Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with the series, Love Hina. The credit goes to Ken Akamatsu.

A/N: All I'm going to say is that I've struggled with coming up events for this chapter. The start of this chapter is my own version of why Keitaro's parents kicked him out and their planning if he could not find a place.

Chapter 7

Kyoshiro Urashima was driving in his car to Shinsuke Aoyama's apartment building. It had been a while since he had seen Shinsuke and he was looking to meet up with his old friend. He wanted to see his son, Keitaro but he wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. As he kept driving to his destination he thought about what he was going to say to him.

Flashback: Three years ago in the Urashima Residence/Bakery

Keitaro was in the living room with his parents. Keitaro had just given the news to his parents that he didn't pass his entrance exam for Tokyo University for the second time.

"So you failed again," Nanami said.

Keitaro nodded sadly.

"So what is your plan?" Kyoshiro asked crossing his son with a serious stare, "What do you intend to do now?"

Keitaro was feeling a bit nervous, "I intend to try again, I'm sure to get in this time."

"What if you fail again?" Kyoshiro asked, "No, actually, why are you so insisting to attend Tokyo University?"

"I made a promise," Keitaro answered.

"Are you talking about that promise you made when you were five?" Nanami asked.

Kyoshiro sighed, "Keitaro, you cannot lead your life just for the sake of a promise to someone you don't even remember, you were a little boy, only five years old.

"You don't think that keeping a promise is worth it?" Keitaro asked.

"We're saying is that you shouldn't live your life through a promise," Kyoshiro said.

"Keitaro," Nanami spoke, "why don't you stop thinking about trying to get into Tokyo University and think of applying to other colleges?"

"Mom?"

"Yeah, Tokyo U isn't the only good college out there," Kyoshiro said, "You could try others and have a better chance of getting in."

"But I really want to get in Tokyo University, I made a promise that I would go," Keitaro said not backing down much to his parent's dismay.

"Keitaro, to be honest with you, we're getting tired of having to deal with this," Nanami said.

"What do you mean?" Keitaro asked.

Kyoshiro spoke, "Son, the truth is that Tokyo University is a tough school to get in and you should keep your options open and apply to other colleges as well."

"I know that I can get in Tokyo U, I made a promise and keeping promises are important to me."

"What if you don't get in again, and again, and again?" Nanami asked, "You spend all this time trying to get in a school when you could try to get in other schools or at the very least help your father and I run the bakery. Besides, even if your 'promise girl' were to remember you, with the rate you're going by the time you do get there, she may be finished already and move on with her life. Is she supposed to put herself on hold just so you try to get in?"

"I've made up my mind, I will continue to go for Tokyo U and keep my promise."

"This is getting nowhere," Kyoshiro said, "Nanami, it looks like our son isn't going to change his mind."

Nanami shook her head, "Well, if he wants to continue his fruitless pursuit for Tokyo University for a promise to someone who he doesn't even remember and that person may not even remember him or the promise, that's fine but he can do it somewhere else."

"Somewhere else?" Keitaro asked surprised.

"Keitaro, we cannot afford to keep you here while you keep trying and hoping that you will get in to a college just to keep a silly promise," Kyoshiro said.

"It's not silly," Keitaro said defensively.

"To us, it is," Nanami said, "if you won't listen to reason, then we think it's best if you find somewhere else to live and that's all."

"We'll give you a week to find a place," Kyoshiro said standing up, "if you can't find a place, please let us know so that we can help you do so but you can't be here."

Kyoshiro and Nanami leave the living room leaving Keitaro alone with his thoughts.

Flashback End

Kyoshiro continued driving to his destination. In truth, he wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. It was possible that his son may hate him and Nanami just as much he hated the girls at his mother's inn.

Haruka's Teashop

Seta had just told Haruka of his intentions of coming to the Hinata Inn.

"You want to talk to Naru?" Haruka asked.

