same person who came to her a year ago needing help opening up to someone. She looked back at Tora again. "Yes, I believe we shall." They both turn to begin making their way up the rocky path to the retreat leaving Aiko and Kanako to burn off their excess energy.

000

-Several minutes later-

Reaching the traditional Shinto style destination that seemed to fit the landscape without overshadowing the natural beauty Tsuruko instructed Shippu to take flight until she returns. The majestic crane replied with a "QUAW!" as he stretched his wings and set off into the air.

Seeing her companion Tora in awe as the bird spread its wings Tsuruko amusedly asks, "Shall we continue?"

Tora silently nodded, using an unseen method to open the ornate door. The two entered the Urashima retreat, Tsuruko leading the way as she already knew her ultimate destination.

A few minutes later Tsuruko is kneeling next to Hina's personal guard behind the sliding shōji screen door as Tora is about to announce their presence when they hear a voice. "I am aware that you have arrived Tora, please show Tsuruko-sama in and wait for further instruction."

Awestruck at the old woman, Tora takes a moment to gather herself. "Yes Hina-sama," sliding the shōji screen door open to allow the honored guest entry without rising.

Hearing the door slide shut then noting the large fire with its simple traditional Shinto style decoration Tsuruko makes her way to one side of the fire opposite the Urashima matriarch.

Carefully observing her guest Hina notes the downheartedness in Tsuruko's demeanor and the elder's voice takes on a concerned tone, "It is good to see you have finally arrived child; how have you been keeping since your sunder?"

Knowing she would be unable to hide the truth, Tsuruko mentally debates what she hoped to achieve in accepting the elder Urashima's invitation. Tsuruko chose her next words carefully, "If I am truthful Hina sama; I am finding the whole ordeal more trying than I had originally anticipated." Pausing to compose herself by taking a deep breath. "Right now, if you do not mind, I would prefer to discuss the plan to assess Motoko-han's abilities."

Sensing her emotional turmoil the elder Urashima goes silent and carefully eyes Tsuruko. An amused smirk (not unlike the much younger woman sitting before her) plays along Hina's aged lips as she comes to a conclusion. "You should know better and be more honest and open with this old woman, child."

Realising she should have expected that reaction Tsuruko squares her head and decides to forge on with being completely forthcoming with her old friend. "I understand Hina-sama, and I beg your forgiveness for wishing to brush things aside," Tsuruko sighed. "It is just that I have found that though Ko and I choose this path... he has someone to help him through this ordeal and I am finding myself resenting that fact." Tsuruko was silent for a moment as she searched for the right phrase. "There are simply not enough duties at the Aoyama compound that my students or my mother can give me-nor petty dramas or controversies that my aunt cannot concoct-to keep my mind from regurgitating the whole trial. It is leading to feelings of resentment regardless of the path being of my own choosing." Tsuruko bowed her head, closing her eyes and breathing deeply to find calm.

Nodding in approval at the Aoyama's honesty Hina levels her gaze at the swordswoman and in the blink of an eye is pulling her into a hug. "Child, those are perfectly natural emotions; it is something no one ever anticipates experiencing," patting the younger woman's back as she continues, "though I have never experienced such heart ache I do know what the loss of a life partner is like. I lost my husband many years ago, but there are times the pain is still almost unbearable."

Several minutes past as the two offer support to one another as the occasional tear is shed and they quietly discuss the particulars of their lost loves. Hina spoke of the charming but clumsy man she met when she was young, Sho. He had the same last name as her as he was part of the Urashima clan by blood but the degree of separation was such that any concern of affinity was nonexistent once it was explained to anyone who dared venture such a scandalous question. Sho had dutifully graduated high school, attended college, graduated, then began work in the bowels of a major corporation. Though unmarried and getting older, his life to his parents was a note of pride save for the lack of a wife. That was, until the day (as Sho put it) he realized if he did not do something he feared he would become like one of the ceiling tiles in the ceiling of his office; cracked and warped. He gave his respects and thanks to his bosses, quit his job, and began visiting his extended family, moving from place to place until he arrived at the Hinata Inn and met his very distant relation Hina. He never left, in fact his grave is in the small family cemetery Keitaro maintains to this day.

Tsuruko told the story of Ko, even though Hina knew most of it herself, of course. Ko displayed a talent for being sensitive to the unseen world from an early age. His parents encouraged it, and instead of college after graduating high school he started learning from the finest minds dedicated to the occult in Japan and soon, abroad. Ko first met Hina when he stayed at the Inn after coming back from a study trip to visit a shaman of one of the First Nations' of Canada. Ko stayed there at Hina's invitation as his talent had come to the attention of the Urashima clan. Ko's visit also coincided with the first stay of Tsuruko at the Inn while she taught Kendo at Reika Girls' High School. Tsuruko and Ko got along as friends from the start, and at times would work together on demon-hunting. It was after Hina witnessed the unspoken communication and coordination one night between them as they assisted her in preparing dinner for the Inn's guests that started Hina poking at them both to start thinking of each other as more than friends and occasional work colleagues.

Feeling the Aoyama swordmistress calming down from her sorrow Hina releases her and sits closely in front of one of the strongest women she knew. 'Well, next to me of course,' Hina mentally corrected. Social etiquette be damned.

Noting that Tsuruko was back in control of herself as she wiped a few remnants of her tears into her gi sleeve Hina's debated her next move. Suddenly her right eye gets that devious twinkle that can only mean one thing, though it goes unseen by her guest. "Now dear I cannot help but feel this is partially my responsibility for introducing you to Ko and urging for your union. Hence, I have a strategy that will help you work through some of your emotions and test Motoko-chan's abilities at the same time."

Tsuruko looked at her, waiting.

Hina smiled, confirming that she had the woman's attention. Hina continued. "Plus you will finally get to meet my darling grandson."

Tsuruko gives an honest smile. "Wonderful, I should probably spend some time with family during this ordeal."

As the two begin to discuss the plan. Tora who is finally joined by Kanako and Aiko waited in silence outside the room in the hallway. They strain their hearing but are unable to make out anything beyond the cackling of Hina as the Urashima matriarch and Tsuruko discuss the business at hand. Kanako felt a slightly chilling sensation running up and down her spine as she listened to her grandmother's laughter.

'What does Granny have up her sleeve now?' Kanako thought.

000

Kitsune sat on the couch in the Hinata Inn's common room, not for the first time wondering how the hell Keitaro and Motoko were doing on their little quest to defeat Tsuruko in battle, and also when the hell she would hear from Naru. She had a horse race on the television, a couple of horses she had a moderate amount of money on, but while time and again she reminded herself to pay attention to her racing forms and the thoroughbred stats book she had, she found her mind drifting back to the newest drama the Hinata Inn girls and their hapless manager found themselves embroiled in.

"One I had nothin' to do with, thank you very much," she sipped from the bottle of sake Keitaro had bought for her. She silently thanked the absent manager with a broken leg. Not for the first time, Kitsune found the back of her mind buzzing at the bad luck being visited upon Keitaro since successfully getting into Tokyo U and she surprised herself by steadily growing more angry at it. While she had taken advantage of Keitaro's good and trusting nature for her own gain, and also his clumsiness for some cheap laughs, she always at the end of the night consoled herself by thinking, 'at least I know not to cross the line.'

Her best friend however, in the days since Keitaro told her what happened between them at the hospital, while Kitsune struggled mightily to try and empathize with whatever was going through the studious brunette' head, the fox woman always came up with no answer and only questions. But, after a considerable amount of time thinking about it this morning as her two cups of coffee turned into the first sake of the day, Kitsune, her conscience, the sake, and her knowledge of the individuals involved came to a very informed, democratic decision that Naru Narsuegawa had indeed crossed the line.

Since coming to said conclusion, Kitsune's eyes drifted over to the common room's telephone for the fourth time since sitting down to watch today's races. When Naru called, what would she say? What could she say? How to say it? How not to say it?

