Dusk had now made a presence upon Hinata Sou. It wasn't exciting or eventful for anyone. The depressing atmosphere had long disappeared from the area, but it was now being replaced with worry. The large grandfather clock's pendulum swung back and forth with a tick-tock tick-tock. It was irritating and nerve-racking all at once. In various places of the living room were Tokui, Naru, Han, Kanako, Motoko, Haitani, Shinobu and Nentou. Mutsumi, Haruka, Su, and Sarah had agreed to call it a night and went straight to bed after a day's work in the tea shop. Shirai remained at the computer in the training room, while Angel sat on the roof making sure no danger approached the vicinity. The remaining residents in the living room sat in awkward silence staring at the clock. Nentou had just finished his seventh cigarette when the clock rang eleven o'clock.

"Where the hell is he", Tokui fumed. "It's not like Keitaro to be out this late."

"It has been a rough day for him", Shinobu said to Keitaro's captain. "I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"That's the problem", Han said. "I'm worried that he's gonna do something unreasonable because this is a rough day for him."

Han did have a int, all the girls thought about the different misleading things he might try. What if he snapped and started shooting innocent people? What if he runs away to an isolated part of the world and doesn't come back What if he commits suicide? Before their thought began to show on the surface, Tokui's comlink at his waist began to buzz.

"Captain, you there", Angel's voice crackled over the interference.

"Angel", Tokui asked. "What's wrong, any problems."

"No, just wanted to let you know Keitaro and Kitsune are home."

"Both of them", Tokui asked now realizing too, that Kitsune had been missing all day. "What are they doing back together."

"Weeeeell, you better see yourself", Angel said befoe hanging up the line.

Suddenly out of nowhere there was singing. There were two voices, two voices that they could easily recognize despite the slurrs.

"There was a wiiild colonial boy, Jack Duggan was his naaaame. He was born and raised in IIIIreland, in a place called Castlemaaaaaine. He was his father's oooonly son, his mother's pride and joooooy. And dearly did his parents love the wild colonial boooooy!"

Staggering through the glass front doors were a drunk Kitsune Konno and Keitaro Urashima. Both had a tint of red in their cheeks as they supported an arm on eachother's shoulder.

"Hiii Guys", Keitaro waved his fingers to everyone.

Everyone jumped from their seats or whatever they were leaning against to check on the pair.

"Keitaro, what have you done to yourself", Haitani shouted.

"Hey you guys, I just found out why I'm so emotionally uptight", Keitaro slurred.

"Yeah, why", Tokui asked his subordinate.

"I never made a commitment to drinking", Keitaro said as he held up an empty bottle sake.

Tokui let his arms hand before bringing them back high into the air.

"That's it, I'm done", was all before he said before leaving the room.

"Now hold on there, no need ta be a spoil sport", Kitsune said as she staggered to her feet.

Motoko sighed to herself as she spoke, "C'mon Kitsune, let's get you to bed.

"Aw Motoko, that's very nice of ya! How bout a kiss for gratitude", A vein throbbed in Motoko's head as Kitsune perked her lips to the swordswoman.

Kanako and Shinobu offered a hand to help the drunk woman to her resting spot. While all attention was focused on Kitsune, they neglected to keep track of Keitaro.

"Hey, where's Keitaro", HAnd suddenly asked.

The remaining eyes darted to the spot the Urashima was previously standing. Yet, there was no visible sign that he was ever thee. A loud thud from the top of the stairs gave them all a hint of where he was now.

"I better go check up on him", Haitani said.

"No, I'll do it", Naru said as she took the first few steps up the stairs.

"Are you sure you don't need our help", Nentou offered.

"No, I can handle Kitsune, how bad can Keitaro be?"

The three soldiers watched as Naru rapidly climbed the stairs where a drunken Keitaro required her assistance.

"Just remember to lay him on his stomach, so he doesn't choke on his vomit", Han gae a last hint of advice to her.

Haitani rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke.

"Well, at least he didn't do anything destructive."

"Oh yeah, cause alcohol is SO NOT bad for your body", Nentou remarked.

"Coming from someone who smokes", Haitani countered.

"Good one", Han said as he bumped knuckled with the wild dog experiment.

Naru reached the second floor where Keitaro used the wall for balance to reach his room. He would have fallen flat on his back if Naru had not been there for him.

"Oh, Hi Naruuuuu", Keitaro said between giggles.

"Sheesh you're heavy", Naru said as she tried to support his weight. "And stop giving me that rape face look, it's creeping me out!"

