Here we go again. Another chapter completed. Motoko Aoyama and her visitors are from Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu. Please review.

Crossroads

oOo

Corey sat on the couch, enduring hostile looks from Seira's parents. Clearing his throat, he tried to start a conversation, saying formally. "Please excuse my impertinence in asking, Ma'am. Seira informs me you have started a successful business in Sendai. May I ask in what profession?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm in advertising." She replied curtly, and then resumed her cold, silent stare.

"That sounds fascinating." Corey replied with a warm smile after realizing she wasn't going to say more. "Have you worked with any famous celebrities?"

"Sendai isn't Tokyo." The woman snapped. "Famous celebrities don't waste their time going there. I only do graphic design work for local magazines and newspapers."

"There is no shame in performing such a service." He offered. "You must be a talented artist to be in such demand."

"If you say so..." She sniffed. Turning to her ex-husband she said. "Is Seira serious? This foreign lummox is the boy she's in love with?"

"It would appear so." The man said inhospitably. "She even said she was going to leave Tokyo after high school to be with him. To be honest, I don't know what she sees in him."

"Excuse me!" Corey said shortly. Giving both of them an angry look, he intentionally reverted to less respectful everyday speech. "I'm sitting right here. I know Japanese customs well enough to understand talking about someone like this in front of them is considered extremely rude. I came here with nothing but the best intentions. You've judged me before you even asked me any questions about my life or my plans for the future. I want only the best for Seira. I've already put my life on the line for her once today, and I would do it again." Looking at Mr. Morimura, he continued. "You were accepting of me this afternoon. You went as far as thanking me for protecting Seira until you found out about my inadvertently seeing her breasts. It was an accident, plain and simple. I tried to be a gentleman by looking away and telling her about it. How many other young men would have done that?"

"I don't know of any." Seira said coming down the stairs. She'd changed back into the denim skirt and knit top Izumi had loaned her. "I'm sorry I left you alone down here, Corey. I thought they'd at least be civil."

"Don't be smart young lady." Her mother shot back. "We want only what's best for you."

"And Corey's it!" The girl argued. "I'm not going to stand back and let you belittle him. He's a wonderful person, but you two won't give him a chance to show you. I heard what you said, Mom. He's not a lummox! He's a warm, gentle, compassionate young man. He wants to be a doctor. Do you really think someone who was just a muscle head could hope for that? "

"He's going to be a doctor?" She said aghast. "The medical standards in America must be lower than I thought." Then in a critical voice, she added. "Why couldn't you find a nice Japanese medical student?"

"Augh! I can't believe you!" Seira yelled, raising her hands in the air in frustration. "Did you even read the letter I sent you? You haven't changed at all! You still have to ridicule anyone who doesn't meet your standards! I've met a well mannered young man, whose greatest desire in life is to help others, and he's not good enough for you! Tell me Mom! Who is good enough for the daughter you never wanted? I don't think anyone ever will be!! I don't know why you even bothered coming! You should just go back to Sendai and make the people around you there miserable instead of hanging around here... Don't wait up for me." She hollered angrily as she stormed out the front door. Corey stood and gave them a contemptuous glance before turning to follow her.

"Where do you think you're going, boy?" Mr. Morimura said, jumping up and grabbing his arm.

"To comfort the woman I love." He said sharply. "Something her parents obviously don't know how to do. Good evening." Then shaking off the man's hand, he ran out the door after her. He paused outside the gate, looking both ways in the twilight, just catching a glimpse of Seira. Running in her direction, he nearly collided with her when she'd stopped to wait for him after rounding the corner. "Look out!" He cried, twisting to avoid her and losing his balance. He landed hard on his side, sliding on the concrete.

"Corey!" She cried, going immediately to his side. "Are you all right?"

"Ow." He muttered as he sat up. His shirt was torn at the elbow, and droplets of blood were forming at the abrasion. "I'm ok. I just got a little scraped up."

"You are not ok! You're bleeding!" She argued, pulling out her handkerchief and pressing it on the wound. "Let's go back to the house and get it cleaned up."

"No." He said climbing to his feet. "That will just give them something else to criticize me for. Let's go to my Grandparent's house. You can fix me up there."

"Ok, you're probably right." She replied gloomily. "I'm sorry, Corey. I hoped they would've treated you better than that. I don't get this. My whole life they couldn't care less about what I did or where I was. Now that I have a chance to maybe free them of their responsibilities as parents, they're acting like birds guarding their nest, diving in and pecking at you, trying to drive you away. I'm ashamed of them."

"It was probably your letter." He said quietly. "You opened their eyes to what lousy parents they'd been, and now they're reacting by becoming overprotective."

"Do you really think that's it?" She pressed. "I never thought about that… Say, Corey, do you think your grandma would mind if I stayed at her house tonight? I'm not ready to go back and face them yet."

"I don't know about that. It seems to me that you faced them pretty well already." He replied, smiling gently at her. "I don't see why not. Amy won't be using her room. You two shared a bed last night, so I'm sure she won't mind if you use hers."

