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?

7. Chapter 7

"Reforged chapter 7"

By Y-PenDraig and MakkeiUra

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Love Hina, Ken Akamatsu does. This is a not-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 Beyond that, events that occur in the manga should be considered completely canon unless otherwise obviously superseded except for ages; we'll keep to the TV series there unless noted.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

"These yours, sire?"

The man, clad in tattered blue rags, who had walked out of the enormous tree with his grandmother asked, indicating Naru and Seta's unconscious forms on the ground.

Keitaro's presence of mind was reduced by fright and trying to use his family's arts to assist in saving Tsuruko's life. He barely could nod in the affirmative.

Granny Hina, took a look at Tsuruko, then back at the malevolent cloud around the Annex. She raised her cane towards it in a warding off gesture, and narrowed her gaze into a cold glare. She did not speak.

The man moved his head from side to side as he contemplated Keitaro's face, then looked down to Tsuruko. He moved his hand in a slow, sweeping wave over Tsuruko, his lips moving soundlessly. At first nothing happened, then a warm, amber glow began to be seen on Tsuruko's body, covering her wounds.

"She's… she's stabilizing," Motoko exclaimed, looking up.

"Yeah, she is!" Haruka smiled, then gave first Granny Hina and then the man a long look. "But we're not out of the woods yet."

The man smiled, wide, generous and mischievous. "Some woods are not bad to be in, my Lady." He then turned to Kanako, took one look at her. "You! Sister of the King!"

Kanako narrowed her eyes. "... yes?"

"I feel you have met the power that *atrocity* is feeding off of, am I correct?" The man shouted as he pointed in direct, short motions to clearly make his point.

To the others, while they were surprised at his accent and diction, they somehow *heard* Japanese in their ears. Later, in a moment of calm, Haruka would reflect that the way the man spoke their language seemed like it was adapted from the unique speaking and diction patterns from each and every one the man encountered around him.

Kanako pursed her lips, reassured that for the moment her Lady, Tsuruko, was improving. "Yes, I have met it."

"Then I will need your help in this," the man held out his hand, clearly beckoning Kanako to come to him.

With a wordless look to Keitaro, then to Tsuruko, the Urashima witch rose and carefully stepped over to the man.

Granny Hina spoke now, her back still turned to the group. "Kana-chan, you will need to dig deep. Use all you have learned, yes, but mostly *use* the love you have for the *right* purpose."

Kanako swallowed, shoring up her resolve. She thought of her love for Keitaro, but also that it can never be for that it would destroy that which she loved most about him. She then thought about the future Tsuruko suggested for her that night at the God's Cry dojo; which seemed like a decade ago now. Finally, she thought of her new calling as her Lady Tsuruko's right hand.

Kanako's hands clenched, tightly… so tightly, then she released. She took the offered hand of the man. It was rough, calloused but not unpleasant to hold. She looked at him. "Our enemy draws from the power of the Inn of Fateful Unions. Promises made for eternal union; when made by those of true heart for binding together in true marriage. When a promise is made for entirely selfish reasons that can lead to the ruination of one or both of the parties; the power assumes a crack of malignancy."

"And that crack of malignancy," Granny Hina commented to the man, "is how that creature is strengthening right now."

The man looked to Kanako. "And you made that particular promise which created that crack, yes?"

"Yes," Kanako nodded.

"That is all I needed to know." The man smiled in utmost kindness.

Kanako felt a sudden squeeze on her hand and then her eyes were not her own.

Kanako saw lines, no *roots*, roots of a tree, grass, weeds, everything from all angles. From the sky, deep into the earth, and also how ki's and other aura's intersected all. Then she saw moments of time, from her past and heard the voices of her family as memories and thoughts collided with each other. Then she saw some of what was in the man's mind. The deep, peaceful green forests, the rise of squabbling fiefdoms, the tenuous hopeful promise of peace and unity, and the disillusionment and dissolving that followed. Finally, a name came to Kanako's lips…

"Merlin," Kanako whispered. "Your name is Merlin."

"And you are Kanako Urashima; sister of the King. Well met." Merlin laughed.

Kanako briefly wondered if they were actually speaking or their conversation were just thoughts. She realized it did not matter. "So now what?"

"*THIS!*"

Kanako's eyes were returned to her with a jolt as she saw her no longer holding Merlin's hand, but now both of her hands were outstretched in a motion exactly matching Merlin's. She noticed her form and her hands were glowing bright amber and crackling blue lightning was arcing forth from their fingertips; hitting the dark cloud where it glowed red.

A loud, bellowing, shamed cry crashed into everyone's ears. They even felt their ears' collectively pop due to the shift in pressures that coursed out from the cloud.

"Feel that?!" Merlin shouted at the cloud. "I have *dreamed* of this for a long, long time, you filth!"

"DEATH TO YOU AND YOUR IMPOTENT, CHILDLESS PUNY KING! AS THERE WAS DEATH TO ARTHUR!"

"So says a cloud who cannot have a body unless he rapes and steals it! Furthermore, I will see that you never mention the name of that *traitor* ever again!" Merlin screamed, he raised his right fist, Kanako exactly matching his movements as if they were one. Golden, amber light sparks and crackles of blue lightning seemed to appear out of nowhere around the area of the Annex and began to dart towards Merlin and Kanako's raised right fists. A rattling hum began to sound around the area.

Kanako would recall later that almost everything was lost in golden light and she felt as if her right hand and fist were expanding so that she could almost hold up the entire world, if that was possible. She felt positively giddy with sudden excitement, and almost shouted for joy when she *felt* a signal from Merlin.

Merlin and Kanako *fired* the joined golden orb from their fists. As it rocketed through the air towards the center of the dark red cloud-and the Annex, blue lightning bolts issued from every rock, tree, and blade of grass making the orb grow larger and larger until it smashed dead center into the cloud-

000

-Kentaro, Shirai and Haitani had just clocked in for their shift at Sakata-Geogoro garage when they felt the unmistakable rolling and shaking of the garage around them.

Everyone in the garage immediately went underneath the heavy, reinforced tables along the wall of the garage and covered their heads.

Ten powerful boom-booms echoed around them, popping everyone's ears and rattling windows Then the earthquake was gone save for the few vehicles parked on the street equipped with car alarms.

"Well, that was quick," Shirai commented with suspicion as he waddled his chubby frame

to a stand.

"I know," Haitani more gracefully came out from under the table. He stood, adjusting his glasses. "It didn't feel like any other earthquake I can remember."

Kentaro seemed to *pop* into existence standing beside them as if he had not been there before, as was his style. "And those sounds too," the playboy mused out loud, turning in the direction he thought he *felt* the supposed earthquake and shockwaves come from. Sure enough, it was in the direction of Hinata Hill. "Something tells me we've got trouble in Hinata City, boys."

"Trouble with a capital *T*," Shirai piped in, raising his left hand; index finger upraised.

"And that rhymes with *P* and that stands for pool!" Haitani crossed his arms, a stern look on his face.

"Robert Preston you two are not," Kentaro shook his head ruefully.

000

Kitsune, the younger girls, and the animals immediately ran outside once the earthquake had subsided. They were confused as they look around as it seemed like it was just an ordinary spring early afternoon. The birds chirped, the wind blew, and there were no signs at all of the evil cloud on the hill where the Annex was.

"Girls, let's get up 'yonder!" Kitsune pointed, "let's see if we can help!"

"QUAW! QUAW! KUE! KUE!" Shippu flapped. He indicated to his cohorts that he did not sense any further evil in the area.

Kuro and Tama-chan concurred.

In a moment, the remaining Hinata Inn residents were hurrying to the site of the Annex.

000

The Annex, the fabled "Inn of Fateful Unions" as local romantic legend put it, or rather the ruins of the same, were no more.

All that remained was a smoldering crater in the hillside.

At first, once her eyes adjusted, Motoko mentally berated herself for not raising a ki shield. But she immediately saw and felt the relief of the evil cloud being no longer present.

Kanako fought to regain her breath. When she regathered her wits, she immediately realized her face was stained with tears of joy. Another hand clasped hers, Kanako glanced down and saw it was Granny Hina; the look on the old woman's face was undisguised love and pride.

"You were radiant," Granny Hina said to Kanako so that only her granddaughter could hear.

Merlin turned to her, gave a short nod with his head and a little grin as he turned on one heel and immediately strode over to Tsuruko.

"Everyone up and away from her!" Merlin barked.

The man's command was followed without a word, as Keitaro began to get his crutches ready, He raised a hand. "You may stay, my Liege."

Keitaro, simply nodded, numb but absolutely alive in that moment.

"How is my sister?!" Motoko practically screamed.

"She will be fine in just a moment, I have prevented her from leaving the paths of the living," The new arrival muttered as he extended his hands over the glowing amber light that covered most of Tsuruko now. He looked at Keitaro. "Now watch and learn, sire."

Keitaro was about to react when the ground rumbled again around them, much lower but enough to notice. His lips moved soundlessly, and blue sparks began to crackle around them.

Haruka and Motoko looked around as more amber light and blue sparks issued about them. Their eyes were drawn to the light as Tsuruko's form was almost completely enveloped in warm light, both of their mouths' gaping open.

