Disclaimer: I still don't own Love Hina.
Framed in the doorway Su was horrified at the sight in front of her. Keitaro was crouching in a pool of blood, one hand holding a knife embedded in the body that was in the bed. Releasing his breath Keitaro turned back and stabbed widely into Motoko's body, not caring if it were a fatal wound or not. As he raised his arm for the third strike Su had jumped onto his arm and tried to pull him off balance.
Hissing Keitaro backhanded Su and went back to stabbing. Only this time with the light flooding in from the doorway, he saw why Su had approached him so. There, lying in a pool of her own blood barely alive lay, Shinbou. The knife clattered to the floor and Keitaro released an anguished howl, cursing fate for its cruelty. All this noise had led to the other girls waking up and running into the room or in Naru's case through the ceiling.
So much was going on to fast for Keitaro to comprehend, so he did the one thing he does best running followed by a leap out of the window. Landing in the springs, Keitaro dragged himself out and ran, not caring where but just so he could leave that area.
Back at the dorm chaos ensues. Kitsune ran downstairs to call an ambulance, while Naru does what she can to slow or stop the flow of blood from Shinbou until medical aid arrives. Su lay on the ground, where she had fallen from the backhand. Her cheek is stinging but no skin was broken. Su's mind was trying to process what had just happened and needless to say it was failing. Keitaro had broken into the dorm and killed Shinbou in cold blood. NO, there was no way he would do something like that. Only to be brought back to reality by the paramedics shoving her aside to get to Shinbou.
All this noise brought Haruka out of her shop and outside into the night to see what was going on. An ambulance was screeching off into the night with Kitsune and Su watching it go away. Seeing Haruka, Kitsune stormed over to her murder clear on her face.
"Are you happy now Haruka? Is this your idea of a twisted vengeance?, Kitsune was more or less right up in Haruka's face screaming the accusation at her, Well congratulations your plan worked and now Shinbou is in the hospital!"
Through it all Haruka remained stoic. And when Mitsune mentioned the last part Haruka's hand flashed out and backhanded her. The smack resounded around the entire area; followed by a thud as Kitsune hit the ground. It wasn't the fact that she was weak or drunk; it was more because it had caught her off guard. Su had then run up more to stop Haruka from hurting Mitsune more than anything else. A flick of her tongue out informed Mitsune that her lip had indeed been cut; gazing up at Haruka from where she lay with eyes begging for forgiveness finding only disgust.
Spinning on her heels Haruka headed in the direction of her car. She might hate all of the girls for their past actions, but that didn't mean she was completely heartless. A tug on her apron caused her to twist her head around to look into the teary eyed Su. Thinking that she wanted to come along and see her best friend Haruka grunted and tried to continue walking. Su then tackled Haruka, much to the surprise of all present. Before Haruka was able to respond Su yelled "STOP KEITARO IS INNOCENT AND HE TRIED TO KILL MOTOKO BUT DIDN'T KNOW THAT SHINBOU MOVED INTO HIS ROOM AND THAT MOTOKO IS GONE. I CAN PROVE IT ALL!" Somehow Su managed to say all that in one breath while making perfect sense. As Su took in another deep breath to continue, Haruka whacked her, not hard but defiantly not soft, with her fan. Dazed Su fell off of Haruka and landed on her backside.
Seething Haruka stood up and grabbed Su by her throat hoisting her up. "One minute girl to wow me. And if you think this helps you think again; because of ya'll psychos sweet Keitaro lost it all! Now Mitsune just told me that Kei tried to kill Shinbou and you expect me to believe that? No matter the amount of the resentment he felt Keitaro would rather die than do something like that." With every statement Haruka gave a light squeeze on Su's throat to drive the point home. By the end Su was turning an interesting shade of purple. Releasing her grip Su crumpled onto the ground, only to bounce back up again.
Su raced up the stairs, to her room all the while trying to ignore the stench of blood in the dorm. Grabbing the drive, Su raced back down the stairs and into the tea shop. Hooking up a massive monitor, Su inserted the drive. She had moved so fast she quite literately left an after imaged where she had begun. During this brief time Haruka spent it glaring daggers at Mitsune who in turn tired to be as small as possible. Only Su's physically grabbing the both of them and shoving the two women into chairs saved Mitsune from a black eye. Then the lights dimmed and the show began. On screen it was picture after picture of Motoko's Get rid of Pervert journal entries. Then Motoko's voice came on reading the plan out loud for all to hear. Wisely Su had omitted the parts about Kei's cutting, not knowing if Haruka had knowledge of that.
