Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ K2: From Hinata-sou with Love ❯ Chapter 4

Keitaro watched as the black haired girl stared at him hard, umbrella at one hand, the water pouring on her. Keitaro didn't try to make a pass at her, as she seemed to want him too. Well… at least her uniform kept her decent even when wet. If it didn't he wouldn't have been able to resist. Taking a rather risky step forward, Keitaro slowly moved forward in a non-threatening and nonchalant manner. But the girl wouldn't let pass so easily. She blocked his path.

 

“Hold,” she said with a frown.

 

“I am but a man passing through the road of life,” Keitaro said solemnly. Then, his tone changed to his more normal one. “So… just let me pass. I'm really in a hurry.”

 

“You are friends with those two who have retreated after seeing their folly in attempting to solicit us,” the girl stated in a very even manner.

 

Keitaro pretended to look sheepish, bowed a bit, and muttered in a low voice, “Please, lady, I'm embarrassed as it is already. Besides… I think they got your point… though between us,” he whispered a bit, “There isn't anything you can do about them. Right now, they'll probably be hitting on someone else.”

 

Motoko Aoyama, 17 of age, looked at the male in front of her, seemingly civil and quite possibly… different from the kind she was used to dealing with. She hated men… to say the least. She's biased against them, yes, and that bias always grew stronger because she sees how most treat women younger than they are, and seemingly `weaker' than they are. Her frown became more pronounced. “And you are friends with them?”

 

Keitaro nodded a bit, frowning a bit. “We all have weaknesses, faults… So… yes, they are my friends, even if they do embarrass me.” Pausing a bit, Keitaro looked at Motoko straight in the eyes. “I'm more concerned about you, miss. You'll get sick if you let yourself in the rain.”

 

Her blush wasn't really shown, but she felt heat in her cheeks. She knew he was right… but it didn't mean she was happy about it. She raised her umbrella, and for a moment, a thought passed in her to give a good thwapping to this male. She opened her umbrella, and passed by Keitaro without another word.

 

Keitaro let her pass, along with her two female companions… one who glared at him, and whispered `weakling' and the other who seemed to smile at him, blushing. He gave her a small smile back. She hid her blush well, and walked along. Keitaro's expression turned back to neutral as he took a deep breathes and began to walk again. It wasn't long before his cellphone rang. Without a pause, he answered it.

 

“Dude… you alive?” Shirai's voice came in the line.

 

Keitaro frowned. “Yes. Really, guys… its one thing to scamper off, but to implicate me?”

 

“Implicate? Why? Did that kendo witch roughed you up to?”

 

“Ken… dude… you are lucky she just passed…”

 

“You males AGAIN?” a female voice suddenly demanded. “Don't you ever learn?”

 

“YIKES!”

 

Keitaro just hung up, and shook his head, smiling a bit. Bad luck, or fate… looks like his two friends are going to have to run all the way home, and make it like ninjas and hope she doesn't spot them again, ever. Walking down the stairs of the overpass, he spotted a rather familiar girl trying to find shelter under a tree. Approaching her, he tried to get to remember his name. “… Nina-chan?”

 

Her eyes stared at his for a moment, and there was a rather tense moment where she looked at him in a very cool manner. She was wearing a red shirt, and this time, black skirt and white rubber shoes. Still staring at him, she replied, “Yes?”

 

“What are you doing here?” Keitaro asked.

 

“I was on my way to the dorm when it rained,” she said straight. “I'm taking shelter here until the rain passes.”

 

“Hmmm… want me to accompany you?” Keitaro asked. “I don't think the rain is going to stop any time soon, and it would be a waste of your time to not get to where you wanted to go. Besides… I'm also on my way there.”

 

“No offense, but I don't like you,” she said stiffly. “So, thank you, but no.”

 

Keitaro smiled. “Well, take my umbrella,” and he leaned it on the wall near her. “I can always go take a bath in the hot springs as not to catch cold. If you do go there, you can leave the umbrella in the front door… there are umbrella holders there, if you didn't notice.” With that, he gave a nod, and left her alone.

