Love Hina: Once Again
One
Kanako Urashima looked at her elder brother, her brown eyes gently worried. "Are you sure about this, Oniisama?" she asked him, black ponytail falling down her back. She wore a white vest over her usual black dress, her clothes as neat as if she was going to a business meeting.
Keitaro Urashima smiled fondly as his little sister, his brown hair falling in a unruly mess before his glasses. He looked good dressed in his labcoat over school clothes, kneeling in the manager's room of the Hinata girl's dorm. "I think so," he answered seriously, "my being a part time manager isn't good for the dorm."
"But I'm not sure I'm the best person to replace you," Kanako pointed out seriously, "I kind of made a mess of things before."
"That's an understatement," Kuro the black cat muttered, flicking his long ears.
"Hush," Kanako chided him.
"Oh I don't know," the quiet voice said as she entered the room, "I think you did a pretty good job, considering." Naru Narusegawa smiled as she slid the door shut behind her, carrying in the tray of drinks. She knelt beside Keitaro as she added, "I haven't seen you since the wedding."
"Grandmother has had me busy with my training," Kanako said just a bit stiffly. In truth she had been trying to adjust to the idea of her brother and Naru's marriage, as well as letting go of her own dreams on the subject.
Naru's smiled was gently sympathetic, "I'm sure." She took a deep breath, "I'm going into full time teaching this fall, so I can't run the dorm, either."
"You've always dreamed of running the dorm," Keitaro pointed out, "here's your chance."
"No," Kanako corrected firmly, "I dreamed of running the Hinata Inn."
"I think there's a way you can run both the dorm for the girls and have a inn here, too," Keitaro said to her enthusiastically.
"Oh?" Kanako looked curious.
"With the destruction of the annex we suddenly have a whole new section to build in," Naru offered with a grin, "and the insurance would cover the cost of building a separate Inn, and even opening up the rest of the vacant rooms in the dorm."
"That could work..." Kanako blinked.
"How would you do it?" Keitaro asked curiously, taking a drink.
"Like I did earlier I'd offer reduced rents to any residents who want to work in the new inn," Kanako offered promptly before adding a bit sheepishly, "though I think I'll run the dorm a bit more loosely than last time."
Naru fought back a laugh even as Keitaro looked mildly confused, the young man still largely unaware of the reign of terror Kanako had instituted last time.
Meanwhile over at the Cafe Hinata there was a conference going on, several young women gathered around the table. Mitsune Konno smiled as the sandy blonde served the drinks, then Kitsune asked, "So how much trouble are we in?"
Shinobu Maehara looked worried, the black haired younger woman flushing slightly, "But Sempai wouldn't let anything happen."
"Still," Motoko Aoyama said as she drank her tea, her shrine maiden's garb crisply neat, "I have my misgivings about the evil one's return."
"Calling her the Evil One is a bit much," Kitsune sat down with a smile, her Cafe Hinata apron a bit messy. Since she and Mutsumi Otohime being given the cafe Kitsune had really blossomed, becoming a capable manager of the business.
"I thought she was fun," Koalla Su noted cheerfully, the dusky skinned blonde grinning.
"You think that everyone is fun," Shinobu teased.
"So who is she again?" Ema Maeda asked them tentatively, her long brown hair flowing. The newest resident of Hinata Inn was still getting used to the place, even a few months after her arrival just before Keitaro and Naru's wedding, but she seemed to be settling in nicely.
"Kanako is Keitaro's younger sister by adoption," Kitsune cheerfully explained, "who ran the dorm for awhile after Keitaro went to study abroad. She tried to convert the place back into a Inn and we resisted, sorta."
"Sort of? I seem to remember armed conflict," Mutsumi reminded them as she sent the last few lunch customers out. The busty graduate student settled down with a happy sigh, her brown hair flowing in waves, two antenna sticking up from the front.
"Armed conflict?" Ema squeaked.
"Thankfully Keitaro returned before Kanako could go through with her attempt to destroy the Inn with explosives," Motoko noted, drinking a bit more tea.
"And she tried to burn Kitsune at the stake," Su added eagerly.
"Now you're scaring her," Shinobu scolded, seeing the look on Ema's face.
"Kanako settled down quite a bit before she left," Kitsune noted.
