Love Hina: Once Again
Five
The meeting up at the shinto shrine was quiet, the talk hesitant before Rei Hino finally took charge. "This isn't a wake everyone," the black haired woman said to them firmly, "hell, we aren't even going that far away."
"Maybe, but this is the first time one of us has left," Makoto Kino said wryly, the tall brown haired woman sitting by the table that was loaded with food and snacks she had cooked, "it's going to take some time to adjust."
"I'm sorry," Ami Mizuno said faintly, the blue haired woman sitting beside Rei, "if I hadn't been accepted in Tokyo University this never would have happened."
"Don't apologize, Ami," Usagi Tsukino said with a smile, the blonde wiping at teary eyes, "we're all happy for you."
"And if anyone here deserves to go to Tokyo U, it's you," Minako Aino said, the blonde bombshell reaching out to squeeze Ami's shoulder.
"Besides," Rei said after a moment, "we'll keep in touch. Ami and I have email, there's phones, and if there's an emergency we'll come running."
"Yes," Ami nodded, "Tokyo U is important to me, but not more important than all of you."
Usagi reached out to squeeze both their hands, "Thank you."
"So," Makoto asked after a moment, "what's this place you're staying at?"
"The Hinata Dorms and Inn," Rei answered promptly, "it's a combination of dorm in the main building an a inn using new building added to the property. It was also a hotspring resort at one time, so we'll have access to that, too."
"And you two are planning to share a room there?" Minako asked impishly.
Ami blushed faintly as she answered, "Yes. The manager, Kanako Urashima, seems to have no problem with it."
"Really?" Usagi blurted, "I wonder if that means she's..."
"Usagi," Rei gave her a look, "we've barely met her, meatball head."
"You're so mean," Usagi's eyes welled with tears.
Ami had to fight back a laugh, watching her friends falling back on their familiar patterns of behavior, a comforting thing knowing that they'd all be parted soon enough. Makoto busied herself with setting up more of the food, Minako casually flipped through a few of Rei's manga and Usagi and Rei argued affectionately.
"So how are your mother and Rei's grandfather taking news of your relationship?" Makoto asked softly after a few moments.
"Grandfather's taken it very well," Ami answered promptly, "he seems to be content if Rei's happy." A frown, "My mother on the other hand..."
"Not good?" Makoto asked sympathetically.
Ami smiled wryly as she sighed, "I'm hoping she'll respond to an email once I'm away from home for awhile."
"She'll come around," Makoto said firmly, "you're her only daughter, after all."
"And grandfather is working on her, too," Rei noted before adding, "though I can't quite decided if that's a good thing or not."
Everyone laughed at that.
Some weeks later and I another city Ami hummed to herself softly as she finished unpacking her clothes from the bags on the low table. "Your turn Rei," she called to her, "and do you mind if I do the email?"
Rei smiled from where she had finished setting up their household shrine. "No problem," she lugged her bag over, "I'm sure Usagi and the others are dying of curiosity at this point."
Setting up her laptop Ami sat by the window, her expression thoughtful as she tried to organize the impressions of the last few days. Opening up her email account she typed in the address " " then began to write.
To Usagi, Makoto, Minako, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru.
We've been at Hinata Inn for a day or so, and already we feel surprisingly at home. I think that Makoto was feeling a bit worried that a self-described medical nerd and a shinto priestess might not fit in well, but we blend in quite well with the unusual characters here. What follows are my initial impressions of them...
Motoko Aoyama is a tall young woman, rivaling Makoto, and she almost looks like she wandered out of a samurai drama with her archaic clothes. The black haired woman carries a sword and is remarkably skilled, I suspect she could even match Tuxedo Kamen. Yet she is pleasant and almost serene, though I suspect a temper lurks beneath that.
Ema Maeda and I may have a great deal in common, if the laptop she was carrying with her is ant indication. The brown haired girl appears quite shy, too, much like I was when I first met Usagi. The other residents here look out for her like a little sister, apparently.
