Disclaimer:

All intellectual and property rights of Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. Manga and anime rights belong to whomever holds them for each country or region. The world of Love Hina is being used without permission and without the intent of infringing upon these rights. No profit is being made. If you recognize it, it belongs to Ken Akamatsu. If you don't recognize it, there is still a strong chance it belongs to Akamatsu. The seldom and rare things that Akamatsu doesn't claim as his own and could be construed as mine I release to Public Domain. And, of course, Kick-Ass belongs to Mark Millar.

This work was not beta read. If you, the reader, find anything in error, feel free to let me know and I will endeavor to fix it if I can. As such, thank you for making this better for the next reader. Those who wish to beta read this story merely has to let me know.

More than a week once more passed and Keitaro had yet to don his suit again. Besides life in general and trying not to arouse any suspicions, he has also noted a few police patrol cars while running normal errands. At least, a few more than usual. 'I wonder if they're looking for me ... er, the other me. Man, secret identities can be confusing.'

He also noted that Kitsune watched more news and less races – she would often mutter about wondering what Dumb-Ass was up to. Naru fumed, "You're starting to become obsessed. I think you need to get some help?"

Kitsune blinked. "Who, me?" She gestured at herself while trying to look innocent. "Naw, it's just a celebrity crush. You never saw him up close, but if you did you would understand."

Likewise, Motoko seemed to pay some attention to the news as well, but her interest was inscrutable. 'I wonder if she knows about her clansman running around out there. Wonder why she hasn't made the news? Definitely ninja.' Keitaro also noticed that she seemed to be more weary in the morning, her eyes darker and bloodshot.

But, finally, it was a Tuesday and Keitaro was itching to get out. The urge was a major distraction at cram school, and given his usual run of luck, he was surprised with a pop-quiz that he could not focus on.

"Keitaro," the teacher called to him in an unkind voice, "please find me in my office at the end of the day." Keitaro hung his head and avoided looking towards Naru, whom he was sure was glaring at him in disappointment.

Once the day was done and Keitaro was alone with the teacher, he found out what the educator wanted with him. "You seem distracted. Too much so to consider going on. If you don't shape up, all ship shape like, maybe you ought to just forget entrance exams and find work as a salary-man." The middle-aged professional condemned in a brusque voice.

Keitaro merely nodded, too cowed to argue with authority. He was also too anxious to get to patrolling later to drag the meeting along. "Yes, sir."

"That will be all. Remember, I demand absolute attention and effort in class."

Keitaro nodded and scampered out with his tails between his legs, figuratively. He went straight for the exit, hoping to get out of school without running into anyone, especially Naru. He slipped out and began running down the street, ignoring Haitani who was trying to get his attention. After a couple blocks, he leaned heavily against a wall out of breath.

Catching his breath, and tightly gripping his bookbag with his costume within, he began to stroll around Hinata Springs. It seemed to him that where ever he looked, another police car was driving by. 'Where there always so many, and I never noticed before?' It also seemed like everyone was a touch more distrustful of strangers. 'I must be imagining things.' The streets seemed livelier and Keitaro was unsure about running around in the broad daylight. 'I did have all the luck at night,' he reasoned to himself.

Keitaro sighed. "What should I do for now, I don't have a lot of money," he whispered to himself. In the end, he found a cheap theater that was showing cheesy, low-budget, black and white Samurai flicks.

After a movie and getting cheap dinner at a food cart, he went to a perk to sit on a bench and watch the sunset. 'So beautiful!' His thoughts grew wistful, as he lamented watching the sunset all by himself, without a girl to share it with.

However, before it got too dark, his enjoyment was interrupted by noticing the extra number of cops walking about, with flashlights on, urging folks to move along. A cold tingle ran up Keitaro's spine as he got up to leave before any got too close to him. Clutching his bag tightly, he moved back to the city streets. 'I'll have to try the usual playground, by the inn.'

