The time at the beach had drawn to a close. Everyone had returned to Hinata Sou, with tension that could have been cut by a chainsaw. Despite the soldiers promising to be out of Hinata Sou within a few days they had made themselves quite comfortable in Keitaro's training room. Currently stationed within the room were Han, who was having trouble with his neck tie. Shirai exercised with thirty pound dumb bells as Haitani finished typing out his mission log information.
"How's it goin there buddy", Shirai said as he finished another set.
"I don't know why I'm the one who has to do the mission log", Haitani complained.
"Because you're the one who bailed on us last time!"
"I've told you a thousand times, I was going to get back up", The wild dog defended.
"Hey you guys, do you have any cologne I can borrow", Han asked his comrades.
It was then that everyone got a good look at Han. He was dressed very nice...Way too nice.
"Han, you're going on a date, not a board meeting", Shirai explained.
"Why", Hand asked as he looked over himself. "Do I look bad?"
"No, you don't look bad, you just look like you're trying too hard", Haitani said to him. "Relax man."
"I guess I am a little too over dressed", Han depressingly said as he looked at the mirror and undid his tie off. "I don't even know what to wear."
"Han chill", Shirai tried to calm him. "Jeans and a button shirt."
Han began changing into a new set of clothes just as Haitani killed off his report.
"There, a report filled with updated information and spelling errors", Haitani said as he pressed the send button.
Shirai rolled his eyes as Han appeared in his new outfit.
"How do I look", Han asked.
It was a simple outfit. A navy blue button up shirt with a pair of black jeans and black shoes.
"Han, your collar", Shirai pointed out.
The larger soldier looked in the mirror and readjusted his shirt to its proper form.
Haitani gave him the thumbs up, "Now we're cookin with peanut oil."
Han smiled real quick, but his expression returned to that scared mask.
"Hey you guys, I gotta question", Han asked.
His comrades focused their wild dog ears to Han's voice.
"Do you think Keitaro and everyone else are mad at me?"
Silence crashed down into the room.
"What makes you say that", Asked Shirai.
"Because I haven't seen Keitaro or Angel all day. The captain and Nentou disappeared about an hour ago, and the girls haven't said anything either."
Haitani reassured his bigger friend, "Aw don't worry about them. Nentou and the captain are off talking to Darius. Keitaro and Angel are, let me think for a second. They're out for business with Avianna, yeah that's it! As for the girls, I'm pretty sure the girls are helping Kanako get ready too. After all, she was pretty nervous.
This really caught Han's attention.
"Really", Han asked.
Truth be told, Haitani was only sure that Nentou and Tokui were talking to Darius. No one knew where Angel or Keitaro had disappeared to. It was a possibility that Kanako had asked the girls for help, and in term would explain where they had been all day. However, Han was in desperate need of some useful wisdom right now. Telling him the truth would only cause Han to panic, or worse.
"Of course, hey I'd be nervous if I went out with you", Haitani tried to reassure him.
Han gave his comrade a weirded out look. Haitani soon caught onto what he said, and realized how awkward it sounded.
"No wait, that didn't sound right", He tried to defend. Shirai and Han let out a good laugh. It was something Han really needed right now.
In Kanako's room, she was having just as bad a time as Han was. Also like Han, she had support from both Naru and Kitsune. The Urashima asked for help from her two friends, as thy knew about dating more than she did. Naru and Kitsune were surprisingly helpful. They knew about make up, mans fashion, However, Kanako stuck to her normal attire, as she didn't want to make a big deal about this.
"There, all done", Naru said as she finished applying some eye liner to Kanako.
Both her and Naru looked into the mirror together. Naru was very satisfied with her work. However, Kanako had a very melancholy look, or at least more than usual.
"Kanako, what's wrong", Naru asked.
"Naru, is brother mad at me?"
Kitsune's reflection joined them in the mirror, "Now what makes ya say that?"
