Chapter 21: Homecoming

A/N: Hey there all, sorry about that break. I was busy with work and some side projects, but I'm back now. So without further ado: chapter 21!

When Keitaro exited the van, he stepped onto the threshold of the Hina Apartments. There was everything he'd expected to see there. There was a banner hailing his arrival and all of the inhabitants were there smiling and waving for him. All expect for one. Motoko was at the front of the group, but she was not smiling and greeting him happily. She walked calmly to him, and everything grew deathly quiet. All cheering stopped and even the earth grew still for a brief moment.

Slap!

"That was for leaving me in the way you did!"

Smack!

"That was for not taking the medallion I crafted for you personally."

"I deserve those," he said.

Slam!

She hit him so hard he actually caused the van to rock a bit.

"That was for waiting to tell me you loved me until you were writing me a letter!"

She went up to him again and he braced for the hit, only one didn't come. He felt her lips on his, and he almost passed out. He'd forgotten what it felt like to kiss her, and to hold her. She hadn't changed at all. Oh sure, she was little bit taller, and so was he, but other than that, she was his Motoko, just as she had been.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"That was because I owe it to you for not trying to solve the problem properly before you left. You owe me a duel. I agree to the conditions you set forth."

"Accepted! Go!"

She charged forward, blade up and at the ready.

"Scared wind blade!" she shouted, swinging down at him.

It was clear Motoko had been training, but so had he, and he had actually mastered his long-coveted sword stop. He caught her blade and held it fast. She was so shocked he twisted the blade, ripping it from her grip. Without her techniques, Motoko knew she didn't stand a chance. However, she did have a move he hadn't known about. She reached forward quickly and kissed him again.

He was so stunned she had time to flip over him and reclaim the Urashima blade.

"You… That's cheating!" he shouted.

"You were the one who said there were no limits," she said, but he noticed something.

She was smiling. In the fight, she was feeling him out and testing how much he'd grown. But there was more than that too. She'd missed him, maybe as much as he'd missed her. Sure there was still a huge issue between them, but he knew she was ready to tackle it now, just as he was. However, they were still fighting and he couldn't let his guard down.

"Lightning blade!" shouted Motoko, summoning a bolt of lightning to strike at him.

"I wasn't just studying English over there, I studied your clan's moves too!" he shouted, dodging the strikes deftly. "And that move is all flash Motoko, I know you've got better."

"Death of the light!" she called.

That was one he hadn't ever seen her use before, but he had read up on it. Death of the light was a very old technique used to blind the opponent and dull their senses. He did lose his sight, almost instantly. However, this was something Seta had trained him to combat, and he used his ears to listen for her. The rustling of some clothes would be enough to reveal her location.

He heard her striking at his back, and reacted instinctively. There was a flaw with Motoko's dictatorial training and it was that when she attacked, she did it the same exact way every time. This allowed him to perfectly picture how she would look in his mind's eye and counter attack. He moved fast and felt his hand hit her in the stomach, flattening her. Quickly, he wretched the blade from her and held it to her neck.

"I think I win!" he called breathing heavily.

"Congratulations," she said, lifting the spell she'd placed on him. "I saw a lot of Seta's style in that… did he train you?"

"Yes, he told me I should challenge you and taught me to combat the Aoyama specifically. It was really harsh, but effective."

"Clearly," she said gently, taking the Urashima blade back. "Well I suppose you've earned your honor back… a least a little. Let's talk and see what we can do about you earning my trust."

He nodded. Motoko lead him away from the others to the hilltop where she'd watched the sunrise with him ages ago.

"I know I owe you an apology," he said. "I shouldn't have left without talking about what happened between us… but I still can't really understand what set you off."

"It was just the situation… My sister left and I was alone… and it was harsh… Eventually I learned how to deal with being alone, and it worked. Then, there was you and you tried to change that for me. I didn't want to and heavens know I fought against changing, but you forced your way in. When you were there, life changed for me. I was the same, but I wasn't and that was scary."

"You were afraid?"

"Yes, but it didn't matter because you were there. It was like you promised to take care of me. Then you said you were leaving… and I know we'd discussed it, but I just couldn't accept it. It seemed like you were leaving me… not heading for a dig site. Then, I was afraid that you were leaving me… and I didn't want to lose you."

"Motoko," he said kneeling. "I am so sorry. I was inconsiderate. I didn't think how hard things were for you when we were together. I always wanted to be with someone, and so when we got together, things just clicked. I didn't have to work at it like that. I never thought you would still be struggling with us."

"I was… until I got your letter. I'm honestly not mad at you anymore… seriously. I am ashamed of myself for my bad behavior… Keitaro… I love you too… I know we ended things badly, but I really was hoping… we could go back to how we were?"

He smiled at her, and kissed her hard. This was what he'd been missing for months: the feeling that just by kissing her, he could convey everything he felt. He could tell her how she drove him crazy and made him happier than anyone else all that the same time, just by kissing her. She wrapped her arms around him and for a long time, the two stayed in each other's embrace.

"I need a promise," she said, looking at his face. "Promise you won't leave like that again."

"I promise you, no matter what."

She nodded and clutched onto his shirt.

"We should probably get back, the other girls will be mad if I just keep you all to myself… Oh… by the way… you never told me you had a sister."

"Sister?" he said, thinking back. "Oh yeah! Kanako… I forgot about her… We haven't seen each other since we were kids. She's sort of an adopted sibling, just without the actual adopted part."

"Ah, she hasn't been making things easy here."

"She took over?"