"I think we should giver her a chance," Mutsumi said, looking around and meeting everyone's eyes. "A lot of what happened before was our fault, too," she reminded them.
"Hmph," Motoko smoothly rose, collecting her sword from nearby then walking out of the cafe without another word.
"Guess she's still carrying a grudge," Su blinked.
"I don't think I've ever seen her do that, just leave without a word," Ema looked to where the law student and sword master had gone.
"She and Kanako..." Kitsune hesitated, "she won't talk about it but something happened just after Kanako arrived." She looked over at Mutsumi, "But yeah, I think you're right."
"We'll give Kanako a chance and see what happens," Shinobu agreed.
"Besides we can always gang up on her if something bad happens," Su added cheerfully.
"Su!" everyone scolded.
Motoko strode away from the cafe and up the sidewalk, her own thoughts in turmoil behind her cool expression. The Gods Cry School taught her to focus to seek inner calm, but she found it difficult even under the blue skies of the Hinata Dorm.
"Skree!"
Flinging up a arm Motoko caught Shippu, the phoenix-like bird that she had inherited from her sister Tsuruko along with the leadership of the Gods Cry School. She always seemed to know when Motoko needed her, the bird returning to provide comfort and a bit of peace.
"I wish things were that easy," Motoko murmured as she stroked the bird's head absentmindedly as she returned to the dorms and headed to her room... only to stop in surprise as she saw who waited there.
Kanako stood by the door, fidgeting a bit as she waited. Her face was grave as she saw Motoko approach, "Hello."
"What do you want?" Motoko coldly asked, knowing that she was being rude but still unable to help herself.
Kanako hesitated, then she knelt on the floor before the startled Motoko. " Aoyama-sama," she said formally, "I committed a great wrong when I met you, and humbly wish to beg your forgiveness." Then she bowed, pressing her head to the floor.
"Get up," Motoko said, deeply uncomfortable.
Kanako rose, dusting off her skirt, her expression serious. "I took gross advantage of you when we first met, an act I deeply regret. More so now, since I've gotten to know what kind of person you are. I don't expect you to forget what happened," she finished, "but I hope you might forgive."
Motoko hesitated, studying Kanako thoughtfully for a moment. "So," she said softly, "the rumor is true, you are coming back to manage the dorms?"
"Hopefully doing a better job than last time," Kanako nodded.
Her cat Kuro bounded up on her shoulder as he remarked, "Couldn't do much worse."
"Hush," Kanako frowned at him.
"You're right that I won't forget," Motoko agreed, "but... I will give you a chance." She met Kanako's eyes, "But if anything like that happens to someone else at the dorms, I will show no mercy."
"You have my word," Kanako nodded, "besides, I'm not a lesbian."
A grim little smile appeared on Motoko's lips, "Kanako, you are the one who jumped me." With that she slid the door open and went into her room, leaving a very thoughtful Kanako standing out in the hallway.
To be continued...
Authors Notes: This is the first chapter of a Love Hina based crossover series, set shortly after the end of the manga and the anime Love Hina Again. By the way Ema is a new character from the final manga, not my creation.
Two
The stone steps were covered by sakura blossoms as she walked up, lugging a battered old suitcase behind her. A hat concealed part of her face, violet hair blowing in the wind as her simple red dress swirled around her legs. Finally reaching the top of the steps she looked at the building, taking her hat off to reveal a dusky skinned young woman, shading her eyes with her hand.
Himemiya Anthy smiled slightly, "Looks like I'm here." With that she picked up her suitcase and continued on, walking up to the building and going inside.
Not too long after Anthy found herself sitting in the manager's rooms, the dark haired woman pouring them both tea. "Miss Himemiya," Kanako Urashima said gravely, "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting such a quick response to our notice that rooms were for rent."
"Anthy, please," she smiled back. Anthy drank her tea with a unconscious sort of grace, "I hope I didn't inconvenience you by arriving so soon?"
"Not at all," Kanako answered, "we have a room ready now, and several more opening soon." She studied Anthy shrewdly, "As a graduate I was surprised that you wanted to move into a dorm full of university students."
"I only recently graduated," Anthy had a slightly quirky smile on her face, "and find myself more comfortable in this sort of environment." She looked off in the distance, "And this place is convenient for something I'm doing, as well."
