Repercussions Chapter 5, a love hina fanfic

Well, it's been a couple of weeks, time for an update.

I'm not sure how long this fic will turn out, but I doubt I'm near half-way yet. I also have no fixed plan as to how this will work out, or indeed which pairing will turn out in the end.

Thanks to all the reviewers, your feedback is greatly appreciated

Well, on with the chapter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repercussions - Chapter 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haruka stubbed a cigarette out irritably. She'd awoken earlier than she'd intended, which wasn't surprising. Sighing, she fiddled with her brown ceramic mug before taking a slug of black coffee, feeling thoroughly irritable. It was not even dawn yet, but she knew that sleep was over. Not that she'd managed much, as thoughts rumbled like thunder through her mind for much of the night.

Staring blankly around at the comfortable warmth of her café, the woman couldn't draw any enjoyment from the flawless décor, which was all created by her hand. Oriental wall scrolls, tan-varnished panels and wooden furniture, all illuminated by numerous hanging lamps adorning the ceiling. Many hours of hard work, and her pride and joy. Normally the darkest mood would be lifted by gazing around her creation, especially when silent and undisturbed by customers.

But at present, Haruka felt just too tired with things to manage even a twinge of satisfaction. Lighting another tobacco stick from her ever present box, the brown-haired woman began running through her thoughts.

Naru, yeah, she was tired of Naru. The girl, in her opinion, had stepped over the mark the night before last. She was drunk, yes. But she meant what she said, and sure as hell meant to knock Keitaro into next week.

Keitaro. Haruka hated to admit it, but she was tired with him too. Perhaps that was one reason she harboured such resentment towards Naru was that the antennae'd girl was making her annoyed with her neph- no, her favourite relative. He worshipped the very ground the girl walked upon.

It was the lack of balls, for lack of a better term, that Haruka was really fed up with. Love or no, there was only so much someone should be willing to take before refusing to tolerate any more. If it had been her, she would have drop-kicked the Tokyo-U student down the steps months ago.

Well, maybe not, but she sure as hell wouldn't be chasing after her. Or even talking to her for that matter.

If there was one thing that encouraged Haruka, it was that Keitaro had finally shown a bit of backbone that night. When he had taken Naru on face-to-face, and wouldn't step down. Keitaro would not, ever, allow anyone to say he would do such a thing. To even suggest he would consider accosting a girl against her will, and Shinobu at that…..

The thirty-something lady took another mouthful of coffee, flicking a half-inch of ash from the end of her cigarette. It was the look on the young man's face when she accused him of trying to molest someone he was so protective of that suggested the line had been crossed. Haruka could almost see the rose-tinted spectacles slide off their precarious perch and tumble to the floor.

Where Naru had put her size six heels onto them and ground them into dust, much to Mutsumi's poorly concealed delight.

Oh yes, Mutsumi too. Haruka was intending to have a chat with the girl as soon as possible. It was obvious at the dinner table that she was trying to set Naru up, either to catch her in a lie or bring her down in front of everyone. The older woman was prepared to overlook it as a bit of anger at the other girl's actions. But then, after the party, there was uncertainty in Haruka's mind. She was beginning to wonder if the ever-cheery lady had decided she wanted to hurry Keitaro out of his somewhat unhealthy relationship.

She had watched the dark-eyed Okinawan talking into Mitsune's ear for a good ten minutes when the fox was blazing drunk, before asking Keitaro for the next dance. After barely a minute, she had handed the Kanrinin onto the hungry-looking alcoholic with an obvious wink.

Then, soon as the fox started getting overly affectionate, she had shaken the semi-comatose Naru (who was dozing with her head on the table at the time) and asked if she wanted a drink. Head came up, eyes opened straight onto the pair right before her, and all hell broke loose.

Maybe it was all co-incidence. But everything took place a little too smoothly. Haruka would have expected the mahogany haired girl to dance with Keitaro for as long as her temperamental body could handle it. And why wake up someone so utterly intoxicated to ask if she wanted yet another drink? She knew what would happen soon as Naru clapped eyes on her boyfriend with someone else's hand on his crotch. Especially Mitsune's. Deep down, Naru was intimidated by the fox's looks, felt threatened by her reputation.

Guaranteed bad reaction.

And Mitsune…..

If there was one person Haruka really was tired of, it was the silver fox. Drunk every other night, playing games with Keitaro, fleecing every yen she could get and blowing the lot on horses or sake. Taking her favourite relative's good nature and milking the hell out of it. Living on platitudes and other people's money.

