-Ten-Faced Paladin
Love Hina Redux By Ten-Faced Paladin Chapter 11: Lucky in the New Year
The first dawn of the new year came without a hitch. it brought light to every darkend spot that was under it. Hinata House was no exception. The light illuminated every room and awakened the residents. The only one who was already awake was Keitaro. He was on a studying frenzy and he had been like that for two days. He called it his 48-hour-old-to-new-year, super study endurance marathon. Really it was just a way to drain all his energy. As the sun touched him, he allowed himself to fall to the ground.
"Whew!" he sighed. "At last! I'm done!"
He leaped to his feet and headed for the roof. A determined smile on his face as he greeted the morning sun.
"Just you wait world!" he caalled. "I'm gonna get into Tokyo U no matter what!"
He slipped to the ground with a goofy grin, "And I have my friends to thank for helping me get there."
Standing up again, Keitaro made his way back downstairs. The New Year's celebrations were going on today and he didn't want to miss them. He grabbed an energy drink so he could at least get through the day. He made his way to the main living room and was treated to a surprise. Kirsune and Su were all dressed up in kimonos for New Year's. Motoko was donned in what appeared to be something a miko might wear.
"What'cha doin up so early?" Su smiled
"Nothing really," Keitaro replied. "Wow, everyone looks really cute. Where'd you get these?"
"Oh Haruka's a big time fan of kimono's," Kitsune grinned. "Whenever New Year's comes around she helps us get all dressed up."
"Isn't it the coolest?" Su giggled. "I even got a lion-dance thing that bites!"
Su then pointed to a thing that was on the couch which looked like one of the lions from mythology. It's jaw moved up and down. The teeth looked dangerously sharp.
"Oh, you should see Shinobu!" Kitune giggled as she reached behind the couch.
Kitsune tugged the younger girl into view. She had a healthy blush on her face and seemed rather shy about looking Keitaro in the eye.
"H-happy New Year's," she mumbled
"Wow Shinobu," Ketaro smiled. "You look cute. Happy New Year's to you too."
"Th-thank you Sempai," Shinobu smiled.
Kitsune giggled at Shinobu's shyness. That crush she had on Keitaro was just so incredibly cute. She didn't have to worry about her as competition so she just enjoyed the sight before her.
"Say Keitaro," she smiled. "You wanna head down to the temple for our first visit in the new year?"
"Actually, I was gonna head there myself," Keitaro replied. "I wouldn't mind some company personally. Who knows? I met get some good luck this year."
"Good to hear," Kitsune grinned. "I even managed to convince Naru to come too."
"Oh!" Su smiled. "Happy New Year's!"
Keitaro looked to the doorway of the the living room and found Naru. He then promptly facefaulted. Naru was in her 'super nerd' disguise. There wasn't even a sense that she was even aware that it was New Year's.
"You are aware that it's New Year's right?" Keitaro asked, with a smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh shut up," Naru frowned. "There isn't a New Year's for someone who has exams! You should know that."
"Oh well," Keitaro shrugged. "It's my first New Year's with you all. Of course I'd want to celebrate."
"Oh forget it," Naru sighed. "Let's just go already."
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The residents all made their way to the Hinata shrine. It was packed with people and there were all sorts of things going on. People were at booths to get their fortunes while others were making wishes. It was a really busy place to be exact.
The residents were all making their way through the crowds. Motoko had gone off to tend to the booths while everyone else decided to go enjoy the celebrations. Su and Shinobu went off with Motoko while Naru went to get an ema. Kitsune dragged Keitaro to get some good luck.
"Tossing coins for good luck?" he asked. "Worth a shot I guess."
Keitaro walked up to the small shrine and tossed a coin to it. After he rung a small bell situated above it, he placed his hands togetheer and began wishing.
"I wish to make it into Tokyo U this year," he muttered quietly.
Kitsune smirked at his seriousness at his wish, "For someone who doesn't seem to believe in the forces that be, you seem pretty into this,"
Keitaro turned his head to Kitsune and shrugged, "It never hurts to have a little faith,"
"Okay then stud," Kitsune grinned. "Then let's go get some fortunes. It can't hurt can it?"
Keitaro didn't even get to reply before Kitsune snagged his arm and began dragging him away. He didn't bother protesting. It didn't feel like Kitsune was going to let him go anytime soon. Kitsune continued to drag Keitaro along until they reached the fortune booth. Su and Shinobu were already there. Motoko was apparently helping out. She was making sure that everyone got their fortune.
"Ah, welcome," Motoko smiled. "Come for your fortunes as well?"
"You bet Motoko. Thanks for working today," Kitsune smirked as she drew her paper. "Oooh! I got the best luck!"
Su bounced over, waving her fortune in the air, "Me too! Me too!"
Keitaro shook his head and smiled. Seeing Su all giddy always got his spirits up. Well, except when he was in the middle if studying and he really need to concentrate. Sighing, Keitaro walked up to Motoko to get his own fortune.
"Perhaps you should refrain from drawing your fortune Urashima," Motoko remarked as Keitaro came clear. "The fortunes drawn here have a reputation of coming true. What if you draw the worst kind of fortune?"
