A/N: Sorry this chapter is sorter guys, it's really just a short one to explain Keitaro's thoughts while away. Also, I know you guys are worried about Motoko's behavior last chapter, don't be there is a reason and purpose for it, and I will explain in upcoming chapters.

Enjoy.

Chapter 20: America

"Again!" called Seta, striking out with speed.

He attacked Keitaro with his usual speed and power. Keitaro was mastering his defensive style and turned every attack against his mentor. Seta turned and kicked out again with a flurry of kicks. Keitaro dodged and redirected the blows, striking hard whenever he was given an opening.

After a full two hours of back and forth, they took a break, grabbing water and drinking heavily. It had been nine months since they'd come here to America and Keitaro hated it. Oh sure, the study was great and the advance in his martial arts was impeccable, but he was so out of place. For one thing, everyone drove like Seta, thinking their cars were indestructible and everything was huge here. Rooms, meals, cars, even the buildings were all made with so much space.

Things were better once they got the actual excavations, but even then he was just out of place. His early morning training sessions had been continued by the older archeologist, but it wasn't the same. He missed all the girls, even Naru. However, he was in pain any time he thought of the raven haired swordswoman.

He hadn't been able to write her yet, and regretted it. Every time he tried to put the pen down to the paper, it just refused to actually make words. He had tried again and again and again, but never got anywhere. How hard could it be to write an apology? He knew he owed her one.

Motoko had flipped a lot and gotten in a fight with him before he left. Instead of fixing it like he'd promised, he'd ran out, and probably made matters worse because of that. He was understanding now why she'd gotten so angry so quickly. Her sister had left her and she hadn't trusted anyone since then. Once he finally had gotten inside of her circle, he had turned around and left her not even a year later… He would've been angry in her shoes.

"She deserves better than me," he muttered.

"You're still thinking of your Aoyama girlfriend?"

"I really don't think she's my girlfriend anymore… I sorta fucked that up when we left."

"Maybe not… just look at myself and Haruka. When things got tense between us I ran away for almost ten years. I never called. I never wrote… she still took me back… in a different way anyhow."

"Yeah," Keitaro mumbled.

"Look," said Seta, leaning next to him. "We've been here a long time, and you've done remarkably well during your time. You're a damn good archeologist, and you've practically mastered aikido, even enough to go toe-to-toe with me. What would you say if after we finish this dig, we go back home?"

"I… I want to… but…"

"But you're afraid she won't like you anymore and you've doomed yourself to miss out on a relationship with someone you really connected with?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"You're not in as much trouble as you think. Sure, she was mad and likely still is, but it's because she loves you that she's so mad."

"How do you figure?"

"She was never this mad about you leaving her before?"

"No."

"So something changed. You two got in a relationship and she was happy, so logically she fell in love and then thought you were jumping at the first chance to leave her."

"Yeah, you're right… I don't know if there's a way to save our relationship though."

"Might be. After all, how does she normally handle disputes?"

"She would challenge me to a fight and kick my ass all over the place."

"You think she still could?"

"Probably, I'm good but not that good."

"Don't sell yourself short. You're batting about a 50% when you face me and I'm no pushover. Challenge her for your honor and a chance to prove your love to her."

"You think that'd work."

"Maybe, it's not like you have much to lose."

"True. Come on, let's get underway with this dig!"

The sooner we get through this dig, he thought, picking at the ground. The sooner I can try and fix what I broke with Motoko. I told her I'd never run off… I'm so sorry.

It was a full workday, as it had been ever since he'd started with Seta. When they both passed into their tent, Keitaro lit the lamp and set a paper down in front of himself, determined to write a letter this time. He sat down, and wrote Motoko's name on top of the paper… That was enough. The words started to come from his pen. Slowly, uneasily, but they were coming.

Motoko,

I know I haven't written you before now, and I wish I could lie an say it was because I have been too busy, but that wouldn't be true. I haven't written you because I have been ashamed of myself, and how I acted when I departed. I shamed myself with my words and lack of action back then. In this, I dishonored you and myself… I do not deserve it, but I will ask you for the chance to make that right.

We plan to end this excavation and return home soon. Once I do, I wish to challenge you to a duel. There will be no restriction or limits. It would go until one of us surrenders or dies. If you are still angry enough to destroy me, you will have the chance, and if not I can try and apologize, properly. If you win, I will do as you wish. If that means disappearing from the Hina apartments or committing seppuku then I will do so. However, if I win, we sit and talk out what happened.

I do not have a right to say it, but I love you, Motoko, and you deserve to hear it, even if it's from me. I hope you'll accept my challenge.

Thinking of you,
Keitaro Urashima.

He sealed the envelope and handed it to Seta to get shipped off. He knew Motoko would accept his challenge. It was her way. He just wanted a chance to under the wrong he'd done… maybe there was actually a smidge of hope for the two of them yet.

"See… you can do it," said Seta. "Get some rest… you did good today."

"Thanks… Goodnight Seta."

"Goodnight Urashima."

Keitaro slowly feel into his dreams about Motoko, just as he had every night from the moment he had left Japan.