"Oh?" Kanako looked politely curious.
"I'm looking for a missing person, have been for the past two years," Anthy said, a faintly pained look on her pretty face.
"A relative?" Kanako asked politely.
"No," Anthy shook her head, "but she is someone that I care for... very much."
'Interesting,' Kanako noted, drinking her tea calmly. "Not to be rude," she finally said, "but do you have means of support?"
Anthy smiled faintly as she answered promptly, "I have funds saved, as well as a job that supports me fairly well."
Kanako nodded, even as she silently wondered why she was hesitating. There was something that was just slightly off about Anthy, but she couldn't put her finger on it. "All right," she finally made her decision, "welcome to the Hinata Dorm, Anthy."
"About time," Kuro muttered, the little black cat sitting up by the window.
"Ventriloquism?" Anthy blinked, looking at Kanako then to the cat.
"Something like that," Kanako agreed gravely as they both got up and headed out of the room. She nodded towards the roof as she continued on wryly, "You'll be taking the room just above this one, actually."
"I noticed the repair to the roof," Anthy commented as they headed to the front hall where her suitcase waited, "was there a hole originally?"
"The previous manager had personal reasons for not repairing it," Kanako shrugged.
"I..." Anthy started when something zipped by at eye level.
"Nya!" the turtle exclaimed as it flew along, little fins flapping madly.
"Was that...?" Anthy blinked at Kanako, who just nodded.
"Come back so I can make soup out of you!" the brown skinned girl skidded around the corner then ran right by them.
"Su!" Kanako barked, "No running in the halls!"
"Sorry," Su looked sheepish, scratching her slightly messy mop of blonde hair, the teen's t-shirt and shorts looking comfortable and lived in.
"This is Koalla Su," Kanako preformed the introductions, "meet Himemiya Anthy, the first of our hopefully many new residents."
Anthy half bowed to the energetic young woman, "How do you do?"
"It's nice to meet cha'," Su grinned back, eyes twinkling as she looked Anthy over.
Anthy had to ask, "You really aren't going to try to eat that turtle?"
"Only if I catch it," and with a wave Su was off.
"Don't be too concerned," Kanako said soothingly as they picked up Anthy's suitcase and then walked to the stairs, "Su's caught Tama-chan more than once, and hasn't eaten her."
"Thank goodness," Anthy smiled.
After taking her to her door Kanako handed her a small booklet and explained, "This has breakfast and dinner times and other information you need, as well as how cooking and cleaning duties tend to be divided up."
"Can I trade doing the cleaning for my cooking responsibilities?" Anthy asked as she took the book from her.
"Probably," Kanako agreed, "I take it you're not a good cook?"
"I can make a great shaved ice," Anthy said to her honestly, "and my attempts at curry tend to be rather dangerous."
Kanako nodded slightly, "Understood." Gravely she continued, "I'll look forward to seeing you at dinner, Anthy." With that she turned and left Anthy to her unpacking.
Anthy emptied her suitcase into a dresser and hung up clothes in just a few minutes, and then she sat down with a tired sigh before flopping onto her back. Looking up at the ceiling a gentle, soothing breeze washed over her, the sent of cherry blossoms in the air, and a surprising sense of peace lingered around this place.
"Utena..." Anthy murmured.
For an age Anthy had been bound to Ohtori academy and her brother, trapped in a endless cycle of duels and hope only to be crushed again and again. Utena had changed all that, taking up her sword and fighting in the duels not for the prize, but instead to protect Anthy and those she cared for. In the final test she had won... then left without a word, disappearing without a trace.
Anthy got up, smiling to herself sadly as she walked to the window. There was so much left unsaid between her and Utena, so much she regretted... if nothing else she wanted to find Utena to say she was sorry. Sadly, it hadn't been that easy. Utena, in defeating Akio had claimed the prize, the power to revolutionize the world, and it made her incredibly elusive to Anthy's limited gifts, hiding for the last year or so...
"Yo," a unfamiliar voice called out. Looking down from the second floor Anthy saw a sandy haired blonde looking up at her curiously. The young woman waved hello, "So you're moving into Naru's old room?"
"I suppose so," Anthy called back before remembering to introduce herself.
