Ghost of Hinata
Last Time On Ghost of Hinata
Hina was silent again, unable to argue with her daughters statement. ¬If not you then who should run Hinata Sou?¬
"I don't care just as long as it's not me!" she yelled as she slammed down the phone. Picking up a photo on her bedside table she looked at the image in her hands. It showed two smiling children, a girl slightly taller than the boy with her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her chin rested on his head. Sitting on the bed her tears fell as she looked at it. Curling into a ball Haruka held the picture close to her chest as she wept.
"I-I'm so sorry Kei-kun."
Chapter 3
On the train to Kyoto
Still nursing her swollen lip, Tsuruko sighed deeply at the predicament she found herself in. Pulling out her mobile phone and entered the number of her sister's new home. It was a few moments before someone answered.
¬H-hello, Hinata Sou.¬ came the hesitant voice at the other end.
"May I speak to Motoko Aoyama please?" she requested.
¬O-Of course, who can I tell her is calling?¬
"Her sister." She replied, mentally exhausted.
¬O-One moment please.¬ the phone on the other end of went silent for a few minutes before a different voice said ¬Sister?¬
"Hello Motoko-han." She replied quietly.
¬Did you speak to Haruka-san?¬
"Yes, unfortunately she was not able to supply any useful information."
¬Have you determined why she is unable to see him?¬ Motoko asked.
The elder Aoyama sighed. "I believe that it's not that she can't see him but more that her mind won't let her. She used to see him when she was younger but since then she had received medication and therapy to stop it."
Motoko was silent for a moment before asking ¬What do you suggest that we do?¬
"I... would avoid talking to her about it." She brought her finger up to gingerly touch her cut lip. "She did not take it well when I brought it up and informed me that if you or any of your fellow residents mention it to her again she will evict all of you."
¬I... I see.¬ was all Motoko could find to say about the subject. ¬Do you have any advice about Keitaro-kun?¬
"I'm afraid not Motoko-han. Other than what I have already told you I won't be able to help you until I discuss this matter with others back at the school."
¬I see.¬ Motoko sighed ¬Well if you think of anything please get in contact with us.¬
"Of course Motoko-han, goodbye." She finished as she hung up looking out at the scenery rushing past she sighed to herself, wondering what she was going to do.
Later that Day in the HotSprings
"So you're saying that he's a ghost?" Kitsune asked, not believing a word she was hearing.
Motoko sighed. "Not exactly no, but for the sake of simplicity it is easiest to think of him as such."
"And we're just meant to take you sister's word on that?"
"Perhaps you have a better explanation Konno-san?" Motoko said defensively.
"Cut it out you two." Naru mumbled as she sank deeper into the water.
"W-what happened to him?" Shinobu asked, not really liking all this talk of ghosts.
"My sister said that he fell through some old floorboards." She said simply, not wanting to tell the fragile girl too much detail.
"I-is he dangerous?" Shinobu quailed.
"My sister was unsure. Her only recommendation was that we not tell Keitaro-kun himself."
"Do you think we should try and talk to Haruka-san again?" Naru asked.
"My sister already tried. I doubt we would succeed where she failed." Motoko replied. "And if we do try Haruka-san has threatened to evict us."
"What about Su-chan, shouldn't we tell her?" Shinobu asked.
"I'm not too sure. She seems infatuated with him and I do not believe she would understand the situation." Motoko said.
"GERONIMO!" A voice called out before two shapes landed in the pool showering all the girls in water. Once the rain of warm water stopped and the steam cleared the girls saw the ginning faces of Su and Keitaro in the middle of the springs. "Hiya!" the pair cheered together.
Drifting over to them Kitsune grabbed Keitaro and hugged him. "Hey Kei-kun, where did you come from?"
"Up there!" he pointed up to the balcony overlooking the springs. "Su nee-san wanted to dive in from up there."
Patting his head she turned him around and pointed him at Motoko. "Well what do you think?" she pulled his cheeks and stretched his face.
"I was merely relaying what my sister thought. I do not know if she was right or not." Motoko huffed.
"Tsu nee-san said something about me?" he asked as he swam over to Motoko. "What did she say?"
"She said you were very cute." Motoko said quickly.
"And you don't agree with her?" he asked with sad eyes as he rested his chin on her chest.
"Of course I do, Kei-kun." She rubbed his head.
