Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ A Fragile Love ❯ Episode 10: Sword Dance of the Heart ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A Fragile Love

OOOOOOOOOO

Episode 10: Sword Dance of the Heart

Legend

Word denotes character thought

Word denotes setting, time

-Word- denotes sound effect

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Timeline: June 5, 2000 AD, 6:20 PM

Location: Hinata Park

As the female swordsman rushed towards Keitaro, he pocketed his left hand and watched her with a serious face.

-CLANG-

Both swordsmen locked swords for a few seconds and broke off jumping from each other. Motoko decided to take the offensive.

I will have him keep his guard up so that he tires out.

She attacked him with deliberate strikes, each of them forceful.

-CLANG- -CLANG- -CLANG-

Keitaro blocked her attacks with little effort. It was the starting minutes of the training, and he hadn't begun to sweat much to his surprise.

So, she's trying to tire me out, eh. Not a bad strategy, if I do say so myself.

He continued parrying her attacks.

Motoko lunged at him with a quick thrust, but he sidestepped and circled his arms around her. He could feel her body shaking as he softly spoke to her by the ear.

"Motoko-chan, you should be considerate with your offense. Don't attack deliberately. That's what my mentor used to teach me."

The female swordsman felt herself trembling by his warm breath. Keitaro noticed her shaking and felt her body warming quickly. He raised an eyebrow and wondered.

Why is she shaking? And on top of that, her body is getting warmer than normal! Could this be?

A flashback went through his mind.

OOOOOOOOOO

Flashback - an excavation site in the Mojave Desert, California, USA; one year ago

"Keitaro, I think it's about time I lend you my lessons in women," Seta Noriyasu spoke to his assistant, who was finished cleaning an artifact he discovered. He was Keitaro's mentor in Archeology, a course the dorm manager liked to pursue.

"Seta-san, I don't think it's needed," Keitaro said, carefully placing the artifact inside the back of their van they drove to get here.

"I think you should have a different approach to the girls back in the dorm. Whenever I hear some tidbits of your uh, experiences, from Haruka, I cringe at the thought."

"Seta-san… oh, alright. But I don't think it's going to help me much."

"On the contrary, it will. For today's lesson, this is about finding a woman's Holy Grail."

Keitaro was slack-jawed.

"Huh? Holy Grail?"

Seta smirked and snickered, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Keitaro, in every woman in this world, theirs is a part where you can get her to be helpless at your hold --- her weak spot."

Keitaro took out a small pocketbook from his pants pocket and began taking down notes while the archaeologist continued.

"Once you find it, you can use that to your advantage."

"Really?"

"I'm sure you've had a lot of run-ins with the girls. Wasn't there a time when you had an opportunity with one of them?"

Keitaro scratched his head, finding an answer in his mind. He shook his head.

“Unfortunately no. I'd barely live to tell the day if that happened.”

Seta face faulted to the ground anime-style. He scratched his chin in thought and pondered on his answer.

“Oh boy… this is going to be harder than I thought.”

End Flashback

OOOOOOOOOO

Keitaro wondered at the flashback.

If Seta-san is right, then I found Motoko's weak spot! Aside from her dependability on her sword, she becomes weak when I approach close to her. Weird...

Motoko was struggling with herself whether to remain in his hold or fight against it.

Oh kami, his voice is gentle and smooth; it makes me shiver with pleasure.

No… he has Naru-sempai. I cannot love him!

She widened her eyes and instantly broke off from his hold, leaping above him. As she landed down, she spun and stuck overhead.

"Secret Art --- Rock Cutter!"

A large ball of force plummeted down on the manager as he looked above. He quickly flipped back to avoid it.

-BAM-

A small crater area appeared on the spot he was before.

Motoko rushed at the manager with quick slashes as he finished his flip.

-SWISH- -SLASH- -SWISH-

Keitaro noticed this and dodged them as they came close.

Woah, this is getting too close for good measure. I better attack!

Unfortunately, a rock was in the way as he dodged back. His foot tripped.

"Woah!" he exclaimed. As he fell, he quickly placed his free hand on the ground to hold his balance. Then, he stabbed the ground with his sword and he gripped it as he managed to push his legs to move forward, propelling himself to flip back.