The café owner had put endless graft into making her shop one of the finest in the city, and even put some of the profits to the upkeep of the Hinata Sou. To see it leached by someone who seemed utterly disinterested in doing a day's work in her life, and enjoyed the challenge of living off other people……

Haruka was surprised to find she was snarling with annoyance. The situation irked her no end. The woman had no idea how Mitsune had managed to work her way over half a decade from paid-up resident to fair weather freeloader, but it had been done with a subtlety and panache that was remarkable.

And her alcohol intake…..

That was becoming a real issue. The café owner wasn't so concerned for the fox herself, it was more the worry that one of the other residents could be affected by her errant behaviour, or even be dragged into the same bad habit. Shinobu and Su particularly, as the freelance freeloader wasn't concerned who she shared her stash with - the more the merrier in her opinion.

The night before last proved what results that sort of attitude can produce.

Haruka exhaled irritably, trying to resist the urge to light up a third cigarette in fifteen minutes. It wasn't that she disliked any of the girls. She had always been fond of them all, especially Shinobu. But the way things had been going recently, she was just…..tired. Things needed to change, and soon. Otherwise she'd end up smoking more than Mutsumi's old house.

The gown-clad woman cast a glance out of the window, and a brief smile graced her still youthful features.

There was one more thing she was tired of, and that was the snow.

At least that had stopped.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keitaro found himself in a very enjoyable situation. He had dreamt of being in this position more than once, but this dream was much, much better than his average ones.

For a few seconds the young man relished the sensations, being the contented filling of an otherwise very feminine sandwich, judging by the softness that was pushed into each of his arms. Feeling very warm and even more comfortable, he drowsily decided to just enjoy the experience.

Just then, the softness on his left shifted slightly, with a quiet sigh.

Hang on a minute.

Keitaro's brain began to flag up a few things. One, he was sitting somewhere, so he was not in his room. Two, he had a person on each arm, both female judging by the ahem consistency. Three, he was definitely not dreaming, since that pinch he had just given himself really hurt.

The air-raid sirens began to wail as Keitaro began to realise he was, in fact, sleeping with two women of unknown identity in an unknown location.

Feeling himself beginning to sweat, he cracked one of his eyes open. They took in pastel-blue wallpaper, a table with purple flowers arranged neatly upon them, and the sun shining in through balcony windows. So Shinobu's room then. This also meant that one of the very pleasant lumps pressing against him was most likely the violet-haired girl. This didn't provide the Kanrinin with any great comfort. The one place to be discovered (other than in Naru's underwear drawer) that would guarantee him certain death was here. Plus after having slept with his youngest tenant…..

Keitaro blushed gently at the way his mind had put it. They hadn't slept together in that way, but sure as hell is a bit warm would the anti-pervert alliance take it as meaning full-blown sex with a starter of foreplay, possibly followed by a cigarette for dessert.

Resisting the urge to panic, the Kanrinin decided to work out who was on his right. Slowly, with the utmost care, he tilted his head over and opened his eye a little more. Dark brown hair was the sight that greeted him, too dark to be Naru. Between that and the, well, amount of softness against that arm, the young man came to the conclusion it was Mutsumi. Releasing a gasp of relief he didn't know he was carrying, the Kanrinin relaxed slightly. The Okinawan was always well meaning, and would have no intention of broadcasting the fact that she had slept beside him and Shinobu at the same time. He hoped.

Speaking of whom…..

Keitaro opened his other eye to find two violet ones peering back at him from close range.

"Good morning Sem-Keitaro." Shinobu chirped happily. Sensing the man's panic levels beginning to rise again, the girl gave his arm a tight squeeze. "You fell asleep here with me yesterday, nothing wrong with that. No-one has to know you spent the night in my room."

"Thanks Shinobu." Keitaro nodded his head towards the still sleeping Mutsumi. "When did she get here? The last thing I remember was watching the snow fall."

"Your guess is as good as mine." Shinobu patted the tartan blanket. "I suppose she's responsible for this. Maybe she felt a little light-headed and decided to sit here rather than risk fainting." The girl smiled before cuddling back into her Kanrinin's side, pleased to note that he only tensed for a few seconds before relaxing again. "Besides, I'd have wanted to join us, so I can't blame her."

"Mmmmm." Keitaro replied, enjoying the situation a little more than he would have before - now, he didn't feel an overwhelming desire to run and hide under the nearest piece of furniture. "I don't know if I said this yesterday, but thanks, Shinobu."

"Any time, Keitaro."