Mitsune Konno has the nickname Kitsune, and from what I've seen calling her a trickster fits. She reminds me of Haruka in her looks as well as sharing Haruka's occasionally impish nature, and Kitsune appears to be quite reckless. Still, she runs a successful cafe and employs two of the residents here, so she can't be all that wild.
Anthy Himemiya is a harder one to read on several levels. The dusky skinned, violet haired girl stands slightly apart from the others, but there is a gentleness about her too. Oddly she flings roses much like Tuxedo Kamen, a gift I'm determined to ask her about. Rei has mentioned she feels power around Anthy, but not a dark force.
Su Koalla is the most energetic girl that I've met, rivaling even a sugar-filled Chibi-Usa, and she seems to be a technical genius if all the inventions I've seen around her are any indication. The dusky skinned blonde teen has been quite friendly, though she asked us some remarkably blunt questions about Rei and I.
Rei read that bit over her shoulder and chuckled. "I don't think I've seen you blush like that in a while," she purred into Ami's ear.
"Hush," Ami blushed faintly as she continued.
Kanako Urashima and Hotaru must both shop at the same stores, since the young lady has, so far, worn only a variety of black outfits. She's remarkably deadpan, calmly accepting details of my and Rei's relationship without a flicker in her expression. Still, I get the sense that there's amusement and compassion beneath her calm gaze.
Shinobu Maehara is the 'mother' of the inn, despite her relative youth. She cooks and cleans like a wizard, and the taste of her food rivals Makoto's. She, like many of the residents here, is a sophomore student at Tokyo U ad I hope to receive guidance from her.
"She sure doesn't look it, does she?" Rei remarked. "Still, I think you'd be asking the graduate student instead."
"Just getting to her," Ami agreed.
I only met Mutsumi Otohime a short while before she went over to her job at the Cafe Hinata next door, but she comes across as remarkably easy going.
"Not to mention having enormous melons," Rei commented.
She's quite statuesque, but seems largely unaware of her physical beauty. Her oddest habit seems to be kissing people when she's happy... she laid a good one on both Rei and I and no one else here seemed to bat an eye.
In conclusion it looks like we'll fit in here quite well, and we're settling in nicely. We miss you and home, and look forward to your next visit.
Love, Ami and Rei.
Rei read it over completely, hugging Ami from behind as she did so. "You didn't mention that ghost busting thing," she noted, "or that Kitsune wants to hire me for it."
"I think we'll save that for the next letter," Ami laughed. She turned, cuddling into Rei's arms, "you know, you haven't kissed me since we got here."
"Then I'd better fix that right now," Rei murmured before kissing her.
In another room Su reached out, turning off the monitor that she had been using to spy on them. She knew the others had forbidden her to do this, but she just couldn't resist... "Still," Su murmured, "I wasn't expecting them to really be lovers."
To be continued...
Notes: Ami, Rei and their friends are all from Sailor Moon, and this story also ties in with my ficcy "Ice on Fire." Anthy is from Revolutionary Girl Utena and this series of stories is set before "Echoes of a final Duel."
Six
Splash! With a happy little sigh Kitsune Konno settled into the water, the sandy blonde haired woman relaxing in the hot springs after a long day's work in and around the Hinata Cafe. She was faintly surprised not to see anyone else out here in the water, but she expected that the others would be coming soon.
"And the turtle really flies?" Ami Mizuno said as she emerged from the mists, her short blue hair giving her a boyish look.
Anthy Himemiya chuckled softly, the dusky skinned woman saying, "Yes, it surprised me too." Her violet hair was tied up, a few strands falling into her eyes, and she looked comfortable in her nudity. "Hello Kitsune," she nodded in greeting.
"Yo," Kitsune raised a saucer of sake in greeting, her bottles sitting in a little wooden bucket that floated beside her.
"Hello," Rei Hino said, the black haired girl standing protectively by Ami's side.
