Love Hina is a property of Ken Akamatsu. The Green Arrow is a property of DC. Anything that doesn't belong to them or anyone else (however rare that would be) is public domain.

Keitaro tossed and turned. No matter how much he had missed sleeping on a futon, he just was no longer used to it's softness. With a groan, he got up onto his feet. He stumbled out of the annex, sleepiness making his limbs heavy. He stared longingly at the Hinata Sou, until a sensation lightly brushed across his mind. Tearing his eyes away, he searched the darkness, but he no longer felt anything nor could detect anything. Warily, he crossed the property to the tree line and laid himself down by the trunk of a stout pine. Stripping off his top, he balled it up to use as a pillow. It eased him to be able to feel the Earth, and be connected to it, and as he slipped into sleep he still remained vigilant – just like back on the island.

Motoko rose early, as she did every morning, while everyone else slept still. She made her way to the roof to train. While standing at the railing to admire the sunrise, she noticed something out of the ordinary. Something, a kind of bundle, under a tree. She hopped off the roof, easily landing lightly on her feet. A quick stride carried her across the grounds. She held her boken at the ready. However, before she could get closer than ten meters, the bundle suddenly rolled and in a blink of an eye the castaway was in a defensive stance. She could feel raw power emitting from the man, but she was more shocked by the patchwork of scars that covered his torso.

Taken aback, she stuttered. "Wh- what are you doing out here?" While she might have worried that the man might try to sneak into the girls' dorm, she hadn't expected him to spend the night outside. Suspicious though, she closed the distance between them.

Keitaro realized that the other person was a tenant, though he couldn't recall her name. Seeing no immediate danger, he relaxed, somewhat. "Good morning," he politely recited as he bowed. Then he turned to get his top to shrug on.

Motoko gasped.

"Something wrong?" he asked. She moved closer still and laid her hand along a set of scars on his back shoulder. "Oh, those. No need to worry about those."

Motoko shivered and took an involuntary step back. "Kappa," she exclaimed softly.

Keitaro frowned. "What did you say?"

"Kappa," Motoko said in a stronger voice. "The only thing that leaves a mark like that."

Keitaro nodded. "You are familiar then, with demons?"

"My family, we run a school devoted to demon hunting."

"Oh?" Keitaro bit his lip in thought. "I did not know any such schools existed in Hinata Springs."

"I'm not from here," Motoko shook her head. "The family dojo is in Kyoto."

A strange light filled Keitaro's eyes. "Shinmeiryu?"

Motoko, surprised, opened her eyes wide. "You have heard of us?"

"Yes, on the island. I don't know much, just the name and the fear it brought to demons."

"But ... I thought you were alone on that island."

Keitaro grinned sheepishly as he played with his hair. "All I ever said was that I was the only human being on the island. And that is true."

"Oh?" Then realization hit Motoko. "Oh!" Her face fell and sympathy filled her eyes. "It was demon infested." She didn't ask, she didn't need to.

"Yeah."

"Did you ... know how to fight, then? I know Granny Hina mentioned once or twice a family style."

Keitaro shook his head. "I never really took a shine to learning the family style. I didn't know anything when I awoke on that island. I had to learn it all there."

Motoko blushed and looked away. She didn't want to pry into something that sounded potentially painful. "I train every morning. You are welcome to join me if you wish."

"I would like that. I am afraid coming home, I would go soft." A sudden sensation, weak and fleeting, brushed his awareness again. He spun to look deeper into the trees.

"You felt it too?" Motoko asked.

"Yeah. But it's gone now."

She nodded her agreement. Turning, she called over her shoulders. "Come, let us meditate and train."

"Looks like I'll have to show you the basics of kenjutsu sword-forms," Motoko pondered out loud.

Keitaro grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. There wasn't any swords on the island."

"No, no. That is fine. Your hand-to-hand is excellent."

"I am also decent with a bo."

Motoko nodded. "To be expected. Plenty of branches to use." She shook herself from deep thought. "It is time I went to clean up and prepare for the day." She turned, with a nod, and left.

Keitaro grimaced. There was no bathing facility in the annex. A strange oversight, though he figured those guests would be expected to partake of the hot springs as well. Perhaps he could get himself a small tub of some sort to clean with. If not, well ... it wasn't like baths were all that common on the island.

