Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ The Love Nest ❯ The Balance Of Justice ( Chapter 19 )

The usual disclaimers apply: I do not own the licenses to Love Hina and this is not a story children should be reading.

Keitaro…Keitaro?”

“What seems to be the matter Konno-chan? You look as if you have seen a ghost.” A silky voice came from behind the bounteous busted girl.

“Tsuruko-san thank the Kami it’s you. Keitaro just called and it looks like he has been arrested. Some fool of a paramedic saw Motoko’s injuries and pressed charges against Keitaro. They are taking him to jail now.”

“I realize that you might be in a bit of a panic, but would you please give me the whole story. How was Motoko injured, and why would they take Keitaro to jail for it? Its sounds to me as if he beat her, and we both know that that is nearly impossible and highly improbable as well.”

“Apparently they were down looking over some old dojo that the will stipulated needed to be repaired. According to Keitaro, the flooring gave way and Motoko fell thru them injuring her ankles. He called the hospital and they sent an ambulance. But when they got there the paramedic swore up and down that Keitaro had attacked Motoko and he would be pressing charges against him as soon as he her got to the hospital. When he turned his back on them, Motoko hit him with one of her attacks. And now the police have Keitaro in custody for questioning.”

“Thank you. Now that I have the whole story, I can act. You will inform Haruka-sama of what is going on. You may tell her that I am handling it. When I return both Motoko and Keitaro will be with me. And after I talk to my sister to find out the details I might have the head of the individual who has caused my sister grief as well.”

With that, the tall warrior woman strode from the teahouse and disappeared into a cloud of fog. Blinking suddenly at the abilities of the swordswoman’s exit Mitsuné then dashed off to give Haruka and the others the news.

Meanwhile…

Keitaro found himself in a police cruiser headed for the local station. The officer hadn’t told him that he was under arrest he just wanted to question him about the young lady. He went thru the usual battery of questions his name, what he did for a living so on and so forth. And things were going moderately well until he told them about Motoko attacking the paramedic. Then things went downhill fast. After telling them the third time what had happened, Keitaro knew he was in trouble, deep trouble. They quickly booked him on two counts of suspicion of assault and one count of public menace. He was fingerprinted, searched for weapons and then, he was made to shower in front of an officer who then gave him a body cavity search. After all of that, to his further degradation he was tossed unceremoniously in a cell with a couple of street thugs who immediately began to home in on him as a target. All he could hope for was that he would be able to make it thru the rest of his time in jail in one piece.

As Tsuruko entered the hospital, she quickly made her way to the third floor where she knew Motoko’s room would be. After signing in at the desk she made he way to down the hall ignoring the stares she received as she made her way to where her sister was waiting for Keitaro to return. Upon entering the room she noticed that Motoko was deep in meditation.

“How is it that you are so injured that you cannot sense me entering your room sister. Is the pain so much greater than when you injured yourself trying to do that cross block when you were four?” Tsuruko asked grinning.

“I knew you were here, but what I am trying to understand is why you are here. I am also wondering where Keitaro has run off to?” Motoko replied evenly.

“It would seem that Keitaro has been placed under arrest for assaulting both you and possibly the paramedic. Now what happened? It is not like you to loose track of your surroundings to the point that you cannot tell when the floor under you is going to give way?”

“Arrested? That paramedic is nothing more than a baka. It was I that struck him, not Keitaro. He actually called me a liar to my face. He impugned my honor sister. And as for me not sensing the flooring give way…I was overwrought because of the spirit of the place. It has completely changed. It once was noble and served a proper purpose. But after it was abandoned for so long it has absorbed a dark spirit. The place isn’t evil in itself, it just want revenge being allowed to slip into nothingness. Sister I have asked Keitaro if it would be all right if you and I could purify the place again. I know that I could not do it alone. I believe that only together can we bring peace to that hallowed spot again.” Motoko said as she looked imploringly up at her older sister.

