Chapter 11: Homecoming

"Naru," Keitaro kept shouting as he tried to keep up with the girl.

"Why are you following me," she replied, her voice a combination of anger, sadness, and jealousy.

"Because... you won't hear me out," Keitaro replied as he held on to the trembling shoulders of the girl. "And why are you even acting like this?"

"Why," Naru sarcastically replied. Tears were rolling down her eyes as she turned around. "You- wait you're right... why am I acting like this? We're not even a couple, right?"

"If it's about the Tomo then it's all a misunderstanding," Keitaro defended.

"What's there to misunderstand," Naru continued. "She loved you right? She even kissed you to show it to you. So shouldn't you be overjoyed right now? There's actually a girl in love with the three time ronin, Keitaro Urashima!"

"Then why are you so angry," Keitaro calmly asked. "And why are you crying?"

"I don't know," Naru replied looking down at the ground. She was about to burst into tears when he felt Keitaro hugging her. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you go to that girl already? You're practically meant for each other."

"But we weren't Naru," he replied softly resting her delicate head on his chest.

"Then why were you so happy when you were with her," Naru asked.

"I was, but that doesn't mean I loved her," Keitaro replied. "Besides..."

"Besides what," Naru asked calming down but before she could lift her head, she felt Keitaro hands lifting it for her.

"You're the one I love Naru Narusegawa," he said with, wearing a gentle smile on his face. "And whatever joy I had with others can never compare to that I feel, when I'm with you."

"Idiot," Naru replied resting her head on his chest once more.

Tomo returned to the apartments and was happily greeted by the Yuki's tease. "How was the- what's wrong," Yet the girl's face told her that something bad happened.

"Nothing," Motoko replied half-heartedly. "Nothing happened."

"That's not what your tears are telling me Tomo- no, Motoko," Yuki continued. "You told him something didn't you? Something that doesn't have to do with you split personality."

"Naru saw everything we did," Motoko started, ignoring her friend's questions. "She even saw me ki-ki-kiss him."

"You kissed him," Yuki shouted. "Why? I know you liked him but to kiss him. Why would you do such a risky thing?"

"I was about to tell him my identity when I heard Naru's voice," she explained. "After that my mind blanked out. Instead of telling him the truth, I thought he was going to leave me and my body did the rest. I moved in and kissed him and started shouting 'I love you'."

"I could imagine what happened next," Yuki sighed. "Naru saw everything and ran away didn't she? After that, Keitaro left you behind to follow her, isn't that right?"

"Yes," Motoko nodded weakly. "But why… why did I feel that?"

"Feel like what," Yuki tilted her head.

"Satisfied," Motoko answered. "Why did it felt so satisfying when I saw Naru cry? She's my friend isn't she? Shouldn't I feel guilty?"

"Sorry but there's only one thing I could think of to answer your question," Yuki replied. "You felt jealous of Naru didn't you? How she was the one he loved and not you? And now that you actually had the chance to steal him away you actually thought it was your victory. But sad to say it the joy you felt was only short lived."

Motoko felt more depressed as she heard Yuki's words. She was right, she was jealous, she was jealous of how through all the pain Naru put him through he still chose her rather than choosing herself, no Tomo who showed him love. These realizations just made her fall deeper into despair. But this all changed when she heard her friend's words.

"But whatever we do, we can never change the past," Yuki started. "So wouldn't it be better to follow on through with the future. And it will all be determined with your answer to this question. What are you planning to do now? Now that he can never know about Tomo's true identity since it would only form a rift between you. And as things are now, you would either lose him to Naru but with that wouldn't they be happy?"

"I," Motoko hesitated. She knew that it would be better if the two got together. She has already accepted their destiny anyway. But what about her own happiness, shouldn't she be happy knowing they're happy? But wait, wasn't it Tomo who confessed to Keitaro? It wasn't Motoko at all. Her mind started to see hope as she thought about everything more clearly "I know my answer Yuki. Thank you."

"I see," Yuki smiled. "I guess you know what you have to tell the others tomorrow?"

"Yes," Motoko replied passing through the door and entering her room.

Saturday morning greeted the residents of Omoide Ryokan. They were all at the exit bidding their short farewells to their short time friend.

"You're leaving Motoko," Fuka asked a little sad.

"Don't worry Fuka," Motoko cheering up the girl. "I'm going to visit during Fridays anyway. And if you're interested we could continue your traning during my visits."

"Oh," Nami said seeing another opportunity to lengthen Motoko's visits. "And here I thought I finally found an interesting employee. Wouldn't you consider working for me?"

"I was planning to talk to you about that actually," Motoko said turning her attention to the resident tea lover. "Would it be ok for me to work during the weekdays?"

"Oh, you're serious right," Nami asked. "I mean you were so hesitant on the beginning."

"Well I have my own reasons," Motoko replied. "And would it be okay if I use my other name to work there?"

"That's fine," Nami agreed to the kendo girl's conditions. "Then I'm expecting you this Monday got it?"

