Chapter 5: To the Beaches!

"Keep your feet shoulder length apart, and then twist at the waist when I punch."

"Ok, and then just use your moment to land it?"

"Right. Get ready."

Keitaro planted his feet solidly in the ground as Motoko came at him. She threw out a wide haymaker and he caught it, just as she'd taught him, and twisted, throwing her to the ground. He could do it properly if she gave him the chance, but his reaction time was still slow in actual combat.

"You're doing much better, though. Plus, this will man you up a bit, make you less of a wimp."

"Oh ha ha!" he said, rolling his eyes. "Ok, I think that'll do for the day. Want to practice your kendo?"

It had become tradition for Keitaro and Motoko to meet at sunrise outside the Hina apartments and spar with each other. Of course, Motoko always won, by a lot. But, Keitaro was learning and was vastly improving. At the end of the week he could last a full minute in a proper defense before she would disarm him.

"Don't lock your arms," she shouted, hacking away at him. "And don't give so much ground. You're letting me control the battleground!"

Motoko really was a good teacher. She was exceptionally skilled and always patient. She never got mad at him for having to teach a lesson twice. However, if he was inclined to rely on just one stance or move, then she would punish him.

"Only an idiot has just one stance they ever use. You need flexibility. Some of the most famous martial artists actually practice having no stance at all. Keep moving your feet!"

She swept his legs out from under him and he landed on his back. Normally, she could hold her blade against his neck and declare victory at this time, but he decided he wasn't done yet. He used to momentum of the blow to do a backwards roll and came unsteadily to his feet.

"There you go!" said Motoko going at him again. "That's the warrior's spirit! Don't give in! Don't give up! Don't stop trying!"

She then flicked her wrist and sent his practice blade skidding across the ground, and claimed victory.

"Damn," he muttered. "I thought I might get you that time."

"You're getting better. You lasted a little over 70 seconds that time. You just need practice. You've come very far in a little time. Honestly, I am impressed. You have a natural ability to survive improbable odds. You could be a truly formidable martial artist in time."

He smiled at her. These morning meeting were becoming the highlight of his days. After a couple hours of training and sparring, and he would get breakfast from Shinobu and had at least another hour before Naru would come to him for study. Honestly, once things cooled down from Seta's visit, Naru was back to being decent… or as close as she ever got.

It was this morning that Haruka had a bit of a shock for him.

"Hello there stranger."

"Aunt Haruka."

Smack!

"You know better."

He did, honestly. But he liked their little back and forth. Haruka never seriously hurt him and it was something only he got to call her. It was like a nickname.

"What do you need?"

"I can't just come up to talk to you?"

"Not with that look in your eyes that tells me I'm about to have a very disturbing day."

"You'll like this. You like the beach, right?"

Keitaro raised a very suspicious eyebrow.

"If I say no…"

"I will knock you out and make you go."

"Then, I suppose I like the beach."

"Good. We have a beach teashop down there that helps us get through the summer months. However, it's too large for me to run on my own so I'll need you and the girls to give me some help. Without this we won't be able to afford the Hina apartments through the rest of the year. So, Mr. Manager, what do you say?"

"What? I can't leave. I'm still studying for college, and what about Seta?"

"The college is out for the summer, so Seta won't have need of you for a bit. I already called and asked. As for studying, the shop isn't open all night, so you can study then. Alright?"

"I suppose."

With that the group all head down to the beach together. Now, the finical difficulties of the apartments had been well understood for a long time, but Keitaro wasn't prepared for the dump of a shack Haruka lead them to. It seemed to be falling apart.

"This…" Keitaro tried before starting over. "This is the Hina Summer Teahouse?"

"Yeah. I know it's a bit old but…"

"No!" he said. "Castles and bridges are old! This place is practically falling down!"

"I'll be fixing it up today. We won't actually be open until later, so you can have some fun for now."

"Thanks… I suppose."

"Changing rooms are over there."

Had Keitaro not been so distracted by the thought of trying to run a tea shop, his brain may have been able to warn him about the impending doom that was permanently associated with changing rooms. However, this was not the case. As it was, he opened the curtain on all of the Hina girls changing into their swimsuits.

Interestingly enough, he had time to see a couple of reactions in the split second before Naru's foot attempted to go through his skull. He saw complete embarrassment on Shinobu, and recognized that Kitsune found his blundering bad luck funny. He saw Su give a happy smile at the thought of seeing him, and Motoko merely sighed and shook her head, making sure she covered herself.

Then, Naru's anger happened and he found himself skidding across the hot sand.

When he had managed to get changed without being thought a pervert, he decided to just float lazily on the ocean. It was so relaxing. He just kept his back arched slightly and let the water into his ears, blocking out the sounds of the other beach-goers. He was merely alone with his thoughts.

It was actually calming. He found he was able to keep himself centered, despite the insanity that was happening around him day-to-day. They should have mandatory float on the ocean days, he decided.

He felt someone prod his chest, and hoping he hadn't ruined someone's trip by accidentally floating into their game or something, he sat up. Kitsune was there, worry all over her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's Shinobu! She passed out and almost drown in the ocean, but I can't do CPR. Come on quick!"

"Why didn't you call the lifeguard?!" he asked, moving as fast as he could to where Kitsune was pointing.

"You were closer, just go help her!"

Keitaro ran up to where Shinobu's body lay on the ground, and felt his heart set into overdrive. He would never want to see a girl from Hina hurt and this was one of his worst nightmares. He leaned down to check her breathing, and there was nothing. She had a steady pulse though.

He tilted her head back like he'd been taught and could hear the girls talking behind him in hushed tones.

"He really does know how to do CPR."

"Yes, it's impressive."

He leaned down, about to breath into Shinobu's lungs when he saw her shift slightly.

"Shinobu?"

