Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ Fallout ❯ Fallout: Lonely Years ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Fallout4

Chapter 4

Lonely Years

Kitsune wandered back to the courtyard and observed the children like a mother would. Her own were playing happily with their brothers and sisters, nibbling watermelon, crackers, yakitori dipped in curry sauce. She wouldn't have to cook tonight, that was for sure.

In the shade of a cherry tree, Naru was holding a bottle of sake, and there were three empties between her and Mutsumi. “That used to be me, once,” Kitsune murmured, glad for the change. Keitaro had changed that. With him around, she sort of forgot about booze and gambling. She'd won the biggest lottery that mattered: winning Keitaro's heart. In spite of everything she WAS glad to have him. Even if he did do a real number on the other girls, now mothers raising his children. Whatever would they do? Naru was a mess. Mutsumi was hiding it well, but she looked tired and grief stricken. Motoko was brittle with stress, the kind that used to drive her to distraction before things with Keitaro were resolved. Shinobu was going in and out of tears and anger, threatening to quit her career and start a restaurant instead.

“I miss cooking!” she yelled, angry and drunk. Looks like she was drinking Rye whiskey, imported American stuff. Kanako was matching her shot for shot, staring her former nemesis in the eye.

“You should. Open a restaurant. Your old one could be had. It's a takeout place now, and it isn't doing too well. Hina holds the lease. Right Gramma?” said Kanako, turning to regard her diminutive elder.

“Yes, that's true. Is that something you'd want to do, seriously, Shinobu-san?” she asked. Little Mihoshi looked up, from across the way, watching the exchange of her elders. They were drunk now, getting moreso. Her papa was playing with some of the boys. She got to hug him. That was nice. He didn't hug too hard, or cry so much like Mom and Tina.

“I think, maybe yes. Not sure. I plan to go out with a bang. I've already shamed my family name. None of them will speak to me. Specially not Mom. The worst part is, I've already set things up for the eventual truth. My publicist helped film an expose on my private life. It's all fake because its true, its dishonest truth, beating the paparazzi to the punch. Take away their game. They'll be angry, but without a story to sell, and without a celebrity, I'll fade away in a few months, maybe weeks if there's something else going on.” She shrugged, which looked funny considering how small and slender she was. “It would be worth it if I could get Keitaro to knock me up again. I liked being pregnant. It was lonely though,” she admitted.

“I wish I knew,” sighed Kanako, observing her brother playing with his children. “All I know about is loneliness.”

“Kanako, why haven't you moved on? You've had a crush on your brother since you were a girl. I know you're not related by blood, but Japanese law won't allow you to marry under any circumstances. The best you could hope for is an affair, and he'd feel terribly guilty if you did that. You love him too much to hurt him, right?” asked Shinobu, sober enough to say it clearly but drunk enough not to stop herself. Kanako eyed the little homemaker.

“I love him, but what about My Needs? He's met all of yours. So where's my piece?” she huffed.

“Not met so much as gave us a taste. I got a son out of it, which is a good thing, but he's so much responsibility. If I hadn't been so determined I don't think I could have done it. Look what a wreck Naru is, from her one taste of Keitaro. She's a bigger drunk than Kitsune used to be, if this is any sort of indication of her normal life. Her daughter Mihoshi says that Naru cries all the time. I thought my life was crap but now I see Naru and … well… wow. I guess that sounds pretty mean, huh?” asked Shinobu. Kanako eyed her, clearly agreeing but unwilling to say so outright.

“Yep, a few rides on Keitaro and I was a ruined woman. Over before it started, or would be if I'd done what my mother wanted, aborting Keitaro and hiding in the back of the restaurant for the rest of my life. No thank you. I did it my way. So did you, I guess, right?” asked Shinobu. Kanako startled at the question.

“Huh? Yeah, I guess so. When my brother went to Molmol, I got to take over the Hinata Sou. At first, you girls were there but most of you left without reason… presumably because you were all pregnant. With an empty apartment building, I was finally able to renovate and turn it back into the Inn. Minus Keitaro of course. So I got part of my dream. It's been a lot more work than I expected. Hospitality is much more difficult than running the dormitory. You have to be nicer, and provide bigger perks. I hired masseuses, cooks, maids, and eventually opened up the hot springs to the public for a fee. It kept the doors open and the taxes paid. It just wasn't easy. Having Hina around to help with advice has been good, when she's here, but I still feel lonely. It all feels like a lot of work when I'm at my darkest. On better days I wish I had him here to show this off, to show him what I've done for us. Is that so wrong?” she asked.

“No, it's not wrong. You do love him. I'm sorry that you're stuck this way. At least he's living here. Have you thought about just treating him like a brother so you can at least see him without him running away in terror? I overheard about you sneaking into his bed and into the onsen a few times. Haruka was laughing at you both. She thinks it's hilarious. I don't think so, though. It makes me sad. I miss him holding me,” Shinobu finally said.

