Repercussions Chapter 11, a love hina fanfic

Hi there, Nodoka's finally back!

Extra week on this posting…..sometimes real life is a real pain in the proverbial. I reckon there's about another 5 or 6 chapters left in this one, maybe more…..see how it goes.

Hope that I don't bore too many people in the meantime!

Anyways, chapter 11. The second scene was really hard to write for me, I wanted to make sure it came out right, and had to re-start from scratch several times. In the end, well, that's up for the readers to decide…..

Big thanks to all the reviewers, as always. Reviews really make my day, and I love receiving any feedback that might improve my writing skills so please keep them coming!

Well, since I've kept everyone waiting long enough, I'm going to get on with things.

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Repercussions – Chapter 11

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Mutsumi strolled in her usual leisurely manner into the living room, appearing not in the least bit flustered. However, a person with above average perception would have noticed that this wasn't quite the case. The twitching fingers, the slightly manic edge to a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Or even her top lip.

The Okinawan couldn't define just how hard it was to leave the spring only moments ago.

Everything in Shinobu's posture, in Keitaro's tone, suggested that cards were about to be laid on the table. She recognised it without needing to be told, felt it as a bird feels the dawn approaches before even a flicker of sunlight illuminates the night sky. The selfish side of her mind was presently screaming at her to get back into the spring, to break up whatever was going on.

It never had a chance of being heard.

The mahogany eyed girl drew her green coat more tightly around her shoulders as a particularly bitter draft swept through the room, raising goose pimples on the bare ankles exposed beneath her long green skirt. Taking a seat on the battered old sofa, Mutsumi drew her cold feet up and stared blankly at the flickering television placed before it. Unprompted, the girl's mind flitted back to the springs and whatever may be going on in there.

Who knows. Maybe right at this moment, Keitaro was explaining to Shinobu how he loved her too. Maybe their faces were inching together, lips meeting, tongues intertwining, eyes closing as the pleasure swept them away…..

Mutsumi bit her lip, willing the image to go away. Yet leave it would not, as the Okinawan's frantic mind played a thousand and one versions of the same situation, all with different dialogue but the same result.

Keitaro leaving her alone again.

Anyone else would have cast aside any guilt and charged back up to the hot springs, determined to stop any words being said. Mutsumi however willed her eyes to focus on the television, on the clock, anything but their internal vision. She would not allow herself to do anything, couldn't allow herself to. Shinobu had earned the right to voice her thoughts, and Keitaro had the right to give his honest answer without coercion. If it did not happen now it would only take place at some other point in the future.

And if Keitaro were to say yes……

If he were to say yes, Mutsumi would support them all the way. She had done it before, and would again should she have to.

Even though it would kill her to do so.

The brown-haired girl placed her head gently into her hands, sighing deeply. It wasn't as hard the first time. Then, she had innately understood the man she was fond of loved someone else. And, as she had never really had a chance against Naru, giving up was easier. Not simple by any means, but achievable.

This time, however, she'd had a chance. Keitaro had been freed, and the opportunity had been there. But, same as always, her refusal to actually pursue the man seemed to have cost her dearly. She'd been the support, the friend, the soft shoulder, which was what she seemed doomed to be from now until eternity.

The girl's imagination savagely mocked her, showering her with an endless sequence of weddings, involving every other resident of the Hinata-sou. The one constant in each image was the presence of a dark-haired Okinawan, carrying the bridal train. Always the bridesmaid……

Yet, despite it all, Mutsumi refused to even consider interfering. She just…..couldn't.

So, she sat and watched the clock. And waited.

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"Us?" Keitaro murmured, feeling a few more beads of sweat appear on his brow.

"Yes, us Keitaro." Shinobu replied, eyes bright and gleaming. It didn't seem to register in the girl's mind that her hair was slowly being coated with snow. Her attention was fixed solely on her 'beloved', who at present really wished he hadn't sent Kanako from the springs.

"Well, what do you mean us?" The man hedged, knowing it was futile. He didn't want to say what he had come to understand as the truth. He didn't want to watch the reaction of the young girl in front of him.

"I mean me and you. As in a couple. I have to know, Keitaro. Do I have a chance?" Examining Shinobu as she peered up at him, through purple tinted orbs that were ever so slightly too moist, Keitaro realised the girl already knew his answer. And she deserved to hear it from him directly.

"……No. I'm sorry Shinobu, but I don't see you like that." Keitaro's voice almost broke as he saw the purple-haired girl's bottom lip tremble for just a second. Only a brief moment, but it was enough to make the smile that followed transparent as the spring's water.