Dusk had fallen when Keitaro turned onto the block with the playground. He fiddled at a vending machine across from the playground, seemingly buying a can of coffee, but he was actually looking to see if anyone was still in the playground. Downing the can of coffee in one gulp, his eyes scanned for cops. Finding the area deserted, he raced across the road and in through the gate. Once more, he donned his suit, hid his stuff under the sandbox, and escaped into the shadows.

Keitaro found he was often ducking and hiding from all of the new patrols. Which was exciting, but not very productive. As midnight approached, Keitaro decided that he wasn't going to find any hero work to do. With a heavy heart, he knew he needed to return home to get some sleep. The sound of an engine made him duck into some shadows in an alley where he waited. Instead of a patrol car, as Keitaro was expecting, it was just a tired salary-man on his way home.

'Wish I had someone to talk to.' Keitaro worked his way across the mostly empty business district. He went that way as he noticed there were many cops around the areas with nightlife and entertainment, but the business area had less activity.

He was sneaking around the back of an iron foundry when he heard a noise that sounded like a scuffle. Peeking through a fence into a brightly lit parking area, he could see a young woman struggling with two burly men. There was a car, with its trunk popped open, and Keitaro half expected they were trying to stuff her into it.

"Help!" she screamed, only to have one of the men backhand her across her mouth.

"Oh no!" Keitaro knew he had to do something. Thoughts of getting caught by cops left him as he sprang into action without forethought. He dashed for the car gate, wishing he could climb fences, and army rolled under the arm.

The noise of his pads and tonfa on pavement as he rolled caught the men's attention and one looked over as he stood. "We got company," he grunted to his partner as the girl elbowed him in the ribs.

"Unhand her, vile miscreants," he shouted as he sprinted towards them.

In reply, the second thug grasped the girl around her neck with big, meaty hands and pulled a closed butterfly knife, as Keitaro grasped the arm of the first thug closest to him and tried to pry him off of her. The thug spun and stabbed him with a tanto before backhanding Keitaro away.

"Not so tough," he snorted before returning to helping his buddy throw the girl into the trunk of the car.

Keitaro merely shrugged off the attack and pulled his tonfa, swinging for the back of the thug's head. "Tougher than you think." His baton struck the thug squarely at the base of his skull and he went down like a puppet with its strings cut.

Keitaro then leveled his other tonfa at the second criminal. "Let her go."

"How the fuck are you still standing?" he asked as he whipped his balisong open. "Doesn't matter, you're going down soon enough. I'll make sure you never get back up again."

Strangely, Keitaro didn't feel any fear. Instead, mirth bubbled as a laugh escaped his lips. "Bring it!"

The thug dropped the girl, harshly, as he squared off with the vigilante. Another balisong appearing in his other hand. "Big talk, little man."

He feinted and Keitaro stepped back. That was followed with a thrusting stab that got sidestepped. Keitaro glanced over and saw the woman was rolling on the ground, holding her neck and gasping. The thug used the momentary distraction to his advantage and slammed the butt of his knife handle into Keitaro's head.

Keitaro responded with a tonfa swing that the thug barely ducked. "That's all you got? You hit like a little girl." Of course, the little girl Keitaro had in mind, as he saw stars in his vision, was Naru.

The thug growled and feinted left, only to be met by a chi attack that knocked him sideways, head over heels, as he flipped and rolled and crashed to the ground.

Looking over, Keitaro found the ninja perched on top of the car. "Thanks," he waved. All he got in return was a snort.

Then he first thug, with a groan, started to get to his feet. Keitaro noticed car keys laying on the ground and dove for them, rolling to his feet – which was more by happy accident and luck than skill – and tossed them to the girl who was trying to watch everyone with frightened eyes. "Go, get out of here."

She nodded and scrambled for the car door.

"Get back here, bitch!" The first thug yelled. The ninja on the car elegantly flipped off and delivered a flying kick to him.

