-Ten-Faced Paladin
Love Hina Redux By Ten-Faced Paladin Chapter 7: Kendo Challenge
It was the end of November and the sky was a murky gray in Hinata Hot Springs. It was raining and everone was avoiding going outdoors if they could help it. Of course, not everyone could avoid being out in the rain. This included three ronins in particular.
Keitaro, Shirai, and Haitani were just leaving the cram school and decided to walk home. Keitaro preferred to go on the tram, but his two friends insisted. resigning himself to his fate, Keitaro just walked alongside his friends.
Today also marked when the students got back their practice exam marks. These marks let every student know just what their chances of getting into university were. For some, they had excellent chances. For others, well, the future didn't look to bright anytime soon.
Keitato, Shirai, and Haitani were looking over their results. Haitani held a pretty low 25 chance of getting into his selected university. Shirai's chances weren't much better at a slightly bigger 30. Keitaro had by far the best chance of the three with a solid 55. Of course, he was just at the wire for getting in. The times did not look comforting for the Ronin Trio.
"Whaaaaa!" Haitani shouted into the air. "It's November and this is my score!"
Shirai shook his head at his friend's outburst, "You know, at this rate, only Keitaro might get into his first choice."
"55," Keitaro muttered while looking at his paper. "Well, I suppose it could be worse."
Shirai shook his head again, "Looks like none of us are very happy about our scores. Oh well."
"There's only one thing to do to get out of this depression," Haitani grinned while he touched his glasses dramatically.
"Why do I get the feeling I know what he's going to say?" Keitaro muttered to Shirai.
"You know me well Keitaro," Haitani smirked. "We'll go babe hunting and forget about the entrance exams!"
Shirai sighed, "I think you and I may be psychic when it comes to him Keitaro."
Before they could even try to convince Haitani to forget about going on the hunt, he had already zoned in on a target. Three to be exact.
"Right off the bat," he grinned. "There's a good looking trio."
Keitaro looked down the sidewalk to see three girls walking away from them. He smirked as he recognised them. The one on the right had was Naru in her super nerd dsguise again. The one on the middle was Motoko in her high school uniform while the one on the left was Su in her own school uniform.
"Hey, not bad,"Shirai smiled. "I like the one on the right. How about you Keitaro?"
"Well, if you want my honest opinion, I wouldn't try hitting on them. They might hit back." Keitaro remarked.
"What are you talking about Keitaro?" Haitani frowned. "What's the worst that could happen?"
Before Keitaro could even begin giving examples of what Motoko alone would do, both Shirai and Haitani began zeroing in on the three girls. Filling with dread on wondering if his friends would survive this next encounter or not.
"Hey cuties, do you have some free time? How about having some coffe with us?" Haitani began.
"Yeah, how about it?" Shirai added.
"I wouldn't do that!" Keitaro shouted urgently. "I really wouldn't!"
Motoko stopped walking before her voice could be heard. She was talking softly, but her voice was dead serious.
"Stop being so obnoxious," she muttered.
The next moment happened in a heartbeat. Using her umbrella as a sword, Motoko unleashed a horizontal slash which was aimed at the three ronins. Acting just as quickly, Keitaro managed a backflip even with all his school supplies in his backpack. He sailed over the attack just as it collided with Shirai and Haitani. The two ronins landed on the ground with a solid crash while Keitaro managed to land on his own two feet, but he slipped on the wet pavement and crashed on his butt.
"Ow ow," Keitaro muttered as he stood up. "I guess I'm in worse shape than I thought."
Keitaro looked at his two friends and saw that they were both knocked out and lying on the ground. He grimaced at the sight, but he really didn't pity them.
"I told you so," he muttered to them.
He turned back to see both Su and Naru gaping at him in shock. They had apparently seen Keitaro dodge the attack. Motoko was also staring at him. She seemed to be analyzing how he moved as compared to how he looked.
"Good show Urashima," she remarked. "Few have managed to dodge my attacks. This also confirms my suspicions."
Keitaro tilted his head to the side while raising an eyebrow, "Uh, what suspicions?"
"For some time now I believed that you had some experience in martial arts," Motoko explained. "Those beliefs have now been confirmed, though you have gotten rusty through not using your techniques."
"Well, uh, I haven't really practiced for a while, true," Keitaro mumbled while he rubbed the back of his head. "So, uh, what do we do about these two?"
He pointed over to where Haitani and Shirai were still lyng on the ground. Motoko just frowned and turned her back to them.
"Just leave them," she remarked. "Those perverts got what they deserved."