Keitaro could not make out anything as he looked down at the glow where Tsuruko lay, but he immediately felt a smile broke out on his face as an odd giddy feeling of euphoria broke out throughout his being. He knew intellectually there were many reasons to be concerned, apprehensive, and even completely scared out of his mind with recent events even with Tsuruko being stabilized. But in that moment, Keitaro just let the feeling of warmth and renewal completely take over.

Almost as soon as it started, it ended with no evidence that it had ever happened in the first place.

Tsuruko's eyes opened and focused; like she was waking up from a short doze.

"Big Sister!" Motoko shouted as she slid to a stop next to Keitaro, immediately taking Tsuruko's hand and squeezing hard.

"Motoko-han," Tsuruko sat up. "... you are unharmed!" The Aoyama swordmistress reached up to place her hand on her little sister's arm in a reciprocal gesture. Her eyes dancing around her surroundings as she took it all in.

"Thank you…" Motoko sobbed, "... you saved my life!"

"Of course I did," Tsuruko chuckled. "I cannot have all the fun in life, now can I?"

Motoko laughed, quickly letting the tears subside naturally. "Nor aggravate me!"

"Tsuruko-san!" Keitaro reached down to place his hand on her shoulder. His eyes welled up with tears.

"Your new housemother is not so easily dismissed," Tsuruko winked.

Keitaro chuckled. "No, she's not."

Tsuruko craned her head to look at the new arrival. She soberly regarded the man for a moment. "I am in your debt, kind sir."

"In *my* debt?" the man asked. "I appreciate your gratitude, but in many ways I should be thanking you."

"There is much to discuss and digest, I suspect." Tsuruko replied.

"There is," the man nodded.

"How much time do we have?" Tsuruko asked.

"I have paid-and will continue to pay-dearly to safeguard that the King, you, and his household have all the time you need." He replied with a laugh.

Kanako and Granny Hina now joined them. Kanako bowed, but struggled, her eyes plain she yearned for something more.

Seeing this, Tsuruko outstretched her hand to her servant. "We may drop formality for now, Kana-chan."

Kanako hugged Tsuruko tightly for a moment, Granny Hina ambled over and placed a warm hand on first her grandson and then Tsuruko.

"Who are you, sir?" Tsuruko asked the man.

"Merlin," he shrugged. "Who else would I be?"

"You must understand," Tsuruko replied dryly as she (with some gentle assistance from those around her) stood, "many would not believe you." Tsuruko stood regally, proud that the entire front of her gi was missing and her bound breasts visible.

"Seems people have grown accustomed to distrusting what they see with their own eyes," Merlin chuckled. He looked over to Granny Hina. "Fortunately for the world, you all seem to have known better."

"Thanks to the prophecy," Granny Hina chortled.

"And that giant tree over there," Tsuruko nodded towards it. "That will be noticed, you realize Merlin-sama."

"Let the whole world know," Merlin shrugged. "The King is alive."

"Such a declaration like that presents certain challenges nowadays." Tsuruko shook her head. "I can see you are used to a different world."

"Then we have come here together at exactly the right time and place," Merlin stretched out his hands and laughed joyously.

Keitaro, Haruka, and Motoko simply traded bewildered looks. Tsuruko observed this Merlin curiously.

Hina smiled generously and bowed to Merlin, who stopped laughing but started to hum or sing in a language that was lost to their ears. Merlin smiled down at the Urashima matriarch, nodding his head, then continued his song as he made a slow, leisurely circle around the front grounds of what used to be the Annex.

"Now," Hina grinned at Keitaro, "where's my kiss?"

000

Kitsune, the younger girls, and the animals arrived at the site of the Annex and were frozen in astonishment at the large smoking crater and the giant tree that greeted them. Along with the site of Keitaro and Kanako embracing Granny Hina and getting smooches placed all over their faces.

That, and the older man doing a slow dance and singing a happy tune around the former Annex' front courtyard.

"Ah, Haruka, what the hell's goin' on up here?" Kitsune looked down at the still seated Haruka.

"Damned if I know," Haruka threw up in her hands in resignation to the further spiral into madness at the Hinata Inn.

"So more of the fellowship has arrived!" The man continued dancing amid his singing.

"Um, us?" Shinobu asked hesitantly.

Sara looked down first, and noticed Seta on the ground with Naru. "Daddy!" She ran over to him.

Suu simply gazed at Merlin with wide eyes.

The man took a step towards where Sara was by Seta and Naru. "They will be fine, they are just resting… I had to stun them when we first met."

"Okay, who are you, stranger?" Kitsune pointed at the man. Her eyes were wildly scanning the area, she barely noticed Seta (and barely anything else) only due to Sara's concerned shock.

He laughed.

Haruka sighed, looked up at Kitsune after giving Sara a quick, reassuring hug. "His name is Merlin."

Kitsune actually glared at Haruka. "That isn't funny, Haruka!"

"That's what he said his name was," Keitaro said, shrugging after his grandmother released him from the vice grip of her hug. "Can't say I get it myself."

"Nor I, Konno-san," Motoko said quietly.

"Granny Hina came to visit, too." Kanako beamed at Kitsune.

"Um, yeah hey Granny," Kitsune waved. "Sorry, I left my fans back at the house."

"We will be adjourning there soon for a dorm meeting once Seta-san and Naru-chan are on their feet," Hina smiled.

Kitsune nodded, then started. "Naru?!" The ash-blonde woman took three steps forward, and noticed Naru beside Seta. She sat down on the ground on her bottom immediately. "This day is already too much for me," Kitsune shook her head.

"It is going to get better," Merlin smiled, not stopping his dancing or singing.

"Ah," Keitaro swallowed, "sorry about the Annex, Granny."

"Eh," Granny Hina shrugged, lightly tapped Keitaro's head playfully.

"At least we'll save on demolition costs," Keitaro commented. He blushed sharply, "and I totalled the van."

Motoko cleared her throat, raising her hand. "I assisted; I humbly apologize." She bowed with both hands to the ground.

"As did I," Tsuruko matched her younger sister's apology to the Urashima matriarch.

"Well," Urashima laughed, "I hope you didn't do it to hide evidence of gun-running and drug trafficking."

Absolute silence save for the pleasant sounds of the early afternoon and Merlin's song and dance routine.

"I'm kidding, you dopes!" Hina chortled.

Uneasy chuckles issued from everyone.

Kitsune was the first to recover. "And what the hell happened to y'all's shirts?" Kitsune looked curiously from Keitaro, Motoko, Haruka, and then to Naru's torn sweater.

000

Seta's eyes fluttered open, then he groaned. "Where did that madman go?" he muttered.

"He's singing and dancing, Seta." Haruka replied.

"A dance party and he didn't invite us…" Seta groaned, sat up and checked Naru.

"Seta-sensei!" Keitaro smiled.

"Daddy!" Sara jumped into Seta's arms.

"Hey part-timer," Seta grinned as he gave Sara a hug. "It feels like years…" his voice lowered, "Naru's going to need a lot of help."

Keitaro nodded without thinking, all he heard was someone needed help. "Yeah sure, anything! Right, ladies?"

Agreement from everyone was heard.

"Of course, Urashima-san," Motoko said.

Shinobu raised her hand. "Um, Seta-sensei, why are you with Naru-sempai?"

"Yeah," Kitsune said, "last Naru told me she was going home for a bit."

"Na-chan said she sent a letter saying she was going on a little expedition with me," Seta blinked.

"We've been busy the past few days, the mail was probably neglected," Haruka commented offhand.

"Ah," Seta nodded, then looked over and focused his eyes and adjusted his glasses. No, they were not deceiving him. "Heya, Tsuruko-sama!"

"Noriyasu-san," Tsuruko waved. "It would appear you found the answer."

"Indeed, but I never thought we'd be assisting in the resurrection of a wizard!" Seta was finally released from Sara's vice-like hug.

"This might take time away from your studies of the Great Turtle Civilization," Tsuruko frowned.

"It'll still be there when this is all resolved," Seta shrugged.

'*If* this is ever resolved,' Tsuruko thought as she looked at Merlin's continuing steps and hums around the perimeter.

"You two know each other?" Keitaro, Kitsune, and Motoko all asked simultaneously, bewildered.

Suu decided then to make her move. She ran out to Merlin, who stopped to regard the dark-skinned girl from MolMol as she did her own twirling dance for him; along with high air-kicks and leaps.

The assembled Hinata Inn crew watched, but Keitaro worried if Suu would try to give Merlin a love kick.

Suu did not, once she completed a quick welcome dance, she produced a dozen bananas and held them aloft her head.

Merlin blinked at her, curious.

Tsuruko smiled, looking from Suu to Merlin. To Merlin, she said: "I believe she is giving you a very high honor and token of respect."

"Then I accept," Merlin bowed shortly to Suu, slowly taking the offered yellow fruits.

Soberly, Merlin regarded the bananas.

"They are edible," Tsuruko assured.

"How curious!" Merlin looked at all sides of them.

Suu giggled, she produced one for herself, holding it above her proudly and slowly peeled it, then took a bite.

"Extraordinary!" Merlin breathed.

"I believe Suu-chan would be honored if you did the same," Tsuruko smiled.

It took Merlin a couple tries, but he soon plucked one banana, successfully peeled it, and took a tentative bite and swallowed. "It's good!"