With nothing more to do, he descended to find the kitchens. He was hungry and it felt strange having such an abundance of food at hand.

He bumped into his grandmother, who was preparing breakfast. "Keitaro, how did you sleep?" She gave him such a knowing look that he wondered if she knew he spent his night outdoors.

"Still getting used to being here. Much like the hospital in Tokyo ..." Hina knew what he meant, for he often slept on the floor by the hospital bed. Usually depressed that the windows wouldn't open to let in a breeze. It would rile the nurses up, but they didn't give him too hard a time. Often, they would look at him with sad, pitying gazes.

"Sit down, have something to eat."

Keitaro grinned like a loon at the mention of food. "Yes, please!"

Granny served him, but her nose wrinkled when she got near. "Once the girls all go to school, it's straight into the showers with you."

Keitaro nodded, amused. "I would enjoy a hot bath. Before Tokyo, I spent a long time cleaning in cold rivers."

"What's this? Letting a man into our baths?" Kitsune smirked as she entered the room. "Here I thought it was girls only."

Naru got ready for her day. Her thoughts, lately, centering on a former tutor. News that Keitaro was hoping to be tutored made her think of Seta again. "I wonder," she murmured to herself. "Who they'll get for him. He's probably at Shinobu's level. So much to catch up on."

She got dressed for cram school. Where as just about most girls put a lot of effort into looking their best, Naru puts a lot of effort into looking undesirable. Ever since she vowed to chase after Seta by getting into Tokyo University where he taught archaeology, she became less interested in dating boys her own age.

Ready for her day, she then went to get herself some breakfast. Walking into the dining area was a bit strange, as the owner's nephew was already up and animatedly eating his food. Kitsune was already up, surprisingly, and she seemed a little red in the face. Motoko was already up, as usual, and eating stoically and sedately, slowly lifting rice into her mouth. Naru could hear Granny bustling in the kitchen.

Keitaro looked up and noticed her presence. He stood, gentlemanly, and bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I am Keitaro Urashima, the new handyman."

"I know, doofus," she snapped. "We met yesterday." Kitsune giggled and Motoko paused in her eating to watch the proceedings.

Keitaro's face twisted in confusion. "We did? I am sorry, but I do not recall you."

Kitsune fell out of her chair laughing at the look on Naru's face. "Priceless." Naru glared at her best friend. "You do know, in those coke bottle glasses and that awful get-up, he doesn't recognize you, Naru."

"Naru Narusegawa?" Keitaro perked up. "It is you! Why the disguise?"

"It's not a disguise," Naru grumbled grouchily. "I'm just focused on my studies is all."

"I'll take your word for it. I am out of touch when it comes to modern fashions." Keitaro then sat again to continue his breakfast.

As Naru was filling her plate, Keitaro turned to Motoko. "Do you have a special outfit you go to school in too? I'm afraid it'll get confusing quickly if everyone wore disguises."

"It's not a disguise!" Naru snapped.

Motoko stifled a smile, not wanting to hurt her friend's feelings. "No disguises for me. I actually own a stick to beat the boys off with." She tapped her boken that sat by her side. Kitsune snickered, her dirty mind giving a perverted spin on Motoko's words.

Naru scowled but said nothing.

Keitaro smiled. "Maybe we should get her one, too? I mean, a stick doesn't look like much, but you would be surprised how many uses for them you can think of when it's the only thing you have in abundance, besides rocks, sand, and vines."

Motoko's lip twitched as Kitsune exploded in laughter.

Keitaro got into the cab with his remaining family: his cousin who was adopted as his aunt, Haruka, and his grandmother, Hina. They were heading out to buy him more supplies. There was much he missed while cast away upon that island. Keitaro was hoping he could get himself a small, portable ofuro with a pump and heater to set up in the annex. He had missed being able to soak in some heat to relax his body while stranded on the island. He was also hoping to get a refrigerator, freezer, and even a water fountain for the annex. He was thrilled with the idea of having clean food and water always at hand. In fact, he was carrying a small bag, within which were a couple bottles of water and some fresh fruit.

"If I'm not careful, I'll gain a hundred pounds," he thought out loud as he rubbed his belly.

Haruka snorted. "Thinking of food already? You had breakfast an hour ago."

Keitaro smiled. "I'm just getting spoiled by modern living, it seems. I had to adjust to living with nothing, now I have to adjust to living with everything."