Grinning he leaned up and kissed Motoko on the lips "Good 'cause I think you're really pretty!" he cheered.
Motoko blushed as two arms encircled his waist and pulled him off her lap. "And what about the rest of us?" Naru asked as she gave him a squeeze.
Turning around he hugged Naru tightly. "I think you're all really pretty!" he grinned.
Naru returned his smile. "You're nothing but a little flirt aren't you?" she tickled him as he giggled. "You wanna sleep with me again?"
Keitaro shook his head. "Su nee-san is gonna let me sleep in her hammock with her tonight." He said happily.
"Aren't you lucky?" she rubbed his head. Keitaro just grinned and happily accepted the attention.
"Yep I get to snuggle with Kei-kun allllll night long." Su grinned and pulled Keitaro away from Naru, happily rubbing her cheek against his. As they drifted next to Shinobu, Keitaro slipped out of Su's embrace and sat on Shinobu's lap. "Are you feeling better now Nee-san?"
Shinobu gave him a small smile. "I'm fine now Kei-kun. Thank you." She hesitantly rubbed his head.
Keitaro looked closely at Shinobu's face. "Are you sure?" his voice full of concern.
Giving him a larger smile she gave his forehead a quick kiss. "Yes I am."
Still frowning he said. "Why don't you sleep with me and Su nee-san tonight?"
"Um, well..."
Turning to Su, Keitaro asked "It's alright if Shin nee-san sleeps with us isn't it?"
Swimming over to them Su rested her chin on his head "MMMM I did want you all to myself tonight but I don't mind sharing." She grinned.
"Yay! We can all sleep together!" he cheered and hugged Shinobu.
"Yay!" Su agreed and joined him in hugging Shinobu. The young girl looked bemused as she was embraced by the two people. Looking to the others for advice they simply shrugged. Sighing she smiled and stroked Keitaro's hair. "OK I'll sleep with you."
"YAY!" Keitaro and Su cheered again and nuzzled into her. Shinobu and everyone else just looked at them in bemusement.
Su's Jungle Room.
After bathing the girls had split up to their own rooms to get ready for bed. Shinobu had been allowed to get changed before Su and Keitaro had dragged her into Su's room. Leading them to her little clearing, Su bounced up into her hammock before pulling Keitaro up along with Shinobu. Rocking unsteadily Shinobu carefully crawled towards the other two. Laying down with Keitaro in between the two girls Su pulled a large blanket over three of them and hugged Keitaro. "mmmm You're so cuddly Kei-kun!" Keitaro grinned and turned to Shinobu. "Love you Nee-san." He lightly kissed her lips. Blushing furiously, she hugged him and nuzzled his hair. "Good night Keitaro-kun." Turning again he faced Su. "Love you too Nee-san." He kissed her lips but instead of the intended quick peck, Su held their lips together. "Love you too Kei-kun." She grinned and pulled his head to her small chest. "You hug him too Shinobu-chan!"
Doing as she was told she wrapped her arms around his small body and nuzzled his hair with Su. With her arms around him Shinobu squeezed the small sleeping boy. 'Is he really a ghost? He's so warm and soft, how can he not be alive?' the young boy turned so he was facing Shinobu. 'He's quite cute as well.' She blushed as she realised what she thought. Snuggling closer to him she smiled. 'I guess we won't find out until Motoko-sempai's sister comes back.' She thought as she fell off to sleep.
The next day at Haruka's tea shop.
As she was setting a cup of tea down for a customer Haruka heard the bell above her door ring. "Take a seat and I'll be with you in a- oh it's you." Her demeanour turning cold.
"It's good to see you too Aunty." The gothic girl matched her aunt's coldness as she placed her suitcase on the floor.
"So she sent you to look after Hinata Sou." Haruka observed.
"Who else would she send?" Kanako asked.
Haruka grunted in response. "So what are you doing down here?"
"I came to say hello to you and let you know that I'm taking over for you."
"Thanks." She said tersely "Now I'm sure you wouldn't want to keep your new tenants waiting." She told the girl as she started to walk off.
"Aren't you going to come up and introduce me to then?" Kanako asked.
Haruka stopped and turned towards her niece. "You're 16 years old Kanako-chan, I never held your hand when you were a kid and I have no intention of doing so now. I have neither the time nor the inclination to baby you." She stated as she disappeared into the back room.
