Love Hina - Nijuuhachi Hi Ato

Chapter 02

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~~~ Hinata-sou ~~~

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43 minutes later

On the motorway

Their car was speeding past abandoned towns and flaming wrecks of the other unluckier cars, buses amongst others. Keitaro could barely keep his eyes on the road; he could never imagine a time when Japan would deteriorate to this state.

"This is awful… All those people…" He had begun to realise the human cost of the virus.

Motoko, now in her seat since they were no longer in a built up area, was looking down, her fringe overhanging her bandanna.

"Why are going back to Hinata-sou?" She asked, quietly with a hint of nervousness.

"Why?!" Keitaro answered. That was harsh. He reverted to his usual tone and sighed, "To find everyone else, to get out of here."

"Didn't I tell you?!" She stabbed back, "They all left! I was the last one there!"

"Not everyone…" He stated with confidence, "There is one person I know who wouldn't leave Hinata-sou."

"Who?" Motoko asked, not anticipating his reply in any way.

His eyes became sadder, "Haruka-obasan…"

Motoko leaned back, the shock coming to her gently, and faced the road once again. Haruka-san… That's right, I don't remember her leaving… Why did she stay there?

At that moment

On the side of the road

As the car continued along the deserted highway, both passengers were unaware of a lone figure watching them from afar. Hidden in the blackness of a burned out tank of a petrol truck that was lying on its side, the figure smirked. Eyes the colour of tree bark tracked their movement, as a slicing wind momentarily obscured them with a lock of melancholic purple hair. The person spoke.

"I found you." The voice sounded eager and almost… hungry.

Instantly, two Infected got up from inside two other cars that had not been burned and were panting to catch the person, who calmly walked out of the tank. Turning to them, the distinct visage of insanity could be seen, piercing white eyes and a deranged form of a smile on its face. As the Infected jumped at the person from both sides, the figure ducked, crossing arms at the same time so they were now across the person's chest. The Infected landed behind her, still on their feet. Standing up, the person had its eyes closed, the arms limp against its side, a blood red aura visible around the hands, flickering black before vanishing completely.

The person walked forwards as the Infected screeched before their heads fell from their necks. Blood sprayed everywhere, save for the figure, who picked up a bag from within the tanker, removing a small object and throwing it at the cars from which the Infected came from. A second later the cars exploded, sending one of the cars up in the air and lighting up the area for miles around with smoke and subsequent explosions from petrol igniting. A dozen Infected, attracted by the loud noise, scrambled to get there, seeing the solitary figure standing they all surged towards it.

The fire finally drew light to the perpetual shadow on the person's face, despite the sun above the person. A hand covering the face could not hide the glee the girl found at the sight of more Infected running to her. Running a hand through her thin hair, a solitary lock stood straight up, immediately bending a meagre amount in the middle. The aura around her hands fired up again, burning with more fervour now. Her face was intoxicated by delight, her iris' the size of pinheads. She started to laugh in a psychotic fashion.

"I found you!" She said, running at the group of Infected, "I found you, oniisan!" She screamed before jumping into the attackers.

Meanwhile

Several miles down the motorway

"Bless you." Motoko said, handing Keitaro a tissue.

"Thank you Motoko-chan." He accepted it, blowing his nose roughly.

"How long till we reach there?" The kendo warrior asked, looking up at the darkening sky, the clouds becoming redder by the minute.

"I'm not sure, I've never driven there myself…" Keitaro made a quick mental calculation, "Around an hour and a half I guess, why?"

"We must not get caught outside in the dark." She became grim, "They still have the same reflexes and from what my experiences told me, they can see better at night…" her voice trailed away towards the end of her words, the memories opening again.

Three days ago

1:31am

Hinata-sou to Tokyo Central railway

"Curse this tunnel, why did I go in here?" Motoko whispered under her breath. Echoing behind her were the familiar but still nightmare-inducing screeches. Grabbing her familiar katana she ran forwards deeper into the darkness as the screeches grew in volume behind her. Stopping, she faced her invisible opponents in a defensive stance. The sounds of scraping, feet shuffling and footsteps were getting more desperate and louder. Trying to sense ki in the Infected she failed to find any, so she took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, focusing on the sounds, she began to launch her projectile attacks on the darkness, hitting every one of the Infected, killing them instantly. A small spray of blood landed on her arm.

Waiting until silence dominated once again, she disgustedly tore her sleeve off, throwing it to one side, doing the same to the other sleeve. These are holding me back, I can't move as freely as I want. Tearing at her hakama, she made it so that her feet could be seen. Running is necessary now; I must not trip on this… A clang in the direction she was heading alerted her, the tunnel being brighter in that direction for some reason. Wrapping up her arms in bandages quietly, to stop blood from reaching her skin, she kept her head pointed in that direction.