"Ara, my neck is stiff this morning." Shinobu jumped, and so would Keitaro had he not been firmly trapped.

"G-good morning Mutsumi-san." The diminutive girl stuttered as the older woman's eyelids fluttered open slowly.

"Ah, good morning Shinobu-chan, morning Kei-kun." Mutsumi stretched her arms out to their full length, yawning widely. "How are you both today?" Receiving positive responses (excepting complaints about stiff backs) the brown-haired girl relaxed back into the chair, wiping sleep from her eyes.

"Um, Mutsumi-chan, when did you get here?" Keitaro asked, curious.

"Mmmmm, about eleven last night I think." Yawning again sleepily, Mutsumi let her eyelids close slowly again. "You both looked comfy, and I was tired. I decided that the sofa was closer and more inviting than my bed."

"I was just saying the same thing, right Keitaro?" Shinobu added.

Mutsumi looked at her curiously. It was seconds before the younger girl noted her slip, and the enquiring gaze of the one sat on the far side of her Kanrinin. Far too late take it back.

"Ah, Mutsumi-chan, we kinda decided we knew each other well enough to drop the formality." Murmured Keitaro, thinking it was pointless lying to the Okinawan. The aforesaid girl nodded gently with her usual blissful expression firmly in place whilst the gears in her mind began whirring frantically. This put a different complexion on things. Shinobu obviously had come to the same conclusions as her, and whatever took place yesterday had both eased the Kanrinin's fear of close contact and also given the two a much tighter relationship.

Which, in the case of a break-up, made things all the more complicated. Mutsumi had no intention of 'fighting' as such for Keitaro, she was very much of the opinion it was down to him who he loved most. Whilst the mahogany-haired girl wanted it to be her so badly it made her heart lurch, she had no intention of trying to defeat any 'rivals' she may have.

All the same, allowing one of the others to have a more intimate relationship than her wasn't something she was going to let happen easily.

"So….." The young lady clutched more tightly onto her friend's right arm, and gave him a gentle smile. "Do you think we know each other well enough yet, Kei-kun?" Mutsumi resisted the Mitsune-ish desire to use her ample assets in an attempt to influence the response. In truth, the Okinawan had wanted to drop the honorific for some time, but a mixture of fear at the response and loyalty to Naru had held her back.

"I suppose so, Mutsumi." A massive, gleeful grin sprang onto the turtle-girl's mouth.

"Oh, Kei. You have no idea how long I've wanted to just call you that!" She bubbled, clutching onto his side with more strength than the brown-haired man knew she was capable of.

"The feeling's mutual." Keitaro had always shared a close bond with Mutsumi, and whilst yesterday's development came as a bit of a surprise, albeit a welcome one, this progression felt natural.

"Great!" Mutsumi semi-glomped the object of her affections, catching Shinobu's eye as she did so. The Okinawan was concerned that the younger girl would be angry, but was pleased to see her nod with a tiny smile. It seemed the violet-haired chef understood this wasn't an attempt to make a point.

"Well, now that's settled, I should go and start breakfast." Shinobu made to get up, but was halted by an anxious arm from Keitaro.

"Um, I know we've talked about this, but would you keep calling me 'sempai' when we're around the others?" He said nervously, looking beseechingly up at her. The teenager tutted with annoyance, but nodded.

"Okay, for now. But sooner or later the others are going to have to learn to put up with it." The bespectacled man sighed with relief.

"I know. But when you plan to let the cat out of the bag, tell me so I can take cover." Not noticing the pained look Shinobu gave him, Keitaro turned to the girl on his right. "Can I ask the same of you, Mutsumi?"

"For you." Agreed the brown-eyed girl.

"Right." Shinobu slid out from under the blanket and straightened with a grimace. "Auuuuu, my neck is stiff as a board. Next time we sleep together, Keitaro, we're doing it on a futon." Chuckling to herself at the spluttered reaction and trying to ignore the rose blossoming on her own cheeks, the violet-haired girl moved over to her dresser.

"I think I'll get up too." Mutsumi got up off the settee gracefully, and nearly fell back down onto it as her blood pressure failed to rise with her. "Ara, maybe not. Hope you don't mind."

"Fine." Shinobu turned around to face the others, clutching something tightly. "Kei, are you going to go and get changed?" Caught daydreaming, the Kanrinin was brought back to reality by the normally demure girl grinning in a foxish manner.

"Uh, well….."

