Sister Princess Chp3: Seeking comfort
By Zenithos
Disclaimer: I don't own Love Hina. I don't own Sister Princess either. Neither do I own Mahou Sensei Negima from which I've borrowed a number of characters. I completely respect their creators and in no way seek to discredit them for their work. A number of Sister Princess characters are featured in this story, but they are completely OCs. This fan fiction was written completely for personal enjoyment, not for profit.
This story is completely spoiler-free.
Thanks for all the great reviews! To all you reviewers, this new chapter's all for you guys! I'm still an inexperienced writer, so every bit of feedback and support, even flames, is extremely helpful. Thanks everyone! Also, thanks to Antimatter who so thoughtfully provided me with a LOT of helpful information regarding Japanese funerals. Thanks as well to everyone on the Fanfiction Forum for their constructive suggestions.
Chapter 3 turned out a lot longer than I expected and so to minimize delays I've divided it in two. The second half will be ready very soon. Finally, with chapter 4 done, I'll finally be finished with the introduction. Believe it or not, we're still crawling through the introduction here.
I've had a few comments regarding my use of Japanese terms from the friendly people at the fanfiction forum. I promise I'll cut down on them, but for some, to retain the feel (such as martial arts techniques), I'll stick to the Japanese terminology. I'm sure everyone's acquainted with words like 'oka-sama' and 'oto-sama' (well, ok, perhaps not everyone. They mean 'mother' and 'father' respectively). But in the interest of keeping this fanfic understandable, I'll add a glossary of Japanese terms at the end of each chapter. No need to open up dictionaries, I assure you. Notes on honorifics and names will also be available at the end.
Proof-read by Beyond the Bounds
The neighbourhood hadn't changed much, Keitaro found, as he walked down the snow laden street. Here and there, a number of new houses had been built. But the streets were the same as always. It was quiet. Back in his childhood days, the streets would always be full of children's laughter, or at least, that was how he remembered it. The small old church loomed out in the distance. It was a quaint little church. Not grand, but it radiated an aura of coziness and belonging, rather than intimidation.
Keitaro stopped for a moment in front of its grand oak doors. His parents used to take him and his sisters here every Sunday. He sighed. Managing 14 children in a church during mass was a Herculean feat, if not impossible.
He pushed open the door and walked in. It was rather chilly and draughty inside, but the caretakers had taken the trouble to put heaters in some places. He noticed there was someone sitting in the front row.
He decided to go and pray. At this moment in time, he felt he needed prayers. As he walked down the aisle, the kaleidoscope of light filtering through the high stained glass windows played across his face.
"Ani-kun?" the figure sitting in the front row suddenly asked. She was still staring at the altar, but apparently she had somehow sensed his presence. She was clad in a black coat under a white traveling cloak. Her dark violet hair flowed out from underneath her white barrette. She wore her collars turned upwards, adorned with a pair of crucifixes.
"Chiikage-chan?" Keitaro asked, approaching her. The figure finally turned around. A pair of large, sad, deep violet eyes peered back at him. She stood up as Keitaro drew up to the front row.
"Ani-kun…" She murmured, before pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Chiikage-chan…you're back…but why didn't you come straight to the residence?" Keitaro asked, returning the embrace.
"Ani-kun…I've missed you so…" She murmured.
"I've missed you too, Chiikage-chan." Keitaro replied. Perhaps there'd be a time for questions later.
"I wanted to show you, Ani-kun." Chiikage suddenly released her brother. She took off one of her gloves. The candles around the church suddenly flickered and dimmed. Even the light from the high stained glass windows seemed to dim as if a passing cloud suddenly blocked the sunlight. "I've begun to control it…" A pale violet flame suddenly flared up in the palm of her hand. The glow cast strange shadows all around the grand room. The shadows across her face seemed to dance a dark little dance as the flames flickered and burned. Her eyes seemed to burn alive along with the flames.
"Wow…that's amazing, Chiikage-chan." Keitaro beamed down at his little sister. "You've practiced a lot, haven't you?"
"All the credit goes to you, ani-kun." Chiikage said, in slow, level tones. She closed her fist over the flames and extinguished it. "It's thanks to you that I was able to start controlling them…" The light in the room suddenly returned to normal.
"It's your hard work." Keitaro smiled gently, sitting down in the front row. "You should always acknowledge yourself, Chiikage-chan."
"I…I didn't dare come home….not yet…" Chiikage murmured, sitting down beside her brother. She looked down at her hands. "I…I can't face them…not now…"
"Why? You're their daughter. You have every right to see them." Keitaro said, looking down at his sister.
"I…still don't know what I am…and why I exist…" Chiikage said. She looked up at her brother. In her eyes Keitaro could see loneliness, and a fear so deep it was etched into the soul. "This…this…" Her hand shook. "I still don't know the meaning of this…" She looked down at her hands.