"I can't do it!" she shouted, kicking out.

Of course, Keitaro had been hovering over her, as CPR required, and received a swift kick to the only exposed organs in the male body. He collapsed into the a heap, rolling over and just waiting for the pain to subside. Shinobu was hastily apologizing and trying to find some way to help him.

When he could finally stand again, he looked at Kitsune questioningly.

"Well…" she said, but didn't continue.

"We knew how hard things have been with you and Naru recently," said Shinobu.

"We figured all your energy was zapped out of you, so we wanted to revitalize you," said Su.

"So we thought maybe if we could show that you are always there for us, it would help you… feel better," said Motoko.

"Girls," he said, smiling. "I appreciate it. Really. But I'm actually ok. Yeah, Naru and I are awkward right now, but that's ok. It's not like Motoko and I didn't get off to a rough start."

Motoko nodded.

"But what about…" Kitsune started. "The way you and her are, I always thought..."

Keitaro shook his head.

"No. Maybe at one time, but not anymore."

"Oh… are you…"

"I'm seriously fine. I'm not all the upset about it, honestly. I have more than enough to keep me busy right now, between my studies, work, managing the apartments and practicing aikido, I've got my hands full."

"You've been practicing aikido?" asked Shinobu.

"Yes," said Motoko. "He's actually gotten fairly good."

"Thanks."

"I shall have to program my new toys around this," said Su to herself.

"Hey!" called Haruka. "We're starting to heat up over here. I need you guys up and at it. Keitaro, you're in the kitchen!"

Keitaro nodded and threw on the apron. Of course, trying to run a kitchen for a restaurant full of hungry beach-goers wasn't easy, and he was quickly becoming overwhelmed.

"Hey Keitaro," said Naru. "Listen I was thinking… We really don't…"

"Naru," Keitaro interrupted. "I'm really busy here. I'd be more than happy to talk to you, but now isn't a time I really have to spare for it."

"Ok, I'll help you out."

Keitaro resisted the urge to tell her to help them up front. She was trying to help him after all, that was improvement. She was starting to get things to manageable pace when Shinobu entered the kitchen.

"Sempai!" she said to Keitaro. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine," he said. "I know you didn't mean to do it."

"But I did something really horrible to you!"

"You freaked out because of a crazy scheme Kitsune cooked up. If you were the only one to be a victim of a plan of her's, I would be amazed."

"Thanks. How about I help you? You're overcooking these noodles."

He nodded, and soon they had things rolling out of the kitchen like a flood. Shinobu was in her atmosphere in a kitchen. It was more like the room was at her command. Everything just lined up perfectly for her.

"Thanks for the help, Shinobu, you're a fantastic cook!"

She blushed and bowed slightly.

"Thank you, sempai."

"Ok Naru, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"I just wanted to say… You and I used to be real close, you know?"

Nope, not really. I tried to get close and you punched me, I remember that.

"Yeah," he lied.

"I just… I miss that."

"Well things got really tense for a while. Naru, I know we both kind of got messed up for a while, and I'm willing to admit my fault in that. I want to be friends with you."

He expected her to smile a little and take the hand he offered her. What he had not expected was instant anger to pass over her face and for her to punch him so hard he fell out of the kitchen. He used the weight-shifting Motoko had taught him to get back to his feet quickly, in case she attacked again.

And attack she did. She came barreling out of the kitchen with a roundhouse kick. He didn't think, his body just acted on it's own. He grabbed the leg she was attacking with and spun, using her momentum to fling her out the door of the shop. He heard Motoko clap softly behind him.

"Nicely done, Urashima."

"Keitaro!" shouted Naru, re-entering the shop.

"What?! What exactly? I'm sorry about that whole being friends thing, ok?"

"Whatever, I'm sure they need you back in the kitchen!"

Keitaro looked around, seeing the large group of people staring at them awkwardly.

"Sorry everyone," he said, bowing. "Please go back to your meals."

He went back into the kitchen, and with Shinobu's help, prepared food far beyond what the people were expecting, and even Haruka was pleased with the amount of business they raked in. That night, Keitaro found himself on the roof of the building, watching the stars. He sat there, thinking quietly, and heard someone approach behind him.

"Hey," he said, turning to find Motoko.

It wasn't at all unusual for her to be on the roof, as she had often trained on the roof of the apartments. However, for her to be up so late was out of the norm.

"Hello Urashima."

"You're up pretty late tonight."

"We can't really train on the beach, people get nervous if we start fighting. Even your scuffle with Narusegawa earlier had some people scared. So I figured I would watch the stars with you."

"Thanks," he said, smiling softly. "It's true about Naru. She's always so hot tempered. All I said was I wanted to be friends."

"I figured. She's always over-reacted where you're involved. Kitsune thinks she likes you because of it."

He shook his head.

"I doubt it. Besides, I don't think it would matter much if she did have feelings for me."

"Your promised girl, huh?"

"No," he said honestly. "Naru is pretty and smart, but beyond that she doesn't really have any factors I would want in a relationship, you know?"

"What would you know about what you need in a relationship?"

"I know!" he protested. "I need someone who is strong, but about to care about others too. Sure, she'd have to be smart, but not all smug about it, you know? I know I don't need a relationship to validate me, but it would enhance me, you know?"

"I'm not sure I follow you. Relationships change people, always."

"I don't think so," he said. "Oh sure, they change what you do, but not who you are. After all, if someone falls in love with you, you would want it to be for you, not for what you do, right?"

"I wouldn't want anyone to fall in love with me. I am dedicated to my life of swordsmanship."

"Why should that mean you can't find someone later in life? I mean, what, samurai didn't have wives and children?"

Motoko shook her head.

"Love ruins your ability to fight."

She got up and left without another word, leaving him to ponder what she had said.