"Because if you want to stay, I think I owe you one for yesterday morning don't I?" With that Shinobu opened her hand, letting something lacy and black unfurl from within it. "Fair is fair after all….." The identity of what Shinobu was holding and the implications of her statement both hit Keitaro at the same time. Hence the Kanrinin did the only thing he could given the situation.

Pass out.

"Ara, do you have any tissues Shinobu-chan?" Mutsumi asked, trying to stem the bleeding from the unconscious man's nose. The girl replied by handing the Okinawan a box, feeling extremely gratified by the response her teasing provoked. Something had changed in Shinobu after the events of the day before. After finding out what a bit of bravery could do for her, the normally shy girl was evolving into someone a little more forward and determined.

After halting the flow of blood, Mutsumi looked over at her friend who was busy pulling out some far more sensible underwear. "What was that about owing Kei one?"

"Oh, I took him breakfast in bed as a treat. He asked me to join him, and I went to fetch the tea kettle while he dressed." Shinobu coloured a little more. "I decided to see if I could get back before he had finished, just to, uh, see what I could see. I didn't expect him to, well, be….." At this the blush deepened to a ripe cherry, and the girl muttered what sounded like 'hairy elephant' under her breath whilst her eyes stared avidly at some internal vision.

Mutsumi decided not to dig any further.

"So, what are we going to do with him? I can't carry him to his room, and even if I could god help him if we're seen on the way." Shinobu shrugged.

"Leave him here. I'll stay with him until he comes around." The teen stripped her white shirt off, bundling it up before dropping it in a wicker washing hamper.

"What if he comes around while you're changing?" Mutsumi asked, finger on chin. Her friend shrugged again, with rosy cheeks but a feline tinge to her smile.

"Well, what I said earlier is true – payback is fair. Besides - " Shinobu picked up her black negligee again, and slipped Mutsumi a wink. " - If he wakes up and finds me starkers, he won't be awake for very long……"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The group around the breakfast table was generally a little more cheerful than they had been the evening before. Motoko occasionally muttered under her breath whilst massaging her legs and a constantly fidgeting Mitsune looked like she'd just walked out of a graveyard on Halloween, but all in all it was a happier bunch.

"Pass the soy sauce please, Motoko-san." Naru said, fiddling with the pink collar of her cotton pyjamas with an idle hand.

"Certainly, Naru-san." Handing her fellow pervert-basher the bottle, the Kendoist returned to her own meal.

"Thanks." The honey-brown eyed girl dashed some of the dark liquid across her food, and returned to eating. It was unusual to see everyone, from Shinobu to Haruka and everyone between at the same table, including Tama-chan who was perched happily upon Mutsumi's head. Tallying mentally, Naru estimated she needed to apologise to two people and talk to at least a further two. One of whom was currently between Mutsumi and Shinobu, who were like bookends – one leaning left and one right.

"The snow seems to have stopped at last, so I'm going to pop out to the store later and stock up in case we get some more." Haruka cast a leisurely look around the table. "Anyone want to come along and help?"

"School is still out, so count me in." Shinobu offered, sipping at her tea.

"Yay! Food!" Su added her name to the list.

"Well, I have nothing to do today, so I'll lend a hand Haruka-obasan." Keitaro volunteered with a smile.

THWAP

"Right, that's three." Haruka noted, putting her harisen away. "Anyone else?"

"I think it is best for everybody that I don't go out in this weather." Murmured Mutsumi. "But if you would be so kind could you pick me up something for my neck?" The smiling girl winced as she tried to hold her head level. "Something to rub in would be wonderful."

"Okay then. Any other requests?" At that a single hand was raised. "And Kitsune-san, if you're going to ask for sake, you can put your arm down as soon as you're ready." The hand faltered, and then was slowly lowered to the sound of dark mutterings.

"Kei-kun, since you're going to be helping with the shopping, I'd be happy to take over your tutoring duties for the day. Provided Motoko is satisfied that is, I won't be able to write much." Naru offered, trying to extend an olive branch.

"Well, I must say that is a kind offer Naru-san. I would be happy with the arrangement today, but will defer to my current sensei for his decision." The raven-haired lady turned her attention to Keitaro, and the two exchanged a look. After a second, the Kanrinin nodded.

"Yes, there is nothing specific we needed to work on today, so I've got no problems with that." The brown-haired man chuckled. "Plus I do have a door to repair, come to think of it."

"I feel that someone at the table should perhaps contribute to the costs from her sake fund." Motoko added dryly, drawing a snicker from Haruka. The fox just glared the best she could at the swords woman whilst internally wishing she could have a cushion or something to make breakfast tolerable.