"At the very least, you know who you are." Keitaro said. Chiikage looked up at her brother again. "You are Urashima Chiikage, daughter of the Urashima family. You don't have to know why you exist. Or why you have those powers. It won't change the fact that you are their daughter, and my dear sister." Keitaro said, stroking her hair lovingly.
"Ani-kun…" Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm…I'm afraid…I've always been afraid…I don't want to hurt anyone…especially not you, ani-kun…" She said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm so scared…" she closed her eyes.
"You have no reason to fear anything, Chiikage-chan." Keitaro said, pulling her into a tight hug. "We'll be there for you. All of us. And we'll help you through whenever you're afraid…"
"A…Ani-kun…" Chiikage's tears started to stream out uncontrollably. She tried to shut her eyes even tighter. "Ani-kun…I…I've always wanted to go home…to see everyone…I…I…Ani-kun…"
"So this is where you used to attend mass?" Naru asked as they passed the very same church Keitaro was in at that exact moment.
"Squawk! Checky!"
"Yes." Mizuki answered, looking up, admiring how the light shown off the old gothic building. Sure, it didn't compare to any of the great churches in England, but this one held a particularly special place in her heart.
"So…this is Urashima's old neighbourhood…it seems quite normal…" Motoko said.
"What exactly were you expecting, Motoko?" Mitsune asked, a grin on her face. "Strange clubs and whatnot?" luckily, Mizuki didn't pick up any of this. Naru had engaged her attention with a little chat regarding the old church building.
"N…no!" Motoko stammered, blushing slightly. "It's just that…"
"And that over there is my home." Mizuki said, pointing ahead of them, at the large spacious residence perched atop a hill.
"….you….gotta…be…kidding…me…" Mitsune's jaw dropped. So did her bag.
"Well, that explains the Hinata Sou." Motoko said, nodding slightly.
"Awawa….Keitaro-sempai is rich…" Shinobu blurted.
"He must have lots of food too!" Suu cried with joy.
"Wow….and he's so modest too…" Naru wondered out loud under her breath. "I wonder…"
"Yes…he doesn't act as if he's rich at all…" Motoko agreed, having heard Naru.
"You said Ani-chama had left earlier, right? Then he should be there now." Mizuki smiled a broad smile as she started off towards the residence.
"You really miss him, don't you?" Shinobu asked.
"Yes, with all my heart. He's the nicest, gentlest, most caring person in the world." Mizuki said, closing her eyes, imagining the perfect being her brother was in her mind.
"That's one description of Urashima I've never heard of…" Motoko whispered.
"It must be a sibling thing." Naru reasoned.
"Do you think you can get there by yourself?" Keitaro asked Chiikage. To be honest, he was slightly concerned.
"I can manage, Ani-kun." Chiikage smiled a small smile up at her brother as she slung her bag over her shoulder.
"I still have to go pick up Marie-chan at the station. I'll see you later at the residence, all right?" Keitaro said, opening the door for her.
"Thank you, Ani-kun." Chiikage said, turning to face her brother. "For everything." She added, as she stood up on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She gave the surprised Keitaro a quick, tight hug, before going on her way towards the residence.
"errr…you're welcome…" Keitaro murmured, blushing slightly. He watched as she disappeared down the street before turning towards the station.
Before he knew it, he was back at the station. There was still an hour until the train's arrival. The walk turned out to be quite brief. He decided to just wait out on the platform.
"But…are you sure? It's got to be there somewhere…" He head a voice say behind him. He looked around. A young, silky black-haired girl in a heavy black winter kimono was talking to two bespectacled men in conductor uniforms. Her hair was tied into a long, high ponytail at the back and into two small ponytails at the sides by her ears.
"Sorry, miss. But apparently that's all there was in the baggage compartment. Are you sure you didn't take it into the carriage with you?" The taller of the two conductors asked.
"Keiko-chan?" Keitaro approached the young girl and the conductors.
"Anigimi-sama!" The young girl cried as she looked around. "Anigimi-sama! I've missed you so much!" She ran and hugged Keitaro around the waist.
"I've missed you too." Keitaro said, hugging her back with one hand, patting her on the head with another.
"Oh, Keitaro. Long time no see." One of the conductors said.
"Err…we heard the news…" The other one said.
"Ah…I'm sorry guys…you two look familiar but…." Keitaro bowed slightly in apology.
"IT'S YOUR BEST BUDDY HAITANI!" The taller one shouted, exasperated beyond hell.
"AND YOUR OTHER BUDDY SHIRAI!" The other, shorter one shouted.
"Ah….right…fancy meeting you guys here." Keitaro said. "By the way, this is my sister, Keiko-chan. Keiko-chan, these are my friends from high school, Shirai and Haitani."