The girl started the engine and gunned the motor as she backed out in a squealing hurry. The corner of the nice car caught Keitaro by his hips and he was knocked to the ground. "Sorry," she called from the window as she shoved it into gear and sped off through the gate arm. Suddenly, sirens blared.

Keitaro got back up to find both thugs out and the girl gone. The ninja stood there, watching him but not moving. Police sirens could be heard in the distance. Keitaro glanced towards the street, gaugeing how far the cops could be. "Go!" He nodded to the other vigilante. "I'll get them to follow me."

The ninja nodded then ran to vault over the fence. The other crime-fighter stopped to look back then was swallowed by shadows.

Keitaro leaned by the broken gate looking out. Seeing that the cops were getting closer, he dashed out into the middle of the road, paused – to make sure they got a good look at him – then ran across to an alley way. He then ran for all he was worth, took the next corner hard, and when he found a bridge over a canal, he dived in.

Keitaro clung to the side of the canal, under the bridge, as best he could as he listened for the police to race overhead. Once he no longer could hear, he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know how long it might be before they figured to double back and look closer. He was eager to get out of the canal. He made his way over to where he could get out, easier, when a black shape alighted on the top of the bank above him.

The figure pulled a sword and glared down, confrontationally. Keitaro sighed. They stared at one another before distant sirens blared into the still night. The shape did something at the railing and dropped a length of rope, then it dashed off faster than Keitaro could keep track. Smiling at his good fortune, Keitaro climbed the rope. He was debating untying it and keeping it, but the sirens were getting closer so he ran.

As it was getting late, while he was busy dodging the swarm of police cruisers that filled the streets like some sort of demented Pac-Man game, Keitaro made his way back to the playground – figuring he was unlikely to find anymore trouble and the police presence would keep trouble down anyways. He finally arrived, his clothes dried in that long meantime. Without further incident, he managed his way back to the inn. He let himself in through a back, service entrance and went straight to his own showers to clean up.

Keitaro woke the next day, bright eyed and happy. 'You'd think I'd be dead tired, but I feel great. Maybe it is because I saved that person. It feels good to make a difference to someone.' Whistling, he got ready for the day and went to find breakfast.

Kitsune, as usual, was watching the news on the TV. She seemed riveted to the set.

"Huh? Did something happen?" 'I bet last night made the news. Maybe something, finally, about how great Captain Cool-Man is?'

All he got was waves to be quiet. "Hush."

Keitaro shrugged. Then he plopped himself down next to Kitsune to watch the news too. He could hear Naru growl as she walked by. 'She's not a morning person, it seems.' Keitaro thought to himself.

"Idiot, what are you doing watching TV. You got school to get ready for."

"Sheesh, Naru," Kitsune rolled her eyes, "It's still early. Now be quiet so I can hear the news."

"You idiots are just looking for another Ass-Wipe report." Naru then stomped away.

Kitsune and Keitaro shared a look, one that spoke of suffering the antics of little children. Finally, both were rewarded.

"And just last night, police responded to a scene to find two men knocked out. They claimed they were mugged. But a hysterical young woman had rushed in our very own studio, last night, to give report of an Incredibly-Dumb sighting and she claimed those same men were trying to abduct her. Police are looking into the matter, but we'll show you our interview with the witness. Is she an innocent victim or a crazy troublemaker, we'll leave you to decide."

Then, the screen was filled with the woman Keitaro had saved the previous night. "Uh, hi. Umm, where do you want me to start?"

An off-screen voice spoke to her. "Just tell us your story."

"You pay for sightings? I think I remember something about 5,000 yen?"

"Yeah, yeah. If it proves true. Now could you tell the camera what you just told me?"

Keitaro heard a sharp intake and looked over. Motoko was glaring at the screen.

"I was at work, late. My boss asked me to wait for a phone call from Germany which was expected late at night. I was suppose to page him when the call came and keep them on the line until he got back."

"Where was your boss?"