"Then I'll just have to grin and bear it," Keitaro shrugged. "We're all destined for some bad luck sooner or later. Perhaps I'll be able to just get it out of the way sooner."
"You're a brave man," Motoko smiled. "I hope you draw the best fortune."
Keitaro nodded ashe went to the booth and got his fortune. After getting it, he took a deep breath before opening it. When he saw it, he smirked a little while sweatdropping.
"What did you get Sempai?" Shinobu asked while leaning over his shoulder.
Keitaro remained silent as he turned his head so he could see Shinobu. He then revealed his fortune to the curious girl.
"Bad luck," he sighed. "Somehow, this actually makes sense. After talking about bad luck with Motoko,"
"Maybe Motoko can help with it Sempai," Shinobu suggested. "She knows plenty about getting rid of bad luck and things like that."
"Really?" Keitaro asked hopefully. "Thanks Shinobu!"
The bright smile that came to Keitaro's face made Shinobu's heart skip a beat, "Y-your'e welcome Sempai."
As he moved to try and find Motoko, Keitaro read the rest of his bad luck fortune.
"Avoid water hazards," he read. "Where am I going to find water hazards here?"
As he wondered this, Keitaro just narrowly avoided being splashed by a priest who was cleaning the walkways. He didn't even notice
"Beware your head," he continued. "What does that mean?"
Just as he asked that question, a flower pot fell from the building next to him and crashed into the ground he was standing on just a moment ago.
"Male-female relations may ease the pain," he continued. "That doesn't sound so bad at least. Beware bird and/or dog droppings? Where do they think of this?"
He stopped momentarily as Su ran past giggling like mad in her lion dance outfit. While he had to stand still, a bunch of birds flew past, leaving obvious markings of their passings where Keitaro would have been standing if he kept moving.
"To remain on a path alone will only increase the chances of the next failure," Keitaro read as he smiled. "No arguments there."
He finally found Motoko as she was sweeping some of the walkway that led to the booth she was tending to.
"Hello again Urashima," she smiled. "Bad luck I assume?"
"You'd be right," Keitaro laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was told you might be able to do something about it."
"I believe so," Motoko nodded. "let me see your fortune."
Keitaro handed her the slip of paper. She took a moment to read it before she finally turning her attention back to Keitaro.
"Rather worrisome I will admit," Motoko spoke. "The only way to remove any bad luck recieved by a fortune is to tie it to a tree branch."
"Really?" asked Keitaro. "Won't the temple keepers get mad?"
"Not at all," Motoko replied, shaking her head. "This temple has a few trees growing for such a purpose. Follow me."
Keitaro followed Motoko as she navigated her way through the crowds. She seemed to know where she was going while Keitaro was just along for the ride. They finally arrived at a corner of the property where several trees were growing. Keitaro and Motoko tried to find a tree that had branches low enough for them to reach, but it didn't seem that there was one.
"So..what do we do now?" asked Keitaro.
Motoko closed her eyes and then looked up to the branches. A red tinge rose to her cheeks as she got an idea.
"I suppose we have no choice," Motoko sighed. "You'll have to hold me up while I tie it for you."
"Eh?" Keitaro remarked, surprised.
Soon, Keitaro found himself with Motoko sitting on his shoulders while she tied the fortune to the tree. She had to lift her skirt up so she could sit on his shoulders properly, but it didn't stop her heart from beating rather quickly. She wasn't quite used to being this close to a boy. Much less doing something like this for one. Keitaro was also having trouble keeping his thoughts in one place. Having Motoko's thighs next to both sides of his face was proving to be quite the distraction. He tried to keep his mind on other things, but it always came back to how close Motoko was to him at the moment. It was all he could do to make sure a certain part of him didn't stand to attention.
"Th-there," Motoko finally spoke. "I am finished."
Keitaro nodded, accidentally touching Motoko's inner thighs with his hair, causing her to turn crimson and sent a huge shiver up her spine. As he kneeled down, Motoko quickly got off and stood straight. The red blush not leaving her face as Keitaro turned to face her.
"Th-thanks Motoko," Keitaro smiled. "I guess I owe you one."
"You're welcome Urashima," Motoko nodded, her eyes not meeting his. "I-I think we should perhaps go back to the shrines."
"Uh, yeah. Sounds good." Keitaro agreed nervously.
The two of them walked wordlessly back towards the main shrine. As they came out from the grove, something suddenly caught their attention.
"Heyas!" Su shouted as she collided into the two in her lion dance outfit.
She had leaped at Keitaro and collided right on target. The force of the blow caused him to collide with Motoko and all three of them went down. They all crashed to the ground as Su dug her lion fangs into Keitaro's head. Before the dust even cleared, she bounced right back up.
"Gotcha Keitaro!" she shrieked with joy. "Now you'll be happy for a full year!"
She then bounced off again. Keitaro shook his head to get the stars out of it. As his eyes came back into focus, he found himself staring into the face of a recovering Motoko. Both of them took one look at each other before their faces turned crimson and they leaped away from each other.