Motko then began walking again. Su skipped happily behind her while Naru walked over to Keitaro.
"Come on," she sighed. "We'll get these guys over to a bench. I can't believe you hang out with these guys and aren't a pervert though."
"I sometimes wonder that myself," Keitaro laughed.
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Some time later, Keitaro was drying his head with a towel in the living room. Kitsune was lying on the couch waith a drink watching her horse races. The rain was even letting up and the sun was coming out.
"Ahh, I feel so much better," Keitaro sighed. "You know, I've never notice how skilled Motoko is with the sword. She took out two guys in one strike."
Kitsune glanced over at Keitaro and smirked. The races weren't intersting, but hanging out with her new favorite stud sure was.
"I'm not," she replied. "She's been here long enough for us all to see just how strong she is."
"Oh yeah?" Ketaro asked while setting the towel down. "Just how good are we talking about here?"
"Well I'm glad you asked," Kitsune smiled as she sat up. "She's the descendant of a master swordsman whose school is situated in a secret part of Kyoto. It was founded by that master to perfect the art of exorcism and banish the demons which haunted the area forevermore!"
She had gotten so carried away with the act that she was now standing on the cushions of the couch. Keitaro blinked for a moment. That was quite an explanation.
"You're pulling my leg aren't you?" Keitaro asked skeptically.
"Yeah, pretty much," Kitsune shrugged as she flopped back onto the couch with a smile. "You were buying it for a minute."
"You kinda blew it when you stood up," Keitaro laughed.
"Oh well," Kitsune shrugged. "The truth is that Motoko is a really skilled swordswoman. I heard from Naru that her parents sent her here saying that her skills were great but her mind wasn't as sharp."
"Ouch," Keitaro grimaced. "I can relate to that. Just without the sword part."
"Yeah, it stinks but it's true," Kitsune sighed.
Shinobu then came into the room. She had an apron on and she was also holding a spatula in her hand.
"Dinner's ready," she announced.
"Hey, okay!" Kitsune grinned as she stood up. "Music to my ears."
"Um...Sempai?" Shinobu asked, turning to Keitaro. "Could you tell Motoko please? I asked Su, but they should have been down by now."
"No problem Shinobu," Keitaro replied. "Just make sure there's some left for me."
Keitaro made his way up to the top floor where Motoko usually trained. At this time of day that was the only place she could have been. He was proven right as he saw her practicing as he arrived on the top floor. She was slashing leaves that fell from the trees above her.
Keitaro watched with a martial artist's eye. It was one thing besides his reflexes that hadn't degraded from lack of exorcise. Her movements were still as gracefull and strong as ever. To the casual observer anyway. When Kaitaro watched her, he could tell that her movements seemed a little more jerky. Either this was just exorcise for her or she had something was on her mind. A swordswoman of her caliber normally wouldn't let her movements continue like that.
"Again we find ourselves up here Urishama," Motoko finally spoke.
She turned around and looked at Keitaro. She sheathed her sword so to give him her full attention. She had a slight accusatory look in her eyes, but she didn't say anything to betray that look.
"Uh yeah," Keitaru mumbled. "Sorry about this interruption Motoko."
"I will excuse it if you will answer a qustion of mine," Motoko responded.
"Um...Okay. Shoot." Keitaro agreed.
"Why did you let your martial arts skills go rusty?" she asked. "From what I have seen, you were once very good at it. It seems to be a terrible waste."
Keitaro rubbed the back of his head, "Well, I stopped practicing so I could put all my attention into my studies. I just figured I could start practicing when I got into Tokyo U. Then I failed once, then twice. I haven't practiced in so long. I'm surprised I could still dodge your strike."
"Hmm," Motoko nodded. "That is a good excuse I suppose. Perhaps when you finally pass I shall whip you back into shape. I am curious as to just how well you fight. It may actually be a good workout."
"Well, if you want to put up with me getting back into practice,"Keitaro shrugged, looking at the floor.
"It shouldn't take long," Motoko smirked as she headed for the stairs.
She took about one step before some rustling could be heard in the tree above her. She looked up in curiosity. Keitaro also peered into the tree.
"Motoko...Ronin," a voice whispered.
Su's cheery face suddenly dropped out of hiding from the tree right in front of Motoko.
"Dinnertime!" she announced loudly.
"Ack!" Motoko cried from the fright.
She attempted to take a step back, but she slipped since the floor was still a little wet from the rain. As she began to fall backwards, Keitaro moved quickly and caught her around the waist with one arm, halting her fall.
'Boy, she's lighter than she looks,' Keitaro thought to himself, a red timge coming to his face. "A-are you okay Motoko?"