"I see." The girl got up from her uncomfortable kneeling position, stretching slightly and drawing her wet towel more protectively around her small frame. "Well, I'm going then. I'll see you later." Shinobu turned towards the exit, trying and failing to appear unhurried.

A gentle hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Please don't leave like this." The purple haired girl didn't respond to the hushed voice behind her, but didn't move either as the hand released her. "I….you're…..just so precious to me. I don't want you to go out not knowing that."

"Then why can't you love me back?" Came the reply, just as hushed.

"Because you're like a little sister to me. It just wouldn't seem right….." Shinobu cackled dryly, a caustic sound bereft of humour.

"Little old Shinobu. I've always been the child of the Hinata-sou." The purple eyes closed, fingers curling into fists. "I tried, Keitaro. I really tried. I knew it was pointless, ever since you told me I was 'so young' – do you have any idea how it feels to have an admission of love batted back in your face like that?" A brief pause was followed by a snort from the diminutive girl, still resolutely stood with her back to the Kanrinin. "Well yes, I suppose you do. Then maybe you'll understand why I can't look at you right now."

"Shinobu……" The violet-haired figure took a deep, choking breath as the distraught tone of the man behind her barely crept into her ears.

"I did anything I could think of to seem older. Took advice, dressed the part, even changed my way of speaking. But no matter what, you never saw me that way. I was still the scared little girl you first met." Another shuddering breath followed, as the girl held onto her composure with desperate hands.

"It's just - I can't see us together like that. I care for you as much as anyone, just not in that way." The hollow tone irked the girl no end. Surely she was the only one that was allowed to sound heartbroken at this moment in time. Unable to keep her emotions under control any longer she rounded on the man, fully intent on giving him the full force of her despair.

And stopped dead as her eyes took in the mess that was her 'Sempai'.

He looked exactly like she felt.

Suddenly the truth hit Shinobu like a tonne of bricks. Her dream was over, just like his was. He understood what she was experiencing; it was precisely the same hell he was living in right now.

"I'm so sorry Shinobu. It's still too soon. I can't see anyone like that, not just yet." As Keitaro broke off, the violet-haired girl saw a hint of anguish in the man's face. Anguish that he was the source of her heartbreak, irrespective that he was only being honest.

The sight of a few ripples in the pool beneath the Kanrinin drove Shinobu over the edge.

"Keitaro!" The Kanrinin raised his head in time to see a tearful girl hurtle into him, wrapping slim arms tightly around his bare torso. For a long moment the pair stood in total silence, cloaked in the steam of the springs, as ghostly flakes of snow drifted down around them.

Then, ever so quietly, a soft soprano voice began to sob.

Keitaro put his own arms around the small shoulders of the crying girl and drew her to his chest. Letting Shinobu get her feelings off her chest, the man rested his face in her snow-laden hair and allowed a little of his own sadness slip out. He loved Shinobu, and cursed himself for putting her in this state. But it just wouldn't work, not now. He wanted to protect her and care for her, but that was far as it went in the ex-ronin's mind.

"I already guessed what you would say." Sniffled Shinobu, head still pressed into Keitaro's chest. "I knew before I even opened my mouth. But I had to hear it, otherwise I'd just keep wondering."

"I know I've said it too many times, but I still can't say it enough. I'm sor-" The brown-haired man was cut off by a hand over his mouth.

"You don't need to be." Shinobu pulled away slightly, letting her watery eyes meet Keitaro's. "It's not something you can help." She sighed, voice growing dejected. "I'm just a girl, not a lady. Seems Haruka was right, growing up won't happen overnight….."

"I guess so. It's something best done over time." Keitaro squeezed the girl's shoulder, voice dropping to a soft murmur. "Just……even when you're 'growing up', don't stop being Shinobu, okay? I want Shinobu in my life, no matter what." The pair of gazes met for several seconds, understanding passing between them. Then, carefully, the diminutive girl leaned up and placed a peck on Keitaro's cheek.

"I'll try my best, Keitaro." Shinobu whispered, a tiny smile on her face.

"I know you will." Came the tenderly spoken reply. A moment of silence, and the girl took a step back, smile growing broad.

"And hey, I'm twenty in three years. If you're not married by then, I want first refusal! A lot can change in three years….." Keitaro weighed the expression of the girl in front of him, before breaking into a smile himself. She was serious, and she was right. Who knows what would happen in the next three years? Especially considering the last three years…..

"Okay, you've got it." Shinobu laughed, with a hint of her cheery tone of old.