The brunette tossed his arm over her shoulder to walk him to his room. Because of the extra muscle weight Keitaro gained, progress was short, but they were at least getting somewhere.

"You know Naru, other than the fact that you're a Big, Mean, Grouchy, Tsundere, you are Very nice...And for that, I would like to buy you a drink", Keitaro slurred.

"Keitaro", Naru thought in her head. "You'e lucky that was a nice save at the end, otherwise you'd be flying through the stratosphere by now!"

"Hey Naru, have you ever tried Irish Car Bombs with Guinness and Kahlua coffee liqueur...It's...It's horrible, but the little shot at the end taste like vanilla icecream."

Keitaro was too drunk to think straight, the only thing he had on his mind was alcohol. Naru couldn't necessarily blame him. This was most likely the worse day of the year for him. She herself hadn't touched a drop of alcohol since the night he left them, but she could understand that it could drown out someone's sorrow. It wasn't a healthy way to deal with pain, and she would make sure to explain that to him some time. Her eyes traced Keitaro's hand as the drunken soldier lifted it to Naru's head. He used his finger to playfully bat at Naru's long hair strand that always stood up.

"I never told you this, but I always thought that piece of hair was sooooo cute", Keitaro chuckled.

Naru's cheeks showed the slightest glow of pink from his remark.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it looks like an antenna", Keitaro leaned closer to the hair stand as he tried to speak into it. "Hello! Are any aliens out there getting any reception!?"

As Keitaro became lost in his own little fantasy world, Naru couldn't help but get lost in her own tiny dream. Keitaro had no idea how close his face was to Naru's. They had been avoiding each other for the last few days, because of what happened during their last study session. For him to be this close to her all of a sudden was rather intimidating for her. However, the urge to punch him away hadn't crossed her mind. Her eyes focused on Keitaro's lips as he spoke into her hair antenna. The girl's mind began to recall how soft they were when they last met. The desire to touch them against her own began to surface. Before she could lose any self-control, Naru returned to the task at hand.

At last the two made it to the manager's room. It was still clean and tidy, with the exception of his work desk.

"Finally", Naru said between short breaths.

The two never noticed Skiny within the sleeping hole in a tall cat scratch post. The martin began to awaken as the door slid open for the newcomers.

"Aw, home sweet home", Keitaro said as he staggered into the room.

Skinny watched in silence from above. Naru tried to lead him to the futon mat, but the soldier would not coöperate.

"C'mon Keitaro, get to bed already", Naru ordered.

"Aww, no I can't", Keitqaro wined. "I still have studying to do."

Keitaro wobbly inched his way to his desk, but Naru's grip on his arm led Keitaro back to the sleeping mat.

"Oh no, you're not doing any studying until you get to rest", Naru said as she forcible sat him on the mat.

Skinny chucked to himself as he sat on his belly. His tail and hind legs kicked in the air while his hands supported his furry cheeks.

"Sheesh, even now all you can think of is studying", Naru commented as she helped him take his boots off.

"Th-That's not true", Keitaro defended. "I think of other stuff...I think of love...I think of kissing...I think of you...and I think of other stuff too!"

Skinny held his laugh back by covering it with his paw. It was funny to see Naru's reaction to what Keitaro was saying. Hearing the words love, kiss, and her name in the same sentence made Naru blush more than before, especially if it came from Keitaro's lips.

"It's okay, it's okay", Naru mentally soke to herself. "He's just drunk, he'll be better in the morning."

Naru did as Han instructed her and laid Keitaro on his stomach. She covered him with a blanket before telling him to go to sleep.

"Now there's a bucket and a pitcher of water if you need it. Is there anything else you might need", Naru asked.

"Yes", Keitaro told her. "I have to tell you something."

Naru assumed it was another one of his random drunk speeches as she stood up.

"Whatever it is Keitaro, it can wait till..."

"No Naru", Keitaro said as he suddenly grabbed her wrist. "I have to tell you now, or I'll never have the courage to tell you."

Naru was stunned, stunned like being injected with puffer fish venom. His grip wasn't forceful or painful, but it was enough for her to know that he demanded her attention. He also said, "I have to tell you now, or I'll never have the courage to tell you". Drunk people never lied, she learned that from Kitsune. If what he said was true, than this was her only opportunity to hear what Keitaro had to say. Listening to her gut, Naru took a chance and knelt back down. Skinny perked his ears up to hear every detail of what they had to say.

"What is it Keitaro", Naru gently asked.

"Come closer", Keitaro motioned with his fingers, "It's a secret.

