Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ Great White Hunter: Keitaro ❯ GWH:K Table Discussion ( Chapter 11 )

GWH:K Chapter 11

Table Discussion

 

 

“Keitaro, I have something to tell you,” said Kaolla gently at the dinner table. Most of them paused at the announcement, and her tone. She wasn't as singsong as she usually was. And she looked grown up more of the time also.

 

“Sure. Where should we talk?” he asked, finishing his tea.

 

“This is fine. The others should hear it too. You've been studying the Turtle Culture for some time now. There are ruins, large ones, in my country. They've been a national secret for centuries but the time is coming to open them. In light of our relationship, I'm willing to introduce you to our governing council to argue your right to be the one to document them. If you do, you'll need to spend a great deal of time there. And you'd need to make things… more official,” she said carefully. Naru looked confused and frightened.

 

“What do you mean `relationship',” asked Naru.

 

“Naru, this doesn't concern you,” said Su evenly. Naru gasped. Motoko and Kitsune winced. This sounded like conflict brewing. Keitaro felt strange electrical prickles climb his spine, his neck hairs stood on end.

 

“Uh…” he started to say.

 

“WHATT!!” exploded Naru, lunging for Su with both hands extended like claws. Su extended one arm holding a tiny needle and pricked Naru's skin. She waited as the hands reached her throat. Naru collapsed on the table. Motoko started, checking her sempai's pulse.

 

“She's alive. Limp but alive. Poison? What did you do, Su?” she demanded.

 

“It's just Curare. She'll be fine in half an hour. She just can't move right now. If you need to talk to her, she can hear you just fine. Feels everything too so be careful you don't hurt her,” explained Kaolla. Keitaro looked pained. They moved their violent roommate to the couch.

 

“Naru, that wasn't fair. And it wasn't good behavior. I expect better from you,” he said. “I still love you, Naru. I really hope you can get through this violent stage of your life soon. The others are… very interested in me. I will have to choose soon. Please don't let yourself be left behind in regret.”

 

Each of the girls spoke to her before filtering back to the dining table.

 

“Leave the door open. Naru should hear this,” noted Keitaro. Shinobu nodded, acquiescing to his wish.

 

“Keitaro, you've slept with each of us, at least once,” said Shinobu. The other girls nodded.

 

“Are you any closer to making your decision about whom you'll settle down with. We all want to know,” she said.

 

“I am very grateful for what we've all done together. I don't imagine your individual decisions were easy. I love each of you, more than before we did. Its made my choice more difficult, but you deserve my full attention. I don't want to hurt you, or drag this out longer than I have to. I've spent so much time over the last 4 years of living here, just focusing myself on Naru and her needs that I don't know you as well as I want to. Compatibility is important, long term.”

 

“But Keitaro… you're so good at compromise and support you get along with all of us,” pointed out Mutsumi. “That's part of the problem. Our jealousy is getting stronger. What Naru just did is how some of us feel at the thought of losing you.”

 

“That's what I'm worried about most. You are all precious to me. Would you all be willing to listen to my feelings, and promise not to leave until I'm done? Can your jealousy rest long enough to allow me to compliment your rivals?” he asked the table. They each nodded, one by one.

 

“Motoko, you were the first woman I've ever made love to. You were my First and that's very special to me. You are fascinating and complicated. I think I would never become tired of studying your beauty, and spend timeless moments in your stillness. Your passion is great and inspires me. You are a fine example of blending our homeland's past and future. I can imagine having children with you. However, I worry what you would do while I'm off being an archaeologist. I know you want to follow me on these expeditions, but you're the heir of the Shinmei Ryu school as well as a law student. It will be hard to balance all these goals.” He bowed to her and she responded in kind. The other girls waited anxiously.

 

“Shinobu,” he began, turning to the young woman. “You have been in love with me since we first met. You've worked the last 4 years trying to become the sort of woman I would want to marry. A proper Japanese homemaker. You are sensitive and sweet, also determined and immensely strong. I DID notice. Issues of age no longer matter anymore, as you've earned everyone's respect by your maturity. I have little doubt you would make me a fine wife, and bear me strong children in a few years. I worry about your expectations, and if I can possibly live up to them. I'm a man, and I am imperfect. You've seen that for four years, so I have to have faith in your judgment. You can't help but be passionate and that touches me deeply. Thank you for your gift.” He bowed to the slender beauty trembling before him.

 

“Mutsumi,” he said turning to the gentle woman. “You are tender and kind, sexual and giving. I drown in bliss when we are together. You have loved me since I was little and it is amazing that we found each other a few years ago. When I thought you were my Promise Girl the decision to be with you was almost too easy. Your health used to frighten me, but you've gotten better since getting into Todai with Naru and I. I know you're far more forgiving than you should be, and you have some regrets about that. You support our family here and soothe ruffled feelings. Part of me wants to choose you as my wife because you are a fountain of kindness. I think we would have many children. What holds me back is part of me wants more challenge from a woman. Please don't take it as a rebuke. It is a failure on my part to seek challenge in my life. I suppose it can't be helped, having chased Naru for 4 years,” he laughed hollowly. He composed himself and bowed to her. She returned it, uneasy but blushing.