In Haruka's mind she was thinking along these lines; the best way to torture Motoko without killing her quickly. Then as a side thought, she was ashamed of herself. She knew he was being beaten, but every time he was flying Haruka did nothing. If she did then he might develop a dependency complex and never reach his full potential. But, dwelling on the past mistakes wont' do her or Kei any good. The stage was set and the actors started, but there is always room for a surprise guest. Haruka threw a glance over to the back of the Fox, who was slumped over as if beat.
Running over Su tried to turn the machine off but tripped over a cable and face planted into the ground.
"February 15, 2000
I lost my student id for cram school somewhere around this inn, but quite honestly I don't care what happens. If they find out then hopefully they'll kill me. Then my miserable life will end.
Some say life is short
I'm anxious for the reaper
So ends hellish life
Written by: Keitaro Urashima"
Haruka's jaw dropped, as the journal entry was read aloud. Sorrow, longing, all flowed out as Kei's voice spoke from the speaker. Never before has Haruka heard such depression, from her beloved nephew. All she was currently able to see was red; she tackled Mitsune and started to pummel her for her part in making Kei's life miserable. No special family techniques were used, just old fashioned fists.
Su watched on as Mitsune was attacked, an attack that was both deserving and undeserving. Laying a hand on Haruka she said "Please Haruka-san there's more to tell." Haruka twisted her to look into at Su. What Su saw was tears streaking down from eyes burning as an inferno.
Rising Haruka didn't bother looking at the bloodied Mitsune. Instead opting to light another and returning to her seat. "All you showed me is how she, Motoko and Naru joined forces to make his life miserable. And you still haven't explained why there was an ambulance earlier."
Su cowered behind a chair scared by what the reactions might be at her revelation. "I was worried about him, and I discovered what was actually going on behind the scenes. So when the truth came forth, I headed down here a few nights ago to give it to you but instead ran into Big Brother. He looked so sad and I told him everything. But I swear I didn't know that he'll do this." By the end Su had shrunk visibly, retreating inside of herself only to find that she was hated even in herself. What Haruka did next surmised them all. She grabbed Mitsune and threw them over her shoulder, walking out the door. Haruka beckoned at Su to follow, mystified Su complied finding herself in the shotgun of Haruka's car. Said owner had shoved Mitsune into the car as if she was a kidnapper. Silence was piercing as Haruka drove, her skills made Seta look like a driver god! Finally ending up at the hospital, the moment the car stopped Su and the barely recovered Mitsune fell onto the ground kissing it. Raising an amused eyebrow, Haruka led the way into the main foyer ignoring the NO SMOKING sign.
Striding to the front desk, Haruka demanded to know which room Shinbou Mahera was currently in as well as her current condition. The receptionist has had a long day and was looking forward to the end of her shift, when some smoker girl came in wanting to know about some other girl. Opening her mouth to make a smart-ass remark about only family members knowing aforementioned information, she saw eyes promising a long and painful death if she was hindered in any way. Gulping, the receptionist stammered out the number and condition.
Stomping towards an elevator Haruka, followed by a fearful Fox and Monkey entered into an elevator. Then they were in for another surprise, Haruka actually broke down in front of them both crying followed by embracing the two as if they were long lost friends. No words where needed; only response to this unexpected action was return the hug. Arriving on the proper floor the females strode down to where Shinbou lay. Arriving they saw the fear in Naru's eyes and the tears on her face. But it was Shinbou that captured their attention.
The angel was now a cocoon of bandages, stitches and tubes. The face of tranquility was marred by a long jagged gash going down her right temple and ended by slashing her throat. A tube was placed over her throat forcing oxygen in, in an attempt to keep her alive. Her right eye was covered in bandages and stitches and only her left was free. Said eye was puffy and glazed over, not from death but instead from all the drugs in her bloodstream. Risking a glance under the blanket covering Shinbou, Haruka was stopped by Naru who shook her head saying "You don't want to see what happened to her lower body trust me." Nodding Haruka withdrew her hand. Su on the other hand reached out to where her best friend's right hand is to hold it and comfort herself. Only she found no hand. Bile and Fear rose in her as Su saw there wasn't a right arm, according to what the doctor told her Naru said that they had to cauterize the wound and where forced to amputate the arm in an effort to control blood loss. Mitsune was one of many who ran to the nearest trash can and emptied her lunch.