Seira smiled back at him just as her stomach rumbled. "Damn. We never got dinner. Mom's a pretty good cook too." She grumbled. Then, softly, she added. "I hope your grandma likes me."

"Just be yourself and hope for the best." Corey said covering her hand with his. "We'll work it out with your parents somehow." Then he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "I know I'm not going to let them come between us."

oOo

Kanako leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling of the lounge. They'd been ushered out of the room by the nurse who'd come in response to the call after Amy's collapse. The staff had taken her away on a gurney a little while ago. The others sat quietly, their faces downcast, waiting for word. Mr. Mita had gone back afterwards to stay with Kenji, the man being deeply concerned for his granddaughter. With a sigh, the girl got up and walked to the window. Looking out at the skyscrapers to the south, whose light were beginning to come on, she muttered. "We're not going to make it to Koshien this year either, are we?"

"What?" Hikaru replied, looking up from her thoughts. "Is that really important right now, Kanako? I mean, Amy's in big trouble. Why are you worrying about playing baseball?"

"I know how you feel, Kanako." Koharu said standing and joining her at the window. "We had big hopes for this year, and now nearly a third of our team is in the hospital. Not to mention our ace pitcher is who knows where, convinced she's a monster that hurt her friend. Things aren't looking too good right now."

"I'm going to call Seira." Yoko said rising to her feet and heading for the door. "Corey should be told about this."

"We should call Izumi too." Hikaru added climbing out of her chair as well. "Amy's mom should be there by now. I suppose I should be the one to call, being I've been on the team the longest. It really stinks, having to spoil their dinner like this."

"Then don't call yet." Kanako responded still looking out the window. "Wait until we have some news. At least give it an hour before you call them. They deserve that much time to enjoy themselves a little."

"I can't wait! What if she's dying?" Hikaru argued. "She should know so she can be here to say goodbye!"

"Hikaru, are you all right?" Kanako asked turning back to face her. "You sound really stressed."

"Yeah, I'm ok. I'm just a little wired." She admitted. "I totally freaked out when she collapsed like that. One second she was sitting there looking embarrassed about peeing in front of me, the next she was slumped over against the wall. She'd have fallen off the toilet if I hadn't been there."

"Then it was a good thing you were there." Koharu said softly as she walked over and put her arm around her friend's shoulder. "Amy will be fine, just like my dad. He collapsed last year and look at him now."

"Kanako, are you in here?" Mr. Mita said as he poked his head in the room. "Oh, wonderful, all of you are here yet. I've got good news. Amy is awake. It seems walking across the room with her injuries caused her blood pressure to drop. That's why she passed out."

"What about the blood in the toilet, Mr. Mita?" Hikaru asked anxiously. "Why is she bleeding from there?"

"Her beating left a small tear in one of her kidneys. That's why they rushed her out, to take a CAT scan to see how bad it was. " He said leaning against the doorway and giving them a reassuring smile. "It's not too serious. They say she just needs rest. She will need to stay for a couple more days though."

"Can't she rest at home?" Kanako inquired. "Her family doesn't have that much money, and hospital stays are expensive."

"I don't think so." He replied. "They've started an IV and have catheterized her. They're flushing out her kidneys. She's here until there's no more blood in her urine.

"Can we go see her?" Kanako asked. "I just want to say good night."

"I'm sure she'd like that." He answered with a warm smile. "We'll say good night, and then let them rest."

They quickly made their way back to the room and filed in. Kenji smiled and nodded as they crossed the room to Amy who was sitting up, looking pale.

"Hey guys." She said as they surrounded her bed. "Sorry to make you worry like that."

"It's no big deal." Hikaru said with her usual grin. "I'm just glad you're going to be all right. I didn't know what to think when you passed out like that."

The girl looked down at her lap. "I shouldn't have been so stubborn. If I had taken the catheter like they wanted me to, I wouldn't have needed to get up. I guess I'm not so good at listening to my body. After all that, I ended up with a catheter anyways."

"It isn't hard to understand why you didn't want one, Amy." Yoko said reaching out to touch her arm. "After being…" She paused, remembering they agreed not to tell anyone about the rape. Then after glancing at Mr. Mita, she finished. "…beat up like that. I can imagine how it would feel to have a stranger poking around down there."

"Thanks Yoko." She replied with a smile. "Fortunately they put it in while I was still unconscious. I probably would have hurt someone if I hadn't been. To be honest, it's not all that bad. I can tell it's there, but I can ignore it."

"I am glad to see you recovering, Amy." Mr. Mita said from the end of the bed. "I feel terrible this has happened to you and your grandfather."

"Thank you Mr. Mita." She replied with a small bow. "I'm honored you could find the time to visit me."

"I've known your grandfather for nearly forty years." He said looking at Kenji. "We were neighbors when I was growing up." Returning his gaze to Amy, he continued. "Your mother and I were almost like siblings, playing together until I went off to stay at the dorms in high school. The last time I saw her before today was when she left to play tennis professionally. I knew Kenji had a granddaughter. I just didn't know it was you."