For a few seconds the only sound was the 'tink' of chopsticks on enamel before Naru piped up.

"Speaking of which Kei-kun, where did you sleep last night?" The clicking of two sets of utensils stopped as the pair looked at one another.

"Wh-what do you mean, Naru-chan?" The brown-haired girl pointed at the ex-ronin with her chopsticks, raising an eyebrow.

"I checked your room this morning and found it empty, no futon out or anything. You didn't get up until after I did, and I watch you changing out of the same clothes you wore yesterday."

"My, that's not very polite Naru-san." Put in Shinobu, narrowing her eyes slightly. Realising her mistake the older girl tried to play down her part in the story.

"It's nothing that he hasn't done hundreds of times in the past."

"And you bashed him every time-"

"Please, Shinobu-chan. It's true I've seen Naru changing in the past." Keitaro cut in, trying to diffuse the imminent argument.

"But Sempai-"

"Damn right he has. And that's not the point." Naru made a stabbing gesture with her cutlery. "What I want to know is, if your room was empty, where the hell were you last night?"

"Uh, well….." Unbidden, the Kanrinin's hands came up into their usual defensive position as he anticipated the imminent explosion.

"He was in my room, Naru-san." Attention shifted to Mutsumi, who was sat with a placid smile.

"Your room?" Naru blink-blinked at the blunt admission.

"Yes. Shinobu-chan had not managed to finish the laundry, so Kei-kun had no futon to sleep on. My bed is much more comfortable than his chair, so I offered to share it with him." There was a subtle shift around the table at the blandly spoken statement. Suddenly hands were on hilts or clenching into fists, and one person gave an angry sigh at the violence that was about to occur.

"Your bed?" Murmured Motoko, grasping the Hina blade firmly in preparation. The girl did not want to use it, but this kind of misdemeanour could not be ignored.

"Yes." Continued Mutsumi happily, seemingly oblivious at the sudden tension and the banging of a head hitting the table repeatedly beside her. "However, Kei-kun being ever the gentleman insisted I have the bed, and he took my sofa." The head stopped mid-fall, and everyone around the table (bar Su) froze as the train of thought suddenly jumped tracks.

"He'd better not have done anything perverted." Naru grumbled, seeking more familiar ground.

"Not at all. He left the room while I got ready for bed." Mutsumi continued dreamily. "And even tucked me in tightly before retiring himself. It's a lovely feeling, wouldn't you agree Naru?"

"………" The honey-haired girl looked down at the table, unable to admit that she wouldn't know.

"Well, I see that as acceptable." Motoko said, drinking the last of her tea whilst Keitaro gave Mutsumi's hand a squeeze in thanks.

"If everyone else is finished……" Haruka began, before rising from the table and carrying her plates out to the sink. Mitsune left in a rush after her, keenly intent on getting the pressure off her abused posterior.

"I'm gonna go get dressed an' do some work on The super-sonic Mk. 5 (patent. pend.), it wasn't as powerful as I wanted." Su cheered, before hopping off up the stairs with her usual boundless energy. Cue five sweat-drops.

"Not as powerful?" Echoed Shinobu, eyebrows near her hairline.

"This is Su we're talking about. Things like physics and reality only exist when it suits her." Naru commented, pushing her plate to one side. "So Motoko, when do you fancy starting our study session?"

"I would like an hour for some reading, if I may." After receiving a 'no problem' in response, the elegant young lady left the table and strolled off towards her room.

"I'll get started on the washing-up. Care to join me, Mutsumi-san?" Shinobu added, gathering up the remaining dishes. As the pair made their way to the kitchen, Naru and Keitaro noticed they were very much alone at the table.

Cue uncomfortable silence.

"Uh, Kei-kun….."

"We need to talk, I know." The Kanrinin answered, avoiding his girlfriend's eyes.

"Yeah, we do." Naru looked up at the clock. "After lunch?"

"I don't know, I might not have repaired my door by then."

"My room. Don't try and get away from it Kei-kun." The honey-eyed girl warned, knowing her boyfriend would try and evade the confrontation.

"Fine." Keitaro acquiesced with a sigh. "But make sure there's nothing lying around I can trip on or that I shouldn't see. I don't want any misunderstandings." Naru huffed in indignation.

"You think I leave things out just to set you up? Don't trust me much do you?" The man didn't reply, instead he stood slowly and picked his plates up. "Do you?" The girl pushed, indignant at the implied answer.

"We'll find out soon, Naru." Keitaro eventually replied, slipping into the kitchen.