"Yes, based with what Sarah had told me, it seems that Naru has given her…well, bad ideas."

"Is that so?" Haruka replied crossing her arms.

Sarah looked down, "It wasn't bad. Besides, he is a d-"

"Seta, please tell your daughter that if she insults my nephew again, there will be consequences," Haruka warned.

Sarah looked at Haruka surprised.

"Haruka, what do you mean?" Seta asked not liking the tone of her warning.

"Don't worry about it," Haruka responded calmly, "now what would you like?"

Hinata Inn

In Nanami and Kanako's room, Kanako was meditating while Nanami was looking out of the window thinking about her son Keitaro and which of the girls she was going to have 'a talk' to next. It went on until a knock went on the door.

"Who is it?" Nanami asked.

"It's me, I need to talk to you two," Hina's voice said.

Nanami sighed, "Come in."

The door slide opened and revealed an upset Hina Urashima.

"One of the tenants was crying and pleading her heart out," Hina looked at her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, "just what have you done?"

"I don't know what you mean mother," Nanami replied.

"You know exactly what I mean," Hina said with tone of irritation.

"You seem to be perceptive about these things, you tell me," Nanami countered.

"You said cruel things to Shinobu and Mutsumi and they don't deserve that," Hina said, "Nanami, can't you understand that they are just as upset that Keitaro left."

"They're part of the reason why Keitaro left this inn in the first place, they could have done something to stop the abuse but they chose not to, if they really considered themselves to be his friends, they would have tried hard to stop the horrible things that were done to my son but they chose not to do it. They don't have the right to call themselves Keitaro's friends; in fact, they don't have the right to be near them."

"Nanami, you don't have a right to say who should and should not be near Keitaro, after all, was it not you and Kyoshiro who kicked him out just because he wouldn't give in to your wishes?"

"How dare you, you don't know what we had plan and what we were trying to do, you're the one who kept messing with his life, you're the one who put Keitaro in an environment where it was unsafe and hostile. At least if Keitaro wasn't able to find a place we would have sent him to Shinsuke Aoyama."

Hina and Kanako were surprised. Hina needed to asked, "Are you saying that if Keitaro didn't find a place in that one-week period, you and Kyoshiro would have sent him to Shinsuke Aoyama."

"Exactly, it true we kicked him out but that didn't mean we didn't care about him and we were never going to let be out of the street with nowhere to go. We knew Keitaro wasn't going to change his mind so we called Shinsuke so that he could get in contact with Keitaro but you beat us to the punch and had Keitaro go to your inn," Nanami balled her fists, "at first, we thought things were going to be okay since you offered a place for him to live and Keitaro seemed happy every time we talked to him on the phone, but now, after what we've learned," Keitaro's mother cringe and Kanako was getting concerned for her mother, "I don't care if you think that Kyoshiro and I didn't care about our son, that's your opinion, but all I'm going to say is that we love Keitaro so much and I'll be damn if I let you or any of those rotten spoiled little girls do anything to hurt him. That's all I have to say to you Hina." Nanami turned around.

"I still don't buy it," Hina said as she started to leave the room.

"And we still don't buy that you actually cared for Keitaro either Granny," Kanako said causing Hina to stop and look over to Kanako, "you put him in danger by not telling him that you changed this place into a all-girls dormitory and that there were tenants that have serious issues. I bet you didn't bother to think what would happen because all you care about was what you wanted for Keitaro."

Hina couldn't believe what Kanako said to her, "My judgment was misplaced, I admit that but don't-" Hina stopped herself, "forget it…" the old Urashima decided to quickly leave. Kanako looked over her mother who was visibly upset and tormented.

"Mom?" Kanako spoke.

"Oh, don't worry about me Kanako, I'm fine," Nanami assured.

"If anything, I believe you," Kanako said.

"Do you?"

Kanako nodded, "Yes, if Dad tells Keitaro what you just told Granny, I'm sure he'll believe it."