Haruka left the room claiming the need to go get something to drink. No one took notice of her departure. No one spoke. No one moved. They stayed like that for nearly three hours and the only noise came from the heart monitor Shinbou was hooked up to. Then Haruka returned with another lady following her. She was elegant and seemed to be a grown up version of Motoko expect whereas Motoko had an arrogant gait this women walked calmly; her gait didn't shout arrogance but was shouting out enlightenment. Her face was beautiful and the only mar on it was the deep worry lines etched on her face, which changed to a frown than to rage upon seeing Shinbou in the hospital bed.
Tsuruko Aoyama spun around glaring at her oldest friend. Haruka had called her and had told her to come to the hospital because it concerned Motoko. Now arriving she saw no sign of Motoko and felt only negative ki emanating from the girls in the room. No words where needed to demand an explanation from Haruka, they had known each other long enough to act on the others body language.
"Tsuruko I called you here for two reasons. The first being to show you the result of your sister's lie, with the repercussions it caused. The second is for you to tell me where the Hell she is." This was a request it was a command.
Taken aback at this Tsuruko didn't fight as she was guided to a chair to sit. Second her rear hit the chair, Su began the exact same show that she had shown earlier at the tea house. When it got to the depressing bit, Haruka blocked Su from being able to turn it off. All of the girls and Tsuruko needed to see what has been done to Kei and how he felt about it all. At the end Naru added her lunch to Mistune's in the trash. Tsuruko was naturally pale, but now she was transparent.
She now knew why Haruka had wanted her here but why was a girl in the hospital? Then Naru spoke up, voice dead and monotone.
"When he arrived, Motoko had the idea of driving him away by forcing him to do all of the chores and other required work around the dorm. Mitsune and I thought it was for the best and went along with it. Whenever we caught him in comprising positions, we attack first and never apologize just place all of the blame onto him. When he grew in self-confidence we made sure to let him over hear us speak ill of him, and insulted him verbally and physically whenever possible. Then I-I guess…. I GREW FEELINGS FOR HIM! Every punch that I threw at him would strike me as well. Eventually I just couldn't take it anymore and when we tried to tell Motoko to stop, she….." At this Naru bent over head in her hands sobbing. Wrapping an arm around her for comfort Mitsune continued.
"Pardon me for my language but that demented bitch, jumped Naru and slashed her back with that cursed sword of hers. When I tried to get her to stop, Motoko turned on me and I received the same treatment only down my front. She said that if we went to anyone or tried anything, she'll end us." By the time Mitsune had finished Tsuruko as barely keeping her rage in check. Give her a minute with her dishonorable sister alone and all will be better, for Tsuruko that is.
Rising Tsuruko looked at Naru and Mitsune directly in their eyes, "Remove your clothing and show me what she has done." Nodding the two girls removed their cloths and showed off their scars.
On the back of Naru it started at her left shoulder blade and went diagonally down to her right hip. To add insult to injury Motoko didn't do a clean cut. Instead it was a jagged cut as if she was trying to destroy as much skin as possible. For Mitsune it was much the same but only it went down her front. The scars were deep but not deep to the point of life threatening. Any doubt that Tsuruko had of Motoko being innocent vanished in a flash. Hesitantly Tsuruko reached out and ran her fingers down the scars trying to convince her that Motoko did this. The girls had visibly shaken under her touch and had cowered when Tsuruko approached them. After she was done Tsuruko assisted Naru and Mitsune in placing their cloths back on.
From out of nowhere Haruka pulled out a bottle of Sake. Not caring about drinking age or the fact they were in the hospital, all of them had a swig of it, with Tsuruko taking the lion's share of the drink. Cupping her old friends face in her hands, Haruka raised Tsuruko's eyes from the ground till it hit Haruka's eyes. Pain was the only feature on the women's face as it was all sinking in as to what Motoko did. Haruka asked the question that everyone wanted to know, Where is Motoko's training camp?
Tsuruko knew why it was asked and understood why her sister's actions seemed so different. Why instead of asking outright where Motoko was, Haruka opted to show her the truth of the other side that was judged unfairly. Not bothering to hold the emotion back she replied, "The camp is located in the forest of Aokigarhara which is located near Mahora Academy, grabbing Haruka's arm Tsuruko steeled herself for what she would say next, I'm going with you Haruka." Nodding the two women left the hospital and began the journey to Motoko.
Aokigarhara
Motoko shuddered as a feeling of dread swept through her. Shaking it off she tried to return to doing her katas, to no avail.
Old Annex of the Dorm
Motoko was crying out for him to stop hurting her only for Keitaro to beat her more and harder. The warm blood splattered on him, pure pleasure raging through him. Then the face of the girl he hated to the core of his soul was replaced by Shinbou; begging to know why he killed her. Keitaro woke up screaming into the night, drenched in sweat. Glancing down he saw only the blood on his shirt and hands, which no amount of washing could ever remove.
