Love Hina: Once Again
Chapter 43
Ami Mizuno met with Kanako, Motoko and Kitsune that evening, several days after Motoko had asked her to look into Chiho Tenjou, Utena's Aunt.
"So?" Kitsune demanded.
Kanako poked her in the side, "Easy."
"Sorry, that was a bit demanding," Kitsune admitted.
"Well, my friend did some digging," Ami waved some paper around, "and some of it I think was illegal, but there was no red flags relating to Utena."
"Really?" Motoko asked, surprised.
"Chiho is financially sound, in fact quite well off, and she clearly doesn't need Utena's money." Ami said calmly, "The only red flag that comes up is she's the lawyer for the Oedo Group."
"Huh?" Motoko blinked.
"They're a yakuza family," the somewhat more worldly Kitsune told them, "one of the more honorable ones, as far as it goes."
"So she's just worried about her niece?" Kanako suggested.
"This doesn't prove she doesn't have other reasons," Ami cautioned before adding, "but there's no obvious motive."
"Fair. Thank you for your time," Kitsune told her, shaking her hand.
"You're welcome," Ami shrugged.
After that Kitsune and Kanako walked off together as Motoko headed outside for her evening sword practice.
"Should we keep an eye on the Utena situation?" Kanako asked mildly.
Kitsune nodded, "Yeah, just in case."
Kanako gave her an amused look, "You're such a den mother."
"Oh shut up," Kitsune chuckled.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Thank you for eating with us," Shinobu smiled warmly at the recent guests along with all the inn regulars.
"Thank you," the kids chorused.
"Let's get cleaned up," Mutsumi said warmly as they cleared the table.
"You don't have to help...," Shinobu protested.
"It's fine," Mutsumi said, "I'm waiting for Tennyo to get back, after all."
"Okay...," Shinobu conceded.
Ema Maeda was working on her computer nearby, the young woman typing away. "Hey, Su. Are you done homework?"
Koalla Su chuckled, "Of course!"
"Still working on those mech suits?" Ema asked. She added, "Once they're done I want to put it on my website."
"Cool!" Su agreed, scampering off.
"Does that girl worry anyone else?" Shinobu wondered aloud.
"Ditto," Mitusmi sighed.
"Hey!" Tennyo waved as she came in, still dressed in her 'business wear,' a sleek pantsuit modified for ease of movement.
"Tennyo!" Mutsumi rushed over, hugging her. They then kissed, lingeringly.
Shinobu felt an odd pang of almost jealousy. It had been a VERY long time since she had a crush on anyone, really...
"Let me get out of this suit," Tennyo smiled.
"I could help," Mutsumi toyed with her tie.
'Could you NOT?' Shinobu sighed mentally, then decided she was being a grump. 'I need a date,' she decided.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Setsuna Sakurazaki was used to thinking of herself as one of the best swordswomen around. Certainly she had been best at her school...
"Hyaaa!" Motoko Aoyama cried out, her wooden sword flashing as she actually drove Setsuna backwards.
'She is FAST,' Setsuna thought, speeding up too. She wasn't entirely human, and really should have been out-powering this woman, but apparently not.
"Go, Set-chan!" Konoka cheered.
"Kick her ass!" Kitsune yelled.
"God's Cry School?" Setsuna asked as she deflected a strike.
"Hmm," Motoko nodded slightly. "I've never seen some of your moves," she admitted.
'Because a lot of it is from the Magical World,' Setsuna thought. Yet the woman kept blocking her! Somehow.
"You're very good," Setsuna conceded.
"Not good enough, apparently," Motoko smiled wryly.
They fought back and forth across the lawn, wooden swords crashing together. Motoko was tiring, but not THAT much.
"Stone Splitting Sword!" Setsuna finally used one of her special moved, though she restrained it's power.
Motoko's wooden sword exploded, as the force drove her backwards.
"HEY!" Kitsune yelled in alarm.
"I'm okay, I'm okay...," Motoko shoot off the dizziness.
Setsuna hurried over, "Are you all right? I thought I had pulled it enough to keep you safe..."
Motoko stood up, swaying a bit, then smiling wryly as she said, "I'm fine. That was a really powerful effect."
"Hold still," Konoka rushed over. She gestured, "Heal."
A soft glow enfolded a surprised looking Motoko.
'Well, it wasn't like we were trying to be that secretive,' Setsuna thought wryly. "Konoka," she scolded mildly.
"Sorry, but we ARE responsible for her being hurt," Konoka noted.
"Well, yes," Setsuna conceded. Thankfully none of the other guests had been hanging around watching the fight, too.
"Thank you," Motoko bowed slightly to Konoka.
"Next time, you should use your special attacks," Kirsune noted to Motoko.
"Next time?" Motoko shrugged, "We'll see."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"WOW," Ushio blinked, her and Sumika having seen a bit of the crazy sword battle.
"You've seen me fight," Sumika noted, the taller girl pushing up her square glasses.
"Still! I'm used to seeing you do that," Ushio noted.
"Well true," Sumika admitted.
Sumika was the heir of the Fist of the North Pole school of Martial Arts, and could do some exceptional things. Still, watching the glowing swords and flying leaps of the two women, she was left just a bit in awe.
"We should TOTALLY name your special attacks!" Ushio suggested excitedly.
"Oh no," Sumika shook her head.
"Meanie," Ushio pouted adorably.
"Hey!" Lottie called as they neared the group.
"Hi, we were just exploring the grounds a bit," Sumika explained.
"Can we do the hot springs again, before we leave?" Miyako suggested.
"Sure," Tomoe agreed. She added, "I wish we could stay longer."
"School," Sumika shrugged eloquently.
"Ugh," Ushio made a face while everyone chuckled.
As they walked, Tomoe gave Sumika a questioning look, wondering if she and Ushio had gotten closer while on their own.
Sumika shook her head no.
Tomoe sighed.
To be continued...
Notes: The Oedo Yakuza appear in the anime Gokusen, about a Yakuza Princess trying to pose as a 'normal' school teacher. I featured them in a few fics, might use them here eventually.
Sasameki Koto/Whispered Words has Sumika constantly trying to get Ushio to realize she loves her, while Ushio remains mostly clueless.