"You know I'm going to hold you to that, Kei." The girl turned around, and began splashing her way towards the exit. "Oh, and you might want to order take out tonight, I don't really feel like cooking." She called over her shoulder before briskly climbing out of the springs and leaving through the sliding door.

Keitaro sank slowly into the springs until only his nose and eyes were visible, which were closed. Letting Shinobu down was even harder than he'd expected, but at least he'd been honest.

And you never know. Shinobu aged twenty might end up being someone more than a little sister……Although the man secretly hoped, as he let the rest of his head sink beneath the still waters, that he wouldn't have to wait that long to fall in love again.

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Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. Seta had apparently decided that he should stay for classes despite the snow, and hence the professor and his unofficial daughter were absent. Mitsune's absence was completely expected – given that those in attendance had seen the state of the fox earlier that day, at least in passing.

Shinobu's absence, on the other hand, did not go un-remarked.

"So where is she?" Kanako asked, petitely shovelling noodles into her mouth.

"Urashima-san, 'she' has a name." Motoko gently corrected, frowning. The black-haired Urashima seemed to consider the residents of the Hinata-sou as unimportant, rarely addressing any of them with more than bored formality. Although unsurprising, given the history between the girl and some of the residents, it was still something that irked the kendoist. And, judging by the look on his face, Keitaro too.

"Yeah, Shinobu then. Anyone seen her?" The other two women shook their heads (Su being a little distracted by her plateful of food) whilst Kanako's older brother just stared at his dinner.

"I believe she's in her room." He eventually said quietly, poking at his ramen with little interest.

"Right." A few seconds of quiet followed, before the younger Urashima asked the inevitable question. "So, what was she doing, going into the hot spring with you?" An expectant pause followed, one which was just begging for someone to scream 'pervert!' into it. Once the moment passed, everyone's attention re-focussed on the man at the table, who wondered if it would have been better to be Naru-punched out of this conversation.

"I'm afraid that it's personal. I suggest you ask her about it." A hand shot out and Keitaro grasped his sister as she was poised to do just that. "But not now. Or this month, to be honest." Kanako briefly glared as her brother before grudgingly re-taking her seat. Anyone else's words she would have ignored, but the girl couldn't blow off Keitaro so easily.

"Ara, is poor Shinobu alright?" Mutsumi asked, putting a palm to her mouth and leaning forward in her chair.

"Yes…..yes. She just would like a little space." The Okinawan sagged back, feeling faint with relief. When the purple-haired chef had not appeared at the table, she had begun to consider the possibility Shinobu's feelings were not returned by the Kanrinin. And that was the confirmation she needed……

"Mutsumi-chan, are you okay?" As she came around to concerned faces, Mutsumi couldn't help but feel a little delight. Delight of the guiltiest kind, but delight all the same that she still had a chance.

"Now now Mutsumi-san. Please do not let worries for the youngest of our household gain too strong a grip upon you. Shinobu would not want that." Motoko stated blandly, all the while shooting the mahogany-haired girl a look. One that told her the resident swordswoman had picked up on the same fact she had.

"Ara, I apologise for making you worry." Mutsumi picked up a stray take-away menu and began fanning herself with it, trying to settle the thumping in her chest.

"It's no problem, Mutsumi." Keitaro calmly stated, placing a reassuring hand on the Okinawan's shoulder.

"Thank you, Kei." The pair were suddenly aware that they were the centre of attention, at least from Motoko and Kanako.

"Mutsumi-san, Keitaro-san…..Is it possible that the pair of you are closer than you let on?" The raven-haired girl mused aloud, fingers tapping on the table-top.

"Ara, well…..we decided we'd known each other for so long there was no point in being so formal any more." Mutsumi explained hurriedly, Keitaro nodding rapidly alongside her.

"Very well." Motoko broke into a demure smile, although the hands that had slipped beneath the table gripped tightly onto her royal blue kimono. "Then, may I be so bold as to address you in the same manner, Keitaro-san?"

"Most certainly, Motoko-san. Or maybe just Motoko." The kendoist's smile grew, much to the chagrin of the other Urashima at the table.

"Hey kendo-girl, sorry to break up the happy party but I've got something to say to you." Kanako pointed a slim finger, voice raising. "If you ever lay a hand on him again-"

"You can stop right there, Urashima-san." Motoko interjected, face and voice suddenly frosty. "If you wish to warn me away from violence towards Keitaro, there is no need. My vow as a martial artist is binding and absolute, surely even someone such as yourself can accept that." Kanako bristled, partially at the cold tone, but mostly at the poorly veiled insult.