“At least he held you. I'm still a virgin,” stated Kanako. Shinobu sputtered out her drink.

“What?!” she yelped.

&# 173;< /div>

A short distance away, Mutsumi drank with Naru. She'd gotten a fair bit of sake into Naru, and some into herself, but Mutsumi had always had a high tolerance for alcohol. It was more interesting to see her childhood friend talking about what was hurting her so much she'd become a drunk. Naru wasn't suited to living alone, it seemed. Mutsumi was starting to appreciate just how good she had it. With no social pressures against having her lover's child, and the help of her family to raise little Keitaro Junior, Mutsumi was only sad that she had missed her friends here in Hinata.

“I wish I could move back here,” admitted Mutsumi.

“Really?” slurred Naru. “I know you missed him and all, but why? Why here? You live in a paradise, you're surrounded by family who love you. They don't throw you out. I met your mother. She's not the type, not at all.”

“Well, that's true enough. Mother has been very supportive in helping me raise little Kei-kun. My brothers and sisters don't mind at all, just another baby to play with, and then another playmate when he got older. If he stayed there, he'd probably never miss his father until he was a teenager. However… that doesn't help ME,” she admitted.

“I miss being around Keitaro, bumping into him, laughing with him. He's so gentle and kind. I miss having him in bed with me. I really let myself go with him. Like another part of me wakes up. That part has been sleeping for the last four years and its sad. Do you know what I mean?” she asked. Naru shook her head no.

“Sorry, no. My experience with Keitaro was… less than satisfactory. We didn't even finish, just opted to be friends instead. Little did I know I'd be giving a Virgin Birth. So ironic for a Japanese Catholic girl like me. After all the beatings I gave him, I'm amazed he proved to be as potent and fertile as he clearly is.”

“So, why did you keep his baby?” asked Mutsumi. She poured Naru another drink of sake. Naru returned the favor. They drank together before Naru answered.

“I think… I realized this was all I'd have to remember him by. This and a few pictures, and memories. So many memories of him falling down, being a pervert, and his rejection of me. That was a very bad day for me, you know. I wept for weeks. When we went to Molmol, I didn't expect him to actually try to make love to me. I was beyond hope at that point. And it was bad, so bad. Still, when I found out I was pregnant, my first impulse was to cheer. Like I'd finally done something right. When the doctor suggested abortion… and I realized that's what my parents would say… well I rebelled. I wanted to keep this one concrete proof that our relationship mattered, even though he'd moved on, and chosen my best friend over me.”

“I was glad that he chose Kitsune,” admitted Mutsumi. “Part of me was jealous, to be completely honest, but mostly I was glad. She was the one person whom he could devote all his love to and never waste it. He was right that I'm too easy, not enough of a challenge for him. It still broke my heart though, that I was too good for him,” said Mutsumi, a tear sliding down her cheek.

“Aww, Mutsumi. You are always so gentle and kind. That idiot was a fool for not choosing you. If he had you'd both be living in Okinawa and have five kids by now,” suggested Naru. She poured another drink for her friend.

Mihoshi and little Keitaro Junior sat side by side and watched their moms drinking stinky stuff and crying. It wasn't that different from home, except there were more kids to play with, and the air smelled better. No car horns either. They looked at each other, then returned to observing their elders.

“I think that is what he was afraid of. Being tied down with children and far from his dreams of being an archaeologist. In the end, who but Kitsune or Motoko had the patience to be with him on digs? If Kaolla hadn't been a princess she wouldn't have had a hope in snagging him, even part time like she did,” pointed out Mutsumi.

“I would have done it,” disagreed Naru.

“You would have tried, and been miserable, and beaten him to death within a year,” suggested Mutsumi. “I would have tried, fainted, and spent most of my time in a tent, or in an apartment in Japan, wondering when he would come home, like Haruka used to wait for Seta.”

“Who waited for Seta?” snarled Haruka. Seta looked nervous, backing away.

“Now, now, Dear, let's not be hasty!” he cried before she whacked him in the head with a paper fan.

“See, a little familial violence goes a long way to ensure a solid relationship,” observed Naru, pointing at the pair. Haruka glared back.

“Mind your own business, little Missy.”

Naru crossed her arms, the matter proven and closed as far as she was concerned.

“And that's why he dumped you,” finished Mutsumi, nodding once, then sipping her sake. “AHH! Tasty. Another?” she asked. Naru slumped in defeat, holding out her cup. Mutsumi poured. Naru poured. They slammed another shot.

Motoko sipped her tea beside a fidgeting Kaolla, directly across the low wicker table from Amalla and the Prince. All three women smiled serenely.

“So, when are you due?” Motoko asked Amalla.