"Keitaro-kun, we'll be heading off soon." Called Haruka, re-entering the room with her black scarf firmly wrapped around her neck. "You ready Shinobu-chan?"

"Two seconds, Haruka-san!" The chef answered, leaving the kitchen while wiping her hands on a tea-towel.

"Right then." With that the café owner cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted. "Su! Lunch!"

"Sweet!" The young princess hurtled gleefully down the stairs, seemingly ignorant of the fact she had only just climbed them.

"…..Will be in a few hours." Finished Haruka as the tan girl landed in front of her, now wearing a pout.

"Ah, damn. You always get me with that one." Su griped, fishing a banana from who-knows-where and demolishing it in a few bites.

"Best way to get your attention." Replied Haruka with just a hint of a smile. "Now get your coat on, we're going shopping. And no, we're not going to use one of your mecha-tamas to carry it, I'd rather get the food home intact and edible."

"Okies!" The hyperactive teen hopped off to comply, and Naru decided to make herself scarce. Heading to her room, the young lady decided to make sure it was spotless. To show Keitaro she was taking him seriously.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mitsune stacked the empty bottles from the two previous nights up, vowing to take them to the bottle bank when she could be bothered.

The woman looked blearily around her room, feeling both the effects of too much sake and a pretty sleepless night. This was partly due to the fact that every time she turned over she would receive a sharp reminder of the dangers of spying. Motoko knew what she was doing, that was for sure. A spanking did no lasting damage, but it was both embarrassing and persistently painful.

But the other part was something the fox was paying more attention to.

She had often found after one of her bigger benders that she would remember next to nothing beyond a point the next day. But over time, like betrayed spirits seeking vengeance, some of the memories would come drifting back. Entering themselves insidiously into the cobwebbed corners of the mind, corners that had been abandoned in the hope that they would cease to exist.

The memory might be of falling flat on her face. Or of eating a junky take-out that had been ordered in the middle of the night, one that had been delivered by a thoroughly exhausted boy on a bike who resented the hundreds of steps he had been forced to ascend without receiving a tip. Or maybe a vague recollection of stopping to answer a call of nature in an unconventional spot, like a phone box.

All cringe worthy yes, but not earth-moving in the grand scale of things.

But the latest recollection to spirit itself into her mind was a hazy recollection of standing toe-to-toe with someone, getting right into their face. Grabbing the injured hand of the person in question, and crushing it with the intention of causing pain.

Naru's hand…..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was after Naru had tried to decapitate Keitaro with one of her trademark right hooks, an attempt which had sent him stumbling back into to the wall. For some reason, something in the fox-girl had begun to boil. Perhaps it was the fact she had been rudely thrown into a chair in the middle of a very pleasurable dancing session. Maybe it was partially the way that the Kanrinin, who Mitsune had come to understand much more that evening, had been struck without a second thought.

But it was probably the bitter irony of the situation.

The tearful exit of Shinobu and the escalating argument were lost to the fox as she began to feast on her anger at how life was. By her drunken recollections, every time she had become close to a man the same thing had happened. Knowingly or not her good friend had jostled in and taken her place or pushed the man in question away, leaving the fox alone again.

Sochiro, back in college. Hideaki, when she was eighteen.

Seta……

And now Seta's protégé. A man she cared for more than she could admit. And there was her best friend, ending her enjoyment and throwing her again into the shadows, only to abuse the position she gained by casting the fox into the cold.

A fist made contact with the wall, thanks to Keitaro's reflexive crouch, and the bitterness boiled over inside the lonely woman's mind. As Mutsumi pulled the shaken Kanrinin away and Naru clutched her wounded hand in agony, the inebriated girl hurled herself off the chair and stormed towards her friend.

"Kitsune?" Naru had mumbled, looking decidedly unsteady. The silver fox didn't reply initially, instead grasping the injured palm. "Kitsune, what are you-Aaaaah!" Mitsune squeezed for just a moment, enough time for the shocked honey eyes of her best friend to meet her own.

"Naru girl, listen to me, and listen good." The taller woman gave the hand in her grasp another tight squeeze, one that caused Naru to yelp. "You feel that? That's how I feel every damn night. That's how bein' alone feels. Like part of you is broken, and someone just keeps on squeezin' it. Tighter and tighter." The grip grew vice-like, and the brown-haired girl fell to her knees with a gasp of agony. Mitsune bent down at the waist, keeping her eyes locked in place. "And when you think it can't get worse, well whadaya know? Someone gives the screw another turn."