"Wow." She said amazed. "This is neat. If you and mom were like brother and sister, would that make Kanako my cousin?"

"I think that's a little bit of a stretch, Amy." Her grandfather said with a chuckle. "Although I do consider her someone special in my life, so perhaps you could."

"I think you're special too, Mr. Suzuki." Kanako said smiling warmly. "If it makes you feel better Amy, I don't mind. Actually, it might help smooth over some rough spots of you coming to school here if they think you're related to the principal."

"I won't be part of a deception like that." He said scowling. "The fact that I'm good friends with her family should be sufficient. Well, it's getting late. We should be going. Have a good night's rest you two. Amy, I'll let your mother and Ms. Himuro know what has happened. We'll reschedule your testing when we know when you are to be released."

"But Mr. Mita, my return flight is the day after tomorrow. I don't have an open ticket and we can't afford a separate one-way." She called anxiously.

"The doctor supercedes the airline in this case, young lady." He replied gently. "Don't concern yourself about travel schedules. We'll work things out for you. Have pleasant dreams." Then he left the room, followed by the girls.

"Great. Now I have to wait even longer to take those stupid tests." She muttered lowering the head of her bed. "This really sucks."

oOo

"Hey Motoko, we're back!" Kitsune said as the group made their way into the room. Noticing Mao, she exclaimed. "Oh! You got a roomie! Hey Sugar, don't mind us. We'll try to keep it down."

Mao waved in appreciation and watched the crowd surround the swordswoman's bed. 'Wow, they're all so good-looking!' She thought. She noticed a petit dark skinned girl who was nearly in tears throw her arms around her roommate's neck.

"Ow! Take it easy Su!" Motoko cried. "I have broken ribs here, you know."

"Motoko!" She wailed. "Why'd ya go and get beat up? Now I can't sleep with ya any more!"

"You're nineteen years old Su. It's time you started sleeping alone anyway." The samurai said gently as she stroked the distraught girl's hair. "You can be strong, right?"

"That's the problem." Kitsune said with a grin. "She's too strong. None of us stand a chance sharing a futon with her. The last time you went to Kyoto, she snuck into mine. She bruised my ribs so bad, that I couldn't take a deep breath for a week."

"Su, this is a chance to prove your not a little girl anymore." Motoko said seriously. "I'm going to be staying at someone else's house until my ribs heal. That will be at least a month. When I get back, I don't want to hear about you injuring anyone else in the dorm. Do you understand?"

"Okies, Motoko." She replied sniffling. "I won't bother anyone in the dorm."

"Or the tea house…" Kitsune added.

"Or the tea house." Su repeated solemnly, disappointment showing on her face.

"Good." Motoko said looking around. "Now that that's out of the way, I'd like everyone to meet my roommate. Her name is…I'm sorry, I never heard your given name Miss Daidoji."

Pulling off the oxygen mask, she smiled and said hoarsely, "I'm Mao. It's nice to meet you all."

"Wow!" The girl said approaching her bed. "Yer even bigger than Motoko! Are ya as strong as her too?"

"Leave her be Su." Motoko chastised. "She was struck in the throat. She shouldn't talk."

"Not to mention that was a rude comment." Naru said grabbing Su's arm and hauling her away from Mao's bed. Bowing to the catcher, she added. "I'm sorry. Su doesn't always think before opening her mouth. I hope you feel better soon."

"Thank you." She replied with a tip of her head. Then, catching movement out of the corner of her eye, she turned to see Ryo standing in the doorway. "Ryo… Come in. I'm glad you're safe."

"Hey Mao." She said timidly as she entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll be ok." She replied, giving her friend a thumbs up gesture. "Where have you been? Miss Aoyama said you ran out of here in tears. I bet the whole team is worried about you."

"I'm sorry." She said standing next to the bed. "I needed to think. Instructor Aoyama, I'm sorry I was so rude to you." Bowing, she added. "Please forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive, Miss Hayakawa." Motoko said with a gentle smile. "You were distraught and feeling guilty about hurting your friend. I know I've done the same thing when I was your age."

"Instructor?" Su asked. "Are ya teaching her yer sword swinging Motoko?"

"No, I've been offered a position teaching a self defense class at her high school." She answered, and then sighing, added. "If Tsuruko will allow it."

"That has yet to be determined, dear sister." A voice said from the doorway. They turned to see Tsuruko standing there. With a cry, Ryo, recoiling in fear, scrambled to the corner with her back flat to the wall.

The woman walked slowly towards the young girl, a reassuring smile on her face. "Please don't be afraid of me Miss Hayakawa. I never meant you any harm. I only wished to avoid the attention you were drawing to our encounter." Bowing deeply before the trembling girl, she added. "I'm so terribly sorry for causing you such distress. Please forgive me."

"What did you do Tsuruko?" Motoko asked looking at Ryo quaking. "She terrified of you!"

