By one thirty, the three had found themselves racing go karts on a track. Skinny rode of Keitaro's lap, the deal being Skinny steered while Keitaro worked the petals. For his size, Skinny could barely see over the steering wheel, meaning Keitaro had to check for all his blind-spots. It would have been a perfect driving combo, if only Keitaro wasn't one of the last to grab a kart. The duo were forced to take the pink kart. Keitaro tried to defend his choice, saying it was a really, really, light red, but he only ended up invalidating himself.
"How am I doin Boss", Skinny asked.
"You're good on the left, but that guy in the black cart is tailing us at four o'clock", Keitaro answered.
Being the punk the other driver was, the black kart rubbed Keitaro and Skinny in back.
"That Sonuva!..."
Keitaro didn't finish before the black kart suddenly passed them up.
"THERE HE GOES BOSS! THERE HE GOES! STEP ON THE GAS", Skinny suddenly became very competitive.
They weren't even in a race, it was all just to drive, yet Skinny just couldn't let the black kart driver pass him up. On their right again, another kart appeared. It was Naru driving a red kart.
"Naru", Skinny shouted. "I want you to go and get in front of that black kart", Skinny shouted.
"Get in front of the black kart", Naru asked.
"Get in front of the black kart", Skinny repeated.
"What for", She questioned.
"I'm gonna get rid of that Sonuvagun", Skinny yelled. "Go get 'em!"
When Naru looked over to Keitaro, all he could do was raise his hands and shrug his shoulders in confusion. Listening to Skinny, Naru zoomed up ahead to block off the black kart. As she tried to get ahead of him, the black kart started pressing her against the side railing.
"Hey, stop that", Naru yelled as she tried to maintain control of her kart. Both red and black karts began rubbing against each others' sides. "That's cheating!"
"That punk", Keitaro yelled as he watched the opponent force Naru on the outer rim of the track.
"See that Boss", Skinny told him. "That's why we're gonna get him! Punch It!"
Keitaro stomped down on the gas full throttle. The pair sped off with a vengeance. In one bumpy slam, their pink kart collided with the black kart up ahead of them. Naru was pulled away from the track edge, and the black kart went spiraling out of control. The opponent kept spinning until it reached the center of the track. The small vehicle found itself stuck in grass and mud, unable to move no matter how much gas the driver gave it.
"Haha, suck it black guy", Keitaro yelled as they sped by.
After a few seconds, Keitaro and Skinny returned to the edge where the other kart was stuck.
"Just to clarify, that wasn't intended to be racist", Keitaro yelled before they sped off one more time.
The go kart races were no doubt the most exciting part of the day. Pretty close to four o'clock Skinny led Keitaro and Naru to something a bit more simple, a movie in the theaters. This theater was small compared to the outrageously large ones where local celebrities occasionally went to. The theater Keitaro and Naru went to played some descent movies, both old and new. From all the things he could have chosen, from Jurassic World, to the Avengers, to Insidious Chapter 3, Skinny chose to watch Lilo and Stitch. It was an odd choice, and an older movie, but Skinny had a soft spot for Disney movies. Like any movie, it had it's ups and downs. Skinny watched the whole thing full heartedly. Near the end of the movie, Skinny took a glance back at Naru and Keitaro. He caught them taking a quick glance at each other. It was something Skinny made a big mental note about.
Keitaro had been fighting making too much eye contact with Naru, and she did the same. Neither of them brought up anything about what happened with Masuka, or the fight, or their confessions. It would be too awkward to bring it up now, especially in skinny's last hours. They tried to focus on the movie, but somehow every part seemed to remind them of each other, or themselves. Watching Stitch, Keitaro felt like that could resemble him, something foreign and different that just didn't belong where he was. Naru felt like she could relate to Stitch as well, being something angry and destructive that only made things worse. While the whole movie was great, both of them wanted it to be the end to see if Stitch ever found happiness. Maybe in some odd way it would let them know that they had a chance at happiness too.