“January,” she replied without flinching. Motoko's expertise at reading ki signatures had deepened since having children.

“Congratulations. I am due in March,” Motoko confessed.

“More twins?” inquired Amalla Su. Kaolla grinned at her best friend, letting her explain.

“In a manner of speaking,” said Motoko with the faintest trace of a smile. “Twin boys... and twin girls.”

“Whoa. Is... is that safe?” Amalla asked after a pause to absorb the implications.

“There is some danger and discomfort. My career will probably end. Hiding twins for five months was challenging. I will have to take more leave time for quadruplets. My enemies in the firm attack my character already. I think some of them resent me for being a woman. Others hate me for my connection to you. If they learn of my pregnancy they'll almost certainly call for my dismissal.”

“I won't negotiate with anyone else, Motoko-chan,” grinned Kaolla Su. “If they fire you, setup your own firm and I'll keep you busy.”

“Thank you Kaolla-chan. Your offer is a great comfort to my peace of mind. If only my apartment in the financial district could offer me peace like I find here,” Motoko gestured. “Just being close to him helps.”

“Really?” asked Amalla, curious. Being married to the man she loved, Keitaro was less of a concern to her.

“Yeppers!” agreed Kaolla. “There's just something about being around Keitaro that makes you feel good.”

“Even though he's clumsy?” asked Amalla.

“Even then. After a while it's endearing.” Motoko smiled again, remembering.

Amalla gawked, looking from her younger sister to the samurai before craning her neck to observe the royal consort. He was surrounded by children. Sarah, Haruka, and Seta stood amused as the young father related stories to the raptly attentive kids. There was lots of hand waving and enthusiasm, his character showing through despite his prior panic. Predictably, the kids cheered and laughed. Much like their seaside teahouse play, Keitaro's natural charm won them over.

“How does he do it?” asked Motoko.

“Blind optimism and tireless faith in the good in people,” stated Kaolla.

“That's… a nice way to put it,” said Motoko after some consideration.

“I've stopped making weapons,” said Kaolla, “and started making tools to take away some of the causes of war in the third world. I know I can't solve all problems with a machine."

“Truth, indeed, Sister,” said Lamba Lu. “It is a good change in you.”

“I built weapons for our people. I thought that was what they needed. After being around Keitaro I built tools I would not be ashamed to show him. Our people have electrical power, clean water, refrigeration, jobs, a stable food supply and access to education. These things were not possible before my machines. If I hadn't known Keitaro I'd still be building mecha-tamas.”

“Don't blame yourself for wanting a childhood, Kaolla,” cautioned Amalla. “As a mother your interests are bound to change.”

“And now my company is doing well. Better than before. Better than the weapons business. Many countries buy from me. Not only Japan. My water purification plants are popular in the Pacific islands. Likewise my small reactors. I've gotten inquiries from the third world nations who want them for their towns and villages. When I came to Hinata Sou, I planned to teach computers to our people. Instead I've done so much more. Keitaro showed me my potential for achievement. Even someone as stupid as he is was able to get into Todai on his third try, mostly by sheer dogged determination.”

“Perhaps his fertility is likewise affected,” teased Motoko, giggling at her own joke. “Still, I really wouldn't mind moving back to the district. Downtown offers me so little. I can't train in my apartment, and the dojo's downtown are for weekend samurai, enthusiasts, not true warriors like me. The few warriors in Tokyo seem to be policemen and underhanded killers reputed as sensei. Their chi is as dark and evil as any demon I've encountered. No, I prefer the slow honesty of the Hinata District over all that glamour downtown. Rents are cheaper here too,” she mentioned.

“Sister,” said Tsuruko from behind her, having snuck up as she often did, “Be careful what you wish for,” she stated enigmatically.

“It's all the same. No matter where you go in Tokyo, its tiny overpriced little holes. We've got a six mat apartment, about half the size of what I had here, and its me, my nanny, little Keitaro, and sometimes my sister Mei. There's just enough room for us to lie down, but not much more than that. There's no air conditioning, no breeze, and the whole building stinks of sweat. It's no kind of life. My job beats me up. I love the kids. The kids are great. But the parents, and the administrators… ouch, they make my head hurt,” complained Naru. Mutsumi nodded once in a while, sadly becoming more sober rapidly, her supernatural constitution as eerie as Keitaro's immortality in its own way. Mutsumi wanted another child. Naru seemed to want to complain.

“Otohime-san, I think I overheard you wishing you could move back here, didn't I?” said Grandma Hina, appearing with a tray of snacks.

“Hai, that's right Grandmother. If Keitaro is here I would like to be near him and have my son know his father, even though he's married to Kitsune-san,” she admitted.

“Well, maybe we can do something about that,” said Hina. “Give me a little time while you stay here the next few days and I'll see if I can't suggest something.”