"Because", Kanako began. "I haven't seen Keitaro all day. I think he might be ignoring me because I'm going out with Han. Do you think I should have rejected Han's request?"
"Absolutely Not", Kitsune jumped deep into the conversation as she threw an arm around the black haired girl. "Now you listen here missy, cause this is gonna be onna the only times I'm eva gonna be serious and soba at the same time. Don't worry about what Keitaro tells ya. Now I know he's just lookin out for his baby sista, but he's gotta let ya be your own woman. If Keitaro is mad, let him be mad."
"Yeah", Naru diverted the conversation to what she was saying. "If I know Keitaro, he won't be mad at you or Han for very long. Just go out and have a good time Kanako."
She looked back to her good friends Naru and Kitsune. A small smile spread from one cheek to another. The support and effort these two provided her was just what she needed. With one final look at herself in the mirror, Kanako reassured herself.
"Naru, Kitsune, thank you."
"No problem Kanako", Naru told her.
"Now be sure yall get back home at a descent hour", Kitsune told her. "Ya don't wanna give him too much on a first date."
Kanako blushed from Kitsune's hint.
"N-No, I don't plan on doing anything like that with Han. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind", Kanako defended.
"Oh really", Kitsune poked at her cheeks. Then why are you blushing?"
"I'm not blushing!"
"Don't lie to us Kanako. Naru and I can see it in the mirror."
Kanako's cheeks were now a fire truck red as Kitsune cornered her.
Han and Kanako left Hinata Sou behind them. They waved back to Naru, Kitsune, Shirai, Su, Haitani, Sarah, Shinobu, and Mutsumi. As the two disappeared beyond the cement stairs, Motoko spoke out.
"Why didn't Keitaro see her off?"
"Maybe he's mad at Han or Kanako", Mutsumi suggested.
"I guess he is", Shinobu added. "I'm sure he'll be okay once he cools down."
Shinobu still had that ability to say the right thing to calm everyone down. However, she was having her own self doubt. Keitaro wasn't the kind to just storm off when he was mad. Still, there was no definite answer as to his wears bouts.
Despite going to a once in a lifetime concert by her favorite band, Kanako thought it was best that they ride the trolley. It would require more walking, but in the end they would have to deal with less traffic.
"Something's definetly not right", One voice said. "They're taking the trolley. Why not take Han's car instead."
"Keitaro, do you know how bad parking is at a One Direction concert?"
At the highest point they could find in the area sat a nervous Keitaro, and a more relaxed Angel. Kanako's brother watched them with a pair of binoculars, and Angel used the sniper scope on his rifle.
"I'm not liken this Angel", Keitato said about the seventeenth time this morning.
"Keitaro chill, I haven't seen you this freaked since that mission in Lebanon."
"I can't stop worrying", Keitaro said as he watched Kanako and Han enter the trolley. "She's my little sister, I don't want anything happening...Wait a minute! There's a suspicious gang wearing black coats! They're getting on the trolley with them!"
"Keitaro, those are Hasidic Jews", Angel corrected Keitaro.
"Oh", Keitaro muffled as he took a closer look. "That would explain why they have being beards instead of big tattoos."
Angel lowered his gaze as he shook his head in annoyance.
"Man, the things I do for my friends, and One Direction. This is gonna be a long day", The sniper huffed.
As soon as the trolley stopped, Han and Kanako had to make their way though an enormous crowd. Han felt very uncomfortable for a whole mess of reasons. The first was the band. He wasn't the biggest One Direction fan. However, he knew Kanako was a big fan, and would be willing to bear the show for her. With a sea of different fans, Han was stuck literally against Kanako.
It was very awkward since neither of them said anything to each other. She was too focused on the upcoming event, and Han was still as cautious as ever. Being in the ERT, his life was constantly being targeted. This in term would put him in danger, the crowd, and more importantly to him, Kanako would e in danger. Even now, he felt a chill run down his neck as if someone was watching him.