When she though she was ready, she picked up her bag and walked off towards there, the light coming closer. What she saw shocked her. Fires were burning; there was a derailment, from what she could tell there were at least five carriages, all tilting to one side. Stepping forwards cautiously, a metal panel from the wall fell down, making a resounding clang reverberate through the tunnel. No… Not now… I need rest… The screeches were heard again, this time dozens, coming from the carriages and from the direction in which she came. Shadows flickered behind the windows, as rushing footsteps became a stampede. The sound scared her, the shadows became threatening, and more frightening than the darkness she was used to. The screeches were very loud, the tunnel enhancing their volume.

Screaming, Motoko drew back her sword and brought it down in front of her time and time again.

Present Day

"…oko-chan… Motoko-chan…"

Coming back into reality Motoko looked at Keitaro, who had a concerned look on his face while keeping a close eye on the road.

"What happened? You went quiet for a few minutes…" He turned to the road again, "Are you okay?"

"I… I'm fine!" She retorted, angling her face away from him, a blush passing over her features in a second.

Not convinced, Keitaro looked into the left wing mirror, and was able to see tears cascading across her cheeks. She must have been through a lot to get to me… I wonder what happened… He looked up as the sun continued to depart from the sky slowly.

Motoko shuddered. Please be there on time…

An hour later

Hinata-sou

"Quickly!" Motoko opened the car door. "Let's get in the Tea Shop!"

They were parked at the base of the stairs leading up to Hinata-sou. Keitaro had just managed to open his door when the sound of screeches were heard. Panicked he fell over in a rush to move.

"Hurry!" Motoko ran to him and dragged him onto his feet, half carrying him up the few stairs to the Tea Shop, passing by the bodies of the Infected.

Annoyed by his dead-weight, she shoved him to one side, making him land on the porch of the Tea Shop. Facing the two Infected running at the stairs, she launched two ki attacks at them. They were struck down before setting foot on the first step and were immediately sliced into countless pieces, dying without a sound apart from the falling lumps of flesh.

Keitaro sat stunned by her actions. This is what Motoko-chan is like when she's serious?! It's nothing like what I'm usually hit with… Looking at her again she walked to him.

"Why are you staring at me Urashima? You had better not be thinking impure things about me…"

"No!" He exclaimed, "It's nothing like that! You just seem so different when fighting them…"

Her hand twitched as she sheathed her katana. "It is because I have to create killing ki. The only way that is done is by shedding my emotions, to not think of the consequences of killing. Sympathy for those you try to kill will hinder any attack I make…"

"I see…" Keitaro understood. But… What was she doing to me in Hinata-sou? To scare me…? He tried to stand up, only to feel an arm looping under his shoulder, helping him to his feet. He looked to Motoko and blushed, "Th… Thank you…" He put his hand behind his head and sighed pathetically, "I must be a burden to you…"

She gave him a stern look, but he couldn't recognise any of the usual anger in them, but an unfamiliar empathy in them. Looking away indignantly and closing her eyes, she spoke. "I am merely a paying inhabitant of Hinata-sou. I am looking out for my manager. Nothing more." She looked up to the Tea Shop, the windows were barricaded from inside, but the glass outside was broken. "Are you sure Haruka-san is here?"

Keitaro nodded, "Let's try at least." He rapped on the door, "Haruka-obasan! It's Keitaro! Are you here?"

The shuffling of feet, a 'snickt' followed by a 'ka-chink' and the unlocking of several latches could be heard. Silence followed. Warily Keitaro put his hand on the handle and slowly edged the door open; it was stiff from lack of use. Pitch-blackness, except for a small red glow in front of him the glow came closer, in time with footsteps. Backing away he was surprised to see an arm outstretched, a custom-made Desert Eagle pistol, completely black save for white markings to illustrate specific edges. Surely enough, the enigmatic Haruka moved out into the dusk-light, cigarette burning away between her lips. Shifting her eyes from side to side, she sighed, smoke seeping out of her mouth, and she smiled at Keitaro.

"Welcome back nephew." *crunch* "And it's Haruka-san." She scolded neutrally.

"Wh… Why?" Said a grounded Keitaro; hand jerking involuntarily at thin air as a bump grew on his head from the pistol impact.

Looking him a moment longer, Haruka focused on Motoko, holstering her pistol into a convenient loop on her belt, "How are you? You seem tired…"

"Yes Haruka-san, I've been walking for five days to look for Keitaro. In the end we drove back." She was pleased to have another friendly figure to talk to.