"Maybe…oh Keitaro…"

Kanako had a determined look on her face, "I will protect my brother…and then maybe he'll look in my direction…I know he will when I show him," Kanako looked over to her mother, "I know Mom and Dad wouldn't accept it but…"

In another room, Tsuruko was sitting with her husband Hayato while they were thinking the things that had happened.

"My sister, I knew her issues with men were bad but it seems that I underestimated into how bad it was."

"Don't beat yourself too much Tsuruko, you had faith in Motoko would change and be able to better herself," Hayato said.

"Yes, but it seems that my faith in my sister has been misplace…and to think I felt that Keitaro Urashima would be a good husband for my sister had they lost to me."

"Hmm, um Tsuruko, I need to ask you something."

"Yes, what is it Hayato?"

"Keitaro and Shinsuke told me something about that duel. Is it true that you…well…forced Keitaro to help Motoko fight you even though he had a broken leg?"

Tsuruko chocked on that question and sighed, she had a feeling something like that would come up, "Keitaro Urashima told you that…well…" she put her head down in shame, "yes, it's true."

Hayato was shocked, he would have never thought his wife, his old teacher's niece would do that, "I never would have thought that you would do that, forcing an injured person to go along."

Tsuruko nodded sadly, "Yes, I look back on it and see that I was being a bully…I'm no better than my sister in that matter. I wanted to teach him and my sister a lesson for deceiving me but the way I went on about it…" Tsuruko shook her head, "Urashima may despise me as well."

Hayato went close to give Tsuruko a gentle rub and Tsuruko responded by putting her head on his shoulder.

In Shinobu's room, Shinobu Maehara was depressed and was in no mood to move. For her, everything seemed to be fallen apart around her. Her senpai, the one she had fallen for since his arrival had left and made it clear that he did not want to be with anywhere near the tenants, her included, Naru and Motoko were insulting him, insisting that he was the one wrong in front of Keitaro's family and now she was insulted by Keitaro's mother and said she was a curse. A knock on her door was heard.

"Who is it?" Shinobu asked sadly.

"Shinobu, you wanna come play?" It was the voice of Kaolla Su.

"I'm not in the mood Su," Shinobu responded sadly.

Su opened the door and was sad to see her friend being sad.

"Shinobu, what's wrong?" Su asked concerned.

"Isn't it obvious?" Shinobu said a bit angry.

"It's about big brother Keitaro."

Shinobu nodded.

"Don't worry, he'll be back," Su said with a smile.

Shinobu looked at the Molmolian, "How do you know that?"

"Because I'm working on something that will bring him back."

"Something that will bring him back?" Shinobu was a bit confused.

That's right, once it's done and works well, Keitaro will never think of leaving us again. He will play with us again and be happy."

Shinobu was a little disturbed, "Su, that sounds like you intend to have Senpai come back here by force."

"Yes, it does," a voice agreed.

The two girls were shocked and saw that it was Kanako standing in the doorway holding her cat, Kuro. She let herself in.

"Kanako?" Shinobu spoke, "Why are you here?"

"I was walking in the hall when I overheard your conversation," Kanako answered and looked at Su, "now what is it I'm hearing that you created something to bring my brother back here. No, actually, why do you want to bring my brother back here?"

"So that he can be happy and play with us again," Su answered.

"Did you ever think that maybe my brother is happy about where he is now?"

"No, I don't think so. I don't believe it." Su was insistent about it.

Kanako and Shinobu were a bit shocked.

"Why would you say that?" Shinobu asked.

"He left because all the bad things that happened. Just watch, I'll make something that will make him feel better and then he will never leave again. He'll be happy and cheerful big brother Keitaro again."

"How sad," Kanako said.

"Huh?"

"It's sad that you still don't understand why my brother needed to leave. Do you not realize that you're part of the problem or are just in denial?"