"In a moment. I won't lie. None of us are pleased with her. We were relieved when you said you were coming back."

"Well it does take someone special to put up with you," he said, joking.

"So says the three time failure acheologist."

"Oh haha! Oh, that's right, you're taking the exams soon right? Or did that already happen?"

"It happened a little after you left."

"I definitely deserved that slap. How did you do?"

"I failed," she said simply. "I blame the fact I was distracted by someone overseas…"

"Well… Yeah…. Ok you're probably right. Still, I know you'll get in next time. You're a hell of lot smarter than I am."

"Well I won't argue with that."

They arrived back at the apartments and Keitaro saw a young woman there with jet black hair styled to frame her face. It wasn't how she'd had it years ago, but this was Kanako. She looked at him softly, shooting daggers at Motoko only a second later.

"Hey Kanako!" he said cheerily. "Long time, no see."

"Hey there, big brother. I haven't seen you in ages."

Her voice was very soft, barely above a whisper. Keitaro embraced her quickly.

"Sorry to cut this short, but the other girls will likely go nuts if I don't greet them soon!"

"Of course, you must do what you must."

"Sempai!" shouted Shinobu, coming up to him. "I'm so glad you're back."

"Yeah! Me too! You got a lot taller while I was gone!"

"Yeah," she said. "I ended up getting into one of the best high schools in the country because of you!"

"You did that yourself!"

"It's great you're back Keitaro," said Kitsune. "You got so handsome over there, you look just like Seta!"

"Do I?"

Keitaro glanced down at himself. He had changed to a thinner pair of glasses and wore a lab coat, like his mentor, but he hadn't actually done those things to copy the older man.

"Keitaro!" shouted Su, jumping up and down. "It's so good to see you! Motoko missed you too!"

"Is that so?" he asked, smirking.

"Yeah, she even failed the exam to be just like you!"

Keitaro fell over laughing.

"That's not what happened!" shouted the kendo girl.

"Sarah and Shinobu and I have been playing around loads!" continued Su. "We even made a few new toys. Can you test them?"

"Maybe later. Hey, I think there's one of you missing."

"Yes," said Sarah. "Naru's been mopping about since your sister came here. She's a total jerk by the way."

"Naru isn't a jerk, just confused."

"No not Naru…" Sarah started, getting cut off by Kanako.

"Are you pleased with the state of things, brother?"

"Um… yes, Kanako. I heard you took care of the place a bit?"

"I stepped in to keep things in line."

"Well…" he said, scratching his head. "Thanks and all, but you didn't really need to. The girls can take care of themselves."

"Hardly, it was a mess!"

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad," he said, trying to calm them down. "Listen everyone, it's great to see you all again, but I need a bath and some rest."

"Of course!" said Kitsune. "We'll put a note on the door so you're not bothered."

"Thanks, see you soon."

Later, Keitaro lowered himself into the hot springs, letting the water just wash over him. It was honestly very calming. It reminded him of the waterfall Motoko had taken him to. And speaking of the sword mistress…

"Hello Keitaro!" said Motoko, walking into the springs clad in a towel.

Keitaro backpedaled several feet screaming. This was so unlike her that he needed several seconds to recover.

"What's wrong," she asked. "I'm just here to help you wash your back."

"I can wash just fine, thanks!"

His mind was inevitably drawn to when Tsuruko had come to visit, forcing them into this situation. It made no sense for her to be doing this now.

"Aw come on," she said sweetly. "You're not afraid of me are you?"

"Well no but…"

"Come on, kiss me… I've been so lonely with you gone."

That phrase clicked in Keitaro's head. First off, they had kissed when he'd come back, three times in fact… albeit one during a battle. However, this was not at all like Motoko.

"What the hell is this?" he said, suspecting Su's handiwork.

He grabbed at the hair of this robot and pulled slightly, expecting to see wires and sparks. However, what he saw was little Kanako staring back at him. He flew backwards again yelling.

"Keitaro," she said softly, moving towards him.

"What the hell, Kanako!?"

"KEITARO!" he heard from the other side of the door, and for the first time in his life, he was glad to hear it. Naru came flying out of the door with a roundhouse kick that he easily could've dodge, but he needed the escape, and accepted the blow, falling backwards into the apartments.

"Fucking hell I forgot how insane this place was!" he called, running to his room to change."

He changed into his pajamas and saw his old and faithful mattress calling his name. He fell into it, heavy with the desire for sleep. However, someone was already in the mattress.

"Oh, hello big brother!"

"HOLY SHIT!" he said falling over himself.

"You can sleep next to me, it's alright."

"It is NOT alright!"

He sprinted out of the room banging on Motoko's door. She must've just been getting ready for sleep herself, because she was also in her pajamas, despite being very awake.

"Hey, can I come in please? Now!"

"Of course!"

She pulled him inside and shut the door, as Kanako passed the room outside.

"Finally," Keitaro whispered.

"What's going on?"

"She's freaking obsessed!" he hissed. "She won't leave me alone! We haven't even seen each other in years! What is going on?"

"You see what I meant about her being odd?"

"Yes!"

"So what now?"

"Well… You know I would never request this were there an alternative."

"Request what?"

"May I sleep, and I mean sleep, here tonight?"

"Sure," she said, completely throwing him off.

"Just… just like that?"

"I know you won't do anything stupid, because I would just punch your face into your skull if you did."

"Ah, there it is."

"Goodnight Keitaro, I will wake you tomorrow for your training."

"Goodnight Motoko."

They in silence for a few moments before she whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," he responded softly.

Actually being able to say it aloud was magical.