"So why did you come back here?" Haruka asked, sounding bemused.

"I want to find everyone and get them out of here…" Keitaro replied, standing up and leaning on his crutch, "Starting with you Haruka-obaOOF." A fist was embedded in his mouth, "… Mawuka-han."

She withdrew the fist, "Why do you care so much for me? I can live by myself." She sighed, "You're too caring, you know that?"

"B… But… You were always there for me when I was young…" He looked down, "You took care of me when my parents were away…"

Haruka faltered, her face cracking at the seams, remembering the feelings she had then.

"Don't cry Keitaro, it's only a small cut. You should watch where you're going next time! … No there aren't any scary monsters under your futon. Fine then! I'll read you a story… Why are you covered in sand? Come on, let's go in the hot springs together…"

Turning her head away her face only became slightly pink, her eyes watering an insignificant amount. "I… I know Keitaro…" She faced him again, her neutral visage once more plastered over her emotions, "I worry for you. You shouldn't put yourself through such strain." She looked down, her long fringe covering her eyes, "I'm not worth saving…"

"You're wrong Haruka…-san." She looked up, that was the first time he called her that. "You're very important to me! Though I can't remember things as well as I'd like to, I knew you always made me happy!" He smiled at her, "I'm sure you make others happy also. Isn't that a reason enough?"

Haruka softened, before becoming alert to the far sounds of screeches. "Quickly, get inside!" She beckoned to the two of them. They did as she said and went upstairs.

"Haruka-san," Motoko began, "It's very dark in here, is it because…"

"Yes." Haruka murmured, "The Infected are attracted to any form of movement and sounds, even light or candle flame. Going to the toilet is a dangerous thing nowadays." She turned on a tiny, battery-operated desk lamp in the centre of the room. "That's why the windows are boarded up." She turned to her nephew, "Keitaro, you can't go anywhere alone in case they see you. You're not like Motoko-chan who can defend herself if need be."

"No!" He retorted, "I can fight using Hina-obaachan's sword!"

"And where is that?" She asked in a sarcastic manner.

"It's… in… my room…" He answered, knowing what that meant. He looked off to the direction of Hinata-sou. "Are they in there?"

Haruka shrugged, "I'm not sure, but they would've scoured this city of people, Hinata-sou is one of the first places they'd visit."

"I'm not going to be helpless! I want to be able to defend myself!" He spoke, surprisingly wanting to prove a point.

Haruka sighed, "Fine then, go. On two conditions, firstly you go with Motoko-chan, while you might be able to fight them after, before you won't, so you protect him Motoko-chan." She concentrated her gaze on the swordswoman. "Secondly, get back here before night comes. It's already late, and the Infected get more active at this time, I don't know why. I hope it's clear why I don't want either of you to be out late. I know you must have gone through a few incidents yourself Motoko-chan, but I know what they're like for longer, I don't want you to see them like this."

"O… Okay then!" He turned to his companion, "Let's go Motoko-chan!" He grabbed onto her hand without thinking, making her blush. He blushed more than her when he realised his mistake. She was about to hit him with her katana before Haruka moved between them.

"I can't let you make any sound above a certain level." She said calmly, moving the edge of the blade away from Keitaro, "Hitting him now will do us more harm than good."

Motoko jerked her head away, and silently sealed away the exposed blade into the sheath. "Let's go then."

"Here, " Haruka began, "Go this way." She moved a book from the bookshelf and pressed a button behind it, opening a door in the chimney column. "The front entrance is too exposed. This way you get in Hinata-sou without being seen by the Infected."

"Th… Thank you Haruka…-san." Keitaro gasped, never realising something like that was hidden there.

The two walked in and climbed down the ladder into the foreboding tunnel beneath.

Five minutes later

Hinata-sou

Floorboards were smashed, cupboards turned over, and the windows were long broken. A piece of the wall cracked, and an opening appeared. Cautiously two figures walked out into the empty corridor.

"Which floor are we on?" Keitaro asked.

"I'm not sure." Motoko replied honestly, "We walked up so many stairs I've lost count and my bearings." She grew red at the close proximity needed to whisper to one another, but the darkness hid her face much to her gratitude.

Pointing left they experimentally tried that direction, stepping on the boards they knew creaked the least, nearest the wall.

I can't believe this is Hinata-sou… Keitaro thought. All its life has gone… Where did everyone go? He stopped in his tracks as Motoko held an arm out.

"We're on the second floor, this is Naru-sempai's room" Motoko said in hushed tones.