"Listen to me Aoyama-san, and listen good. I didn't trust you when we first met, and I don't trust you now. The vow is only as reliable as the person making it, so please don't be surprised when I give it little credibility." A pin-drop silence followed this statement, one that was punctuated by a collective intake of breath as Motoko slowly stood to all of her near six-foot height, a sight menacing as a tiger coiled and prepared to pounce. The ebony-haired girl carefully lay her left hand upon the Hina blade, fingers curling and eyes narrowed in preparation.

"I suggest most sincerely you retract that last statement, Urashima-san." Motoko's tone had sunk from frosty to simply Arctic, as she stared down the aggressive woman opposite. "For if you do not, I will be forced to punish you for the stain you have made upon my honour. My vow of penance only holds true to one man, not to his obstinate relatives. Now, do you retract your words, or must you insist on discovering why I am the heir to the world-renowned Shinmei-ryu?" Su and Mutsumi shivered at the sudden drop in temperature as Motoko's aura flared into life, coating the edge of vision with an ethereal blue tinge.

"Apologise?!" Kanako sneered, trying to ignore the way her toes curled at the imposing sight before her. The girl knew she was good, but on this occasion may have bitten off more than she could chew. All the same, pride wouldn't allow her to concede. "Not a chance. Bring it on."

"As you wish. In future, when you recall your greatest mistake, do not forget I offered you the opportunity to avoid making it……" Motoko seemed to blur into nothingness as her quiet words floated across the table and Kanako tensed, preparing for the assault.

When it came, the girl knew she could never be ready enough.

Three blows piled into her left side before she even knew the swordswoman was there. They were enough to send her skidding across the room, badly winded. As Kanako sank to her haunches, desperately trying to regain some breath, it suddenly occurred to her that maybe she shouldn't have pulled on the tail of a tiger with such recklessness. The heir to the Shinmei-ryu was much stronger than when they had last met, without doubt.

"I know you feel you are a worthy opponent. Yet I sense that, perhaps, you are slowly beginning to understand the gravity of your mistake." Motoko said slowly, stalking across the room with precise menace, olive eyes fixed on her adversary. "If you do not concede, I will be forced to draw my sword. At which point, I will feel bound to use it……" The icily calm voice sent shudders down the spines of those present, especially the young lady stood back-to-the-wall before her.

Kanako weighed up her options. She could take on the swordswoman, and in all likelihood, end up in twenty-seven pieces. Or she could back down.

Kanako never backed down to anyone who wasn't family.

"Go to hell, Aoyama." The black-haired girl furiously stated, falling into a 'ready' position. Motoko sighed gently, eyes closing briefly.

"As you wish, Urashima." The kendoist casually laid a hand on the hilt of the Hina blade, and the silken whisper of sliding steel began to ring through the silent room.

And halted suddenly as another hand held hers in place.

"Please don't, Motoko." The swordswoman's gaze shifted up the tanned arm in the corner of her vision, and then moved further up until the face of Koalla Su came into view. The young Molmolian was stood with an uncharacteristically sober expression, much like the one she had worn when she had gone to Motoko the night Naru put her fist through the wall. "I don't want any more fighting, there's been too much already….." Looking into Su's eyes, Motoko knew that the diminutive princess had well and truly had enough. With a sigh, she released her sword and dropped her hand to her side.

And reflexively flashed it up again to block a flying kick that would have taken both herself and Su out had it connected.

Kanako landed several feet away, only to stumble backwards as Motoko's aura flared into life again. Only this time, it wasn't chilling and intimidating. It was furious, scorching and destructive. The younger Urashima suddenly felt fear she had never experienced before as her sixth sense informed her she had probably just done the stupidest thing she ever would do.

"Urashima." The swordswoman growled, eyes seeming to glow red. "To involve me in your petty vendettas is reckless. To involve my friends……is suicide." With Su's opposition now gone the Hina blade was drawn in a flash, and wielded with intent. "When you arrive in the next life, please do well to learn from the wrongs you have done in this one." Kanako swallowed hard, summoning up all her skill in the vain hope that she could somehow defeat her opponent.

"Stop." The two women paused as a calm voice cut through the air, one that drew the attention of everyone instantly. A short figure stood in the doorway, one with hands on hips and an expression of anger on her face. Keitaro gasped as his grandmother stepped across the threshold, shaking snow from her cloaked shoulders.

"Hina-san!" Mutsumi murmured, brown eyes wide.

"Yes dear, it's me." The aged lady favoured the pair sat at the table with a nod, before returning her attention to the stand-off before her. "Now, Motoko-san, I would like you to put your weapon away." The swordswoman stared at her adversary for several seconds more, before replying in a quiet tone.