"I rendered her unconscious with a pressure point strike." The woman said grimly. "I regret it terribly."

"No wonder she's afraid of you" The younger Aoyama said coldly. "I wouldn't have believed you were capable of such a dishonorable act."

"Seta was with her at the time, so we took her to his office. He wasn't very pleased with me either." She admitted looking at Ryo with cheerless eyes. "I have given you reason to distrust me Miss Hayakawa. I attacked you without provocation against all my school's teachings. What can I do to prove my remorse for my actions?"

"Explain why you came after me and maybe I'll understand." She replied. Realizing Tsuruko wasn't going to attack her again, her voice became steady, anger at being victimized taking hold.

"I only wished to discuss the possibility of you coming to study at our school." The woman responded with a smile as she sat in the chair next to Mao's bed. "You have an extraordinary gift, Miss Hayakawa. A young woman, such as you, with a strong natural ki comes along only rarely. We want to help you develop that gift, to help you grow and control your power."

"I have no desire to grow my power." Ryo said tersely. "I'm already too dangerous. Look what I did to Mao!" She added, pointing to the bed.

"You are her catcher?" Tsuruko asked Mao. At the girl's nod, she smiled. "You must be strong to be able to contain a ki enhanced pitch. Tell me Miss, do you blame her for your injury?"

"No! It was an accident!" Moa replied excitedly. "She's thrown the lightning ball over a hundred times, and this is the first time I've ever been hurt. It could easily have been her normal fastball that had gotten fouled off."

"I see, so the pitch was deflected." She said standing. "You poor thing, you had no chance to avoid it, did you. May I see your injury?"

"I…I suppose." The girl said, raising her chin with a grimace, exposing the bruised skin.

"Miss Hayakawa, come here please." Tsuruko said looking over at her. "I want to show you something. You are afraid of your gift because you believe it can only destroy. You are mistaken. Ki is simply energy, generated by and flowing through our bodies. How it is used is strictly at the discretion of the user. Yes, Motoko and I are warriors, trained to focus our ki through our swords and bodies to fight evil. However, ki energy can also be channeled for other means. Please observe." Closing her eyes, she slowed her breathing, focusing her thoughts. A nimbus of energy, similar to the one Motoko had generated before, formed around her. Her eyes slowly opened, and with a neutral expression, she reached out to Mao's injury with a feather's touch.

The girl gasped in surprised. "Oh, that feels nice!"

The swordswoman maintained contact for nearly five minutes. No one said a word, watching as the woman's hand glowed softly, and beads of sweat formed on her brow. Then with a groan, Tsuruko collapsed heavily into the chair. "Look, Miss Hayakawa. That is another use for your ki energy."

They gathered around, gazing at Mao in wonder. The swelling was diminished, and the discoloration on the girl's neck was considerably less.

"Mao! The bruising is nearly gone!" Ryo exclaimed with wide eyes. "How do you feel?"

"A lot better!" She replied happily. "Hey! My voice is back to normal! Thank you, Ma'am. You're amazing!"

"I'm afraid I could only reduce some of the damage." She said with a weak smile. "There are healers from the God's Cry School, much more adept than I, who could have healed it completely. I believe you would be an exceptional one, Miss Hayakawa."

"How did you do that?" Kitsune asked with eyes wide in amazement. "I've only seen Motoko blow stuff up!"

"The transfer of energy stimulates the body's own healing processes." The younger Aoyama said from the other bed. "However, if you use too much energy, or transfer it too quickly, you stand the chance of doing more harm than good. A healer needs a great deal of patience and compassion. I tend to have very little of either. I become frustrated too easily to perform such a feat."

"You are doing better at controlling your temper, little sister. Perhaps when you return to the school, you can try mastering it again." Tsuruko said closing her eyes. "My goodness, that took a lot out of me. I must be getting old.… What do you think, Miss Hayakawa? Will you go to Kyoto with me?"

"I'm sorry." Ryo said softly. "I appreciate what you did for my friend, but I can't. I will admit I'm intrigued that I might be able to do the same thing someday, but I already have a task I need to see through. Ms. Himuro's entrusted me with leading her team to Koshien, and I won't walk away from that. I still dream of standing on the same mound my dad did when he won there. My friends are counting on me, and I can't abandon them. Will it be too late if I come after I finish high school?"

"No my dear, it won't." She said with a smile. "I'm sorry you won't be accompanying me, but I understand you wanting to stand by your teammates. Motoko…I have discussed the situation with the elders. We've decided that if she refused to come to Kyoto, you would be in charge of beginning her instruction. You have the full permission of the council to teach your class at her high school. I will contact Ms. Himuro tomorrow and arrange things. Kisuragi Girls' High School will house the first satellite campus of the God's Cry School." Climbing to her feet, she nodded a wordless farewell, and left the room. Walking down the hall, she came upon a man pushing a cleaning cart. He returned her friendly smile with a hostile look as he unlocked the door to a storeroom and entered. 'What an unpleasant man. I wonder if he works with Motoko.' She didn't give it another thought as she continued on her way. What she failed to notice was that after pulling the cart into the room, the man closed the door only partway, leaving a narrow opening to view of the doorway to her sister's room. Turning over a pail, he sat down to wait for visiting hours to be over. Reaching out, he turned off the light, losing himself in the darkness.

oOo

"Would you care for some more wine, Mrs. Watson?" Ms. Himuro said cordially.