"Greetings…my name's Urashima Keitaro. It's a pleasure to meet the two of you." Keiko bowed deeply as she greeted the two.
Shirai and Haitani, not being used to being greeted in such a formal manner, were at a sudden loss for words. They both bowed clumsily, mumbling and stammering incomprehensible words.
"Err…we heard about your loss Keitaro…" Haitani said, raising his glasses. "We wanted to express our condolences."
"…that's why we got off here. We thought we should at least stop by and pay our respects." Shirai finished.
"Thanks guys…it really means a lot to me…" Keitaro smiled gratefully at his friends. "But wouldn't it be a problem if the train was short on two conductors?"
"Nah, some of our buddies are covering. We've already explained it to our boss. We'll take the evening train back." Shirai said, smiling his usual 'no problem' smile.
"Thanks…but it's not really worth all the trouble…" Keitaro said. "Err, Keiko-chan, was there a problem?" He turned to Keiko.
"Should we mention that the condolence thing was only part of the reason?" Shirai whispered to Haitani.
"Nah, we shouldn't tell him that we came mostly because of those beautiful girls." Haitani whispered back.
"My suitcase went missing." Keiko explained. "I had checked it in…but it didn't arrive."
"Oh…was there anything important in the suitcase?" Keitaro asked.
"Umm…well…yes…" Keiko said, shifting about uneasily.
"Ok….Shirai? Haitani? Do you guys have any suggestions?" He asked the two.
"Well…since it isn't here…and the train's already left…the only other option would be to phone the next station…" Shirai said. "I don't know whether or not they'd be willing to help though…"
"Hey, the next station is Tsukamoto station, isn't it?" Keitaro asked, suddenly.
"Err…yeah, it is…" Haitani said.
"Ok…I have an idea…" Keitaro said, running to the station master's office.
"…if you're Keitaro's sister, then why weren't you with Mizuki-chan and the others?" Haitani suddenly asked.
Keiko put on an expression of polite puzzlement. "Are?" she asked.
"Well, Mizuki-chan was on the train along with some of the girls from your brother's dorm." Haitani explained.
"You mean they're here already?" Keitaro asked, returning with a bicycle.
"I must've missed them on the train…" Keiko said, half to herself. "Anigimi-san?" She asked, noticing the bike.
"I know a shortcut…" Keitaro winked. "The station master here's a friend of the family and I asked him to lend me his bike."
"You're seriously going to outrun a train?" Shirai asked, incredulously.
"Hey, this is my turf." Keitaro said, mounting the bike. Keiko leaped on and sat sideways on the back seat. "Keiko-chan?"
"Well, I'm the one who knows what the bag looks like, right?" Keiko said, smiling up at her brother.
"Ok then, hold on!" Keitaro kicked off and together the sped out of the station. "I'll meet you guys at my house later!"
"Uh…sure…" Haitani said. "Hey…was that Keitaro?" He asked, pointing in the direction of the corner around which Keitaro and Keiko had just disappeared.
"Well…he does look like Keitaro…but I've never known him to be THAT dependable…" Shirai said, raising his glasses in contemplation.
"It must be a sibling thing…" Haitani nodded.
"Hold on tight!" Keitaro shouted over the wind as they sped across the crystalline white Japanese landscape. "The train would have to take a bit of a roundabout way further up the tracks to avoid having to cut through that hill." Keitaro pointed out. "We, on the other hand, are going to take the scenic short cut."
"…this sure does bring back memories, doesn't it, Anigimi-sama?" Keiko said, holding onto Keitaro's waist. She breathed in the cool air as the cold icy wind whipped at her hair.
"Yeah…we used to go down this road together a lot…" Keitaro reminisced. "Nothing has changed much since then…but…things will definitely start changing now…" he sighed.
"The air's nothing like Stuttgart."
"How was Germany?" Keitaro asked. "Fun?"
"Not really…" Keiko sighed. "Each and everyday I found myself wondering about home…and you, Anigimi-sama." Keitaro had to squint a bit as the bright sunlight had turned the entire snowy landscape ablaze with light.
"Why?" Keitaro asked. "Isn't there plenty to do in Stuttgart?"
"I…before I left…the last time…" Keiko started, her voice lowering slightly. "I had a row with oka-sama and oto-sama….I felt so bitter when I left. I felt as if they were the last people who could ever understand me…" Keitaro remained silent.
"I never called back or anything…for about 2 months…I never returned their calls or letters…and then…" Her voice shook. "It was a really stupid row in the first place…I…I didn't want to go to school in Germany anymore….I told them I wanted to stay here in Japan. But…but…" Tears leaked out. "And now…I…I never got the chance to apologize." She said, her voice only slightly above a whisper. "I…I wanted to tell them I'm sorry. I'm sorry about a lot of things…but…I never got the chance…."