Motoko looked up to Keitaro from her new position and her face turned crimson. In a flurry, she broke away from Keitaro and stood up again.
"I-I'm fine," she stuttered. "I can catch myself."
She then left a confused Keitaro and Su just trailed behind her like always.
'W-what is wrong with me?' she asked herself. 'My heart is beating so fast and my face is red.'
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Everyone was finally sitting at the table and enjoying dinner. Motoko sat next to Keitaro's left while Kitsune was on his right. It was the usual dinner conversations, but tonight, Motoko was even more quiet than usual.
Keitaro made a reach for the soy sause only to find his hand over Motoko's The two looked at each other before both of them turned red again. Keitaro pulled back his hand like a shot while Motko grabbed the soy sauce.
"Sorry about that Motoko," Keitaro grimaced.
"Be sure it doesn't happen again then," Motoko growled as she began to pour soy sauce onto her meal.
"uh, got enough soy sauce there?" Kitsune asked while pointing to Motoko's meal.
The swordsman looked down and gasped to see her meal practically floating in the stuff. She stopped the flow of sauce and slammed the bottle back onto thetable. She then attacked her food and ate it all quickly before standing up. The red hue never leaving her face.
"Thanks for the meal!" Motoko spoke loudly as she pushed back her chair.
Everone just stared at the young swordswoman strangely.
"Uh, Motoko?" Keitaro remarked.
"What!" Motoko shot back.
"You feeling okay?" Keitaro asked, showing slight concern.
"I'm fine!" Motoko replied sharply. "Leave me alone!"
Motko then turned around and walked wuickly away from the table. She didn't get far when she walked stright into a support pillar with a loud clunk. Everyone just watched her strangely as she stumbled away, stepping in a bucket. That just forced her to trip and crash into the floor.
"Okay, that does it," Keitaro remarked, frowning. "There is something wrong."
Keitaro stood up and walked over to the recovering Motoko. He kneeled next to her and examined her eyes. She still had the red flush on her face. When she looked up to see him staring at her, she turned evem more red.
'What-what are you doing!" she cried. "I said leave me alone!"
"I don't think so," Keitaro replied, showing a large amount of backbone. "Not until we figure out what's wrong."
He then placed a hand on Motoko's forehead and one on his own. Motoko's thoughts were all scrambled at this new development.
'Wh-what is he doing?' her thoughts shrieked. 'What's wrong with me? My heart is beating so fast again. My breath feels short. I can't get this blush off my face.'
"Wow, I think you're running a fever," Keitaro finally spoke. "I think you'd better go to bed early tonight."
"I-I said I'm fine," Motoko replied as she stood up. "I'm going to have my bath now."
She then stormed off, leaving everyone behind at the table. Su quickly bounced along behind her, the playful smile never leaving her face.
"Is Motoko going to be okay?" Shinobu asked worriedly."If she's sick then she should get to bed."
"I'd agree with you there," Keitaro nodded. "But we can't make her if she doesn't want to. The best we can hope for is that it doesn't get any worse until she goes to bed."
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Motoko poured a tub of water over her head. She just sat on a stool near the hot springs. She held her hand over her heart while her thoughts were in a jumble.
'What is wrong with me?' she thought to herself. 'When Urashima was close to me and actually touching me, my head felt all foggy. I'm still blushing about how close we were.'
Motoko sighed and slid silently into the water. She let it envelop her as she pursued her thoughts.
'I just don't understand,' she continued. 'What could cause this?'
Her eyes suddenly widened as Su made her splashdown into the water. Motoko didn't even pay any attention as she came to her conclusion.
'That must be it!' she thought. "I did not think it could be possible, but there cannot be any other reason. I..I am in love!'
Motko leaned against the edge of the springs as Su bobbed through the water around her.
'It cannot be!' she thought to herself angrily. 'It cannot be him!'
Her eyes softened again as she looked to the bathing area. Keitaro had just finished cleaning it yesterday. He gave it a good washing every week. Su was still bobbing around, begging for attention.
'Well, it's not to say he does not have any good points,' Motoko reasoned. 'He is honorable. I have not found him to be perverted in any way either. He is very kind-hearted and patient. He is also dedicated and reasonably intelligent. I suppose he is rather cute. Being a martial artist himself also makes him somewhat more desirable.'
Her face turned further red when she thought of her family, "Mother would assuredly approve of him because of his kind heart. Father would approve because of his martial arts teachings. Perhaps Onee-san would approve of him too.