"I think he had a date or something? Anyhow, while I was waiting, these two guys, Yakuza I bet, broke into the office. They were looking for the boss but found me. I thought I was done for. I tried to fight them off, but they were dragging me out to their car. Suddenly, he was there."

"Who?"

"That Dumb-(beep) guy. He was trying to get them to stop but got stabbed. So he hit the one guy in the head."

"He was stabbed?"

"Yeah, in the gut. Then he fought with the other guy. That's when the Man-In-Black showed."

"The who now?"

"The Man-In-Black. He kicked the crap out of the thug and I jumped in the car and ran straight here."

"And that was all?"

"That's all, I swear."

The news then cut back to the anchors. "Late Night abduction, or did Insanely-Dumb mug a couple hard working civilians while a crazy lady watched?"

Her co-anchor snorted. "Really, got stabbed in the gut and fights on? Only in the comics."

After that, the two signed off and Shinobu called them in for breakfast. Keitaro noticed both Kitsune and Motoko had similar expressions. Ones of thought.

"Idiots. Dumb-Ass was probably just gut punched and the fear and panic of the moment made the girl think it was a stabbing. They didn't have to make her sound crazy."

Keitaro nodded. "What about victim rights? She shouldn't be made to feel in the wrong when she hadn't done anything wrong at all. Just doing her job."

Naru grumbled as they sat down. "Enough of the idiot. Motoko, don't tell me your a fan too?"

"Oh, huh?" Motoko shook her head and looked at Naru. "What's that?"

Naru rolled her eyes. "What's on your mind?"

"Oh, just the report about the second person to show up. Man-In-Black? How ridiculous."

"See," Naru wagged her finger at Keitaro, "Motoko thinks this is all bunk."

Keitaro sighed and smiled. "It's just a bit of something exciting, that's all."

The rest of the week went smoothly. The only real hiccup was the one time when Keitaro was going to help Shinobu with her math and walked in on Su practically wrapping the poor girl in measuring tape like she was a mummy.

This lead to Su kicking Keitaro, Keitaro falling onto Shinobu, the two getting tangled up together, Kitsune walking by and making a bondage joke, and ending with Naru punting him out of the Inn via a wall.

'I must be crazy. I prefer being stabbed over spending time with the woman of my dreams. Why do I have such violent dreams?'

Saturday's half day of school had ended and Keitaro, thinking he was now free again, tried to race out. However, he clumsily tripped over a school bag in the hallway and dived into a group of girls, pulling the skirts off of two and landing with his head in the crotch of a third. He nervously backed away from the murderous glares. "Heh eh, so sorry about that. It was an accident. I tripped on ..." He gestured to the floor, but it was empty of the bag he tripped on. "Gotta go now. Bye!" He then ran like his life depended upon it, an instinct which experience at the Hinata Inn instilled within him, while being chased by half a dozen school girls. After dodging around the school yard, like a comedy of errors, Keitaro managed to make his escape when he took a corner too hard and rolled into some bushes. The girls, rounding the corner a moment after, ran right by him.

Crawling along, he tried to sneak his way to the front gates. Only to run into an irate Naru. She didn't say anything, just gave a primal scream and punted him high over the wall, to bounce off of traffic and land in a gutter.

"Crap!" he whispered fiercely as he got up, brushed himself off, and ran for it. He didn't pay attention where he was going, he just wanted away. After a couple blocks, he came to a bus stop and dropped heavily onto the bench, out of breath.

"Harumph," he heard a familiar sound of disdain. "Winded from walking only a few blocks from your school?" He found Motoko scowling at him. "What a weak and pathetic male." Her fingers were tapping her boken like she was fighting the urge to pull it.

Keitaro stifled a groan and shot the Kendoka a weak smile. "Where's Su and Shinobu? Going somewhere?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I was on my way to the comic shop."

A police cruiser drove by, sedately. Keitaro watched it go by. "There's more of them, these days,"
he said casually.