Haruka shook her head, but smiled all the same.

Shopping became an overwhelming blur of stores and boredom to Keitaro, as the novelty quickly wore off. Some stores he enjoyed more, others less. And clothing was a bit of disaster. He didn't really know what looked good, leaning towards basic and bland. Haruka and Hina both pushed for more colorful and hip looks. Keitaro doubted either knew what was hip, but they kept telling the store workers to bring out clothing popular with the young crowd.

"You'll want to look nice when you go out nights, to meet people." Hina gently patted his hand.

Keitaro grimaced. "I don't really want to go out, I wouldn't know what I was suppose to do."

"You gotta make friends, Keitaro. You can't stay shut in." Haruka crossed her arms and scowled at him.

On the other hand, Keitaro was entirely engrossed in a tea store they came upon. The thought of being able to make hot tea anytime he wanted some was like a siren's song. And he would stop at any hot food vendor or fruit cart they passed, just to stand there and smell.

"Are you hungry, Keitaro? We could buy some dango if you like?" Hina fished in her purse for some cash,

Keitaro shook his head. Feeling he was asking for too much when he knew there was food back in the inn. "I just want the smells. After so long, it's once again so new and so rich. I could just spend the day following my nose over half of Hinata Springs."

Hina chuckled. "Don't get too distracted. There is still much more you'll need to get so you can settle in."

"Aw," Keitaro exclaimed as he scratched his head sheepishly. "I don't really need much. Well, handyman tools, I suppose. Otherwise, it's always best to travel light." A memory sparked, and Keitaro found himself saying, "To be quick on thy feet, first eschew all that anchors you in place. Material wealth for the sake of such is but a burden."

Haruka snorted. "Something you came up with on the island? You're not on that island now, don't worry about it."

Keitaro never knew shopping could be so tiring and draining. But once it was done, he felt a giddiness, an excitement. As much as insisted he didn't need much, he was looking forward to using most of the purchases. More so, he was touched by how much Hina and Haruka wanted him to not just feel at home, but to make Hinata into his home. And spending an entire day with his last relatives, he felt like a family again after having felt alone for so long.

As evening descended and twilight reigned, Keitaro finally got to be alone in the annex. He took out his box, not letting his Grandmother throw it out earlier. "I may have to ward the box," he muttered to himself, "to make sure she doesn't get rid of it when I am not around." Opening the box, he opened the magical false bottom and climbed down.

He loving caressed his green ranger armor. "Tonight, I make my debut. My time on that island will be made to mean something." He then proceeded to change into an all green outfit, complete with domino mask. A quiver of arrows was slung over his shoulder and the bow over the other. The bow was his most prized possession, as he had made it personally. He made the arrows too, but they were meant to be disposable; as he uses them up, he makes more.

Climbing out of his box, he resealed it and stole out his bedroom window into the night.

A tricked out car tore down the street, police cars racing after it with their lights and sirens blaring. Inside the street-racer, two hoods were laughing as the passenger counted money out from a bag. "Look at this take? Didn't I tell ya that ATM was plum pickin's?"

"Ha! Ya, you did. Oh man, think of all the snort we could buy with that?"

"And hookers! We're gonna party tonight like never before." The two fist-bumped.

Suddenly, a loud blow out was heard as the car swerved hard to the right. The driver tried to correct, but managed to roll the car instead. When it finally slid and skidded to a stop, it was evident that an arrow took out a front tire. The cop cars screeched to a halt while the two hoods were still trying to crawl out the windows. They didn't put up much of a fight.

Later that night, and across town, a cat burglar was silently scaling a high-rise office building. Expensive, high tech suction-cups were attached to his knees and forearms. He came to a stop and began to use the glass cutters he carried in his left hand when an arrow pierced the Plexiglas safety window near his head. The arrow hissed as greenish gas escaped and the thief lapsed into sleep. When he awoke, he was tied to a lamppost and some cops were looking down at him in confusion.

With trepidation, Ayeka opened the box she received in the mail from her elderly, and sometimes senile, grandmother. Inside was an old oil lantern, Ayeka breathed a sigh of relief. The last time she got such a package, it held her grandmother's dead cat. The box had a strong smell of kerosene. She shook the lamp and could hear a bit of oil sloshing around on the inside.