"Mitsune Konno," she smiled back charmingly, "though my friends call me Kitsune."
"Nice to meet you," Anthy smiled. She looked at the woman curiously, guessing she was also past school age, "Are you a resident, too?"
"Actually I run the Hinata Cafe next door," Kitsune said, "though I used to live here. Stop on by, we've got good eats."
"I'd like that," Anthy was surprised to realize she meant it.
"Not to mention I like to slip over here and use the hot springs," Kitsune added impishly.
A tall, black haired woman strode up, her manner regal and oddly carrying a katana. "Kitsune, I was waiting for..." she started only to look up and see the woman there."Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," she bowed slightly.
"Motoko Aoyama," Kitsune performed the introductions, "I'd like you to meet our newest resident, Himemiya Anthy."
Motoko nodded, her expression grave. "Welcome," she said calmly.
'If she was at Ohtori she'd probably be wearing a rose signet,' Anthy found herself thinking. "I'm sorry to have delayed your friend," she said honestly.
Motoko studied her thoughtfully for a moment then she offered, "Would you care to join us at the hot springs?"
Anthy fought back her usual hesitation and smiled, "I'd like that."
To be continued...
Notes: Anthy is from the series Revolutionary Girl Utena, as is the object of her quest Utena. This episode is set shortly before my series "Echoes of a Final Duel" and is part of the same continuity as "Arisugawa's Locket" and many of my other stories.
Three
There was a quiet bustle to the hotsprings town, the sense of things moving forward as people began to arrive for the summer season. Up at the Cafe Hinata things were picking up, too, with more people coming in for the good food as well as visiting the lovely young ladies who ran the place.
Mitsune Konno smiled as she set the order down in front of Ema. "So, there's a new fortune teller in town?" Kitsune asked.
Ema Maeda nodded, her long brown hair flowing down her back, her pet lizard perched on her shoulder. Possessed of a unusual interest in the supernatural, conspiracies and other similar things she was a reliable source of info. "Apparently she's quite good," Ema said, "using tea leaves and astrology, I've heard."
"Huh," Kitsune looked thoughtful as she mused, "wonder if I could get some good numbers from her for the races?"
"Somehow, I just knew you were going to say that," Shinobu Maehara noted as she took off her Cafe Hinata apron and sat down by Ema. She looked at the other woman thoughtfully, "Have you been down to see her, yet?"
"Not yet," Ema admitted, "I was a bit too nervous to go on my own."
"You were looking for some of us to come down with you?" Kitsune asked shrewdly. She smiled slightly, "What the hell, sounds interesting."
Not long after Kitsune, Ema and Shinobu were heading into town, walking down the flight of steps from the dorm. Both Ema and Shinobu wore summer dresses, skirts flowing around them while Kitsune had chosen simple slacks, her t-shirt tucked into her pants.
"Did Mitsumi mind closing up the cafe?" Ema asked curiously.
"No," Kitsune shook her head, "she could use a afternoon off." She grinned, "Besides, we're doing well enough we can afford to take a day off or two."
"Does that mean I get a raise, Kitsune-sempai?" Shinobu asked impishly, then both she and Ema laughed at the startled look on her face.
"Very funny," Kitsune shook her head with a smile, "remind me to sick Su on you when she's feeling really needy."
Seeing Ema's faintly confused expression Shinobu explained, "Koalla Su is a very nice girl, but occasionally she gets a bit lonely for home. She tends to fixate on certain people, and can get a bit... enthusiastic playing with them."
"Ah," Ema nodded.
The trio wove through the shops and people, nodding greetings to the people they knew. Eventually they reached a shop that had closed down last year, now reopened with a sign advertising fortune telling. It was all decorated fairly simply, newly painted walls and door, the only unusual element being the lovely roses that someone had painted.
"All right," Kitsune led the way, "let's check this out."
A bell rang as they pushed the door open, the shadowed room beyond lit by small lights. The violet haired young woman looked up then chuckled, "Welcome."
"Anthy-san?" Ema blinked, recognizing the new resident of the Hinata Dorm.
"I'll be..." Kitsune smiled slightly, studying Anthy thoughtfully. Boldly she asked, "Are you the real thing?"
Anthy looked more amused than anything else, "Actually, yes."