Kitsune exhaled sharply, taking another swig of her sake. Keitaro did not have to buy her this, he had every right to take a raincheck or even blow her off over this one, but true to form the manager had spent money he did not have in order to meet her request. And right now he and Motoko were in a struggle of brawn and wits up there in kami-knew-where-Kyoto Prefecture to somehow get the drop on Tsuruko so they would not be forced to go along with Motoko's desperate "we're getting married" lie and Keitaro's damnable honor in going along with it.

Her race was next, half-heartedly Kitsune picked up her notepad, and looked over at her forms, then over at her stat book. The odds were three to one for HashHouse Hirohito, but they were better than what she feared were facing Keitaro and Motoko right now.

The phone rang. Kitsune stood up, but not before emptying the remaining sake. If it was who she hoped (feared) it was, she was going to need it.

"As I live and breath, when it rains it pours shit." The fox drawled as the Caller ID did confirm her hopes and fears. A payphone in Kyoto. It could not be Motoko or Keitaro as the manager had taken his mobile phone and also Motoko had left her family home's contact number.

"Hello, you have reached the Hinata Inn, Girls Dormitory, how may I assist you?"

[Kitsune? Hey, it's Naru! How are things going down there?]

Kitsune took a moment to compose herself.

"Ah hey, Naru-chan! Things are going okay, how about you?" Kitsune hoped that the alcohol was doing its intended job to help her sound more relaxed than she currently felt.

[The club trip to the temple is over, and everyone else has already gone back to Tokyo,] Naru recited excitedly, [but I thought I'd do some sightseeing before I came home.]

"Cool."

[Did I get any mail?]

"Wha?" Kitsune was a bit taken aback that it was the second question Naru had asked. Naru repeated her question.

"Hold on a sec girl, let me see." Kitsune went over to the front foyer and stopped at the marked mailbox for each of the Hinata's residents, she picked up Naru's mail (only one item) and returned to the phone. "Naru-chan? You still there?"

She was.

"You got a postcard from your Mom showing Tokyo U in the spring. Lovely."

[I told her I was on a club trip. What does it say?]

Kitsune opened her fox eyes a bit wider to read through the haze of her increasing sake buzz. "She hopes you had a good time on the club trip, and wishes you love and good studies; oh wait Mei is getting an award in three days from her school; perfect attendance and academic record."

[...]

"Well, isn't that great?" Kitsune's reaction was completely genuine as she had a soft spot for Naru's little step-sister.

[Yeah, it is!]

"There's a bit more here," Kitsune peered a bit closer at the postcard as she read out loud. "Your Mom said she wired a ticket to the main Kyoto station if you can come home and attend the ceremony. Mei would be absolutely thrilled. And there's a confirmation number. Ya want it?"

[Yeah! I better catch the next bus back down into Kyoto City if I want to be at the ceremony in time for Mei.]

Kitsune carefully read off the confirmation number while Naru copied it down. Once finished, a smirk crossed Kitsune's face. "Well, what about Keitaro?"

[Um… yeah, how is he?]

Kitsune took a measured, deep breath. "As well as can be expected, he got home alright, it's just what happened on the way and when he actually got home that is the problem."

[What did that idiot do this time?]

"Nothing."

[... excuse me, Kitsune?]

"You heard me, 'nothing.'" Kitsune allowed a hint of venom into her voice, hoping this would get through to her friend. "Something you have experience in."

[What do you mean? Look Kitsune, this is a payphone and I have to catch the next bus back to Kyoto City so I can get to the train station in time.]

"Naru, I *know* what Keitaro said to you, and what you did after that." Kitsune took a breath. "Which is nothing. You said nothing, you left his hospital room, and what's more you left him to walk him from the damned hospital alone with a broken leg." Kitsune laughed bitterly. "Haruka and I even offered to help walk him home, but he steadfastly refused out of the goodness of his dumb old heart because I would be the only adult here and Haruka needed to be busy down at the tea shop during that time of day! She really needs to make money this month, you know..."

[...]

"Got anything to say for yourself, Naru?" Kitsune drawled, the alcohol really hitting her now. "I've been a' tryin' to figure out what was a' goin' through your head in that moment, but damned if I know."

[Is… is he there right now?]

"Oh yeah. That." Kitsune chuckled. "He's actually somewhere up there in Kyoto in the mountains somewhere having some kind of half-assed duel against Motoko's big sister. If they win, Motoko gets to stay here in Hinata and inherit her family's dojo someday when the cows come home, or somethin'. If they lose, they have to get married, you see."

[... th-the hell?!]

"Yeah, Keitaro got roped into some damn silly lie of Motoko's, that girl actually lied to her sister about being engaged to him, and got him and all of us to go along with it." Kitsune at that moment was aching to crack open another bottle of sake, but held back as long as she had Naru on the hook, so to speak.

[... that… that IDIOT!]

"Um, nope." KItsune allowed annoyance to filter into her voice. "He did nothing wrong except agree to help Motoko; same as us, hell kendo girl was *begging* us to do this for her."

[...still, Kitsune…]

Kitsune ignored Naru. "Anywho, Motoko's sister found out that it was a lie; and disowned Motoko from the family and banished her from the dojo. Kendo girl freaked."

[I bet, that's harsh of her sister.]

"Yeah, no shit, Naru." Kitsune sighed, her tolerance for the conversation fraying. "To make a long story short, Keitaro met up with Ms. Kendo Queen and told her just how broken and hopeless Motoko was; so the lady proposed this duel up in Kyoto. Three days, starting today, and if they can kick her ass in some way then Motoko gets back into the family, honor, and the dojo. Otherwise, it's Mrs. Motoko Urashima."

[Idiot Keitaro shouldn't have let this happen! He should have-

"You going after him or not, Naru?"

[...]

"Answer me, girl."

[... no. I have to go home.]

Kitsune sighed. "That's your choice; but I am telling you this as your best friend, I'm done running interference or support, or whatever the fuck I do for you in regards to men. In particular, Keitaro."

KItsune heard a deep sigh on the other end of the receiver. "Naru-chan, I'm only tellin' you all of this for your own good."

[I know.]

"This is it, you know," Kitsune raised her voice, "If Keitaro decides he likes some other girl who isn't you, I'm just gonna let it happen. But you have the option to poke around up there in Kyoto to try and find them. Shouldn't be too hard, just watch for falling trees, wind gusts, and Keitaro flying through the air. You could still fix this, you know. Got that?"

[I do…]

"Well?" Kitsune closed her eyes, wanting to blot out the entire world in that moment.

[I… I need time to think, okay? I… I am sorry, Kitsune… I just have to go home, okay?]

"You remember what I said then," Kitsune growled.

[Okay… I'm going now, bye.]

Kitsune listened to the sound of the receiver for a long time until the signal echoed in her ears to hang up. Slowly, she did so. The alcohol buzz was starting to subside. She ambled over to get more sake, when she passed Haruka who had entered the Inn without the fox noticing.

"Hey, Haruka," Kitsune waved, walking over into the kitchen.

"Good afternoon," Haruka effortlessly balanced a lit cigarette in her lips as she carried in that day's mail.

"What's in the mail today?" Kitsune asked as she retrieved her chilled sake from the refrigerator.

Haruka glanced through the pile that she had placed on the counter. "... well, well, well…"

"What now?" Kitsune sighed, holding the bottle.

Haruka opened an elegant envelope. "That Tsuruko sure works fast," Haruka read aloud: 'Hinata Inn Residents, you are cordially invited to the binding together in love, commitment, and marriage of Mr. Keitaro Urashima and Ms. Motoko Aoyama,'" she held up a number of tickets. "All expenses paid, too."

Kitsune laughed as she opened the bottle and took a swig. "Get the girls down here, Haruka, we're goin' up to Kyoto."

"What about Naru?" Haruka exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"She has other priorities at the moment," Kitsune took another drink, somberly trying to figure out how to tell Keitaro about her conversation with Naru. 'She's got nothin' to complain about if he decides he's done with her,' Kitsune thought. Somehow, the sorrow she expected to feel at such a thought was less than she expected, and not just by the alcohol.