Keitaro looked at the door and saw that she was right, a familiar note was left on the doorframe stating 'Studying - Do not disturb' in her handwriting.

"Let's go in." Keitaro said, walking forwards and reaching for the door handle.

"Wait!" Motoko broke her voice a bit louder than she wanted.

As Keitaro slid the door open, a slouching figure stood up and screeched, causing the two to cover their ears. Dull thuds below could be heard as what was undoubtedly a horde of Infected rushing up the stairs. Screaming, it lunged at him, he ducked, screaming for his life, though he was only met with light splashes on his back as Motoko roughly cut through the Infected. She ran into the room dragging him with her.

"Come on! We've got to move, NOW!" She shouted.

Looking around the room she saw the familiar board that kept the manager and tenant apart, without a Liddo-kun on it this time. Moving it aside she looked down and could not see anyone.

"Quickly!" She beckoned, only to see Keitaro sitting there in shock, looking at his bloody hands. She exposed some of the blade, "Did any get in your mouth?"

"N… No…" He looked to the body but in the fading light he could tell it was a girl, and there was a haunting antenna bouncing gently above the rest of the hair. He moved closer.

"Urashima! MOVE!" She forced him away from the creeping blood. She pushed him to the hole and then made him go down.

"Na… Narusegawa…" He stammered as only his head and arms were above the floor level.

Motoko stopped and looked at the body, now completely in shadow. She turned back to him, "That wasn't her. She left first when Mei-chan came to look for her. Don't worry about this now."

Keitaro lowered himself slowly, not taking his eyes off the body and landed with a small 'whumph' on his futon. Immediately, in a corner, an Infected rose up and ran to him, slashing out with its fingers.

"AAAAH!" He clambered back, and saw his cast bore four red long claw-like marks on it.

It stood up again, only to be stabbed through the heart by a katana." Sorry Urashima, I wasn't thinking properly." Removing the blade, the Infected fell to the floor. She looked gravely at the cast. "The red marks are from its fingers, not your blood, it broke through though…" She contemplated the risk and rose her katana once again. "This won't hurt, but don't move."

Keitaro merely 'meeped' in reply as she began to expertly slice away in the air, using quick slashes from left to right and along the length. Stopping, she lowered the katana and tapped the cast. It fell apart, revealing a pale leg but no skin breakage.

"Good, it did not pierce your skin and enter your blood." She peered closely at it and had a notion that something was amiss, "Urashima, stand up, and put weight on your legs.

He did so and was shocked to find that it didn't hurt. "I see." Motoko concluded, "That time of convalescence healed your bone. This is better."

Screeches above alerted them to their current situation. "Urashima, find the sword now!" She whispered.

"Y… Yes." He answered, still overwhelmed by his healed leg.

Looking to his trunk, he opened it and began throwing things out, making noise on the floorboards. Footsteps were coming from above, and moving away towards the staircase. Finally at the bottom of it all, in a wooden container lay the prize. Removing it from it holder, he held aloft the dark sheath, a red ribbon tied around the hilt with two strands flowing in the air. Sensing an unusual energy in it Motoko was about to probe it more before a crashing sound in the corridor echoed to them.

Keitaro looked around him, "I'm going to change into better clothes and get a shoe Motoko-chan, my foot would get blood on it. Hold them off for one minute." She nodded and ran outside his room. He chose a random pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and he picked a pair of trainers from his old shoebox along with a pair of socks, ignoring the screeches and screams from his doorway. Finished after one minute, he walked outside.

"I'm rea…" What lay before them was a massacre, bodies strewn across the corridor, blood spattered on the walls and ceiling. The warrior woman was kneeling and panting, using her sword as support.

"Urashima, my ki is unstable, too much killing ki weakens me after a while. It uses up a fraction of my life-force, but I've been using it very often now." She looked at him, her face red with exertion, sweat forming on her forehead, "We must go now."

Nodding, he helped Motoko to her feet and half-pulled her to her feet. Tripping, he ended up landing in another secret entrance found by Suu earlier in his corridor. They went underground, with nothing but each other to hold on to.

Ten minutes later

"If my bearings are correct, then we should be at the entrance now…" He popped his head out of the hole, only to emerge at the back, facing the doors to the abandoned inn.

Motoko looked up also, checked her surroundings and snarled, "Urashima… You…!" She drew her blade.

"Motoko-chan!" He pointed to the back of Hinata-sou, as faint outlines of advancing Infected came into view. "Quick! In here!"

He forced open the door and they ran inside, the doors shutting automatically. Weird, why did they do that? He thought. A memory flashed back to him, and he recalled a story by Haruka, about not to enter the old inn.

