I have the third chapter up and working on the fourth. Not much to say thats different from before. Working on chapters as much as I can between my jobs. So the fourth one may be up in a couple days.
The pairing are starting to become somewhat clearer. And maybe a small harem to be if it fits into my story. It will take awhile to form them though. I want it to be realistic enough to a real relationship. And as before please Review and Comment after reading, I really want to know if I kept the characters in... well character.
I started the story of just the same as the manga and worked in some key moments. I will be basing this entire story on the manga and, after some talk with a reviewer, some of the anime. Really I'm only using a character or two from it that do not appear in the manga. Hopefully I can integrate them into the story with little to no problems.
Disclaimer: I do not own my any means Love Hina or any of the characters I am using other then my own created ones (If there are going to be any at all).
And as always please review and tell me what you think. Let your voice be heard ( in a manner of speaking that is ). Tell me what you liked and what you didn't. It all helps in the long run. Helping me to write better stories and learn from my mistakes, and letting me write better stories for you to read. Win win in the end.
A Different Start
Chapter Three: Half known Secrets
Slowly opening her eyes Keiku stares at the same ceiling as before. Was it all a dream she thanks pushing the covers aside. Revealing her naked body she quickly pulls them back. Sitting up she Listens for anything to indicate that someone may be near. Hearing none she slowly stands and, after steading herself, wraps the sheet around her body.
"I hope no one sees me like this. Naru would get the wrong idea and probably hit me," she says visibly flinching. Finding the hall empty she quietly moves to the stairs. If I find them I can tell were I am in the building she thinks hoping she is right. Reaching the stairs she looks around and finds nothing that she remembers. She decides to head up after thinking for a moment.
Reaching the next floor she again finds nothing familiar. Turning to head back down Keiku stops as the room starts to slightly spin. Bracing herself against the wall Keiku takes several deep breathes until her vision clears. "I guess I really do have a fever," she says adding it to the growing list of problems. Taking a step she feels the world fall around her. Tumbling down the stairs she lands hard on the wooden floor. Groaning softly she blacks out from the pain.
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The front door opens to the resident swordmaster. Just getting back from school and having no practice today she prepares for her self meditation. Placing her bag down she heads, after removing her shoes, to the kitchen for a light snack before dinner. "Hello Kitsune-san how was your work today," she says after spotting the ashen haired fox sitting down at the table.
Turning Kitsune smiles from ear to ear,"Work was ok but the real money came from these babies," she says holding her racing tickets,"made about 500 dollars today. I think having that Keiku girl here brought my luck back." "Speaking of her," Motoko says opening the fridge,"Has she gotten better from this morning?"
"Well I have no idea what happened this morning but she's resting in my room right now," Kitsune says taking a drink of sake,"Had a nasty fever when I found her in the hot springs." "Thats to bad," Motoko says pulling out an apple,"I had hope she would get better after some rest." With that said Motoko nods to the fox and makes her way to her room to change.
She reaches the stairs just as a loud crash echoes through Hinata sou. Rushing up the stair she find Keiku collapsed and unconscious on the landing between the second and third floor. "Kitsune come quickly," Motoko says checking for a pulse on the fallen girl. Finding it and watching Keiku take a low ragged breath she relaxes a bit. "She's still alive," she says letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"What happened?!" Kitsune yells coming upon the scene. "I think she fell," Motoko says pulling at the sheet to check for broken bones. Her eyes widen as she blushes from the view of the naked girl before her. "W-Why is she naked?" Motoko manages to get out still staring at the unconscious girl. Kitsune takes the sheet from her and places it back over Keiku.
"Like I said," she begins moving to Keiku's other side,"I found her in the hot spring. Now help me move her to her room." Nodding Motoko gently helps lift her and slowly they make it to her room. Laying her in the futon Kitsune, after finding no broken bones, cover her in her own blanket. Motoko just stands to the side not knowing what to do.
"Hey Motoko," Kitsune says standing,"Watch over her while I go get Haruka." Motoko nods taking her place beside the girl as Kitsune heads off to the find Haruka. She watches and waits for several minutes before Keiku begins to wake. Opening her eyes Motoko sees soft brown eyes looking back at her. "What are you... doing here?" Keiku asks feeling a dull pain all over her body.
"I am watching over you until Kitsune returns with Haruka-san," Motoko says matter of factly,"You hurt yourself after falling down the stairs. So do not move much." Tears begin to swell up in her eyes as Keiku takes short breaths,"I'm nothing but trouble." Motoko stares down at her unsure of what to say. "I've done nothing but cause problems for everyone here," she continues the tears now beginning to fall,"Everywhere I go I do nothing but harm. I can't do anything right."