Skinny's instincts could almost pick up on their emotions and what they were thinking. This was going to be his last day, and he wasn't about to let cloudy emotions or worry spoil it for not only himself, but the closest people to his heart. For a small animal with a brain no bigger than an avocado pit, Skinny came up with a small plot right on the fly.
"Pet my head please", Skinny whispered.
While Skinny asked for this, he didn't ask specifically for who to pet him. Instinctively, both Naru and Keitaro reached for the middle seat to pet Skinny. Before they could touch him, Skinny quickly scooted forward. Their hands completely missed Skinny and brushed up against each other. Naru and Keitaro retracted their hands a few inches and found themselves locked eye to eye. They tried to pry them apart, but Skinny planned it all at the perfect part of the movie.
"Who are you", One of the characters spoke as Naru and Keitaro stared one another down.
"This is my family, I found it all on my own", Stitch spoke in the background."
"It's little, and broken", Keitaro and Naru finally broke away facing the movie again, "But still good."
Keitaro quietly gasped in the audience as he felt a light squeeze around his hand.
He did a quick side glance to see Naru wrap her fingers around his. Naru herself felt surprised that she suddenly seized Keitaro's hand. It was too late to let go now, she already held it firmly in her own.
"Yeah, still good", Stitch said.
The music of the movie began to change to a more sorrowful tone. To better lighten up what was secretly happening between them, Keitaro lightly squeezed her hand back and massaged her hand with his thumb. Naru felt a flutter in her heart to know that Keitaro didn't reject her, and seemed to rather enjoy holding her hand. Seeing Naru smile in the dim light of the theater, Keitaro couldn't help but crack a smile too. Skinny glanced behind himself, pleased at the way his plan had turned out. He took a rather loud sip from his drink as they continued to watch the movie.
After the movie, and some slight stretching, Keitaro brought Skinny and Naru to the front of the theater.
"It's already evening time Skinny, what do you want to do now?"
"Okay, last day to do something outrageous. I got a few ideas, but I'm not sure if they're good ideas", Skinny admitted.
"What is it Skinny", Naru asked.
As Skinny looked up to Naru, he couldn't help but notice the school bus right behind them. There was a big poster on the side that read "Mahora Academy Victory" on it. Skinny watched it passed by and drive off in the direction towards its school.
"Skinny", Naru asked, bringing the martin back to reality.
"Boss, I know what we gotta do", Skinny said with a determined voice. "We're gonna need some spray paint.
"Spray paint", Keitaro asked.
In the dark part of seven thirty, Keitaro, Skinny, and Naru found themselves at a school called Mahora Academy. However, they were there for anything but classes or school activities. Instead, the three used red spray paint to tag all over the open wall of a building. Even Naru found herself tagging the side of the wall. Never in a million years would Naru have thought about vandalizing a building, let alone a school. However, she couldn't help but participate in this at Skinny's request. The markings of paint etched what looked like a giant ermine. Naru tagged at the bottom, "Kamo Did This! #Bad Ermine"
"This is so bad", Naru chuckled as she finished another can of spray paint..
Keitaro helped Skinny paint the finishing details on the graffiti, but couldn't help keep snickering as he did so.
"Keep it down Boss", Skinny said as he balanced on Keitaro's head, "Someone's gonna hear us!"
"Excuse me, who are you", A small voice called to them. "
At the front door to one of the buildings was a professor...At least they thought it was a professor. The person was ten years old at the most, but he had a suit and books, making him look like a professor.
"Oh Chet", Naru said dropping the can.
"What are you two doing", The boy asked readjusting his tiny glasses.
"Run for it", Keitaro yelled dropping the can and taking both Skinny and Naru with him.
"Hey, you little brats get back here", A rather annoying voice yelled at ten.
From the boy's shoulder a small white ermine with a black tipped tail began to yell at them. Hearing the voice, Skinny turned around.
"Wait", Skinny ordered Keitaro.