 

Watching him leave, Nina looked at the umbrella and grabbed it. She waited for a moment, and then went on her way to Hinata-sou.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Hinata-sou

 

15 minutes later…

 

Aoyama Motoko entered the front door and placed her umbrella in the holder, shaking herself a bit. She had encountered those males again, and gave them a good thwapping that got them to leave for good. Sighing, she made a beeline straight for the dressing room and slowly removed her wet clothes. As she was undoing her bindings, she heard Su talking to someone outside.

 

“Hmmm… I can see what you mean,” Su seemed to nod. “But really now… do we need to separate the springs?”

 

Motoko's eyes widened when she heard a masculine voice reply at her. “Su, we both now problems that can happen when you try to put the unstoppable force of females like Naru-san on the edge like yesterday and I'm by no means an immovable object. Besides… it's good for everyone.”

 

Doing her bindings again, she grabbed her sword. There was a male in the dormitory… and he was alone with Su! She wanted to curse, but she couldn't and didn't. Frowning, a cold expression washed over her eyes. She was going to make an example of this male to the other ones that may want to enter an all girl's dormitory.

 

“Hmmm… if you say so… I'll work on something fast!” Su seemed to say, but Motoko didn't seem to be listening anymore. She got enough information. A male was in the hot springs alone with Su, a very young and naïve young girl. It's not so far fetched to say the man may have tricked her to get her there. Unsheathing her sword, she opened the slide door, and without warning, dashed towards the male.

 

Keitaro's eyes widened as he suddenly felt a killing intent behind him, and turned around, pushing Su behind him just in case. She saw the swordswoman who he had met earlier in the overpass, and her expression told him everything what she was about to do. He raised his arms, hoping the runes wouldn't fail him now and dreaded as the attack when suddenly, Su, who was behind him, dashed towards the swordswoman and planted herself at her stomach with a great hug.

 

“Momo-chan! You're back!” Su said excitably. “I missed you!”

 

“Su! Let go! I have to drive this male away from the dormitory!” Motoko stopped on her tracks, her eyes now staring into Keitaro's. She recognized him, and a very ugly frown appeared on her face. “You vile lecherous turtle… You dare follow me here? You shall be punished with the wrath of heaven!”

 

“Momo-chan, its okay,” Su sad with a smile and laugh. “Here! Meet Keitaro! He's the new owner of the dorm, and manger as well!”

 

Keitaro didn't know if he should bow, smile, and agree to what Su just said. It was even more awkward when the Kitsune and Naru both entered the hot springs to see what the commotion was all about. The clincher though, was when Motoko shouted, “WHAT? MANAGER? OWNER?”

 

Keitaro sighed. Explanations always seem to be hard in Hinata-sou.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Hinata-sou Living Room

 

A few minutes later…

 

“No… I will not allow this…” Motoko said seething. “This is… unheard of! Even if the skies open and the gods declare it to be true, I, Aoyama Motoko, won't allow it!”

 

Naru had that smirk on her face as she nodded along with Motoko, staring hard at Keitaro, who for the lack of better word, seemed to be almost uninterested. Her brain tried to imagine the most painful and excruciating way that she and Motoko would be able to do with this perverted man. He's dead… or will be soon, as she fervently hoped.

 

“The gods didn't declare it,” Keitaro replied softly. “My grandmother did.”

 

“Then face me!” Motoko suddenly declared, standing up, fingering the hilt of her sword. “I will never allow a male to run this girl's dormitory! It is morally wrong! If you can best me in combat, then I will allow you, grudgingly… but if I win, I shall take those papers off you, and ceremoniously eject you from the grounds.”

 

Keitaro blinked, and briefly wondered if he'd accept such a moronic deal. There was no way he'd allow himself to be beaten, but he's got his identity to think about. A ninja's fight is with the use of confusion and theatrics… but even then, he knows he wouldn't be able to fool this young woman in defeating her as a `fluke'. And if he pretended to lose… well, he'd have failed his mission on keeping his faux job. He sighed again.

 

Su was present, but she was quiet, watching the proceedings. Kitsune seemed to be more interested in him now than what was going on, judging by her quick looks and quick away look. Shinobu was with Nina, who had arrived minutes after Motoko, and proceeded to be dragged everywhere again. Naru was smiling at him.

 

“I won't accept your conditions,” Keitaro said evenly.

