Keitaro continued to climb the stairs that lead to Hinata Sou. The aches in his body continued to harass him, but it would soon end as he reached the top of the steps. He felt as if he had finished one of his League Meet Races in Track Season. However, there was no feeling of accomplishment or victory, only stubborn exhaustion.

"Man...I really need to get in...better shape."

His coach would probably kick him in the ass for being tired after a slow jog. Keitaro wouldn't accept the fact that his wounds were the cause for his physical limits. It had already been drilled into his mind that pain was only a mental problem, and his body could take it. He second guessed it when his vision began to grow dim and somewhat hazy. He shook off this feeling and proceeded back inside. As his hand reached for the sliding door, it suddenly opened up for him.

His senses were acting up. Normally he would have noticed that someone was right behind the clear, glass door. Out of any one in the world that it could have been, it had to be none other than Su. This was the last thing Keitaro needed. He wasn't sure if his body could handle a blow from Su at the moment. Reflex, or instinct, Keitaro braced himself for one of her flying kicks, or a radio controlled homing missile. His eyes remained shut for some time, but nothing happened.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Keitaro didn't recognize this voice. He lifted one eye lid, still cautious about what was to come next. That's when he noticed that the person before him wasn't Su at all. She had a resemblance to the young resident, but it wasn't the same person. No, this girl was different. She was taller, her hair was silver, and her eyes were a darker blue compared to Su's.

"Hey wait a minute", Keitaro now realized, "You're not Su.

"No, I'm her older sister Amalla", the Indian girl told him. "We've been waiting for you."

"We", Keitaro questioned. "Who's we?"

"Over here Keitaro!"

Keitaro looked over Amalla's shoulder to Kitsune calling him into the living room

"We have quest here."

Keitaro entered the dorms to everyone in the living room. Besides Amalla, there was only one other person in the room that he didn't recognize. She had a sword at her hip, there was a large crane on her shoulder, and this woman looked very identical to Motoko. By her age, even Keitaro was able to put two and two together that she was Motoko's older sister. On another couch sat Su and Motoko. Su looked just as cheery and playful as ever as she kicked her feet. Motoko on the other hand was a terrified mess. Only her sister was oblivious to what Motoko was feeling.

"Umm, Hi", Keitaro squeaked out nervously. "What uumm, what's going on."

"Keitaro this is Tsuruko my older sister", Motoko motioned towards her sibling, "I've told you before darling."

"Older sister, Darling", Keitaro thought to himself. "I don't know what's going on, but I'm gonna pretend like I do."

"Oh yes. Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you", Keitaro said as he shook her hand. "I apologize for my appearance. If I had known we had company, I wouldn't have gone for a jog."

"It's quite alright", Tsuruko pardoned Keitaro's sweaty appearance. "I'm married, so I know the feeling; and soon Motoko will have that experience as well."

"What do you mean?"

Keitaro didn't get his question answered as Su grabbed his arm and pulled him into another direction.

"My turn, My turn! Keitaro, this is MY sister Amalla!"

Keitaro shook Amalla's hand, as Su held onto Keitaro's other arm.

"Hi, how do you do?"

"I'm very well thank you", Amalla told him. "I must say you bear a striking resemblance to our step brother Lamba Lu.

"You don't say", Keitaro said as he tried to pry Su off of his arm.

"And this is Shiro" Su pointed in another direction.

From around the corner of the couch, Skinny ran for his life as a large, albino alligator chased the poor mammal around the floor. Skinny jumped into Keitaro's arms, and soon the pursuer would do the same.

"NONONONONONO", Keitaro yelled out as the alligator tackled him to the ground.

Skinny remained on Keitaro's shoulder as the alligator responded Amalla's command to "Come here Shiro." With the excitement passing, it was now time for business.

"Alright so go over it again for Keitaro", Haruka asked.

"As I was saying", Amalla began. "Su, our princess, has responsibilities in the Kingdom of Molmol. We believe that it is time for her to return to fulfill her duties and return to her homeland. Hinata sou has been a wonderful experience for her I can understand that, but it can not be a permanent residence for her. She must return home at once."

Keitaro had some difficulty swallowing this all down. Not only did he barely find out that Su was a royal princess, but she now had a sister who wanted to take her back home for some reasons that he shouldn't be asking for. Even so, questions were going to have to wait until both Amalla and Tsuruko finished telling their stories.