"I see you haven't gambled away the cafe's profits yet," Anthy teased gently as she settled in the water, her breasts bobbing gently.
"Oh?" Ami looked startled from where she and Rei were easing into the steaming water.
Kitsune gave Anthy a scolding look, "Don't be giving them ideas, I've mostly given that up."
"And we were quite surprised by that," Motoko said, her long black hair flowing around her, her full breasts hidden behind a modest towel. Oddly she still carried her katana even into the baths, setting it beside her as she shed her towel and sat in the water nearby.
"You all seem to know each other fairly well," Rei noted quietly.
"I've only been here a few months," Anthy sat back, sighing softly in contentment as the heat eased sore muscles. In addition to her fortune telling in town she had helped clean up at the new inn, and she felt pretty tired. "But I understand Motoko and Kitsune are full time residents."
"Well, I was until I moved over to the cafe full time," Kitsune corrected.
"Kitsune and I," Motoko nodded, "Su, Mutsumi and Shinobu have all lived here for awhile. Ema moved in recently, and Kanako lived here for awhile, left, and then came back."
"There's a very," Ami gave them all a thoughtful look, "family like feel to this women's dorm, it's very pleasant."
Kitsune laughed softly, "Somehow I can't quite see any of us as father figures."
"Oh I don't know," Anthy stretched gracefully, "Motoko comes across as quite manly."
"What!" Motoko blurted, blushing.
"That might have been a bit much," Rei noted, seeing the look on Motoko's face. Oddly Kitsune looked almost as upset as her, but with more of a... jealous expression.
"No insult intended," Anthy said to them gently, "in fact you remind me of someone I once liked... a great deal."
Motoko relaxed a bit at that, "Of course, I understand." A little smile quirked her lips, "It seems I still have some issues with my femininity."
Oddly Kitsune still had a faintly antagonistic look on her face as she studied Anthy. "So," she waved her sake bottle for emphasis, "it was a girl you liked?"
"Kitsune," Shinobu scolded as the black haired young woman said as she emerged from the mists, Su and Ema behind her. Her long black hair swirled as she hit the water, sliding beneath the steaming fluid.
Kitsune subsided a bit, "All right, that might have been a bit much."
"It was a woman," Anthy surprised them by saying, "her name is Tenjou Utena."
Su looked at Anthy eagerly, the dusky skinned blonde leaning forward a bit. "So were you dating?" she asked.
Anthy smiled slightly, "Something like that, yes."
"And.. you two are separated?" Ema asked, the youngest girl's antenna like strands of hair bouncing a bit.
"Yes, we went out separate ways several years ago," Anthy said, aware that the whole group of women were watching her intently. With a sigh she added, "We left things between us frustratingly unresolved... and I want to see her again."
Kitsune and Motoko exchanged a silent look of communication then Kitsune asked, "You want some help?"
"I bet I could come up with something," Su nodded.
Timidly Ema continued, "I could start a net search, maybe..."
"You'd do that for me?" Anthy said, feeling just a bit surprised.
Shinobu smiled back, "What are friends for?"
"Thank you," Anthy smiled, reaching up to wipe at her eyes.
With a surprising degree of tact Su changed the subject. "I saw someone with Kanako," she said, "do you think we might have a new resident?"
Earlier that day Kanako Urashima lead a woman along the hall, the black haired young woman looking like a shadow in her all black clothes. "Welcome to our dorm, Miss Masaki," she said as she lead her to the manager's room.
Tennyo Masaki wore a comfortable off-gray skirt and white blouse, looking much like a active business woman. "Thank you," she said, "it looks like a comfortable place."
"We like to think so," Kanako opened the door and they went inside, her pet cat leaping up to her shoulder with the ease of long practice.
"So who's the new blood?' Kuro the black cat asked Kanako, peering at Tennyo curiously from his usual perch.
"Hush," Kanako scolded as she reached up to scratch behind his ears.
