So I got this chapter finished faster then I thought I would. I was really hitting it this time too. Oh and to let my Love Hina readers know I am making this my top story. I posted a new Armored Core story right before this but I am only doing that one when I get a chance. Updates to this story are my top priority. I just had this idea for a new story and ran with it.
And I would like to apologize ahead of time for the slurred speech ahead. I'm not telling where or why it's there but it is there. I have to say that was the hardest thing I had to write for this chapter. I wanted to make it sound real but wanted everyone to understand it too. I hope I did ok.
Oh and if your younger then 21 you shouldn't drink. It can really mess you up if your not prepared. I know that from experience. So just wait until it's your turn and all.
This is also the part of the story where it starts to skip ahead in time. I skipped afew things in the manga and used a couple of things too. You'll see the events I'm talking about I'm sure. Also Somethings are happening differently. I wanted to change them to fit the story more then they did.
Disclaimer: I do not own by 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).
Well that's all from me this time.
A Different Start
Chapter Seven: The one mistake
The days seemed to flash by for Keiku. Motoko, Shinobu, Naru, and Su would go off to school in the morning. Kitsune would lounge about between her so called journalistic career. And Keiku would study and go to prep school along with Naru. Even after all that the girls still managed to have a family like attitude. Eating together and the occasional bath, though Keiku rarely ever bathed with them.
Even after everyone's acceptance she still felt like it was a betrayal of their trust if she did. Though Kitsune teased her endlessly for it but they all knew she was only trying to prevent any misunderstandings. Her relationship had improved with everyone including Naru, all be it a slow improvement.
But that improvement was the reason she was in this situation in the first place. Hiding under Naru's kotatsu waiting for Kitsune to leave. Keiku really didn't know why Naru had shoved her under it but there was little she could do now. It was getting way to hot for her and she couldn't see very well. Where are my glasses she wonders trying to keep from touching Kitsune. I can't stay under much longer she says trying to keep her breath low I'm running out of air.
My head feels dizzy she thinks as her limited vision starts to blur and grow fuzzy. She reaches out feeling for the opening as she encounters something soft. I need to get out she thinks grabbing at what ever the soft thing was. Her breath coming in quick short gasps she pulls again trying to reach fresh air. Suddenly the soft thing pulls away as Keiku is pulled from under the kotatsu.
"Just what the hell were you doing under there!?" Naru growls as Keiku tries to focus her vision slowly returning. "I'm... sorry... I couldn't breath," she says slowing her breathing,"I was trying to find an opening. What was I grabbing?" Naru blushes a deep shade of red,"It was nothing."
"I guess I should get back to my room before Kitsune comes back," she says scratching the back of her head,"Thanks again for helping me study" "Your welcome," she says smiling,"But next time how about asking earlier then this." "Ok," Keiku says as Naru pats her on the back.
"Hey Naru I got this cold remedy that works wonders," Kitsune says throwing open her door,"And what's this?" Keiku and Naru both pale as she smiles her wide mischievous grin. Kitsune was about to yell out some random perverted comment when she saw the fear in Keiku's eyes.
Maybe I'll let them go... easier this time she thinks placing her hands on her hips,"Four bottles." Keiku already knew what that meant as she had previously bought her six bottles of fine Sake for the 'help' she gave her when she was coming out to the others. "Fine," she says knowing she'll have to skip lunch for a couple of days after this.
Smiling Kitsune just walks off not saying another word. "Do I even want to know what that was about," Naru asks completely confused. "No not really," Keiku replies saying her thanks again before leaving. Something inside tells Keiku that this is only the beginning of her expenses.
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"So how did the test go," Kitsune asks just as Keiku walks in the door. Moments later Naru walks in smiling a triumphant victory. The mood of the dorms current ronin and the over happy Naru told her everything. "Not that good huh?" she says as Keiku drops down on the couch beside her.
"I failed but Naru pasted with flying colors," she says in a less then happy tone,"I can still pass the real test next month but I really need to study more." "Don't ya think ya study enough as it is," Kitsune says taking a sip of some kind of alcohol Keiku could place.