“I would be honored to assist my little sister with such a task. Now is there anything else you require or am I free to go and get Keitaro released from jail? It would not do to have an innocent take the blame for something that wasn’t his fault.”

“By all means got and get Kei-kun freed. I…I mean Keitaro. Oh, and sister there is a metal box that I landed on as I fell thru the floor. I feel it would be wise to retrieve it. It may be that the spirit of building was trying to let us know that it was there.”

“Very well Mo-chan I will retrieve the box as well. Now what did the doctor say about your ankles?” Tsuruko said smiling at her sister’s slip of the tongue.

“They are just badly sprained. They will probably be sore for about a week according to him.”

“Then I expect to you to be up and about in three days. At your level you should have avoided injury altogether. Now I will return to take you to the seaside resort after I have gotten our Kei-kun released from his unjust time in jail.”

After watching her sister’s embarrassed expression from being caught using his name in such a familiar fashion. Tsuruko strode from the room and asked to speak with the paramedics that brought her in. They were both down in the cafeteria drinking coffee. She strode up to the table and immediately smashed it to smithereens.

“Which of you two bakas is it that charged my sisters fiancé with assault?”

One of them quickly backed up and pointed at his partner.

“If he has suffered any discomfort because of you know this. My sister and I both highly treasure our honor. Moreover, any damage done to our honor must be repaid tenfold. If he has suffered any slight or injury it will be you that will have to repay.” With that, she left the two stunned and terrified men to ponder her meaning.

Her trip to the police station was quite uneventful. But upon arriving at the station Tsuruko quickly removed her family sword from its sheath. Walking into the station, she approached the desk clerk and rang the bell notifying him that she was there.

“I wish to see to the release of one Urashima, Keitaro.”

“I don’t think that will be happening considering the fact that he beat up a woman and the paramedic when he was told he would be placed under arrest. The only thing we find hard to believe is that he stuck around to be charged. He must not be to bright Hehehe.” The officer replied with a snigger. That snigger was cut short when he found the blade that had not half a second ago been resting on his desk being held lightly against his throat.

“Speak thusly about him again and they will not find enough of you to identify. Know this I am Aoyama, Tsuruko, and that man is innocent. I have just spoken with my sister and she has sworn to me on her life as a Shinmei-ryu warrior that what you have told me is a lie. Now you will summon your superior that has been assigned to the case…Immediately!”

He quickly buzzed for his lieutenant and asked that she please remove her blade from beneath his chin. He didn’t dare breath wrong until she had returned it to its sheath.

She stood there as stoic as ever until a man and woman walked out of a pair of double doors to her right. As she stood to face them squarely she noticed that both of them had there hands on their respective sidearm’s.

“Where are you keeping my sisters fiancé? I insist that you bring him out at once.”

“Now listen here. I do not know who you think you are but we do not take well to people threatening officers. And that man who clobbered you sister… why would you care what becomes of him? Now why don’t you just go back to the hospital and allow your sister to recuperate away from her bully of a boyfriend. It’s not as if this is the first time he has clobbered someone I bet.” The female of the pair stated.

“If you had any brains...either of you. The first thing you would have investigated was the crime scene. I am sure that you will find that everything is just as my sister said it was…an accident. Now unless you want to feel the legal wrath of the combined families of Urashima and Aoyama I would release him this instant.”


“I don’t…” began the female detective again.

“Did you just say Urashima and Aoyama miss...?” interrupted the male blanching.

“Tsuruko and yes I did. Just to prove it I have sent for the lawyers from both families. If you have been as incompetent as I think you have been you can expect lawsuits from both families soon.”

“How would you like us to go about this? The paramedic swore to us that she had been beaten considering her injuries. In fact, he has testified many times in other cases. We had no reason to doubt him this time. I mean… why would he lie about something so serious?”

“I do not know, nor do I care. Al I care about is my sister’s happiness. And you are intruding on that. As to the second part, why did you not investigate the dojo as per your duties? It would seem to me that in a case as serious as assault you would look at everything that was said. It seems to me that you have overlooked several steps in your investigation. Taking the word of a previously adept paramedic without investigation seems a bit lax to me.”

