Love Hina – Blind Love

Fanfic

Haruka kneels and puts a hand on Motoko's head. "It's alright, Motoko. It's not entirely your fault. There is something about Keitaro that brings out the best, and worst, in females. Unfortunately, it's far more often the worst."

Looking up, Motoko says "I do not understand?"

A light laugh escapes Haruka's lips, despite the circumstances "I don't either. Just take my word for it." Holding out her hand, she assists the sword maiden to her feet. Tipping her head in the direction of the bathrooms, she says, "Besides, your reaction shows you didn't mean to really hurt him."

The sudden scream of pain from outside causes everyone to jump to their feet, if not already standing. As they move towards the door, Haruka calls them back, "If Hikari needs us, she'll call for us. Until then, none of you need to see what she is doing. Believe me, I know."

Chapter Three –

Friday, mid-morning, inside Hinata-sou

Haruka and Hikari take Keitaro to the unused manager's quarters, which Haruka had already prepared for Keitaro, not knowing he was going to surprise her by showing up a day early. They place him gently on the futon, and bring some extra pillows from the laundry room to make him as comfortable as possible.

Everyone stands at the door, looking at Keitaro as the two women treat the rest of his wounds. Once his face is cleaned, they are stunned to see for the first time that he appears young, in spite of the bruising and swelling of his face. He can't be more than 18 or 19 years old.

Several hours later, noon, Hinata-sou

As Keitaro slowly regains consciousness, he is aware from their breathing of two bodies close to his, and that the pain of his wounds has subsided to a dull ache. Already, he can feel most of his minor cuts have started to heal over, but the ache of his jaw, his left arm, and ribs tell him he's been hurt rather severely this time. Hikari had carefully examined his head, and believes he didn't also suffer from a concussion at the girls' hands, much to her relief.

With a light laugh, Hikari asks, "Are you back with the living, Keitaro?"

Putting his good right hand to his head, he smiles slightly and murmurs "If you call being run over by a bullet train and then falling off a cliff no big deal, then, yeah, I'm OK. What happened? Last thing I remember is coming to the hot springs and some girls yelling and attacking me?"

Hikari explains to Keitaro what injuries he has suffered.

Smiling, he turns his head to the left and speaks slowly, his bandaged jaw and aching ribs making him space his words out a bit. "Well, Aunt Haruka…. I guess my plan to surprise you….by showing up a day early worked…. Uh, surprise!"

The gentle rap of a large paper fan greets his head, "Don't try to talk. And just call me Haruka, you little sneak. It still amazes me how you can always tell it's me."

Reaching up carefully to rub his neck with his right hand, Keitaro blushes and says, "Well, the blend of cigarettes….perfume, tea and restaurant….scents are rather unique to you." Turning his head carefully, "An Hikari here is….an interesting blend of sweat….antiseptics, and jasmine."

Hikari laughs "We'll trip you up one of these days, Keitaro." Keitaro chuckles, then groans in pain.

Haruka asks "Gods, Keitaro. How can you be so cheerful? If you had been anyone else, you may have died today!" with genuine concern in her voice.

Keitaro says, "It must have been….a misunderstanding….They thought a madman….had walked in on them…..I can't fault them for that…..They were defending each….other, they were taking care each other."

Hikari "You mean you don't blame them for what they did to you? That you forgive them?"

Lying there for a moment, Keitaro sighs "I already did….Why blame them for what….they felt they had to do?" his smile fades, and with real worry in his face, says "I hope they'll….accept my apologies for….invading their home and their privacy."

"Well, if I have anything to say about that, they'll shut up and accept it. I am the manager here." Haruka says, a hint of anger in her voice

"NO!...OUCH!" Keitaro says, as he smacks his futon with his right hand to emphasize his denial, and then reaches up to his jaw, "OK,….that was stupid."

Both women jerk back as Keitaro responds to the last comment, then giggle at his own reaction, despite the situation. "No. I don't want to be….here if they are forced to accept me…. At least give them the….benefit of the doubt….Let them decide if….they want me here or not…..I'll accept their decision…..I only ask for the….chance to apologize….Heck, I'll even do….the work here….What I am capable of, anyway…..To prove myself…..The last thing I want….is to be burden to anyone."

"You've never been a burden, Keitaro. Not to me, or to anyone. However, I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow evening, so I haven't briefed the girls yet. Let me go down and talk to them, and see how it goes from there."

"Before that, could you ask….them to come up here?....I want to apologize…..It wouldn't be fair to throw….this on them with the guilt….they're feeling…..I want to clear air first,….and let them make their….decision without worrying about what I….may think."

Reaching out and ruffling his hair, Haruka says, "Keitaro, you are an amazing young man. OK, we'll do it your way."

Sniffing the air, Keitaro says "That's the only fair way…. I'm positive they were just….protecting each other…..You never told them about me, so they had ….no way of expecting a strange man….to show up. I guess it….was my actually all my fault for….trying to surprise you, Haruka."