"I'm not in denial, I just want to help Keitaro," Su said defensively.

Kanako let go of Kuro, who sat on the ground, and crossed her arms, "How is making him come back here help him? If you really want to help him, you can stop being a selfish spoiled brat and not try to force him to do things he doesn't want to do."

Su was insulted, "Don't say that. I just wanted big brother Keitaro to come back. Don't you want him back here as well Kanako?"

"Of course I do, that way he and I can run this place together like we promised but I don't want my brother to have high stress and that will happen with you girls still around."

"What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm saying is that it would be so wonderful if you stayed away from him. That means no more of your ways to cause physical harm to Keitaro with your inventions or kicking him in the head and make up that stupid excuse in calling them greetings."

"But…but…he never complained about them before," Su said defensively.

"That because he was being nice, nicer than he should have been and you took advantage of that for your own selfishness."

"That's because, he's big brother Keitaro-"

"All right, first, stop calling him big brother. He's not your big brother, he's my big brother. You harmed him too many times with your gizmos so you shouldn't call him that."

Su was taken back and Kanako continued, "Also, I won't allow you to force my brother back here just because you're too stupid to know what you did was wrong."

"Don't call me stupid," Su responded angrily, "I'm not stupid."

"If you're not stupid then why can't you understand that my brother wants to left alone and not be bother with your games and machines. You are like the rest and are too selfish. All you care about is your own feelings and you don't really care about my brother's feeling and what he wants."

"He wants to play with us," Su insisted, "I know it!"

"Su, stop it," Shinobu said.

"No, I won't stop it. I don't Keitaro to go away. He should stay with us and not leave us. Just watch, things will get better when he comes back, it will."

"No, it won't and I won't let you force my brother back here," Kanako said.

"Just leave me alone! I don't need to hear this from you," Su countered and ran to her room.

Kanako looked at Shinobu and made the blue haired girl look away.

"If she tries to force my brother back here, she will pay," Kanako said and left with Kuro following her.

Shinobu was not sure what to do and she was worried about Su's mental state, "She took Senpai's leaving just as hard. Su, please don't do anything rash."

Meanwhile, Kitsune came out of her room and decided to try to cheer herself by going to the living room and watch the horses. She went down stairs and passed by the kitchen. When she did, she noticed someone in the kitchen looking through the cabinets. She saw that it was Keitaro's mother. She was about to keep going but Nanami Urashima noticed and turned around to see the residential fox of the Hinata Inn.

Kitsune saw and smiled nervously, "Oh hello Mrs. Urashima."

"Oh, well, well, Kitsune, right? The one who been scamming my son out of his money and not having responsibility for herself."

Kitsune was feeling very uncomfortable, "I have to go."

"Hold it," Nanami said but Kitsune ignored her and went to the living room.

Nanami decided to go after because she wanted to talk the girl that was caused her son harm indirectly. She followed her into the living room and saw that Kitsune was sitting on the cough.

"I want to talk to you," Nanami said.

"About what?" Kitsune asked.

"You tricking my son out of his money, you putting him in situations where he would get attack, your damn blackmails so that he doesn't go through the attacks, need I go on?"

Kitsune put her head down, "No, I do want you to know that I'm sorry about all of this. I really didn't realize how much pain I was putting him."

"You expect me to believe that garbage?"

Kitsune flinched, "Well, no, not really but it's the truth."

"I see...it's too bad it took you so long for you to realize that you're a selfish, sadistic little witch."

"Mrs. Urashima please, could you please stop? I don't need this please."

Nanami chuckled, "You don't need this; tell me, how many times has my son told you that when you decided to bother him for your own amusement and just because you couldn't come up with money that you needed to pay your rent."

Kitsune was getting more uncomfortable but Nanami wasn't done.

"Do you realize the damage you've caused physically and mentally to my son for the three years he has been here?" Nanami asked coldly.

"Mrs. Urashima please, I realize that I did terrible things. I don't know why I kept doing it."