She sighed and rubbed her face. The box she brought out side to dry out before she got rid of it. The lamp she put on her table and stared at it. It wasn't in the best of shapes, nor did it possess any sort of retro-chic appeal. It was just a battered old lantern. One she knew sat unused in her grandmother's attic for years and years.

"Alight, you old bag. I'll use it once and get rid of it. Sheesh, sending me your garbage."

Ayeka found a matchbox, struck one, and lit the lamp.

Suddenly, she felt an intense chill emanating from the lamp, followed by an unholy shriek. The room seemed to darken instead of lighten. Her breath came quicker as some kind of dark shape – a hand! - reached out from inside the lantern. Reaching for her! Ayeka quickly stepped back but tripped over her own feet. Panicking she scooted away, but the shape kept coming and growing looking more and more like a disfigured old man.

"AHHHHH!" She screamed in fright.

The shape loomed over her, it laughed thinly in a high, reedy voice. It stooped and began to reach for her when a blur passed through it's hand, resolving into a quivering arrow stuck deep in her wall.

The shape jerked away from her, and she could her a low chanting. Another arrow pierced where a heart would be and hung in the air, impaled in the shadowy form. The thing screamed and hollered in pain. The arrow turned black as the shape seemed to be suck into it, until it was no more and the arrow fell clattering to the floor.

Ayeka breathed heavily as her heart rate began to calm. She watched as a strange man dressed in strange green leather clothes – something almost Lord of the Rings like but with a hooded cowl – picked up the smoking arrow and snapped it in half over a knee before placing the fragments into a pouch. He looked at her briefly, then fled.

"Wait," She cried as she watched him leap out an open window, one that was not opened before. She scrambled to the window and looked out, but he had disappeared. "Who are you?" she softly asked the wind. Shaking her head, willing herself to believe it was all a dream, she turned and her eyes fell on an arrow in her wall.

Keitaro woke with the sunrise, stretching his arms. After returning from patrol, he had been tired and ready to sleep. Last night, he had stayed indoors instead, but had opted for the hardwood floor over the soft futon that was purchased on the recent shopping trip. He also had left a window open to let in the scents from outside. He took stock for a moment, but the flashes of sensations he felt the morning before was absent that morning. He had investigated around the Hinata-Sou, the night before, on his way out to the city, but had found no signs of demon presence near the old inn.

Quickly changing into exercise clothes, he rushed to meet Motoko up on the Inn's roof. He was eager to get his day started, for his grandmother had promised that he would be meeting his tutor later in the afternoon. Also, a lot of the stores deliveries would be arriving later in the day, and he was looking forward to his new fridge, ofuro, and television. Not to mention the exercise gear, kerosene space heater, and all the other novelties his grandmother allowed him to get.

He was a little let down to find the door to the inn locked, but after knocking and waiting, Motoko had let him in. "Good morning, Aoyama-san." He bowed deeply and politely. "Or would you prefer sensei?"

Motoko blushed and looked away. She wasn't spoken to so respectfully since leaving her family dojo in Kyoto, and wasn't expecting it from Keitaro. She gathered herself, once more, into the stern and stoic sword-mistress she aspired to be. "You may call me sensei while we practice, but you may call me Aoyama-san otherwise. I am pleased to see your years on the island has not dulled your sense of politeness."

Keitaro bowed again in acknowledgment. Silently, he followed her up to the roof where they began.

Keitaro was starting to feel tired, but not winded, when their exercise was interrupted. "Aww," Shinobu blushed at seeing Keitaro's shirtless form. Motoko, suddenly self-conscious, threw his shirt at him. Keitaro stared at it in confusion, so used to being in little clothing on the island that he wasn't sure what he was doing wrong. "I just wanted to let you know breakfast is ready," she stuttered.

Keitaro beamed a thousand-watt smile. The mention of food still made him happy. "This is so great. On the island, every meal began with a hunt – and I didn't always catch something."

The girls smiled softly at him. "I don't know if I could kill something," Shinobu murmured.

Keitaro nodded. "I couldn't – not at first. If you get hungry enough ... Not that my cooking skills were any good at first. But necessity is a stern task master. Come on, lets go eat." Keitaro draped his shirt over his shoulder.

Motoko face palmed. "You might want to put your shirt on. This is an all-girls dorm."

"Huh? Oh ... I hadn't realized it was a problem. Thanks!"

Later that afternoon, Naru came upon Kitsune and Shinobu staring out a window. "What's up?" she asked.