Kanako sighed as she picked up her bag and left the shop. She never understood why her aunt never liked her but Haruka had never so much as smiled at her. A black shape announced itself with a tinkling of a bell as it jumped onto the pathway and entwined itself in her legs. Pausing she smiled and knelt down to pick up the shape. "Hello Kuro. Have you finished exploring already?" the cat responded by butting his head against her chin. "Well, let's go see where we're going to be living for the foreseeable future." The cat nya-ed at her and crawled up around her neck. Continuing her way up the stairs she smiled as the cat purred contently. For the longest time Kuro had been one of the few beings other than her grandmother that actually treated her with love. Even her parents always seemed... sort of absent with her. Not neglectful just not very attentive when it came to showing their daughter affection.
Reaching the top of the stairs she paused momentarily to take in the sight before entering the dorm. As Kanako walked into the living room she saw four girls, the eldest three sitting on the sofa and the younger blue haired girl sat on a chair to the side as they talked quietly amongst themselves. When they noticed her presence they all fell silent and turned to look at the new girl. "May we help you?" the auburn haired girl asked.
"Are you tenants here?" Kanako asked and the girls nodded. "I am Kanako Urashima. The new manager of Hinata Sou." She bowed to them. "It's nice to meet you."
"New manager?" Naru asked. "Why isn't Haruka-san the manager anymore?"
"I do not know the details beyond that Aunty is too busy with her tea shop to run this place." Kanako said. The girls shared a look between them which made Kanako raise an eyebrow.
Remembering her manners, Shinobu asked "Would you like something to drink, Urashima-san"
"Yes, thank you...?"
"I'm Shinobu Maehara. It's nice to meet you." Shinobu bowed before rushing off to the kitchen.
"Take a seat Kanako-san." Kitsune offered "I'm Mitsune Konno but everyone calls me Kitsune, this is Naru Narusegawa and this is Motoko Aoyama." Kitsune finished the introductions.
"Nice to meet you all." She nodded her head to the girls present "Are you four the only residents?"
"No there's another girl about Shinobu-chans age and then there's..." Naru trailed off as she looked at the other girls.
"And then there's...?" Kanako prompted.
"Why don't I just go get them?" Kitsune suggested as she stood up and hurried upstairs. Returning to the living room Shinobu served her new manageress tea.
"Thank you Maehara-san." She accepted the drink. "So who is this person you are reluctant to talk about?" she asked Naru.
"Er, well he-"
"He?" Kanako frowned "This is a girl's dorm. Why is there a man here?"
"He is not a man exactly, he is an eight year old boy." Motoko replied.
"That still doesn't explain why he lives here." Kanako pointed out.
"That's where it gets complicated." Naru said uncomfortably.
"He is Haruka-san's nephew Keitaro Urashima." Motoko informed her.
Kanako just stared at them. "I'm afraid you have been lied to." She said "Haruka has only one sister and that is my mother. And I do not have an eight year old brother. I presume you have told Haruka and that she has denied it?"
"Well, we sort of have two conflicting reports." Naru admitted.
Kanako was clearly not amused by this but before she could voice her opinions a tanned girl landed on her lap "Hiya I'm Su!" the girl cheered. "Who are you?"
"I've already told you that she's the new manager Su-chan." Kitsune said as she entered the room with a young boy holding her hand. "Her name's Kanako." Pulling Keitaro in front of her Kitsune said. "And this is our other resident."
Setting Su on the floor next to her, Kanako looked closely at the young boy. "What is your name?"
"I'm Keitaro Urashima who are you?" he asked with a smile.
"I am Kanako Urashima."
Keitaro's eyes lit up. "Urashima? Does that mean you're related to me and Aunty Haru?"
"Well, I'm Haruka's niece." She replied, still suspicious of this familiar looking boy's origins.
"Then you must be my cousin!" he declared. "I didn't know I had any other Aunts other than Haru-nee!" he said happily.
Kanako moved closer to his face until their noses were almost touching wondering where she had seen his face before. "Have we ever met?"
Keitaro looked closely at her face with an inquisitive look before grinning. "Nope! I'd have remembered someone as pretty as you!" he declared happily.
"As you can see he's quite the flirt." Naru smiled as ruffled his hair.
Grabbing her hand, Keitaro made sure that she didn't pull it away "Pat me some more!" he demanded with a laugh.