"You never really needed the chance, Keiko-chan." Keitaro said. "Parents never have anything to forgive as they never seek apologies in the first place." He looked away over the frost covered farmlands up to the bluish white mountains in the distance. "To a parent, the child is everything. They will always teach you right from wrong but they will never really want apologies."
"R…really?" Keiko asked.
"Really really." Keitaro smiled back at his sister.
"Anigimi-sama…." Keiko said. "I never want to regret anything anymore. I don't want to have to regret leaving the family anymore…"
"You won't have to…We'll all live together as a family from this day onwards." Keitaro said. "That's a promise."
"Wow….it's even bigger up close…" Naru said in awe.
"Sasaki-san!" Mizuki cried as the door opened to reveal the old, smiling face of Sasaki-san. She leapt in and hugged the maid tightly around the waist.
"Hahaha, if it isn't little Mizuki-chan….then again, you're not so little anymore." Sasaki-san laughed. "Did you meet your brother on the way here?"
"Oh, no." Mizuki answered in Japanese. She felt comforted by the fact that she at least knew how to say the simple words.
"That's funny…he went out to pick-up Marie-chan a while ago…he should've bumped into you on the way….ah, you must be Keitaro's friends." Sasaki-san smiled at the group of girls behind Mizuki as they came in. The girls immediately bowed and introduced themselves formally.
"Haha, no need for such formality here." Sasaki-san laughed, bowing slightly in return. "I'm Sasaki, your humble servant. Well, Mizuki, everyone, I'm guessing you're all tired after your trip. We've prepared rooms for everyone…"
"Excuse me, Sasaki-san?" Naru spoke up. "Is it all right for us to go see Keitaro's parents first?" Everyone nodded, agreeing.
"Mizuki-neesan!" A voice cried out. Mizuki looked around and smiled as she noticed six little girl speed towards her.
"Mizuki-neechama!", "Mizuki-neetama!", "Mizuki-neesama!" They hailed in turn.
"Karen-chan! Hinata-chan! Hinako-chan! Shirayuki-chan! Kaho-chan!" Mizuki called out.
"Nee-ya!" One, smaller voice shouted out.
"Yes, here it is miss." One of the baggage inspectors said, handing Keiko her suitcase. "Sorry for the trouble."
"It was no trouble at all." Keiko replied politely. Keitaro, meanwhile, was wheezing as he leaned on the bicycle. "Thank you ever so much." She said as she bowed to the inspector before returning to her brother. "Anigimi-sama! They found it! Thank you!" She cried as she hugged Keitaro around the waist.
"Haha, don't worry about it." Keitaro smiled. "It's a relief that we found it…now…we've got to head back, fast. Marie-chan's train arrives in" he looked at his watch, "…half an hour." Keitaro said, mounting the bicycle again. "Let's hurry, Keiko-chan!"
"Hai, Anigimi-sama!" Keiko said, leaping back onto the bicycle. Together they sped back out of the station and across the pale white Japanese countryside.
"Keitaro sure has a lot of sisters…" Naru remarked as they sat together on one of the pavilion's verandahs.
"And we've only seen half…" Mitsune added. "It's not everyday you see such a gigantic family…."
"And yet he's so…unused to being around girls." Motoko said, eyes closed in contemplation. She had a thousand other ways of saying this, but she decided to choose the polite way.
"That's because he's such a gentleman." A voice said beside them. They all looked around in surprise to see a young teenage girl in a black suit and skirt. Though everything about the way she clothed swore formality, there was a tell tale hint of fashion in everything she chose, from her choice of blouses to the way her auburn hair was tied into two long ponytails.
"Ah, I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help overhearing you all talking about my brother." The girl said, with just a very slight hint of coolness. "My name's Urashima Sakuya." She introduced herself.
"Hi…" Naru replied, a bit uneasily. She and the others introduced themselves one by one and explained how they came to know Keitaro.
"Oh….right, so you're the tenants living at Hinata Sou…" Sakuya said, smiling. "Tell me…do any of you fancy my brother?" She asked playfully.
"H…him?" Naru stammered, caught entirely unaware. Her face turned slightly pink, despite the cold.
"Anou…awawa…" Shinobu blushed and turned the shade of a ripe tomato. "No…it's not…"
"No offense meant, but no." Motoko answered, though her cheeks had betrayed her ever so slightly.
"hahahaha…" Mitsune laughed, who's had a lifetime of lying and swearing off relationships. Facing down a little teenager was a piece of cake for her.
"Fancy? What's that? Is it edible?" Suu asked, in her usual curious manner.
"Well well…so my brother has been busy…" Sakuya smiled while eyeing the five Hinata Sou residents.
"…checky…" A face disappeared behind the corner of the pavilion.