"Yes," Motoko said smiling.

"Well, you better get going Motoko," Ryu interrupted. "Yuki's got something for you. She told me it's from a person named Nene."

"Nene," Motoko thought. "I see the owner from that shop. Now that I think about it I never got the chance to read those doujins I bought."

"Anyway it looked important," Ryu continued. "Anyway it looks like this won't be our last meeting so we'll only be wishing you a good travel. Remember this place is where memories are born and where people meet their pasts. Until the time we meet again."

"Thank you," Motoko replied and bowed lightly showing her respects. "When things are settle I would like to invite you to Hinata."

"We're counting on it," Ryu replied and whispered. "A place where the sun shines ha? I guess the people there are really blessed. And if I remember correctly I remembered hearing a story where all promises are fulfilled there. But as it is now, stories are meant to be kept that way, stories."

"Took you long enough," Yuki complained as she saw Motoko approaching her. "Here. It's a set of clothes Nene made exactly just for you."

"But what should I do with it," Motoko asked. "You know non of the people at Hinata knows of this except for Keitaro and Naru."

"Don't worry it's not for cosplay," Yuki reassured the girl. "They're normal clothes. And if you're thinking, 'But Motoko does not wear such things' then think about this, 'Isn't this kind of like Tomo's taste?' Motoko's not Motoko unless there's Tomo."

"I see," Motoko said looking at the bag of clothes. "I would really like to thank her for this but I guess that can be arranged for another time."

"What are you talking about," Yuki asked with a small grin. "She's right behind you. Sakura's even with her."

"You should take care of those," Nene ordered. "I'm giving them to you for free you know. And if you're going to thank me you should also thank this girl. She helped me with it."

"It's true Motoko," Sakura continued. "I'm Nene-sensei's apprentice you see and I thought this is the only way I could show you my appreciation of you."

"Thank you, you guys," Motoko said patting Sakura at the head. "Well, I better get going now."

"See yah," the two said, waving their hands.

"I guess you're ready ha," Yuki said as she watched Motoko entering the train

"Yes," Motoko nodded. "I'm not going to give up. It's still too early for me to give him up."

"That's good," Yuki smiled. "To your success."

Motoko smiled and watched as the doors closed in front of her. She saw her friend smiling at her until the train left the station. She was ready. She knew that unless the two wed, she still had a chance. But does this mean she'll have to show a part of her she still hasn't shown anyone yet? Only time would tell.

"She's back," Shinobu shouted storming into the inn.

"Motoko's back," Suu asked, swinging down from a secret hole in the roof.

"Keitaro was right," Kitsune said with a grin as she entered the lobby. "She did come back by her own will."

"Shinobu, Suu, And Kitsune," Motoko greeted as she entered through the doors of Hinata-Sou. "It's been such a long time. I would like to apologize about what I did. I guess I've worried you guys a lot."

"Don't sweat it honey," Kitsune replied.

"That's right Motoko," Suu continued jumping onto the kendo girl's back. "We heard everything from Naru."

"That's right sempai," Shinobu continued. "We know Naru asked you to leave but to not trust us about you hobbies. Isn't that a little bit unfair. You know we'll accept you for who you are. Isn't that how a family works?"

"That's right Motoko," Kitsune ended. "Doujins might be a little overrated but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it right? Look at me, I like horse races and wine."

"Sorry," Motoko said as she accepted their words. But was it right to be proud about horse races? "But where's Naru-sempai and Keitaro?"

"Oh they might still be out," Kitsune replied. "Something seemed to happen last night and they were never closer."

"I see," Motoko said hiding the fact she knew everything. But as she was looking for the two, they surprised her from behind.

"Motoko," Keitaro shouted with surprise. "You're finally back. We've been worried sick because of you."

"Motoko," Naru also greeted but with a little fear. "I'm really sorry for what I did. Might we talk about it later, I want to let you hear my side.

"No it's okay Naru-sempai," Motoko said smiling at the girl but quickly took out her wooden sword. "But would you mind what you guys are doing."

"Eh," the two reacted before realizing that they were holding hands. "I could explain this," Keitaro defended. "You're misunderstanding something Motoko," Naru continued.

"No I can see it perfectly clear," Motoko, said clearly quite irritated. "Keitaro forced himself on you didn't he?"

"Wait," Keitaro said trying to shield himself.

"Keitaro," Motoko shouted and finally released a large amount of Ki, knocking the boy out of the roof. "You Pervert!"

"Why me," Keitaro said tears flowing down his cheeks. On the other hand the others were looking at the sky quite shock. Naru was gasping as she watched Keitaro become a star, Suu was grinning as she made a wish, Shinobu fainted, Kitsune was smiling ear-to-ear, and Motoko was smiling as she was finally back. And to the kendo girl this was only the beginning.

Hell yeah… Such a nice way to get back at the guy who dumped you wouldn't you agree? Hahahaha…