000

The next night, Keitaro and Motoko sat on the deck outside one of the buildings at the Aoyama family compound, deep in thought. She had met him while he was out walking the gardens of the Aoyama family compound, and asked if she could have a word with him. Keitaro had still been dressed in his shinobi garb from earlier in the day, while Motoko had changed into her school uniform. Keitaro still even had that old sword of his grandmother's on his back. Odd, even though she had told him they would not be using it in the duel, he never took it off of his back. Motoko shook her head, such musings were useless right now. They only had tomorrow morning left. So far, all of their attempts to defeat Tsuruko had ended up in failure.

'Failure is far too kind a word for it,' Motoko thought as she puzzled over their predicament. Her sister was probably the most powerful, strongest woman on the face of the Earth in many respects, and she had a mind that did not miss much when it came to battle. Even Keitaro's family ninja tactics had done nothing except gotten them beaten all the more soundly. It was the evening of the day before the final showdown. 'At this rate, I will be living the life of an ordinary woman,' Motoko spared a glance to her side where Keitaro was bandaging up his latest bruise that would heal with amazing speed compared to "normal" people who were not ki-gifted. 'Motoko Urashima… what could Big Sis be thinking?' Motoko sighed, 'more like what was I thinking?'

Motoko's thoughts once again drifted back to the sword Keitaro was carrying in its scabbard on his back. She had forced him to close it when he had attempted to unsheath it in his room back at the Inn, but as their defeats became more numerous and time grew short, she thought back on the presence she felt from it, and the odd shift in Keitaro's behavior and the "feeling" in the air. In ordinary circumstances, she would have asked her mother or Tsuruko for their 'insight,' but with her current questionable status within the family, she could not go to them unless it was a clear and immediate danger. And, really, Motoko doubted that the presence in the Urashima family heirloom was anything more than one of Keitaro's bumbling ancestors trying to keep watch over him. No more than an annoyance she did not have the time to deal with now.

Then why was the aura so hard to put out of her mind?

Motoko was about to ruminate on this more when Keitaro pointed up. "There's that crane again."

"Yes. Shippu..." Motoko sighed. That bird had caused them more grief than she ever thought possible. It started simply enough, with the bird either being perched on his mistress' shoulder or flying nearby, but as the days wore on it became obvious that Shippu was one of their opponents too. One moment the bird was signalling Tsuruko that they were about to sneak up behind her, another time they thought they had could surprise Tsuruko while she was using the bathroom; only to open the door and find Shippu *using* the toilet.

'I will never get that image out of my mind,' Motoko recalled miserably. She remembered Keitaro damn near losing his lunch afterwards, and figured it was the same for him.

What was it that the Westerners liked to say? 'I hope I will not be telling this to a therapist when I am forty-five,' Motoko sullenly completed the thought.

And finally, after Keitaro sold her on trying to utilize some of his family's ninjitsu techniques for a sneak attack on Tsuruko while she bathed in the Aoyama family open air hot spring. When Motoko and Keitaro surfaced after slowly swimming underwater for almost an hour, breathing through bamboo straws, they were confronted with the sight of Shippu happily bathing.

'Damn that bird, damn him to hell,' Motoko thought bitterly.

"I am trying to think of some possible weakness in Tsuruko-sama from what we have seen," Keitaro spoke as he gingerly stretched out his cast-covered broken leg. His crutches rested within reach.

"So am I, Urashima. Unfortunately there is not very much that my Big Sister misses." Motoko spoke as she watched Shippu circle around the grounds of the dojo, make his curious "kue kue" sound a couple of times, then fly off somewhere out of view.

Motoko sighed, she had put off her reason for asking to speak to Keitaro for long enough. "Say… Urashima…"

"Yeah?" Keitaro looked over to her. "What is it, Motoko-chan?"

"Would… would-it-be-so-bad-if-you-*had*-to-marry-me?" Motoko glanced down, then up at Keitaro, blushing sharply.

Keitaro blinked, then blinked again. But… didn't she hate this whole thing? Didn't he? He thought again about when Tsuruko had told him the terms of the duel, and how she would insist that he honored his part in Motoko's lie if they failed to defeat her. Keitaro still remembered unbidden how a mental picture of him and Motoko, married, with two little children all dressed up for the O-bon festival and how the thought had felt good...

… then he remembered Naru.

… and then he remembered Naru with her back to him and leaving his hospital room and closing the door behind her.

"You mean you actually want to, Motoko-chan?!" Keitaro asked, blushing furiously. Part of the reason he was going through all this right now was that he truly believed that Motoko would sooner die than to be his wife, whether spiritually or physically. Keitaro vowed not to let that come to pass. He wanted the glorious kendoka of Hinata Inn to return that he had grown to fear and admire ever since his arrival at the Inn.

She looked down, and did not meet his gaze. "... j-j-just forget it, Urashima." Motoko stood up then rushed off into the night without another word or backwards glance.

"Hey wait, Motoko-chan!" Keitaro called afterwards, but was literally met by crickets.

He sighed, "I guess that answers that question at least, doesn't it?" Keitaro groused to no one in particular.

"Quaw!" Shippu landed on the ground next to him.

"Oh, hi Shippu," Keitaro nodded to the crane. "Come to further damage my sanity?"

The crane turned his head from side to side, as if responding in the negative.

Keitaro chuckled sadly, "here to tip off Tsuruko-sama that this is a good opportunity for a divide and conquer strike?"

Again, the same action from Shippu.

Keitaro raised an eyebrow. "You know, I could almost believe that you understood what I just said."

Shippu looked straight into his eyes then. -I did, you dummy.-

"Wha-what?" Keitaro looked around. "Who's there?"

"Kue!" Shippu fluttered impatiently, never breaking eye contact with Keitaro. -I am trying to tell you something, Keitaro.-

"... you actually can understand me?"

-Yes!- "Kue! Kue! Kue!" Shippu flew around to Keitaro's back and started nudging his head against his back. -Stand up!-

"Okay, okay," Keitaro grabbed his crutches then slowly rose to his feet.

-That's better. Follow me!- "Quaw!" Shippu took flight, but only flew very slowly and just ahead of Keitaro, impatiently egging him on down a path he had not followed before during his short time at the Aoyama compound.

000

Keitaro followed. Briefly he imagined himself trudging through the forest paths, carefully trying to find firm ground with his crutches, following a crane that seemed to be talking to him. Even with the carnival of freakishness that was his life, he reasoned that he really looked like a fool right now.

'Tokyo U Man, Mom!' Keitaro thought idly, 'on top of the world, Ma!' He allowed a paper-thin chuckle to escape his lips.

-Well, at least you are seeing *some* of the humor in all of this- Shippu replied back.

"Glad you and Tsuruko-sama are so amused," Keitaro huffed, trying to catch his breath.

"I would not say, *amused* Manager-san," Tsuruko's voice issued from a place to his lower left. Somehow, in the turmoil of his thoughts and thinking back and forth between him and Shippu, they had arrived in a small clearing lit by a small lantern hanging from a tree. There was a small koi pond fed by a stream that meandered off into the gloom of the forest, and a couple of stone benches.

Tsuruko sat on one, then indicated the one next to her with a smile.

"Tsuruko-sama…!" Keitaro breathed. He bowed as best he could then ambled over to sit, gratefully, on the bench.

"Thank you for joining me here tonight, Manager-san," Tsuruko smiled as Shippu flapped and took his place on his mistress' shoulder. "Are you preparing for tomorrow?"

Keitaro sighed, "as well as I can with this leg."

"I once won a battle with my legs and arms bound."

"I'm hardly in your class of warrior, Tsuruko-sama." Keitaro chuckled.

"You sell yourself short, Manager-san," Tsuruko leaned forward. "You have gotten this far."

"With Motoko-chan's help."

"And who got her up here? Hmm?" She placed a finger on her chin in mock thought.

Keitaro could not help himself. Maybe it was the sheer absurdity of the past month for him, but taking it all in at once which he had previously not done-he giggled. "I guess it was me; for all the good it did her."

"Really? You talk as if you have already lost." Tsuruko placed her hands on her lap, almost formally.