"I'll see you later, Keiko-chan." Keitaro said, dropping off Keiko in front of the residence. "I'll go and…"
"Just a moment there, Keitaro!" A voice shouted. Keitaro and Keiko looked around and saw the approaching figure of Sasaki-san. "Well, well, welcome, Keiko-chan. We'll talk in a moment. Keitaro, if you're going to pick up Marie-chan now, you might as well go with the car we're about to send to pick her up."
"Err…car?" Keitaro was a bit confused for a moment.
"Off course. Do you really think we'd allow you to take Marie-chan in the open air? We were going to send the car after you anyway. But since you're here, you might as well take the car. You've got a drivers license, don't you?" Sasaki-san asked.
"Err…no…not yet." Keitaro laughed uneasily, scratching the back of his head.
"No worries, Sasaki-san. I'll drive." The familiar figure of Matsura-san emerged from behind the door.
"Ah, Matsura-san…thanks." Keitaro said.
"Well, try not to kill anyone, Matsura." Sasaki chuckled, handing him the car keys.
"I won't." Matsura smiled, getting in the driver's seat of the black sedan parked in front of the residence. "Promise. I know how complicated the lawsuit is."
"Sure, sure. Just take care, you two." Sasaki-san smiled before disappearing into the residence.
"Be careful, Anigimi-sama! I'll be waiting for your return!' Keiko said.
"Well then, Keitaro, how does it feel to back home again after such a long time?" Matsure asked, turning the key and shifting gears.
"It feels strange. It feels as if nothing has changed, yet, at the same time…" Keitaro started.
"It feels different, am I correct?" Matsura finished for him.
"Yes, in a way…" Keitaro sighed.
"Well…change is the only constant thing, Keitaro. You'll have to get used to it." Matsura said, in a philosophical tone. "Actually, there was a reason why I wanted to drive you today…"
"And that is…?" Keitaro asked, sensing this was something sensitive.
"Well…it's Marciano…she's back in Japan…" Matsura said, rather uneasily. "We're hoping against hope that she didn't get wind of your parents passing away….but…that would be too much to hope for. We know she'll make a case out of it, but we assure you, the legacy is safely in your hands."
"Oh…ok then…I'll leave it to you, Matsura-san." Keitaro said. "Thank you…for everything."
"It's my duty to your family, Keitaro. Think nothing of it. Your father helped me a lot in the past…I could never repay him for his kindness, but at the very least, I can do something for his children." He smiled at Keitaro.
"Oh, the train's here." Keitaro said as they pulled up by the station. "I'll just go and get my sister."
"I'll keep the car warm. No worries." Matsura said, leaning back in his chair. "Take your time…you haven't seen her in quite a while, right?"
The platform was rather empty, even though a train had just arrived. It didn't take long for Keitaro to spot his sister as she left the train, pushed along in her wheelchair by her nurse.
"Marie-chan!" Keitaro hollered at her.
"ah! Aniue-sama!" The young, bespectacled girl in the wheelchair called back, waving her hand. She was wrapped up well in a thick black coat and white scarf as well as long wooly skirt. A large patch-work blanket was neatly and thoughtfully laid across her lap.
"How've you been doing, Marie-chan?" Keitaro asked, smiling warmly as he approached.
"Very fine, thank you, Aniue-sama. All the better for seeing you." She said. "I haven't seen you for such a long time, aniue-sama. Are you taking care of yourself?"
"Yes. Definitely." Keitaro replied. "How are you, Izumi-san?" He greeted the nurse as he took hold of the wheelchair.
"Fine as always, Keitaro-sama." Izumi Ako blushed slightly.
"That's good, it's always nice to see you again, Izumi-san. Well, let's get you into the car, Marie-chan. Can't have you out in the cold for too long." Keitaro said, pushing the wheelchair down the platform.
"Aniue-sama, I'm not that weak…I can handle a little bit of cold air." Marie protested playfully at Keitaro's condescending remark.
"Oh, right. I forgot, you're a big girl now." Keitaro smiled tactfully, ruffling her hair playfully. Izumi could only smile, watching the warmth between the two siblings.
"What's up with that girl?" Naru fumed as she stared out over the courtyard. Sakuya had left just a moment ago, saying she had to check up on one of her sisters. "It's seriously none of her business, is it?"
"Perhaps it is…she is his little sister after all, and one of the eldest too from the looks of it." Mitsune said. "It's no surprise if she's just a bit worried about her brother's love life…though she was rather blunt."
"I guess…you may be right. I mean, Mei-chan asks me about that all the time…it still annoys me though." Naru muttered.
"Huh, isn't that Urashima?" Motoko asked, lowering her tea cup. Everyone looked over at the gate where Keitaro had just entered, pushing a girl in a wheelchair.