Tennyo seemed quite unfazed by a talking cat, calmly taking her seat by the low table with a unusual degree of grace. "The place looks fine for my needs," she said gravely then flashed a smile, "and the rent is cheap."
"I was surprised a older woman wanted to move here," Kanako noted, though in truth it was hard to guess her age. On one hand she seemed mature, coming across like a dignified older lady, but her body seemed to glow with youth.
"I only recently returned to Japan," Tennyo explained, "after living abroad and gaining my engineering degree. I wanted to live away from my family, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable enough to live on my own."
"And the dorm will be a nice middle ground," Kanako nodded slightly.
"Exactly," Tennyo smiled.
Kanako gracefully poured them both some tea. "And you mentioned that you're trained as an engineer?" she asked curiously.
Tennyo looked faintly amused by the shameless probing. "Yes I am," she nodded, "I've made arrangements with a firm to work from home. I'll be using my laptop and modem mostly, with occasional visits to the office."
They shared their tea, talking about minor things for a few more minutes. "If this dorm suits you," Kanako said gravely, "I can have the papers ready for you to sign today."
"You think I'm suitable, then?" Tennyo asked teasingly.
"Very much so," Kanako answered calmly.
"Then yes, I'd like to become a resident," Tennyo nodded.
To be continued...
Notes: Tennyo Masaki is the big sister of Tenchi Masaki of Tenchi Muyo, a new character introduced in the latest OVAs. In her case "living abroad" means outer space, having spent time on Jurai and several other worlds.
Seven
Kanako Urashima smiled to herself, a rare expression of pleasure as she sat by the Hinata Inn's only phone. "It's good to hear from you, big brother," she said, her black hair flowing down over her shoulders and onto her matching black dress.
"You too," Keitaro's crackled a bit from being bounced off a satelite relay, "how are things going there?"
"Bedlam," Kuro quipped, the black cat looking amused.
"Hush," Kanako scolded her cat then addressed the phone, "Quite well, actually. I've rented several vacant rooms, and I've started looking into our plans for the annex, too."
"And how are the newcomers fitting in?" Keitaro asked curiously.
"Surprisingly well, actually," Kanako said wryly. There seemed to be a unique sort of madness you needed to live at the Hinata Inn, but the various ladies who had joined them seemed to have it.
"You've talked a lot about the Inn," Keitaro kept his voice gentle, "but how are you?"
Kanako settled in to a soft chair she had pulled over, "I'm fine, big brother. Just doing a lot of thinking about things."
"Well, Naru and I are rooting for you," Keitaro said cheerfully.
"How's the dig?" Kanako asked, changing the subject.
"You know how it is," Keitaro shrugged, "fell down a hole, found something, and now we're digging it up."
Kanako shook her head wryly. Her brother had the oddest luck as a archeologist, he literally seemed to fall into various discoveries. If he dug almost anywhere he seemed to hit something of significance... it was truly uncanny.
"And is Naru with you?" Kanako asked.
"She flies up over the weekends with Seta," Keitaro explained, "otherwise she still teaching full time at her elementary school."
"She's very good," Kanako agreed, feeling a small pang of guilt as she thought lingeringly of the lovely Naru. They talked for a while longer on various subjects, then with some regret she the very excited Shinobu take her turn.
"Sempai!" Shinobu squealed as Kanako walked away with a faint smile.
'I wonder where the others are?' Kanako thought as she walked the halls, her cat jumping down from her shooulder to scamper off. Usually the majority of the Dorm residents were lined up here, waiting for their turns.
"Fifty yen on Motoko!" Kitsune called out loudly as Kanako reached the doors to the hot springs outside.
"I'll match that on Tennyo!" Su's voice answered.
"Go Motoko," Mutsume called cheerfulluy.
'What in the world?' Kanako thought as she opened the door, quickly moving out into the steamy exterior.
Tennyo Masaki stood calmly on the rough stones, her long white hair flowing as she held a wooden practice sword at the ready. The T-shirt and shorts clad woman still looked eerily ageless to Kanako, anything from her twenties to her fifties, and she stood ready with a wary kind of intensity.