Naru leaned in closer as Skinny stuck his head out of his hiding hole.

In the smallest voice he could make Keitaro said, "I'm scared of you Naru."

Naru's eyes showed all the confusion she was feeling.

"What", Naru asked.

Keitaro leaned in closer to her this time, to repeat what he said.

"I'm scared of you Naru", Keitaro said this time with a giggle.

Even with Keitaro's giddy mood, it didn't faze Naru. She felt worried, and sad by what Keitaro was telling her. Was he scared that she was going to hit him again, or was this something else?

"Keitaro, why, why are you scared of me?"

"I'm scared of Naru for a lot of things."

"Like what?"

Keitaro began to draw circled on his pillow with his index finger.

"Because, everybody like Naru because she's Naru, but nobody like Keitaro because he's Keitaro. Naru is smart...And beautiful...Sh-she can do anything she wants."

Keitaro held onto the collar of his military uniform.

"This is all I have...A lot of people don't like me...Because I'm a soldier guy", Keitaro sadly told her. "I'm scared that...One day...Naru's not gonna like me anymore, and throw me away...I don't want that to happen again."

"Oh Keitaro", Naru said as she gentle rubbed her hand on his cheek.

After all this time, he was still hurting from what happened that night nearly two years ago. Keitaro was still worried that she would force him out of her life like she did before. It was the worse mistake she ever made in her life. If she could take it all back she would, but time travel was something she simply could not do. The next best thing she could do was to earn his trust again.

"I'll make you a deal Keitaro", Naru whispered to him. "I promise not to throw you away ever again, if you promise never to leave me behind again."

"You promise", Keitaro asked.

With a smile Naru answered, "I promise."

Okay", Keitaro said as he took her hand in his. "It's a promise."

Naru squeaked as Keitaro placed a gentle kiss on her fingers. His lips still felt as soft as ever once they made contact with her fingers.

"Nice one Boss", Skinny whispered to himself.

Naru's heartbeat increased as he gentle rubbed her hand.

"You know what this hand is missing...A ring", Keitaro slurred to her.

The boy leaned on one of his elbows as his free hand searched through out his pockets.

"Huh?...It should be somewhere in here...I'm sure I...Maybe it rolled away on its own or something...", Said Keitaro, still looking in his pockets.

Naru assumed that it was another one of his illusions from the alcohol working its way through his system. She laid him back down on his stomach and covered him with his blanket.

"Whatever it is Keitaro, it can wait until the morning. Now get some rest okay."

"Okey Dokey", Keitaro gleefully said.

Almost as instant as a light switch, Keitaro was asleep. His light snores and deep breaths confirmed that he was now deep in slumber. Naru couldn't help but notice how peaceful he looked in his sleep. It didn't look like he was sad, or angry anymore. It gave Naru a warm feeling in her belly. In the girl's chest, her heart beat was still hyper active. Her chocolate-colored orbs focused on Keitaro's lips again. She decided to take another chance, but made a cautious one as she took a quick look around for anyone else. Her eyes never did catch Skinny as he spied on them from above.

Naru leaned down and placed a small Kiss on Keitaro's lips. Yes it wasn't very romantic, yes he wouldn't remember any of it, and yes it did taste like booze, but it was all irrelevant to Naru. It was most likely immoral to do something like this, but Naru didn't care. Skinny hid his voice in a pillow as he squealed like a little girl. Naru opened her eyes again as her lifted her face from his. Her finger remained on her lips as she thought about what she had done. She wasn't shameful for what she just did, but it wasn't something she was going to openly admit either. Unlike last time they connected lips, she wouldn't be feeling sad. With a small breath of relief, Naru turned off the light to his room.

"Good night Keitaro", Naru whispered before leaving the room.

Skinny was satisfied by what he just witnessed. He really cared for his master's happiness, and wished that Keitaro could have given the ring. They never knew how close Keitaro really was. If Keitaro had been just a little bit more sober, he would have remembered that the ring was with the dog tags around his neck. If a story book about Keitaro's current life was being written, then the author was going to make the ring wait just a little while longer.

I wanted to post this chapter up on St. Patrick's Day, but most of my time had been occupied. A note about something, and Irish Car Bomb is a type of liquor drink. I'm not a drinking person, but it's not that bad. Here's a trivia question about the song Keitaro and Kitsune were singing. What is the name of that song, and what movie is it from? Let's see who can guess both. I'll try to update my "Love Hina" fic, and my "Rosario Vampire" fic soon. Hope you all stick around.