Motoko nodded. Her face was a controlled neutral. "I suppose we should all feel safer, if that's what they want."

As it turned the corner, Keitaro stretched his arms. 'I'll have to wait for dark, I guess.' He finally registered what Motoko had said. "Comic books? I didn't take you for a manga reader."

Motoko looked away, a tinge of red tainting her porcelain complexion. "I'm still undecided. Every time I find something to hate, I also find something else that appeals to me. I just wish I could find one and not the other in one place so I could just finally decide."

Keitaro did not think indecisiveness sounded like her, but he wasn't going to bring it up. He liked his head attached. "I won't keep you then, have fun." He began to turn around but an iron-grip grabbed him by his arm.

"You won't join me?" It wasn't a question.

Keitaro began to sweat, his throat went dry. 'A beautiful girl wants me to spend time with her? Who knew manga could do that?'

"Me?" He stammered. "Isn't this more ... Shirai's thing?"

Motoko turned her nose up. "Besides the fact he's seemingly busy with something, I don't enjoy being stuck with him, especially that Lothario of a friend of his and yours."

Keitaro frowned. "Their hearts are in the right place, if you just get to know them..." Keitaro trailed off and sighed. He knew it was a losing battle only after opening his mouth. "Alright, come on then. I guess I'm free for now."

'Need to wait for night anyways. Might as well read something meanwhile."

Motoko began walking off. Keitaro shook his head and fell in step by her side. When they approached the store, Motoko slowed down. If Keitaro didn't know her better, he'd think she was a bit timid. "Something on your mind?"

Motoko looked at him strangely. "Just a couple questions I was hoping to ask you."

Keitaro nodded. "Hopefully they're easy ones. I don't do so well on tests, even if the topic is comics."

Motoko rolled her eyes and dragged him into the store. Keitaro wasn't sure, but he thought she mumbled something that sounded like "loser".

Once inside, she dropped his arm like it was on fire and went over to a corner and began to browse. Keitaro scanned the store, not sure where to start. "Hentai, action, foreign, romance ... oh look." Keitaro saw a display for 'All you Need is Kill', a new light novel. He heard a few things about it from Haitani.

A few minutes later found Keitaro lounging on the floor, reading the book, when Motoko came over.

"What sort of disgusting porn ..." She trailed off in confusion when she got a better look at the book.

Keitaro looked up, a little oblivious. "Huh, what? Did you say something?"

Motoko scowled. "I was wondering what you were reading."

"Oh!" Keitaro's eyes widened in surprise. 'She's interested in what I am reading. Does this mean she's interested in me? What about Naru? Oh, I don't even know how to feel about this.'

Motoko got tired from looking at Keitaro's star-crossed eyes as he zoned out. "Never mind, it clearly sucks the intelligence out of its readers."

"Huh?" Keitaro shook himself. "Oh yeah, sorry. No, it's a book about a guy who is recruited into the military," this got Motoko's attention, "but then dies."

Motoko shook her head. "You two sound like peas in a pod. Does he get back up again without showing signs of being harmed?"

Keitaro gave her a confused, stupid look. "No ... he awakens up again, back in time. He keeps reliving the same thing over and over again, with a chance to do it better each time."

Motoko snorted. "Like you and entrance exams?"

Keitaro rolled his eyes. "Anyways, there's this girl ... anyhow, it's a really cool story about time and love and aliens."

Motoko shrugged. "I would say it sounds outlandish, but I do live with you."

Keitaro frowned. "What is that suppose to mean?"

"Please, even you must know you're rather more resilient than the average man. You're like pounding on uncooked dough. Yeah, it gives and flattens, but it never breaks. Why is that? And how many others are like you? Got any family relations in town that can do that better?"

Keitaro's face was the perfect picture of confused ignorance and 'What-the-fuck?'. "Wait, what? The only relatives in town is Aunt Haruka. My parents and little sister are back home."

"Little sister?" Motoko was caught off guard. "Why have you never mentioned her before?"

