For a short while, the Hinata Sou tenants watched the martial artists go about their daily lives. That was until one of them approached from the side.
"I'm sorry" the student informed, "This is a private area. Only students are allowed on these grounds."
"We just need some information if you don't mind", Shinobu said politely.
"Alright, ask your question", he conversed with the others.
Naru stated, "We need to know about Keitaro Urashima."
Suddenly all action ceased. Training, meditating, it all stopped when hearing the boy's name. It was quieter than a ghost town, besides the noise of the wind. It made everyone else uneasy. Who was more uncomfortable, the students, or the Hinata sou residents, no one could tell. Naru wanted to continue what she wanted to ask, but was cut off by the same student.
"Go home", he stated bluntly.
"Say what now" Kitsune asked a little confused.
"Go home now. We can't answer that."
Hey wait", the Narusegawa girl shouted back, " We just need a little bit of information about him."
"You don't know what you ask of girl. Go home now."
"We're not leaving until you tell us what we want to know", Sara boldly stated.
"You say big words for a little child", the student replied.
"She may be small", Motoko stated, "But I'm bigger."
"Aww, a Kendo girl", said the student a little impressed. "From the Shinmei-Ryu Dojo I presume."
"So you know about my clan. Did Keitaro tell you", Motoko asked.
"We've heard about your clan from the history's text. You are especially not welcome here, and not worthy to hear of Keitaro."
Motoko was becoming frustrated with this boy. He wasn't mocking her, but he was beginning to be a bother for her. Everyone else knew, one wrong word, and chaos could break out.
"Are you saying I'm unworthy of this knowledge?"
"I'm saying your clan should know better, and stay away from us", the student said with a warning tone.
"What if I said...no?"
Motoko slipped her sword out of it's container a small inch. The blade gleamed in the sun with a sparkle. Anyone could tell that a sword was a dangerous weapon, especially if it was directed for a specific person. Yet, the student didn't seem phased of intimidated by the weapon. He slowly slipped out a pair of black, metallic nun-chucks.
"If you refuse, we'll have to force you away."
"You say big words for a little clan", Motoko repeated back to the opposing student.
With those words, the student flew into a battle of rage. He rushed the kendo girl, nun-chucks swinging at a rapid speed. With not time to rush him head on, Motoko drew her sword and played the defense card. The student's attacks were fast with great strength, but they were all countered by the Aoyama girl. His offense was great, but not as great as his defense. Seeing an opening to the lower torso, Motoko took a chance to counter strike. Noticing that she was preying on a vulnerably area, the student retreated back in a swift jump. Both were now out of harms way, with no injuries so far. When the opponents were far enough from each other, they stared one another down; sizing each other up, studying one another. As they prepared to collide with one another, an old throaty voice called out.
"Now what's all this racket I'm hearing?!"
All eyes reverted their gaze to the voice. From the dojo's doorway a small old man, no bigger than Su, took his time climbing down the steps. He was frail, surrounded by for strong looking guards, and relied on a cane in one hand. The other students took to a knee as the one battling Motoko rushed to the old man. He place his weapon back in his belt and took to a knee like the other students.
"My master", the student spoke head held low. "These girls, they invaded our dojo and asked about the one called Urashima."
"Invaded our dojo you say", the old man asked.
He gave a quick glance back to the other girls. Perhaps seeing the older man, something was implanted into their brain that told them to be afraid of an elder's punishment. The sweat beaded down their faces as they tried to hide it with a fake smile and a passing laugh.
"It doesn't look that way", the old man said.
"But, master..." the student tried to reason.
"If you'll look closely, they never crossed the line to entering our dojo."
The other girls looked down to their feet. Ahead of Motoko, there was a line etched into the dirt that seemed to run all around the small school. It could have probably been easier to use a fence, but they most likely had their reasons why there was none.
"Which of you two attacked first", the old man asked.
"It...it was me master", the student said almost ashamed to admit it. "I apologize master, I was not thinking straight I..."
"Do not worry about it my boy", the old man politely cut in. "You were simply defending your school, and it's pride. Remember to keep that pride of yours in check, and reason before battle."
"Yes master", said the student like a child being disciplined.
The old man turned his attention back to the girls outside of the dojo.
"I apologize for my student's actions", said the master as he patted the boy's head. "He has a temper, and a sense of pride for himself. I welcome you all to the Oni-Zakura Dojo.
"Thanks you" the others said in their own ways.
"Now then, I believe you all came here with a purpose", the old man predicted.
"Yes, we're here to talk about Keitaro Urashima", Naru said not thinking about the consequences.
This time, there was no unpleasant silence.
"The Urashima boy is who you seek. Very well come in for tea, we have much to discuss. I only ask that you leave your shoes and weapons outside; and do not feed the monkey. He has already eaten and will only waste the food by throwing it at my students."
The girls hesitated before stepping onto the dojo's grounds, especially Motoko. Summing up a little of their hidden courage, the girls walked bast the bowing students and climbed up the short steps to enter the dojo.
The inside was not entirely a training area. Besides a sparing arena and a few training rooms, it kinda reminded them of Hinata Sou. There was a kitchen, lounging room, bathrooms, hot springs, dorm rooms, but instead of a flying turtle, there was a jumping monkey. Su and Sara took an immediate liking to the small animal. Like they were instructed, the gave the small mammal no food, but continued to play with it. While, Su and Sarh enjoyed themselves, the others sat across the table from the master. There was fresh team served to them by the old man's four guards.
"So what is it you want to know about my student", the old man questioned.
"He, he's been gone a really long time", Naru stated. "We just want to know what happened to him when he was gone."