"Why don't you try and figure it out," Nanami countered coldly, "maybe it was so easy for you, maybe because you enjoy causing pain to other people just to make yourself feel good."

Kitsune couldn't bring herself to say anything.

"What the matter Kitsune?" Nanami said coldly, "You seem to have trouble speaking all of a sudden."

Kitsune felt like she was being tortured.

Nanami continued, "You go by Kitsune. Tell me, do you pride yourself as being tricky as a fox. Is that it, were you doing these things just for the sake of that nickname?"

"Please, will you just leave me alone," Kitsune pleaded, "please I'm so sorry for what I've done to Keitaro over the past three years, please, just tell me, what do you want me to do? Is there anything I can do?"

Nanami got close with a dangerous glare, "Yes, actually there is."

"Wh-What is it?" Kitsune asked feeling uncomfortable of Nanami's glare.

"You stay away from my son."

"St-Stay away from him?"

"That's right; my son told you and your little friends to leave him alone, right? Well, I'm telling you better do so and trust me, if you can't stand me now, you'll find me more irritating and more unpleasant if you decide to harass Keitaro again."

Nanami was about to walk away.

"Just who do you think you are?" Kitsune asked upset.

Nanami stopped, "Excuse me?" She turned to Kitsune.

"Just where do you get off acting like you actually care about Keitaro?"

Nanami couldn't believe it, "I'm his mother and it's not acting it's a natural instinct for a parent to care for their child or is that hard for you to understand."

"Some mother you are, you kicked him out just because he wouldn't do what you want and you didn't know he was struggling to reach his goal. You don't have the right to-"

"I advise you to stop right there for you really don't know anything. If you insist on running your mouth, you better prepare."

Kitsune gritted her teeth and was feeling in a worse way while Nanami continued to glare at Kitsune.

Shinsuke's Apartment Building

In Shinsuke's own three-bedroom apartment, Shinsuke and Keitaro had just entered.

"Oh hello, you're just in time," Isana greeted then she noticed Keitaro, "Oh Keitaro, will you be joining us?"

"If it's okay…" Keitaro responded rubbing his head.

"Of course it's okay."

"Keitaro, I don't know why you needed to ask, I invited you, remember?" Shinsuke said.

Keitaro instantly regretted those words, "Ah sorry."

"Well, I'll let it go," Shinsuke looked over to Isana, "Isana, where's Kazuya and Nagisa?"

"I'm here," a female voice called and it revealed to be Nagisa, "hi Dad."

"Nagisa, I'm glad you're here," Shinsuke turned to Keitaro, "Keitaro, this is my daughter Nagisa."

"Hello," Keitaro greeted bowing, "it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too Keitaro Urashima," Nagisa greeted back bowing smiling.

Kazuya soon came in the apartment, "I'm back."

"Welcome back Kazuya," Isana greeted.

Later, everyone started sitting on the table with the dinners that were prepared. They were enjoying the meal and having conversations with each other. Keitaro was enjoying talking to each member of the Aoyama family he was sitting with.

There was a doorbell ring. Everyone on the kitchen table was curious.

"Hm? I wonder who that is," Isana said.

Shinsuke got up from his chair and went to the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see who it was.

"Kyoshiro," Shinsuke spoke.

Everyone else got up when they heard the name. Keitaro was surprised to see his father at the door.

"Dad?" Keitaro spoke.

Kyoshiro looked and smiled at his son, "Hello son, how have you been?"

"Uh, fine, um Dad, what brings you here?"

"Kyoshiro, would you like to join us?" Isana asked.

"Yeah, why don't you come inside," Shinsuke said, "Nagisa, bring in another chair for our guest."

"Sure," Nagisa replied and went to get an extra chair.

The chair was brought in and Kyoshiro sat next to Keitaro and some plate of food was brought to him.

"Thank you Isana," Kyoshiro said grateful.