Keitaro shrugged. "It never came up."

"Never came up," Motoko said with a hint of anger and suspicion coloring her outraged voice.

Keitaro nodded solemnly. "And when have you, or anyone, ever asked me about my family?"

Motoko drew up short. A quick review of her memories and she couldn't think of a time when anyone ever did ask him. And likewise, she hadn't talked about her own family much. She then groused, "Like I would care about your home life."

"So why ask now?"

Motoko turned her head. Her face was stormy, but not hateful. "I was just wondering, is all."

Keitaro nodded. Then recognized he had an opportunity. "And yourself? Got a sister or brother? Your entire family practice martial arts, right?"

Motoko nodded. "Something like that. Enjoy your book, I'm going to go pay for these."

After she left, Keitaro couldn't help but think that he was missing something. He just wasn't sure what it could be. So he got up and paid for his book as well. The two left the shop together.

Without a second glance at Motoko, Keitaro turned his feet towards the direction of the nearest Beef Bowl joint. His stomach gurgled in anticipation.

He didn't really notice that Motoko was a step behind him until he came to a stop and pondered the menu choices before him. "Motoko? Why are you here?"

She scowled. "No reason. Why are you here?"

"To eat," Keitaro replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"There's food back at the inn." Motoko sniffed.

Keitaro balled his fists. "Then why didn't you go back to the inn?"

"Why don't you?"

Keitaro threw his hands up in the air. All he wanted was to be left alone until dark so he could put his suit on and save the day. "Whatever. Find us a table and I'll get us something."

Motoko gaped for a moment, but got her composure back quickly. "I don't like a lot of spice," she mentioned softly.

Keitaro nodded and smiled. "Alright then."

Keitaro got himself and Motoko, both, beef ramen and sides of odango. He found Motoko at a table, engrossed in one of the books she had bought that day. 'It's like a date, isn't it? I mean, it couldn't have been coincidence that she's here too. Fate must be telling me something. Should I ... oh, who am I kidding. Someone like Motoko would never look twice at me.'

He sat down across from her. "I hope this is to your liking." He slid an order of ramen and odango over to her.

She gave him a puzzled look, soft and hard to read. "Thank you."

They began to dig in. Keitaro, bugged by something, had to ask, "Why did you want to know about my family?"

"Huh? ... Oh! I just got to thinking about how you tend to get back up after being knocked down. Others ... uh." Motoko fidgeted. "I don't have much experience with attacking others, but I am pretty sure they stay down after being bounced off a few walls. You're different."

Keitaro hung his head. 'Story of my life. I think I might be making a friend, but all I get is them telling me how pathetic I am and picking on me.' He groaned softly, hoping she would get it over with fast.

"Are you alright?" Motoko suddenly asked?

"Huh," Keitaro looked up at her. "Oh, I was just reminded of school. Of getting to sit with some pretty girl just so she could make fun of me. Or being bullied all the time. Or just plain friendless. So go ahead, tell me how much of a freak I am." He turned to look away, not willing to see the usual look of revulsion that he got.

Motoko was taken back, for a moment, as that was not what she intended. "I just meant it seemed useful." She was uncomfortable, she never seen Keitaro act so vulnerable. "How was school today?"

Keitaro rubbed at his eyes. "Ah, not so good. Sorry, sorry. I shouldn't be dragging you into my problems. You were saying about something?"

"I was just ... so why have you been avoiding the inn at times?"

"I haven't been ... Well, I didn't mean to. I just need to get away, sometimes. Nothing big. Just a little me time. I would think you would approve of me spending less time around."

Motoko looked down, blushing. "It's not like that." She then shot a hardened, steely look at him. "I am just curious what you get up to. Someone has to protect the reputation of our inn."