"Kitsune, please……" Trying to ignore the water filling her eyes, the fox-girl sank to the ground with her shaking friend.

"You don't realise how good you have it, do ya? How many times you've charmed someone from right under my nose, or how many times I've stepped back to give ya the chance I wanted. And every time, ya blow it, another man chased off by yer damn temper." Mitsune laughed bitterly, not an ounce of humour in the throaty cackle that emerged. "Even the men I got close to got driven off by that one-woman crusade yer seem to be fixed on. Well wakey-wakey sister, you're not the only one who goes to bed alone every night!"

"You're hurting me, let go!" Her friend tried to wrench the limb away, and howled as the crushing hold seemed to tighten even further. With her free hand the fox grasped Naru's jaw firmly, not allowing the other girl to turn away.

"No, you gotta remember this Naru." The silver-eyed lady ground out through clenched teeth. "You keep shovin' everyone away and beatin' on people who don't deserve it, you're gonna end up with this feelin' every night for the rest of your life. Every. Damn. Night. You get ta the point where you do anythin' for a moment's peace, and lemmie tell you, it ain't somewhere you want ta be." Naru gave a choked cry, tears beginning to flow down her cheeks…..

"Stop it!" Su cried as she sprang between the two, before trying to pry Mitsune's tightly wound fingers off Naru's hand. Shortly afterwards someone else, maybe Haruka, joined the effort. The last thing the fox-girl could remember was having her grip forcefully released, and then sobs bubbling up as Keitaro helped her into a chair.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mitsune shuddered at the memory, feeling thoroughly ashamed. The girl had been steaming drunk before, but never had she actually hurt someone deliberately, be it physically or emotionally. As the fox considered what had gone on, she almost felt the urge to retch at the sensation of grinding broken bones beneath her fingers. She had seen Naru's hand without bandages yesterday, and had no doubt that something had cracked when the temperamental woman had put her fist through that wall. The honey-haired girl was going to have it checked out in the hospital as soon as she could get through the snow.

But equally stomach turning was the knowledge that she had meant everything she'd said and did. That she'd really wanted Naru to experience the gnawing pain that was her daily companion, the same one Keitaro felt every time his 'girlfriend' pushed him away or sent him skywards. Just to make the girl aware of the price of her indecision.

Mitsune didn't want her 'sister' to end up the way she had.

Mutsumi remembered what had happened. So did Keitaro, judging by the fact they had politely avoided her since the previous morning. Haruka certainly did, judging by the almighty chewing-out she had sustained from the cigarette smoking lady. Even Su seemed a little distant.

But Naru, Naru was acting as if nothing had taken place. The Tokyo-U student was not a good enough actor to be faking ignorance either. So, like for Mitsune, the memory must have been lost in the fog of alcohol.

The fox didn't want to know what would happen should the fog suddenly clear for Naru as it had for her.

"Damn, I'm gonna need some more sake for this." The freeloader grunted, noting she was down to her last few bottles. This tied her hands a little – although she hadn't been planning to go anywhere, it seemed she would have to venture forth into the big, cold world to buy some more of her own supplies. It would also give her the chance to pick up some form guides as well in case the snow should clear enough for the horses. Briefly her mind flitted back to Haruka, and some of the things the older lady said to her. Shrugging, the fox decided to go ahead and buy the alcohol anyway. The café owner would be down in her own shop again soon enough, she'd never know.

Making up her mind, the fox peeled off the clothes she had worn all night and most of the day before, and set out for the hot spring. Praying all the while that no-one else in the Hinata-sou had the desire to bring up her fight with Naru to the girl herself. Some things were best lost in the mists of time, after all.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The study session had been going on for over an hour, and the student had proven herself to be exemplary. Barely a problem evaded her, and even the most complex of solutions seemed to be within her grasp.

Her tutor on the other hand wasn't quite as focussed.

Naru played with her fingers as the ebony-haired girl opposite gave the questions her full attention. Judging by the rate at which her student rattled though calculus puzzles, the honey-haired girl estimated Motoko could have sat the entrance test to Tokyo U yesterday, and still ranked top ten.

The current university student couldn't help but be impressed. She had never quite scaled this level even when she had topped the nation several years ago. Either Motoko was an absolute genius, or she was getting a hell of a lot wrong.

Idly, the 'teacher' flicked through some of the earlier question books, and discovered the answer was most certainly the former. So, bereft of the need to impart any wisdom, Naru instead decided to enjoy the peace.

Christ, she was bored.