"With all respect, Hina-san, I am reluctant to do so whilst your granddaughter is in my presence."

"I will guarantee her deference. Now, please re-sheath your weapon." After a few moments, Motoko grudgingly complied. Relaxing from her battle-ready stance she cast a glance at her kanrinin, and felt her heart sink at the hint of fear clearly visible on his face.

"Hina-san, she-" Kanako began, only to have her pleas waved away.

"I do not need to hear it. I've seen enough already, enough to know that you are very fortunate I arrived when I did. In any case, Kanako-chan, you will be returning to my hotel with me tonight."

"Wha?" Kanako gaped, stunned. "But why? I want to stay here with oniisan. You can't make me leave."

"I believe I can. But even if I couldn't….." The elderly lady turned to face Keitaro, who was still sat statuesque at the table. "Keitaro-kun. Do you feel that Kanako could stay here without disrupting the harmony of the inn?" Keitaro audibly swallowed as attention shifted to him, before resolutely squaring his shoulders.

"Kanako-chan. Will you apologise to Motoko for what you said?" The black-haired girl huffed, arms folding.

"No! I'm not going to take back the truth." The siblings eyed each other for a second, before Keitaro dropped his gaze with a sigh.

"Okay." The young man faced his grandmother, but continued to address his sister. "In that case, Kanako-san, I must respectfully request that you accompany Hina-san back to her hotel tonight. You will not be permitted to stay here."

The silence that followed was palpable. Until the inevitable explosion.

"WHAT?!" Kanako howled, storming towards the table. "How the hell can you defend that murderous bitch oniisan?! How can you choose her over me?" Grandma Hina lay a hand on the girl's shoulder, one that was ignored.

"Now Kanako-chan, don't make a scene. It won't change anything."

"But, you don't know! You don't know what that-that evil woman has done to him! He's lucky to be sat here right now, and she's had everything to do with it." The elderly lady shook her head slightly, eyes calm.

"Kanako-chan, what makes you think I didn't know? Haruka has been keeping me fully informed of goings on." The Hina matriarch ignored several surprised looks as she turned her attention to the swordswoman. "So, Motoko-san, I trust you are fulfilling your vow?"

"I would rather perform seppuku than do otherwise." The olive-eyed lady bowed her head reverently. "And as you are here, I wish to express in person my deepest regrets at my earlier actions."

"Apology accepted, Motoko-san. Your sister would be proud to see how far you have progressed." Smiling faintly at the praise Motoko straightened again, pointedly ignoring the poisonous look Kanako sent her way.

"Uh, Grandma, why are you staying in a hotel?" Keitaro asked, curious. "There's always room for you here."

"Well, Keitaro-kun, this old lady made a promise to herself - that the next time she returned to stay at the Hinata-sou would be when she was staying for good." Hina gave her grandson a wry smile. "There's far too much life in these bones for me to settle down just yet."

"Amen!" Su cheered, bouncing onto Motoko's shoulders. "Hey, what do ya say that we all go have a bath? I haven't seen ya for aaaaaaaages!"

"Ah. On to the real reason for my visit." Grandma Hina chuckled to herself, easing a bag from her shoulder. "I've been to six continents, but still find a place for the springs in my top ten places to just relax. It's been far too long." The slightly wizened lady looked at the assembled company with a raised eyebrow. Kanako will be joining me of course, but does anyone else fancy a dip?"

"Count me in!" The tiny Molmolian sprang from her perch and shot up the stairs, clearly intent on being first in.

"Ara, I may join you myself." Mutsumi eased herself up from her seat, obviously not in a rush like Su. "I will see you there in a few minutes.

"Fine." Hina glanced at the swordswoman still stood beside the table. "Motoko-san?"

"I-I feel I must decline." No-one missed the way the olive eyes flickered to Kanako. "It would be wisest for all involved at this moment in time."

"Very well." The grey-haired lady looked over at her grandson, and her mouth twisted into a sly smile. "And I suppose there is no point in inviting you, Keitaro-kun?" The aforementioned man, who by this point was barely listening, choked on his tea.

"Urp-" Amused looks centred on Keitaro whilst Mutsumi gingerly patted his back. Once he had managed to remove what seemed like half a gallon of fluid from his lungs, he turned wide eyes on his grandmother. "Hina-san!" Hina took in the flushed cheeks with twinkling eyes.

"Ah, some things never change."

"Just for that, one day I'm going to say yes." Keitaro muttered darkly, embarrassed.

The others in the room, for varying reasons, decided they wouldn't mind if he had.

"Well, if I can't convince you otherwise……" Hina shrugged idly, before strolling off towards the springs, a fuming Kanako in tow.