Keitaro sighed. 'I suppose getting arrested would be bad for business, had we actually had any real business.' He shook his head. "What do you think I am doing that is so bad?" Motoko clammed up. She made odd noises. "Really, if the others put you up to this, tell them I quite enjoyed my afternoon of comics and cheap eats. Even if I let down their ideal of manliness by not being someone who doesn't read for fun and eats out at wallet busting fine dining."

Motoko shook her head. "I wasn't put up by anyone ..." She heaved a sigh. "Actually ... don't you dare laugh. ... I thought I might find that Dumb-Baka person that has been running around."

Keitaro grew shifty. "Oh, him? I never took you for a fan."

Motoko growled. "I'm not a fan!" she exclaimed loudly. Too loudly, as she blushed and hid her head. "I wanted to challenge him to a duel. Turn him in to the cops for the fraud he is."

Keitaro shook his head. "What did he ever do to you?"

"He's an affront to everything I was raised in. What makes him think he's so special?"

"Maybe his life is crap and this is the only thing he knows he can do to give it meaning?"

Motoko snorted. "Running around like a crazy person, getting beat upon? What is he accomplishing that is of any good?"

"I am sure his heart is in the right place. Not everyone gets to be as awesome as you."

"That's the second time you said that about someone, I am not sure you know how to judge a person."

"Why are you so hard on the guy?" Keitaro didn't even realized an edge slipped into his voice.

"Why do you support him? You don't know him. You never met him. What is he to you?"

Keitaro was taken aback by the question. 'Well, he's me. But is that enough?'

He rubbed his face and sighed. "Maybe I just wish I could be something more than a glorified onsen cleaner."

"There's better ways ... Wait, is that what you think of yourself?"

"Face it. I get beat upon all the time. When I'm not being hit, I am being made to do chores. What time I get free from that is to study, where I get constantly torn down and made to feel stupid. What exactly am I good for, other than cheap labor?"

"Is that why you bought that ugly suit?"

"Yeah, that's why I – what?" Keitaro scratched at his head nervously, trying his best to lie. "What suit?"

"Ha! I knew it." Motoko preened like her sister's crane.

Keitaro felt a chill run down his spine. "You caught me, I'm a fanboy. Big surprise there."

Motoko smiled devilishly. "I want in."

"Huh, what?"

"You think you're the only one with a crappy life to hide from? You don't know what it's like back in Kyoto. I came to Hinata Springs to get away from my sister, but what have I accomplished here? I don't feel any more ready to face her than when I first arrived."

Keitaro's face fell as a new thought entered his head. "That was you in the alley with Kitsune and the other night in that parking lot? The ninja girl?"

Motoko sneered. "Ninja? Do I look like I slink around in the dark?"

"Isn't that what you did? How did you figure it out? What are you going to do now?"

"I had weak suspicions until you confirmed it," She smiled like a predator with a trapped prey. "And I already said that I want in."

"In what?"

Motoko shook her head. "Being a hero. I did my homework. Read all the comics Shirai assigned. Studied the women in them and learned from their mistakes. Or I could just go to the police."

Keitaro sighed and hung his head. 'Guess I had a good run at it. I shouldn't be so shocked that someone figured it out, I was overdue I guess.' He made an effort to look Motoko in the eyes. "I can't stop you. But I don't know why you want to hang around with me, not when I'd only be slowing you down."

Motoko looked away. "None of the comics mentioned how lonely and boring it can be. I guess that's why there's always more than one."

"Yeah, there is that."

"And you seem so confidant, so bold. Why aren't you like that more often?"

Keitaro shrugged. "Honestly, it's mostly an act. I'm trying to be the hero I want to be, not the zero I am. So I just pretend whenever I wear the suit."

Motoko gaped and gawked, looking like a fish. "You just pretend when you wear the suit? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Keitaro blushed. "Sometimes I wonder," me muttered to himself. Shaking his head, he looked up at the young girl. "Of course not ... I just ... It's not like I'm not trying. And I'm getting better. Though you were there the last couple times. So there is that ..." Keitaro trailed off.