"Kitsune!" Shinobu scolded then turned to Anthy, "I'm sorry Miss Himemiya, I don't know what she was thinking..."
"It's all right," Anthy reassured her, "I'm well aware of how many fake fortune tellers there are." She took a teapot and poured carefully into two cups, "Who would like to go first?"
"Could I?" Ema looked at the others, then when they nodded she took a seat in front of the table Anthy sat at.
"Drink your tea," Anthy smiled at her as she sipped from her own cup, "then we'll begin."
The tea itself had a odd strawberry tinge, smoothly going down as the candles flickered around them. Putting her cup down she smiled, "I'm done."
Anthy took the cup from her with an oddly serene expression, gazing into the cup contemplatively. "You arrived at the Hinata Dorm hoping to enter Tokyo University," she murmured, "because of the stories you heard about it's powers." Softly Ema gasped as Anthy continued, "You intend to apply your research skills as a librarian."
"How did you...?" Ema blurted. She knew her research about the Hinata Dorm was known there, she had mentioned it to Shinobu for instance, but she hadn't told anyone about her interest in being a librarian.
Quietly Anthy continued, "I can't foresee if you'll succeed in achieving that goal, but you will make it into Tokyo U."
"Me next," Kitsune said firmly once Ema had gotten up. She sat down and drank her tea from a fresh cup, wondering about this oddly enigmatic woman across from her.
Taking the cup Anthy smiled, studying the remains thoughtfully. "In business you've largely been successful," she finally said seriously, "but love has been more difficult. Your first true love you gave up to someone who was like a sister to you, while the other you have never spoken of."
Kitsune blinked, "I'll be damned. There's no way that you could have learned that from talking to anyone at the dorm."
Shinobu took her turn, then the four of them left the shop after Anthy decided to close up. "I'm sorry if I said anything inappropriate," she said quietly, "I don't always control what I say."
"Are you psychic?" Ema asked eagerly.
"Something like that," Anthy said as she pushed her hair back nervously, "I don't know all the details myself."
'Now why do I get the feeling she's lying?' Kitsune wondered.
Shinobu had a faintly.. disturbed look on her face. "I didn't like what I heard," she finally said to Anthy softly.
"I'm sorry," Anthy said. Taking a breath, "I could be wrong, and a person's fate is unwritten until it happens. You can make other choices."
"Still," Shinobu sighed, "I think I always knew I couldn't have sempai, but having it spelled out that way hurt."
Ema reached out to gently squeeze Shinobu's shoulder. "And it doesn't mean you won't fall in love with someone else," she said softly.
Shinobu brightened a bit, "True."
Kitsune looked down at Anthy, studying the young woman in her almost archaic dress. "Would you be interested in a business opportunity?" Kitsune asked with a grin.
"Oh?" Anthy looked up at her curiously.
o0o0o0o0o0o
"What?" Motoko Aoyama blinked in surprise, reaching up to feed her bird Shippu, currently perched on her shoulder.
"A ghost busting company," Kitsune continued, "or maybe even more." Anthy sat beside her, looking on with bemused interest more than anything else.
"Why would I want to...?" Motoko trailed off.
"You yourself mentioned to me that you wanted to use your God's Cry training to help people," Kitsune said patiently, "this could be a excellent way to do so."
Motoko looked at Anthy, "And you're involved in this?"
"More waiting to see," Anthy smiled, "I have certain gifts that Kitsune thinks might come in handy." A thoughtful pause, "I think an old friend of mine would be very amused to find me involved in something like this."
'Interesting,' Motoko blinked.
"I already have a name in mind and can have business cards printed by the end of the week," Kitsune said eagerly.
"What would you call this little venture?" Motoko blinked.
A smile from Kitsune, "I was talking to an associate, she says we can be a branch of the Phantom Quest Corp."
To be continued...
Interlude: Unexpected Gifts
Shinobu Maehara hummed to herself happily as she worked away in the kitchen of the Hinata Inn, the scent of chocolate wafting on the air. The black haired young woman worked away with cheerful efficiency, finishing up breakfast even as she made up the chocolate she intended to give away with the meal.
"What're you doing?" Koalla Su asked curiously, the dusky skinned blonde looking over her shoulder curiously.
"Breakfast," Shinobu smiled at her friend and said, "and I'm making up some chocolate for everyone, too."