Seeing his laughing smile Kanako's eyes went wide as she realised where she had seen that smile before.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
8 Years Ago
An eight year old Kanako was led into the living room of her new parent's home. She didn't quite know what to make of her new family, their smiles seemed slightly hollow, sad even and she had no idea why.
"Would you like something to eat or drink Kanako-chan?" he father asked with a small smile.
"Yes please." She replied quietly.
Her father gently patted her head before moving towards the kitchen leaving Kanako alone with her mother. Looking around her new surroundings Kanako spotted a picture of her new parents with a grinning young boy. Now that she noticed it a lot of the photos around the walls contained the boy. "Mother? Who is that in all the photos?"
Her mother flinched slightly "That... That is your Onii-chan." She murmured.
Kanako looked up at the woman. "I have an Onii-chan? What is he like?"
"He...He is one of the most wonderful people you could ever meet. He is always kind and sweet; always helping others and making them smile. You're lucky to have an Onii-chan like him." She gave Kanako a weak smile.
Looking at the photos Kanako asked "When will I meet him?"
"It...It might be a while before you get a chance to meet him. He has gone on a trip very far away and he won't be back for a long time." She gently rubbed Kanako's head.
"I see." She said, somewhat disappointed. And that was all that was said on the matter.
The next day all the photos which contained her brother had been taken down.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Kanako stared at the face that she hadn't seen in eight years. 'I-Impossible!' she thought. 'H-How can you look the same as you did in that photo?'
Keitaro was giving her a strange look. "What's wrong?" he asked. Kanako didn't answer. Instead she stood up and rushed out the door, down the stone steps to her aunt's tea shop. Bursting through the door Kanako asked one of the waitresses where her aunt is.
"Um, she's in the back but doesn't want to be dist- hey wait!" she called after the gothic girl who was rushing past the counter. Entering the back room Kanako say her aunt sitting at a table sipping a cup of tea. Looking up Haruka glared at the girl.
"What are you doing here? I told you already that I don't have the time or the patience to deal with you."
"I need to talk to you about Keitaro Urashima." Kanako stated.
Haruka's eyes narrowed. "Don't you ever talk about him." She seethed.
"I have a right to know about my brother."
-Slap-
The back of Haruka's hand hit Kanako's cheek knocking her to the floor "He is not your brother." Haruka growled at her.
Standing up Kanako held her red cheek and matched her aunt's glare. "Maybe not but I deserve to know what happened to hi- ack!" her words were cut short as Haruka's hand grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the wall.
"Deserve? You deserve? After you've taken everything that was meant to be his you have the cheek to tell me what you deserve?" Haruka snarled. As Haruka's grip around her throat tightened Kanako unsuccessfully tried to pry her fingers from her neck. "Listen to me you little bitch. Keitaro was a better person than you'll ever be. You're nothing but some cheap replacement, a usurper trying to take his place and it's pitiful that you don't realise that you're just a substitute who could never match up to a dead eight year old. No wonder your real parents abandoned you. If it was up to me I'd have thrown trash like you out into the street the moment you stepped onto our families land and when I say our family I'm talking about mine and Keitaro's. Not yours. You are not, nor have you ever been or will be an Urashima. I won't allow you to steal his name after you've stolen everything else from him." She threw her niece to the floor where she started to cough violently as she struggled to get her breath back. "Get the hell off of my property. You're not welcome here."
Kanako looked up at her aunt through the tears into Haruka's hate filled eyes. The same eyes that had glared at her since the moment they had met. Shakily getting to her feet Kanako left the back room, ignoring the looks she was getting from the customers and waitresses and exited the tea shop. Sitting on the stone steps she breathed deeply to regain her breath. Once the pain in her throat had lessened she noticed that her hands were shaking and tears were falling from her eyes.
"Are you OK?" a voice asked.
Looking up she saw Kitsune and Motoko looking at her with concern. "I am fine." She reassured them.
"Your neck..." Motoko motioned towards the red imprints that marred her pale skin.
"It's nothing." She insisted.
"So where did you run off to?" Kitsune asked.
"To ask Haruka about Keitaro-kun."
"I take it didn't go well?" Kitsune asked rhetorically though Kanako nodded. "Have you ever seen Keitaro-kun before?"
"Just in a photo about eight years ago. When I asked my mother about him she said that he was my brother and that he had gone far away and wouldn't come back for a long time." Kanako informed them "And according to Haruka he died before I was adopted by her sister."