"You don't even train," her scornful comment lanced to his heart.

He looked down. "Can't really do anything around the Inn. Someone's bound to catch me in the act. Blow my cover."

Motoko nodded. "Yeah, that would be out of place." She then sighed.

"Look ... It's just ... Like Tuesday, you know? When we saved that girl. Watching her drive away knowing she wasn't going to get hurt no more. It felt good; it felt right. I felt more alive at that moment and the morning after. Every time I wake up knowing I made a difference for the better in someone's life, I feel like I matter."

Motoko glanced away. "I never thought of it like that. But ... someone's going to just kill you, you know. Or they'll find out who you are and kill everyone close to you. You can't play at it like it's a game."

Keitaro smiled. "Well, it's a good thing I got the Man-In-Black as a partner." He winked at the girl and chortled when she grimaced.

"What an awful name, and I know that's what everyone's going to be calling me now."

Keitaro sighed. "Did you really think I set out to call myself Dumb-Ass? Just ignore it."

Motoko snorted. "That's the worst name for a superhero I have ever heard. Only you would be that unlucky."

Keitaro smiled. "Partners?"

Motoko nodded. "But we're going to have to find you a way to train."

Keitaro sighed. "Do I have to?" he whined. "I'm doing pretty good as it is."

Motoko leveled a deadpan stare at him.

"Alright, alright. Sheesh."

"It'll give you something to do while waiting for the police to lose interest."

"But ... we can't fail in our sacred duty ..." Keitaro trailed off. "Yeah, that did sound pretty stupid, didn't it?"

Motoko shook her head, exasperated. "As long as the they're patrolling for you, their presence will keep crime low anyways. We can't take anymore chances."

Keitaro nodded. "You're right. OK. But how?"

"I'll think of something."

Keitaro did not like the evil smile that blossomed on his tenant's face.

Keitaro paused outside Motoko's door. After dinner, he had found an odd note in his room saying to meet her in her room at 10:00. It also said to burn the note right away, which he did. He knocked. When he got no answer, he slid the door open and stuck his head in. "Motoko?"

He found her sitting in seiza, wearing an evil grin. She sprung up, immediately. "You pervert!" she yelled. Keitaro was confused as she was fully clothed. "Die you vile, male scum." She then pulled a boken and went to attack.

Survival instinct kicked in and he fled. "Wait! Don't kill me!" Keitaro went running down the hall drawing attention. Su and Naru both looked out of their rooms to see him run down the stairs with Motoko in pursuit. They ran around until Motoko, with the other girls present, cornered him in the onsen where he had tripped and fallen in.

"This is the last straw. I challenge you, and if I win, your punishment is to take a daily beating by me as I train."

'Huh?' Keitaro thought. "Hey, wait a minute."

"Don't you think that's a bit harsh?" Kitsune questioned the kendoka. "It's not like he can defend himself."

Motoko nodded. "Fine, he may have a boken as I ... spar ... with him on a daily basis."

'Oh!' "Hey, I didn't do anything wrong. I knocked first!"

All the girls rolled their eyes. "Why were you even going into Motoko's room at this time of night."

Keitaro gaped like a fish out of water. "Uh, well ... you see ... it's ..."

"Clearly he was hoping to catch me undressing for bed, and he did." Motoko stuck her nose into the air.

"Whatever. Just don't break him permanently. I'm going to bed." Naru then left.

Everyone else, feeling the violence had passed, also nodded. Shinobu was the last to leave. With a wan smile she looked back. "I'll put a clean towel in the dryer so you can dry off when you're finished."

Keitaro blinked than looked to the smirking sword-maiden. "Wow, I can't believe they just bought all of that so easily."

She nodded. "And now you're mine to train." She then cackled in a way that made Keitaro feel very uneasy about his future and doubtful of her sanity. "Be up at six AM, tomorrow. Don't eat any breakfast, you'll only puke it up." And with one last devilish smile, she left him soaking wet in the hot spring.