"That would be nice, thank you." She replied with a nod. Mr. Yamagida moved around the table and refilled her glass.

"Do you enjoy your work, Mr. Yamagida?" Emma said watching with her chin resting on back of her clasped hands.

"I have done nothing else for thirty-five years." He said glancing at her. "Nor have I felt the compulsion to seek other employment. The Himuro family has been very generous to me."

"My parent's had a manservant that had been with the family nearly that long." Masako commented, taking a sip of wine. "He was unwaveringly faithful to my mother. He accompanied her everywhere."

"I'm curious, Mrs. Suzuki. What did your father do?" Ms. Himuro said leaning back in her chair. "For you to have had an arranged marriage to Konosuke Takasugi, he must have been very successful."

"He owned a distillery of all things." She replied simply. "It's no longer in business, but after the war, it was quite successful. He was a master at the craft of making sake."

"Let me guess." Emma said with a grin. "When the master died, they started getting greedy and the quality suffered. I know I've tasted my share of bad sake."

"That's correct." The woman said, nodding. "My mother sold the distillery to investors, and they ran it into the ground. I cried when I learned they were shutting the place down. Some of the men had worked there all their adult life and told me of the cost cutting methods they were being forced to do. It was criminal, the way they bastardized the pure elixir my father had worked so hard to perfect."

"It would seem unscrupulous men come in every walk of life, not just those who are desperate." Izumi said standing. She began to gather the dirty dishes as she continued. "I'm fortunate to have been born who I am. Until recently, I was too wrapped up in self pity to realize that. Amy made me see just how much I had to be thankful for. She told me that I wouldn't be happy until I did. She was right. I was avoiding confronting my mother about our differences and was only making myself miserable. I can't wait for the next six weeks to go by. I'm looking forward to having her here." Then with a slight bow to her guests, she carried the dishes to the kitchen.

"She's such a cultured young woman." Masako commented, following Izumi's progress from the room. "Maybe she can help smooth Amy's rough edges."

"She's not that bad, Mom." Kimiko said with a frown. "A lot of people tell me exactly the same thing you just said about Izumi."

"I must concur." Ms. Himuro said nodding. "Amy has charmed nearly everyone she's met. I would still like to see her perform that tea ceremony sometime."

They paused in their conversation when the phone rang. Mr. Yamagida moved to answer. "Himuro residence, how may I help you? Oh, good evening Sir…One moment… Ms. Himuro, Principal Mita is calling for you. Shall I take a message?"

"No Yamagida, I'm coming." She replied, standing. "Excuse me ladies, I don't believe this will take long."

"How do you think Corey and Seira are doing meeting her parents?" Emma asked, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. "I hope her mom doesn't make trouble."

"Corey can handle himself." Kimiko said, mimicking her friend. "I'm more concerned for Seira. What she's been through growing up with that woman. Dad told me Seira heard her say that she never wanted a child. I can't imagine how hearing that must have wounded the girl."

"If she and Corey are really that serious about each other, a parent's disapproval won't stop them from being together." Masako said firmly. "I was disowned when I brought Kenji home to meet them, and here we are nearly forty years later."

"We do seem to go through hardships when we meet our future spouse." Kimiko said with a pained smile. "I had to have a dear friend die."

"Hopefully it won't come to that." Emma added with a concerned look on her face. "They've already had to deal with this violence against you and Amy."

"You two speak so highly of this girl, I curse the fact I didn't get to meet her yet." Masako stated, folding her hands in front of her on the table.

"Seira's still suspended tomorrow, Mom. I'm sure Corey will bring her around to introduce her to you sometime."

They broke off their discussion as they watched Ms. Himuro return to the table followed by Izumi with a dessert tray. "I hope you ladies saved room. Izumi makes a wonderful crème Brule."

"Was that about Amy?" Kimiko inquired anxiously.

"Yes, but please relax. She is doing fine." She replied with a reassuring smile. "Please don't give it another thought."

oOo

Corey turned the knob and still holding her hand, led Seira inside. "Now it's my turn to welcome you to my home." Flipping on a light in the entry, they removed their shoes and moved into the living room.

"Wow! It is just like my house!" She said gazing in amazement. "Even the colors on the wall are nearly the same."

"Well, they were probably built by the same construction company near the same time." He replied. "They definitely had the same architect."

"I suppose that makes sense." She said heading for the bathroom. "Come on; let's get that scrape cleaned up."