"We're going to lose tomorrow," Keitaro sighed. "I know that much, at least. It's all my fault; I should have done something to prevent Motoko-chan from lying in the first place. If only-"

"You stop that talk right there, Manager-san!" Tsuruko said sharply.

Keitaro looked down in shame. Why couldn't he ever do anything right?

She took a deep breath. "While it was wrong of you to go along with Motoko-chan's lie, especially about such a serious matter as marriage, you cannot take complete responsibility for this affair due to a lot of it being Motoko-han's fault."

"But tomorrow," Keitaro continued in a low voice, "when we lose it will be because of me. If I was what Motoko-chan said I should be, a truly masculine man of honor, then I would be able to help her more in defeating you."

"Well, you certainly are not lacking in honor." Tsuruko smirked. "Or courage."

"Tomorrow, though-"

"Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow…" Tsuruko shook her head. "You act as if the future is already written in a scroll hidden in my gi." She looked at Keitaro for his reaction.

Keitaro simply looked straight at her. A wry smile broke out on his face. "The thought had crossed my mind."

Tsuruko shook her head. "My apologies, Manager-san, but even I do not know what will happen tomorrow."

Keitaro looked down, again he sighed, deep and heavy, his shoulders slumping.

"Your despair makes no logical or spiritual sense." Tsuruko stated.

"How can we beat such a great warrior as you?" Keitaro groaned. "And when I have a broken leg?" he indicated his leg in its cast. "Hell, even my friends haven't written anything on it for good luck, or whatever. I guess that shows just how highly I rate in the order of things."

She listened, then nodded silently. "Do you think you and Motoko-han are the first warriors to face long odds before facing their foe? Or that sometimes one must fight while injured?"

Keitaro shook his head. "No. Of course not."

"But you *can* still prevail, Manager-san."

"How?" Keitaro asked, a bit exasperated.

Tsuruko smiled. "That *would* be breaking the agreed upon rules for the duel. But I will tell you this; you do not know for certain what will unfold tomorrow, nor do I. Neither you or I can predict the future. We can guess, but that magical scroll with tomorrow written down on it has never been found by my hand." She chuckled.

Keitaro nodded slowly. "Still…"

"I am not going to lie to you," Tsuruko's tone turned serious. "You and Motoko-han face long odds, yes, but warriors with the amount of honor and strength of heart I have seen you two display still ride headlong into battle even if they know victory may not come."

He listened silently.

"Besides," Tsuruko grinned, "I may fall suddenly ill tomorrow during the duel and need to be carried off due to some intestinal ailment; that alone *would* qualify as defeat for me."

Keitaro looked up. "B-but I don't want that!"

"You mean you do not want victory tomorrow?"

"No! I mean, yes!" Keitaro sputtered. "I mean I don't want you to fall ill, Tsuruko-sama."

She smiled, regarding this man seated in front of her. "You are an interesting man, Manager-san, I can see why Motoko-han looked to you for help and nowhere else."

"Um… thanks, I guess." Keitaro scratched the back of his head.

"Your well wishes for my health aside," Tsuruko said evenly, "my point is that you are not in a position to know for certain what will happen tomorrow. I will fight to the best of my ability, and I expect no less of you in return."

He nodded slowly.

"Sometimes those who face the steepest mountain to climb to reach the summit, Manager-san. And those warriors who rode off into battle against almost impossible odds-sometimes they carved out victory for themselves." Tsuruko reached into her gi to retrieve a small cookie, she fed it to Shippu. "Since you do not know the future, despair and fatalism would seem to be a tactical mistake at the very least, and at most I deem it to be a spiritual sin."

"Thank you, Tsuruko-sama. I will try to remember what you have told me," Keitaro bowed his head again. He soon raised it. "But I can see that Motoko-chan and I are going to be in for a rough time tomorrow."

A small smile broke out on the swordswoman's face. "Then do not *see* it. A lot of what you see in the purely physical, visual sense is very deceiving to a warrior, in fact at times during a fight it might be more beneficial to be blind so as to rely more on more innate senses." Tsuruko said this with one of her trademark quirky, half smiles.

"And what would those be, Tsuruko-sama?" Keitaro had asked.

The half smile on Tsuruko's lovely face turned into a full smile, and Keitaro felt himself instinctively blush in response.

"To give you a piece or two of encouragement for tomorrow is one of the two reasons why I asked Shippu-kun to bring you here tonight. The other is a curiosity of mine of a purely personal nature that you may politely refuse to answer, if you so wish."

"No, go ahead," Keitaro nodded. "Ask me whatever you want, Tsuruko-sama."

She spoke slowly and deliberately: "Tell me about why Narsuegawa-san's absence pains you so much, exactly."

Keitaro's face fell, he felt the tears threaten to sting at the corner of his eyes. He fought for emotional control, but he knew it was a losing battle. But he had agreed to answer Tsuruko's question, and her eyes and face were so welcoming, so disarming. So, he told her. He told Tsuruko everything, including his belief that Naru was his Promise Girl. Once he was finished, he did feel some measure of peace.

Tsuruko nodded slowly, finding herself absorbed in what the man had told her about the ins and outs of his fraught relationship with the absent brunette star student. One part stuck out in her mind, however.

"Manager-san…?"

"Yeah?"

"This Promise you and this girl-who may or may not be Narsuegawa-san-made when you two were children," Tsuruko closed her eyes in thought. "While you said your memories are hazy around it; you said you were pretty certain of the words spoken."

Keitaro nodded. "Yes, I am."

"You and this little girl playing in the sandbox," Tsuruko repeated. "She said that two people who like each other go to Tokyo U together, find happiness together, and live happily ever after."

Keitaro listened, searched his memory, thinking hard and looking deeply within himself.

"Is that about the size of it?" Tsuruko prompted, her eyes opening and boring into his, a hint of steel in her tone telling Keitaro he would answer her.

"Y-yeah," he nodded slowly, his voice hardly audible.

"What part of the promise together said anything about falling in love and getting married, Manager-san?" Tsuruko asked.

Keitaro blinked. Growing up, he always just assumed that was the understanding of The Promise. "Well, what else could it be?"

"It could be a promise for everlasting friendship, an alliance, or to live good, honorable, and productive lives together." Tsuruko shrugged. "Promises amongst children that young, while they can have long-term binding meaning, do not mean you are fated lovers." She raised her hand, pointing gently at Keitaro. "Remember again what I told you about mistaking what you think will happen with fate. Fate is in the hands of greater forces than you are I; if it is in anyone's hands altogether or absolutely in all matters."

Keitaro sighed, trying to absorb all of this. So many events had happened to him lately that just completely shook him to his core. His head drooped again, gazing at a patch of grass in front of him. He heard Shippu briefly ruffle his feathers and flap his wings as he settled into a nap on his mistress' right shoulder.

Her features softened in the light of the lantern illuminating the small forest clearing. She would need to be delicate with her next question. "Tell me… Keitaro-san," her lips formed a small, but generous smile. "Have you ever bedded a woman before?"

Instantly, Keitaro's head shot up. "Wha-what?" He stammered.

"Your relationships with the women in your care seem to be your greatest concern; and I can tell from your actions and reactions around them-not to mention Motoko-han-that this is something that weighs upon your spirit." Tsuruko spoke with compassion but with authority.

Keitaro blushed. "... no, I have not." He kept his eyes fixed on that patch of grass that he wished he could hide under at that moment.

"It is nothing to be ashamed of, Keitaro-san." Tsuruko smiled. "Many young men your age have not."

"I know… but it does not make it any easier to deal with." Keitaro forced himself to met Tsuruko's gaze. He was surprised that what he found in her face was not pity, but a look that spoke of open compassion and acceptance.

"Yes, I know that." Tsuruko nodded, her ki sensing the shame and longing that emanated from the young man. "Someone very close to me once told me that the best gift a woman can give a man, besides sharing a bed," she chuckled, "is listening to him when he needs to ask sensitive questions about matters of the heart and the flesh."

"They must be a very smart person."

She smiled, bittersweet. "He still is."

"I… would like that," he looked down.

