Love Hina Fan Fiction ❯ Winter Rose ❯ Sixteenth Petal: Shiawase ( Chapter 15 )

Winter Rose

Sixteenth Petal: Shiawase

Love Hina is owned by Ken Akamatsu. All copyrights and legal papers are belonging to him ^_^.

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Sixteenth Petal: Shiawase

The sun rose high in the sky the following day, as Motoko was meditating silently in her room.

It was today that she and Tsuruko had agreed to settle their battle, and the sooner it wold end, the better.

Motoko pondered on how she could be able to defeat her sister. She remembered the promise she and Vincent made to each other the other day...

"Hiro-chan... never again... I promise you... I'll do... my very best... to defeat ane-ue... so we can be together..."

"And... I'll be there... to protect you..."

/Hiro-chan.../

Vincent's face became more angelic that time. He and Motoko were close enough to beyond lovers; they were soulmates. Whenever anyone would be that close to her, she would feel embarrassed flustered. But with him, it seemed... natural. She loved it... the feeling of breath tickling her ears, his touch that melted the walls of her heart, and his smile that, as if a rare bloom that blossoms only once in a year: you would long very much for it, and when it is there, it's the most beautiful thing you have laid your eyes on. Motoko knew that in order for them to be together, she had to defeat Tsuruko.

/But... can I?/

Motoko remembers that her sister was known as the "Scourge of Demons", the strongest kendoka of their clan. How was she to wain against that?

/No! I will win! I know I will.../

/Even if it is against... ane-ue.../

She was still thinking when someone knocked on her door.

"Motoko-chan, Tsuruko is waiting for you in the courtyard. Are you ready?" Keitaro's voice sounded from the other side of the door.

Motoko's eyes opened. She took her weapon, the Hina Blade Keitaro had given her, and rose up. She was about to leave the room when she noticed the pendant Vincent had given her for her birthday. She took it in her hands and opened it, viewing the picture of her first date with Vincent that Christmas Eve. She closed the pendant, wore it around her neck, and hid it under her gi. Then, she opened the door to a very serious-looking Keitaro.

"Hai. I am ready."

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"Tsuruko-san, why is the courtyard designed like this?" Naru asked Tsuruko. The courtyard was fitted with a small shrine, and seemed as if it was the place for a marriage.

Everyone was there. Vincent was playing with Nanami, Shinobu, Sara and Su, trying to get his mind off the matter. All of the others from Hinata Sou had arrived early that morning. Naru had informed them of the matter, and they were there to support Motoko and Keitaro to their full extent. Kitsune and Mutsumi were chatting with Naru, and Haruka and Seta were talking to each other, with Seta trying to give Haruka a small jewelry box that was covered in velvet cloth. When she opened it, it was a heart-shaped ruby ring. Haruka blushed at the gift.

"If Motoko and Urashima lose today, they shall exchange vows right away." Tsuruko replied.

"I see..."

Their conversation was cut short when Motoko and Keitaro had arrived. Both looked very serious, and looked very determined and confident of their victory.

"So, it is time..." Tsuruko said.

Motoko nodded. "But... if I may please do something before this battle..."

"Go ahead." Tsuruko said. "I shall wait."

Motoko walked up calmly to where Vincent and Nanami were. Vincent froze as Motoko held him, cupped his face, and drew him in for a deep kiss.

Vincent was taken aback, but he found out why Motoko had done that.

/This might be... the last time I ever feel this kiss.../ he thought. He closed his eyes, and felt her warm lips pressed on his, while one hand was tracing her cheek, and the other caressed her hair. He saw a tear roll down her left cheek, which he brushed off with his finger. He felt Motoko's arms wrap around his shoulders, not willing to let go.

But, in time, she did, first parting his lips and hers, then loosening her embrace, until her hands rested on her sides. Without another word, she turned her back on him, and stood beside Keitaro, ready to confront her sister.

Vincent just stood there, the fingers of his right hand pressed against his lips. He would shed no more tears for her. He knew that she would win... she had to win...

/But... what if she doesn't...?/ a voice inside him thought.

The kiss more painful than Motoko bidding him farewell. It was because it may be the last time he will be with her. If she loses, then, he will be damned again to loneliness. He remembers when he felt a kiss like this, about three years ago.

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"Tee-hee... Vincent... I'm... sorry... you had to see me like this..." Anne said weakly as she saw Vincent in tears by her bedside. "Please... don't cry..."

They were in the hospital, right after the doctor had apologized because he was unable to anything more for Anne.