Suddenly the entryway to the station blew open and Mr. Kasagawa came thundering towards them. He turned first to Tsuruko and bowed.

“Thank you for notifying me of this how is your sister?”

“She will be fine in two or three days. These fools think that Keitaro Urashima was to blame for the injuries caused to her when she fell thru the dojo floor. Some of them insist that he assaulted her somehow.”

“She actually went into that old relic! That place hasn’t seen the light of day for almost a hundred years. I am surprised it didn’t collapse right away.”

The he turned to gaze at the two dumbfounded detectives.

“On what information are you arresting my client? You do realize that he is the soul heir to his grandmother’s fortune, and therefore me. Moreover, as his attorney I suggest we all take a ride so that you can see this wreck his grandmother instructed him to restore. On the other hand, I can just levy a lawsuit against you here and now. You may take the chance if you wish. But after I am thru with you, you will be lucky to cleaning toilets at the downtown station.”

“Very well we will all go down and see this…dojo is it. And if there isn’t enough evidence we will release him. If not he will be placed back within his cell…where he truly belongs.” The female detective said sourly.

“Your attitude will be your undoing one day detective.” Tsuruko replied to her blandly now I want to go and see him released. “So, shall I follow you?”

“If you insist.” With that, the female detective led the way to the holding cells. After swiping her security card, she led the way down a row of cells. They found him in the next to last one and he was in trouble.

The two thugs had him backed into a corner and were taking great joy in slapping him around. First one would slap him then shake him up and then the other would take his turn. Their fun came to an abrupt halt when Tsuruko saw what they were doing and unsheathed her sword.

“BONE CRUSHING BLADE!”

When the force of her attack hit it sent the two goons flying into opposite walls. They bounced off those walls with such force that they collided again in the center of the cell, unconscious.

“I am sorry Urashima-sama that I was not here sooner but I was held up by this incompetent bureaucrat.” Tsuruko stated flatly, as she pointed at the detective. “They insist on us showing them the place Motoko fell thru the floorboards. After that we will collect Motoko and join the others at the seaside resort.”

“It’s ok Tsuruko-san. I’m just glad that you showed up when you did. Those two were looking forward to using me for a punching bag for a long time to come…and some other things I would rather not mention.”

“I do not think they will be trying that ever again…with anybody. The technique I just used causes certain blood vessels to constrict, permanently. They will find that even trying to make a fist will be highly…uncomfortable at best, as for the rest, they may require surgery just to use the restroom.”

“Let’s just get out of here!” the detective griped as she flipped her hair back. “It’s bad enough we are going to traipse down to his ‘apartments’ to see a hole in the floor your sister ‘fell’ thru. Now I have to send these two worthless slimeballs to the hospital to see just what you have done to them. I hope you know that if they are permanently injured you will have to serve time. I am the law here, not you. And when my prisoners abuse one another it is my job…NOT yours to dispense justice.”

“You have my apologies for that then. But know this, I have never stood by in my life and allowed anyone to harm an innocent. It is my duty as the head of my family and a Shinmei-ryu warrior to see that people like my sister’s betrothed are protected.”

“Yeah, yeah no need for dramatics. This is a jail, not a movie set let’s go.”

With that, she placed handcuffs on Keitaro’s already sore wrists and led the way back out to the lobby where Keitaro’s lawyer and the other detective waited.

With Keitaro in the police car and Tsuruko riding with Mr. Kasagawa, they made their way to the Hinata apartments. Once there they all go out and began making there way up the steps towards the apartments.

“It’s hard to believe that you were able to carry the young lady all the way down these steps baby fashion Mr. Urashima. And from what the young lady told my partner you also carried her from the other building as well.”

“It was easy. It’s always easy to take care of my girls.”

“Your girls, huh? What do you mean your girls?”