"Ara, I think a long soak is what I need." Mutsumi stated, stretching her arms above her head. Her usual smile grew just a little broader as she caught Keitaro almost unwittingly take in the display, before his blush became noticeably deeper and he hurriedly turned his attention to the table-top.

"See you later, Mutsumi." The kanrinin called as the Okinawan made her sedate way to her room. It was only after several seconds that Keitaro realised that the other person in the room hadn't moved. "Motoko-sa….Motoko, is something wrong?" The swordswoman gave him an odd look, before sinking into the chair opposite.

"Well…..last week I made a promise to Haruka. One that stated I would not draw my sword unless in self-defence. But today I drew the Hina blade, against another member of the Urashima family of all things." Motoko's fingers fiddled with the sleeve of her kimono, whilst worried eyes scanned the room for things unknown. "I fear that Haruka may not take well to that fact……" The anxious hand was suddenly stilled by gentle pressure from another.

"You did so in self-defence, and in defence of Su." Keitaro stated calmly, his palm stilling Motoko's fingers. "What Kanako tried to do was inexcusable. Sister or not, saying and doing what she did…..I can't ignore that. If Haruka has a problem, she'll have to take it up with me."

"Keitaro….." The heir to the Shinmei-ryu felt her heart lift, and she grasped the reassuring hand firmly. "You truly are a good man. I would never wish to be bound to anyone but you." She murmured, wanting nothing more that to kiss the man opposite. To kiss a man, of all things! The internal war between traditional and modern Motoko was interrupted, however, by the sound of a phone ringing.

"Ah. Give me a moment, I'll get that." As the black-haired woman gave a breath of relief that she didn't have to make her mind up just yet, Keitaro lifted up the receiver and held it to his ear. "Hello?"

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A honey-haired girl sat on the edge of a blue sofa, fingertips of her still plastered hand batting at the coiled cable of the phone she held in her hands. It had been a long week and a half since she had left. A lot had taken place, much of it not entirely pleasant or comfortable. All the same, things were starting to sort themselves out.

Which was why Naru felt ready to call the Hinata-sou.

As she listened to the 'ringing' tone, the girl contemplated what could have happened whilst she'd been away. Not much surely, it hadn't been that long.

"Hello?" Naru almost dropped the phone as a very familiar voice reached her ears. Hurriedly fumbling it back into its normal position, she found her voice had suddenly gone on holiday to Jamaica. "Hello?" As the voice came again, in a tone that suggested it was about to give up, the dry-mouthed girl managed to make something that could be described as a noise. One normally made by the victim of a fatal stabbing, but a noise all the same. After some frantic throat clearing and a moment to try and moisten her lips, Naru tried again.

"Keitaro-san?"

"Naru-san!" The honey-eyed girl noted with relief that the man sounded happy to hear from her. Any awkwardness she'd been anticipating dissolved instantly, and a genuine smile broke out on Naru's face. "It's been a while. How have things been?"

"Tricky, but okay. It looks like those teachers I mentioned tried it on a few times too many. They both got struck off, and registered on databases they wouldn't want to be on." Naru snorted dryly, cheered at the fact the man had got what they deserved.

"And the others?" There was a pause, followed by a sigh.

"Well, my cousin was devastated, says he was young and stupid, and offered to admit it to the family and accept the consequences." Naru unconsciously winced, remembering the difficult conversation. "He really meant it too; I could see it in his face. I couldn't continue holding it against him; the memory seems to hurt him more than it does me."

"I'm guessing it's not all been that easy" If Naru could have clenched her fists, she would have.

"Well, no. My uncle flat out denied he'd ever done such a thing." The girl tilted her head to hold the phone between ear and shoulder, pinching the bridge of her nose with her now free left hand. "I'm starting to wonder if he's right, maybe I did read too much into things..."

"Naru, you know that's not true. Even if he won't admit it, at least make sure he knows you're not going to let him off the hook." At the certainty in her ex-boyfriend's voice Naru couldn't help but smile. Trust Keitaro to see things in black and white. All the same, the support was gratefully received.

"Thanks, Kei-kun." The honey-haired girl cast a quick look around to make sure there was still no-one in earshot. It wouldn't do for one of her parents to catch wind of the subject – she wasn't sure how they would react, but badly was a pretty hot certainty. "So, how are things at your end?"

"Uh, well, fine really." Naru frowned slightly.

"Kei-kun, if you're going to try lying, please do a better job of it." A sheepish laugh was the reply, and the curious girl was suddenly struck with the image of the brown-haired man at the other end of the line grinning winsomely whilst scratching the back of his head. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and she ground her teeth together whilst blinking rapidly.