"I would be honored if you would ask, Keitaro-san." Tsuruko smiled.

The swordswoman resisted the urge to chuckle at the cute, deep red blush that colored Keitaro's face even in the nighttime shadows. "How… does it feel?"

"You mean… making love?"

He nodded. "Yeah…"

Tsuruko considered this very carefully. Part of her wondered if honor and decorum would frown on such a discussion considering the circumstances, but she held the ideal that women should engage in open dialog with men (especially young men) to help foster both respect for women but also equitable relationships. And though Motoko was fond of ignoring it; helping men was also part of the God's Cry School mission. Also, her heart was moved to compassion for Keitaro and what he had been dealing with in his life. From what it sounded like, he even lacked trusted male peers he could go to for advice. Or at least advice he could trust. Tsuruko also remembered how much Ko said his discussions with Granny Hina in his youth had helped him mature into the man she had married; and then had to give up.

She steadied herself, willing herself to avoid the sink of despair that still threatened to overflow from time to time.

She wet her lips, considering Keitaro's question carefully. Finally, Tsuruko favored him with a smile. "Forgive me, Keitaro-san… but it is a simple question with many different answers."

"I am so sorry for asking-"

Tsuruko put up a hand to silence his apology tour. "But I *will* answer. Of course, the sexual act is physically very pleasurable. It can be so even if it is conducted for the most casual purposes between two random people; though inadvisable and reprehensible that might be, but from what I have seen-and really I have only been with one man before-and heard the greater the connection and rapport between two people the greater the satisfaction with the act."

"So… when it is with someone you really, truly love," Keitaro managed amid his embarrassment, but feeling a bit bold nonetheless.

"It is absolutely breathtaking." Tsuruko nodded with a radiant smile.

So radiant was Tsuruko's smile that Keitaro found himself smiling back.

"You will find that match someday, Keitaro-san." Tsuruko said firmly.

Keitaro looked up into the patch of night sky visible above them. The stars twinkling back. "... I thought I had."

"I am sorry about Narsuegawa-san." It was really all Tsuruko could think to say on the matter.

"And I am sorry to hear about… well, your divorce." Keitaro returned his gaze to her.

Tsuruko nodded silently, with a welcoming expression that told Keitaro she appreciated his kindness in this regard. "Motoko-han?"

Keitaro nodded. "Yeah. She told me."

"It… still hurts, Keitaro-san," she said, unsure why she was speaking. "Did Motoko-han tell you why?"

"A little, I did not want to ask more out of respect," Keitaro replied quietly. "I'm sorry, I should not have brought it up."

Tsuruko shook her head. "No, you did nothing wrong. In fact, thank you for your sympathy." She gave a sad smile, which grew more mischievous as a very amusing idea came into her head.

"I said you will find your match someday, Keitaro-san," Tsuruko stated imperiously, "if you and Motoko-han do indeed lose tomorrow I will say that destiny has found your match for you."

Keitaro actually laughed. The sheer absurdity of events dawning on him. "I doubt I would be a good husband to Motoko-chan."

"I think you would be. I can tell right now if it is to be so, then the Aoyama clan will gain a great son-in-law and myself a wonderful, compassionate brother-in-law." Tsuruko finished that last statement with a hint of sadness.

"Somehow I doubt Motoko-chan will see it that way," Keitaro said ruefully.

"First things first, Keitaro-san," Tsuruko clapped her hands quietly, then rose. She waited for Keitaro to do so on his own. "Leave tomorrow for tomorrow, I expect you and Motoko-han to give it your all."

Keitaro nodded, knowing that their meeting was over. "We will, Tsuruko-sama."

Tsuruko stepped closer until she was in front of him, he could see that familiar smile on her lips. "Now, now, Keitaro-san, no need to be *quite* so formal. After all, I ceased calling you Manager-san. No matter what, I would like you to think of me as a friend."

Wordlessly, Keitaro nodded, feeling a slight blush at Tsuruko's proximity and the feeling he felt around her.

For a moment she regarded him, she stood so much higher than him, and yet he stood on top of his crushing fears and insecurities to help his friends, and (in her opinion) received so little support or reward for his efforts. His chief victory, finally getting into Tokyo U on his fourth try, was marred by his broken leg that prevented him from attending class or even enjoying new student orientation. Tsuruko had pieced this knowledge together according to what Granny Hina had told her and also to Motoko's letters once properly decoded, so to speak. Shippu slept soundly on her shoulder as she made her decision.

"Wha-wha?" Keitaro's lips sputtered almost soundlessly as Tsuruko bent down and hugged him, firmly but securely. It was not an intimate hug, nor one that wreaked of formality and forced affection. No, this was genuine, if tentative, positive emotion.

"That is for luck tomorrow, Keitaro-san," Tsuruko smiled when she stood back up and took a graceful step back. "Shippu," she raised her voice just a notch, and the crane awakened. "Please escort Keitaro-san back to his room."

-Yes, Mistress.- The sleepy crane yawned and took flight, making certain that his charge started following him back into the forest.

"Good night, Tsuruko-san," Keitaro looked back, bowing his head. "Thank you…"

"Sleep well, Keitaro-san," Tsuruko waved. "You are quite welcome," her smile turned mischievous again, "future brother-in-law."

Keitaro had blushed, sighed, then turned back around to follow Shippu.

When she was alone in the forest clearing, Tsuruko chuckled. Somehow, her spirit felt that much lighter after talking to Keitaro. She had a favorable opinion of him already, even if he needed to be corrected for going along with Motoko's foolish sham, but her conversation with him tonight had only made her… intrigued at this curious little man and the flickers of his ki.

Tsuruko turned to make her own way out of the forest, thinking for the first time in a long while she could sleep soundly that night.

The small clearing was soon silent save for the small electric lamp the illuminated it. The sounds of the forest at night sounded all around… until broken by a slight shifting from the large tree that dominated the clearing and a slight rustling of leaves told a different story. High up in the branch of an old oak, was Motoko, still dressed in her school uniform, reclined on a branch. She had come up there to think after her talk with Keitaro, musing on why she felt the same way now as when her sister had first married Ko. She was about to jump down from her branch when she noticed Tsuruko make her way into the clearing and sit down on the simple stone bench there. Motoko became dead silent waiting for her sister to leave. Much to her surprise, Shippu entered the clearing with Keitaro in tow. Motoko could hear their conversation clearly and, despite her better judgment, she felt actual honest pity for Keitaro when he told Tsuruko about his childhood "Promise Girl" and Narsuegawa's recent actions. Motoko was unsure exactly what she would say to Narsuegawa the next time she encountered her sempai. Then Tsuruko had surprised her even more, by hugging Keitaro and wishing him luck the next morning.

'Urashima-san certainly does have the fighting spirit of a samurai,' Motoko had thought as she watched Tsuruko leave the clearing. She settled back against the tree trunk some more. Maybe she would enjoy the night sky and the forest for just a few minutes longer before heading to bed…

000

Keitaro woke as the first rays of the sun hit the window of the guest room he had been given to stay in during his and Motoko's extended duel with Tsuruko. He had set an alarm on his mobile phone, but now he reached over out of his futon in the early morning gloom to turn it off. He woke about ten minutes before the time he had set. He sighed, this was it. Now or never if he was going to live up to his promise to help Motoko regain her honor and place in her clan or marry her and take care of her as she tried to live the life of an ordinary woman.

He blushed, remembering his talk last night with Tsuruko after Shippu had led him to her. Strangely, he felt better after it, embarrassing though it was when she delved into more personal topics, but he had felt good when she gave him a hug at the end of it. Keitaro replayed their meeting over again in his head, trying to hold on to more of Tsuruko's words; finding comfort in them.

"A lot of what you see in the purely physical, visual sense is very deceiving to a warrior, in fact at times during a fight it might be more beneficial to be blind so as to rely more on more innate senses." Tsuruko said this with one of her trademark quirky, half smiles.

"And what would those be, Tsuruko-sama?" Keitaro had asked.

The half smile on Tsuruko's lovely face turned into a full smile, and Keitaro felt himself instinctively blush at her.