"I also have a similar situation", Tsuruko said as her bird ruffled it's feathers to Skinny. The martin hissed at the crane to say it would defend itself if necessary. "The Shinmei-ryu dojo has been without a head leader for some time now. Our elders have kept it stable in a unified council. However, being from the Aoyama family, and I being married, Motoko would now resume responsibility. It is now time that she returns home to assume the family mantle in the dojo."

Before he could speak his own mind, Motoko cut in.

"I told you sister, I can't go home!"

"Oh yes, of course, Motoko told me all about it", Tsuruko said in a cheery tone.

"What do you mean", Keitaro asked afraid of what the answer was.

"Oh don't be shy Keitaro, you can trust me Keitaro", Tsuruko implied.

"...About...", Keitaro asked in one word trying to figure out what they were talking about.

"Why your and Motoko's wedding, silly boy."

"WHAAAAAT", Everyone shouted in unison.

Keitaro's blood pressure sky rocketed in his already weakened body. Shinobu and Naru felt as if they were going to pass out, and everyone's expression was self exclamatory.

"So I assume the wedding will take place very soon", Tsuruko asked.

Once again Keitaro's arm was grabbed by Su.

"Not until Keitaro finishes helping me with my studies."

"Say what now", Keitaro asked not quite fully recovered from his shock.

"Su has told me that you have helped her with her studies, is that true", Amalla asked.

"Uhh, yeah, sure", Keitaro lied to defend his tenant.

"Excellent. It would be a first time that Su has sat down to study for so long."

"Yeah, we really hit the books when we study", Keitaro laughed as a sweat drop appeared at the corner of his forehead.

"Then it's settled", Amalla said to everyone. "Su and Motoko can remain here."

"Aw good, then things can all go back to normal", Keitaro said as he tried to slip out of the room. "I wish you all the best, and I hope your ride back home goes smoothly..."

"Not so fast Keitaro", Tsuruko said as she grabbed his shoulder from behind. "There are some...conditions...that we must see to before we leave."

"Conditions", Keitaro asked not bothering to turn around.

"Why yes. You see, I love my sister very dearly. I want to make sure that she will be happy with her new husband. Because if she's not happy, I'm not happy; And I don't think you want to see me unhappy."

The last sentence was said in a dark, eerie whisper. It made Keitaro gulp, and sweat all at once.

"I trust that you are a smart person Keitaro", Amalla said to him as he turned around. "However, Su is also precious to me. I want to make sure she receives the best education she can get."

The albino alligator snapped its jaws at Keitaro and Skinny. They didn't need another warning to know that she was just as serious as Tsuruko.

"Okay, soooo, what did you have in mind", Keitaro asked nervously.

"We would like to spend a few day here", Tsuruko told everyone else. "We want to make sure this a well-balanced environment for Su and Motoko. I personally want to make sure that both Motoko and Keitaro are compatible. It won't take long, just a short amount of days, and some friendly observation, that's all."

"That's all huh", Keitaro said even though it sounded like a lot for him. "I guess we can survive just a few days."

"What was that", Amalla quickly asked.

"Nothing", Keitaro quickly backtracked. "I mean umm, I guess it could be nice for a few days."

"Oh, well, alright then."

"Here, I will direct you to your rooms", Kanako said as she lead them to their respective living places.

Keitaro looked back to Su and Motoko. Su gave him a smile and a thumbs up, but Motoko's expression was sad and scared as she put her hands together as if saying, "Please, I beg of you."

Keitaro closed the door to his room as Skinny jumped onto his desk. Keitaro covered his face with his palms.

"Awww Skinny, what have we gotten ourselves into?!"

"WE?! What have you gotten me into?! Did you see those things they had with them?! I was fearful for my life back there! I felt like I was running from Birdzilla and Jurassic Park!"

Keitaro let his hands run from his face to his hair.

"Skinny I don't know what I'm going to do", Keitaro said as he emptied his pocket contents onto his desk. "I'm in over my head Skinny. This is way worse than that mess we got into in Afghanistan."

"Yeah, that place only had AK-47's, now we're dealing with pale alligators and golden birds!"

Keitaro changed into his evening wear when he heard a female voice call out, "Keitaro." The dangling brown hair from the ceiling let him know that it was Naru.

"Over here Naru", Keitaro said as he stepped closer to the hole. "Naru do you wanna explain what's going on?"

"You heard it didn't you? They want Motoko and Su to go back home, so they had to make up a lie to stay here."

"And that lie had to be that I'm getting married", Keitaro asked somewhat frustrated.

"She had to say it Keitaro", Naru tried to convince him. "I don't like this either, but this is the was the only way she can stay here."

Keitaro looked down to his feet in defeat. He knew she was right, but it still didn't make him feel any better. The young man contemplated what to say next for quite some time.