Suu jumped up and down for joy as Tsuruko gave a short clap.

Keitaro smirked at this display, but decided to softly tap Seta's shoulder. Once he had the professor's attention, Keitaro whispered: "He's crazy! Me a King? *The* King?"

"He might be crazy, part-timer," Seta whispered back. "But he's packin' a whole lot of firepower and healing energy. The likes of which I have never seen or heard of before."

"Where the hell did you two find him, anyway?" Keitaro asked.

"In Wales," Seta shrugged.

Naru muttered something then and shook her head, her eyes opened then closed. She coughed, then her eyes flew open again. "Where did the nice crazy old man go? Back to the magical old folks' home in the sky?"

"Naru!" Keitaro reached out and gently touched her shoulder.

Naru's eyes focused. "Kei-Keitaro! It's you!"

Keitaro just nodded, confirming Naru's statement.

"It's really you!" Naru emphasized, tears welling up in her eyes, she reached up and wrapped him into a familial embrace. "Oh Keitaro, it was horrible!"

"... the old man dancing around and humming?" Keitaro asked, shocked Naru was hugging him but also bewildered at her statement.

"Not him! The… the *monsters* he saved us from!" Naru started sobbing. Soon, Kitsune was there with Keitaro and Seta trying to sooth the brunette.

"... they kept… they kept *trying*... but I wouldn't let them…" Naru choked out.

Tsuruko heard this and went back to where Keitaro, Kitsune, and Seta were holding Naru. She traded a silent, knowing look with Motoko before lightly touching Naru's shoulder.

"Who… are you?" Naru croaked up at Tsuruko.

"I am Tsuruko Aoyama; Motoko's big sister and friend of your Seta-sensei," Tsuruko bowed. "I am pleased to meet you, Narusegawa-san."

Naru's tear filled eyes widened. "Seta, she's your old friend?!"

Seta shrugged, "I guess the secret is out."

"Kitsune told me she's the new housemother and assistant manager," Naru replied tersely.

Seta blinked, then looked at Tsuruko. "Tsuruko-sama… what?!"

Tsuruko nodded simply. "It is so."

"But," Seta said, "you were officially retired! You were going to be a housewife and teach at your family's dojo! Well, before your divorce, that is..."

"Yeah, that plan did not quite survive contact with reality, bright boy," Haruka stated, "as you said so yourself."

Motoko shook her head. "Perhaps we should adjourn to the Inn where it is more comfortable and we can all get a change of clothes?"

"Sounds good, Motoko-chan," Keitaro said, looking back to where Merlin was still dancing and singing. "Not sure our new friend is done yet, though."

"Oh, I am now, my King!" Merlin called back, now he stopped dancing and singing.

"Done now, good sir?" Tsuruko turned back to look at Merlin, arching her eyebrows just so.

"I have raised the stones to protect the grounds around us, warding off all evil powers," Merlin grinned.

"You see everyone?" Keitaro laughed nervously, "our guest has raised the stones."

"Keitaro, you don't even know what he's talking about!" Haruka hissed.

"I liked the part about warding off evil powers!" Keitaro shot back.

"Yeah, but how do you know he can deliver?" Haruka eyed Merlin standing there with suspicion.

"Trust me, Haru," Seta chuckled, "if there is anything he knows how to do is deliver."

Motoko sighed. "At this instant, I would just want to be delivered back to the Inn." She looked at Keitaro. "Urashima-san," she closed her eyes and said evenly, "I thank you for *not* using perverted eyes when looking at my or my sister' state of undress."

"Same here!" Naru clutched Keitaro closer into her bear hug.

"Well, same not here..?" Tsuruko asked cautiously.

"Huh?" Kitsune asked, confused.

"Big sister?" Motoko's eyes narrowed.

"I am always very proud to show I bind my chest." Tsuruko giggled.

Keitaro blushed sharply. "Well, um, I tore off my sweater…"

Silence.

"Well, you needed a new one a long time ago, goofus!" Naru replied.

Sara disengaged from hugging Seta. "Okay, shows over, let's get back down the hill before something else happens!"

"Um, we have cookies and tea…" Shinobu mentally did a head count to see how much she would have to prepare.

"Is it as good as those yellow things?" Merlin asked, noticing that Suu was still looking at him with amazement clear in her eyes.

"Well," Granny Hina chuckled, "maybe not as unique as Suu's bananas but certainly tasty enough for a proper meeting."

Merlin wondered what could be even close to such a wonder as this banana.

000

The group made it back to the Inn and everyone who needed to freshen up and change clothes was able to do so.

Suu did something unexpected once everyone was starting to settle into the common room for this long-expected meeting; she volunteered to take her two younger cohorts to play. The princess of MolMol said she could get a report later on and tell the others what they needed to know. Keitaro was about to raise an objection, but noted that even Shinobu's eyes seemed relieved at being allowed to go and relax with Suu and Sara. He reasoned that when Suu did get a report; she would make it easier to understand for Shinobu and Sara.

Kanako then topped Suu's surprise by requesting permission from Tsuruko to go and look after the younger girls with the assistance of Shippu, Kuro, and Tama. And also to make sure Suu did not try and eat Tama-chan (insofar as Kanako knew, she was not quite certain the young princess was joking or not). She also needed time to process what had just happened to her.

Refreshment distribution, after Shinobu handled preparation, was handled by Haruka. Once everyone was seated and Merlin carefully sipped some tea and decided the unusual green tea was tolerable, Granny Hina clapped her hands together. "I am so very happy to see you all again!" Granny Hina giggled.

Haruka sighed. "Yes, we all love you too, Granny but *how* did you get here?"

"Most of you saw it; I walked out of a large oak tree." Hina stamped her short feet, almost as giddy as a little girl, twirling her cane expertly.

"Okay, even I can't just take that at face value, Granny." Keitaro's shoulders slumped.

"Nor can I, Elder Hina," Tsuruko eyed Hina closely and coolly.

"Merlin-sama," Motoko bowed deeply. "I thank you profusely for saving my sister and us from that creature and its minions-"

"-quite welcome!-" Merlin mimicked Motoko's bow and tone of voice carefully.

"-nevertheless, we need to know everything that has happened; start to finish." Motoko expression was stone serious.

Merlin laughed merrily, putting his hands up above his head. "So we start with the sun, the moon, the stars, and the music-"

"-NOT THAT FAR BACK!" Motoko yelled, her temper completely getting the better of her.

"Motoko-han, please calm yourself," Tsuruko put a hand on Motoko's shoulder.

Motoko nodded silently and turned her attention to her own mug of tea.

Tsuruko cleared her throat. "Perhaps you could assist us further in our understanding, Merlin-sama, if you begin when you awoke… this morning, perhaps?"

"Of course!" Merlin said jollily. "I had a pain in my backside!"

"...so did I," Kitsune commented, for once not in a mood to joke around.

Seta raised his hand respectfully. "I think he's getting to all of that, Mitsune-chan."

Naru simply sat and sipped her tea, her hand shook minutely.

"I was of some assistance to two pathetic members of the King's household," Merlin's spoke as if commenting on the weather, but he would say no more.

"I can fill in some of the details," Seta said morosely, giving Merlin a brief look of annoyance. "We were investigating the shrine site in the Kyoto country-side when a water apparition transported us to Wales-"

"-Seta, that's *crazy!*" Haruka practically shouted.

Seta threw his hands up in the air. "It's the damned truth, Haru!"

"He's right, Haruka-san." Naru looked down.

Haruka audibly groaned as she massaged her forehead with her hand. "... okay, sorry."

Merlin indicated with an outstretched palm towards Seta to continue.

"So yes," Seta cleared his throat. "We ended up outside a condemned shopping center in Wales."

"A shopping center?" Tsuruko asked incredulously.

"Was there a pressing grocery need?" Motoko asked, dryly.

"You're usually always so prepared, Seta-sensei." Kitsune remarked.

"But it was condemned, so why go there?" Keitaro asked, confused.

"It wasn't what was there *now*, but what *used* to be there, part-timer," Seta chuckled wanly. "Our guide, Morgana, said it was a tree whose blessing we were to receive for unspecified reasons."

"If those ungrateful bastards had not killed my tree during my slumber; the power I had stored within it would have enabled Morgana to stop that wretched creature's attack here and incinerate those three killers of his before they waylaid you two," Merlin clenched his fist.

"I would have been fine with that," Naru said.

"Same here," Seta said quietly, looking to Naru. Seta reached out a comforting hand and placed it on Naru's shoulder.

Naru gave him a small smile.

"Teacher servant," Merlin said.

"Yeah?" Seta asked.

"Carry on, please." Merlin nodded curtly.

"Oh yes!" Seta nodded. "So after finding the tree not there, and getting attacked we thought we had given those three assholes a good solid thumping and trapped them into a cursed item."

"And you were not careful with the item, am I correct?" Motoko prompted.

Seta thought for a moment. "Well, Morgana was very careful with it as we secured the item and were transported… again… to another location in Wales."

"My resting place," Merlin clarified helpfully.

"Yes," Seta nodded. "That's when things got really bad. The power those three assassins had was too strong; in fact when we fought them earlier they started *draining* our strength, I realize now. They attacked… me and Naru again… while Morgana awakened Merlin." Seta's last sentence was halting and quiet as he kept stealing concerned glances to Naru.