"Defend yourself!" Motoko Aoyama swept down with her wooden sword, the black haired young woman dressed in her usual traditional japanese clothing.
'I've got to stop them...' Kanato started only to freeze as the newcomer expertly stopped Motoko's strike.
"Very nice," Tennyo said quietly while holding her blade horizontal above her, both their bodies vibrating a bit from the strike, "the God's Cry School, correct?"
"Not bad yourself," Motoko nodded, her own blade and battle stance pressing down on the woman's iron-like guard, "you're using the hidden techniques of the Masaki Shrine's master, aren't you?"
"You've encountered it?" Tennyo looked curious.
"My elder sister did," Motoko answered, "someone blocked her like this, too." She broke away with a leap then swept forward, "Rock Splitting Sword!"
"Masaki Strike!" Tennyo cried, summoning up her own chi to counter Motoko's strike.
Making her way over to where the residents were watching from the spring pools Kanako asked, "How long has this been going on?"
Ami Mizuno smiled up at her, the blue haired woman's glasses gleaming as she said, "Nearly half a hour."
"I'm surprised Tennyo's lasted this long," Mitsune Konno said, the sexy woman known as Kitsune lounging nearby.
"It's very impressive," Anthy agreed solommly.
"Whoo-so!" Su waved excitedly, the dusky skinned blonde nearly bouncing up and down with excitement.
"Oh my oh my," Mutsumi Otohime murmured, the busty brown haired woman watching the fight with interest.
"Wait a minute," Kanako frowned, "Kitsune, if you and Mutsumi are here, who's running the café?"
"Eh," Kitsune waved that off, "I put up the gone fishing sign."
"That is no way to run a business," Kanako frowned.
"Yay Tennyo!" Mutsumi waved, full breasts bouncing.
"This is remarkable," Emi muttered, the younger woman recording the entire fight on her laptops camera attachment.
"Her breasts or the fight?" Rei Hino muttered from where she sat beside Ami.
"Rei," Ami poked her gently.
Kanako rolled her eyes at the interplay even as the fight continued on. Tennyo and Motoko slammed their swords together, leaping about the hot spring wildly until finally they stood toe to toe, panting softly.
"So, are you ready to finish?" Motoko finally asked, both of them staring intensely into each others eyes.
"Yes," Tennyo's hand tightening on her blade.
"Good, I'm starving," Motoko relaxed.
"WHAT!" all the observers blurted.
"We were just sparring for our morning workout," Tennyo explained, batting her eyes innocently.
"You have got to be kidding me," Kitsune muttered, "you two fight like that when just sparring!"
"Doesn't everyone?" Motoko smiled casually.
"Aww," Su pouted. "Are you two ever going to fight for real?"
"Who knows," Tennyo smiled. She clapped her hands, "So who's up for lunch?"
Shaking her head Kanako left, heading down to the manager's suite, where she sat down with a tired sigh. "What's up?" Kuro, her black cat asked.
"Just the usual craziness," Kanako admitted, putting her arms on the table and resting her head there. Motoko had looked stunning in battle, her eyes flashing, body moving so gracefully under her old fashioned garb.
"Still thinking about Motoko?" Kuro asked perceptively.
"Oh shut up," Kanako sighed.
"You really need to find yourself a new lust object," Kuro pointed out, "she hates your guts, remember?"
"Don't remind me," Kanako whimpered.
"Not to mention," Kuro added, "that someone else here has the hots for her... she wouldn't be getting those chocolates every year otherwise."
"Be quiet," on reflex Kanako tossed a cushion at the cat, feeling some amusement when she bowled the cat right over.
To be continued...
Eight
"Ami sempai," Ema said, the long brown haired girl smiling as she hurried to catch up. "Going to another mock test?" she asked curiously.
"Not exactly," Ami smiled back, her short blue hair ruffled a little by the breeze, "I'm going to a advanced study group for med students."