"I see..." Kitsune said as she and Motoko shared a glance.
Looking up at them Kanako asked "What do you know about that boy up there?"
"Next to nothing I'm afraid. Apart from that Motoko-chans sister thinks he's a ghost."
"A ghost?" Kanako asked suspiciously.
Motoko sighed "My sister met Keitaro-kun years ago and told me that he died when he fell through some old floorboards. As for her theory about how Keitaro-kun can be upstairs..." Motoko quickly informed Kanako on what her sister had suggested.
"I see." Kanako murmured.
"You seem to be taking this in your stride." Kitsune noted.
"It is as good as any explanation that I have been able to come with as to why he looks the same as that photo I saw eight years ago." Kanako waved away the comment.
"So what are you going to do about him?" Motoko asked worried she might do something drastic to the boy.
Kanako shrugged "Until your sister tells us something new there's not much we can do. We'll just have to wait for her advice on the matter. Though I think I'll ask Granny about my Onii-chan."
Motoko and Kitsune looked at each other. "That might not be a good idea. Haruka-san did not react well when we told her her deceased nephew was living up in the dorm." Motoko said.
"I had no intention of telling my grandmother that. I merely want to know more about Keitaro-kun and why I was never told about him." Kanako responded. Agreeing with this course of action the three girls returned to the dorm. Entering the living room they found all the remaining girls and the resident male had wondered off. Picking up her suitcase and the cordless phone Kanako retreated to the manager's room. Sighing in distaste at the dust that layered her room she set her luggage down and sat on it to protect her clothes. Dialling her grandmother's number she waited for it to connect.
¬Hello?¬
"Granny, it's me."
¬Kana-chan!¬ she cried happily. ¬Have you settled into Hinata Sou yet?¬
"For the most part." She brought her hand up to her neck. "There is something that I wanted to know about."
¬Of course Kana-chan, what do you want to know?¬ came her grandmothers reply.
"I want to know about my brother Keitaro." She stated.
The line was silent before Hina's quiet voice said ¬How...How did you find out about him?¬
"I found a picture of him and I remembered seeing a photo of him when I first arrived at my parent's home."
¬I see... what do you want to know about him?¬ Hina replied.
"What happened to him, how long before I was adopted did it happen, am I just a replacement for him and is that the reason why Haruka hates me?" Kanako asked.
Hina sighed ¬It was about 2 years before my daughter and son-in-law adopted you. We were all going to go to the summer festival, me, your parents, Haruka-chan and Keitaro-kun. He... he had just finished getting ready and was coming down from his room to join us when he fell through the floorboards. When we all rushed to the hole and I saw the blood I knew that the night would not end well. I...I went down to get him. His... neck had been broken... the only fortunate aspect of the whole incident was that he likely felt little to no pain.¬
"I'm sorry, granny." Kanako murmured.
¬As for you being a replacement...¬ Hina sighed ¬I am so sorry Kana-chan but in a way yes. Your parents were so broken that they could barely function. They thought that if they adopted you they could fill the hold that Keitaro-kun left. It was selfish but I ask you do not blame them. I know that they were never able to show you any real love and I tried to make up for that by taking you under my wing. I just hoped that it was enough.¬
"It's fine Granny. You were always kind to me." Kanako reassured her grandmother. "And Haruka?"
¬She... again I ask you not to blame her. Keitaro-kuns death affected her more than any of us. She was probably closer to Keitaro-kun than any of us. Though she would never have admitted it she would have done anything for him. She would even trade places with him right now if the choice was given to her. When she found out about your adoption she saw it as someone trying to replace him, to take his place in our hearts and memories and she resented you for doing so.¬ Kanako could hear the tears running down her grandmothers face. ¬I am sorry Kanako-chan. You deserved better than what we could give you. I just hope that you can forgive us.¬
"I understand Granny." Kanako said, tears falling from her eyes. "I'm sorry I brought this up."
¬It's fine Kana-chan. You deserved to know. Take care of yourself OK?¬
"You too Granny. I love you."
¬I love you too Kana-chan.¬ Hina murmured back before the line went dead. Wiping the tears off her face Kanako took a deep breath and tried to collect herself. When she calmed down she looked about the room and sighed again at the layers of dust. Deciding that now was as good as time as any Kanako set about cleaning her new room.