 

“Why, Keitaro, afraid?” Naru sneered.

 

“No… because this is my grandmother's belonging, and she has given it to me, showing she has faith in my abilities to run and keep her properties,” Keitaro replied, now his mind finding a very good and valid excuse. “If I were to put it on a duel, I might as well have kicked myself out. She trusts me enough to give this building to me, and I'll be responsible enough to keep it standing with my own hands. I'm sorry, Aoyama-san… but this isn't some petty belonging title that I have. It's my family's legacy as well.” Standing up, Keitaro gave a bow. “I will leave now. If you want, we can discuss this further… but on another day.”

 

Keitaro quickly retreated, and a small smile appeared on both Kitsune and Su's face, while frowns were grown in Motoko and Naru's face. Without another word, Kitsune opted to leave, saying she wanted to have another drink, and left the three. Su proceeded to hug the swordswoman and asked her how the camp went. Looks like everything is fine for now.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Keitaro's Room

 

Kitsune lied… she didn't want to go up her room to have a drink, she wanted to see him again. Knocking first, she identified herself before she slid inside slowly. Keitaro smiled at her, causing her to blush a bit, but nevertheless, being the foxy woman she was, smiled back flirtatiously. “Well, well, handsome,” Kitsune smiled. “Looks like you escaped that one.”

 

“You're telling me?” Keitaro smiled a bit. “I'm just glad she didn't try to cut my head off when I bowed.”

 

“Nah… she might hate males, but is still a samurai,” Kitsune nodded to herself. “She's got this whole honor thing, though at times, she makes her own honor system… I heard that she sliced this guy's boken in 5 separate pieces just to make a point. The guy didn't even stand a chance.”

 

“How long have you known her?” Keitaro asked.

 

“Hmmm… she moved in just recently, but we knew her from her reputation,” Kitsune replied. “Back when I was in Mahora Academy…” she paused, and then frowned.

 

Keitaro looked at her, and gently nudged her. “Hey, Kitsune, what's wrong?”

 

“Nothing… just… bad memories,” she said softly.

 

“Does it have to do with you apologizing earlier?” Keitaro asked. “Or how you think I thought so lowly of you?”

 

Kitsune just quieted down, and after a moment, gave a smile so fake that Keitaro had to wince at the attempt. “You know what, I'm rather thirsty for sake… sorry for bothering you like this Keitaro…”

 

Before she could exit, Keitaro closed his eyes, and said, “You were accused of being one… weren't you?”

 

Kitsune's legs stopped working as he spoke. Her eyes were closed, but her mouth was grimacing. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

 

“You were called a harlot… or something close,” Keitaro walked towards the door, and barred her way out. “When you were young… you may have gotten a bit overzealous like last night, and slept with a boy you were attracted to. Then, somewhere down the road… you were called that. I can imagine what would happen next. The guys lining up behind you… the girls alienating you… hell, I don't even want to imagine about your parents.”

 

Kitsune glared at him for a moment. “You're just being a good guy… You're just saying all those to sleep with me again, aren't you? You want to sleep with me again, don't you?”

 

Keitaro chuckled. “Sleep with you again? Of course I want to! You're an attractive 18 year old woman with a flirty yet very passionate personality. Last night's escapades were something I'd remember… so yeah, of course I want experience that again. But I'm not going to smooth talk into you like this… well… I might, but at your state, you'd look like you'd burst in tears instead of moans when I'll try to kiss your lips.” Keitaro slowly approached her. He gave a soft sigh. “Look… you are not a harlot… or whatever they called you when you were young. Just a free spirited woman with the tendency to be forceful to get what you want.”

 

Kitsune stared at him for a moment, but didn't reply. After a while, she gave a soft sigh herself. “You're wrong you know…”

 

“About what?” Keitaro asked.

 

“I'm not 18. I'm 20. Sorry to break it to you like this…”

 

Keitaro just laughed softly. “Even if you're as old as my aunt, it wouldn't really matter.” Kitsune had to laugh at that, and slowly relaxed now. She wondered briefly if she'd take a chance and kiss him again. She also wondered where the handcuffs were. New devilish ideas were forming in her mind that made her smirk. She shook her head. Bad thoughts were reserved only at night. Hell, if she wanted to, she'd go and force him down. Right now.