"S-sorry Motoko!" Keitaro sputtered.
"I-It was an accident," Motoko replied, not meeting his gaze. "D-do not worry about it."
Keitaro nodded and the two of them made for their seperate ways. Motoko had to go back to the booth she was tending to. Keitaro was just going to see whay else was there.
'Ow, those fangs hurt,' Keitaro thought to himself while rubbing his head. His little invulnerability trick had the bite mark heal pretty quickly. 'Just where did Su get that thing anyway?'
As he came closer to the torii gate that was situated near the entrance of the temple he saw something that made his heart stop. A girl in a kimono was lying on the grass. He raced over to the girl and gently moved to turn her over.
"Hey miss?" he asked. "Are you okay?"
He helped the girl turn over, only to be met by the smiling face of Kitsune. She also had a flush on her face.
"Well, if it isn't Keitaro," she giggled.
"Kitsune?" he asked in surprise. "What are you doing on the lawn?"
Kitsune hadn't seemed to have heard him as she continued talking, "What are you doing anyway, pushing me onto the lawn like this?"
"What!" Keitaro cried. He then noticed the flush on her face. "You're drunk aren't you?"
As Keitaro helped her sit up, she started grinning, "Well, there was an all-you-can-drink display so I helped myself to about 20."
"Thought so," Keitaro snorted.
"Anyhow," Kitsune continued. "Keitaro, don't you know that if you're going to push a girl down you need to get permission first?"
"True," Keitaro sighed with a red face. "But I didn't push you down!"
"Ah well," Kitsune giggled, ignoring his protest. "It's a bit earlier than I hoped, but I have no problem with that."
She then turned away from keitaro so that her back was facing him. She was wearing a seductive smile that also had a bit of anticipation in it.
"Just sit back and I'll do the rest," she smiled.
Keitaro felt slightly confused, but his eyes suddenly bugged out when Kitsune shrugged her kimono from her shoulders. She wasn't wearing any underwear and Keitaro felt himself coming onto the verge of a bloody nose.
"Like what you see?" Kitsune asked, a bit of hope in her voice.
Keitaro gaped before he shook his head and took a deep breath, "I'd be lying if I said no, but..."
He trailed off before stepping closer to Kitsune's bare back. He then grabbed the edges of her kimono and put it back over her shoulders. As he wrapped her sash back around her body, she grabbed his arms and kept them wraped around her body.
"Gee, and I was in the mood," Kitsune pouted.
"Sure," Keitaro laughed. "Like I was going to take advantage of you while you were drunk."
Kitsune giggled as she shuffled backwards so she could sit in Keitaro's lap. Even if she was pretending to be disappointed, her heart was actually feeling warm again. She had tested him and he passed with flying colours.
"You owe me now stud," she laughed. "Now we're going to sit here until I feel like moving,"
"Sounds better than the alternative," Keitaro smiled.
"Oh?" Kitsune asked, inquisituve. "You don't think I'm good in bed do you?"
"Uh..ah..er.." Keitaro sputtereed, his face turning beet red, not wanting to say something that would get Kitsune angry with him.
"Gotcha," Kitsune smiled her eyes open slightly.
Keitaro began grumbling as Kitsune giggled some more. She was content to just sit like that. She figured she might as well. She may not even remember what happened when the hangover finally hit and knowing Keitaro, he may be too shy to even talk about what happened.
As the two sat on the grass, Motoko had actually caught them talking. At first, she was going to pound Keitaro for getting near her stripping friend. That thought changed when she saw Keitaro put Kitsune's kimono back on her. As they sat and talked, Motoko turned and headed back for the booth.
'So it seems I have a rival,' she remarked to herself. 'I will not lose.'
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Everyone had finally come back home from the shrine and had gone onto their daily duties. Keitaro was sitting in his room studying. The trip had gotten hectic and by the time everyone managed to get home. He had to carry Kitsune back home because she fell asleep. She was now in her bed sleeping soundly.
"So much for a hopefully peaceful new year," Keitaro smiled to himself.
His attention was turned away as the door to his room slid open. He looked up to see Naru in a kimono standing in the doorway.
"Well, what's this all about?" he asked, slightly surprised.
"Well, everyone was having so much fun in these I decided to get dressed up to," Naru explained. "I also have a fortune I'd rather have tied to a tree."
She held out a slip of paper that had a fortune written on it, "The trees around here are pretty tall so I figured I might need some help."
"Sure," Keitaro smiled. "I'd be happy to help."
With that, he and Naru set out for the shrine once again.
"Looks like I'll be bothering you again in the new year," Keitaro smiled.
"You're not a bother," Naru laughed. "I could use the company anyway."
The two of them continued down the long rows of stairs. Their conversations soon turned towards studying and what they wanted to take when they got into Tokyo U.
To Be Continued
A/N: There we go. Another chapter over and done. I hope this one goes for quality with you reviewers. I also decided that the three ladies should each get their own time with Keitaro in this chapter. I'm trying to be fair and keep you all guessing. How am I doing?