Motoko sits there in shock at the words coming from her. "That not true Keiku-san," Motoko says snapping out of her shock,"It was just bad luck, that is all." Keiku turns her head,"Why does nothing but bad luck happen to me then," she says between sobs. Motoko reaches out and places a hand on Keiku forehead. She is really burning up she thinks noticing the small amount of relief Keiku has with the simple contact.
Closing her eyes Keiku smiles feeling relaxed,"Then why can't I get into Tokyo U after two years of trying," she says before slipping unconscious once again. Motoko sits there the shock returned double its strength. Did she just say... she begins only to have her thought broken by the opening door.
"Motoko, is Keiku aright,"Haruka asks running into the room. Haruka showing more then indifference about someone both Kitsune and Motoko think at the same time. "Hai Haruka-san," Motoko says still wondering if she should tell them of what she has just found out. "She awoke for just a minute but fell back asleep," she says. I guess I could wait for a better time to tell them she decided. Breathing a sigh of relief Haruka sits next to her niece.
"She has always been accident prone when she's sick," Haruka says laying a hand on Keku's head feeling her temperature. "Kitsune would you go and finish helping the customers in the tea house then close it," she says looking down at her niece,"and Motoko please tell the other girls not to disturb Keiku for now." They both nod and leave her to watch over her Niece.
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Noticing the small movement Haruka leans over Keiku,"Try not to move." She nods feeling somewhat relieved at hearing her aunts voice. "I ache all over," Keiku says opening her eyes to a familiar ceiling for once. "You would after falling down a flight of stairs," Haruka replies,"Just be thankful that none of your bones broke." "Yeah thankful," she says with a weak smile.
"Ok somethings wrong so spill it," Haruka says in a 'No Argument' tone. Knowing no way out Keiku braces herself for what the truth, well some of it anyway, could mean for her. "I'm not actually a Tokyo U student yet," she begins knowing what that sentence will do," I failed two years in a row trying to get in." "Then why are you here now," Haruka asks holding in her surprise,"unless..."
"Dad kicked me out," Keiku finishes for her in somewhat of a dry tone. "What about your mother," Haruka says hoping to find some kind of silver lining. "Mom's the same," she says fiercely trying to hold back her emotions,"Unless I... I change... then I can't go back." Feeling the emotions pouring from her at the word 'change' Haruka knows more happened then just that. I'll have to call my stupid brother after this she thinks while trying to calm her niece.
"Don't worry about it. Your secret is safe with me," she says giving her best motherly smile," You just rest, I'll have Shinobu bring you something for you to eat later." Keiku just nods quietly unable to find word to say. Gently patting her head and Smiling Haruka leaves hearing to her shop to make a much needed call.
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"Because Haruka-san asked you not to Su," Motoko repeats again for the fifth time. The young tanned girl drops her head in defeat. "But I wanted to play with her," she says before jumping up smiling,"I know, I'll make something to help her get better." With an almost wicked glint in her eyes the young blond races off to her room. Silently Motoko prays for Keiku's safety and health once Su gets a hold of her. Turning to the roof for her daily practice Motoko still battles on what and who to tell about Keiku's statement earlier. "Practice will help clear my mind," she says ascending the stairs.
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Even after two hours of practice and quiet meditation she was no closer to her answer. Maybe if I ask for someones advice she thinks heading down to change. Su and Shinobu are to young she thinks Naru would use it to throw her out and Kitsune wouldn't be able to not tell anyone. "The only one left is Haruka-san," she says aloud entering her room. Quickly changing she looks at her clock. "Almost an hour before dinner," she says leaving her room to find Haruka.
Quietly checking Keiku's room first she finds nothing but the sleeping girl. The kitchen also bears nothing but Shinobu cooking. Only one place left to go. Heading down to the tea house only to stop at the door. Haruka was screaming at someone. Haruka never screams at anyone Motoko thinks surprised. Creeping into the building she stealthily maker her way to the back office.
"She's your daughter!" Haruka yells pausing for the other person to answer. She's on the phone Motoko puts together after hearing nothing form the other person. "So what if she failed to get into Tokyo U!" she yells again. Haruka already knows Motoko thinks her eyes widening a bit. "That's still not a good enough reason to kick her out!" Haruka says Motoko feeling the anger from her. Kicked out! Motoko gasps She was kicked out because she didn't get into Tokyo U.
Haruka's eyes narrow at the almost unheard noise from the other room. Before Haruka could call out the intruder she almost drops th phone at what her older brother says. Eyes wide Haruka just stand there not knowing what to say. "B-But when did she," she begins unable to imagine it,"How did we not see it before?" Hearing his answer she just stands quiet.
Sudden realization hit her at what Keiku said earlier. "Was it you that said if she changed she could come back!" Haruka yells again her anger returning anew. Her anger then doubles,"BOTH!" Haruka shakes with anger as she listens to her brother.