Tsuruko watched this, and mentally noted it. She knew she would have to speak to both Kitsune, Naru and Seta.

"When I awakened," Merlin picked up the story, catching Keitaro's attention. "I made those three killers suffer as they died, and healed the wounds of your servants as a gift to you, my King." A small smile, "I knew time was short and there was not much time to really waste time on long-winded explanations to mere servants. I wanted to go collect your mother's mother," Merlin indicated Hina.

Hina smiled simply as she enjoyed her tea.

"And get to you and deal with the threat to you and yours," Merlin smiled. "So I had to stun them."

"My thanks again," Seta said, bowing his head.

"Enough of your grovelling, teacher-servant," Merlin muttered dismissively.

"Excuse me?" Seta asked, a touch miffed "I'm expressing gratitude here even though you knocked us both out when we asked you a simple question back there."

"The only two reasons why I killed those servants of the serpent is because you two are members of the King's household. And, they were servants of that creature," Merlin said, giving Seta and Naru a patronizing wave. "Otherwise, I *may* have let you two settle things on your own if they were just ordinary toughs and you two just out walking."

"So I guess we're just lucky, huh?" Naru asked, her voice wavering.

"Yes, so much in life depends on it, even when other forces are at work," Merlin snapped a finger. "But I tire of your pointless human travails, we should continue."

"Sorry to be a nuisance to you, good sir." Seta glared at Merlin.

"I would be happy to oblige you with an extended explanation of how little you and your little admirer matter to me at another time, boy." Merlin sneered.

"How haughty and cold of you, newcomer." Haruka bit out at Merlin.

Keitaro crossed his arms, giving Merlin his best 'what the hell, man?' look.

"We usually expect better manners of our guests in our house," Granny Hina narrowed her gaze at Merlin, her tone cold.

"Which, usually includes politeness to our friends," Tsuruko said, an edge to her usually polite tone.

"As well as delicacy in difficult situations," Motoko dispensed with an edge and out and out intended to sound threatening to Merlin.

"Hence why I am dispensing with this further blather in deference to the King," Merlin nodded towards Keitaro with a flourish of hands indicating the brown-haired bespeckled apartment manager.

"Um, yeah… about this King business," Keitaro began, raising his hand.

"Do not speak about your title until you hear more, my liege," Merlin pointed squarely at Keitaro's nose.

"If you say so," Keitaro's shoulders slumped. Already he just wanted to fall asleep and wake up from this crazy dream. "But I do have more questions about that thing that wants to kill us."

"Curiosity from you is good, it shows you are starting to awaken from your dullard curse." Merlin smiled. "Now if everyone else here would kindly seal their lips and unplug their ears maybe we will be done here before the crows are heard."

Seta shrugged and Naru barely nodded in exasperation. They just wanted to get the relevant information they needed to know and call it a day.

Keitaro trained his eyes on Merlin for a moment. "What is that creature, exactly? The thing that was in the Hina blade?"

"The most accurate name would be the Seraphim," Merlin reached down to a table and retrieved his own mug of tea.

"... a kind of angel from the Christian Bible?" Seta asked. "You're talkin' shit old man."

Haruka looked dead at Merlin. "Or I *hope* you are."

Merlin laughed darkly. "Oh, he is hardly any kind of angel. Even a dark or fallen one. I actually feel sorry for the snakes whose form he frequently fancies himself akin to."

"What does he want?" Kitsune asked.

"To finally finish the job of rotting out this Earth, its covetous, backstabbing people, and all the wonderful plants and graceful animals," Merlin put his tea back down and raised one hand and then another gracefully.

"So he intends to kill everyone on Earth," Kitsune shook her head, feeling a headache coming on already.

"Oh no," Merlin frowned. "Not everyone, not all at once anyway."

"It's getting closer and closer to dinner time, you know." Haruka commented impatiently. "Chop, chop."

"The Seraphim relies on draining power. Terror, hopelessness, and blind, moronic hatred help augment that power. Something people have done a good job on their own over time; but he wants more, always more." Merlin eyed Haruka with either annoyance or appreciation. "He needs people to subjugate, set against each other, and spiritually crush so that they give up hope."

Haruka laughed in contempt. "Give up hope? That's quite touchy-feely for an anti-social old man who's been sleeping in the ground for… how long?" Haruka turned to Seta who had gently put his arm around Naru's shoulder (which Keitaro and Haruka both noted).

"About fifteen hundred years, give or take." Seta replied.

"Dammit, this is completely batshit crazy!" Kitsune exclaimed, wondering if she should just go to her room or go into town for some drinks.

"We're getting off-track!" Keitaro raised his voice.

"Urashima-san is quite correct," Motoko stood up. "Merlin-sama, please explain more."

"Gladly," Merlin responded dryly. "When I say 'give up hope,' I mean that he wants humans to be run down steadily; slowly in a way that provides him maximum nourishment and satisfaction. Human beings are highly adaptable given time to adjust to changing conditions; the Seraphim knows this, and wants to use that trait against people."

Hina cleared her throat. "I believe what it all boils down to is that our enemy, once those who can oppose him are eliminated, would want to spend a long time abusing and debasing the human race until we know nothing but misery and hell on earth."

Merlin nodded soberly. "I have seen some of what the Seraphim has in mind; a world where the only order is what pleases and benefits his power and the rest is forgotten. A place of darkness upon the earth, war of all against all, the eradication of all knowledge and continual fear. And worse of all, danger of violent death and degradation of all peoples' lives." Merlin wet his lips and took a slow breath. "And those lives that are tolerated by the Seraphim; nasty, brutish, and short."

Seta laughed derisively. "So you do care about us, after all." He clapped slow and almost silently.

"Only enough to see the one true King crowned and an end to the stinking mass of humanity mistaking their thumb for their loins." Merlin glared evenly at Seta.

"Now you're just being vulgar," Seta wagged a finger at Merlin.

"Seta-sensei," Tsuruko said softly.

"All right, I'll be quiet." Seta put his hands up, conceding the argument.

"First intelligent thing I have heard from you yet," Merlin replied tersely.

Seta muttered something under his breath, but thankfully Merlin ignored it.

"Granny, what happened when Merlin found you in… where were you?"

"Peru!" Hina chuckled, shuffling her feet. "And I was promised a prompt return…?"

"If you do not displease me; yes." Merlin crossed his arms.

"So…" Hina intoned. "I was enjoying some tea next to this wonderful hot spring fed by a waterfall under the stars!"

000

Less than an hour earlier in Peru...

000

"You know," Hina said to Aiko and Tora as she put her thermos of tea down on a fold-out table set up in front of her palatial tent. She was very much enjoying the late Peruvian night. "This spring has to be among the top five I have visited so far."

"Really, Elder Hina?" Tora asked, amazed. "Top Ten material, yes, I agree but-"

"-what about the several great ones in Singapore alone?" Aiko asked, astonished.

Hina chortled. "I never said it was an easy choice, but I know a great hot spring when I-"

The ground shook, completely upending the fold-out table and everything on it.

Hina's bodyguards immediately covered the older woman with their bodies, so Hina did not quite see the ground crack open and the enormous ancient oak with thick trunk and great roots appear before them.

When Hina did see it, she was surprised but not absolutely shocked. The Urashima matriarch signalled her bodyguards to rise. Once Hina shook off some dust and picked up her cane, she looked up at the tree reaching high into the dark clouds of the night sky. When the opening appeared at the base of the trunk, and an old man exited, Hina stood stone silent as she noted Aiko and Tora took on a ready stance. The man approached Hina and stopped.

"Your family name is Urashima and your grandson is Keitaro; the King," Merlin bowed gracefully. "You are Hina; the King's Mother's Mother. I am called Merlin."

"Judging from your tone and stance; you are in some hurry." Hina watched Merlin's eyes carefully.

"Time is short, the prophecy's fulfillment is at hand. The curse of the Promise shall be broken!" Merlin's tone conveyed all Hina needed to know.

"Aiko, Tora." Hina yelled.

"Yes, Elder!" Both replied.

"If I am not back in twelve hours, or otherwise contact you two, your orders are to execute contingency plan Daiken," Hina said clearly and firmly.

"At once, Elder!" Once again,both replied.

After a bow, Hina had followed Merlin into the tree. Inside, she was surprised it was fully lit by what appeared to be glowing crystals set into alcoves along the inner chamber. It was spacious, in fact the immediate impression Hina's eyes had was looking at a tree trunk that had been turned inside out. The brief disorientation passed easily enough as she saw in the center a large stone altar with other standing stones of various heights and widths sticking out of it. Once Hina's eyes focused, she could tell the stones were faintly glowing.

The Urashima matriarch looked down, noticing Seta and Naru laying on the wooden floor. She noted they were alive and breathing evenly, and seemed to be uninjured despite the damage to their clothing. "Your handiwork, good sir?"

"Those two twits got lippy with me when I saved them to continue serving your grandson," Merlin said with his back turned as she stalked towards the altar.

"They would do that, I apologize for the trouble I know they have caused."

"Hmm," Merlin intoned as he began touching the stones. Hina watched in amazement as the glow brightened, a warm cascade of yellow, gold, then blue and green. She felt and heard a low vibrating hum.

