Loss and Redemption
Unexpected Mercy, Unexpected Chance
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
Disclaimer: See Prologue.
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style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>This fanfic is based on the manga and anime and
borrows facets from both of them.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“*” Spoken words
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘*’ Thoughts
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Love Hina
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Loss and Redemption
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Chapter Two: Unexpected Mercy, Unexpected
Chance
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>By: hawker_748
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>When morning came to Hinata House, it was
presented with a sight so unusual that if the sun had had a face, there would
have been a series of brief eclipses as it blinked in surprise. The sight of
Keitaro and Motoko sleeping next to each other was not a new occurrence
anymore, as it had been happening for a week by now. What was new was the sight
of them locked together in a tight embrace, Motoko resting her head on
Keitaro’s chest and with his arms wrapped around her. Both were clothed and there
was no evidence of any ‘activity’, but the sight of them in such an intimate
setting would have caused the other residents’ jaws to hit the floor with
enough force to register on the Richter scale.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘Mmmm, nice,’ Keitaro thought to himself as his
mental capacities slowly brought themselves back on-line as he reluctantly
emerged from slumber. At this early in the morning, Keitaro had no idea where
he was, or why he felt so comfortable. All that his mind was aware of was that
he felt very calm and at peace. He increased the force of his embrace slightly,
inadvertently starting Motoko on her path to consciousness.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘So secure,’ thought Motoko, as she nuzzled up
to what she was sleeping on. However, unlike Keitaro, Motoko was able to get
herself up to speed in just a few moments. ‘What am I holding?’ Recollection
hit her like a hammer, as she realized exactly who was holding her. Motoko
lurched back and tore herself from Keitaro’s arms, waking him up completely in
the process.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Motoko? What’s goin’ on? Wh-what happened?”
Keitaro mumbled as his brain finished firing up the last couple of neurons.
Belatedly, he remembered what had happened the night before, and how he had
ended up in an embrace with his reluctant wife. He colored slightly as he
recalled how nice it had felt to hold her. He was thankful that the blankets
were concealing a common waking occurrence for males from Motoko.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Is anything wrong?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“No Hono-, Urashima, I-I-I was just a little
startled, that’s all.” She noticed that Keitaro was favoring his arms, “was it
uncomfortable?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“No, my arms just fell asleep, I think I was
holding you all night,” he replied as his blush deepened slightly. “Are you
sure you’re alright? I mean, last night-,”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I’m fine!” Motoko snapped. Her expression
softened slightly, “well, not really, but I promise you, you don’t have to
worry about a repeat of last night. If you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare
breakfast,” she said as she turned to leave. She was stopped dead in her tracks
when Keitaro reached up and grabbed her wrist.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“You don’t have to Motoko, Shinobu can do it
just fine, and she seems to be upset that you’re taking her place.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“In more ways than one,” she murmured quietly
before adding, “but it’s my duty as a wife to do this.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“We may or may not be married, but that doesn’t
mean you have to be someone you’re not. There’s no need to change so
dramatically.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Motoko reflected on his words for a few moments
before she responded. “I’ll try, but I don’t know. My whole life has been
turned upside down.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“We both have. Let’s just see what we can do
about it.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“O.K.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>***
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Breakfast wasn’t as tense as it had been for
the previous week. The tension was still there, but the air didn’t crackle with
nervous energy, it was merely uncomfortable.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>There was even consideration beyond requests
for things to be passed, although the conversations were heavily muted. Actual
eye contact was possible; the previous week a group of complete strangers could
have been substituted for any of the residents and nobody would have noticed.