"oh…And that must be one of his sisters…" Shinobu said, standing up.
A small girl in a cute frilly black dress, complete with a black ribbon on her head, ran out to meet him and the girl in the wheelchair. "Nii-ya!" She cried in a sing-song voice, coupled with childish laughter.
"Aria-chan!" Keitaro replied, running over and scooping up the girl in his arms. He held her up high in the air and spun around her the courtyard.
"Nii-ya! Nii-ya! You're back!" The little girl cried happily, her beautiful light blue hair flying behind her. Her childish laughter rang clear across the crisp winter air, echoing and reverberating in every single listener's heart.
"THAT LOLICON URASHIMA!" Motoko prepared to stand up, holding onto her katana.
"Hold it….that's his own little sister." Mitsune warned, holding onto Motoko's arm. "It's perfectly natural, in fact, I think it's cute."
"He really does have such a side to him…" Naru murmured.
"S…sempai…" tears were running down Shinobu's cheeks.
"AND HE MADE SHINOBU CRY AGAIN!" Motoko screamed. Mitsune had to struggle to keep her grip on Motoko.
"Nii-ya! Aria-chan missed you, Nii-ya!" The girl said as Keitaro snuggled her cheeks.
"I missed you too, Aria-chan. Oh, I missed you so much." There were tears in Keitaro's eyes.
"Aria-chan knew you'd be coming so Aria-chan waited." Aria said, looking up into Keitaro's eyes. Keitaro looked back into her bright blue eyes, into her grey pupils, and couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow.
"Ani-chama!" A voice called out. Keitaro looked around and saw Mizuki approaching, waving as she did.
"Mizuki-chan!" Keitaro replied, walking over to her while still holding Aria in his hands. She had her arms firmly wrapped around Keitaro's neck.
"I haven't seen you for such a long time, Ani-chama!" Mizuki cried (in English), running into her brother's outstretched arm. Keitaro gave her as tight a hug as he could with only one arm. The other arm was tightly wrapped around Aria's waist.
"How's little detective-chan been doing?" Keitaro asked (in English), stooping down to hold her close to him.
"Mizuki's not that little anymore, Ani-chama!" Mizuki laughed, tears running down her face.
"Wow…Keitaro's English isn't bad…" Naru murmured in awe.
"And he's really overflowing with love, isn't he?" Mitsune said.
Motoko coughed. "So…he is human, at least…"
"Sempai…" Shinobu was crying in buckets now. The scene was too much for her. Being an only child in a broken family, one would find oneself envious of many things. But Shinobu wasn't at all envious. She was feeling heartfelt joy for Keitaro and his sisters.
"Onii-sama…it's been a while…" Sakuya said, stepping out to greet her brother.
"Sakuya-chan…wow, you've really grown…" Keitaro said. Mizuki moved aside slightly from Keitaro, while still hugging him, to allow Sakuya to receive a hug from her dear brother. Keitaro embraced her warmly and gave her one of his gentle smiles.
"So…missed me?" Keitaro asked, a hint of cheekiness in his voice.
"You wish bro." Sakuya laughed, giving him a tight squeeze. "But life is just not the same without you, bro…" She conceded.
"Haha, so you do miss me." Keitaro laughed good-naturedly. "Well, just for today, I'll let you into a little secret…"
"And that is?" Sakuya looked up at her brother with a cheeky grin.
"I might miss you…" Keitaro teased.
"Might?!" Sakuya cried, feigning playful anger. "You're not getting away for that one!" Her hug changed into a playful chokehold. "I'll make you pay!"
"hahahaha!", Keitaro laughed, scooping Mizuki into one arm. "Only if you catch me!" Keitaro taunted, running across the courtyard. Mizuki and Aria laughed along with him as Sakuya ran after them. Their laughter echoed throughout the entire residence. The guests couldn't help but turn and watch, and smile as they regarded the cute little scene.
"Nii-sama is back!" Shirayuki shouted, as she slid open a sliding door. "Everyone!" She called out. A load of children flooded out, even Rinrin. Chiikage and Keiko followed and smiled from the door as they watched the rest of the children join the pursuit. They looked at one another, gave each other small smiles, and ran out to join the fun.
"Onii-chama!"
"Onii-tama!"
"Onii-chan!"
"Aniki!"
"Nii-sama!"
"Ani-kun!"
"Anigimi-sama!"
"Onii-sama!"
Keitaro ran to the old oak tree, still holding Aria and Mizuki in his arms. He stopped and put them down carefully and turned around before a well-placed tackle caught him right in the stomach.
"hehe…thought you could get away from me, Aniki?" Rinrin's bright face gloated down at him. "Miss me?" She asked, her heavy Chinese accent very apparent.
"Do I have to?" Keitaro asked playfully.