"Naru", Keitaro asked. "What DOES bother you so much about this?"

Keitaro's question was almost off subject about. Her face flustered by the answer to the question that only she knew.

"Well, it's just that..."

Her answer was delayed as they heard a knock at Keitaro's door and Tsuruko call out, "Keitaro, are you awake?"

"We'll talk about this later", Naru said as she quickly made herself scarce.

Keitaro opened the door to find both Tsuruko and Motoko at the entrance.

"Motoko, Tsuruko, what are you both doing here?"

"Well, I thought since you're both going to be newly weds, that you two should share the same bed."

"Wait what?!"

"It's complimentary to each other to share the same bed with someone their engaged to, Tsuruko said, but then leaned closer to Keitaro's ear. "Unless you're having trouble with your equipment..."

"Sister", Motoko yelled at her sister, "That's not the problem!"

"Oh really, is there something you're not telling me", Tsuruko asked a bit suspicious.

Now both of them were at a loss for words. They didn't know what to say next, and if they stayed silent for too long then their cover may well be blown. Both tried to rake at their minds for any means of escape. There was something Keitaro could say, but it was humiliating for a male to say out loud.

"If the soldiers ever find out I said this I'll NEVER hear the end of it", Keitaro thought in his head.

"You see Tsuruko...the truth is..."

"Keitaro no, please", Motoko wailed thinking he was going to tell her the truth.

"I want to save myself for marriage...", Keitaro told the older Aoyama.

Both Motoko and Tsuruko were dumb folded by what Keitaro told them.

"I know it sounds cheesy, but my mom and dad taught me right, so I..."

Before he could speak anymore, Tsuruko grabbed his face and buried it into her chest into a passionate hug.

"Not at all my young boy, there's nothing "Cheesy", about this.

Keitaro continued to suffocate in Tsuruko's breast as Motoko flailed her arms to release Keitaro.

"You are such a kind, and modest young man. You take all the time you need before proceeding to that stage in your relationship."

Tsuruko released Keitaro from the suffocating hug. He had to catch his breath before speaking again.

"Okay so, I think we should all get some sleep then. Right", Keitaro asked.

"Yes, it is very late now", Motoko added in.

"I see", Tsuruko took some steps out of the room. "Sleep well you two."

Tsuruko turned off Keitaro's lights and slid the door shut as she left both Motoko and Keitaro inside.

"She completely disregarded what I just said", Keitaro said to the darkness.

Both of them looked at each other, looked back at the single sleeping mat, then back to one another. It was beyond awkward at this point. Before Motoko could think out a compromise, Keitaro talked first.

"Okay, so I'll go sleep in the training room. I can sneak back in real early so your sister doesn't suspect anything."

"Oh, okay", Motoko said.

Keitaro began to climb out the window. Before his hand could leave the window frame, Motoko grabbed his hand.

"Urashima, I apologize for getting you involved in this. I panicked, and I didn't know what to do."

"It's alright Motoko, I've been in my fair share of trouble myself."

"Urashima, thank you", Motoko said as she looked deeply into his eyes.

She had that sincere look in her eyes as she spoke to him. It was rare to see that in Motoko from anyone; but on rare occasions, one could see sincerity in her eyes. Keitaro stared at her for too long. At that second Keitaro's hand somehow slipped from the window frame. He let out a loud wail as he fell from the window. Motoko tried to grab her manager, but he was too out of her reach by the time she reacted. Keitaro landed on some metal trash cans with a loud crash. No one heard the incident, with was a point for them.

"Urashima, are you alright", Motoko called out.

"Yeah I'm fine", Keitaro answered. "Do me a favor and throw me my pillow."

Motoko grabbed the fluffy white pillow and tossed out the window for Keitaro.

"Thank you", Keitaro said before walking off to the training room he built himself.

Once Keitaro was out of sight, Motoko made herself comfortable on Keitaro's tama-mat. It didn't feel right to take Keitaro's sleeping spot. She was basically using him and his living space to hide her own secret. It hurt her self-pride, and she was afraid of who else it could hurt. Not only was her safety riding on this, but Keitaro's as well. She couldn't imagine what Tsuruko would do to him if she found out the truth. All she could hope for was that they could hold it together until Tsuruko left for home. It was for a short time, but they were in for a long ride.

Haha, new twist to the story. Watch what happens to Keitaro and his adventure at Hinata sou. I want to warn everyone, that school started for me again. It's a short semester with a lot of work, so I might be slow to update. Happy New Year everyone, and I wish you all the best!