Motoko shook her head and stood up quickly, her face taking on a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"No!" she spoke heatedly. "I will not just let this happen. I am the heir to the God's Cry school! I cannot let him do this to me. Even if he is my first love. If he wants my heart, then..then he will have to earn it! Yes!"
Motoko then stormed off to the change rooms. She had much to prepare for. Su just watch her sleeping buddy storm off. She was slightly confused.
"First love?" she asked. "I wonder if that tastes good."
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Some time later Keitaro and Motoko were standing on a small island that sat in the river that ran next to Hinata House. Motoko often trained there when Shinobu had laundry hanging up on the thrid floor. The rest of the residents were sitting on the shore, watching what was going down.
"Any idea what's going on?" Kitsune asked Naru.
"Nope," Naru replied. "Motoko just came and told me waht was going on. I think she's gonna fight Keitaro."
"Oh boy," Kitsune frowned. "I do not envy his chances."
Kitsune may have been playing it cool, but on the inside, she was really worried about Keitaro. When Motoko got angry at someone, her scary sword skills really came to light. Kitsune was actually enjoying Keitaro's company when she could get it and now it seemed he was going to get killed by the samurai girl.
Keitaro himself was questioning why he was even there at the moment. A while ago, Motoko stormed into his room and threw some kendo equipment at him. She stated that he was to put it on and meet her at the river. She even gave him a shinai. It felt a little awkward in his hands. He did get sword training, but he preferred to use his own two hands.
Motoko glared over at Keitaro, her face still slightly red. Keitaro really did not want to fight her. One reason was because of his morals, but the other was because she was still probably running that fever and this match was not going to help it.
"Urashima!" Motoko shouted, pointing her shinai at him. "I challenge you! Should you win then I shall...I shall assist you in regaining your skills! If I win then you shall become my sparring partner and do whatever I say when we sparr!"
"Are you nuts Motoko!" Keitaro shouted to her. "What about your fever? You shouldn't be out here!"
'This is the only way,' Motko thought to herself. 'To see if he is worthy of my heart. To see if he is truly my first love. If he is then I might lose.' Keitaro looked at Motoko and saw that she was serious about the challenge. There was no backing out at this point. He was actually going to have to fight her.
"There's no way I can win with a sword," Keitaro muttered to himself. "I might be able to end this quick if I can still use some of my techniques."
"Enough talk!" Motoko shouted. "Begin!"
Motoko raised her blade above her head and leaped at Keitaro with expert speed. Keitaro leaped to the left to avoid the attack.
"Rock Split Maneuver!" Motoko crieed as she brought her shinai down on Keitaro.
Keitaro managed to avoid the attack, which split the boulder he was standing in front of.
"Well, it delivers what it promises," Keitaro muttered.
Motoko stood up again at Keitaro. He had backed away from the swordswoman and removed his gloves and let his sword fall too his side. He was staning in a battle position that Motoko hadn't seen before.
"So you choose to face me unarmed?" Motoko smirked. "Your arrogance will lead you to defeat."
"Yours may lead to worse Motoko," Keitaro remarked worriedly.
The spectators on the shore were being treated to areal show. They hadn't seen anyone else dodge Motoko's attacks like that before.
"Go Motoko!" Su cried in delight.
"Good luck Sempai!" Shinobu shouted.
"Kick her ass Keitaro!" Kitsune shouted loudest of all.
Naru decided to remain silent. She really didn't want to take sides for this little brawl.
Motoko readied her shinai again and pointed it at Keitaro. He just clenched his fists as he prepared to see another attack sent his way. He was not to be disappointed.
"Boulder Cutting Blade!" Motoko cried as she unleashed a wave of ki.
Keitaro recognised that attack. She had used it on him when they had first met. Seeing the attack racing towards him, he leaped backwards as it crashed into the ground. As Motoko landed on the ground, Keitaro raced around her until he stood by one of the large rocks that she was standing by. He drew back an arm and he allowed his ki to flow into his fist.
"Urashima Dragon Fang!" Keitaro cried as he slammed his fist into the rock.
"What!" Motoko gasped in surprise.
The rock exploded into a shower of dust and debris. Motoko's soght was impaired by the dust flyiong everywhere. Keitaro had just vanished in the explosion.
On the shore, the other residents were put into shock from what they had just witnessed. Someone besides Motoko had just broken one of the large boulders. With his bare hands!
"I didn't know Sempai could do that!" Shinobu gasped.
"Motoko said he had skill," Naru remarked. "I don't even think she knew he could do that though."
"Wow," Su smiled. "I guess I can play with him with my gadgets after all!"