"Sorry Naru-san. I think the best way to put it would be...interesting."

"Interesting." Naru deadpanned. "Interesting like a good book or interesting like a car crash?" The girl could almost hear Keitaro sweating.

"Well, a little bit of both"

"Details, please." A long pause followed, before the voice at the other end began hesitantly.

"Uh, well, Sara is moving in. Seta too, although he's living down with Haruka." Naru blinked slowly, before smiling. With Sara in the Hinata-sou, she imagined that Keitaro would have even less peace than he used to.

"It'll be good to have them around." The girl blink-blinked for a second. "Nice try Kei-kun, but I'm not going to believe that's everything."

"Hmmmmm. Kanako is here. Or maybewas." After a moment of puzzlement Naru was glad to receive an abridged summary of events, ones that made her wish she was present to see the insufferable younger Urashima get what she deserved. After that the conversation seemed to drift on for a while, Naru unobtrusively fishing for more details and Keitaro clumsily avoiding her enquiries, until the frustrated girl decided she'd talk to someone who might actually tell her something.

"Kei-kun, could you put Kitsune on?" Another pause followed, possibly the most uncomfortable of the lot so far. Then...

"I think Kitsune is out at the moment. I'll, uh, tell her you called." After several years in the Kanrinin's presence, Naru could spot a lie easily enough. It wasn't even a convincing attempt. For a few seconds the girl considered tearing into the man at the other end of the line, but eventually held herself back. No more lashing out, Naru. Keep on doing it and all of this is a waste of time. Instead of accusing, just ask.

"Kei-kun, I know you're not telling me something. And since it's about my best friend, I'd like you to tell me." The reply, for several moments, was silence.

"Yeah, you're right. Kitsune is, shall we say, hammered. The whole time too, she's barely been sober for a week." Concern blossomed in Naru's chest at the worried tone Keitaro spoke with. There must be more to it than that – the fox-lady had spent more nights intoxicated than the honey-eyed girl cared to remember. For the man to be so concerned…. "I think it's starting to take it's toll on her…..she approached me in the springs this afternoon….."

"In the springs?" Naru couldn't stop suspicion creeping into her voice as long-honed reactions came into play. "You didn't do anything…..perverted to her?" The young woman cursed mentally as the inevitable word slipped out unbidden. Way to go, girl. Straight back on form as usual.

"Well, um, no." Thankfully, Keitaro's uncertainty went unnoticed as Naru gave herself a thorough chastening for slipping back into old habits. "But she was going all-out just to try and hawk some money from me. I don't know why she's getting so, uh, desperate I guess."

"What did she do?" When a reply was unforthcoming, honey eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I asked what she did, Kei-kun."

"I'd rather not tell you, Naru-san. All I'll say is it was a bit excessive."

"Kei-kun, tell me." Silence. Naru sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Look, I'm not going to fly off the handle, or try to kill you. I'm not asking if you're being unfaithful…..you haven't got anyone to be faithful to any more….." The girl swallowed hard, realising how hard it was to admit it aloud. After regaining some composure she continued. "I'm just asking because she's my best friend and I'm worried about her."

"Okay." A deep breath came down the phone, and the fingers clutching it tightened their grip in apprehension. "She….came into the springs deliberately while I was cleaning it. Naked. Not even wearing a smile."

"Guh……" Naru didn't notice the plastic coating of the phone beginning to crack in her grip, or the choked grunt that escaped her lips. Shock settled on her features as the man at the other end of the phone line continued.

"She tried to talk me into giving her a loan, and offered herself as payment…..And when I say offered, I mean offered her, well….." A sudden 'snap' awakened Naru from her stupor and she blinked stupidly at the now fractured receiver in her grasp. She paid it little attention however, as her mind span with the information it had just received. Sure, they weren't together any more, but for the fox to do something so brazen so soon, it smacked of desperation.

And of betrayal.

The girl hated to admit it, but it really stung to hear that another woman, her own best friend no less, had tried to move in on her until-recently-boyfriend so soon. In all the years she'd known Mitsune, she'd never known the fox to actively move in on someone she liked, or even someone she'd liked in the past. And even though they weren't together at present, Mitsune sure as hell knew how she still felt for Keitaro. Suddenly, a hazy voice drifted into her mind, the slightly slurred alto of the fox-lady herself.

"…..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……"

"Naru-san? You okay?"Brought back to the present, Naru took some deep breaths.

"Yeah Kei-kun, I'm fine." The girl murmured, whilst wondering where the hell that snippet of memory came from.