"I'll be in the spring if you need anything," Naru says passing the two girls on the couch. Kitsune waves to her as she returns to depressed ronin,"When was the last time ya went out and had some fun." "To much work to be done to have fun," she says matter of factly,"plus I really don't have a social life." Kitsune takes another sip as a plan was forming in her head.
"All I'm saying it that ya work to hard," she says taking notes on her idea,"You'll burn yourself out like that." "A small break wouldn't hurt I guess," she says submitting to Kitsune's point of view,"But what can I do I have no money."
Kitsune inwardly flinches as Keiku stares at her fully aware of why she didn't have any money. Maybe this will make up for it she thinks needing to get everything ready for later. "Well you look tired as hell so why not go up and rest," she says hoping to get her out of the way for the time being,"I'll come and get you when dinner is ready."
Nodding Keiku stands heading up to her room. "Now to finds the others," she says getting up and searching for the rest of Hinata sou's residents. After about fifteen minutes she gathers the small group together minus Keiku and Naru who are up in their rooms.
"Look I was thinking that maybe we could give them a small party for tying so hard lately," she says as Motoko just stares at her,"Since Christmas is in acouple days we could make it a Christmas and a good work party combined." "Your just using them to have another party aren't you," the young swordswoman says cutting right to the point. "Look it really is for them I promise," Kitsune says holding her hands together in a praying motion,"Naru's studying from morning to night while Keiku is just getting burned out from it all. They could use a little party to help loosen them up a bit."
Motoko finally nods finding no fault in her reasoning. Su agrees easily as she just sees it as another way to have fun. Shinobu shyly nods asking for a list of what she needs to cook. Giving each girl their own task Kitsune heads out to get the parties most important ingredient, alcohol.
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Opening her eyes Keiku looks around her room wiping the sleep from them. "I must of fallen asleep," she concludes stretching her stiff muscles. "I wonder why it's so quiet," she says aloud reachng for her door just as it opens. "Ah," she yells jumping back only to trip and fall flat on her butt.
"K-Kitsune you scared me!" she says trying to control her shaking,"Is dinner ready." "Something like that," she says offering Keiku a hand up. Taking the hand Keiku looks at her confused,"What does that mean?" "You'll find out so come on," she says pulling Keiku along by the same hand. Reaching the bottom floor Keiku stares wide eyed.
"What's all this?" she asks turning back to Kitsune. "Well I said you were working yourself to much," she says opening on eye,"You and Naru need to learn to have some fun every now and then. Other wise you'll just burn out like I said before." Keiku just stands unable to say anything at all. "Don't just stand there girl," she says pushing Keiku in the back,"We have a party to start." Smiling Keiku walks with Kitsune over to the other girls ready to begin the celebrations.
After eating, drinking, and even karaoke most of the girls seem to be reaching their limits. Naru lays passed out on the couch while Motoko and Su sleep on the floor. Shinobu retreated to her room earlier and fell asleep in her bed. The only ones still up were Keiku and Kitsune. Kitsune knew why she was still up and kicking but having Keiku still with her was surprising even to the fox.
"I 'idn't know yahs' could hold yus liquar," she says somewhat slurred,"Ya druank a'lmoust as much as'h me." "I coul'd alwiys driank for s'some reasion," she says slurring as Kitsune was,"Nevher ralley knew why I coul'd vough." "We shoold get thevm s'some colvers," Kitsune says trying to stand. "I'll help," Keiku adds trying to stand herself.
With help from the other the two manage to cover Naru, Motoko, and Su with little difficulty. Getting up to their rooms proved to be a harder challenge. The stair case seemed to move with every step. Reaching Keiku's door they stop steadying themselves against the door frame.
"Thangs for thifs Kitsune," Keiku says looking at the younger fox. "Anzytime girl," she replies patting the drunken girl on the head. "Yus nead anzymore help wifh anzything," she asks her normal foxy smile somewhat off. Keiku remains silent for a time before reaching out to Kitsune. "Stay wizh me toniaht," she says looking into Kitsune's partially open eyes,"jhust tonighz pwease."
Kitsune stands there knowing that she should say something but nothing comes out. Instead she nods walking into the room closing the door behind her. Even after that something was still just out of her minds reach. Maybe I should stop drinking so much she thinks before she looses focus again.