Even the food seemed to taste better, although that was more likely due to
Shinobu having taken back cooking duties for that morning.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>There had been conversations, but they had been
muted, and only between certain people; Naru and Kitsune; Sarah, Su and
Shinobu; Keitaro and Motoko. This continued until Naru spoke up and announced,
“I’m going to be leaving Hinata House for a while and go visit my family for a
while, perhaps for a month or two.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Naru-sempai why?” asked Shinobu.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I need to get away, clear my head, avoid all
the distractions around here,” she replied and hit Keitaro and Motoko with a
glare. Both Keitaro and Motoko flinched slightly. The look in her eyes cooled
any ardor for protesting her decision.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“When will you leave,” asked Kitsune.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Today, in t ant an hour. If you’ll excuse me,
thank you for the wonderful meal Shinobu,” Naru finished as she pushed away
from the table and walked back up to her room to finish packing. A stunned
silence reigned in the wake of her departure.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“We, we have to do something, we can’t just let
her-” babbled Shinobu.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Let her go,” interrupted Kitsune, “and don’t
try to follow her either. Do you understand Su?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I mean it, don’t try to stop her. I think the
time away may help her get over everything that’s happened.” She looked towards
Keitaro and said, “There’s just too much weirdness around here.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro’s thoughts were in a shamble at the
news of Narus imminent departure. ‘Naru, you don’t have to go, I need you, I’ll
straighten this Motoko mess out and we can be together!’ He was already
mentally chasing after her, begging her to stay.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
Then a new and
different train of thought started. ‘I can’t leave Motoko, who knows what’ll
happen!’ He stopped cold at that, and almost unwillingly continued the train of
thought. ‘Naru is at least stable, worry about Motoko for now, you promised you
would!’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
e='me='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>He frowned inwardly. ‘Promise. That word gets
me into so much goddamn trouble! I’ll never promise anything again for as long
as I live, even if I live to be 300!’ he silently vowed.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘Naru…’ he thought miserably, ‘why does this
always happen to us?’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘Let her go, for now. We’ll fix this up when
you get back. I’d better start mending fences around here, or I won’t be
welcome anymore. Better start with Shinobu.’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>He got up from the table, picked up his plate
and walked over to where Shinobu was seated. “Shinobu, may I help you with the
clean up?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Shinobu blushed a brilliant shade of crimson
and stammered, “su-sure sempai!” With that Shinobu began picking up the remains
of the food, while Keitaro started to collect the dirty dishes and bring them
in to the kitchen.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>As Keitaro washed the dishes and passed them to
Shinobu to dry he asked, “so what do you think of all of this?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“What, sempai?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Naru leaving, Motoko and I getting married.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Shinobu tensed up slightly and her small hands
tightened into fists. “I don’t know what to think sempai,” she muttered. “I
don’t understand this at all.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>What do you mean Shinobu?” Keitaro asked as he
scrubbed a stubborn stain off one of the pots.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I thought you and Motoko hated each other, why
are you married?” Shinobu asked with a lot more force in her voice than she
intended. At this point her façade of acceptance was starting to crumble and
she was forced to face the prospect that Keitaro would never be hers.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro sighed and once again imagined throwing
his grandmother to the sharks. He knew that Shinobu was upset, but he was still
in the dark about her feelings for him. “It isn’t that simple Shinobu, it’s not
like we decided to run away and get married. We were forced into it, and I
don’t even think it’s sunk in yet, for either of us. I still can’t believe that
Motoko sleeps next to me each night.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>This attempt to make Shinobu feel better
backfired horribly. She was reminded yet again that Motoko was unwillingly
sleeping in a place that she would have given anything to accommodate. Her
latent jealousy came boiling to the surface and she realized that she was
angrier towards Motoko than she had ever been towards anyone in her life. ‘Why
doesn’t she appreciate him? Why doesn’t she LOVE him? Why couldn’t it be ME!?’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Shinobu blinked quickly to try to stove off the
tears that thr threatening to erupt any second. Her knuckles went white from
the force of her clenching her fists. This went unnoticed by Keitaro as she was
holding a towel, waiting for a dish to dry. “Why are you with her if you don’t
like her?” Shinobu asked stiffly.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“We don’t hate each other, we just don’t always
see eye to eye, that’s all.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I thought you loved Naru!” At this point
Shinobu was nearly shouting.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘I do, at least I think I do,’ thought Keitaro
miserably. Out loud he replied, “Motoko and I didn’t want to get married,” ‘at
least I don’t think so,’ “we were forced into it and now she’s honor bound to
stay with me.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>To burn off some of the nervous energy that had
built up Keitaro continued washing the dished so he wouldn’t fidget with his
hands. He took a moment to collect his thoughts. “I wish things were back the way
they were before this happened, Shinobu. Things were simpler then. I was single
then.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘I had a chance then,’ Shinobu silently added.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I’m going to try and figure a way out of this
for both of us, but I’m not sure how it will work or how long it will take,”
Keitaro continued.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
Shinobu didn’t
know what to think. She had an earth-shattering cron Kon Keitaro, and was
jealous of anyone, even Naru, being close to him. She was grudgingly accepting
of Naru, but the idea of anyone but her and to a lesser extent Naru being with
Keitaro made her heart ache.