-KATINK-

He made it just in time to avoid a downward slash from Motoko. Meanwhile, she leapt at him.

-CLANK-

Keitaro was expecting another sword-lock, but the female swordsman slashed downward on the ground in front of him.

-KATINK-

"Secret Art --- Dragon Rise!"

With another battle cry, she leapt above him while slashing upwards towards the sky. As she did, an aura of energy with a shape of a dragon's head formed on the ground and spiraled towards the sky.

-ROAR-

-WHOOSH-

Keitaro gritted his teeth as he braced against the attack's impact by guarding it with his sword.

Amazing, she's improved a lot. I must not underestimate her.

-CLANG- -CLANG- -CLANG-

The aura continued rising, hitting his sword as he blocked. He shielded his eyes as he defended against the attack.

-WHOOSH-

What?

As he opened his eyes, the aura disappeared. A hole was made from the spot it came from. His eyes wandered above to find Motoko in the air as supposed, but she wasn't there.

Disappeared? Unless…

-WHOOSH-

Suddenly, he sensed an attack coming very fast from behind him. There wasn't time to block, so he twisted his body and jumped to avoid it. He looked to see Motoko lunged past him with a piercing thrust.

That was close! She's getting fast with her attacks. I wonder what got her fired up for this practice?

On the other hand, the female swordsman was astounded as he.

What quick reaction, almost as if he anticipates every move I make. Yet, he doesn't seem to tire! I must press on with my attacks!

She quickly turned around and focused her ki to draw power. As the manager landed unscathed, she gripped her sword tightly and narrowed her eyes in total concentration.

"Urashima!"

She became a blur as she rushed at him again.

-CLANG-

Keitaro blocked her attack as he held his ground. He gritted his teeth while he saw a blur attacking him from all directions. As he realized his opponent's perseverance, a smile formed on his lips.

Interesting. Two can play this game.

He saw her rebound off to repeat her attack. He closed his eyes and focused. In a second, he immediately became a blur like her and fought back.

-WHOOSH-

-CLANG-

-WHOOSH-

-CLANG- -CLANG-

-WHOOSH-

-CLANG- -CLANG- -CLANG-

Two blurry figures could only be seen to the naked eye as the training turned the park into a battleground. They continued their relentless trade of blows that neither could land a hit to each other.

Motoko was beginning to get frustrated with the situation. It was obviously turning out to be a stalemate.

I must change my tactics. Hmm…

After rebounding off from another impact, she rushed at him again with an added dose of speed.

Keitaro eyed her warily.

As they nearly made contact again, Motoko slashed overhead but quickly feint it to slash sideways. The manager's eyes widen in slight surprise.

-SHWAK-

Motoko's sword made a clean mark on the manager's left shoulder.

The two landed on the ground. Keitaro laid his hand on the cut and kneeled down. His injury didn't look bad, but it was clean with an angle. He turned around, facing her.

"Impressive, Motoko; you've caught me off-guard with that fake---"

His words were cut off as his opponent surprisingly attacked him in an instant.

-CLANG-

The two were at another deadlock. Motoko looked at him angrily.

"That was for pulling your perverted moves on me a while ago! I will not hold back this time!"

"Hmm, you sure are getting hot under the collar," the dorm manager joked.

A slight blush developed on the female swordsman's cheeks at the remark.

"Why you!"

-KATINK-

The deadlock broke. Motoko leapt back and gripped her sword with both hands. Keitaro could sense her ki emanating with ferocity.

Her ki is starting to grow strong. I presume her emotions are the reason for this. Somehow, she's holding back a bit.

"Motoko, you're really fired up. May I ask why with the sudden interest in taking me down?" he asked. The female swordsman closed her eyes, holding her weapon. Deep down, her emotional walls were slowly breaking down as she struggled to focus.

"Urashima… I… it's too difficult… for me to explain," she replied. Her battle aura began to brighten around her. The manager noticed this and readied himself for another attack. Both fighters felt their exhaustion creeping over them. Their hearts speeded up fast while they stood ground against each other.

"Motoko…"

"Urashima… I must win this time! Not for the sake of victory, but to place judgement on my emotions for you…"

Keitaro was a little astounded by the remark.

I see; but it doesn't have to be this way!