"So what is the short version, oh wise fulfillment of the prophecy of old?" Hina asked calmly.

"I am not certain if you understand truly what is at stake, or if you are just trying to kiss my arse." Merlin looked up and turned back to her. "But I will assume you have enough good sense to understand."

"Please tell me," Hina's lips thinned.

"An old creature I have had a long-standing conflict with happily assisted and stood to benefit from my student betraying me and plunging the island into chaos and meaningless division," Merlin sighed. "I… lost my sanity and angrily lashed out at the creature… but also at a lot of reckless, foolish humans too."

"Well, nobody is perfect." Hina shrugged reasonably.

"You are definitely arse-kissing," Merlin smirked a touch. "Very well, in the moment I banished the creature, I allowed the vines of the Earth's lifeforce to suggest a prison shape-a curved blade with a two-handed hilt-and I knew I had to send it to the other side of the world to wait for the descendent, the true king who would not stab me in the back. One of my students would accompany this object to find a secure location."

"But-" Hina began.

"Yes, a rather large, obtrusive but." Merlin waved for silence. "The trip to the other side of the world…"

"Japan," Hina supplied. "Ancient Kyoto, specifically."

"Aye, yes." Merlin nodded. "My student was injured in the trip and was temporarily incapaciated. I do not know what happened to the blade."

"I can tell you," Hina raised a finger. "Your student, my ancestor unless I miss my guess-"

"-you do not." Merlin smiled.

"She lost the sword; soon to be known as the Hina katana; the cursed blade, though I do not know why exactly." Hina shook her head.

"I can tell why, Hina was the first word my student learned that anyone in your Japan understood," Merlin chuckled darkly. "When she noticed the sword was gone, and she began searching for it with the assistance of her future husband, it became the Hina blade."

Hina sighed. "They were too late."

"So I gathered once my student left the paths of the living," Merlin looked down at one of the glowing stones. "They had one direct fight where the creature in the sword cursed your ancestor and their issue to be susceptible to corrupting promises and mind fog; the King ten-fold susceptible."

"Keitaro…" Hina breathed, mentally kicking herself for her part in Keitaro's promise. "And then that wretched creature caused untold suffering in fire and ruin in Kyoto; nearly irreparable."

"The creature almost caused irreparable carnage and fire on this side of the world too." Merlin shook his head.

"We're on the way to stop this creature now, aren't we?" Hina asked, her Urashima arts confirmed to her the tree was moving around them.

"Oh yes," Merlin said offhand. "We will be there in a few flaps of the crow!"

Hina nodded. She stopped, she glanced around again. "Where is your student now?"

Merlin lightly touched a blue stone gently. "She could have no further contact with this world right now once her task was complete."

"I would have liked to have met my ancestor," Hina said quietly, disappointment evident.

Merlin looked up. "You still may yet. There may still be contact, after, if all goes well." He narrowed his gaze sharply. "But no promises! You may have to wait until you yourself leave the paths of the living."

Hina chuckled. "A caustic one, aren't you? I can work with that!"

"Pah!" Merlin snorted.

Hina placed her cane gently against the oak interior wall/trunk. She began cracking her knuckles and stretching; priming herself for possible combat.

000

"The corrupting promise?" Keitaro asked, feeling cold.

Naru looked up.

Kitsune raised her hand. "Promise, you mean the one Kei-baby made years ago?"

Hina went to her grandson's side, giving him a supportive hug. "I… I have been a fool, grandson."

"More like a puppet," Merlin corrected.

Hina looked down. "All I remember was seeing you, Na-chan, and Mutsu-chan so happy, playing in the sandbox."

"So it was me," Naru looked down. "But Mutsumi too…"

Keitaro went white. He felt sick.

"Then there was the whole business with the Liddo-kun between you two girls," Hina remembered. "It struck me at the time that it seemed almost rehearsed before hand."

"That's just absurd, Granny!" Keitaro shook his head.

"Nevertheless, she speaks the truth, sire." Merlin raised his voice. "You three were being manipulated by the Seraphim and your mother's mother was controlled to let it occur and then to forget anything was amiss-until now."

"Why does it seem lately life just wants to kick my ass?" Keitaro shouted.

"That goes for me, too." Naru looked down.

"Good thing Turtle Lady isn't here," Kitsune sighed.

Haruka nodded. "It'll take some time to explain to her."

"So it was all a lie," Keitaro looked down.

"Now you can walk into the sunlight, sire." Merlin said.

"Sunlight? What the hell do you mean? Everything I was striving for and why was *nothing*." Keitaro clenched his fist, feeling tears form in his eyes.

"Sire, everyone is here as part of your household to serve you, the Seraphim tried to use the promise to trap you and everyone in impotent, childless marriages." Merlin smiled. "Everyone here is now free to take part in the prophecy."

"Forgive me, but this sounds like some kind of school play," Motoko crossed her arms, shaking her head in disbelief as she managed to keep an eye on Keitaro's distress

"Aoyama-sama, you don't usually get hurt during a school play." Seta said in annoyance.

"Well, there was one fourth grade play where I fell and broke my wrist," Kitsune replied.

Everyone looked at her.

Kitsune sighed, her shoulder's slumping. "Still not helping, y'all? Sorry..."

Merlin gave a dismissive gesture between a wave of his hand and a shake of his head. "Everyone is blathering again!"

"It's just… well, everything lately…" Keitaro said quietly.

"Take heart, Keitaro-san." Tsuruko said soothingly, almost lulling in the sound of comfort in her voice. "It is better to know the truth."

"I see you are troubled, Urashima-san," Motoko cut in, "I would be happy to teach you a meditation technique for troubled minds."

Naru looked from Keitaro, to Tsuruko to Motoko. 'What is going on there?' The brunette thought.

Kitsune threw a look to Motoko, winking. "'Ya, teach your Urashima-san well, brave sensei."

Motoko face went pink.

"I wonder what else isn't quite what I thought," Keitaro looked down at his cast-enclosed broken leg.

"Nephew," Haruka raised her voice. "If there is anything else you want to ask your grandmother; now is the time." She looked to Hina and smiled softly. It was time to clear the air.

Hina smiled at Keitaro. "Anything you wish to ask."

Keitaro thought for a moment. "Granny, what about how you left the Inn? Why didn't you tell Mom you turned the Inn into a Girls' dormitory?"

"You would not have come, otherwise." Hina stated. "You were always so deferential and respectful of women and girls."

"It is a bit of a stretch for a Girls' Dormitory to have a male manager, Granny." Kitsune pointed out. "If that was your plan a simple heads-up about your intention would have been cool."

HIna gave Kitsune and all the other girls a slightly frosty look. "Really, Mitsune-chan? Would not everyone have simply left?"

Kitsune glanced around the room, and remembered how maybe not her, but the other girls would have reacted to advance notice of a male dorm manager two years ago. "'Kay, I get your point."

"Well," Keitaro shrugged, "what was your plan, Granny?"

Hina laughed. "Retirement, adventure, and discovery! I wanted to go to my grave knowing I lived my life to the fullest while helping my family."

"I meant me as the manager," Keitaro's tone lowered.

Hina smirked. "To teach the girls a lesson, of course. And you, grandson, were just the man to do it."

"The hell?!" Naru exclaimed.

Motoko's eyes simply went wide.

Kitsune cracked up in laughter.

Merlin laughed. "A good jolly thrashing of the backside; I love it! Not just men can benefit from it."

"A lesson?!" Keitaro blinked.

"The girls were on the wrong tracks in their lives and needed to mature," Hina said in a dry tone. "At first, I thought your kind heart and hard-work would win them over but I miscalculated just how misguided they were. Though recent events have changed things; Kana-chan was always going to join you here to help bring order and maturity to these young ladies."

"Well, little 'ole me here is hardly perfect, but I don't need a firm lesson," Kitsune said with a bit of indignation.

"Would you rather be in jail right now, Konno-san?" Hina's tone dripped with venom.

Kitsune went white. "Oh, right. Forgot about that one!" She waved her hands defensively as she became aware all eyes were on her.

"I expect all of you ladies to become sterling examples of womankind," Hina now smiled. "Not reflexive man haters that always need me and my family to clean up your mess."

"Well, things are getting a bit better lately." Keitaro said reasonably.

"They should not have gotten as bad as they did!" Hina yelled.

Keitaro could feel the temperature drop around him. It was rare when his grandmother felt the need to raise her voice so. He did not need to glance at the girls to see that they too were taken aback by it. Keitaro felt a crackle then, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

"And these 'things' will never be *that* way again; not now that I am at the King's side!" Merlin crossed his arms as faint blue lightning crackled about his forearms, he carefully eyed all of the girls. First Naru, then Motoko, and then Kitsune.

Naru and Motoko, to their credit, stoically withstood Merlin's withering glare. Kitsune found a very intriguing spot on the far wall to observe.

Tsuruko and Seta glanced at each other, in a look knowing the sheer amount of power at Merlin's disposal. Motoko sensed it, but hid it well.

"Um, hey," Keitaro said nervously to Merlin. "...they're still *my* tenants, you know."

"Yes?" Merlin turned to Keitaro.