"It's Valentine's Day," Su remembered the occasion, "but with Keitaro gone, it's going to be kind of boring."
Shinobu smiled a little sadly as she said, "It is going to be different this year, yes."
"Good morning," Mutsumi Otohime smiled cheerfully, the busty graduate student entering the kitchen and smoothly heading to the fridge. "Shinobu, should I set the table?" she asked, twin antenna like strands of hair sticking up sweetly.
"Thank you," Shinobu beamed, checking the rice then beginning to fill plates as one by one the residents came down.
Kitsune yawned as she sat at the table, smiling a bit sleepily at the others. While no longer a resident, she often got her meals here and paid for her share of food. Once a notorious gambler and drinker she had settled down allot, in part from running the Cafe Hinata next door. She grinned, "I see that Motoko had chocolate left at her door again."
"That happens every year?" Ema asked, the thin young woman looking curious. She had her laptop open by her seat, scrolling through documents as she absentmindedly pursued her hobby of studying the supernatural.
"Pretty much," Kitsune agreed, "Motoko is popular."
"Kitsune," Motoko scolded, the tall black haired young woman giving her a frown. She carefully set her bird Shippu on a stand nearby before sitting down, then looked around worriedly. "Where is that damned turtle?" she asked coldly.
"Safely in my room," Mutsumi smiled reassuringly as she and Shinobu set the plates of food out for everyone.
"Thank you," Anthy smiled up at Shinobu, her eyes faintly amused as violet hair fell into her face. Beside her Kanako nodded her agreement, the rest of the table repeating similar sentiments. "So what's wrong with the turtle?" Anthy asked.
"Motoko has a phobia about 'em," Su explained cheerfully. "I keep offering to eat her," she added, "but nobody will let me,"
"Su!" Shinobu scolded.
"See what I mean?" Su smiled impishly.
Shinobu ignored that, setting out little packets of chocolate beside everyone's meal. "Happy Valentine's day, everyone," she beamed at them.
"Homemade chocolate from Shinobu?" Kitsune smiled slightly as she said, "then I know it's going to be delicious. Thank you."
Shinobu blushed charmingly at the compliment. "I thought we could all exchange chocolate today," she explained, "since we don't have any boys here this year."
"What a good idea," Mutsumi clapped her hands happily.
Kanako frowned just slightly as she briskly said, "None for me, thanks." A faint smile, "Considering my family, I've had enough candy to last a life time."
"Eh?" Ema blinked.
"Kanako and Keitaro's parents ran a candy store," Su explained to her calmly, eating away at her meal happily.
"Then I'll be hittin' the stores later," Kitsune excused herself, "I'm not that good of a cook. But I do plan on giving everybody chocolate."
Everyone left not long after, each with jobs to do today not to mention plans to hand out chocolate to each other, too. From up in Su's rooms a loud clanging was soon heard, then a sudden explosion. Thankfully that was pretty much normal, so everyone just left that alone.
"Oh me oh my," Mutsumi murmured to herself as she walked to her room, thinking about what to make for her many friends. Chocolate hearts seemed to be a good bet, but she didn't really know about Ema or Anthy's tastes just yet. 'I could always ask them,' she thought, detouring to walk towards Anthy's room. Moving to open the door she noticed it was open a crack, and slightly guiltily she peeked it... only to freeze.
Anthy looked completely different than the casually dressed girl who had been sitting at the breakfast table only minutes ago. Instead she wore a lovely gown in red and white, almost like that a princess might wear and a simple crown on her brow. She held a single rose in her hand, her expression oddly sad.
"Power of Dios that sleeps within me," she murmured over the rose, "heed your mistress." As Anthy spoke the rose shimmered, petals falling free only to thump softly on the table as pieces of fine chocolate. She continued until she had enough to give two to each of the residents, then stopped with a weary sigh.
'The others aren't going to believe this,' Mutsumi thought in awe.
Anthy looked down at the red rose as the gown and ornaments simply faded away, finally murmuring sadly, "Utena..."
Mutsumi turned away, firmly deciding that it would be better to ask her later. 'Besides,' she thought, 'now I know the name of who she was looking for.'