Now, as Keitaro finished dressing in his shinobi garb, he remembered her words. As he opened his glasses' case, he stopped, looked at his face in the mirror, and realized that being without his glasses forced him to focus more intently on what was directly in front of him in a way he would not have otherwise. It forced him to not take what was in front of his eyes for granted.

Silently, he nodded. He closed the case containing his glasses, completed his preparations for the day, quietly left the guest room and then went to where Tsuruko had stated earlier yesterday (after she had soundly thrashed him and Motoko) she would met them for the final showdown.

000

Kitsune watched as Keitaro hit the ground after being knocked back by one of those gales of wind Tsuruko issued from her katana. Motoko kept trying to keep up with her sister's attacks, but it was clear that bit by bit the kendo girl was likely going to face defeat once again, and in front of all of her friends too The Shinto wedding altar just waiting for her and Keitaro.

She and Kentaro Sakata had started slugging back saucers of sake as they waited for Motoko to show up. Keitaro had been there, without his usual glasses on his face, Kitsune noted at their arrival. Tsuruko had briefly joined Keitaro in greeting the "wedding guests" under a signal of truce until Motoko's arrival. Kitsune wore a brave face as she saw Keitaro's eyes confirm that Naru had not come. Kitsune wanted to tell him more, but the fox knew that right now Keitaro needed to be as focused as possible on the duel.

And now, as Kitsune went over to Keitaro's briefly prone form, and checked to make sure he was all right (already he was starting to groan and stir in pain) she noted the black sword in its scabbard laying next to Hinata Inn's manager. It had fallen off his back as Tsuruko struck him with that wind blast. Without thinking, Kitsune found herself reaching over to pick the weapon up. If Tsuruko was intending to claim the sword for herself and deny Keitaro the opportunity to use it; for whatever he may have planned to use it for, then Kitsune would hold it until Keitaro was on his feet. Kitsune picked up the black sword with both hands, unused to handling katanas, Kitsune held it up by the hilt, pulling upwards and did not grip the scabbard tightly enough, and thus the sword was unsheathed part-way, exposing its blade to the open air and morning sky.

"...heh-heh….hehehehehehehehe!" Kitsune immediately began to cackle madly, feeling unlike anything she had ever experienced before, no matter what the chemical she had ingested.

Motoko crossed the training blade she had borrowed from her mother with her sister's Ikazuchi after barely avoiding another ki blast. Almost instantly, she and Tsuruko felt something was very, very wrong.

Tsuruko's eyes widened. 'It cannot be…' she thought.

Motoko caught her sister's change in expression. "...?"

"That is the cursed blade of Hina!" Tsuruko nodded curtly in the direction over Motoko's shoulder.

Motoko never thought for a moment that her sister was trying to deceive her. Both from the feeling they both shared, but also the look on Tsuruko's face.

"You have seen that katana before?" Motoko turned around, the duel forgotten as she and her sister took up defensive positions side by side.

Kitsune, for her part, eyes' glowed red as a cloud aura fully took shape around her body. She simply seemed to be staring straight off into space as she cackled.

Tsuruko gasped. "Of course I know it! That is the sword that nearly brought our clan to ruin and burned down the city of Kyoto!"

Motoko's eyes widened. So that is why she was so uneasy around the blade, but then why did she not deduce the precise nature of the evil and seek to exorcise or purify it?

Keitaro sat up, shaking the cobwebs from his brain as his vision focused on Kitsune in front of him.

"Hehehehehehe!" Kitsune laughed mockingly as she focused her glare on Keitaro.

"Hey, Kitsu-ummm!" Keitaro's lips were immediately muffled as Kitsune's lips covered them and "kissed" him. Almost immediately, his consciousness rapidly faded as he seemed to sink into a dark tunnel. His last halfway coherent thought was feeling as though a foreign presence had wedged its way into his mind and was clearing out anything of value. There was a voice, too, harsh and condescending.

"What a pathetic lesser King! At least you are good for something; being used by me, of course!" Keitaro lacked the presence of mind to wonder at this voice as he collapsed again in a heap on the ground, completely unconscious.

Haruka, seeing what was happening on the battlefield, grabbed Sakata and told him to get everyone and run for some nearby large rocks for cover. The playboy obeyed his boss without question and fortunately the younger girls present did not protest as he led them running away from the spectacle unfolding. In the back of Haruka's mind she congratulated Sakata for being able to react quickly and coherently even with the amount of alcohol he had consumed. Haruka, for her part, took cover behind the large banquet table, trying to keep out of sight of the katana-brandishing Kitsune. She looked over to where Keitaro lay on the ground, wondering if she could collect her cousin/nephew on her back and then retreat. She hoped Motoko and Tsuruko could break the fox free from whatever presence had taken hold of her.

'Hang on, Keitaro!' Haruka thought.

Tsuruko and Motoko stared in shock as "Kitsune" planted a kiss firmly on Keitaro's lips and then left him completely unconscious on the ground.

"The cursed blade of Hina draws life force from any being it can establish physical contact with; resisting the power of even the strongest exorcism!" Tsuruko commented, more than a bit fearful herself. The power contained within the sword was not something to be trifled with.

Motoko listened, but she mostly watched as she formulated which attack would have a chance to break through the demon that had taken hold of Kitsune's body.

In a flash "Kitsune" took up a "crab-walk" position on all four limbs and nimbly scampered over to them. Tsuruko never had a chance to react, whereas Motoko was able to avoid the being's attack by jumping straight up in the air as high as she could and back-flipping away.

Tsuruko barely felt the brush of "Kitsune"'s lips before her consciousness was thrown into a dark cellar and the door locked and barred against her escape.

Motoko watched as her sister's prone form crumpled to the ground. She had landed over where Keitaro was laying on the ground. His immortality was barely kicking in, he groaned loudly where he laid in obvious pain, she doubted he would be on his feet anytime soon.

'Still…' Motoko thought, and remembered what her sister had told her so many years ago as they sat below that tree not too far from where they were now.

"Motoko-han, I want you to grow up and be the best you can be."

Tsuruko had said "best." For years, Motoko always assumed she had meant a great warrior, but in the past several days as she remembered those times Motoko realized there was a deeper meaning to what Tsuruko was telling her given the word choices and the emphasis. Tsuruko always pushed her to be the best and happiest she could possibly be-in whatever path she choose. Motoko's older sister always mentioned there was more than one path of honor and serving one's family and the cause of justice, what was needed was the individual's choice to find their right path and the strength to put their best into it.

Motoko nodded slowly, she looked down at Keitaro stirring on the ground, then up at "Kitsune" cackling as she crab-walked background, clutching that cursed sword that had possessed her.

'I understand now, sister,' Motoko thought as she grabbed Keitaro, hoisted the barely conscious apartment manager up and vaulted him towards Kitsune with all of her might.

"Forgive me!" Motoko called out to both Keitaro and Kitsune, hoping her words would register in the real Kitsune's mind somehow and that Keitaro would forgive her; even if she would never admit it to his face.

Poor Keitaro had almost no time to process things as he flew head-first into "Kitsune" meeting her lips first, and immediately lost consciousness for a third time that morning as he felt more of his lifeforce get yanked out of him.

Motoko took advantage of the distraction, unsheathed the borrowed katana, and ran at full speed.

"SECRET TECHNIQUE EVIL SPLITTING SPIRIT SWORD!"

Motoko sliced once then twice across the front of Kitsune, not touching her physical body, but hitting the aura that had taken control of her.

A flash and a crack issued from the katana in Motoko's hand. The energy that flowed from it made the little hairs on the back of Motoko's neck stand up. Keitaro hit the ground with a thud, and Kitsune with a crumple.

Tsuruko moaned in pain, mumbling something incoherent.

True to form, Keitaro recovered first. He sat up, looking around, then noticed Kitsune laying next to him. "Mitsune!" he called out, rolling over to check her vital signs. Fortunately, the fox of Hinata had already begun stirring.

"Ugh, what happened?" Kitsune mumbled.

"Shh, it's okay now," Keitaro told her. "How you feeling?"