"I'm right behind you." He said following her down the hall while pulling off his tie. He showed her where the first aid supplies were, and while she got things ready, he began unbuttoning his shirt. "Well this thing's trashed. Mom's not going to be happy when she sees it."

"Give it to me." She said holding out her hand. "I'll soak that sleeve in the sink and try to at least get the blood out."

"See, I told you there'd be times when you were going to be taking care of me." He kidded, passing it to her.

"This hardly compares to me crying like some little girl into your shirt." She replied, turning back to the sink and filling it with cold water. "You got hurt because I was stupid and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk."

"I'm just glad you didn't get hurt." He said softly, meeting her gaze reflected in the mirror. Then he reached out and gently turned her around. "We're not in Izumi's kitchen now. Do you want to pick up where we left off this morning?"

She smiled warmly back at him and moved closer. Their lips were nearly touching when Corey's stomach growled loudly, startling her. The mood broken, she stepped back with a chuckle. "Let's take care of that scrape first, and get something to eat." She said grinning. Then touching the corner of her mouth, she added. "You can have these for dessert."

oOo

Most of the lights in the hallway had been switched off., leaving only sporadic illumination. He had been patient, waiting for the nurse to complete her rounds. Now, the man quietly opened the door and peeked out. Seeing the hallway was deserted, he moved silently to the opposite side, opening the door and looking into the room. There was a small dim lamp left on for the nurse to perform her duties, and by it, he could see both women sleeping peacefully. A predatory grin touched his lips as he slipped in and softly closed the door. He moved lithely across the room and stopped at Motoko's bedside. Looking down at her, the grin left his face, replaced by a look of disgust. 'This is the woman that beat Akira?' He thought incredulously. Doubting himself, he took a look back at Mao. 'No, the sign by the door said she was assigned the far bed. This has to be her. She looks just like that woman I saw earlier dressed in a hakama. That must have been her sister.' Bending, he pulled up his pant leg and took a long knife out of his boot. Standing back up, he was startled to see Motoko's eyes open and glaring at him.

"I don't know you." She said angrily. "Get out of our room!"

"Not before you die!" He said raising the knife high.

"Assassin!" She yelled as she rolled off the bed just before the knife plunged into the mattress. Climbing quickly to her feet, she saw Mao sitting up in bed. "Miss Daidoji! Get out of here!" Focusing back on her attacker, she began gathering her ki, her aura glowing softly in the subdued lighting.

He moved around the bed, the knife held low, ready to strike. "What are you, some kind of witch? It won't matter once I bury this blade in your heart. I can see from your face that having to move around with those busted ribs is giving you a lot of pain. Let me put you out of your misery."

"God's Cry School Air Splitting Strike!" She cried, bringing her fist forward. She grimaced as pain from her ribs shot through her body, causing her attack to be misdirected. The ki blast she intended for the man's chest caught him in the right arm instead. His face contorted in pain and fear as the knife flew from his grasp, skittering across the floor. Breathing raggedly, her energy spent, she looked on as he scrambled towards the doorway, only to have his path blocked by Mao.

"Out of the way, cow." He cried, scowling, throwing a punch at her face. His eyes opened wide in surprise as the girl, spinning, grabbed his wrist and performed a shoulder throw. Then with a cry, she drove her fist into his stomach just below his ribs, knocking the wind out of him.

"This ends now." She said grimly, flipping him over. Pulling his arm back, she pressed her knee into his shoulder, effectively immobilizing him. Her eyes blazing, she growled. "Enough people have been hurt today! I won't let you hurt anyone else! Give me any trouble and I'll dislocate your shoulder!"

"That was impressive Miss Daidoji." Motoko said approaching them. Glaring at the man she continued. "Who are you, and why did you try to kill me?"

"Go to hell!" He spat. "I'm not telling you anything."

"All right, be that way." She replied, walking to the knife and picking it up by the tip. "Pfft, what a mediocre blade this is." She commented, studying it. Then turning back and walking towards him, said with a cold expression. "Still it would have served its purpose."

"What are you going to do?" He replied arrogantly. "You're a samurai, right? Your code of honor won't let you kill a defeated opponent."

"Why I'm simply going to secure for the police." She said as she set it on the table next to the bed. Then she moved to the duffle bag Kitsune had brought and removed a small knife of her own and the roll of cloth she used for binding her chest. "They can figure out how to get the information out of you."

"What's going on in here?" The nurse said running into the room. Seeing Mao kneeling on the man with Motoko poised over him with the knife, her face went white as she turned and ran screaming down the hall. "Security! Security!"

"It would appear that we have some explaining to do." Motoko said lightheartedly to her roommate. The two of them looked at each other for a moment before breaking out in laughter. A grimace of pain from Motoko as her ribs complained about the gaiety, however; quickly sobered the mood.

"Are you all right, Instructor?" The girl asked with concern. "You didn't collapse your lung again, did you?"

"No, I didn't exert myself like I did when I punched that man in the parking garage. If I had, this wretch would be missing an arm." She said reassuringly as she cut off a length of cloth. "Give her your other hand." She commanded.

