Disclaimer: I don't own Love Hina.
-oOoOoOo-
After the trio came back from Kyoto, the change that revealed itself when Tsuruko showed up seemed to grow.
Naru studied more and more when she was home, barely showing up at either dinner or hot springs. She didn't get angry at the happy couple, but she didn't spend an extended time with them either.
"Naru, everything okay? You missed dinner a couple of hours ago," Kitsune said as she entered Naru's room.
"Huh? Oh, I guess I got too caught up in my classes," Naru cheerfully said.
"...You really bothered by Motoko snagging Keitaro, aren't you?" Kitsune said with a bit of a sad smile.
After a few moments of Naru stammering, she sighed and nodded. "I guess so… Really didn't help when I met them in Kyoto."
"Then in a couple of weeks, let's go on a vacation! Just you me, and Mutsumi!" Kitsune said as she hugged Naru.
Naru opened her mouth to refuse, but decided to hug Kitsune back and say, "Sure, why not?"
As for the couple…
"Keitaro, I have a request…" Motoko said as as he was trying to stand up after a rather long study session.
"What is it?" Keitaro asked as he looked at his fiancee.
"Could… Could we sleep together, like we did in Kyoto?" Motoko asked, blushing like mad.
"I don't see why not," Keitaro answered before giving her a quick kiss on her cheek.
He tried to grab her, as she had fainted. Alas, all he did was fall forward and wind up lying next to her.
-o-
Kitsune was out shopping for sake when she encountered Mutsumi.
"Ara… Hello, Kitsune!" Mutsumi cheerfully said.
"Hey there Turtle girl!" Kitsune happily replied. "I got a question for you!"
"I'll answer only if I can ask on in return!" Mutsumi said back.
"Fair enough," Kitsune muttered with a nod. "Wanna go on a trip with me and Naru in a couple of weeks? Just us girls?"
"Ara! Sounds like fun! I'd be happy to!" Mutsumi answered. "Now for my question. Tama said they saw Motoko and Keitaro sleep together like really close friends. Has their master-student relationship changed?"
Kitsune took a deep breath as she stopped smiling. "Naru's been down in the dumps ever since the couple had their little tell-all. I've been trying to cheer her up, but you know how she is when bad news comes a-calling, right?"
"In a way," Mutsumi said before she put a finger to her chin in thought. She then asked, "She clams up tighter than the professor in Liddo-kun when Liddo-kun tried to admit his love for them?"
"I... guess?" Kitsune muttered with a anime sweatdrop behind her head. "So anyways, it gets a little worse. Naru has no idea that they two are sharing a bed every so often. I'd rather not her find out, as their formerly secret relationship is now out in the open."
When Mutsumi raised an eyebrow, Kitsune said, "Just sleeping. no hanky-panky past second base... At least when they're in the Hinata. Dunno about outside, though."
Mutsumi's smile turned a little lopsided as she chuckled a little. "Well… I guess that's something I should have expected, since they spend so much time together. Maybe I would have had a better chance if I had more study sessions with him… Maybe Naru could have been invited, if I had tried harder?"
"Not sure if Naru swings that way... But it's still a hoot to see her reaction when I pretend to be drunk and ask, right?" Kitsune asked with a grin. When all Mutsumi did was tilt her head a little and smile, Kitsune groaned before she asked, "Nevermind. Look, I was wondering... in a couple of weeks, let's go on a little trip. Just you, me, and Naru. It's all just to cheer her up and let her know we're here for each other. Could we do that?"
Mutsumi's smile faltered for a moment before she asked, "Is Naru that saddened?"
"Better than she was when Seta vanished years ago, but still pretty bad," Kitsune answered with a sigh, not wanting to recall that period of time.
"Ara... I guess it would be a good idea, Kitsune. Do you have a place in mind?" Mutsumi asked.
"Yeah, but I'd like it to be a surprise," Kitsune answered with a cheerful thumbs-up.
"Ara! I know we will cheer Naru-chan up with this!" Mutsumi said before she hugged Kitsune. "Thank you, Kitsune!"
-o-
Things began to settle to the new norm.
Keitaro waited by the rear entrance of the hinana for Motoko. When she didn't show, he headed to her room. There she was studying.
"Motoko? Everything okay?" Keitaro asked, walking up to her.
"Keitaro? Oh, I was studying and I guess I nearly missed our training sessions," Motoko said as she looked at the clock. When Keitaro began to massage her shoulders, she uttered," Oh, that feels good…. But let's save that for later."
"Y'know, if you want, I can help you study to enter Tokyo U," Keitaro replied with a smile.
"I'll think about it, but I'll probably accept," Motoko said as she looked back at her fiance.
"So what classes are you aiming for?" Keitaro asked.