"Worst hangover ever," Kitsune chuckled, then coughed with a queasy look on her face. "But I'll live," she glanced around. "Already I'm feelin' better… Sakata better not have finished all the sake," she grinned.

Keitaro smiled back.

The rest of the Hinata Inn gang soon ran over to Keitaro, Motoko, and Kitsune to see how they were. Motoko rushed to Tsuruko's side, who was already on her feet.

Tsuruko smiled at her sister. "So you two *did* defeat me after all, Motoko-han." She stretched, allowing the residual effects of the energy drain on her ki to fade away. "I can see that since you were able to seal the cursed blade even after it had incapacitated me." She touched Motoko's shoulder. "Your time studying and training in Tokyo was well spent."

"Big Sister, you mean..." Motoko trailed off, she could hardly believe her ears.

Tsuruko nodded. "You are hereby welcomed back into the clan, and are once again heir to the God's Cry dojo."

Everyone around them cheered for Motoko, the raven haired swordswoman/high school schoolgirl blushed in her uniform. Keitaro smiled happily, thankful it was all over, and everyone seemed to have come through it none the worse for wear.

Motoko looked down to where Kitsune still lay on the ground, steadily recovering. She noted the Hina blade in its scabbard; lying inert. She stepped closer to it; no reaction in her ki. She placed a finger on it; still no ki reaction. Finally she picked it up and closed her eyes.

Keitaro, Kitsune, and Tsuruko watched.

"Motoko-han?" Tsuruko asked.

"It is safe, sister. Motoko opened her eyes. "Immense power is in this blade, but it is sealed and the presence has been tamed by me and will obey my ki's commands."

"Then that will be your sword, Motoko-han." Tsuruko bowed her head, she raised it and then eyed both Keitaro and Kitsune. "Keitaro-san and Konno-san, did you two feel or hear anything when you encountered the Hina katana?"

Keitaro and Kitsune shared a look.

"Only thing I heard was laughin'." Kitsune shivered. "Lots and lots of laughin'; a mean, nasty laughing."

Keitaro's brow furrowed. He thought back to before he briefly lost consciousness. "There was a voice… it called me something…"

Tsuruko looked at him intently. "Called you something, Keitaro-san?"

"Yeah," he nodded, closing his eyes. The memory was fading rapidly, like it was being yanked away from his grasp violently. But he fought valiantly against it disappearing completely. "It called me a 'lesser King,'" he opened his eyes, turned to Tsuruko. "Isn't that weird?"

She nodded silently, feeling an odd sensation deep within her. "It is," she looked over to the Hina blade in its scabbard which Motoko held now. "Motoko-han?"

"Yes, sister?" Motoko took a step closer.

"Hold the blade out in front of me, but do not let me touch it, no matter what." Tsuruko stated.

Motoko did what her sister asked of her. Tsuruko held out her hands over the offered blade, just out of reach. She closed her eyes, concentrated. Finally, she sighed, and opened her eyes. "The blade is safe so long as no one else but Motoko-han wields it."

Motoko clutched the sheathed Hina blade close, then she looked to Keitaro. "Urashima-san," she bowed, "you have done me a great service; but I must trouble you and your family-"

"Motoko-chan," Keitaro laughed, waving his hands in front of him, blushing. "Yes, you may keep the sword. Grandmother bequeathed it to me; so now I give it to you."

Motoko blushed. "I thank you," she bowed deeply.

"Good, I know I wouldn't want that thing around, talk about the worst, coldest hangover ever," Kitsune was standing now, stretching with fox-like grace.

"Excuse me, Konno-san," Tsuruko's brow furrowed. "Did you say cold?"

Kitsune nodded. "Yeah. Like a snake runnin' down my back. Why?"

Tsuruko thought on it, it almost felt like there *should* be something amiss, but for some reason when she tried to recall; there was nothing. "Probably just residual energy from the presence that Motoko-han has sealed for all time now."

"You just be keepin' a close eye on that sword, Motoko, 'ya hear?" Kitsune nodded towards Motoko.

"Of course, Konno-san." Motoko bowed to the fox.

Sakata and Haruka each in turn bowed to Motoko and clasped Keitaro's shoulder hard (he winced) in hearty congratulations, Haruka lighting a fresh cigarette and Sakata opening another large bottle of sake; the playboy immediately poured two glasses and gave them to Kitsune and Keitaro, who each took a quick swig.

Su looked at Keitaro in wonder. "Kaytaros! Give us a taste!"

"Yeah, dork! Anything you can have, we can have; right?" Sara piped in.

"You two shouldn't be drinking that!" Shinobu waved her arms around for emphasis.

"Shinobu-chan's right!" Keitaro said, the alcohol giving him some courage. "This is only for adults!"

Haruka nodded in approval at the tone of command in Keitaro's voice, she smiled as she took another drag on her cigarette.

Tsuruko and Motoko watched in interest, Tsuruko more so. Shinobu, true to form, blushed at her sempai calling her name in such a way.

Sakata, giggled like a school boy as he refilled his saucer and took another sip. "Ya tellin' 'em, dude!"

Keitaro gave a pained nod to Sakata. 'He's worse than Kitsune,' he thought.

"Ya right," Kitsune slid up next to Keitaro. "Us adults, eh Kei-kun?" she had just finished her saucer and stood up to make certain she presented her bust in Keitaro's general direction.

Keitaro blushed, feeling the beginnings of a nosebleed. "Well, uh… ah-hem."

"Konno-san!" Motoko turned sharply to Kitsune. "I remind you that you are on sacred grounds, please show a little more respect!"

"Awh!" Kitsune waved her hand in front of Motoko in a patronizing manner. "You need to loosen up and enjoy life more, Motoko-chan!" she opened her eyes a bit more to show Motoko the glint in her eye. "You certainly seemed to like it when you dressed up in *my* French Maid outfit."

Motoko blushed deep red. "That was only because you told me it was the only thing you had that would fit me!"

"You asked for the 'clothes of a common working woman,' dear." Kitsune wagged her finger under Motoko's nose.

Motoko's shoulders slumped, sighing in defeat. "Just forget it, Konno-san."

"'Clothes of a common working woman'... French Maid…." Tsuruko mused, then she smirked. "Yes, please tell me more about this, Konno-san."

Motoko flailed her arms around. "You do not need to know any more, Big Sister!" The look on Motoko's face and her arm motions reminded Keitaro of when Tama-chan usually made an appearance.

Tsuruko laughed, pleasant and musical, her fears forgotten.

000

The next day...

The bullet train had taken no more than a few hours of travel, coupled with a short trolley ride from the station to Hinata Mountain, the gang approached the base of the staircase leading to the Hinata Inn and hot springs. The journey had begun on the high note of Keitaro and Motoko's victory against the legendary Kendo Wolf of Kyoto, Tsuruko Aoyama.

On their train journey Motoko and Keitaro had thanked the rest of the Hinata residents for their congratulations on their victory, but the mood had soured quite quickly for Keitaro when Su turned to him and innocently wondered where Naru was and why she had not attended.

Keitaro had been unable to answer; still upset by the said object (or was that ex object?) of his long time affections. He did not know her whereabouts. It wasn't until Kitsune, who knew exactly why she hadn't been present, elaborated why.

The revelations of Naru's extended absence had been accepted by each of the girls, even Motoko. Each of the girls had taken sneaky looks at Keitaro; prompting him to explain the original reason for her leaving without so much as a goodbye had made each of the girls pause. Pause, and think, but each for differing reasons.

Most were upset and critical of what Naru did. However, Motoko Aoyama leaped to her sempai's defense. Noting Keitaro's sad and withdrawn expression, Motoko had tried to persuade him to go to Narsuegawa family home and see Naru. Keitaro looked up at the serious expression he found in Motoko's face, considered it, but said he just did not think he could. Not now, anyway. Motoko was about to change tactics, perhaps questioning his spinal fortitude as she had in the past when the sneaky fox dropped the biggest bombshell that gave even the Hinata Inn's legendary "I HATE BOYS" kendo girl cause to ponder.