Keitaro didn't know that Shinbou was taken to the hospital, lying on the brink of life and death. The amount of blood he had spilled on her had convinced him that he had killed her. He was as low as Motoko and couldn't live with that knowledge.
Striding with purpose Keitaro picked up a knife and began the gory task.
With that done, Keitaro stood on a stool neck in place. He had no regrets with dying and only wished he had ended his life earlier. If he had done that then none of this would have happened. Kicking the stool away he felt his neck tightening in the noose. Determined that in death he would at least go with dignity, he didn't struggle as the darkness closed in around him. Through his dimming vision the last sight he had was of the sandbox with his promised girl. Then blackness.
Hospital
Shinbou's eye shot open filled with life, "No Sempai don't do it, that won't help". These words where the last heard from Mahera. She flat lined and no amount of effort from the doctors saved her.
Three Hours Later at Aokigarhara
Haruka and Tsuruko weren't in good moods during the drive to Aokigarhara. When the call came in on Shinbou's passing both fell deeper into the darkness. Both women grew grimmer if it were possible. They saw a collection of taxis lined up at the entrance to the camp and the sword wielding girls heading towards the taxis. Not caring she was in the middle of the road; Haruka stopped the car and allowed Tsuruko out. As much as she wanted to beat Motoko, this was to be between her sister and herself.
Motoko was basking in the adoration of her fan club, as they praised her on her actions against the pervert. Then they ran from, not Motoko, but because their primal survival instinct where telling them to run if they wanted to live. Confused Motoko looked around and saw her elder sister approaching her. Instead of fear or insecurity she used to feel, Motoko was elated that her sister came here to praise her on her actions at the dorm and at the camp. Oh how wrong she was.
Snickering Haruka watched as the kendo heir approached the older sister. Apparently Motoko was completely oblivious to the danger vibes Tsuruko's ki was sending out. It almost made her feel sorry for Motoko. Almost.
The gall of her younger sister was repulsive to Tsuruko. Here she is walking and smiling not caring that she had abused the skill she had learned on an innocent. Not showing any remorse for the maiming of her friends. Not caring she had purposely destroyed a man's life, with the side effect of another dying. Before Motoko had a chance to greet her, Tsuruko allowed her rage to be known via a face punch.
Motoko was dazed as she stumbled from the punch. A quick touch to her nose confirmed it wasn't broken just bleeding. Then a savage kick to her gut, followed by a swift uppercut on her chin. Raising her hated sister up Tsuruko did punch after punch onto Motoko, until she was unconscious. Stopping she half carried half dragged Motoko to the car. Tossing her in, Tsuruko got into the car. Haruka passed her some sake and began the drive to the God's Cry School.
One week later
As if mocking the mood, the weather was perfect and in normal circumstances would have been wonderful. Not so now. The black clad group followed the carriers of the caskets of Shinbou Mahera and Keitaro. Walking with the mourning to the burial, Haruka recalled how she had found her nephew. She had returned to the annex because according to Naru, that was where Motoko had stored the written plans going in far greater detail then what Su had. All this was going to be invaluable in the future trail for Motoko's crimes. Upon her arrival she saw her nephew Keitaro's body swaying in the center of the room.
Running she cut him down and checked for a pulse, finding none. Again she cried as the last hope she had that he was alive extinguished. His once handsome face was caked with dry blood and his eyes seemed to be in massive pain. Raising her, hands Haruka reached out to close his lids while muttering "Rest in peace Kei-kun." Only her fingers hit dried eyeballs. Nearly fainting she was the blood came from his missing eyelids. Then her eyes saw his right hand was crumpled as if holding something. Prying open his hand she took out the note and read it.
To whoever finds this letter and my body, know that I am undeserving of any form of last rites. I have cut my eye lids off as a meager penance of my sins. I will never enter the eternal slumber, I will live on in pain and pain only as I so righty deserve. Anyone finding Haruka tell her I'm sorry for failing her and not for her to blame herself.
She had been unable to sleep for days after that and Haruka doubted she would ever forget that sight.
How anyone managed to get through the past week was one of the great mysteries of life and would never be answered. The caskets were lowered into the ground and the dirt was tossed on top of the caskets.
A/N Couldn't think what to add so just stopped and updated what I had. One more chapter to go! Reviews are still and always will be welcomed. Any questions PM me and I'll answer. Catch ya'll later!