"I'm afraid I've got to go. Haruka's just arrived and I'll have to tell her what's been happening."

"Oh, okay. Make sure you keep an eye on Kitsune for me, I have to finish things here. Then I'll be back soon as I can." Naru said quickly, before finishing with a much softer tone of voice. "And…..take care of yourself, okay Kei-kun?"

"You too, Naru-san." Came the reply, equally soft, before the line went dead. The honey-eyed girl listened to the disconnected tone blankly for several seconds, before carefully replacing the receiver on its stand.

Then, she stared into space. And tried to put even more pieces into what was becoming an overcrowded picture.

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No-one had called.

She hadn't really expected anyone to. After all, every resident of the Hinata-sou barring Sara had witnessed her semi-hysterical flight from the hot springs. Following that, she wasn't surprised she was being given some space.

As she lay on her back, fiddling with the lacy edges of her white nightgown, the fox didn't know if it made her happy or sad.

She shuddered as the last bottle of sake made its way to her lips, remembering yet again why she had left this particular specimen on the shelf for so long. It was like drinking liquid razors spiked with gastric acid. But it was all she had left, and the vain hope that it might blank out the memory of her performance an hour ago gave her no choice.

So far, the drink was failing spectacularly in its purpose.

No matter how many poisonous mouthfuls slipped grudgingly down, the truth of what she'd done was ringing endlessly in her ears.

Cut it however you wanted, she had offered herself to Keitaro in return for cash. Frank and explicit. It wasn't teasing or flirting any more, it wasn't even coercion. She'd given up her body for money.

Which made her a prostitute.

A whore.

And, god damn it, she would have gone through with it. She would go through with it now, awful as it seemed. Because money had become more important to the girl than herself.

Through hazy eyes, the fox-lady blearily peered at the papers on her desk. Damn it all. Not a word written in anger for so long, and now the only words on paper were those she dreaded. She didn't even have enough money for another bottle of anaesthetic, let alone to actually make a difference in her life.

So, she would give away her body, her virginity, to someone just for a few yen.

And the worst part of all, as far as the fox was concerned, was that she would have enjoyed it. She wanted Keitaro to take her. Wanted to be with him, even if it was just for money. Prepared to take the man her best friend used to love, still loved, and do something her best friend had never dared to do. To brazenly and willingly betray Naru like that…..

But she would have. She'd do it right this second. Because, much as she didn't want to admit it, Mitsune loved the 'Kanrinin'. Deep down, the resentment she felt for Naru and her endless anti-male crusade was winning the battle with respect for her friend. After the girl had either taken or blocked every man that even looked at her, the fox had found herself twenty-four, single and seemingly well on the way to being an old maid.

With the distorted view only seen by those looking at life through the bottom of a glass, Mitsune suddenly focussed on Naru, and cast her as the sole reason she was alone. To the drunken woman, this was more than enough justification to go after Naru's old flame.

She had her chances, and blew them. Sorry ol' buddy, but now the guy is fair game. The fox gave a drunken 'hiccup' before draining the dregs of the bottle. An' the predator is joinin' the hunt for real this time. The silver-blond tipped the bottle back one last time, before realising that the last mouthful had drained the bottle completely.

"Ah, fuggit." The girl moaned, letting the bottle slip between her fingers and drop to the floor. "Now wha' 'm I gonna do?" No money equals no sake, after all. And no sake was not a scenario Mitsune could seriously consider at that moment in time. Frantically, the fox scanned her memory for where she might have a emergency stash of cash, or at least where she could find some that wouldn't be noticed missing.

"Sugar bowl….nah. Lingar-lingu-lenge, uh, underwear drawer….nah. Piggy bank…..ain't even got one." The prone girl moaned, ticking off each possibility as they exhausted themselves. Then, a vague recollection stirred in her head. A place that did have money, a fair bit of it in fact.

And it was possible the owner might not notice in a hurry.

Pushing herself to her feet and stumbling sideways until a handily placed wall stopped her, the fox-girl poked a hesitant head out into the hallway, checking for another presence. After several seconds of checking, during which she nearly brained herself on the door frame twice, Mitsune decided that the hallway was indeed empty. Creeping out of the room in what she hoped was a stealthy manner, but was in fact a weaving stumble, the fox set off to the location of her quarry.

Ignoring the little voice in her head, one that was drowned in a pool of alcohol and bitterness, which tried to tell her she was making a big mistake.

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So, what does the fox have in mind?

Probably best not to speculate in all honestly.

No proper cliffie this time, but I have one cooked up ready for one of the next few chapters…..

'Til next time.

Nodoka Miyazawa.