"You're welcome," Isana replied happily.

"It's been a while Kyoshiro," Shinsuke said happily.

"It has, hasn't it?" Isana added.

"Indeed," Kyoshiro said smiling, "It's good to see you both again Shinsuke, Isana," Kyoshiro looked over to Kazuya and Nagisa, "you two must be Kazuya and Nagisa; it's good that I finally get to meet you two."

"It's good to meet you," Kazuya greeted back and Nagisa nodded.

"Keitaro, how about after dinner, you and I talk?"

Keitaro nodded, "Yeah sure. Where's mom?"

"Your mother and sister are at the Hinata Inn."

Keitaro was surprised, "Really?"

"I take it you and Nanami learned of what happened," Shinsuke said.

Kyoshiro nodded, "Needless to say, we weren't happy about what happen. Keitaro, I'm glad you got out of there when you did."

Keitaro nodded, "Yeah, I guess you want to talk about it."

"That's part of it."

"Why don't you two worry about it after dinner," Isana said with a smile.

Keitaro and Kyoshiro both smiled and nodded.

The dinner continued on with conversations with everyone on the table.

Back at the Hinata Inn

Seta and Sarah were at the entrance door of the Hinata Inn. Seta knocked on the door. On the other, Kitsune went to the door. She opened and saw Seta and Sarah.

"Oh Seta," Kitsune said nervously, "uh hi."

"Hello Mitsune, is Naru here?" Seta asked.

"Yeah, she's in her room."

Hina came down and saw Seta with Sarah.

"Seta Noriyasu?" Hina spoke, "Are you here to drop off your daughter?"

"Actually, I came to talk to Naru," Seta replied.

"To talk with Naru? About what?" Hina was curious.

"It's about my daughter here and the things that have happened here."

"Would you mind telling me?" Hina wanted to find out what was going on. She didn't want any more surprises.

"I prefer not to, I just need to talk to Naru, could I see her please?"

"Is someone here to see me?" Naru's voice asked.

Naru came downstairs and was surprised to see Seta. Motoko followed and was not happy to see Seta.

"What is he doing here?" Motoko asked irritated, "What's going on here? Why are males coming here to this sacred place all of sudden?"

"Motoko, don't," Naru said.

"Naru?"

"Don't do anything rash and Seta is not a bad person," Naru then went to Seta, "Um Seta, what brings you here?"

"Naru, is there a place where we can talk?" Seta asked.

"What do you need to talk with Naru about?" Motoko asked being suspicious.

Sarah reacted and glared at Motoko, "Are you threatening my papa again?"

Motoko just looked at Sarah, "I just don't think he should talk to Naru alone."

"Motoko, stop it," Hina said and then looked at Seta, "look I'm sorry about this, we just want to know what's going on. What do you need to talk to Naru about?"

Seta sighed, "I don't want to say this in front of anyone else but if must know, it has something to do with Keitaro."

"Urashima again," Motoko commented.

"Motoko, be quiet," Hina demanded.

Naru looked at Sarah then back at Seta, "Let's go out in front."

"Okay," Seta replied.

"Are you Seta Noriyasu?" a voice asked.

Seta looked over and saw Nanami Urashima.

"Ah yes," Seta greeted, "you are..?

"Nanami Urashima, I'm Keitaro's mother.

"Oh, it's nice to meet you. Keitaro has told me about you." Seta replied with a smile.

Nanami was surprised, "Really?"

"Yes, he's said nothing but good things about you."

"I wonder…" Nanami thought hoping it was actually true.

"Naru, shall we?" Seta asked.

Naru nodded, "Yeah…"

Naru, Sarah, and Seta exited out and walked down the stairs of the inn.

That's the end of this chapter. Next chapter: The final two for Kanako and Nanami are Naru and Motoko and other members of the Urashima family get involve now that Keitaro is no longer managing the Hinata Inn.

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