Namely that a certain young Urashima was now sporting an open season ticket thanks to Naru's actions and absence, the conclusion had set each of the girls into deep thought on how to proceed with such developments.

Keitaro sighed, while he knew the underlying reason for the girls' sudden lapse into silence as they digested the information Kitsune had just given everyone, he honestly was not in any mood to think about much of anything at that time. Also, his leg was hurting again and he just wanted to lay down.

The group reached the base of the long stone stairs reaching up to the Inn and being unable to stand the silence any longer Haruka chimed in with her bit of wisdom. "Well, you certainly know how to make things lively around here, nephew." The former housemother turned to Keitaro. "Cheer up Kei, there's plenty more fish in this pond and I'm always down here if you need to talk."

Broken from his thoughts the younger Urashima replied dully: "Umm.. Oh …Thanks.. A-aun…"

Only to be nailed in the head by Haruka who pulled her fan from seemingly thin air and with a subsequent 'THWAP!' Keitaro immediately winced as the fan made contact with his head.

Haruka brushed some stray hairs from his head. "Look, I get that you're hurt and upset over Naru; but that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. Now buck up, you are a man after all."

Ignoring the pain in his head and leg he offered Haruka a weak smile.

Checking the boy over and seeing him none the worse for wear. Haruka's lips quirked upward in what, for her, could pass for a smile. "Now I have to open the tea shop," she leaned in closer to her nephew and lowered her voice so the others could not hear, "I know it hurts, believe me I know. But time will help and I am here for you." Now giving her nephew an uncommon, but full, smile makes her way over to the back door of her tea shop, leaving the girls and Keitaro to finish their daily work-out of actually climbing the famous Hinata Inn staircase.

As the gang made their way up the staircase Kitsune turns to the rest of the girls. She waited until Keitaro was just out of earshot. She noted Keitaro's body language, and figured he needed some kind of cheering up. She chuckled. "Say, you know… we have to celebrate Kei-kun and Motoko-chan's victory." As she notes the rest nodding in general agreement, Kitsune's face broke out into a trademark fox grin. "Ahn Shinobu-chan can cook some delicious food for us and I have plenty of bottles to go around in my stash too, y'all."

At the mention of her name the bluenette relishes the opportunity to impress her sempai. She blushed, mentally going through the cookbook she had in her head as she considered what would be perfect for the occasion. As she looked ahead to her sempai Shinobu noted the slumped forward set of his shoulders and asked: "Don't you want me to cook for you, sempai?

Silence from Keitaro.

Shinobu's eyes started to water up.

Noting his lack of response. Motoko looked squarely at Keitaro now. She raised her voice. "Urashima! Shinobu wishes to prepare a celebration for us, do you not appreciate her efforts?"

Looking like a deer caught in the headlights Keitaro fell backwards onto his bottom. "Wh…Wh..What Motoko-chan, I didn't hear youuuuuuuuuu?"

Motoko sighed, her patience at an end. The kendoka drew the Hina blade and let out the cry, "Thunderclap Sword Second Strike!" as she sent the poor boy briefly spiralling up in the air a short distance before he landed, almost gently, on his feet.

Keitaro breathed deeply in and out, not knowing whether to be startled that Motoko had decided to go easy on him, or Shinobu's reaction to him spacing out on her.

Hearing the words party and food was enough for Su as she declares to the upset chef, "Don't ya worries Shinomus! If Kaytawo's doesn't wants any foods I'll eats his shares too!" The girls make their way in to begin the preparations for the upcoming festivities while Keitaro tried once again to gather his wits as Kitsune and Motoko for some reason found a transparent excuse to ascend the stairs very slowly in order to keep pace with Keitaro.

A few short hours later and the party was in full swing. Keitaro had still been reluctant to associate with the girls after all that had transpired, but with Shinobu's puppy dog eyes, Motoko's expectantly giving him a stern look amidst crossed arms, and the resident foxes' ability to charm him, he soon relented to a little celebration. It especially helped when said resident fox was charming him by wearing an outfit that accentuated her enticing curves in all the right places.

Kitsune had even helped him "loosen up" as she called it, which in reality meant having a large bottle of Sake poured down his throat by a surprisingly strong Kitsune after he agreed to "a couple sips."

After all that alcohol the Hinata Inn Manager had far less resistance for joining in the celebrations, even Motoko had been happy to join and seem to stay in close proximity to Keitaro, keeping him on edge for a large portion of the night. He still felt responsible for her since this whole incident began. While he was grateful that Motoko was thankful for his assistance and support and seemed to be showing it by attacking him a lot less; he still knew he needed to be on his very best behavior around her.

000

A few days passed and things calmed down back into their usual routines at the Hinata. The residents had fallen back into their daily patterns, but they had agreed upon an unspoken arrangement to keep an eye out for the injured former ronin.

Early in the morning, two figures each with a small bag over their respective shoulders were serenely and leisurely making their way up the staircase of the Hinata-well at least one of them was serene and leisurely as the other could be heard voicing their heated opinion to their travelling companion. The shorter of the two continued a lecture that had begun on the train ride down from the airport; she had not let up even when they had switched trains in Tokyo. "You have to promise not to hurt him, he's had enough of that from what I have heard."

The taller of the two could barely contain her laughter. "Do not worry my friend, I will not harm 'the only man worthy,' as you so well put it back on the island. From our last encounter I found him a most honourable man-though he needs some guidance-he has many great qualities."

With a nod of agreement, the two reach the entrance and ring the bell.

A few dozen minutes earlier everyone had left for their days at school, Kitsune still hadn't risen from another night of, well, being Kitsune. Keitaro basically had the dorm to himself, having just finished breakfast and washing the crockery left for him. He mentally started running down his list of things to do that day, finding he was steadily thinking a little less about Naru's absence. His biggest current concern was how to clean and maintain the Hinata Inn and its grounds with a broken leg.

Keitaro heard the doorbell ring and hobbled his way awkwardly to the door, still a little sore from recent celebrations that had not helped his leg heal. Opening the door the Hinata Inn Manager spoke out of habit. "Welcome to the Hinata Inn Girls' Dormitory, how may I be of assistance?"

The taller of the two visitors answered first. "Greetings Keitaro-san, how have you been?"

Her companion followed suit with a beaming smile, "Onii-chan!"

Pausing for a moment until his visitors registered in his mind Keitaro could only blink. "Tsuruko-sama and Kanako-chan…?" He smiled warmly. "What brings you two here-and wait, how and why are you two travelling together?" Keitaro looked from one to the other.

Tsuruko removed her jingasa, bowing. "Your little sister is here in my service at my new post."

"New post?" Keitaro asked, completely bewildered, but finding he did not mind so much. Opening the door and finding Tsuruko there along with his dear little sister was easily the highlight of his life since returning from Kyoto.

"Yes, Kei-kun," Kanako nodded. "At Granny's suggestion, Tsuruko-sama is here for a… change of scenery. I am here as her servant and guard, and yours, of course." Her eyes bored into him, but unlike some times in the past Keitaro found he was not creeped out by it. In fact, it reminded him of how Kanako always looked at him when they were children.

Keitaro smiled, bowing to both of them, his face a picture of happiness. "Change of scenery? You mean like a short vacation?"

Tsuruko and Kanako laughed.

"Did… I say something funny?" Keitaro shrugged.

"Yes," Tsuruko smirked. "But do not let it bother you." Tsuruko took a deep breath, and retrieved from her gi a letter. She bowed, and handed it to Keitaro. "A letter from your Grandmother."

Keitaro nodded. He looked over at Kanako. "Kana-chan, what is this all about?"

Kanako only looked over at Tsuruko.

Tsuruko Aoyama grinned, wide and generous. Her eyes also held a glint. "That letter, signed by your Grandmother and the Urashima family attorney confirming my appointment as the Hinata Inn's new housemother and assistant manager, effective immediately for an indefinite period of time."

000

TO BE CONTINUED...

Thank you for reading, we hope you have enjoyed this chapter. Chapter 3 is already being written. Any comments, favorites, follows are always appreciated.