"Law," Motoko answered. "Once I'm in, then we can set a date for our wedding… also, when shall we meet your parents and let them know about our relationship?"
"I guess I can call them in a few days. I only waited because I wanted to relax a bit after the match with Tsuruko," Keitaro replied. "I'm glad they let you keep the hina blade."
"Yes. Even I was surprised when Tsuruko told us that my sealing abilities matched her own," Motoko muttered, briefly looking at the sword in question. "Now back to my question. When are you going to call them?"
Keitaro sighed before he said, "I'll call in the morning. Another reason is that my mom is really strict."
Motoko chuckled. "I look forward to meeting her, then."
Taking a step back, Keitaro groaned. He groaned again when Motoko stood stood up,, stretched, and said, "Now let's go train!"
Following after Motoko, Keitaro grumbled, "This is going to hurt…"
-o-
Walking back from their training session, Motoko was helping Keitaro. Kitsune watched the two.
Unlike before Tsuruko's visit, this wasn't a teacher helping a student walk back home. This was more like someone using the exhaustion of their lover as an excuse to snuggle closer to them.
A conflicted Kitsune frowned as she thought, 'Part of me is happy they're together. But another part wants that happy pair to be Naru and Keitaro… But another part is wondering what it might be like if it were me helping Keitaro walk back here… Bet he smells all kinds of stinky… but in a manly way…'
Kitsune sighed as she made her way to the changing room to the hot springs, picked up a couple of towels, and just made it to the back door as Motoko and Keitaro arrived.
With her best friendly smile, she offered the towels as she said, "Saw you head here and didn't want you two to stink up the place."
"Thank you, Kitsune," Motoko said as she happily accepted a towel, as did Keitaro.
"So what made'ja train harder this time?" Kitsune asked.
"Nerves, mostly," Keitaro said without thinking. Motoko shot him a glare.
"Oh? Why?" Kitsune asked.
"Nothing. Never you mind," Motoko said before she grabbed Keitaro's ear and dragged him away. "Come, Keitaro. It seems I need to remind you how to keep silent."
Kitsune smirked. A secret in the Hinata, Keitaro knowing about it, but the self-proclaimed fox not knowing it?
"It seems Keitaro's always going to be a barrel of fun!" Kitsune chuckled, while she walked to her room. "Wonder if I should get some help? ...Nah. Be more fun this way!"
-o-
Haruka was amused when Motoko walked past the Tea shop, carrying a bag that held a uniform of a nearby fast food place.
"I gotta step out for a few," Haruka said to an employee as she walked outside. Walking by Motoko, she asked, "Care if I walk with you for a little bit?"
"I do not mind," Motoko replied, staring straight ahead.
"If you had needed a job, I would have given you one," Haruka said.
"I have my reasons. Keitaro and Granny Hina have done so much for me, I could never pay them back. I did not want to owe you as well," Motoko replied.
"Hey, don't be like that. We all know you'll be paying Keitaro back. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if you wound up being the more perverted one, going by how much of a pervert-hater you used to be," Haruka said back with a grin. When Motoko gave her a slight glare, Haruka laughed.
"I doubt that will happen," Motoko muttered.
"We'll see, we'll see," Haruka playfully said. "Well, I need to get back to my job. See you later. Let me know if anything juicy happens on your shift. I'll give you a discount if I find it amusing enough!"
Motoko nodded in response, so Haruka walked back to the Tea shop.
Once there, Haruka saw that Kitsune had walked inside. The Tea shop owner shook her head as she sighed, "Better not be there to rant about Keitaro and Motoko. That's more for the bar."
Walking up to Kitsune, Haruka asked, "So here for tea or what?"
"I guess tea. Naru's at her class and I don't feel like spending time with Keitaro, even if Motoko's away," Kitsune muttered.
"So… How far are they?" Haruka asked as she sat down. "Are they at the point where we need butter and a wedge to pry them apart or should I expect a shotgun wedding?"
"The first one. They've slept in the same bed, but nothing's come outta it," Kitsune answered.
"How many times has Naru spent the whole night just looking at them from her room?" Haruka asked. When Kitsune looked horrified, Haruka muttered, "Never bothered to look up or is it all the time?"
"I have no idea… but I bet she's really looking forward to the trip with me and Mutsumi," Kitsune muttered as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Well, if you want, I can offer a few suggestions of a few places," Haruka said in a sympathetic tone. Before Kitsune could answer, Haruka quickly added, "All of which will be far away from Keitaro and Motoko."
"That… That'd be great, actually…" Kitsune said.
"Good… Now order or get out," Haruka said, her tone turning back to the one Kitsune was familiar with.
-o-
Walking back to the Hinata, Kitsune was finishing off her tea when she spotted Sarah and Su running about the front yard.