His stomach rumbles. Blushing, "By the way,….something smells wonderful…..Would it be any bother….if I could get a little to eat?....I haven't had anything since….lunch yesterday, I've….been so excited at coming,….and I am a bit hungry." To add fuel to the fire, his stomach rumbles a second, louder time. His blush goes a shade redder. He mumbles a laugh, patting his stomach lightly, "Or as my belly would…have you believe, I'm starved."

Haruka stands "I think we can scrounge something up for you. Hikari, would you like to stay for lunch?"

"I am a bit hungry, although probably not the yawning bottomless pit Keitaro is just about now. Let's hurry so Shinobu can get the poor lad something to calm that noisy stomach." She giggles girlishly as they depart his room.

Downstairs, for the last half hour

The residents, having changed into regular clothes, sit in the common room, waiting on word of Haruka's nephew. Motoko sits in a chair, attempting to meditate. Kitsune is sipping her second glass of sake. Mutsumi sits on a couch, her hands caressing her melons. Su is trying to look like she isn't bored. Shinobu sits quietly, her hands fidgeting. Naru stares silently at the table, unable or unwilling to look up and meet anyone's gaze. All she remembers is the man's screams and his blood.

Very little conversation has gone on, except for an occasional whisper from Shinobu "I h-hope Haruka's nephew will b-be alright."

After Shinobu's eighteenth repetition of that phrase, Motoko's eyes snap open. "Shinobu, please do not overly concern yourself with that, that..male. Hikari is an accomplished physician, and I am sure she will have him ready to take to the clinic shortly. At that time he will no longer be of any concern to us."

Su looks at Motoko "Hey, but weren't it you and Naru that broke hims in the first place? Ain't you worried about him nones?"

Kitsune "Hey, he shoulda known better than to wander around an all-girls dorm unescorted. Who does he think he is, any? Ah know, Ah know, he's Haruka's nephew. Oh Spit!' Looking from Naru to Motoko "Come to think about it, that alone should have ya'll quaking in yer tennis shoes."

"Oh my, what if he were to press charges? I mean, you did attack him, and he did nothing to defend himself. Oh dear." Mutsumi clutches her melons tightly.

Motoko and Naru stare at the melon girl for a moment, before looking at each other.

Naru says, "She's right, Motoko. No matter what you said Haruka told you, it's not her decision to make. We didn't attack her, we hurt her nephew. And we know nothing about him. For all we know, he's just pretending blindness to get his perverted kicks walking in on naked girls! Just another lousy pervert."

"I had not thought of it in that way. I assumed Haruka's words to be the last on the subject, but her nephew is an adult, and is capable of making his own decisions. He must have heard our voices before he entered the hot springs. How could he have not known the hot springs were occupied by females?"

Motoko thinks (And what Haruka said to me; 'There is something about Keitaro that brings out the best, and worst, in females. Unfortunately, it's far more often the worst.') "Haruka may not have said it in as many words, but what other type of male could possibly bring out the worst in women other than a perverted, vile, lecherous, deceitful, …"

Naru finishes Motoko's sentence, "Pervert! That's the word. I don't care what assurances Haruka gives, that guy's a pervert. I don't trust him."

Naru thinks back for a moment about what Mutsumi said, and then shudders "After what we did, can you imagine anyone NOT pressing charges? Kami! After seeing what we did, I'd get to a phone and press charges the first chance I had if I were him."

Kitsune, a worried look on her face, "Ya'll are right. Ain't nobody in their right mind just gonna ignore something like this happening to them. Heck, he'd be within his rights to sue fer damages." the Fox's continues, "And since ya'll are tenants, he could sue and bankrupt Hinata-sou right outta business. We could all lose our home. Oh damn, I need my sake!" She grabs her cup and searches for another bottle.

Su says "But, he's Haruka's nephew? Why would he do that? And are bankrupts yummy?"

"I'll finish getting lunch ready. Maybe someone can take some up to him, to let him know we're sorry about everything! He seems like a nice man." Shinobu says.

After a few moments, Naru says, "He may be Haruka's nephew, but I've never heard of him until today. None of us know anything about him. We have to take the initiative. We have to show him that we are the ones that matter here; this is our home, not his. We have to convince him and Haruka it was his fault for walking in on us unannounced!"

Motoko replies, "Naru, truth that may be, do you not think the evidence of his own body will tell him otherwise? He was viciously attacked, and you expect him to believe it was his fault? I think we would be naïve to expect anything less than a thorough investigation by the police. My age may protect me from jail, but I fear I will be taken from Hinata-sou and placed under state-care. I see no easier alternative for you, and far too many that are worse."

Naru roughly sits on the couch. "I can't believe that this is it. We've been together for so long, you guys are like family." Anger fills her body "I am so pissed. I don't want to leave just because some perverted baka waltzes in here, pretending to be blind so he can get his kicks!"