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"My head hurts so much right now," Naru says drinking some herbal tea,"I hope this works like Kitsune said it would." "Why did I drink so much," the staggering swordswoman says walking into the kitchen. "I think it was either Kitsune or Su that kept giving you a new drink every time yours ran out," Naru replies to her trying to remember all of last night,"Speaking of which were is Su?"
"She's still sleeping in the main room,"Motoko says sitting beside Naru,"I moved her to the couch." "I remember Shinobu went to bed early," Naru says rubbing her head,"I guess Kitsune and Keiku made it to theirs too." "It must have been them that had covered us last night then," Motoko adds in after thinking it over. "Here," Naru says offering a new cup of tea to Motoko,"This will help."
"Ah thank you," she says taking the cup,"My head feels like it was hit by a training bokken." "Good thing it's the week end," Naru says taking another drink,"But I still have prep school later. Keiku does to if I remember correctly. Someone should go and wake her up." Neither girl makes a move as they continue to drink their tea.
"I guess she can sleep in a bit longer," Naru says finishing her tea. Fixing another cup she places it on a tray. "I'll take this up to Kitsune to drink," she says as Motoko nods taking a sip of her own tea. Knocking on her door Naru waits as no one answers. "Were is she?" she asks herself.
Sliding the door she scans the empty room. "Looks like she didn't even sleep here last night," she says thinking on where Kitsune could be,"Maybe Keiku knows were she is." Closing the door she walks next door to Keikus room. "Keiku are you up?" she asks gently knocking. "I was wondering if you've seen Kitsune...," she stops dropping the tray.
Kitsune was sleeping soundly on Keiku's futon her body sprawled out. What shocked Naru was the extra person sleeping with her. Keiku was hugging onto Kitsune using her arm as a pillow. Both seemed to be smiling unaware of their surroundings.
Naru backed away unable to say a word at the scene before her. Quietly closing the door Naru rushes away and back down to the kitchen. "Is something wrong Naru-san," Motoko asks watching as Naru jumps in surprise. "N-Nothing is wrong," she says unsure if she should tell her of what she has just seen. "I'm going out for a walk I'll be back later," Naru quickly says hoping the fresh air will clear her head. Just as she was leaving the very two girls she was thinking of began to wake.
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Kitsune slowly opened her eyes using a hand to shield her eyes from the harsh sunlight. "What happened?" she asks herself out loud,"And where am I?" Trying to sit up she find herself being pulled down by an unknown force. Looking down Kitsune's eyes shot open in shock as Keiku lays holding her. What the hell she says trying to remember last night.
Rubbing her temple with her free hand Kitsune wonders on what to do. "Um... Keiku, hey, wake up," Kitsune says gently shaking her awake. Lifting her head Keiku smiles,"Good morning." Seconds go by before Keiku shocks herself fully awake. Pulling away from Kitsune she covers her mouth in a mix of fear and shock.
"K-Kitsune what... what happened last night," she stammers out,"We didn't... do anything... did we?" "I really don't know," Kitsune says just as confused,"The last thing I remember was walking together up the stairs to go to bed. But then something happened that I can't remember."
"Oh god I knew I shouldn't have drank anything," Keiku cries starting to shake,"I did something bad and I can't even remember it. I'm sorry Kitsune, I'm so sorry." Tears began to fall from her as Keiku's shaking grew in momentum. Kitsune just sat there watching the girl breakdown. "I can't believe I did anything to you," she says between sobs,"I tainted you."
Kitsune shakes herself of the haze as she reaches out to Keiku. "Don't touch me," she rasps out pulling away from her,"You'll just get dirty from me." With a new strength Kitsune grabs Keiku and pulls her into a strong embrace. "Your not dirty or a bad person," she says fighting with her,"We were drunk and didn't have control over our actions. Hell we don't even know what we did!"
Still trying to pull away Keiku begins to lose her strength as Kitsune refuses to let her go. Eventually Keiku relaxes against Kitsune her emotional storm slowly dying down. "Kitsune," she says just above a whisper,"help me." She sits holding Keiku gently stroking her hair trying to figure out what to do. Lowering Keiku to her lap just as she slipped back to sleep Kitsune looks around the room.