"And why would you want to know that."
"We're concerned for him", Kanako added. "We don't want to see him get hurt, and we want to make sure he isn't in any danger."
The old man met their eyes in a simultaneous instant. He had much experience during his life, and could tell when someone was deceiving him. However, none of the girls gave off that kind of sign.
"You underestimate my student. He's pretty tough, and can take care of himself", the old master stated. "However, I don't see any lies in your words. Listen carefully to what I must tell you".
The other tenants focus and leaned more towards the old master. Even Su and Sara quit their pursuit of the monkey to hear what he had to say.
"Keitaro came here nearly two years ago. He was frail and weak, but he had the fighting heart of a warrior. His incredible dexterity and speed helped him much. I taught him all I knew about martial arts, meditation, and the spiritual energy that flows through us all. He endure much pain, and suffering...much pain and suffering."
The other girls felt a little guilty about this part of the story, especially Naru Narusegawa.
"Still, that boy was remarkable", the old man proudly said. "His determination pushed his body even past his own limits. No matter how many times he was defeated, he came back for a rematch."
This was all too familiar to the Hinata Sou residents. It not only sounded like what the coach said, but it was a review of Keitaro's personality and his goal for Tokyo University.
"Aw, how nice", Mutsumi added. "Did he also do it for a promise girl?"
"That was one reason", said the old man. "but..."
He sighed to himself before continuing.
"He always looked like he had some awful memories on his mind. Keitaro never said what troubled him though. Maybe I should have pressed him more to speak to me, but I wanted to give him his own space. He's his own man. He has the right to live his own life his own way, and he would deal with these memories in his own way, at his own time."
Naru looked away for a little bit. She knew that one reason Keitaro was upset was because of her. While the others focused on Naru's sad state, no one noticed Kanako looking a little guilty as well.
"After some time, there was no more I could teach him. Whatever haunted Keitaro, he wasn't going to bring it to rest here. I told him to leave. I didn't force him out, but I told him it was time to take a different path. He hasn't been back since."
"I see Motoko" spoke out. "So that is how he is able to fight so well."
With nothing else to say, the old master stood up and walked away with his guards.
"That is all I can say about Keitaro. I must end our tea session early, my students need to be trained."
"Right, thank you very much sir", Naru said with a boy.
Before the girls left to the exit door, the master spoke up once again.
"One more warning before you go. If you meet Keitaro again, I warn you, do not make him upset."
"Don't make him upset", Kitsune asked. "Whateva do ya mean by that?"
"There are two things you need to know about this. Keitaro is a strong boy, but his emotions sometimes get the better of him. It's always been his Achilles heel. Deep down, he no stronger with his emotions that any of you. The last warning I can give you is...don't make him...angry."
"Don't make him angry", Sara asked. "Why will he turn into the Hulk or something?"
It was more of a joking question, but the master didn't find it funny. On the other hand, the old man looked sort of confused.
"You know, the hulk", Sara tried to explain. "He gets really big and strong when he's mad. You don't read those comics?"
"No", the master said in a very serious tone. "Pay very close attention to what I have to say about Keitaro. It regards your own safety. Keitaro has a deeper power inside him that even he's afraid to tamper with. To protect him and our dojo, I can't tell you what it is. All you need to know, is that it's triggered by his emotions...more specifically, anger and rage."
As the master left the room, his guards began closing the door behind him. Before it fully shut, the old man said one more thing.
"You're very concerned for him, that's something I admire in you all. Just remember what I told you, good luck."
The wooden door slid shut with a loud thud. What sounded like a large lock shifted behind it right after.
As the girls traveled down the road from where they started, Kanako marked off the Oni-Zakura Dojo with her pen.
"Well now", Kitsune started, "That was quite interestin'."
"Interesting", Kanako protested. "That wasn't interesting, that was beyond strange."
"Keitaro's hiding something, the master confirmed it", Motoko added in.
"Whatever he's hiding I'm sure he has his reasons", said Shinobu. What made me sad though was when he said that Keitaro hides his emotions."
They all looked kinda down when hearing this.
Mutsumi said, "That's right he did say that. It's not healthy to bottle in your emotions. Maybe if we find out more about Kataro from here...", Mutsumi pointed to the last two places on Kanako's list, "we can help him deal with his emotions better."
The girls pondered with this for a little bit. The old man warned them about tampering with Keitaro's feelings. It was in doubt that Keitaro would transform into the Hulk like Sara said, but what exactly was bad enough that they were not allowed to find out. Was it something they should even try to figure out?
"We should press on."
The rest of the group looked to Shinobu from her statement.
"Sempai may be emotionally unstable, but he's still our friend. If he doesn't want to tell us what's on his mind that's fine. He doesn't have to, but he have to at least try to help him. He would do the same for any of us."
The young girl was right. From what the coach and master said to them, no matter how tough things got, Keitaro was never one to back down. Why should they be any different? Shinobu's words needed to be said. She seemed so grown up at the moment.
"You're right Shinobu", Naru told her. "He wouldn't give up, not without a fight at least. Now c'mon, we have to help Keitaro!"
Almost like soldiers heading off to battle, the girls took a fast sprint down the trail back to the city. On the way, Naru thought of how Keitaro really was stubborn. Until this day, he was still the one to keep moving forward. If the coach knew it, if the master knew it, and if Shinobu knew it, then maybe, just maybe; Keitaro didn't give up on her.
At this last scene when they were running, the Love Hina Opening Theme was going through my head. Ooooh, more secrets have been revealed, but this isn't the worse of them them. Stay tuned as more of Keitaro is revealed!