"I think you're scaring them," Keitaro replied.

"Good!" Merlin smiled. The blue lighting crackles ceased and he immediately turned and sat down to continue enjoying his tea.

Keitaro breathed in deeply, calming himself, he looked over to the girls, giving a cautious but regarding look. 'Well, now or never,' he thought as he then turned his attention back to his grandmother. 'I wonder how the hell Naru is going to take this one,' Keitaro thought miserably.

"Um, Granny?" Keitaro's voice was lower but firm.

"Yes, Kei-chan?" Hina smiled pleasantly.

"This arranged marriage joke between me and Tsuruko-san isn't very funny," Keitaro deadpanned.

"It's not supposed to be!" Hina laughed.

"WHAT ARRANGED MARRIAGE?!" Naru stood straight up. This was about the last thing in the universe she expected to hear when she returned home.

"That's pretty damned old-school, part timer." Seta chuckled, shaking his head. "Tricked into or did you and Tsuruko-san touch a fated object together at midnight or something?"

"Granny Hina snuck it into the employment contracts for Tsuruko-san's new job as house mother and assistant manager," Haruka pointed between Tsuruko (who blushed a tinge) and Keitaro (who just looked down, beat red), giggling.

"Classic!" Seta laughed loudly, slapping his knee in mirth.

"I know!" Haruka matched Seta's laughter.

Hina clapped her hands together, clearly enjoying the reaction.

Naru looked to Keitaro. "But Kitsune told me this Tsuruko-san was trying to get you to marry Motoko!"

Now it was Motoko's turn to blush.

"Well, that was last week." Keitaro replied to Naru.

"Marriage plans change," Merlin sipped his tea, humming a tune pleasantly.

"Elder Hina," Tsuruko said clearly. "This little joke of yours has gone on long enough already."

"I suppose it has," Hina smiled, her laughter subsiding.

"Then you will allow the marriage documents to be returned and destroyed?" Keitaro asked, sheepishly.

Hina was about to open her mouth, when she clamped it shut. She turned to Haruka. "My tea, dear Haruka?"

Haruka quickly handed Hina her tea.

The Urashima matriarch took a long, savoring sip of the tea. She closed her eyes for a moment. "No."

"Wh-what do you mean, 'no,' Hina-sama?" Motoko blinked, her voice quivering for a fraction of a second.

"It is the exact opposite of an affirmative declaration, Motoko-chan." Hina replied serenely.

"Elder Hina," Tsuruko bowed gracefully. "I think you owe your grandson and myself a clear and unambiguous explanation of your intent."

Hina cracked up in laughter again. "Well, I would think the intent would be obvious to you two."

"I'm sorry, the joke is lost on us," Keitaro replied dryly.

"I'm lost too," Naru sat down.

Hina smiled impishly up at Tsuruko. "After observing the splendid theatrics of the marriage duel you imposed on Motoko-chan and Kei-chan I decided to use the exact same specifics-minus the nullification by combat conditions mind you-and invoke the ancient agreement between our two clans."

Tsuruko pursed her lips. "That is going back a long time past, Elder Hina."

"Pay no mind to me, I have just been sleeping in the dirt for over fifteen hundred years," Merlin hummed.

"Ancient agreement?!" Both Keitaro and Motoko exclaimed.

"Tell them, my dear." Hina said to Tsuruko with a twinkle in her eye.

Tsuruko sighed. "Starting around a thousand years ago, the Urashima and Aoyama clans have had an understanding that some members of their respective clans might experience some difficulties in marriage matches due to a variety of unforeseen circumstances."

"Like the ones you two have recently experienced," Hina nodded while pointing between Keitaro and Tsuruko.

Keitaro shook his head, blushing sharply as he looked down at the floor, trying to avoid looking at both Naru and Tsuruko.

Tsuruko bravely soldiered on. "Said unforeseen circumstances were to include unexpected death, unjust abandonment by an intended or previous spouse, or when maiming in battle or the viciousinous of the spirits threaten someone otherwise worthy of marriage in either clan of dying alone and without issue."

"It also helps round-out the guest list at dinner parties, too." Hina laughed. "And as I got the reports from Keitaro and Motoko's quest to defeat you, dear Tsuruko, I could not help but wonder how you would react with the same consequences of defeat you wanted to place on your little sister."

Tsuruko wet her lips and considered her next words carefully. "This could be construed to be a trifle bit inconsiderate considering the timing of both your grandson and my own personal hardships lately."

"That did not seem to bother you when you attempted to meddle in Motoko-chan's marriage prospects." Hina giggled.

"Indeed, it did not, Big Sister." Motoko's reply was as dark as midnight.

Tsuruko coldly nodded slowly, conceding the point. "The same conditions I wished to impose on Motoko-han and Keitaro-san, then? Very well… is there nothing myself or your grandson can say to sway your judgment in this matter, Elder Hina?"

"No." Hina smiled.

"Granny, this is just unfair! People don't do these things nowadays!" Keitaro shook his head.

"Perhaps they ought to reconsider that," Hina remarked bitterly. "Last I checked, the world hasn't seemed to improve."

"Why all of this now, Granny?" Keitaro asked, his voice cracking a bit.

"Dear boy, it was painful to have to wait this long," Hina said sympathetically. "But I knew certain conditions needed to be met."

"Conditions?" Keitaro asked skeptically. "You could have just come back anytime for a visit-"

"-I would have lost my temper with these young *ladies* then," Hina gave said young ladies a sober look. Then she returned to gazing up at her grandson with a softer look. "I knew the right time was when Kanako herself was ready, once she was at one with body and spirit."

Keitaro nodded, silently accepting this but still not completely satisfied.

"Of course," Hina giggled, "I had no idea that event would coincide with the moldy old prophecy and the chess-piece."

"I resent the term moldy," Merlin looked up.

"Apologies," Hina grinned with a bow.

Merlin just waved it off before sipping more tea.

Haruka cleared her throat. "Or did you expect that prophecy business and Kana-chan being *ready* to come here to happen at the same time as all this *stuff* involving Keitaro, Naru, Motoko, and her big sister."

Hina smiled to Haruka. "Well, when it rains it pours."

"Well, I had somethin' to do with things," Kitsune chuckled.

Hina chuckled. "You did, actually in a positive way, Mitsu-chan. You were a kind and caring friend for Keitaro during a tough time from what my agents have reported. Thank you, I am grateful."

Kitsune immediately felt the need to look around the room, wondering just *how* Granny's agents kept tabs on them all.

"And you're still damn lucky we haven't given you a bill for your lawyer, Missy," Haruka wagged a finger.

Kitsune chuckled nervously.

"Or all the bribes," Hina coughed.

"Okay," Kitsune waved her hands again, "we can change the subject." She could just feel the other girls' eyes on her.

"Quite so," Hina sipped her tea. "Before I make arrangements to return to my world tour, what is the plan Merlin-sama?"

Merlin looked up. "As I said, the stones I have raised will protect the grounds; there are also smaller stones that can be carried for protection from the Seraphim and his killers while travelling. Long-term, while he has been severely weakened, time will pass and he will slowly marshall his energies and servants back together. Until he reveals himself again, I will train and assist the King as he… well, becomes King!" Merlin looked to Tsuruko. "You will be needed in this venture."

"Of course," Tsuruko smiled with a bow. She turned to Keitaro. "It looks like combat training for you, Keitaro-san."

Keitaro blinked. "Me?"

"Yes, you." Merlin sighed. "Your healing regenerative abilities will not do the task on their own."

"O-okay…" Keitaro gulped.

"Kana-chan will help, too." Hina smiled.

Motoko stood straight up, proudly in defiance. "If Urashima-san is to be trained in combat, he will be *my* student!"

"Mighty impulsive, Motoko-han," Tsuruko smirked. "You did pass up on a perfect opportunity to induct him into our ways through the marriage bed. Why should it be you to be his sensei?"

Motoko blushed. "..." she looked down, not answering.

"Mother will love hearing about this," Tsuruko tittered.

"Mother's often enjoy hearing their adult children's loins burn for another," Merlin laughed.

"It is not like that!" Motoko screamed.

Keitaro blinked, wondering if he should duck for cover.

"Be that as it may," Tsuruko smiled. "I believe Keitaro-san would benefit from everyone working together-with myself in charge, of course."

Merlin coughed. "In charge with my advise and consent."

Tsuruko gave Merlin a look, then gracefully showed both palms out in a way he could see them. "As you will, Merlin-sama."

Merlin laughed. "Indeed, I look forward to us working together."

"So, um," Keitaro cleared his throat. "Again, about this King stuff-"

"Sire, are you feeling ill?" Merlin asked.

"I'm beginning to wonder that myself," Keitaro raised his hand. "... how can I be a King? Of what? How is this not, well-how is this even possible?"

Merlin laughed. "I thought you would be more grateful, but I forgive my King for this. You ask good questions all. First is you are King because the vines of the Earth decreed it so from the moment of creation that you would come when there was great need. When I say King, I mean eventually your entire dominion will be the entire world; possibly beyond. This is possible because *I* am possible and the Seraphim certainly sees you as a not-insignificant threat to his designs. "

Keitaro hung his head as he listened, the whole thing either sounded like a giant practical joke or a dream he never wanted to wake up from-but inevitably would. "... I see, I guess."