"I... I can't help it, Anne." Vincent said. "Anne... why didn't you tell me about it? You... you lied to me, Anne... I... I... want to save you... but... I... I... feel so... so weak..." He covered his face in his hands. "Why? Why will it end like this? Why!? I don't understand! It's so unfair! Why!?" He rambled as his two hands left his face and settled on the bed .

"Vincent..." Anne said weakly, using what had remained of her feeble strength to hold Vincent right hand with her left. "I'm... sorry... I didn't... want to worry... my... best... friend..."

"Anne... please... don't leave me..." Vincent pleaded. "I... I don't know how to say this... but... Anne.. You... you've been so special... to me... I love you so much... more than a friend... and... I have a lot to share with you... please don't..."

"Vincent..." Anne said in a voice that was barely a whisper. "I... love you... too..."

Vincent's heart skipped a beat. He was overjoyed, yet overcome with depression. He wanted to share it with Anne, somehow...

He moved closer, and closer to Anne, until he could feel and hear every breath. His lips closed in on hers, and when they met, Vincent felt a surge of warmth heat up his body.

He enjoyed the kiss, but was still in deep depression that this may be the first, and the last they will share. His tears fell from his eyes and settled on Anne's face, before they slid down her now pale and lifeless cheeks. He did not want to let go, but, finally, he did. Slowly he rose, of which all the time his eyes kept focus on Anne.

"Anne... I... I'll never get over you...."

"Shhh... don't worry... My... dad... always said... `No one is made for loneliness.' I'm sure... you'll find... that one... I hope... she... takes... good care of you..."

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Vincent returned his focus on the battle, which had already begun while he was giving thought.

Motoko had decided to take the offensive, and was striking at Tsuruko with utmost precision and speed using the Hina Blade. But, Tsuruko was ready for her. She parried her blow for blow with such ease that she was smiling wickedly as she did. Motoko lunged forward, hoping to catch Tsuruko off-guard, who had kept steady and counterattacked. Motoko had almost no time to protect herself from the blow, which knocked her backward.

/She's... she's too strong.../

/NO! I can't quit! I must... I must win... no matter what.../

She began to assault Tsuruko with blasts of ki. Tsuruko countered each attack with her own, and they volleyed attacks for some time.

He heard Sara, Su and Kitsune say "Oooh" and "Aaah", clearly impressed by the fight. But, rather than delight at the display of strength, Vincent was worried about what could happen to the two. They were using real weapons, and should one of them lower her guard, she might either get severely hurt or... die.

The battle went on, but he saw that Tsuruko was clearly gaining the upper hand. She had seemed to have gone faster, and her attacks fierce and relentless. He knew Motoko was overwhelmed, and soon enough, she was barely able to parry her sister's attacks, much less launch an attack herself.

"Kei, why don't you help her?" Naru shouted to Keitaro, who was just standing there at one side of the battlefield.

"What can I do against THAT!?" Keitaro asked. "I still have a life ahead of me, and I don't want to die today, okay?"

"Hey, oniisan, catch!" Su threw Keitaro a metallic circular object.

"What's this?"

"One of my new Super Bombs! It's KABOOM is very big!" Su shouted to him.

At once, Su's `Super Bomb' emitted light. A few seconds later, it exploded in a good radius of the two fighters, sending Keitaro up into the air and forming a cloud of black smoke around the area. When the smoke cleared, they found that instead of helping Motoko, it worsened her situation. She was knocked off balance and Hina, her weapon, was flung several feet away from her. Tsuruko was still standing there, not even phased. Keitaro then landed on the ground with a hard THUD, unconscious.

Motoko found herself cornered against a cherry blossom tree, disarmed, exhausted and breathing heavily. On the other hand, she saw that her sister still in top condition, as if she was just standing there and had been doing nothing. It was as if the explosion was nothing to her.

"You've grown a bit stronger, Motoko." Tsuruko said to her quietly, as if they were not fighting. "I'm very impressed. However, you have still much to learn. I suggest we rest and continue this another day..."

"SHUT UP!" Motoko cried, still breathing heavily. "No... I... I will... win... today... I... I can't give up now..." But, even as she spoke, she felt her strength being drained away.

"Then... I guess you leave me no choice." Tsuruko sighed. "Forgive me..." Tsuruko then began to charge up a ki blast.

Motoko knew it was over. She was defeated. She fell back on the tree's trunk, closed her eyes, and waited for the blow to come.

"FUUIN NO RYU SEN!!!"

But... rather than feeling the force of a blast, She felt a strong breeze rush past her. When she opened her eyes, she could not believe what she saw.

Vincent was standing in front of her, arms outstretched, and had seemed to block Tsuruko's attack.