"YES! Cause if you don't, I'll give you my super special Rinrin punishment!" squeezing him tightly around the chest and snuggling into him.
"haha, yes, yes, I really miss you, Rinrin-chan." Keitaro laughed, patting his little sister.
"Hey! No fair! I was the one trying to chase him down!" Sakuya protested in her usual playful manner.
"haha, who said you've caught me?" Keitaro asked, getting up and picking up Rinrin. "Catch me if you can!" He shouted as he ran out across the courtyard, carrying Rinrin on his back. The children all laughed with joy as they chased their brother across the courtyard once again.
"Ah…ah…aniue-sama…" Marie put up her hands as Keitaro ran straight towards her.
"Brace yourself Marie-chan!" Keitaro shouted, scooping Marie out of her wheelchair.
"Iyaaaaaan!" Marie cried out before laughing loudly as Keitaro made another round of the front courtyard. Ako couldn't help but laugh along, watching the whole scene.
"Aniue-sama…" Marie smiled, looking up her brother's panting, glowing face.
"Go Aniki! GO!" Rinrin cheered as they rounded the old oak tree once more.
"Wow…that looks like fun…" Suu cooed.
"Keitaro seems so…different…" Naru murmured thoughtfully.
"Yeah…if I didn't know any better, I'd say we have the wrong man…" Haitani said, standing by the Hinata girls.
"The Keitaro we know is…well…perpetually floating between empty confidence and depression…" Shirai said, raising his glasses.
"I daresay we KNEW the wrong man…" Mitsune said.
"Sempai…" Shinobu's tears were now flooding the verandah.
"He's schizophrenic…" Motoko said, using a word she had picked out of some old textbook.
"No, he's just being natural. That's the real Keitaro…free, loving, and caring…." Haruka said, standing beside them.
"H…Haruka-san?" Naru looked up at Haruka. Everyone did.
"That's just how Keitaro really is…that's how he grew up." Haruka sighed. "But life has a way of restraining people, and Keitaro hasn't had what one might call an easy life…"
"Oh…" Naru murmured, watching Keitaro carry Marie on his back while scooping Hinako and Hinata onto his shoulders while still running across the courtyard.
"They…don't look like they're grieving…" Motoko said, sounding more blunt than she really meant. It's just that samurai have rather set views on how one should mourn the deceased.
"It's…" Haruka closed her eyes. "It's their way…it's just their way of hiding away the pain of their sorrow…they've always been like that, seeking comfort in one another. Not one of them are complete without the others…" Haruka sighed. "Now…I'm getting all sentimental…what am I saying?"
"I think…Keitaro will do just fine…" Grandma Hina said, chuckling.
"I believe so too…I have every confidence in him." Kanako smiled.
"He's a real big brother…there's no denying that." Sasaki-san laughed. Makie blushed slightly and giggled as she watched the scene before her.
"Go on." Grandma Hina winked at Kanako. "You know you want to."
"I'm…I'm not a little girl anymore…" Kanako said. She looked at Keitaro for a moment, shrugged and, despite what she said, joined the fun and games.
"Phew…I'm beat…" Keitaro said, wiping the sweat off his brow after putting Marie down on a seat. They had retreated inside the room prepared for Marie. The other sisters had gone to the kitchen for refreshments, courtesy of Sasaki-san, off course. She had purposely sent Rinrin along with Keitaro and Marie.
Marie gestured Rinrin to come close before placing her hands on Rinrin's head.
"Marie-chan, I'm fine…" Rinrin said. "The doctor had checked me up and…"
"Aneue-sama (respected sister), a little prudence won't hurt. From what I heard, you had quite a fall." Marie said. The palms of her hand glowed a bright white for a bit. "Yes, you're ok. It was only a minor concussion. But try to be more careful in the future, aneue-sama." Marie said as she lowered her hands.
"Sure, Marie-chan, thanks. But I've got Aniki to save me whenever I'm in trouble." She grinned. "Aniki, umm…" She pulled Keitaro aside for a bit. Marie, sensing her older sister wanted a private chat, tactfully busied herself with her bag. "Can you stay with Marie-chan for a little bit? I think…she needs someone to talk to…"
"Sure, no problem…" Keitaro whispered back, winking.
"Ok, Aniki, I'll see you later then! Marie-chan, rest well, ok!" She said cheerfully, leaving the room.
"That Rinrin…always as cheerful as ever…" Keitaro sighed.
"Yes, Aneue-sama certainly is always energetic." Marie smiled.
"Thank you, Marie-chan…your powers are, as usual, amazing." Keitaro said, patting his little sister on the shoulder.
"My powers…" Marie looked down at the palm of her hand. "And yet…I am incapable of helping myself…or those who really need it…"
"That's not true, Marie-chan. You just helped Rinrin-chan." Keitaro said.