"Besides," Merlin smiled. "The Seraphim wishes to kill you, your family, friends and scatter your flocks and herds to the four winds and burn your land to ash. Is that not enough reason to fight against him?"

"Yeah, that simplifies things." Keitaro nodded after a gulp, his face bed sheet white.

"Just focus on that reality for the time being, sire, and let the rest unfold as it may." Merlin smiled in utmost kindness.

"I do have one further question at this juncture," Tsuruko raised her hand. "Great need?"

"Yes," Merlin nodded. "The world is in danger of useless, petty division, disorder and narrow thinking."

"Then what does the world need?" Tsuruko asked.

"The world needs the caring and tolerate father," Merlin pointed to Keitaro, "and the one who will end all dispute," then he pointed to a vague direction that could have been anywhere and no one in particular. "Ideally, this one will be his Queen but it is not written in the stars above."

"I know who *I* think should be Kei-chan's Queen and end all dispute," Hina giggled, eyeing Tsuruko.

"Elder Hina!" Tsuruko blushed.

"Granny!" Keitaro whined, blushing too.

"Come on, it's funny!" Hina continued to have fun at their expense for another moment before finishing up her tea. "Well, the world tour awaits! Now, about this timely return transport-what form will it take, Merlin-sama?"

"I still have enough power to transport you back directly, Elder of the Urashima." Merlin bowed respectfully.

"I thank you, my good sir." Hina smiled. The old woman turned to the rest of the assembled older girls. "I will be in touch and back in Japan before you all know it! Oh yes, there is another revision to the dormitory contract…"

"I cannot wait to hear what this one is," Motoko remarked.

"Yeah, I know." Naru said.

"Is it free rent for a year?" Kitsune asked hopefully.

Haruka face-palmed.

'Is it a new pair of pants every week for the manager?' Keitaro wondered to himself.

Seeing she had everyone's attention, Hina smiled. "As of this most recent revision starting with the new housemother and assistant manager's employment; while the dormitory is still all-girls if any of the girls marry they are allowed to bring their husbands to live in the Inn as well. Of course, male children from those unions are also allowed. Men are allowed, at management discretion, to rent rooms available above the tea shop under strict supervision of Haruka-chan."

Haruka cracked her knuckles. "Fine by me, more money and idle butts to put to work."

"So, Hinata Boys along with Hinata Girls?" Seta asked, chuckling.

Naru and Motoko traded a completely dumbfounded look.

"All part of the plan to make us into fine examples of womankind?" Kitsune asked Hina.

"Yes!" Hina chortled. "You may find in years to come this change may open up new, thrilling opportunities."

"If it must be," Motoko said slowly, "I will assist Haruka-san in dealing with perverted antics."

"Thanks, but no thanks, Motoko-chan." Haruka held up a hand. "I can deal with them myself."

Merlin gave Haruka an appraising up and down look. "A woman of rock principles and self-assurance, you have earned my respect."

"You just take care of my nephew and the girls, okay?" Haruka's eyes bored into Merlin's.

"With my life, dear Lady." Merlin bowed.

Hina grinned and giggled as she clap-clapped for attention as she glommed onto Keitaro for another wet kiss while remaining mindful of his broken leg. After that, Hina went to each girl for a deep, affectionate hug. For Seta, she and him shared a deep, respectful bow. Keitaro carefully walked Hina out the front door with Merlin where Kanako was watching the younger girls play with the animals.

"Granny!" Kanako exclaimed, rising to her feet to embrace Hina.

"How are you faring?" Hina whispered.

Kanako exhaled, "like I've been reborn somehow. This is beyond anything I ever thought I'd feel before."

"Always remember this feeling, granddaughter." Hina took Kanako's hand, squeezing it. "Very few have experienced what you have just had."

Kanako smiled and nodded as she felt happy tears in her eyes again.

"Now, time for another kiss!" Hina puckered up for Kanako. "Granddaughter, it is time for me to return to my retirement," Hina said after her loud smooch to Kanako.

Kanako weathered the kiss well. "So soon?"

"Yes, but take heart you will be well cared for and you will be seeing my wrinkly old face before too long!" Hina smiled.

"I've… missed you, Granny," Keitaro found himself saying.

"So have I, grandson." Hina wiped a tear from her eye. "I am sorry again it was so difficult for you, and it took so long for help to arrive."

"I learned a lot, though." Keitaro looked up at the now late afternoon spring sky.

"As did the others," Hina smiled. She looked out to the courtyard and spied her next targets. "Suu-chan!"

"Grannies!" Suu immediately ran to enfold Hina into a hug.

"Ooohf!" Hina laughed. "Your getting stronger, sweet-heart!"

"Stays with medicine man?" Suu asked, nodding toward Merlin, hope evident in her eyes.

"Medicine man?" Merlin asked, bewildered.

"I'm not sure that's an accurate translation of what Suu-chan means," Keitaro shrugged.

Hina shook her head as she kept her attention on Su. "Time for this old party gal to continue her dream!"

"Bananas and inventions!" Suu jumped up and down and ran over to bring up Shinobu and Sara.

"Why hello hello Maehara-san," Hina bowed. "I hear from Kei-chan here you have been doing so wonderfully with the cooking and laundry."

Shinobu blushed. "I do my best for your grandson and the others."

"Keep up the good work," Hina smiled, giving Shinobu a quick hug.

"Ah, the irrepressible Sara-chan." Hina smiled at the young American. "Haruka-chan has told me so much about you."

"All the good stuff, I'm sure!" Sara said, with a hint of sass.

"Well, I know also that Kei-chan thinks of you as a little sister already," Hina smirked. "So be nice to him, you hear?"

"Oh, she will." Kanako nodded, grinning.

"Sara-chan is great at video games," Keitaro chuckled nervously.

"Keep the hits in the game, then." Hina smiled kindly at Sara, letting her statement sink in.

Sara nodded, smiling a bit uneasily at the look in Hina's eyes.

Su and Hina shared another long hug, and the old woman bowed to Shinobu and Sara before walking further out into the courtyard arm-in-arm with Keitaro.

Merlin strode further out into the courtyard in front of Hina and Keitaro, he rolled up the sleeves of his blue robes, and soon there was a whirlpool of blue light. "Elder Urashima, step through and you will be where I found you before."

"If I end up anywhere else, rest assured I have the ability and teeth to make sure you regret it, sir." Hina cackled.

Merlin cackled right back at her. "If I was displeased with you and wished to send you off to parts unknown, I would just toss you into the sky."

"I think there's been enough of that around here," Hina said.

Keitaro blushed.

"That there has been," Merlin replied dryly.

Hina gave Keitaro another quick hug before turning her attention to the whirlpool of light. "Oh this is gonna be fun!" The old woman grinned before picking up her cane and running head-long towards the portal.

Keitaro and Kanako watched, mouths gaping open and the younger girls cheered as Hina Urashima (giggling like a child) did a flip into the whirlpool like she was taking a dip in a swimming hole.

000

After the whirlpool was gone, and Hina sent a quick text message to Keitaro's mobile phone confirming her arrival back in Peru, the younger girls filed into the Inn. Kanako and Keitaro were about to follow with Merlin when Shippu flitted over to hover around Keitaro's head.

-Keitaro-san,- Shippu flapped. -The standing stones your new house guest has raised appear to be attracting attention.-

"Attention?" Keitaro asked.

Kanako shrugged. "Attention by whom?"

-Specifically, the local authorities.- Shippu flap-pointed over to the top landing of the stone staircase.

Keitaro, Merlin, and Kanako followed Shippu over, and looked down the stairs that scaled Hinata Hill. What he saw, nearly caused Keitaro's eyes to bug out of their sockets.

"... the stones… they're huge!"

"Yes, they have are protecting your household, as I told you." Merlin looked at Keitaro, confusion evident on the old man's face. "What is wrong now, sire?"

Kanako gulped audibly.

"I... well, I thought when you said stones they'd be about knee-high or lower," Keitaro explained.

"That would be rocks, my liege." Merlin replied.

"Those stones down there are taller than some buildings," Keitaro fought to keep his tone level.

"As they should be." Merlin shrugged.

"Hinata City Code Enforcement is going to *kill* me!" Keitaro shouted.

Kanako thought quickly. "I am certain once the situation and the reason is explained to the council, an agreement can be reached and the fines… might be manageable?"

"Pah!" Merlin cursed. "I will go to these magistrates myself and ask why the King cannot protect his household, family, and servants!"

"... yeah, that will really go over well, Merlin-sama." Keitaro face-palmed.

"But that is all useless blather, sire, for more important matters must be dealt with," Merlin placed a hand on Keitaro's shoulder.

"Oh? What now?" Keitaro asked. Kanako could see Merlin's hand glowing briefly on her brother's shoulder.

Merlin smiled. "How does your leg feel?"

"... like new," Keitaro blinked, dumbfounded. "Like I never broke it in the first place."

"You did not think I was going to leave you to heal up on your own, did you my King?" Merlin laughed.

"Th-thank you," Keitaro bowed his head.

"Let's get inside and get that cast cut off your leg, Big Brother." Kanako smiled.