"Motoko-chan, we have to get out of here." He looked to the surroundings and could see no obvious doorway. The pounding behind them told them that the Infected were at the door.

"Urashima…" She panted, "It seems that we're trapped… I can't… stop them now…" She fell forwards, Keitaro stopping her, his hand across her chest. He knew he would get hit for this, but nothing happened; she had fainted.

He turned her face to him. She was unconscious, but breathing steadily, her gentle features coming through more as her feminine looks were enhanced. He made a decision there and then.

"I promise you Motoko-chan, we'll get out of this alive, I'll always be with you…"

He continued to hold her as parts of the door broke away from fists smashing through. Without warning, a strange purple lightning enveloped the two residents in a pillar of light. For a slight second, a red string was seen being attached to the little finger of both Motoko and Keitaro, vanishing immediately as the purple electricity faded. Imploding, the door gave in, and a horde of Infected surged into the cramped room. Immediately the sound of gears churning could be heard as the Infected looked around them for a source, dust began to fall from the ceiling and walls. Exploding from the floor, huge machines made from reinforced wood, two large gears grinding together each moved towards the Infected, pulling up more floorboards. Sensing those large devices as the sound, they surged to them, only to be crushed and minced into bones and blood. The first wave had been repelled amidst the carnage. The other Infected pulled back, knowing they couldn't defeat this new opponent.

Keitaro stood there stunned. Wh… What was that?! Why did those gears come up through the floor like that? A sliding sound to his right alerted him, and he saw a door open. Taking this to be his chance, he walked there carrying Motoko in his arms, the sword in its carrier on his back. It was a tiny room, and the door closed suddenly, leaving him in pitch black. Keitaro was above to force the door open again when the entire chamber moved. He had to lean against the wall to steady himself. When the door opened again, he found himself to be behind the Tea Shop. Walking out again, he saw the door was craved into a large tree, and when the door closed, the purple light sealed off any indication that there was once an entrance there.

Walking round the front he sensed the door opening and a wary Haruka looking out with two pistols. She smiled, putting out her cigarette on the floor, "Good, you're back." She looked to the unconscious girl, "Is she okay? She wasn't bitten was she?"

"No… Nothing like that!" He said as Haruka helped him carry Motoko into the shop, closing the door behind them. "She loses energy fighting them, making her ki kill or something like that…"

Haruka nodded, "I've experienced that myself, more recently since the Infected came here. I haven't felt this tired for many years now…"

Keitaro looked to Haruka with incredulity. Sometimes I wonder about her past… He looked around the room, now secure from all that was outside. "What do we do now?"

"We sleep." She stated, throwing him a rolled up futon, "Put this on the ground and lie Motoko-chan in it." She dipped a hand towel into a basin of misty water. "Put this on her head." Noting his reaction to the state of the cloth, she continued, "There's no more running water, this is all the water I have. I collect more from the roof to drink."

Accepting it he did as she said, quietly placing the futon on the ground and lying the younger girl into it. Removing her bandanna, her bangs fell more naturally against her face, moving back her fringe, he placed the damp towel on her forehead, and saw her stir in her fitful sleep. A light tapping on his shoulder made him jump; he looked back to see his aunt hand him another futon.

"We sleep in the same room, stay next to her, I'll be by the door in case anyone tries to get in."

"Okay then Haruka-san." He replied, not noticing her stopping momentarily while he was setting up his futon.

"Here." She handed him a pill, "Take this to sleep."

"Do I really need it?" He asked.

"It stops you from snoring. I'll be half awake to stop any intruders." She stated.

"Okay then…" Swallowing the pill he crept into his futon, and removed his glasses. His eyelids grew heavier by the minute, the last thing he saw being Motoko's expression change from one of a frown to another of calm.

"Good night Keitaro." Haruka whispered to her nephew, seeing him close his eyes completely.

Next Day

10:04am

Haruka, Keitaro and Motoko were sound asleep, not a sound disturbed the peace of the Tea Shop for the entire night.

Until now.

A loud rapping and pounding on the door could be heard, a second too late, Haruka woke up, realised something was wrong, and removed her pistols, aiming at the door. The latches were opened somehow, from the outside, and the door slid open, allowing light in, blinding Haruka. A care-free voice was heard.

"Aah, there you are Haruka."

As her eyes got used to the sun, she saw a hand outstretched towards her, a familiar shape and lab coat reflecting beams of light off it.

Keitaro, also woken by the sun, put his glasses on. Dumbfounded he spoke.

"Seta-san?"