Ema felt her heart skip a beat as she looked up at the handsome older girl, then forced herself to calm down. 'Remember,' she reminded herself, 'you don't know what sort of relationship she has with her roommate.' Taking a steadying breath she said, "It must be hard, studying to be a doctor."
"It's been a ambition of mine for a long time," Ami said, her blue skirt fluttering around her legs. Gently she asked, "How about you?"
"Huh?" Ema blushed.
"I mean," Ami asked, "what do you want to do? Why are you working so hard to get into Tokyo University?"
"I've been told that getting into Tokyo University can make your dreams come true," Ema shyly admitted as they walked. She looked embarrassed, "To be honest, I think I'd like to be a librarian."
"Then I think you'll be a good one," Ami offered.
Ema mentally gave a fan-girl squeal, but in reality offered a soft, "Thank you."
Rei Hino watched from the roof of the Hinata Inn as she saw Ami walking, Ema looking up at her in more than a bit of awe. 'I hope that Ami lets the kid down easy,' the black haired miko thought, 'Ema's a nice kid, and I don't think Ami wants to see her hurt.'
"Good morning," A amused voice came from behind her.
"Morning," Rei called as Mitsune Konno, also known as Kitsune walked along the peak of the roof towards where Rei was perched.
"May I?" Kitsune gestured to the open space beside Rei on the edge of the roof. When Rei nodded she sat down, the sandy blonde haired woman looking entirely relaxed.
"You look a little under the weather," Rei noted diplomatically. In fact Kitsune's eyes were a bit bloodshot and she was visibly bedraggled. If Rei knew her better she'd have guessed Kitsune had been out drinking, or something.
"Oh yeah," Kitsune winced. "I still do some freelance writing and a few of my work associates got together at the Café for a party last night," she explained. "I sent Mutsumi and Shinobu home, but I never got to bed till three am."
"Ouch," Rei winced. Her grandfather had a similar party nature, and she had been the one to take care of him then.
Kitsune drank from the cup of steaming coffee she carried, her shorts and t-shirt clinging to her shapely body. "Have you had a chance to think about my offer?" she asked.
"To join that ghost busting thing you're doing?' Rei asked.
"Yeah," Kitsune smiled.
"I've committed to train part-time at the Higurashu shrine by my Grandfather," Rei said as the breeze made her long hair swirl about, "that'll take a lot of my time."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Kitsune admitted.
"But," Rei said after a moment, "I'd be willing to help where I can."
Kitsune grinned suddenly, "Good."
"For a reasonable cut of the profits, of course," Rei added with a smile.
"Of course," Kitsune nodded. She paused, "The Higurashu shrine?"
"Yes?" Rei blinked.
"I think you're going to have a interesting time there," Kitsune said thoughtfully, "at least if the stories I've heard are right."
"The demon of Higurashu Shrine?" Rei nodded knowingly. She looked away, lips twitching with amusement, "I've met him."
"Seriously?" Kitsune looked at her in surprise.
"Yeah," Rei smiled, remembering the meeting a few days ago...
Checking the address on the sheet of paper her Grandfather gave her Rei saw the aura of the place before she even saw the shrine, feeling the faint crackle of power. Pausing by the front gate she hesitated a moment, then Rei continued on.
A black haired young woman was sweeping the yard, dressed in a green and white school girl's uniform from the region. "Hello," she looked up.
"Hello," Rei nodded politely, "my name is Rei Hino. I'm here looking for the priest of the Higurashu shrine."
"You're looking for gramps?" the girl looked surprised. "My name is Kagome," she offered her hand, "nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," Rei took her hand then visibly stiffened as she felt the power simmering within the girl. Not only was this a miko, but she was a wondrously powerful one, maybe even Rei's match as Sailor Mars.
"Ahhh," Kagome cried out in surprise, jerking backwards.
"Kagome!" a boys voice cried out in alarm.
"Oh no," Kagome muttered, "wait!"