Our clothes are still on so nothing major happened at least she thinks looking at herself and Keiku. The room looks to be in one piece she continues running through all the possible outcomes. Her head hurt from the hangover but the shock of waking up with Keiku sobered her up faster then her own herbal tea.
"What was I thinking last night?" she asks herself quietly trying to not wake Keiku,"I must have been really drunk to not remember anything." I hope no one comes and finds us like this she thinks a slight shiver of fear running up her spine poor Keiku wouldn't hear the end of it.
Laying Keiku down on the futon she quietly walks over to the desk mirror to take a look at herself. Her ashen hair was a mess from sleep. Blood shot eyes from drinking and wrinkled clothes from sleeping in them. Rubbing her neck Kitsune spots something in the mirror. Leaning closer she examines the mark closer. "Hell!" she says knowing exactly what the mark is. This was the worst possible time to get a hickey.
"I need to get back to my room and change," she says checking first Keiku then the door,"I need to get a turtle neck or scarf to hide this." Finding no one in the hall she makes a dash for her room next door. Quickly changing she grabs a light brown turtle neck and blue jean pants. "I hope this is enough for now," she says walking back out of her room.
Just as she was about to open Keiku door to check on her Motoko appears from the stair way. "Good morning Konno-san," she says holding a cup of tea. "Motoko! Geez girl don't scare me like that," Kitsune says pulling her hand away from the door,"So what are you up to." "I was bringing a cup of herbal tea to Urashima-san," she says holding up the cup,"It was something Naru-san had given to me this morning for my headache."
"Yeah that stuff really helps," she says before a thought crosses her mind,"Were is Naru anyway." "She left after taking a cup of tea up to you," Motoko says stopping in front of Keiku's door,"She seemed troubled by something though." Kitsune just stands the color fading from her face. "Were you checking in on her as well," Motoko asks waiting for Kitsune to reply.
"Wha... I mean yes I was," she quickly corrects herself,"She kinda drank too much last night. I was just making sure she was ok is all." "Then could you give her this for me," she says handing her the cup of tea,"I have practice I have to attend." "Sure no problem," she says taking the cup,"I'll give it to her."
Nodding Motoko disappears down the stairs the same way she arrived. Waiting for any sign of her coming back up the stairs Kitsune slides open the door and steps in. Closing the door she makes her way over to the sleeping Keiku.
"Hey shugga time to get up," she says gently touching Keiku. Slowly waking Keiku rubs her head,"I feel sick." "I know. Drink this and you'll feel better," she says holding the cup to her lips. Taking a sip Keiku pulls away,"Oh god it tastes horrible." "It's better then the massive hangover your going to have," she reassures her,"now drink some more."
Keiku takes the cup and slowly drinks the foul tasting tea. "I don't think we did anything," Kitsune says getting straight to the point,"Just look at all the signs. Our clothes are still on, there no damage to the room, and neither of us are um... sore right?"
Keiku just nods a slight blush on her face. "So I think we just passed out here last night is all," Kitsune says smiling,"So nothing to worry about right?" "I guess," Keiku says still sipping her tea. "Listen we don't have to tell anyone either if you don't want to," she says leaning back on her hands,"I mean nothing happened so nothing to tell."
"Are you sure it's ok to keep it a secret from the other girls," Keiku says worried about lying tot the others. "I got no complaints so yeah I'm sure," she replies,"Now lets get you cleaned up cause you look like hell." This causes a laugh from Keiku who smilies back at the fox,"Yeah I probably do." Finishing her tea Keiku gathers some clothes to change into and follows Kitsune to the hot springs.
End chapter seven
AN: Chapter seven complete. Alot happened in this chapter. I was really worried about doing to much in this chapter. I still haven't picked a pairing yet. Please let me know what you readers would like. Mutsumi or Kitsune, which one should I pair Keiku up with.
I ended up mixing three events together in this chapter. The failing exam part, the Christmas party, and the bad luck on New Years. I pulled somethings from each and made this chapter. Hope it is as good as I think it is.
As always review and let me know what you liked or what you hated. Again anything you tell me only helps in the long run.
Till next time (^^)