He said nothing, and made no move to comply, so Motoko, gingerly dropping to her knees, tapped him firmly on the center of the back. He immediately stiffened as he cried. "What did you do? My legs just went numb!"

"It's just a simple acupressure technique." She said innocently, resting back on her heels. "When you act in accordance with with my request, I will remove the block."

With a growl, he submitted, offering Mao his other hand. She held his arms as Motoko quickly bound his wrists together. The Swordswoman next wrapped a length around his ankles, preventing him from running.

"Now just stay there quietly until the police arrive." Motoko said as she restored sensation to his lower body. "I'm going to sit down. Will you be all right, Miss Daidoji?"

"Let him try something." She replied coldly. "I owe these creeps for breaking Yuki's back. I just wish it was that bastard Toru!"

"You shouldn't have to wait long." The swordswoman said rising to her feet. She then moved back to her bed, and easing herself down into the chair next to it, continued. "The way that nurse was carrying on; I believe security should be here shortly. You performed that throw excellently. How long have you studied judo?"

"Since I was five." The girl said, staring at the wall, remembering. "I was invited to attend Kisuragi on a judo scholarship, but I never felt welcome. I was so self conscious because of my size, that I let the other girls on the team intimidate me. I think the fact my family isn't wealthy made them look down on me too. I was so glad when Ryo invited me to join the baseball team. I'd finally found a group that really wanted me."

"I can relate to that." Motoko said with a sad smile. "I was the tallest girl in my high school class. I am also taller than the young man who came to manage my dorm. I thought myself too unfeminine and unattractive to ever be a real woman."

"That's crazy!" Mao exclaimed, turning to look at her roommate. "You're gorgeous! I'd give anything to be as pretty and slim as you. Today was the first time anyone had ever told me I was cute, but I think he just said that to distract me while playing baseball with him."

"The villainous scoundrel!" Motoko spat. "If he shows his face when you're in my presence, tell me and I'll thrash him for playing with your feelings in such a manner." Then her face softened as she added. "However, it isn't too hard to believe he was being honest. You do have an attractive face."

"Attached to a blimp of a body." She answered forlornly. Then a weak smile crossed her lips as she added. "My teammates tried to tell me the same thing earlier. Maybe he really did mean it. Thank you Instructor Aoyama for saying that."

"Call me Motoko." The woman replied. "As weakened as I am, this killer would have gotten away if you hadn't been here. You were very brave and should be allowed such a simple thing as calling me by my name."

"Ok, but only when we're not in school." Mao said as a sad look crossed her face. "I don't think the other students should hear me greet you so casually. You would lose the respect you deserve if they knew you were friends with me."

Motoko paused for a moment, studying her. "All right, if you feel you must, I won't object." The samurai said neutrally. "We shall maintain a proper student/teacher relationship while at school."

Their conversation was interrupted as a police detective burst into the room followed by hospital security. "Police, nobody move!" He yelled with his gun leveled on them. Observing the conflict was over, he relaxed, holstering his weapon and calling back. "The situation is under control. Stand down." Seeing Mao in her robe, sitting on the man, he smiled as he said. "It's all right Miss. You can get off him now."

"Oh, yeah, I guess I can." She said, standing up. "We just didn't want him getting away." She added, walking over and sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Where's the knife?" He said looking between the two of them. "The nurse said she saw a knife."

"I have it Detective." Motoko said, holding the weapon out to him. "I also have a corresponding hole in my mattress from where this degenerate tried to skewer me."

"Well, well. You've been a naughty boy Ichiro." He said squatting by the thug. "Not content with just beating up deadbeats, so you move up to murder?"

"You know him?" Mao asked in surprise.

"I know him all to well." He said standing again. "He's muscle for a bookmaker in Shinjuku. He's got a rap sheet that's ten pages and growing. Up until now it's only been for assault and extortion. Why'd Yoshida send you here to kill her?"

"Bite me!" The man spat.

"Aw, come on Ichiro." He said, walking to Motoko. Pulling an evidence bag from his coat pocket, he took the knife from her and placed it inside. "We've got you dead to rights. We have you at the scene, and we have the weapon with your fingerprints on it. I'm sure the forensic boys will find it matches the hole in this woman's mattress as well. You tried to kill her. I think she should at least know why."

"All she needs to know is she got the wrong people mad at her." The thug said glaring. "I'm not saying anything more."

"Detective, may I say something?" Motoko asked; her eyes cold and piercing. At his nod, she continued. "Listen worm. If, somehow, one of your associates succeeds in assassinating me, you will have the entirety of the God's Cry School come to Tokyo, seeking retribution. One hundred and twenty swordswomen bent on avenging the death of their heir. Your petty little organization would be completely annihilated. Pass that information along to your superiors if they plan on trying something like this again."

"Miss, I don't mean to disrespect your school," the detective said scratching his head, "but Yoshida has ties to a powerful yakuza family. Your swordswomen would be facing nearly three hundred armed men. It might not be wise to make threats."

