This chapter is so sad… I'm having major block and if I don't finish this chapter this story would probably be scrapped along with the other stories I'm writing. I hope I get cured from it by sometime next week… Anyway please enjoy this randomly written chapter. T_T

Chapter 14: Baby steps

"Good afternoon," the black haired girl greeted the others as she entered the inns. "My name is Tomo Ishinari, nice to meet you."

"Keitaro you sly dog," Kitsune teased the distressed manager.

"You're making a mistake here Kitsune," Keitaro panicked. "She's just a friend, and well she wanted to come along."

"Really," Kitsune continued. "Well seeing how close you two are, it doesn't seem like that at all." She was right; Keitaro was at the door and at his right was Naru, they were always walking side-by-side ever since getting back from that night. But seeing Tomo at his left side standing closer to him than Naru was, just made them look more like a couple.

"Kitsune," Naru shouted stopping the fox.

"You don't have to get that mad Naru," Kitsune said laughing before walking back to the dining room. "Anyway, I'm Mitsune Konno but you can call me Kitsune."

"Sorry about that," Keitaro said. "She's a little hard to handle, but believe me she's a nice person."

"It's okay," Tomo replied with a smile. "But this place is really big… And it's all yours?"

"Yeah," Keitaro replied. "My grandmother gave it to me when she decided to go around the world to try all the hot springs."

"That does sound like something someone from your family would do," Tomo teased.

"You sound like you're implying my family is weird," Keitaro said.

"Well at least one of them are," Naru answered walking to the kitchen.

"Naru," Keitaro said with tears.

"Anyway, haven't you thought of having someone helping you out," Tomo continued. "Maintaining the place should be too much for one man to handle."

"Well, if its maintenance, then I've already got used to it," Keitaro said, chuckling at the fact. "Besides, I don't want to bother anyone else with the job. It'll only hurt the budget more." Tears started to form in his eyes.

"I see," Tomo sighed. "Well if you need any, then don't hesitate to ask. I'm sure someone here's willing to help you." Keitaro looked at her smile and smiled back. He was happy to see Tomo smiling at him brightly and thought, maybe the girl has moved on.

"Well we better go," Keitaro said and lead the girl to the dining room. There, they we're greeted with Suu's quick outburst. She immediately jumped out of her sit without moving the chair an inch and reached Tomo's back as if by magic.

"Motoko," Suu shouted. "Why are you dressed like that? Are we playing some game?" But the only thing that greeted her was the chocking sound from the girl between her legs.

"I… can't… breath," Tomo tried chocking out.

"Get down from her Suu," Keitaro ordered but the girl didn't budge. She was looking at the girl with a puzzled look but all she could see was a chocking teenager.

"You're acting funny Motoko," Suu said with a puzzled look.

"No Suu," Naru helped. "She's Tomo one of Keitaro's friends. She only looks like Motoko."

"Tomo," Suu asked. "Is that tasty?" Drool was slowly dripping from her mouth.

The whole group sweat dropped and the commotion continued but luckily, everything stopped when Shinobu came in with the food she prepared. Suu jumped down and went back to her sit and took a bottle of sauce out of thin air. Tomo sighed and took a deep breath. But besides that, the lunch went by peacefully.

"Sorry for giving you a hard time," Keitaro said as he led Tomo to the porch. "I hope Suu didn't hurt you."

"Don't worry, I'm used to it by now anyway," Tomo replied the last part in form of a whisper only she could hear. "Anyway, this place is quite lively, isn't it?"

"You could say that again," Keitaro replied with a smile. "But its sad you weren't able to meet one of the other tenants."

"Is that Motoko," Tomo inquired, knowing he was talking about her.

"Yeah," Keitaro nodded. "But Suu really made a great point, other than your backgrounds, you do give off the same feeling as Motoko."

"Not you too," Tomo sighed. "I feel like some sort of extra if you guys keep that up."

"You know that's not true," Keitaro said, they finally reached the porch and the clear sky immediately met them. The two walked over the edge and they could see a glimpse of the city below. "We're here."

"Amazing," Tomo smiled. "It's like you're on top of a mountain or something."

"It gives that feel doesn't it," Keitaro said as he leaned against the wooden bars. "But this isn't the best part yet."

"There's something more," Tomo said, even she didn't knew what could be better than this. But before she could ask she was led to the roof that was just across the porch. Tomo stopped and tried acting scared but instead of comforting her, Keitaro quickly took her hand and pulled her up. But because of the sudden tug, even she lost her balance and fell face first to the boy's chest. But when she tried to sit up, the first thing she saw was the scenery. The city sat below the small hill that Hinata Sou was built, and with the moving cars, it looked like everything was alive. And just below it, you could see the trees that slowly sway through the summer breeze. But this wasn't her first time there, so she always knew the place, yet why did it felt like something special. "This place feels like magic, don't you think?"

"You think," Keitaro relied while pulling himself up. "Well I guess you're right, this place is known for making promises and wishes come true."

"Really," Tomo looked back, hearing it for the first time. "Then maybe I should make a wish as well."

"And that would be," Keitaro looked at the girl who stood on the tip of the roof.

"Hmm," the girl thought before looking turning around. "I wish that the next time I come up here is when I'm with you."

"But…," Keitaro panicked but was stopped when the girl jumped down from the tip. "Tomo!" He stood up and jumped down as well. He was able to catch up with her and before they reached the bottom, he unconsciously hugged the girl, who smiled with out him seeing. A few seconds later the two reached the bottom, they was cushioned by the water in the bath and were able to avoid getting any major injury. The two opened their eyes. And they were again on top of each other.

"I guess this is the wish's first step," Tomo smiled as she lied on top of the boy. Looking at his eyes intently. But she was only met with the silent stares of the boy. But this stare was soon turned into shock when he felt soft lips pressing against his. "Like I said, I won't give you away that easily."

But the scene was soon interrupted when the doors opened and Naru came in wearing only a towel. She saw the two in their position and quickly turned beet red. She was angry in a completely new level. But before she could run towards the two, Keitaro pushed Tomo away and said, "Sorry Tomo but I love Naru, and nothings going to change that." The brown haired girl stopped momentary as she heard his words. She was happy to hear him say those words and she didn't know how to contain her joy. But this only lasted a few minutes before she continued rushing in and punched the day lights out of the guy.

"Pervert," Naru shouted as she launched the boy into the atmosphere. "And you, what do you think you're doing? That's just going to far."

"Why," Tomo replied. "Is there something wrong with what I just did."

"You just kissed him, that pervert," Naru shouted. "Who knows what perverted things he might do now."

"You may said that but I don't care," Tomo answered, earning the shock faces of the girl in front of her. "He saved me when I fell, and I thought of it as a thank you. So why are you so mad?"

"He's a pervert and…," Naru stuttered.

"Maybe you're just jealous," Tomo said as she walked towards Naru. "But don't worry he said he loves only you."

"Then why do you do such things," Naru finally showed her concern.

"Maybe because I love him more than you could ever do," Tomo replied and walked out of the. "I'm leaving and thank you for the hospitality."

Naru stood there in silence, she felt like those last words were her challenge against her. But Keitaro did say he loved her so did Tomo had any chance with him? She continued to comfort herself as she sulked into the bath. "What should I do?"

Ahh, I feel so sad for this chapter… I know I haven't been updating so far but please forgive me… I got a little writer's blocked and this chapter just came out wrong. And if you think I rushed it because I' timid then you're wrong… If I delayed it or stopped writing this any longer I feel like it'll get scrapped… Sorry… But please enjoy…