 

“URASHIMA!” Motoko's voice suddenly shouted from outside the room. The door slid open and it revealed the swordswoman holding another sword. Kitsune groaned silently, thanking her self control. What would Motoko have done if she saw her and Keitaro on the floor, close to making out like bunnies? “We duel. NOW!”

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Moments ago…

 

Su finally let go of her hug, and began to run around again, leaving Naru and Motoko alone. The black haired young woman looked at Naru, and asked, “Naru-sempai… what are your thoughts on this?”

 

Naru didn't need time to think about it. “I want him to go. He's been nothing but absolute trouble ever since he came in. Did you know what he did?”

 

Motoko shook her head. “No… Why? What did that male do?”

 

“First he peeks into me as I bathed in the hot springs,” Naru counted 1 on her finger. “Second, he goes around insulting my sexuality. Third, he puts wrong ideas into Shinobu's head… and… I think he assaulted Kitsune.” Naru finished her sentence off, only to see Motoko scamper off. A small smile finds itself on her lips. Now this will look fun.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Present time…

 

Motoko threw her extra sword at Keitaro, who grabbed it without thinking. Then… realizing what he just did, he slowly lowered the blade, only to hear Motoko growl silently. “You best keep that blade, Urashima. I'll drive you out whether you are armed or unarmed.”

 

Keitaro looked at Motoko for a moment, and then frowned. “Aoyama-san… you're face is flushed.”

 

“After hearing you're perverted acts on these grounds, I don't find anything wrong with my anger showing in my face!” Motoko unsheathed her sword. Her eyes glazed, and there was a slight tick on her forehead. “Raise your arms Urashima… or I will make you.”

 

Keitaro looked at her and for a moment, his expression turned neutral. Without sudden pretenses, he moved a step forward and began to approach the swordswoman. Motoko found herself a bit surprised by Keitaro's sudden boldness to approach her.

 

“You've got spine, Urashima,” she said with grudging respect. “I respect that. Now, unsheathe the blade and… wha… what are you doing?” Keitaro wasn't going near her in a tactical manner. He was going near her, literally. Taking a few steps back, she felt her face suddenly flush at his rather serious expression she found rather… handsome. “Urashima, I'm warning you… don't come near me…”

 

Kitsune watched the whole thing in silent admiration. Most of the men that see Motoko like these should be running in the opposite direction, looking about ready to cry. But here he is… Keitaro seemingly is ignoring the sword she unsheathed, and still approaching her in a way that any attack Motoko would do would most likely cut him deeply. As much as confused as Kitsune was with Keitaro's actions, she could see Motoko herself not knowing what to do.

 

“Motoko-san… drop your sword,” Keitaro said evenly.

 

“You DARE call me by my first name?” Motoko demanded, her face flushing even more. Her sword pointed at Keitaro's chest. “Take a step further and this goes to your heart!”

 

Keitaro nimbly parried the sword with his own sheathed sword and was still approaching her. Motoko suddenly seemed sluggish losing a step when Keitaro used his sheathed sword against hers. “Motoko-san… something's wrong with you.”

 

Motoko wasn't giving threats anymore. Taking a step forward, she raised her sword and shouted. With all her might, she brought her sword down, only for it to hit the sheathed sword that Keitaro was still holding. Her arm suddenly seemed to have lost control, and Keitaro capitalized on it, grabbing her sword arm, and pinning her on the wall. Kitsune's eyes were wide open now, watching the whole thing as Keitaro slowly brought his face closer to Motoko's.

 

“No… what are you…” she began to mutter weakly. “D… don't…”

 

Keitaro put his forehead on hers, and her lips moved quietly, eyes closed, unnoticed to anyone but Kitsune who suddenly felt her own cheeks flaming a bit. And it wasn't the alcohol. Meanwhile, Keitaro closed his eyes and felt her temperature. His frowned deepened. “Kitsune… help me here… Motoko-san seems to have fever… maybe a cold.” Looking at Motoko, he told her softly, “You're going to bed.”