On the other
hand she knew that he was a good man, and wouldn’t willingly do anything to
hurt anyone. If he said that he was trying to find a way out, she’d believe in
him. It also meant that Motoko wasn’t stealing him away, and that maybe she
needed some ort ort as well.
Besides, if
this all worked out the way Keitaro planned, he wouldn’t be married to Motoko
anymore. He would be more available, more ‘free.’ There was still Naru, but
with only one obstacle then maybe, just maybe, she’d have a…
Shinobu
terminated that train of thought with extreme prejudice. ‘Think about that
later, after this has all been resolved! For now, just be there for sempai.’
She decided to
stop actively avoiding the two of them, but she wasn’t sure that she could
completely trust them for a while. “O.K. sempai, thank you for the help, and I
hope that everything works out for you.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Thanks, Shinobu. Actually, I’m going to be
leaving for a few days myself.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Why sempai?” Shinobu asked as her eyes began
to moisten.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I’m going to try to find Motoko’s sister, see
if I can change her mind. But I need you to promise not to tell anyone where
I’m going, I don’t want Motoko to know what I’m doing, she might get upset.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Shinobu’s eyes dried up a little. “Please be
careful sempai.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I will.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“When are you leaving?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Tomorrow. Can you please make sure that
everyone is alright after I’m gone?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Yes sempai!”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Thank you Shinobu, now let’s finish up this
kitchen.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>***
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Naru’s departure caused mixed feelings for
Keitaro. Torture in that she was leaving, that he hadn’t been able to talk to
her, clarify his feelings for her, and because they were parting on such bad
terms. But ironically, there was also relief from the fact that she was leaving.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
There’d be fewer distractions for him
while he attempted to sort out the situation with Motoko, and when she came
back the trouble would probably be over, and they could try to patch things up
again.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
Even the way
that she left was abrupt, she had stopped by everyone’s room, Motoko and his
being the exception, said goodbye and bolted. ‘Couldn’t you have at least said
goodbye?’ he wondered. ‘I’m hurting too, can’t you realize that? I have to help
Motoko. I’d be chasing you now if I could.’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘At least with her gone I can focus all of my
attention on dealing with Motoko. And while I’m on that subject…’ Keitaro
continued reviewing what he’d say to Tsuruko the next time he saw her, assuming
he could find her. ‘I hope she wants to be found, because I don’t think I’ll be
able to track her down otherwise.’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Urashima, is something wrong? You’ve been
inside our room for hours,” his wife asked him.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘Here we go,’ thought Keitaro, ‘I hate lying,
but I think it’s the only way I can do this.’ “No, there’s nothing wrong, but
I’m going to have to leave for a few days myself.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>An entirely foreign and unexpected emotion
suddenly made itself known to Motoko: jealousy. Surprised and a little
disturbed she asked, with a little force than she might have used otherwise,
“Are you going after Naru?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“No. NO! I’m just going to visit my family and
tell them what’s happened.” ‘After all, Tsuruko is my sister in law now, isn’t
she? She’s family.’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Relief flooded through Motoko upon hearing his
answer. Surprised at its intensity, she acted quickly to try and prevent
Keitaro from figuring out what she had been thinking. A question popped into
her mind so quickly she vocalized it without thinking, “can I come with you?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Excuse me?” replied Keitaro.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Can I come with you to see your family?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro felt a couple of sweat drops bead on
his forehead. As nonchalantly as he could he asked, “why do you want to?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Aren’t they my family now? It would be the
right thing to meet them. I am your wife, after all.” Her voice had a hint of
steel in it that reminded Keitaro of the Motoko of old. In any other
circumstances Keitaro would have been thrilled to see Motoko acting like her
old self, but since he was attempting to deceive her, he was more than a little
worried.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Yes, that’s true but I-I think it would be
better if we let them get over the shock first before they meet you,” Keitaro
replied. ‘I don’t want you to know that I saw your sister behind your back, and
I don’t want you to try and stop me,’ he silently added.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>His answer seemed to mollify Motoko slightly