Bursting from a nearby building the white haired boy swept towards Rei with a hand extended, fingers curved like claws. "Get away from Kagome," he yelled, swinging as his red Hitoe coat shifted in the breeze.
Rei ducked under the first strike, reaching into her coat for a paper charm as she chanted softly. "Whoop," she side stepped another strike even as she slapped the charm on his forehead and finished the spell.
"Urk." the white haired boy froze even as unearthly power swirled around him. Suddenly the power flared around him and he shook off the charm, giving Rei a deadly glare as he growled, "Why you..."
"InuYasha," Kagome said forcefully, "SIT!"
WHAM!
In a burst of spiritual energy InuYasha's face hit the ground with a thump, the boy stunned for a moment by the impact. His rage at Rei forgotten for a moment he rounded on Kagome, "What the hell'd you do that for?"
"You were going to hurt her," Kagome shot back, "and she hadn't done anything!"
"So why'd you yell?" InuYasha demanded.
"I was startled," Kagome said a bit defensively, "I've never run into a modern person with that kind of spiritual power before."
"So I had to rush out here for nothing?" InuYasha looked disgusted. "You've got to be kidding me..." he shook his head.
Kagome scowled, "SIT boy!"
WHAM! Another face plant.
Rei blinked, taking in the whole odd situation. "What?" she asked mildly, "is going on here, exactly?"
"It's a long story," Kagome sighed.
Sitting on the roof of the Hinata Inn Kitsune finished off her coffee as Rei finished a edited version of that meeting. "So this Kagome has a half-demon servant?" she blinked then chuckled, "Poor guy."
Rei chuckled, "I think get along pretty well."
To be continued...
Notes: I'm putting Rei and Kagome's powers at the same level arbitrarily, since it makes it easier to write them. InuYasha doesn't kill Rei immediately because he's holding back a bit, as well as Rei having experience fighting demons.
Nine
Tennyo Masaki smiled slightly as she strode up the stone steps, the white haired woman looking oddly ageless dressed in her business wear. She might be as young as twenty or as old as forty, it was difficult to tell from her mostly unmarked face and body. Of course the truth would have shocked her dorm mates a great deal.
The youthful looking Tennyo was in fact a hundred year old half alien, her mother human while her father was born on the planet Jurai. Raised on Earth in her youth she had left home for Jurai, sending decades among alien civilizations as a designer of star ships. Off and on she had returned home, but only recently had she decided to stay for a while.
'Just like home,' Tennyo thought fondly as she climbed up the steps that were so like those at the Masaki shrine where she had been born so long ago. If she was going to be honest walking these stairs had been one of the deciding factors in deciding on moving to the Hinata Inn, that and it's convenience to her job.
"Tennyo-san," a voice called out to her cheerfully as she reached the top of the stairs. Mutsumi Otohime smiled as she walked over to the white haired woman as the busty woman asked, "Back so soon?"
"Just had to go into town to check in on a client," Tennyo explained as they casually fell into step. She smiled slightly as she added, "We can do a lot online, but occasionally face to face meetings are a must."
"I suppose so," Mutsumi agreed.
Tennyo smiled over at the young woman as she asked, "Is the café open? It occurs to me I missed breakfast."
"Come on then," Mutsumi impulsively took Tennyo's hand as she pulled her towards the side of the inn complex, "let's get you fed."
The Hinata Café was beside the Inn, formerly run by the owner's aunt before she got married. Now, it was run by Kitsune, Mutsumi and Shinobu, and had become very popular, in no small part to the attractive qualities of the three ladies. Shinobu had a youthful innocence, Mutsumi brought a motherly quality while Kitsune seemed almost dangerously experienced. Add in Kitsune's sharp business skills and they were doing very well.
"Yo, Tennyo," Kitsune nodded as she hurried to serve a table of young men, "you want your usual today?"
"Yes, please," Tennyo agreed as she and Mutsumi walked over to the front counter.
"Shinobu," Kitsune called, "lunch special number one!"