As Keitaro halted in his tracks, Skinny got a better look at the ermine on the boy's shoulder.
Before they could say anything else, Skinny yelled, "Hey Kamo, remember me?! Yeah that's right, you remember me! I saved a little something for you! Take this!"
In one hearty heave, Skinny single handedly threw a spray paint can at the ermine named Kamo. The can hit the tiny ermine dead in the face, but the mayhem didn't stop there. As the can hit the ground, a small crack opened up on the side. This spewed out the red paint in a heavy mist as the can spun around and around from the force of the spray.
The poor boy, ermine, and some of the building wall were doused by the red spray paint. As hilarious as this would be to those with mischief on their minds, Keitaro, Skinny, and Naru ran for the nearest ally.
The trio didn't stop running until they were about three blocks away. After a quick draw of breath, Skinny began to chuckle. Naru watched as Keitaro soon joined in on the laughter. It was practically contagious. Before she knew it, Naru was laughing harder than she had in a long time. Keitaro leaned against the alley wall as she leaned against him. The three didn't stop laughing for nearly thee minutes straight.
"I got him", Skinny told them, "I finally got that weasel!"
Keitaro began to calm down right after, "I thought you said he was an ermine."
"He is, but he's a yellow bellied weasel if you ask me", Skinny told him.
Once all was settled again, Naru tossed the incriminating spray paint can into a nearby garbage can.
"I can't believe I just did that", Naru chuckled. "I never thought in a million years I'd be vandalizing a middle school over an ermine."
The laughter began again. As they kept giggling and chuckling, Naru opened up her eyes to see something very familiar. Just across the street was a photo sticker booth. That sure brought back old memories.
"Keitaro look", Naru pointed.
Keitaro and Skinny ceased their goofing off and saw what Naru was talking about.
"Hey a photo booth", Skinny told said in excitement. "We need a picture Boss! C'mon, we gotta get a picture!"
"Okay okay", Keitaro and Naru followed Skinny as he ran on all four towards the photo sticker booth.
The trio took more photos than were necessary. They each did individual photos, some with Keitaro and Skinny, some with Skinny and Naru, some with all three of them smiling, some with all three of them being silly, and finally some with Keitaro and Naru. Naru especially liked the ones with just her and Keitaro. Ever since they first took that one sticker photo together all those years ago, Naru always found sticker photos very special. Ones with just her and Keitaro were even more special.
"You like it", Skinny spoke to Naru.
"Huh? Oh, yeah", Naru answered waking up from her daydream.
Technically it wasn't daytime anymore, it was now ten minutes till eight o'clock, and dark outside. However, he and Naru were not left in the complete darkness. Some lights above the small bridge they stood on illuminated the area. He and Naru watched some bright koi fish swim in the river below the bridge. Keitaro had disappeared for a moment to grab something warm for them to drink. Naru remained in silence as she watched the water and fish carry on downstream.
"So what's the deal with you and the Boss", Skinny asked Naru out of the blue.
"Wh-what do you mean", Naru asked in a small stutter.
"You know very well what I mean", Skinny told her. "Are you and Keitaro going to be okay?"
"I-I think so", Naru said. "I mean, we take our test in two days. If we pass..."
"No-no-no", Skinny interrupted her, "I'm not talking about if you two will get into Tokyo U. I'm asking if you TWO will be OKAY?"
Naru went all cotton mouth on Skinny, not being able to exhale words. She knew where her heart stood with Keitaro, but she could never seem to release the words that spoke what her heart wanted.
"Look", Skinny began, "Boss, Keitaro, is built Tonka Tough. He can take bullets, beatings, and way more punishment that anyone we both know; His mind too. It's taken some pretty rough stuff, and he's managed to keep going. But he needs someone there for him. I've done my best to be that tiny buffer so he can keep going. But I'm not gonna be here anymore Naru."