“Well…I’ve been with them for so long that the young ladies who rented from my grandmother when she was alive, I think of as my girls. About five or six years ago, my grandmother brought me in to help manage the place while she went on a spiritual journey of sorts. So I worked as apartment manager here while I was studying to get into Todai.”

“And so for all of this time you have managed this place as a girl’s dorm and now you have finally grown tired of waiting for them to put out, is that right?” The female detective muttered.

“It’s nothing like that.” Keitaro stammered. “The girls are my friends. They are the most loyal and honest people I have ever known. I would do anything to help them. They deserve better than I can give them here. One thing is for certain I would never want to see any of them hurt the way Motoko was earlier.”

“I have born witness to your actions for more than five years Keitaro-sama. If there is anyone who has earned the right to a little happiness it is you. These incompetent detectives…Do for give me I seem to have forgotten my manners. What are your names anyway?” Tsuruko said smiling at the two officers as if they were small children.

“Mine name…is senior detective Hino. My partners name is junior detective Makinata. You would do well to remember your manners. It is within my jurisdiction to place you under arrest for what you did back at the station. And as soon as we have proven to you that this young…man did to your sister I just might.” The female detective replied.

“I doubt not that you would attempt such a thing. What I seriously doubt is your ability to accomplish such a feat. Detective Makinata, I have noticed that you have kept fairly quiet since we have arrived here, might I ask why?”

“Many apologies Ms. Aoyama-sama, but as I am a student of history, it seems to me that you are aiding one of your family’s oldest rivals. According to some texts, you were often at each other’s throats during the shogun era. And during the empire wars your families often fought on opposite sides. Yet here you are aiding your archrival if you will.”

“The answer is very simple. During the last world war, both of our families realized the futility of taking on the might of the American military. We were both heavily engaged in helping people avoid military service in a futile war. Both of our clans were investigated for high treason. It was then that the heads of our clans surmised that they could easily survive the then emperor’s stupidity, if they were to work together. Since that time, it has become a tradition for one member of each family to live with, or near, the other. Before my little sister moved to the Hinata, his cousin Haruka spent time in Kyoto with my family. In fact, my grandmother and his grandmother were the first to do this. They switched places to keep the peace and restore harmony between the two long time enemies. That is how he and my sister actually met. That is why they are engaged to be married. They are the first link to join our two families into a mighty unit. We Aoyama developed techniques with the blade, and the Urashima, with their bodies. When the two classes are combined, it will make the ancient samurai seem like movie actors.”

“That doesn’t excuse his actions so the wedding might never even happen. Now where is this, so-called dojo of yours? I need to go home, and my prisoner needs to be back in his cell. “

At this, everyone stared at Keitaro. When he realized that they were asking him, he finally spit out. “It’s about a fifteen to twenty minute walk from here. It way back of the hot springs, and next to some raspberry brambles.”

“Let’s try to make it before then, shall we Keitaro-sama. My sister is rather impatient that you return to her side. And the longer we take the more impatient she will become.”

With that, Tsuruko led the way. Her pace didn’t seem very fast, but inside of eleven minutes they stood outside of the gray hulk that used to be the Urashima dojo.

The two detectives stared in disbelief. Before them lay a traditional dojo. The only thing that they could really tell about the place is that it looked like it would cave in at any moment. They both walked up to the entryway and peeked inside but it was so late in the day that they couldn’t see anything. They were both about to turn and leave when Mr. Kasagawa switched on a pocket flashlight and illuminated the interior of the building for them. They stared dumbfounded at the rotted flooring and the hole that Motoko ha fallen thru earlier. Then detective Makinata took the flashlight a made his way over to the hole and peered down into it. He was soon joined by Tsuruko who knelt by his side.