Meanwhile, Motoko went back to her room, releasing Shippu to fly freely over the Hinata Inn. She bowed to the small altar in her room then hesitated in front of her katana waiting in it's stand. Part of her wanted to take up the blade and practice, but she also knew she was badly distracted.
The chocolates were sitting on her desk, the ones that Motoko had found that morning waiting for her. No note, nothing to indicate where they were from, and home made so she couldn't identify the store. 'Just like the last year,' Motoko mused as she took a piece of chocolate, savoring it as it melted in her mouth.
There was a soft knock then Kanako called out, "Can I come in?"
'At least I know it wasn't her, she wasn't here last year,' Motoko thought. "Come in," she answered stiffly.
Kanako moved gracefully, almost like the cat she usually carried, and she was dressed in her usual dark colors. "Good morning," she said softly, "how are you?"
"Fine," Motoko said flatly. She still didn't much like Kanako for what she had pulled back when she first arrived at the Hinata Inn, and she was determined not to change her mind. Oddly, over the past few months the woman had seemed almost saint-like by comparison, running the dorm with smooth efficiency, but that didn't change anything.
"I was thinking of bringing you something," Kanako softly admitted, surprising Motoko a little, "but I couldn't figure out what you'd like."
"But why?" Motoko blinked, feeling faintly surprised. The idea of Kanako giving Valentine's chocolate out was shocking, especially considering her usually dour personality.
Kanako made a face, "I've been considering what you said, Motoko. I'm beginning to think you might have a point."
"And what did you intend to do about it?" Motoko sounded decidedly wary. Considering that Kanako had nearly ravished her disguised as Naru, it was just a little worrisome.
"It's all right," Kanako smiled faintly, "I don't have dishonorable designs on you." She looked almost amused, "I just wanted to thank you for your help, I suppose."
"You're welcome," common courtesy made Motoko answer. Before the conversation could limp forward some more a knock sounded on the door, "Come in."
Whoosh!
A small, turtle designed robot soared in, making both women jump. From it's belly chocolate dropped out, floating to the top of Motoko's desk via a little parachute, then it swept out in a burst of jet-propelled power.
"Su?" Kanako asked as Motoko looked at the card attached to the candy.
"Su," Motoko agreed wryly.
To be continued...
Four
"Eeeek!" Ema squealed as the young woman grabbed hold of the dashboard, her face pale. "Kitsune, please!" she whimpered.
Kitsune grinned from where she sat behind the wheel, her eyes narrowed intently. "Are we catching up to it?" she yelled to the passengers in back while they barreled down the road in the Hinata Inn's old van.
"Yes," Anthy answered, "we're getting close." The violet haired young woman seemed oddly composed, even with Kitsune's wild driving, the expression on her dusky face mostly serene.
"Ema, I sensed the beast was a demon when we first fought it," Motoko said, long black hair falling down her back as she held her sword at the ready, "can you narrow that down at all?"
Ema flipped open her laptop and went to work, running through her database on the supernatural. Part of why Kitsune had recruited Ema for this venture was because of that knowledge, the information that Ema had accumulated over the years studying such things. That, and how her skills as a hopeful librarian let her sort and access the information.
"I think it's some kind of water sprite," Ema said after a moment, her long brown hair falling into her face from the wild ride, "probably angry over the damming up of it's spring."
"That fits," Kitsune agreed, "the owners of the house started having trouble after they started draining the pond."
"But where is it running?" Anthy asked seriously.
"There's a fountain up ahead, I think," Motoko offered.
Kitsune whipped them around a corner, nearly sending the van over onto it's side. "Then let's figure on that," she said, "everyone ready?"
"No," Ema squeaked.
Anthy gave her a sympathetic look, "I can try to distract it."
"And I should be able to banish it using the God's Cry techniques," Motoko answered firmly.
They bounced over a hill and the fountain finally came into view... and they saw a pitched battle going on. The water sprite, a creature now swelled up to nearly six feet tall and covered with spotted green skin was striking out at a miko, a black haired young woman in the traditional red and white garb of her calling.
The van squealed to a stop and the doors slid open, Motoko drawing her sword and leaping forward as the young woman blocked a punch with a flaming spell scroll. With a flash of silver she swept it backward, the miko looking at her in surprise as the other companions moved into position.