Finishing the cleaning of her room and unpacking her belongings Kanako left her room and stretched her arms above her head. Hearing the pounding of footsteps she turned to see Keitaro rushing towards her holding her black cat. "Nee-san! Nee-san! Look what I found!" he cheered as he held out the cat.
Kneeling down she gently scratched the cats head with a small smile. "You found Kuro then."
"Kuro?" He blinked as he looked at the cat "Is Kuro-neko your name?" the cat yowled and affirmative and butted his head against Keitaro's chin. "Is he yours Nee-san?" he asked.
Nodding she smiled at him "That's right, I've had Kuro here for a long time." Looking at them Kanako was surprised at how well they were getting on. "Has he bit or scratched you?"
Keitaro shook his head and said "Uh-uh why?"
"Kuro doesn't usually get on with new people but I guess you have the magic touch." She smiled and gently rubbed the top of his head making him grin and nuzzle into her hand.
"Nee-san can I ask you something?" he asked sweetly.
"If you like." She told him.
"Who are your parents? I know your Haru-nee's niece like I'm her nephew but I didn't think that I had any other aunt's or uncles other than her."
Kanako paused in her rubbing of his head as she thought about what to tell him. Deciding that the truth, or at least a part truth would be best she told him "My parents names are Saiga and Kumiko Urashima."
Kanako watched as the smile slowly fall from his face. "But those are my parents." He said.
"Yes, I know." Kanako said, now worried that she had said something wrong.
"B-But I don't have a sister. How can they be your parents?" he asked with confused eyes.
"Keitaro-kun." She started.
"Have you been living with mum and dad?" he asked.
"I was up until a little while ago but recently I have been with Granny Hina." She replied but regretted it as soon as she saw his eyes fill with tears.
"B-But why have you been with them? W-why didn't they come get me to come stay with them?" he asked as tears started to run down his face.
"Keitaro-kun I-" she didn't get a chance to comfort him as he ran off crying. "Keitaro wait!" she called after him but he just continued running. Almost knocked down by the weeping boy Motoko narrowly dodged the child as she walked around a corner.
"Keitaro!" she called out but he ignored her. Turning around she glared at Kanako. "What did you say to him?"
"I just told him who my parents are." Kanako replied.
"Why would you tell him that!" Motoko snapped at the manageress.
"What would you have me say to him?" Kanako snapped back.
"Anything that wouldn't make him run off crying!"
"How was I meant to know that would happen? Forgive me but I don't have much experience dealing with ghosts." She glared at the kendo girl.
"Don't treat him like a ghost! Treat him like a child! He probably thinks his parents replaced him! How would you react if you found out that your parents replaced you?"
"I have no idea. My parents just abandoned me at an orphanage so I wouldn't have any idea what it's like to be replaced." She growled back at her.
Both women glared at each other with their hackles raised, sizing each other up until Motoko turned and walked away. "I am going to find Keitaro and make sure he is alright. I suggest that you think of a way to apologise to him." She said leaving Kanako to her thoughts.
Moving through the dorm Motoko searched for the young boy. Going past a door she heard a soft sobbing from inside. Sliding it open slightly she saw Keitaro sitting in the corner of one of the unused room with his arms around his legs crying into his knees.
Moving over to him, she knelt down and gently stroked his back "Kei-kun are you alright."
Keitaro just kept crying for a moment before asking "N-Nee–san what's wrong with me? Aunty hates me, Mum and Dad don't visit but let Kanako-san stay with them, Granny's left me, w-why doesn't anyone want to be near me? W-What did I do wrong to make everyone hate me?" he cried not looking up from his knees.
Her heart breaking for the young boy Motoko pulled him into a tight hug and stroked his back while he wept into her chest. "Kei-kun, no one hates you."
"Then why does everyone leave me?" he wept. "Mum, Dad, Aunty, Granny. None of them want to be near me!"
"That's not true Kei-kun." She tried to correct the boy but was having trouble coming up with evidence to the contrary. "Besides, there's all of us here at Hinata Sou. And we won't leave you." She rubbed his back.
"You promise?" he sniffed as he pulled away from her chest.
"Of course I do so no more crying OK?" she smiled and wiped the tears from his face. Nodding his head he hugged Motoko tightly around her neck.
"Love you Nee-san." He nuzzled into the crook of her neck.