“It seems to me that my sister was telling the truth after all.” Tsuruko stated bluntly. “And if you would like to check this red fabric that is caught along the edge of the wood here you will find that it matches her torn hakama. In addition, that metal box seems to have a recent indentation from where someone struck it. Probably my sister as she told me she landed on a metal box. Now if you will assist me I will be taking this box out of here to see just what was hidden within it.” With that, she reached down, grasped the large box by a handle on its side, and began to lift it out. It wasn’t until she had it half the way thru the hole that the detective came out of his trance and assisted her in drawing it up. As soon as she had it thru the wreckage of the floor she stood up and deftly flung it over one shoulder and strode from the building with the detective hot on her heals.

“Now that my sister’s story has been proven a fact, Release Keitaro…Now!” Tsuruko barked.

Detective Hino looked as if she would have liked to argue the point but her partner simply took the keys to the handcuffs from her and freed Keitaro’s wrists. Then he mumbled a quick apology and grabbed his partners arm and pulled her from the property.

“Well Keitaro my boy you, certainly seem to lead a charmed life. Is there anything else I can do for you this evening?” Mr. Kasagawa asked grinning.

“Yes if you don’t mind I would like it if you would take us to pick up my sister and then bring us back here. We were do at the Hinata seaside resort earlier this evening, but I feel that it is too late to travel tonight.” Tsuruko asked as she flipped open her cell phone. After dialing a number, they overheard her say. “Yes, yes it’s me. He is fine. We are going to pick up Motoko now. I will deliver the two of them tomorrow. Yes, it’s too late to travel there this evening. I am sure I can see to them getting a good meal, you can inform Shinobu of that. Very well, good night Mutsumi.”

They quickly made it back to the lawyer’s car and headed straight for the hospital. The first person to spot them was the paramedic that had accused Keitaro of assaulting Motoko. Nether individual was surprised when Tsuruko drew her bokkan and waved it in his direction, and only the poor paramedic was surprised when he suddenly found himself flying down the hall…backwards.

When they got to the third floor they heard a commotion going on and upon turning a corner saw Motoko being gently restrained by a couple of orderlies. When she spied Keitaro, she bound past the two stunned men to wrap her arms around Keitaro’s neck muttering repeatedly how worried she was for him.

As for Keitaro, all he could do was hang on to his favorite warrior, as tears of joy ran down his face.

After they arranged to have Motoko released from the hospital, then after their meal he drove Mr. Kasagawa insisted that he pay for their dinners and took them out to a very nice restaurant. After their meal, he dropped them off at the Hinata, and bid them good night.

Motoko wanted to climb the long staircase by herself but was caught off guard when Keitaro swept her into his arms and once again started carrying her baby fashion up towards the apartments. She started to complain about it, wondering how her sister would react to her lack of pride at being toted so intimately by the man she loved. But seeing the smile on her sisters face changed her mind and she snuggled her face into his neck and just enjoyed it.

Once inside Keitaro deposited Motoko gently on the couch and then went into the kitchen to make tea for everyone. As he waited for the tea to heat, het stood there wondering once again at his luck.

“Is there a problem Keitaro-sama?”

“I am sorry Tsuruko-sama for ignoring you but I am just thinking about something all of the girls told me the other day. I was also wondering if today is any indication of what troubles I can expect because of that decision. I was wondering just what I am going to have to do to keep them all happy.”

“You mean their decision to share you, don’t you?”

“Wha…” Keitaro started to stammer but was cut off when Tsuruko raised her delicate hand.

“My sister and I might speak to one another in a very formal manner Keitaro but we are still very close. And we are close again because of you. My sister has explained the whole thing to me. She also told me about all of the times she had attacked you because of some accident or another. The fact that you not only survived her attacks, but grew stronger after each one tells me a lot about your character. You also never held a grudge against her because of those attacks, if fact she told me you always forgave her instantly afterward. Now I think the water is ready. In addition, today’s balance of justice has been restored. So let us go in and drink our tea and then you will help me put Motoko to bed and then we will see what adventures tomorrow brings us, yes?”

“O.k. Tsuruko, and thank you again for all of your help.”

With that, the older samurai woman and the slightly younger man walked into the sitting room to rejoin Motoko for tea.