"He's a martial artist too?" Kitsune gasped, her eyes opening wide. "Is he Superman or something?"
Motoko coughed as the dust dried her throat. She had no idea that Keitaro could use ki attacks. After gods knows how long of not practicing and he could still use them?
'He is very skilled,' Motoko remarked in thought. "Oh Father and Oneesan would most assuredly approve of him...No! Keep your mind on the battle! Where is he?"
From behind her, a figure appeared in the dust shroud. The rock pieces still falling on the ground hid his footsteps. Motoko turned her head slightly to see behind her, but it was too late. Keitaro leaped out from the dust and looped his arms under Motoko's and grabbed her shoulders. That little trick restricted her movements so that she couldn't move or hit him.
"Wh-what are you doing Urashima!" Motoko shouted angrily. "Let me go!"
"No way Motoko!" Keitaro shouted back. "Not until you calm down. You're sick and I'll be damned if I let it get any worse!"
As he spoke, Motoko felt his breath touch her by her ear. She couldn't help but shiver when she felt it. That shiver continued to run down her spine. It was rather new to her, but what really surprised her was that she found that she was enjoying it.
'He is concerned for my well-being?' she asked herself. 'He is also holding me? This...this is not so bad. It is actually quite comfortable. He is very warm and...WHAT AM I THINKING!"
Motoko began to struggle in Keitaro's grip. Her strength was somehow drained from her and she found herself trapped. She growled angrily before giving one last growl and breaking free from his grip.
"Urashima!" she shouted as she turned to face him. "This ends now!"
She leaped into the air with her shinai raised again. Keitaro watched her movemtns and prepared to use his defence. As she was about to bring down her sword, Motoko suddenly did something unexpected.
"Achoo!" she sneezed.
This broke her concentration for a second, but it was all Keitaro needed. He sidestepped Motoko's attack and as she landed on the ground, he wrapped his arms around her again, restricting her arms altogether.
Motoko's first instincts told her that he was feeling her up, but her common sense told her otherwise. From past interactions with Keitaro, she soon realised that he wouldn't do such a perverted thing.
"Urashima...K-Keitaro," she muttered, slowly growing weaker. She then slumped into his arms. "I..I don't feel so well."
"Glad we agree," Keitaro sighed in relief. "Can you walk?"
"Ugh," Motoko groaned. "I..I can try."
"Don't," Keitaro replied. "I'll get you to bed,"
Normally, Motoko would have argued heatedly, but she wasn't in any condition to do such. Keitaro picked her up in her arms and began to carry her bridal style back to Hinata House. The other residents were all slack-jawed at what they were seeing.
"Keitaro won!" Su cried in glee.
"We'll call it a tie," Keitaro replied. "Motoko's sick right now and we need to get her to bed. Think you could get something ready for her Shinobu?"
"O-of course Sempai," Shinobu nodded. she then began running back to Hinata House.
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Keitaro finally managed to get Motoko back to her room and into her futon. He placed a hand on her forehead just as Shinobu came in with a wet cloth and a bowl of ice water.
"How is her fever Sempai?" Shinobu asked worriedly.
"Worse than before," Keitaro sighed. "Way worse."
"No umbrella in the rain, practicing in the freezing cold, getting to hot in the bath.." Su spoke as she listed all the things Motoko was doing to get her cold.
"I'm just amazed that she could fight so well with a cold," Naru remarked as she popped a thermometer into Motoko's mouth.
"Well, I just made it worse by agreeing to that duel with her," Keitaro frowned as he placed the wet cloth on her forehead. "I'm sorry Motoko."
Motoko opened her eyes and looked up to Keitaro. She took a deep breath before actually speaking.
"It is not your fault," she whispered. "It is mine for not seeing it sooner. Do not blame yourself."
Keitaro smiled as she adjusted the cloth. Motoko likewise smiled. In her thoughts, she was still little torn, but not in turmoil anymore. She now knew that it wasn't love, that much was sure, but the warmth in her heart she felt when Keitaro fawned over her made a compelling argument that love perhaps was on the way.
"Thank you Urashima-kun," Motoko smiled.
Kitsune sat beside Keitaro and her eybrows rose at Motoko's remark.
'Well well,' she thought. 'If I didn't know better I'd say all that red on her face is from the cold. It seems Motoko might be my rival. Sorry girl, but I have first dibs on him.'
End Of Book 1
A/N: There! I finished th first book of the manga! Whoopie! If anyone is questioning Keitaro's technique, well, it's been used in the manga. Volume 14. Keitaro may have been a little macho in this chapter, but he was concerned about a friend so I think we can let him get away with that.