A rose was in Anthy's hand then she tossed it with unearthly precision, driving it into the beast's shoulder like a knife. It went to strike a her, roaring with pain then the miko attacked, slapping a charm on it's back that exploded into flames. Weakened and staggering it tried to jump into the water, but Motoko was ready.
"Banishing evil, second form!" Motoko cried, lashing out with a wave of chi energy along with her sword strike, the combination wiping the creature out.
The miko frowned at them even as a blue haired woman rushed over to her side, looking her over worriedly. "Are you all right, Rei?" the blue haired woman asked.
"I'm fine, Ami," Rei reassured her. She looked at the four young woman walking towards them, "Wonder if the rose thrower knows Mamoru?"
Ami chuckled softly, "Maybe."
"Thank you for your help," Kitsune said once she reached them, studying the two young ladies thoughtfully.
"I take it you were trying to catch that thing?" Rei asked curiously.
"We drove it from the spring it was haunting and chased it here," Motoko agreed, "how did you get involved?"
"We were going to our new residence," Ami waved to the suitcases sitting nearby, "and stumbled across it by accident."
"New residence?" Anthy asked mildly, her casual dress swirling around her legs.
"Yes, the Hinata Inn," Rei agreed.
The four young woman looked at each other in surprise, clearly not knowing what to say. "Is there a problem?" Ami asked curiously.
"Would you like a ride?" Kitsune laughed softly, "We're heading back there ourselves."
"You're all residents there?" Rei blinked.
"Welcome to the Hinata Inn," Ema smiled shyly, clutching her laptop under her arm.
After a short detour where Ema showed their customers a webcam film of the defeat of the monster and Kitsune collected their pay they headed up to the Inn itself. Kanako greeted them at the door, the black clad young woman raising a single eyebrow at seeing Kitsune and the others escorting the new arrivals.
"Ami Mizuno, Rei Hino," Kanako bowing to both gravely, "welcome to the Hinata Inn. I understand you're going to be attending Tokyo U, Miss Mizuno?"
"Ami, please," she smiled, "yes, I'm pursuing my medical degree there." She reached out to take Rei's hand, "And Rei is training at a shrine in the area."
"Good luck to you both," Kanako said with her typical seriousness, "we've prepared a room as you requested. Now, you wanted to share a room, correct?"
"Yes, please," Rei answered, "we've bee close friends for a long time. Is that going to be any problem?"
"Not at all," Kanako said, "we can move two futons in or..."
"That would be fine," Ami smiled, the two women picking up their bags and heading inside behind Kanako.
"New arrivals?" Su asked curiously layer, the dusky skinned blonde bouncing eagerly. She, along with Mutsumi and Shinobu were being briefed on them as well as the four's successful battle with the water sprite.
"Yes, they're moving in to the large corner suite," Shinobu confirmed. She frowned, "I wonder why they want to share, though?"
"Splitting costs?" Kitsune asked reasonably.
"Maybe they're a couple?" Mutsumi clapped her hands cheerfully.
"Ehhh?" Ema blinked at her in surprise.
"People do that a lot where I come from," Su volunteered, "it's part of why I was thinking of keeping Motoko as my bodyguard and love slave."
"Su!" Motoko scolded, blushing red.
"I.. I.. I think you're jumping to conclusions," Shinobu stammered, blushing brightly.
"We could always find out," Kitsune offered impishly, "maybe sent one of Su's little robots in with a camera..."
"Don't even think about it," Motoko said firmly. She gave the rest of them a frown, "We don't even know them yet, it's not fair to speculate on their personal lives."
"Aww!" Su pouted, a half assembled Tama-robo with a built in spy-camera already sitting there at her feet.
"A-hem," Kanako cleared her throat loudly, giving everyone a thoughtful look. "Shinobu, would you mind starting diner soon? I'd like something special for our new residents."
"I'll get started," Shinobu smiled happily.
"As for the rest of you," Kanako continued, "don't you have better things to do?"
"We'll get going," Mutsumi smiled gently, "I know that Kitsune and I need to get the cafe open for the lunch crowd."
"Minds if I join you for dinner?" Kitsune grinned, "I'm still curious about the newcomers."
"As long as you're polite," Kanako agreed.
"Always," Kitsune reassured her.
To be continued...