Squeezing him tightly she smiled and kissed the top of his head. "Love you too Kei-kun." Pulling him back she smiled gently at him. "Let's get out of dusty room OK?" Keitaro nodded and stood up off her lap. Standing up as well, Motoko gently took a hold of his hand and led him out the door.
Taking him to the living room they found Kitsune and Kanako talking to each other. Seeing the pair enter the room they ended their conversation and Kanako turned to Keitaro who was hiding behind Motoko's leg. "Keitaro-kun my I speak with you for a moment?" Kanako asked softly.
Keitaro held onto Motoko's leg more tightly but she gently pushed him in front of her. Kneeling down so that she was eye level with him Kanako said "Keitaro-kun, I think you misunderstood me when we talked earlier." Keitaro remained silent and stared at her. "How old are you?" she asked.
"Eight." Came his hesitant reply.
"Well I'm 16. Do you know what that means?" Keitaro shook his head. "That means I was born before you. That means you're my little brother." She gave him a sweet smile. "I know we've never met before but that's because I was sent away to train with some distant cousins of ours just before you were born and recently with granny when she decided to go on her world tour. When I said I had been staying with our parents I meant I had visited them for a few days before coming here to meet my cute little brother."
"R-Really?" Keitaro asked.
"Yes, really." She gently rubbed his head. "Now I want you to know something. Just because Granny, our parents and Aunty don't come to see you often doesn't mean that that they don't love you and don't think about you every day. They just don't have much time to spend with you anymore but you've got me and everyone else here at Hinata Sou to keep you company now so it's OK right?"
"You... you're my Onee-sama?" he asked with wonderment in his voice.
"That's right. I'm your big sister and you're my little brother." She smiled.
"Onee-Sama!" Keitaro leapt at her and threw his arms around her and nuzzled into her neck. Caught off guard by this Kanako nearly fell over backwards at the surprise glomp but quickly steadied herself and returned the hug.
"You two seem to be getting along with each other." Naru smiled at she entered the room and sat down next to Kitsune.
Pulling away from Kanako, Keitaro jumped up onto the sofa and sat on Naru's lap. "Nee-san, guess what! I've got a real Onee-sama!" he said excitedly.
"Is that so?" she grinned and stroked his hair. "Aren't you lucky?"
While Keitaro was bragging about his new sister to Naru and Kitsune, Kanako had stood up and was approached by Motoko. "Was it wise to lie to him like that?"
"Wasn't it you who was just berating me about telling him the truth?" Kanako countered. "Besides it's not far from the truth. Everyone still thinks about him and loves him and in a way I am his sister. Isn't it better this way?"
"Time will tell I suppose." Motoko smiled. "By the way, you mentioned training?"
"That's right. The Urashima family has its own style." Kanako replied.
"Perhaps we can spar sometime? It has been a while since I've had someone to train with." Motoko smiled.
Kanako returned her smile "Perhaps." She nodded when she felt someone pull on her skirt. Looking down she saw Keitaro grinning up at her. Kneeling down she asked "Yes Kei-kun?"
"Onee-sama, would it be alright if I slept with you tonight?" he requested hopefully.
"Whatever you want Kei-kun." She rubbed his head fondly.
"Yay!" he cheered and wrapped his arms around her in a hug nuzzling happily into her neck.
Later that night in Kanako's Room
After spending the majority of the day together the 'siblings' ended up in the managers room with Keitaro sitting on Kanako's lap happily playing with Kuro. Kanako was hugging him tightly around his waist smiling softly at the young boy. While she had never really gotten on with anyone other than her grandmother, her brother had quickly grown on her. Giving him a squeeze Kanako leaned down and rested her chin on his shoulder and said. "It's getting late Kei-kun. We should get to bed now."
"OK, Onee-sama." He agreed with a happy smile.
"I've been meaning to ask you, why do call me 'Onee-sama' and the others 'Nee-san'?"
Letting Kuro go, Keitaro spun around on her lap and wrapped his arms and legs around her body. " 'cause you're my Onee-sama and they're my Nee-sans." He explained and he squeezed her tightly.
"Is that so?" she smiled and kissed his forehead. "Come on. Let's get ready for bed."
"Sure Onee-sanma." He kissed her cheek and stood off of her lap. Standing up Kanako ruffled his hair before moving over to her dresser to retrieve her nightdress. Setting the dress to one side for the moment, Kanako slid her black skirt down her toned legs and placed it to the side to be washed before doing the same with her knee length socks. Unbuttoning her black waistcoat and white blouse she placed them next to her skirt with her bra soon following suit. Just as she hooked her fingers under the waistband of her panties she heard Keitaro murmur in amazement "Wow..."