000

Tsuruko had gotten the attention of Naru, Seta, and Kitsune by a simple, generous smile and the raise of her hand. "Narusegawa-san, Seta-sensei, and Konno-san, would you grace myself with the honor of your company while we finish our tea in my room?"

"...Big Sister?" Motoko asked, completely confused why Tsuruko would be making such a request.

Haruka sighed. "She needs to ask some sensitive questions about their recent experience, Motoko-chan, that's all."

Motoko nodded. 'Official business,' she thought. It was all she needed to know.

Silently, the three Tsuruko had made her request to nodded and bowed just so, indicating Tsuruko was free to lead the way.

The trip to Tsuruko's room was silent, but comfortable. Once they arrived, Tsuruko slid the shoji screen door shut, and told the trio they could take a seat anywhere but forgive the basic furniture of the room.

Naru glanced around, she was surprised it did not bear much resemblance to Motoko's former room. There was a kotatsu, some cushions, and a small lamp. Along one wall was a small shrine with a picture of an older man, who Naru recalled from one of Motoko's pictures as being her and Tsuruko's deceased father, Shirou. Along the other wall, without a bookcase, were some books piled neatly. Naru noted among the titles were books that one would expect a samurai to have; such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" and authoritative books on military and Japanese history/culture/customs. But Naru noticed, to her surprise, Japanese translations of Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan", Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince," but also the collected writings of John Locke.

'An authoritarian tactician, interesting,' Naru mused abstractly as she took a careful seat with her tea where Tsuruko silently indicated, right next to her. 'But also, arguably, the father of the Western concept of liberty.'

Kitsune, while taking a seat where Tsuruko also indicated (directly across from Naru), was struck by how already Tsuruko's room had a certain lived-in feel to it while only having what Tsuruko had carried in with her. She found herself wondering if Kanako's room was similar.

Seta took his indicated seat directly across from Tsuruko. "Tsuruko-sama, do you mind if I smoked?" Gone from his tone was any of the cock-sure swagger or bewildered absent-minded professor schtick. All that was left was of an exhausted and tired man.

Naru and Kitsune's mouths gaped open. The two best friends also had the same reaction, to right away rebuke Seta for such a slight towards their host-

"-you may go right ahead, Seta-sensei," Tsuruko nodded, smiling pleasantly. She smiled to Naru and Kitsune. "I apologize I did not bring some sake."

"Doncha' worry, I got lots in my room for later," Kitsune chuckled as Seta quickly ignited the cigarette he had taken out of his coat. He found the ashtray that Granny Hina always made sure was in every room in the Inn and placed it in front of him.

"I'll take a whole bottle," Naru muttered.

"The reason I have asked you three here is to talk about the recent experience with the creature." Tsuruko sighed deeply, she closed her eyes "At least now we have a name for our foe; the Seraphim..."

The elder Aoyama sister opened her eyes. "I will however preface this conversation with the following; I will not speak of, answer, or ask any questions regarding what has happened before our new guest Merlin-sama arrived." Tsuruko took a breath, noting Naru's visible wince, then she continued after a moment: "I will not speak of the marriage agreement Elder Hina has seen fit to impose-or anything regarding Keitaro-san's romantic entanglements. These matters can be addressed elsewhere at another time. Is this clearly understood?"

"Crystal," Kitsune answered..

"Um, sure, yeah," Naru shrugged, confused and embarrassed. She looked down at her tea.

"Ladies," Seta took a deep drag on his cigarette, "Tsuruko-sama is doing us all a favor by cutting straight to the point."

Tsuruko gave Seta a small smile. "I thank you, now straight to the matter… I need to hear in everyone's own words what they remember of their encounters' with our enemy."

"Well, been a while since I've been to a formal debriefing," Seta chuckled wanly. "I'll go first, okay?"

"No!" Naru said. "I'll start..." she looked down.

"Na-chan…" Kitsune reached across the kotatsu, giving Naru's hand a touch. "It's okay, we're both here for you."

Naru nodded, slowly she recounted everything that had occurred since they first found the abandoned shrine in rural Kyoto. She spared no detail, even if she had to clench her fists, and by the time she was finished her face was wet with tears. By the end of her recitation, Tsuruko had a comforting hand on Naru's shoulder and Seta holding her other hand.

Kitsune spoke next, while her experience with the Seraphim was more rooted in possession and dream invasion, Tsuruko was able to fill in some blanks from what she had seen and sensed from the creature's intentions. By the time Kitsune finished, she too was in tears.

Finally, Seta recounted his experience. Gone was the usual devil-may-care personality as he shakily puffed on his cigarette, telling how this was the first time he ever faced the possibility of his own death but also being forced to witness someone attempt a sexual assault on someone. Seta finished with stating that before Merlin intervened he never felt like such a failure before in his life; even with taking three tries to get into Tokyo U.

Tsuruko allowed a moment for everyone's emotions to pour out. She used her ki to project calm, serenity, and comfort for her guests. After a moment, she spoke softly. "I am going to give you three each a business card. On the back of the card will be a code-word."

"Business card for what?" Kitsune asked skeptically.

"Her name is Himiko Se Masaki, she is a therapist who specializes in assisting those who have experienced supernatural assaults," Tsuruko replied. "The codeword is that you are authorized to access her services; you will receive no bill."

Seta gave Tsuruko a look. "By order of the Organization?"

"Yes, Seta-sensei."

"... how is this going to help?" Naru asked, coldly. "Talk about our feelings?"

"Narusegawa-san," Tsuruko said compassionately, "you were victorious and survived a rape and murder attempt. Give yourself permission to heal your wounds." She looked to Kitsune. "That is what the demon intended for you, Konno-san. And his violation of your mind is not all that different from what your friend experienced." Finally, to Seta. "And you have never come so close to being killed and loss and ruin for someone in your care."

Everyone was silent for a moment.

"Does this 'therapist' really know what we've been through?" Kitsune asked.

"She does; sadly you three are not the first nor will be the last to be abused so." Tsuruko closed her eyes.

Seta took another long drag of his cigarette. "Aoyama-sama, you are worse than your former husband in these matters," Seta chuckled. "I feel I would be wasting Se Masaki's time."

Tsuruko favored Seta with a smirk. "If you would like, Seta-sensei, I am certain I could contact my former husband and have him talk to you himself about being so pig-headed."

"So Ko-san can come over to kick my ass too?" Seta laughed. "No thank you."

"What a pity," Tsuruko remarked dryly. "You may have learned something."

"And provided rich entertainment for all the residents," Seta waved his free hand. "I'll take my chances with Se Masaki-san."

Tsuruko smiled. "That's a good professor." She turned to favor Naru and Kitsune with a soft look. "For all three of you, after your initial sessions with the therapist you will be asked to speak to an agent with the Organization; compensation will be discussed."

"Wait, compensation?!" Kitsune asked, shaking her head.

"We're getting money?!" Naru remarked incredulously.

Seta simply nodded in the affirmative.

"I am obligated to disclose to you that if you accept the Organization's offer of compensation then you will waive any legal rights to pursue litigation over your experiences, if applicable, or speak publicly in any capacity." Tsuruko spoke from long habit.

"But really," Seta looked to Naru and Kitsune, seeing the need to speak reasonably. "Who the hell is there to pursue a legal claim against? A demon? Furthermore, do any of us want to make a public statement about what has happened to us?"

Naru and Kitsune shook their heads in the negative.

"Me neither," Seta took another long drag of his cigarette, it was almost finished now.

Tsuruko smiled. "If you wish, you can all go together to the first session then decide how to proceed. One-on-one therapy, group, it is up to you three." Her expression turned serious again. "But the therapist will only be able to talk about your experiences directly; direct information about other patients and experiences are strictly prohibited."

Naru and Kitsune blinked, once again shocked and confused.

Seeing this, Seta waved his hands in a comforting manner after putting out the last of his cigarette. "That is completely normal in cases like this."

After everyone settled into not speaking, Tsuruko silently excused herself politely from the kotatsu and retrieved the business cards from a small attache case. She carefully wrote a word on the back of each card and handed each one to her three guests. "Discuss amongst yourselves what time you would like and contact the number on the card, then tell the receptionist the codeword. They will know what to do," Tsuruko smiled. "I will keep everyone's suspicions allayed; this is a private matter. But you are allowed to confide privately in your friends that you are all receiving help for this."

The three thanked Tsuruko, they were about to rise to take their leave when Tsuruko raised a hand. "Heavens forbid, I almost forgot!" Her expression immediately changed as the Aoyama swordswoman gracefully rose and scurried about her room.

Seta, Naru, and Kitsune looked around. What could be so important?

"Here!" Tsuruko giggled as she passed out some boxes to her three guests. "Some of Kyoto's finest snacks and candies!"

"So you're going to be our snack lady now, too?" Naru asked, feeling oddly pleasant at the thought for some reason.

"Hell, I can get used to that." Kitsune said, taking a box that looked inviting.

"I call chocolate!" Seta proclaimed like a little boy.

"Hey!" Naru huffed. "What about 'lady's first'?"

Seta laughed. "We can share!"

Tsuruko smirked. "Still the same old Seta-sensei."

000

End chapter 7.

AFTERWARD: Thank you all once again for the reviews, follows, and favorites. Y-PenDraig and I really appreciate it. Chapter 8 is already outlined.