"Uuugh..." Vincent groaned, falling to his knees. The hit he took was a powerful one, and its force mangled the shirt he was wearing.

"Hiro-chan!!!" Motoko cried out, rushing to his side.

"... Motoko... remember... when... I... told... you... I... will... protect you?" Vincent said in a calm voice, his face obscured by his hair.. "I'm... just... keeping... my... word..." He stood up, with some difficulty, and he was facing Tsuruko. There was no kindness in his eyes, only a silent aura that emanated energy. "I... I may not know how to fight, but... I... I am strong enough... I won't let anyone hurt you... ever again."

Motoko just sat there, looking up to him. She was going to say something when they suddenly heard a cruel laugh. Looking around, she was very surprised from where it came from.

"N... Naru?" she asked weakly. "No... it isn't you... your ki..."

"Very perceptive, little girl." Naru said in an unearthly voice. It sounded like hers, but it had a really cruel hint to it. Naru brushed away the part of her hair that was covering her eyes, revealing that her right one was normal, and her left one glowed red with a dark aura. "Ah... I would like to thank your friend for releasing me from my curse. Now, I am very hungry, and your souls... they are full of vitality I see." With that, Naru brandished an item in her right hand. It was the Hina Blade.

"No... it can't be..." Vincent said. "Why would Kei..."

"Hiro-chan, what is it?"

"That sword... it's Hina, the Dark Blade. When I was still young, my dad told me about it in a story... that it bound the soul of a demon inside... who lures people into using it, and then... the demon takes over his or her body... and then uses him or her to take the ki of other persons to make it stronger."

"Accurate enough." The possessed Naru said. "Well, let the feast begin." She said as she dashed quickly toward Tsuruko, who was caught off-guard. Naru paused in front of her, and then punched her hard in the abdomen. Tsuruko cringed, and she was going to fall down on her knees if hadn't been for Naru holding her. Suddenly, to everyone's shock, Naru gave Tsuruko a kiss on the lips. Tsuruko's became wide open, before they shut slowly. After a while, Naru pulled out of the kiss, and Tsuruko fell unconscious on the ground.

"Hee hee... she was... indeed delectable." Naru smiled a dark smile, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. "Now... who's next..." her eyes began to focus on Shinobu. "How about you... little girl?"

"Stay away from her!" Motoko cried.

Naru shot a dark look at Motoko. "What are you going to do about it? You can't even be true to yourself."

Naru struck a nerve, but Motoko was unable to do anything about it. She knew that the demon was telling the truth.

Shinobu was shaking, but she was unable to move away. But, as Naru was closed on her, Vincent went in between them. "You will not touch the girl."

"And what will you do?" Naru said, smiling maliciously.

"This." Vincent rushed towards Naru, and before she could react, he gave her a kiss in the lips. At once, Vincent felt a dark prescene take over his body, which he began to feel no longer.

When he was a child, Grandma Hina would tell hims stories of the Hina Blade, which he thought of as fairy tales. One time, she told him that if a person was possessed by the demon, the demon can be take out of him of her by kissing the person on the lips, transferring the spirit from one person to another by mouth.

He knew that he had to do something. He couldn't let anyone else be harmed by the demon or harm someone because he or she was under the demon's influence. Now, all taht he needed to do was to be able to take control of his body. But, even if he did what was he to do to the demon?

Then, an idea sprang up in his mind. Yesterday, Motoko was practicing a move that was used to defeat demons without harming anyone else. It was one of the strongest and most complex moves of the Shinmei Ryu Technique. It was done by enveloping the weapon in ki so that it will strike only evil, but much ki is needed to execute it. But, she was having difficulties perfecting it. An imperfect version of that attack will still make her strike anything like a normal sword. Vincent knew it had to be the answer.

/But... what if she fails?/

/What... what will become of me...?/

/No... I trust her.../

His vision had seemed to grow dark, but he saw Naru let go of the Hina Blade, and fall to the ground. Someone was beckoning him to relax, to let it do everything. But Vincent had tried to resist. He found it very hard, as the demon thrashed his body left and right.

Everything was a whirl of color, and he was feeling pain in every part of his body as the demon caused it to ram himself against a tree. He could hear noises, but the noises were distant. He found that the demon had driven him mad... he could hear himself screaming. He could also hear Motoko screaming. He had to do something...

He struggled against the demon inside, slowly having his right hand reach his pocket. There, he pulled out the folding knife a friend of his gave to him, and with one had, flicked it open. His right hand shaking, he raised it, and plunged it against the upper part of his left arm.

Pain...