Turning around she saw a pyjama clad Keitaro staring at her with his eyes wide. "What's wrong Kei-kun?"
"Onee-sama is really beautiful." He said, his voice laden with wonderment as he approached the young woman. "Your skin's really pale and pretty." He told her as he reached out and gently stroked her thigh. "It's really soft too!" he grinned as he hugged her leg and rubbed his cheek against her.
"H-Hey!" Kanako cried, not used to this kind of affection. Before she could do anything Keitaro climbed up her back and buried her nose in her hair.
"Your hair feels so soft and silky!" he nuzzled into her tresses. "And it smells really nice as well." before she could say anything Keitaro slipped around her front and snuggled into her small breasts. "You're really soft here too!" he giggled happily.
Kanako's face was bright red "What are you doing?" she cried.
"Skinship with my pretty Onee-sama!" he declared happily as he rubbed his face against her chest.
Staring down at him she thought with a frown 'I-Is this kid some kind of a pervert?' Just as she was about grab hold of him he quietly said "I'm really happy. A few days ago I was really lonely 'cause no one ever came to visit me but now I've got lots of Nee-sans that'll play with me and my very own Onee-sama who's really beautiful and will spend time with me." He looked up at her with a grin. "I'm really lucky!"
Kanako stared down at the boy for a moment before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him close to her chest. 'How long was he alone for?' she though sadly. 'I don't think our parents ever stepped foot in here after what happened. Whenever I came to visit Granny they would drop me off and pick me up at the bottom of the stairs. Granny was always out and about, you'd hardly ever see her around Hinata Sou and from what I understand Haruka wanted nothing to do with this place. Granny even had to build her the tea shop to make sure her daughter wasn't sleeping rough to avoid coming up here. It must have been unbearable for him.' She squeezed him tightly to her chest to make sure that he didn't see the tears in her eyes. "You don't have to worry about being alone anymore. Your Onee-sama is going to take good care of her cute little brother from now on and make sure he's never lonely again, OK?" she kissed the top of his head as she ran her fingers through his scruffy hair. "Now let's get to bed OK?" Kanako said as she carried him to the futon.
"Aren't you going to get dressed Onee-sama?" he asked.
"Of course not." She gave him a sweet little smile. "Skinship is better when I'm like this isn't it?" Keitaro giggled and nodded his head before nuzzling closer to her. Slipping into the futon Kanako lay on her side holding Keitaro close to her body. Looking down at his cute face she saw his eyes were closed and that he was breathing very lightly. Thinking he was asleep Kanako kissed his forehead and was about to whisper goodnight when he said
"You know, I always wanted a little sister." Kanako tilted her head slightly.
"Is that so?
"Uhuh. I wanted to teach her all kinds of stuff and cuddle with her when we went to sleep and beat up anyone who made her sad." He looked up at her and grinned. "But having an Onee-sama as beautiful as you to cuddle up with is just as good!"
Looking down into his big honest, love filled eyes and smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way Kei-kun. It's time for us to get to sleep now OK?"
"OK Onee-sama." He nodded. Leaning up, Keitaro pressed his lips against hers before snuggling into her breasts. "Love you Onee-sama." He murmured.
Kanako blinked. This little boy just kept on surprising her. He has known her less than a day and already he had accepted her as his Onee-sama and declared his love for her. And she could tell there was no hollowness to his words. He meant exactly what he said. Kanako felt a warmth spread out from her heart engulfing her whole body as tears formed in her eyes. This was the first time in her life that someone felt such unadulterated love for her and she found that she couldn't help but love him back. Squeezing him tightly, she held him close to her chest "Love you too Kei-kun." She said before whispering. "You would have made a wonderful Onii-chan." Seeing him smile in his sleep Kanako nuzzled into his scruffy brown hair before drifting off to sleep.
Authors note from Rincewind1990:
Another chapter down and most likely one more to go. I've done 4500 words (As of 27/07/2010) and have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to write. Unfortunately I have not been able to get a hold of MotormMaster so he hasn't been able to look this chapter over nor talk about any other ideas but since we've already discussed it we know how this fic is going to end and have most of the last scene written so hopefully it won't be too long until I get the new one out.