The slim girl slid her eyes around her room, trying to find something of interest. No luck. It doesn't matter how nice a shade of peach your walls are, after a thousand days of seeing it finding anything interesting was a bit of a task.

"Finished, Naru-sensei." Motoko handed her book over with barely a look, and Naru flicked through it, checking the answers. After a few moments, the girl handed it back, absolutely gobsmacked.

"My, Motoko-san. It seems practice is something you need no more of." The swords woman bowed in response to the praise.

"Thank you, Naru-sempai. But I will continue to do so. The way of study is the same for academia as it is for the sword; practice does indeed make perfect." 'And I thought I was dedicated' thought Naru, shaking her head gently.

"How on earth did you get this good working with that baka?" Motoko frowned gently.

"I find your criticism unwarranted. Urashima-san has proven himself more than able, it was lack of self-belief that proved his repeated downfall."

"I suppose you've got a point. He had the headless chicken exam method down perfectly." The bespectacled girl took off her studying glasses and polished them carelessly. "But all the same, and please excuse the lack of modesty, he was never at my standard. The guy would stumble and fumble his way through hours of study, always asking me dim questions or staring into space. I can't remember him being at this kind of level." The woman sat opposite her gave her a level stare.

"Naru-sempai, please. You know perfectly well why that was the case." The brunette sighed, and shrugged.

"Yeah, you're right. He was so obsessed with yours truly that he couldn't think about anything else." Popping her bottle-bottomed specs back on, Naru chuckled. "It was equal parts satisfying, distracting and disturbing."

"So how would you describe things now?" The woman sat opposite Motoko blinked slowly.

"That's an odd question. What does it matter to you?" At the cagey response, the swords woman gave a tiny shrug.

"Not a lot. Merely asking after the well-being of two of my housemates. I apologise for the discourtesy."

"It's okay Motoko-san. Just a little edgy that's all, things aren't quite as they should be right now as I'm sure you're aware….." Looking uncomfortable, Naru hedged for a diversion. "Seriously though, why study with him? I can't see anything he could teach you."

"Oh, it's mostly simple things. Occasional points I find difficult, and also study and exam technique." At Naru's snort, Motoko couldn't help but smile. "Honestly, who has more experience at studying and exams than he? An added bonus is that he's made every error in the book, and quite a few that aren't. Even something as obvious as 'mark the right box' which I failed to do twice during last year's examinations."

"Anyone could tell you that, Motoko." The brunette said, shaking her head gently.

"Yes, anyone could. But who else actually would? Besides, it's not a one-sided relationship. He benefits from my presence also." Motoko could have sworn Naru's ears actually twitched.

"Benefits?" The university student leaned forwards slightly, chin on her uninjured palm. "What kind of benefits?"

"Oh, instruction on a few techniques I have learnt from the women of my school. Techniques he has found very useful, may I add." The girl opposite frowned, honey eyes narrowing.

"What kind of techniques?" She almost growled.

"Techniques in, shall we say, the feminine arts of our school." The chin almost slipped from it's perch.

"F-feminine arts?!" Naru spluttered, somewhere between shocked and outraged. "What the HELL are those?" Motoko replied with a cool smile.

"Ones that I am bound not to share on pain of banishment." The ebony-haired girl lied easily, knowing that there really was no such punishment. However, the Kendoist was happy to let Naru think what she wanted.

Keitaro had wanted to know if the girl really did trust him, and although he hadn't asked for any help Motoko was just as keen to find out. For reasons the heir to the Shinmei-ryu would not share.

"Why, that pervert….." Naru ground out, clenching her uninjured fist.

"Make what you will of it, Naru-sempai. But I believe it is almost time for lunch." The slim girl eased herself up from her knees, scooping up the ever-present Hina blade on the way. "Will you be joining us?"

"Oh, yes. Give me a minute, Motoko-san." The seated woman replied distractedly, still turning things over in her head.

"Very well. I will see you at the table in a short while." With that Motoko strode from the room, and pulled the door shut behind her. Once outside, the robed girl allowed herself a grin. This was something she had been waiting for over the last few months, ever since she had made her promise.

Ever since she had opened her eyes, or had them opened for her.

Motoko strolled off towards the dining room whilst humming a little tune, her mind drifting back to the previous autumn.

The autumn that had changed her outlook on life forever...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's chapter 5. Bit of an odd place to end maybe, but I want to explore this bit in more depth and didn't want it stuck on the end of this chapter.

Oh, and the confrontation between Naru and Keitaro will be in the next chapter too

Until next time.

Nodoka Miyazawa