"That's why…"

Motoko pointed her sword towards him. She then opened her eyes.

"I SHALL DEFEAT YOU!"

She took the first step and lunged at him with her sword raised, overhead.

"One of the most powerful arts of the God's Cry School… Secret Art: MIRAGE ZANKUKUSEN!"

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Ok, that move was just made up from my imagination. If you readers can think of a better one then let me know.

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In an instant, multiple copies of her image appeared around her. Keitaro gasped in surprise at the number.

-WHOOSH-

-SLASH-

-CLANG-

-WHOOSH- -WHOOSH-

-SLASH- -SLASH-

-CLANG- -CLANG-

-WHOOSH- -WHOOSH- -WHOOSH-

-CLANG- -CLANG-

-WHOOSH- -WHOOSH-

-SLASH- -SLASH-

-CLANG- -CLANG-

-WHOOSH-

-SLASH-

-CLANG-

Each image charged towards him with deadly accuracy and speed. Keitaro constantly parried their attacks in an uncanny speed.

Tch… this is relentless! I will not hold back then!

As one image attacked, he skillfully slashed it. It withered into thin air.

He shifted his eyes with a burning fire, pumping his spirit up. He faced the rest of the images.

-CHING-

-SWISH- -SLASH-

-SLASH- -SLASH- -SLASH-

-SWISH- -SLASH-

-CHING-

He sheathed his sword with one knee down, eyes closed. As he opened his eyes, the images surrounding him were destroyed.

"-Huff- -Puff- What a workout!"

He felt his stamina draining. He figured another attack would bring him down.

His ears picked up an oncoming projectile hurtling towards him. He turned around to see a large ball of pure energy. From a distance, he saw Motoko on her knees breathing heavily, hands holding on to her sword.

With a firm grip on his sword, he turned it facing down. He held it with both hands. He closed his eyes, slowly breathing in rhythm. Focus was what he needed.

The projectile neared him within inches.

Then, Keitaro's eyes opened. With quick twirls to the side, he suddenly batted it away like a baseball bat.

It was now trailing back towards the female swordsman.

Motoko was aghast as she saw her projectile coming back at her. She had used up all her energy to bring the attack, and couldn't bring herself to react defensively.

I… I have lost…

She closed her eyes, anticipating the blow.

5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

-WHOOSH-

A blurred figure carried her in an instant and leapt up in the air. The projectile flew past the spot where Motoko was, destroying trees at the end of its path. They fell within seconds.

Motoko opened her eyes to find herself in Keitaro's arms.

"Urashima? But… how?"

The manager smiled, oblivious to the seriousness of the training happening just now.

"-Huff- -Puff- Luckily I made it just in time to get you out of your projectile's path. What's more important is that you're safe."

The female swordsman couldn't hold her emotional wall any longer, and cried onto his chest.

I… I've been beaten again.

Keitaro held her tightly and stroked her hair, calming her down.

"Motoko… don't cry."

He gently lifted her chin up to meet her face to face. She looked him with mixed emotions.

Urashima…

"I… I love you, Urashima."

She placed her hands on his face and drew him close, sealing her lips with his. His eyes widen with astonishment.

She placed all her feelings for him into that strong, much needed kiss she had longed for.

He on the other hand saw a realization hit him.

Motoko… I…

I love you too.

He complied with the kiss and broke off, gasping for air. He gazed at the beautiful warrior who was a woman in his eyes. She looked at him with dread, trembling at his next reply.

"Urashima… -Sniff-?"

"Motoko… you really took me by surprise. I enjoyed the kiss."

The female swordsman blushed. He continued on.

"What I'm trying to say is that… I love you too."

"Oh Urashima!"

She pulled him towards her for another kiss. He grunted in pain. She saw the cut she made on his left shoulder.

"I'm sorry… I… was carried away by my mixed emotions running in my heart," she apologized, looking down the ground with shame.

Keitaro wrapped his arms around her for a soft embrace. He kissed her forehead.

"At least you're safe unscathed, and honest with me."

She looked up at him.

"I love you, Keitaro Urashima."

"I love you too… Motoko Aoyama."

They kissed again under the bright moonlight, the stars twinkling above the darkened sky of nightfall.