"Oka-sama and Oto-sama…" Marie murmured. "I have powers…and yet…I couldn't save them when they needed it…I couldn't save my own parents…" Marie wore a glazed look.
"That's not true!" Keitaro said, kneeling in front of Marie and looking up into her face. "Listen to me, Marie-chan. Being able to save people means having the ability and chance to do so. Yes, you have the ability, but you didn't have the chance. Our parent's death was something way beyond our control. Nobody's to blame!" Keitaro said. "It wasn't your fault."
"But…but…why…why do I have this…this curse…I couldn't heal myself…nor those that…" tears streamed down Marie's face.
"Marie-chan, your powers are a gift, not a curse." Keitaro said. "For example, we could now breath a little easier knowing Rinrin-chan is ok, thanks to you. We must always try and help those in need, but when it's just beyond us, then we mustn't blame ourselves."
"A…Aniue-sama…can we stay together…all of us…forever…please?" Marie asked as more tears ran down her cheeks. "I…I don't want…anyone to go…I don't want to…let anyone slip through my hands…again…"
"Yes…we will…from now on, all of us will always be together…" Keitaro said, pulling Marie into an embrace. "That's a promise. None of us will ever leave you again, Marie-chan…"
"Aniue-sama…" Marie held onto her brother as tightly as possible.
A moment later…
"I wonder where the girls went…" Keitaro wondered as he walked through the residence, looking for his tenants. "This place…it always feels so large…" He mused, tracing his hands over the wooden wall panels. A pale orange light was filtering through the paper panels. It was quickly darkening outside. These were the days when the nights were long and cold and the days were short lived.
He suddenly found himself inside the main room of the main pavilion where the coffins were. He noticed a small, lone figure looking up at the coffins, facing away from him. It was little Aria. "Hya!" A childish laugh escaped her lips as she turned around to face her brother. "Aria-chan knew it was you, Nii-ya!"
"Haha, you're as perceptive as ever, Aria-chan." Keitaro said, coming up to her. "What're you doing?"
"…" Aria looked around at the coffins again. "Aria-chan wanted to see them…" She said, in a little voice. "Aria-chan wanted to see oka-sama and oto-sama with Aria-chan's own eyes…just once…but…Aria-chan can't…" She whispered, looking at the coffins. Her eyes began to water.
"Aria-chan…" Keitaro got down beside her.
"Aria-chan wanted to be able to see Oka-sama and Oto-sama…to see Nii-ya too. That's why Aria-chan said yes when Oka-sama and Oto-sama sent Aria-chan to France. They promised Aria-chan the people in France will teach Aria-chan to use Aria-chan's eyes…" Aria said, tears streaming down her face. "But…but…"
"You…you don't need eyes to be able to see your parents…they always exist in your heart. Just look inside you, you will see them. Their love…their caring…everything that makes them your parents is inside you." Keitaro said, pulling Aria towards himself. "Aria-chan…you can see so many things other people can't…you can see people's feelings…you can sense people's hearts…your vision is clearer than anyone's." Keitaro said, hugging her tightly.
"Aria-chan…Aria-chan is afraid of the dark…" Aria whispered. "Aria-chan's afraid of quietness…when it's quiet, it feels so dark…and when there was no one, it was so quiet…"
"You'll never be alone again, Aria-chan. Your sisters will be with you. I will be with you." Keitaro said, holding her close.
"Aria-chan can hear your heart, nii-ya…" Aria whispered, snuggling into his chest. "Nii-ya is with me…" She closed her eyes.
"And I always will be…" Keitaro said.
To be continued….
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Glossary of Japanese terms: (this chapter's glossary includes stuff from previous chapters)
Honorifics:
'name-chan' – used as an expression of endearment, especially towards a person of a younger age, normally for girls.
'name-kun' – used as an expression of endearment, especially towards a person of a younger age, normally for boys
'name-san' – used as an expression of respect.
'name-sama' – used as an expression of utmost respect, and far more formal than '-san'.
'oka-honorific' – mother
'oto-honorific' – father
Terms and words:
'Dozo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu' – the most polite and formal form of greeting, which basically means 'Please, I'm looking forwards to working/having a nice relationship with you', or at least, something like that.
'Kaze' – wind
'gan' – eye
'Shiro' – white
'yuki' – snow (now, try stringing this word with one above. See what you get.)
'Chii' – thousand
'kage' – shadow (now, try stringing this word with one above. See what you get.)
'mizu' – water
'ki' – energy/spirit (now, try stringing this word with one above. See what you get.)
'hina' – little (ok, now you know what Love Hina means.)
'ko' – child (now, try stringing this word with one above. See what you get. Very fitting, isn't it?)
'Sakuya' – blossom (now that's a very direct translation, isn't it?)