"Hey, girls. What are you playing?" Kitsune asked as she reached the top step.
"Tag!" Sarah and Su answered.
"Heh. That's nice," Kitsune said.
The Hinata fox tried to walk past them, but Su slapped her on the ass as she yelled, "You're it!"
"Not it!" Kitsune yelled trying to half-heartedly tag Su back. After a few steps, she grumbled, "Eh… I'll tag Keitaro for you guys…"
As Kitsune walked into the inn, Sarah muttered, "Party pooper."
"Hey, this means we can use my inventions on him!" Su exclaimed.
Sarah cheered up.
-o-
"Tag!" Kitsune loudly declared, slapping Keitaro on his butt. His shocked expression was too much for the lady. Holding herself up from falling to the floor, Kitsune laughed, "Ha ha ha! You're a riot! Ha ha ha!"
"Yeah, yeah… I gotta go get ready…" Keitaro said as he put the phone down.
"Who'd you call?" Kitsune asked, catching her breath.
"My parents. They agreed to me with me and Motoko over the weekend. Should give me and Motoko plenty of time to prepare," Keitaro answered as he walked away.
"Really?" Kitsune asked, having a good idea what they would be talking about. "Let me guess. Your relationship with Motoko and getting their blessing?"
"Yup!" Keitaro cheerfully answered. Then in a less cheerful tone, he added, "I just hope they give their blessing…"
"And if they don't, have Granny Hina lean on them until they do!" Kitsune quickly said, her words tasting like a mix of ash and betrayal in her mouth.
"I don't want to do that unless I have to…" Keitaro sighed.
A moment passed before Kitsune asked, "Mother's a real hard ass?"
Keitaro stared at her for a moment before nodding.
"Mine too. You're lucky you have Motoko to rely on," Kitsune said, sounding a tiny bit spiteful. "Well, I gotta go. My articles won't write themselves…"
Keitaro watched her walk away before he headed to his room.
-o-
Later…
When Motoko came back home, Keitaro was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. He asked, "How was work?"
"Tiring, annoying, and exhausting," Motoko said, slumping her shoulders as she stood by Keitaro and leaned against him.
"Well, I know a fun way how you can relax," Keitaro replied with a smile.
"I get into my swimsuit, go into the hot springs, and you serve me food while telling me how beautiful and strong I am?" Motoko asked with a smirk.
"If you want," Keitaro answered before kissing Motoko. Motoko could only blush. As he began to walk up the stairs, Motoko walked besides him. "Well, I have some news. My parents agreed to meet with us over the weekend. It means I'll be helping them at their sweet shop, though."
"That should work in our favor, right?" Motoko asked.
"Probably… Depends on how busy it gets, but yeah," Keitaro answered, sounding and looking unsure.
"Since we'll be meeting them, could you tell me a little bit about them?" Motoko asked.
Keitaro thought about it for a moment before he said, "Let's wait until we get to our training spot. Our rooms probably have Kitsune waiting for info."
Motoko nodded. After they got to their usual training spot behind the inn, Keitaro took out a photo from his wallet.
The photo was in front of a sweet shop. There were four people standing in front of the store, two kids and two adults. One was a younger Keitaro. Another was a dark-haired girl dressed in black. The woman looked something like Haruka, but with a bit of Keitaro added. The man had long hair, wore glasses, and seemed like a calm individual who looked like nothing could phase him.
"My mom's really strict and kind of the reason I came here. My dad's nice, but backs down to her whenever there's an argument," Keitaro began. "There's also the fact I've been really slacking off on my training from them…"
"Wouldn't our training suffice?" Motoko asked, sounding a little insulted.
"The Urashima way of fighting is more…" Keitaro began, trying to find the right words. "Ninja-like. My sister really excelled on the disguise part, whereas I kept failing."
After a moment, Motoko said in a joking tone, "You could make for a decent Mutsumi, but only in looks."
"That's kind of why I kept failing," Keitaro grumbled, looking depressed.
Motoko decided to cheer him up with the first thing that came to mind, hugging his head to her bosom. "I apologise, Keitaro. I hope you can forgive me for my unintended slight."
When Keitaro struggled, Motoko let him go. As he was catching his breath, he said. "It's… alright, Motoko. You… You didn't know."
Motoko smiled before she asked, "How shall we prepare for our trip to your parents?"
-oOoOoOo
Notes from HotelKatz : This fanfic was an idea started by Antimatter of TheFanfictionForums . They are also the planner of this fic.
A huge round of thanks to everybody at TheFanfictionForums for their help.
EDIT on November 4th, 2017: As pointed out by Celestia's Paladin and Wittmann the Tiger Ace, I corrected the spelling errors that I made when trying to type Kyoto. I spelled it as 'Kyoko' and Kyotko'.