Vincent screamed in pain as he felt it in his left arm. He could hear the demon screaming too. After which, when he opened his eyes, he found that he was once again capable of moving his limbs, but something was still restricting them, like heavy weights on his body. With his eyes returning focus, he looked around. He saw Naru, Tsuruko and Keitaro were still unconscious, Shinobu had fainted and Su, Sara and Kitsune were tending to her, while Haruka and Seta were trying to revive the others who had passed out. Mutsumi, for the first time ever since he met her, was both shocked and horrified.

He took a small look at his body. He was unable to move his left arm, which meant that it may be broken. His shirt was torn and stained with his blood, and he was finding it hard to keep an even footing.

And there, in front of him, on her knees and eyes red with tears, was Motoko, sprawled beside Tsurko's unconscious form.

"Motoko-chan..." he whispered. His right hand doprred to his side, with the

"Hiro-chan? Is that really you? I'm so glad..." Motoko had found the strength to get up, and was going to run towards him.

"NO! Don't come... any closer..." Vincent thundered, making Motoko flinch. "The demon... it's still here within me... Motoko-chan... you... have to... use the... Ni no Tachi..." Vincent said, fatigue bearing down on his body. And from inside him, the demon had seemed to figure out that he was tired, and began to take over his body once again.

"But... Hiro-chan... I... I can't..." Motoko sobbed. "What if... I fail? Then you... you will..."

"I trust you, Motoko-chan..." Vincent replied. He could feel that he was losing control of himself again. "HURRY!!!"

Vincent smiled when he saw that Motoko had picked up Tsuruko's sword, stood up, and was focusing her energy while her eyes were closed. She then opened her eyes, and then began to lunge herself at Vincent, her blade shining brightly. He lost control of his whole body, but it was too late for the demon to do anything.

"HIROOOO!!!" Motoko cried out as she attacked with a horizontal slash, the force of her ki and her momentum all poured out on it.

Vincent could only see her blade flash by his body, and then he heard himself scream once again, this time the demon had emitted that scream. He felt himself falling, and hitting the ground. When he had stopped falling, he found that he had fallen. A searing pain rose from his felt arm, but the pain was much more in his chest.

"Hiro! Hiro!" He heard Motoko call. Soon, he felt his upper body being raised. It was Motoko. "I... I'm sorry! I... I failed!"

In the background, he could distinctly hear Kitsune scream, "Someone call an ambulance!"

"No..." Vincent whispered. "You... defeated a demon... your sister... will be really proud of you... I... I'm sorry..."

"Please don't leave me..." Motoko sobbed. "I... I don't want to live alone again... I want to be... with you... please..."

"I... I don't know..." Vincent whispered, laughing bitterly. "It... it might be too late for me... but... I have no regrets..."

"No, please don't talk like that!" Motoko cried. "I... I love you! Please... don't..."

Vincent felt his strength was almost gone. With what seemed to be the last of his efforts, he raised his right hand, and used it to embrace Motoko around the neck. "I... love you... and I... have found true happiness... with you..."

Vincent's vision became darker and darker. He began to feel nothing more. He knew he could not fight it. The last thing he felt was his right arm falling gracefully from Motoko. Then, he knew nothing more.

/Yes... I am happy.../

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"Hiro-san! Is what I heard from Takeshi-ojisan true? You're moving to America?"

"Hai... Kei-san... but... I don't want to go there..."

"Why? There you can see Mickey Mouse and Disney!"

"But... Kei-san is not there... I will be alone again..."

"No! Hiro-san will never be alone! Because I'll always be there with you! Look! I drew a picture of us together!"

"Kei-san..."

"See? As long as you keep this picture of use together by your side, I'll always be there with you! So, cheer up, okay?"

"Hai! And I'll be strong, so no one can take anyone, or anything away from me again..."

"That's a good dream, Hiro-san! I'm sure it will come true!"

"What about you, Kei-san? What is your dream?"

"Me? Well... it's hard to explain..."

"It's okay..."

"Oh, and Hiro-san?"

"Yes?"

"If yu go back here to Japan someday, just call me and we could share my room again, okay?"

"Hai... Arigatoo, Kei-san."

"Well, take good care of yourself, Hiro-san."

"You too, Kei-san."

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Author's Notes:

The title, "Shiawase", I think roughly translates to "happiness".

And this last part, yes, this is a flashback. It's the time when Vincent was going to leave for the US.

Well, here we go, another chapter. I'm sorry for its short length (when compared to the other chapters), but I'm not really good at writing battles and all that. Anyway, the question on your mind is...

IS VINCENT DEAD?

Well...

You'll find out next time. Review if you see fit.

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Love Hina © Ken Akamatsu