"YOU BASTARD!" she yell into the phone before slamming it down hard. "Who ever is out there better not be in five seconds," she says through clenched teeth. Quickly Motoko runs from the tea shop her heart pounding. "Ok now is definitely not the time to ask her anything" she says fear rising in her.
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"How the hell do I talk to her now," Haruka says pacing back and forth in her tea shop. "Nothing wrong with it," she says trying to rationalize it all,"I mean its her choice after all." Can I even look at her the same way she thinks alarmed at her own thoughts. "Damn," she says punching the nearby wall,"That's what my stupid brother was telling me not five minute ago."
Frustrated at herself Haruka takes out a cigarette and takes a long pull off the newly lit stick. "I need to get my nerves right before I face her again," she says nodding to herself,"I don't want to say anything stupid." Walking to the fridge in her office she pulls out a small bottle of sake. "I need a drink before I see her next," Haruka says taking a sip straight from the bottle.
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(two hours earlier)
SAY WHAT! Naru thought after hearing Keiku's confession Why that little! Ready to throw the board covering the hole in her room aside she stops at what she hears next. "Dad kicked me out," she hears Keiku say. Naru freezes in place listening to the rest of the conversation. To the point of tears Naru listens as Haruka reassures her niece then leaves the girl to rest.
"That's horrible," she say just sitting beside the hole. "To think parents could leave a child so easily," she says remembering her own parents divorce. "At least I still have my mom," Naru says gripping her Liddo-kun doll," she doesn't have either of them." And I haven't helped any she thinks looking back at all she did and said to her. I'm such a bad person Naru thanks dropping her head.
"I have to apologize to her," she says placing Liddo-kun aside. Slowly and quietly she lifts the board and looks down at a sleeping Keiku. "I guess I could try later," she says ready to place the board back. "Is someone there?" a voice asks causing Naru to look back down. Meeting eye to eye with Keiku, who was sitting up in her futon, Naru manages a 'Hi'. "Narusegawa right?" Keiku says getting a nod from her. "I um... well you see... can I come down and talk?" Naru finally asks.
"Sure," Keiku replies somewhat surprised that she was being so friendly. Climbing down slowly and dropping Naru lands beside her. Sitting next to her Naru looks straight at Keiku,"Theres really no good way to say this. I over heard your talk with Haruka-san." Keiku drops her head in utter failure. Now that Naru knows Keiku was sure she was gone.
"I understand," she says completely defeated,"can I at least stay one last night before I leave?" Naru's eyes shot open does she still think I'll have her kicked out!? "No that's not what I meant," Naru begins,"I think it's stupid that your family would throw you out for not passing a test!" "Wha?" the surprised Keiku mutters. "I'm not going to tell the others about this," she says smiling at Keiku,"And you don't have to leave. I don't know if the others will be ok with your lying but I'm sure they will eventually be back to normal."
For a long moment Keiku sits there unable to respond. Then smiling the first real smile in the last few days she bows her head,"Thank you Narusegawa." "And no more of that either. Just call me Naru," she says smiling back,"Narusegawa makes me sound too old." "Thank you N-Naru," Keiku says a light shade of pink crossing her face.
"Better," she says before reaching out and pulling the girl into a hug. Unable to stop it Keiku turns red from the close embrace. Keiku wraps her arms around Naru before she even realized. Closing her eyes Keiku pulls closer to her. She's so warm and soft she thinks her mind beginning to haze over. With one big problem on the path to fixing itself Keiku's mind and heart feel lighter.
Slowly she drifts off into a blissful sleep. Naru, finding Keiku asleep in their hug, gently lays her back down on the futon. I guess that was worrying her more then I thought she thinks pulling the covers back over her. Silently standing she checks the door, knowing she can;t climb back up the hole. Sneaking down the hall and up the stairs she quietly steps into her room. "I need to tell Haruka-san that I know she says closing her door,"It's the last I can do to show I'm sorry."
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Dinner was rather awkward to say the least. Kitsune, Motoko, and Naru all remained silent for the most part while Shinobu and Su just wondered what was going on. To make matters worse Haruka had shown up to eat and ended up spitting out her drink when Shinobu asked about Keiku. Apologizing for the mess Haruka pardons herself from the rest of the meal.
This causes all three older girls to ponder on what just happened. After much thought they all came up with the same conclusion. She must already know about Keiku not being a real Tokyo U student. That caused all three of them to finish theirs meals one after the other and retreat to their own rooms. Each thought on what to do next. Revealing Keiku's secret to Haruka without her already knowing would be bad. But what about the reaction earlier. Did she already know? These questions and more hit each girl over and over again until they each made a decision.