Han did a three sixty as his eyes darted left and right. There was definitely someone watching them. Han didn't have any special sensory powers, but he knew when he was being watched. Kanako quickly caught onto his twitchy behavior.
"Han, what's wrong", Kanako questioned him.
"Nothing...I just...", Han hesitated.
The ERT business didn't concern Kanako, nor did he want to involve her in any of it. This was a one time chance for both him and her to have some fun together. He didn't know when her favorite band would be in town next, and he wouldn't know if he was even going to be alive tomorrow. These doubt kept pouring through his psyche until Kanako took his arm.
"Relax Han", She told him. "I know the line is long, but it will be worth it. I promise."
Han's heart rate would have been approaching dangerous levels if she took his hand instead of his arm. In spite of his rapid heart beat, Han felt at peace with her. It was something he had really taken a liking in Kanako. Being with her, all the worries he had didn't seem relevant to him. With Kanako holding his arm, the feeling of danger disappeared, as well as that nagging feeling that someone was watching him. Little did he know that two set of eyes continued to spy on him.
Keitaro and Angel took refuge behind the stone railing.
"Did he see us", Keitaro said to Angel.
"I don't think so", The sniper said as he peeked over the ledge.
Keitaro let out a deep sigh of relief. Their cover had yet to be blown. The Urashima took up the binoculars again and took his position next to Angel. Time began to pass them by at turtle pace. The sun took its daily routine across the sky, with Angel occasionally cursing, and waving his fist at the sun. He would yell delirious things such as, "Stop laughing at us sun", or "Please sun turtle, spare our lives and give us ice cream!"
Why they chose to spy off a roof with hot steel plates, neither of them ever figured out. Not wanting his friend to die of dehydration, Keitaro decided to go and get him a bottle of water. Before Angel completely lost his mind, something caught his eye that would bring any dircetioner off the brink of death. Walking down a path protected by security were the people the entire crowd waited to see, including Angel.
"Oh My God, it's them! Holy F-ck, it's really them", Angel blurted.
If Kitsune were to see him freak out like this, Angel would never regain his dignity. Still, nothing could stop a fan when it came to their favorite band.
"Hey, Harry, Zayn, Louis, Liam, Niall, up here! I'm your best looking fan! I saw you guys on the X Factor seventy three times! Hey, Hey! Will you guys sign my gun?!"
It was no use. No matter how much Angel yelled, he was way out of earshot to anyone. Still, that didn't stop the sniper from trying. He would have continued blurting out nonsense if someone didn't call out, "Angel what are you doing?" He did a complete 180 degree spin to find Keitaro with two water bottles, and a WTF face.
"Angel, we're here to keep an eye on my sister, not stalk your band", Keitaro scolded him.
Angel corrected, "Correction, you came to stalk on your sister. I came to watch the One-D."
Keitaro shook his head in disapproval before replying, "Look whatever, just give me my sister's location."
"Okay, let's see...Uhh...Hmmm...Let me just", Angel muttered nervously.
"Angel", Keitaro began. "Where is my baby sister?"
Angel didn't say a word as he slowly turned his vision to Keitaro. By the look on Angel's face, Keitaro started imagining the worse.
"Your sister has been bombed by angry birds", Keitaro imagined Angel yelling.
Okay, Angel said the next worse thing Keitaro could have imagined.
"I don't see Kanako or Han anywhere."
"What, you lost my sister?! I was gone for five minutes!"
"Hey, calm down Keitaro well find her. I just have to search the scope until...Oh my god, Luis brought Kevin!"
Keitaro snatched the scope away from Angel.
"Forget it", Keitaro fumed. "This is just another thing you managed to mess up!"
Angel was surprised, and sorta offended by what the Cheetah Demon said.
"And what's that supposed to mean", Angel asked.
"You know very well what it means."