"Shhh," Kitsune hushed her.

Peering out, Naru could see the new handyman was doing one handed push-ups while balancing upside down on a rock out in the garden. Muscles rippled as he slowly lowered and lifted his body, legs pointing straight up. "How many has he done, so far?"

"Shhh," Shinobu brusquely hushed her.

"Why won't anyone talk to me?" she snapped.

Outside, Keitaro quickly flipped himself onto his feet, glanced towards the window and quickly walked away.

"That's why," an irate Kitsune answered as she pointed at Keitaro's retreating back.

"Awww, oh pooh!" Shinobu swore, surprising Naru.

Kitsune rolled her eyes. "Ever since Motoko told him it would be improper to be seen without a shirt on, he trains out of sight."

Shinobu scowled. "Why does she get to see his sexy muscles and not the rest of us?"

Naru blinked and looked down at the little girl acting more bold than she was used to. "Are you feeling alright, Shinobu?"

"Auu," she blushed. "it's nothing."

Naru shot Kitsune a dirty look. "I think she's been spending too much time with you."

"What?" Kitsune shrugged. "It's not my fault she's got a schoolgirl crush on the new handyman."

After breakfast, and after the tenants had left for school, Keitaro met with his tutor.

"Good morning, you must be Urashima-san? I am Naomi Watanabe, a business and finance student at Todai. Your grandmother hired me to get you caught up on all those years you lost. So you better pay attention so her money does not go to waste."

Keitaro bowed. "Watanabe-san. It is a pleasure to meet you. Please take this humble self and perform the near miracle of getting me into Todai ... someday."

"So polite ... what a pleasant change. If I may; why is it important that you go to Todai, specifically, and to school at all? It'll be much work and your time could perhaps be better invested elsewhere."

"Ah ... you see ... don't laugh." Keitaro then sighed and hung his head. "It's kind of silly, but a long time ago, when I was – oh, I think about five – I had a best friend. My first. My only. She had to go away, but before she did, we promised that we would meet again at Todai. Now, I know there is no chance she even remembers the promise, that we would meet, and so on. I mean, I can't even remember what she looked like at five, how would I know who she was now? But ... a promise is a promise, and I refuse to give up on it. If I did, what kind of person does that make me?"

Naomi nodded. Then sighed. "I wasn't expecting that response. Alright, that is probably the best reason you could have said. At least now, I know you'll be dedicated and devoted and my time won't be wasted. Let's start ... well, actually, let's start with a series of tests. We need to determine what you know and where to start."

Keitaro bowed, his face a mask of perfect seriousness. "Yes, sensei."

Keitaro was busy organizing all the new purchases that had arrived earlier in the day. His box was safely hidden at the moment, but he was planning on creating a false bottom in the ofuro to hide it in.

"Heh," he giggled. "My tub is going to hide a box that hides a room. If I can just hide the ofuro in a room, I'd have gone full circle." Well, he was thinking of making the room next to his be to one to house the tub and washing supplies. "A washroom only I can find, hmm... ?"

There was a knock on his door. Keitaro paused, deciding it was likely his grandmother. "Come on in," he called.

The door slid to reveal his grandmother and that she was accompanied by Shinobu, who was bearing a platter of sliced fruits.

"I ... I thought you might like a snack." The little girl blushed.

Keitaro smiled. "Awesome! Come in, come in. This gives me a reason to try out some of my new stuff." He then rummaged in a cabinet to pull out a hot water kettle, a tea pot, and three cups. "Why don't you sit at the konatsu while I make us some tea?"

Shinobu smiled and nodded her head as she quietly did so. Granny Hina smirked as she too entered the Keitaro's room. "I see you're settling in nicely."

Keitaro nodded. "Thanks. I mean, for everything. Though, honestly, it's all a bit overwhelming. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and find myself back on that island."

Shinobu shuddered. "Auu. How scary."

Keitaro smiled kindly at the young chef. "It's not so bad once you get used to it."

"Could you ... I mean, would you ..." the shy girl stuttered to a stop as she blushed and looked away.

Keitaro smiled kindly. "You want to know about the island? Well ... what do you want to know?"

"Auuu ... I don't even know where to start. I can't even imagine being lost like that. I think I would just die."