Kitsune kneels beside the couch, "There is the slight possibility that he may let ya'll off easy, ya know. If ya'll both approach him, and explain everything to him. Tell him how much like a family we are. Tell him how much it would hurt us if you two had to leave. Beg, girl, beg like ya'll mean it! That's the ticket! Beg, and don't hold back. Turn on the water works, bow, grovel, all that good stuff."

"You think that'll work? It might just encourage that pervert more." Naru asks.

"I don't know, but" and Kitsune grins, "Oh, heck, ya'll know me. It'd at least be fun to watch."

Shinobu looks in from the kitchen "Lunch is almost ready. Are you sure that is the right thing to do?"

Motoko, rising to her feet, states resolutely, "All we must do is convince this, male, that it was his fault. He will be leaving here shortly, as Hikari is sure to take him to the clinic for treatment."

Naru nods her head, looking up. "Motoko is right, Shinobu. This is an all-girls dorm, anyways. It's not like he lives here." A chill runs through them all.

"Hey, did one of ya'll leave a window open or something?" Kitsune shudders.

Hearing footsteps approaching, they rise as Haruka and Hikari come down the stairs. Trying not to look like they are rushing, the girls nudge past each other to hear what the women have to say about their 'assailant'.

Haruka waves them back, "All of you just calm down. Keitaro's going to be alright. He needs to rest, but he'll be fine by tomorrow morning."

Perplexed, Motoko looks at Haruka, "But, but that cannot be. I saw the damage we inflicted on him. He must be taken to a hospital, now! It is unbelievable to think he would be able for anything in less than a week!"

Hikari adds "Oh, believe me, Keitaro will be fine in almost no time. In fact, he will probably be up and about tomorrow morning, but he won't be able to take in anything but soft food for a day or so until his jaw heals."

Su ask, a gleem in her eye, "Is Keitaro some kinda super dude? Like Bald Draggers X?"

Haruka replies, "No, Keitaro is just like anyone else. He just heals pretty fast when he's hurt."

Su wrings her hand together like a mad scientist and thinks (This bears investigating and testing. I've been dying to tries my new Mecha-Tama out.)

Naru steps up to Haruka, her arms crossed. In a sarcastic tone, she asks, "Is your nephew really blind? He seemed to be able to find his way around here too easily for a 'blind' man!"

Haruka nods "Yes. Keitaro really is blind."

Motoko has her hand on her sword, and nods because she believes she and Naru are on the right track. Haughtily, she questions Haruka's statement, "You mean he is blind in the legal sense, do you not? That his vision is so poor he qualifies as blind, although he can see with the aid of glasses?"

Haruka adjusts her cigarettes holder as she looks at the two girls (What's gotten into them? You'd think from the way they are acting that they're the victims here, not Keitaro.) "No. What I mean is that Keitaro has lived in total darkness for over fifteen years, ever since he was five years old."

She looks up at the ceiling and grits her teeth as she continues. "Keitaro was constantly crying himself to exhaustion over his fear of the constant blackness he experiences for the first six months after he lost his sight."

As the other residents gather around, Haruka continues, a bit kinder, "He spent a year after that shuttling between his home and an institute for psychological care because of the terror he was going through. He was then admitted to the Tokyo State School for the Blind, where he's been trying to learn a trade, and how to function around sighted people again for the last fourteen years. From what Granny Hina says, Keitaro has an amazing gift for finding his way around Hinata-sou in his mind. That's why she invited him here for a break from the School. Is that clear enough for you?"

The girls nod agreement. With the slight exception of Naru and Motoko, Haruka sees that their interests and curiosity are peaked. (What is it with those two?)

"OK. Now, Keitaro made it clear that he wants to speak to all of you, if you don't mind. I told him I'd ask. Anyone who doesn't want to can stay here." The look on Haruka's face bodes ill for anyone who refuses to meet with her nephew.

"Shinobu, would it be any trouble to bring something up for Keitaro? He hasn't eaten since yesterday, and he can't handle anything but liquids for a while. As a matter of fact, if everyone would prepare a plate, we could all eat with him. I'm sure he'd appreciate the company."

Kitsune "We all had better go up. We did this to him, the least we can do is apologize and have a meal with the poor guy." as she glares at Naru and Motoko.

Motoko, her sword once again firm in her hand "Why do we delay? The sooner he has his say, the sooner we shall be rid of his vile presence."

Naru thinks (Just step outta line once, you pervert, and you'll wish you'd never stepped foot here today!)

"And one more thing," Haruka's voice goes hard, "the accident that cost Keitaro his sight fifteen years ago happened right here at Hinata-sou, out by the hot springs. So I imagine he may become a bit distressed as he recovers from the sedative, and the realization that he has just been attacked in the same place that cost him his eyesight kicks in. So tread lightly on anything you say about that subject!"

Everyone prepares their plates in silence, and Shinobu readies a tray laden with food for Haruka and Hikari, and liquid refreshments for Keitaro; the residents then follow the two women to see Keitaro.