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Motoko's Room

 

10 minutes later…

 

Motoko's face was still flushed as she was changed by Kitsune and then covered in her blanket. Keitaro just brought her here, but left it to Kitsune to dress her up. He was now looking for Shinobu for medicine and a thermometer.

 

Kitsune looked at Motoko, and frowned a bit. But, keeping to her character, she hid it with a rather teasing smile… the kind that you'll usually find when Kitsune has something on you. Thinking a moment before speaking, she began with a simple question. “Heh… looks like you were beaten badly, eh?”

 

Motoko's cheeks flushed, possibly, even darker. “I was sick, not on my top form. I was easy pickings for anyone.”

 

“Not the fight…” Kitsune stated. “He got to your heart, didn't he?”

 

“What in the gods' names are you talking about?” Motoko demanded softly.

 

“I'm talking about you falling for him,” Kitsune had a smirk on her face. “He's different from any other guys you ever met. It was the first time I've seen you backed away from any guy, and panicked every time he got nearer to you.”

 

“You must be deluded,” Motoko replied angrily.

 

“I didn't imagine your lips saying `kiss me' when he put his forehead on yours,” Kitsune countered.

 

“My lips never uttered such a thing!” Motoko stared at Kitsune. “And how about you? Why were you in his room?”

 

“And why did you go to his room?” Kitsune asked. “I thought he was rather clear earlier about not having a duel, yet you barge in as I have a nice talk with our manager, demanding for a duel, and threw a sword at him like he didn't have a choice!”

 

“Naru-sempai told me of his perverseness,” Motoko replied. “After hearing what he's done, I don't care what he feels about his title or house, or what-not.”

 

“Girl… you gotta learn not to listen to Naru all the time,” Kitsune shook her head. “She loathes him, for some reason. I think they got off with a really bad foot, and it's been getting worse ever since.”

 

“Naru-sempai said he assaulted you,” Motoko stated, silently asking a question if it's true or not. Kitsune just laughed.

 

“Me? Assaulted by him?” Maybe the other way around cause no one gets me hot and bothered, handcuff me helpless and just leave, Kitsune thought with a rather evil mental smile. “Is it me or do you both feel, think and believe I'm some sort of kindergarten girl who needs two parental hands to lead me in life?”

 

“Naru-sempai is just worried… we know your tendency to be… inappropriate,” Motoko replied.

 

“It doesn't mean I'll say yes to every boy who'll hit on me you know,” Kitsune's voice had a rather harsh tone on it. “I've had enough girls talking like that behind my back at Mahora High. I'd rather hope that my roommates don't also think like that about me, thank you very much.”

 

Motoko looked at Kitsune, and softly apologized. “I'm sorry…”

 

Kitsune looked at Motoko for a moment, and sighed. “Look… he's the owner and manager of the dorm now… and he's doing a pretty well job in putting himself in our little family. I heard he's trying to put some improvements around the springs so not to give us troubles when he also wants to use it. Shinobu and Su already accepted him… me too, because I think he's hot,” and she giggled softly. “Naru… well… she found her natural prey/predator, which leaves you.”

 

“What are you saying, Kitsune?” Motoko asked.

 

“I'm saying form your own opinion of him yourself, and not hear it from… other sources.”

 

Motoko's eyes closed. Her last thoughts were Kitsune's words, and Keitaro's eyes. Uncomfortably, she drifted to sleep.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

The keyboards were being used, tapped in fast speeds in the dark room. The plans of Hinata-sou, files on the tenants and now the new landlord caught the eyes of the computer user. She licked her lips for a moment and smiled. Everything was now on the verge of completion.

 

“Sister… I found the doorway…” a female figure said behind her.

 

“Hmmm… yes… that's all the information we needed…” the first figure said. “With all the data we gathered, we can finally bring down the barrier, assault Hinata-sou, and get the stone of our dreams.”

 

“How about the new landlord?”

 

“He's nothing but meat… meat we'll savor as we spill his blood.”

 

“Sister… I want him.”

 

They kissed each other. “No sharing?”

 

A moan. “No… I want him… I want him alone.”

 

To Be Continued…

 

A surprise assault with surprising tactics. As the mysterious enemy makes a move with now, Keitaro and Su need to defend the Hinata-sou as Motoko is still incapacitated. Next.