Keitaro nodded, a weariness stole over him as gave Shinobu a gaze that was so heavy that she thought she could actually feel the weight of it. "I came pretty close to dieing quite the few times. Most days, my only concern was just trying to make it one more day." He looked away, deep in thought. "I thought I would 'just die', those first few days, weeks really. But I didn't want to die, so I found a way."

Shinobu nodded. "You must have been so brave!"

Keitaro laughed. The spell of seriousness about him broke. He reached for one of the sliced fruit. "Oh, I don't know if I was the brave type – in fact I know I wasn't. If you just asked anyone that knew me from school, they'd all say the same thing. I wasn't being brave, just stubborn. I'm the kind to refuse to give up."

"Was it dangerous, or was it just hunger and thirst? In fact, where do you even find fresh water when you're surrounded by ocean?"

"Same as any other place, the rain. The island was dotted with many depressions and sink holes that collected rain water, and storms were frequent. I often found myself wishing for rain just so I could get a drink. Even though those storms were ferocious and vicious – like a wild beast. But the danger brought fresh water. There were other dangers: predators, treacherous terrain, poisonous animals, and the like."

"Sounds awful." Shinobu shuddered.

Hina nodded gravely. "I agree. But you're home now. Where you'll be safe."

Keitaro shook his head. "There is always danger. I just traded one set for another. It's just better hidden here, is all."

Hina sighed. "Whatever it might be, you won't have to face it alone."

Keitaro smiled, then as the kettle was whistling, made tea. "That means a lot."

Shinobu had a sudden idea. "Now that you settled in, I should bake a cake and we could all celebrate that you're home and no longer alone."

Keitaro smiled. "Hey can I help? I used to be quite good at making chocolate cake."

"Oh, of course. But it seems odd to have the guest of honor bake his own cake."

Keitaro waved her comment aside. "Not really. I got good because I kept making myself sweets for Valentine's day, so the other kids at school wouldn't know I was a doofus that didn't get any chocolate. My motto is, 'If you want cake, you gotta make it yourself.' It's ironic. I grew up in the family bakery, and the only thing I was ever excellent at was making a Valentine's day cake."

Shinobu blushed, scandalized. But she also got another idea in her head. One she kept to herself. 'I could bake him a cake for Valentine's day. It'll be the first he's ever gotten.'

"Splendid idea, Shinobu. We celebrated you being found and brought home. Now, we can celebrate you settling in." Hina smiled at the young chef. "Plus, I have a sweet tooth. So any reason to eat cake is a good reason."

Keitaro laughed. "How about tomorrow then? After the tutor is done, I could try to remember how to bake a chocolate cake."

Keitaro chewed on the end of his pencil as he worked out a problem. His tutor had shown him a few math examples then gave him some to work on to see how much he understood. He liked the girl, Naomi's no nonsense firm touch mixed with compassionate understanding made her an excellent tutor and Keitaro felt like progress was being made.

"I think I got it ..." he hemmed as he penciled in an answer.

Naomi smiled. "That's correct too."

"Yay! Go me." Keitaro cheered.

Naomi shook her head. "You still have a lot to catch up on before you can take entrance exams. It might be a few years. You might not pass. But I'll at least make sure you know everything a high school graduate knows."

Keitaro gave her a mega-watt smile. "Thanks! All I can do is try, right?"

"That's right. Oh look at the time, I better get going. I'll see you again in two days, the same time as today. Meanwhile, here's what I want you to study." She handed him a leaf of paper bearing a list of readings and workbook pages divided and organized by subject.

Keitaro took the paper and stood up. "Allow me to see you out." He bowed.

Naomi giggled. "How gallant."

As Naomi was getting up, Shinobu entered the great room. "Au ... I just wanted to tell you it's almost time to make the cake. Hope I'm not interrupting your studies."

Naomi smiled. "We just got done."

Shinobu blushed and looked down. "Will you be staying for the party, sensei-san? There'll be plenty."

"No thanks. I really must get going. Maybe another time."

Shinobu nodded, relaxing a bit.

Naomi smiled at Keitaro. "You're little sister is just too adorable." She then grabbed her bag and turned for the door, with Keitaro following.

Shinobu spluttered, "I'm not ... but I'm not ... but, but ..." to their receding backs.

After a few moments, Keitaro returned. "Let's go make some cake."

Shinobu thought she saw something different in his eyes. "Are you alright, sempai?"