Naru clutched her hands as she leaned on the railing to the small bridge. She wasn't paying attention to the fish or the river beneath her. Naru took in all the wisdom this tiny little creature was telling her. Before she could speak anything else, Skinny spoke once more.
"I'm not asking you to be his buffer, or his lifeline, because that just makes it all a burden. I'm asking if I can trust you to have his back when I'm gone. I need to know that there's someone who's gonna love him unconditionally, and will be there for him in his darkest days and nights. Can I trust you with Keitaro, Naru?"
Naru stared deeply into Skinny's eyes. Anyone would've thought this was craze, speaking last words of wisdom to a pine martin. However, Skinny was making sense. Skinny may have been a small part of Keitaro's life, but Skinny had known Keitaro his whole life. He was his everything. Skinny knew the inevitable was coming, yet he was more worried about Keitaro's well-being. Naru had already told Keitaro what she felt. Even if they hadn't pursued anything further, yet, she would still be there for him; Not because she felt she owed him, but because she loved him more than anyone else.
"Skinny, you don't have to worry", Naru assured him with a smile. "I'm not the same person I once was. I'm older, and wiser, and in love. I promised I'd do whatever it took to earn Keitaro's friendship back. And I hope we can go even farther than that. Whatever the future holds for him, I promise I won't let Keitaro face it alone. I'll be there for him, for whatever I can be. You don't have to worry Skinny.
The pine martin could see the sincerity written all over Naru. Just a glance of that smile, and those dark brown eyes, and Skinny could tell that Keitaro was going to be in good hands.
"Thank you Naru Narusegawa", Skinny said hugging her hand, "Thank you."
Naru stroked his fur with her free hand. They stayed like that for a few moments before Keitaro reappeared.
"Are you two ok", Keitaro asked, carrying a disposable tray with three cups of hot chocolate.
"Yeah, we're okay Boss", Skinny said as Keitaro handed Skinny the smallest cup he had.
Skinny tabbed a straw through the drinking hole at the top as Keitaro handed Naru her own drink. The three leaned on the bridge for some time. They moved their attention from the Koi and river to the night sky. There weren't many stars out this night. Maybe three or four visible ones. Heavy rain clouds blocked out most of the night stars, but at least a crescent moon was visible.
"It's kinda nice now, isn't it", Skinny said as he took a sip from the straw.
"Yeah", Naru said, stroking Skinny's fur again, "It's very nice."
Hi everyone, I'm back with another chapter. this is taking longer than I intended to, and I'm sorry. I'm working on getting my Associate's Degree and school comes first. I've had some major writers block for a few things. Aside from school, my sister graduated. It was sad seeing her up there, she's all grown up. I'm so proud of her. I've been kinda down lately because my parents are getting a divorce. I never thought it would come down to this. I have a bad feeling things are about to get very ugly.
Putting my personal stuff aside, I'm having Skinny stick around for one more chapter. Reason being, it's sad to kill him off. Also, I don't have the next scene written out yet, writer's block again. Also, Today is the three year anniversary that I posted "Love Hina: A Different Path" up. To everyone who's made it happen. Thank you everyone, I couldn't have done it without any of you. You've all motivated me to keep writing, even though I'm one of the laggiest writers of all time. Again, thank you all!
Looking at the story, I added a small crossover scene with Mahou Sensei Negima. Nothing too big, it was more for pure comedy. The Lilo and Stitch movie was something I threw together at the last moment. Like I said, I'm a sucker for Disney movies. I already explained in the story why I put this scen. If you like it thank you, if not then that's the scene with the go karts the song "Gimme some Lovin", by "Cole Trickel", from the movie "Days of Thunder", was going through my head. When they were all tagging the wall, the song "Midnight Memories" and "Best Song Ever", both by "One Direction" was going through my head too. The saddest song for me was listening to the song "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac", as I wrote the bride scene with Naru and Skinny.
I have to get going now. There's some things that need to be taken care of right now. Take care everyone, I hope this was enough for now. Be safe, and keep being you, always and always.