"Indulge me", Angel told Keitaro
"You've been losing your touch lately Angel. You missed that shot with Neon when Nentou and I had to retrieve the girls from Darius's island. Now you can't keep track of two people for five minutes."
"Me", Angel defended. "Look at you! You've had an encounter with Neon, Draconian, and Viperous in the lat three weeks, and they kicked your ass each time!"
"I was at a disadvantage each time", Argued Keitaro. "If enemies or civilians hadn't been present, I would have finished them off! I know how to deal with these people when it's a one on one!"
"No you don't Keitaro! You're not a battle soldier, your a support soldier, like me and Nentou! In order for you to have a successful chance to counter those enemies, you need someone to watch your back!"
"I can beat these guys on my own! I don't have a blind spot I need to worry about! You're a long range fighter, and you need someone to deal with close promximities!"
"Yes, I know my flaw, and I have to accept the flaw in order to improve upon it! You need to work on your own flaws!"
"Like what", Keitaro boasted.
"Like your stubbornness, your hatred for Draconian, and your inability to communicate with others!"
"I do communicate with people", Keitaro yelled. "I just have to keep my relationships professional."
"Keitaro, open your eyes", Angel tried to shout some sense into Keitaro. "You live with nine women who love and care about you! You're just to defensive to let them get close to you!"
"You think it's that easy", Keitaro continued. "I can't let them back in my life just like that! I can't just go crawling back to them like you did with Kitsune!"
"Even if I did go crawling back, I at least took a chance", Angel stood his ground. "You need to get your ass together, and give Naru the time of day! Masuka would have wanted you to move on with your life!"
Keitaro remained silent with his mouth a gape. There was nothing else Keitaro could say that would help defend himself. Angel soon realized he may have overstepped his boundaries.
"I'm sorry", Angel back tracked. "That came out wrong..."
"It's too late", Keitaro gloomily said. "It's already out there."
The two look outs said nothing beyond that point. Second evolved into minutes, those minutes turned into an hour, and before they knew it, three and a half hours had passed. The remaining people were about to enter the concert stage, leaving no clear visualization for Keitaro or Angel.
"They must be inside by now", Angel told Keitaro. "If we can find a vent, we can probably get a clear sight with some night vision scopes."
Keitaro didn't say anything. In fact, he wasn't even looking through his binoculars.
"Keitaro", Angel asked almost hesitantly.
Keitaro refused to look at Angel. He thick, messy hair covered his eyes from Angel's perfect hawk eye sight.
"Listen Angel...I'm going home. If you wanna stay and watch your band, you can. I'm calling it in this time."
Angel watched his friend walk away. Maybe he should have said something. Maybe he should have apologized. However, Angel didn't, and Keitaro left the roof top. He wasn't mad, Angel could tell because he didn't slam the door behind him. Yet Angel knew Keitaro well enough to tell when he was upset. Angel felt really bad about this whole thing. He pulled out the cross from under his shirt and brought it to his lips for a whispering prayer.
"Please, keep an eye on Keitaro for me. He needs someone to show him the way", Angel prayed before kissing the necklace that kept his powers maintained.
Hey everyone! I know it's been nearly a month since I posted something up, but I've been workin on some new ideas for this. I also wanted to wait to post this up, since its been exactly one year since I started "Love Hina: A Different Path". It's been all possible because of all you readers, thank you everyone! I want to do a shout out for my sister, "AnimeBabe33.1", for giving me some ideas, and another shout out for "Samhan", for putting the most reviews! Now, about this chapter, I know you were all waiting to see what happened with Han and Kanako. However, school work has been taking a lot of my priorities, no big surprise. I ran out of time because I wanted to post something on the year anniversary of when I started this fic. Whats more, some of the events here are not entirely irrelevant. This chapter has set some roots that will sprout in later chapters. as to what exactly, you'll have to keep reading to see. I promise, you'll know what happened with Han and Kanako in the next chapter. Till then, this is "MaximalCatPossible", signing out...:j