Keitaro nodded. "It's nothing. I was just thinking of my little sister and how much I miss her."

Shinobu nodded and looked away, unsure of what to say. "I looked over the ingredients you bought," she changed the subject, "you didn't forget any."

Keitaro smiled. "Wonderful! Let's see if I'm still any good, eh?"

Kitsune looked up from her writing at the knock on her door. "Come in." The door slid to reveal Naru.

"Hey, there's a party about to begin. You going to join or what?"

Kitsune perked up. "A party? What for?"

Naru chuckled. "Shinobu wanted to celebrate Keitaro getting all settled into his room." She then smirked. "I think she plans on going for his heart through his gut."

Kitsune smirked too. "Too inefficient. There are faster ways to get a man's attention."

Naru scowled. "She's only thirteen, Kitsune."

"Hey, what do you think I was like at thirteen?" Kitsune winked. "As long as there's grass on the field, play ball."

"Kitsune!" Naru exclaimed in shock.

Kitsune rewarded her with a belly-busting laugh. "Oh, you're too easy." Naru grumbled. "Alright, let's go party." Kitsune then opened her stash and grabbed a few bottles of sake. "I'm bringing the drinks."

Naru rolled her eyes. "You're such a role-model."

"Bite me."

Downstairs, Kitsune found everyone else was already present. 'Welcome Home' banners hung from the walls. A table was full of many gourmet dishes, including three large and extravagant chocolate cakes at the very end. Kitsune's eyes opened wide. "What the hell? Shinobu made all this? It looks professionally catered. Just look at those cakes!"

"I only made the entree and sides," Shinobu said with pride. "But sempai made the cakes."

"Sempai?" Naru questioned.

Keitaro cleared his throat, sounding embarrassed, "She means me. She's been calling me that all day."

Naru and Kitsune smirked.

"Wait, you made these cakes?" Naru asked, bewildered. "Weren't you lost on an island in the middle of the pacific for the past five years? Where did you learn to bake a cake?"

Keitaro blushed and looked to his feet.

"His family does run a sweets shop ... I mean, they used to. Sorry Kei-kun, old habit." Haruka gave a warm pat to the head of the man.

"Man, you must have made a killing. Those cakes look better than some of the ones on those cooking shows." Kitsune boggled.

Hina laughed. "Now that we're all here, let's eat. Don't want all this food to go cold."

As they took their chairs, Kitsune draped herself over Keitaro's shoulder. "Hey stud. Got a real treat for you." She winked.

Keitaro stared at her in confusion, then looked to his grandmother.

Kitsune rolled her eyes. "Sake, sheesh." She held a bottle out. "Bet you haven't ever had any yet. Here, let me poor you a glass."

Keitaro shook his head. "No thanks. I don't fancy hard drinks. I like to keep my wits about me."

"Just a little sip? Just a taste. What do you say?"

"He said, 'no,' Kitsune." Haruka growled. "Just let him be."

Kitsune frowned and straightened out. "Very well," she retorted as she went to her seat, "just trying to be nice, sheesh."

Everyone helped themselves and soon muttered sounds appreciative of the taste and food rose from everyone.

"This is really wonderful, Maehara-san. And I'm not just saying that because it's the first time in years I've had such wonderful food."

Shinobu blushed. "It's nothing."

Motoko shook her head. "No, it isn't 'nothing'. It's truly something special. You really put your best foot forward on this. Kitsune's right, you could cater professionally."

"Here here, three cheers for the chef," Kitsune cried. The others cheered along with her.

Su cheered, "Shinomu, you gonna cook for me for the rest of my life." Everyone laughed.

Haruka turned to her cousin. "Keitaro, how are your studies going?"

Keitaro nodded. "I've only just begun, but I think they are going well. Oh, I have much ground to cover, but the tutoring will help with that. Thank you for finding her."

Haruka smiled. "That's great to hear."

Keitaro was too polite to mention that he knew just about everyone had peeked in to watch his tutoring session at one point or another, so Haruka already knew how it was going. He was touched she asked, though. "I am hoping it'll all come back so I don't have to lose too much time covering things I already learned once."

Hina smiled at him. "If you can remember how to make cake, I am sure you'll remember the rest in time, too."

Keitaro nodded. "If only I was as good at fixing things up. Looks like a lot of work ahead of me."

"We can start tomorrow."