 

“Kitsune,” he began, smiling gently to the openly blushing woman. “You are many layered, sheltering behind your defenses. You've given up so much for others happiness, especially Naru. I'm only beginning to know the real you, and I really WANT to know the real you. I know you're not the little girl of my Promise anymore. I know you're a real person, not a figment. And I'm grateful for your gift. You've proven yourself adaptable on this last trip, and I can see you willing to spend your life at my side, if I can earn your respect. Changes in our lives have changed you. You aren't drinking as much, you aren't driven to self abuse and I've seen you alone and thinking much more often. You'd make a fine strong mother, a stern but mischievious partner in life. I hope I don't disappoint you because I can see just how fragile your trust is. Please forgive me if I do hurt you. I won't do it on purpose or with malice. You've been hurt enough.” He bowed to her startled and open eyes. Tears fell and she returned the bow after a pause.

 

“Kaolla,” he said, bowing. “I have found the real you, or the beginnings of the real you anyway. In spite of our shared misgivings, events have advanced our relationship from playmates to friends to lovers. I never wanted you to rush your childhood. I can see you have plans for me in your future. We all enjoy your energy here and you keep us smiling. You keep me smiling. Until recently I didn't think of you more than as a kid sister, and then a close friend. Now things have changed and your passion is a tigress, barely chained. Your mind is sharp as Motoko's sword. You offer much. I worry how I would fit into your world, on a far away island nation. You are a princess and a genius and I'm kinda dumb and clumsy and I'm not even immortal anymore. I would have to know where I fit in your world,” he admitted. Keitaro bowed to the princess.

 

“Hinata Sou has been my home for a long time, and I love being here, surrounded by all these women. You each bring something important to my life, to each other's lives. To choose one of you is immensely difficult, as it will hurt us all. I am working through my feelings and I beg you all to grant me more time,” he said, and bowed deeply to the assembled women.

 

They returned the bow, measuring each other's eyes before nodding. Su looked speculative, as did Mutsumi while the others showed only sorrow.

 

“Very well. More time is yours. Do not waste it,” decided Motoko. The others nodded firm agreement. They rose to leave the table when Su spoke up.

 

“Ahem. I still haven't told you that thing yet,” she pointed out. They sat back down. “In light of this confession I'm inviting all of you to my home country for a week. I think we can squeeze that in before school starts if we go tomorrow,” she stated.

 

“Su, why does Keitaro call you a princess?” asked Kitsune.

 

“Because I am one. I'm second Princess of Molmol,” she dropped on the table like a hand grenade.

 

“Oh my,” gasped Mutsumi.

 

“Ah!” yelped Shinobu. Then her brow furrowed. “Where's Molmol?”

 

“It's an island chain in the middle of the Pacific, 140 nautical miles west of Parakelse. It's also the former home of the great Turtle Civilization which Seta and Keitaro have been researching all these years. Rather than see him risk his life to find nothing, I wanted him to see the principle ruins in my home and see if perhaps he can impress my nation's ruling council to allow him to develop and excavate it properly. A lot rides on his making a good impression. And you'll want to come along to support him. If all goes well, I'm pretty sure we can get Todai's support so there won't be any unwelcome academic repercussions for you this Fall. I can get them to write you a note,” she clarified. Faces comprehended that. Motoko nodded agreement.

 

“Why didn't you tell us about this before?” asked Kitsune.

 

“I wanted my privacy. Besides it was funny watching you groping Keitaro for rent money,” she teased.

 

“Don't you have that backwards?” she asked.

 

“Do I?” she teased more, laughing.

 

“Su!” yelled Kitsune, chasing the girl around the room and then out the door. The meeting broke up.

 

Keitaro went and talked to Naru, who was silently weeping on the couch. She'd heard everything. While she wasn't able to speak yet, she could move her eyes.

 

“Do you see, Naru? They all love me, and I love them, each for their own reasons. We're going to Molmol tomorrow. Do you want to come along? I'm not trying to hurt you, but you seem to heal more the more you hurt. I suppose these are hard shocks for you. I'm sorry you weren't my First, Naru. I wanted it to be you, ever since we met,” he admitted to her shocked look. “You should come with us to Molmol, otherwise you'll have more regrets, and you can't live your life that way, not if you want to be healthy. Do you think you can control your rage? Do you think you can stand being around all the other women who love me?”

 

He watched her eyes. She managed a swallow. Then a tiny nod, still crying.

 

“You know, I wouldn't ordinarily do something like this but since I know you can't hit me and our feelings are on the table, I'm going to grant you a boon,” he said. He leaned forward and kissed her softly, gently, slowly, tenderly. After a long time he finally rose, seeing the wonder in her eyes.

 

“See? Not so perverted was it?” he smiled. “I love you Naru. Let me put you to bed.”

 

He gently picked her up and carried her up two flights of stairs, his heart light. He laid her on the floor before unrolling her futon and removing her shoes, then putting her to bed. She was lovely when she wasn't hitting anyone. He kissed her again and then went down the hall to Su's room.

 

“I'll just give her the antidote,” she said. “Is she coming too?”

 

“Yes. She's agreed to go,” he admitted.

 

“I hope you know what you're doing,” cautioned Su. She returned a few minutes later with an empty syringe. Keitaro could hear Naru making grumpy stomping down the hall. He decided to wait it out.

 

“Talking to the council won't be easy. You know the entry rites involved. Recent events will help immensely, but they're very proud and strong men. You'll have to really impress them.”

 

“I'll do my best,” he said. She shook her head.

 

“Just be yourself. Remember your greatest strength is your determination and your inexhaustible forgiveness. And try not to break anything, though if your immortality gets shown off they would be impressed,” she admitted half to herself.

 

“Oh yeah, one other thing,” she said, and ran, planting her crotch on his face. This time there were no panties. She pinned him to the floor for a moment before he got the idea and gave her proper attention. Keitaro didn't sleep in his own bed that night. While some of the girls were disappointed, they knew they'd get another chance. After all, he'd said just the right thing to each of them.