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Kitsune knocks on the back door of the tea house. Moments later Haruka answers a confused and slightly angered look on her face. "Yes Kitsune what do you need," she asks trying to be polite. "I need to talk to you about Keiku," the fox says right to the point. Haruka ,eyes narrowed, nods letting her in. Taking a seat at the bar Haruka pours them some tea.
"So what about my niece do you need to talk about," Haruka says holding back her worry. "Well when I went to find her some clothes after I found her in the hot spring I stumbled across something important," Kitsune begins forgoing all her normal riddle like manners. Haruka patiently waits for her to go on holding back all her surprise. "I found a pass book for Tokyo U," she begins again after Haruka says nothing,"Keiku's really a preparation student not a real student."
So she know abut one pat of it Haruka thinks weighting her options. "Why are you telling me this Kitsune?" Haruka asks hoping to find some alterer motive. "I was wondering if you already found out after the reaction you had at dinner," she says taking a sip of the cooling tea. "Yeah I already found out earlier today," she says. "Did you do or tell anyone else this?" Haruka asks her worry finally getting the better of her. Kitsune shakes her head,"No not a soul. I couldn't tell them about it. She was talking in her sleep and from what I heard I figured she was kicked out of her house, right?"
Haruka, now having found a new level of respect for the woman, nods. "Yeah her dad, my brother, kicked her out for failing two years in a row," Haruka says now taking her first drink of tea. No need to tell everything just yet she thinks. "That pretty harsh if you ask me," Kitsune says shaking her head,"I mean how could they do that if she's trying so hard."
"No clue," Haruka says,"but I know she need all the comfort she can get right now. That means not telling her that you know her secret ok." Kitsune nods in agreement,"Yeah that would just add to her problems. So I'll say nothing about it and only help if she needs it." "That sounds good," Haruka replies,"Thank yo Kitsune." The fox smiles back taking her leave from the tea house. Feeling better after talking to Haruka Kitsune would be able to sleep tonight.
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Motoko waited for Kitsune to reenter the house before silently sneaking out the back. Spotting the light in the tea house on she knew Haruka was there. Knocking on the door Haruka answers with a somewhat surprised look. "What is it Motoko?" she asks not sure what to expect.
"Haurka-san I wish to talk to you about Keiku-san," the swordmaster says a look of determination in her eyes. Haruka nods guiding her into the tea house. Sitting down at a near table Haruka offers her some tea. She declines saying that what she has to say is important. "I will get straight to the point," Motoko says looking Haruka in the eyes,"Keiku, while suffering from her fever told me that she was not in Tokyo U. I do not know what to do about this situation."
Haruka mentally cries out to Keiku Only you could tell some one something and not remember. "Well if it make you feel any better I just found out earlier today," Haruka says trying to guide the young swordswoman. "I had guest as much from your earlier reaction," Motoko says feeling slightly better from the knowledge. "What does your heart tell you to do," Haruka says waiting on edge for her reply.
"She belittled herself to such a far extent when I was with her," Motoko says remembering all that she had said,"I do not wish to cause her any harm by exposing her lie." Haruka smiles at the girl,"I think that is very honorable of you Motoko." She nods a light blush appearing on her cheeks,"Thank you Haruka-san." With that Motoko takes her leave feeling a burden lift from her shoulders.
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Naru watches Motoko walk up the stairs she readies herself to sneak out. Walking down the steps Naru find Haruka just closing up the tea house. "Haruka-san I was hoping to talk with you for a minute," she says coming up to her. Haruka sighs guessing at what she needed.
"How can I help you Naru," she asks ready to confront the girl if need be. If Naru knew about Keiku's lie then she could made lie here a real hell for the poor girl. "I.... well um... I just wanted to... never mind Haruka-san," she says losing her courage. Turning away Naru hurries off before Haruka can stop her. I just couldn't tell her. But why she thinks on her way back to Hinata sou.
It was something that picked at the back of her mind that just wouldn't stop. She didn't know what it was but it was really getting on her nerves. What ever it was would have to wait till morning, it was getting late and she had preparation school the next day.
End chapter Three
AN:And the third chapter is up. Again tell me if I left anything out.
So now Kitsune, Motoko, and Naru know that she is not a Tokyo U student. Did anyone expect them to react the way they did. I didn't make them to out of character this time did I. And was Haruka's reaction to finding out both what Keiku's father did and about Keiku right. Did it seem realistic for her personality. I was really worried about this chapter because of the way people found out about her half lie to them and their reactions to it.
I would still like to know anyones favorite pairings if you the reader would like to tell. If enough people spill I might just make it a reality in my story. Just a little reader involvement on my part. I find that readers tend to grow more attached to stories they had a help in shaping. Plus I love hearing about all the odd couple in the series. Anything goes not just the main pairings. Any character is up for pairings. Just nothing to over the top.
Till next time (^^)