"Yes, Kitsune," Shinobu called from the kitchen. A few moments later the younger black haired girl hurried up with the plate, "Hello, Tennyo-san."
"Hi Shinobu," Tennyo smiled.
Reluctantly Mutsumi moved away as she said, "I'd better get back to work."
"Thank you," Tennyo said as Mutsumi moved off, receiving a bright smile in return.
Kitsune took off her apron as she said, "I'm on break, okay?" Receiving a affirmative from her coworkers she sat on the seat by Tennyo's, "You mind?"
"Be my guest," Tennyo smiled.
Getting a cup of sake from Shinobu Kitsune sipped politely, her expression thoughtful. "You've made quite a hit with our Mutsumi." she noted.
"She's very sweet," Tennyo agreed.
Kitsune smiled wryly, "But I have to say, Mutsumi isn't too worldly. I'd really hate to see her get hurt."
Tennyo fought back a smile. "I have no intention of leading her on," she promised. A moment's hesitation, "I've never..."
"Hmm," Kitsune nodded. She swirled her sake in the glass, "Mutsumi was very close to one of our former roommates, and while she was happy for her friend's marriage, it also left her pretty lonely. Just be careful, all right?"
"I will," Tennyo promised.
Meanwhile, up at the Inn itself there was a smaller meeting taking place in a room crowded by electronics. "You mean you found her?" Anthy blinked, the dusky skinned woman sitting down on the bed with a thump.
"I think so," Su corrected cheerfully as the blonde haired girl sat beside her partner in crime and computer hacker.
Ema nodded gravely, her long brown hair flowing down her back. "I did some poking around," she said, "and tracked down several bank accounts for a 'Tenjou Utena.' Someone using those accounts has purchased a plane ticket from Great Britain to Japan, and she'll be arriving tonight."
"I didn't expect you two to be this quick." Anthy noted weakly, her violet colored hair flowing around her face.
"You want the bad news?" Su said.
"Hmm?" Anthy looked at her curiously.
"She's got a room booked in Tokyo, a Shinjuku hotel," Su passed the print out over, "can you get out there in time?"
"Oh yes," Anthy said, a dangerous glitter in her eyes.
"Otherwise, I can lend you the Tama-robo," Su added.
Ema paled, "Not that. Kitsune gets very upset when you do that."
Anthy smiled slightly at the girls' antics as she got up. "I'd better get going," she said, "I need to back a bag if I'm going to Tokyo."
"Good luck," Su nodded.
"Tell us how it goes," Ema added as Anthy left the room and headed back to her own.
"Come on," Su grabbed Ema by the hand after giving Anthy a moment to walk off, "let's go tell the others."
"But why...?" Ema managed as Su dragged her off.
"So we can follow her."
"No way," Motoko Aoyama said seriously a short time later, the tall black haired women crossing her arms over her chest.
"But Motoko..." Su started.
"It's tempting," Rei Hino admitted, still dressed in her miko garb from her part time job at the shrine, "if only to figure out why she's so mysterious."
"I'm a bit surprised at you," Kanako admitted, the whole group having gathered in the manager's quarters. Privately she was even more surprised to be included, though she supposed most of the inn's residents had gotten over their grudges.
"There's a unusual vibe I get from Anthy," Rei admitted, "not a sinister feeling, but..."
"Ah hem," Ami cleared her throat and Rei decided to stop there.
"Well, a little trip into Tokyo could be fun," Kitsune tossed it, her boyish haircut giving her a impish look.
"Wouldn't it be rude to intrude on Anthy-san's reunion?" Shinobu offered.
"She's got a point," Kanako agreed.
"Awww," Su pouted.
"I hate to agree with the Evil One," Motoko gave Kanako a frown, "but she's right. We shouldn't intrude."
"Besides," Ema added quietly, "I'm sure we can get most of the details out of her once she comes back."
"Heh," Tennyo smiled slightly, "good point."
To be continued...