"He has had a taste of my abilities, weakened though they are." The samurai intoned. "All of the women at the school can generate at least that level of ki energy. Most of them can generate a blast that will shatter a boulder. We prepare them to fight demons. Do you really think they'd be afraid of swaggering thugs with guns?"

"I suppose not." He replied quietly. "I'll pass the word on to Yoshida, and to be safe, I'm posting an officer outside your door, just in case."

"Thank you Detective." She said smiling at him. "I would hate to have to fight off an attacker again. Miss Daidoji is at risk as well."

A man peeked around the corner of the doorway. Seeing it was safe, he entered in. Noticing the man tied up, he swallowed uncomfortably. Turning to Motoko, he bowed as she said. "I apologize profusely for this, Miss Aoyama. Security has just informed me of what happened. We had no idea you were in danger. Please be assured that security is searching the building for any other suspicious persons. In the meantime, let us move you to another room."

"This is timely." The detective commented. "We'll need to seal this room as a crime scene. We'll also need to take that bed for evidence."

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" Motoko inquired with a suspicious look.

"My name is Gonji Wakatari, Miss. I'm assistant director of operations for the hospital." He said with another bow. "We are mortified that you needed to endure an attack while in our care. As a way of apology, we would like to offer you a private room."

"What of Miss Daidoji?" She pressed. "What will you offer her?"

"There is an open bed in a ward. There are three other young women she would be sharing it with." He said with a reassuring smile. "Give me just a moment to fetch an orderly with a wheelchair, and we'll complete your move."

"That is intolerable!" The swordswoman said shortly. "She was attacked as well! Do not dishonor my friend in such a manner! We are roommates, and we will remain roommates!"

"Instructor Aoyama…" Mao said sheepishly.

"My name is Motoko!" She barked back. "We aren't in school right now, so use it! Be more assertive Mao! Stand up for yourself! Don't tell me you didn't feel slighted by his ridiculous offer. Your parents have insurance and are paying for your stay in this room. You're not some indigent from the street needing charity! You are a student at Kisuragi High, worthy of a visit from the chairperson! You have proven yourself to be a hero tonight by capturing this wretched piece of human flotsam." Turning back to Gonji, she said icily. "Find us another semi-private room that we can go to together. That is the only acceptable choice."

"Of course, Miss Aoyama." He said nervously, bowing. "I'm so sorry for upsetting you so. I'll make the arrangements." Then he turned and quickly left the room.

The security personnel entered and stood Ichiro up after cutting the cloth binding his feet. They held him securely as they led him from the room. The detective turned to face the women, saying. "Both of you would make good police officers." Bowing, he added. "Sleep well ladies." Then he turned and followed them out the door. Looking out, they could see a man from security standing in the hall, guarding the door.

"I'm sorry." Mao said softly, standing, avoiding Motoko's gaze. "You're right. I need to believe in myself more. It's just so hard to when you've been called 'Mao the cow' for as long as you can remember."

"You can't help how big you are." The woman from Kyoto said gently. "What you can help is how you let other's perceptions of you affect your sense of self. Not everyone is going to like you Mao. It's unrealistic to think otherwise. I was miserable in my early teens because I used to believe as you do, but I don't think of myself as unattractive anymore. I still have trouble talking to men intimately, but that is because I believe they are thinking perverted thoughts about me."

"At least they look at you that way." She replied. "One of the games we played last year was against an all boys' school. We were so green that we didn't stand a chance. The coach had us act like we were total ditzes and flirt with them. They got nervous around all my teammates, but not around me…" She went silent as her head hung down.

"Then they were fools." Motoko said succinctly. "Do you really want a man to lust after you in such a fashion? I believe you are fortunate, Mao. If someone wants to be with you, chances are his feelings run deeper than the physical. Do you think you'll ever meet this boy you played baseball with again?"

"He goes to school here at Tokyo U, and I have his name, so I guess if I tried, I could find him." She said, her face brightening. "Actually, I think he's a lot like me. He got kind of nervous when we were talking."

Their discussion was interrupted when Gonji returned with two orderlies pushing wheelchairs. "Well, Miss Aoyama, I managed to find an empty semi-private for you two. Being it's just for the night, we can put the two of you in the maternity ward. Will that be acceptable?

"It is marginally superior to your earlier offer." The woman replied, climbing out of her chair and sitting down in the wheelchair. "I suppose it will have to do. Are you ready, Mao?"

"Sure, Motoko." She answered, following her friend's lead and claiming the other wheelchair. "I'm ready to go, and ready for a change. Let's get out of here."

oOo

A/N: Mao's a hero! Who'd a thunk it? Where will these events lead too? Will Seira reconcile with her mother before she returns to Sendai? How will Corey's folks respond when Seira joins them for breakfast? Stay tuned dear readers. These questions and others will be answered in the next thrilling installment of 'The New Girl in Town'! Until the next time we meet between the pages, be well. OMS.