but she still felt some tendrils of suspicion towards her husband. She decided
to switch to a different topic.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“When will you leave?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Tomorrow morning. I’ll be back in a few days
at most.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>She nodded in understanding. She then fired off
one last question, “what will you tell them? About us I mean?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“That I’m married now. My wife is gorgeous,
intelligent, charming and athletic. Quite honestly, I don’t deserve someone as
wonderful as her.” He responded without any hesitation or doubt in his voice.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Motoko’s lips curled up slightly at that and
she walked out of the room to take care of some chores. Keitaro noticed that
she was standing a little prouder than she had been when she walked in.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>***
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The next morning, after he had said his
goodbyes to the other residents and asked Kitsune to make sure that everything
was taken care of during his absence, Keitaro boarded the bus for the ride to
the train station. ‘Guess I’ll go back where this started and fan out from
there,’ he mused, ‘can’t think of a better place to start. I couldn’t get
information from Motoko without giving the game away.’ He sighed, ‘the price of
dishonesty, I suppose.’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Hey Keitaro! How ya doin’?” Surprised at
hearing his name, Keitaro looked up and saw…
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Haitani! Shirai! What are you two doing here?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Just hanging out,” replied Haitani. “How are
things-” he broke off when he and Shirai suddenly noticed the gold band that he
was wearing on his left hand.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Keitaro, is that a wedding ring?” asked Shirai
quietly. Keitaro just nodded in response. A period of silence ensued, broken
by,
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Keitaro you lucky bastard! Congratulations
man!” exclaimed Haitani.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Do you believe this guy? He gets married and
doesn’t even invite us to the ceremony or the bachelor party!” added Shirai.
“So who’s the poor girl, Naru or Mutsumi?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro hung his head low and whispered,
“Motoko.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Say what? Mind repeating that?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-lage:age:EN-US'>“Motoko,” he replied with a little more volume.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Motoko,” deadpanned Shirai. “Couple of inches
taller than you, few years younger, long black hair, carries that oversized
cheese knife with her. That Motoko?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Yes.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“How in the name of hell did that happen?”
demanded Haitani.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“We lost a challenge and we were forced to
marry,” replied Keitaro.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“So now what?” asked Shirai.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I’m trying to find the person who forced this
to happen and change her mind.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“So you and Motoko aren’t staying together? Is
she that bad or are you that hung up on Naru?” wondered Haitani.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Being with Motoko wouldn’t be so bad but we
had no choice in the matter. As for Naru, she’s rather upset with me now.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Both Haitani and Shirai nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, I can imagine that,” Haitani admitted.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&n
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro looked up and realized where he was.
“This is my stop, I gotta go guys. Catch you later,” he called out as he
stepped of the bus.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'k onk on the bus, Shirai looked at Haitani and
said, “that guy gets in the most trouble, doesn’t he?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Yep,” Haitani replied, “let’s hope he can get
himself outta this o
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>***
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The train ride had been long but uneventful,
and Keitaro was able to find a place to stay for the night. ‘No point wandering
around in the dark with this leg,’ he reasoned, “I’ll start trying to follow
Tsuruko tomorrow.’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The following morning Keitaro made his way to
scene of the battle. It was fresh in his mind and he spent some time wondering
if there had been any other tactic that could have changed the outcome. After
drawing a blank, he casually started looking around and wondering, ‘where do I
begin?’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Keitaro Urashima.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
Keitaro nearly
jumped out of his skin when he heard the voice from behind him. He whipped
around and was astonished to see Tsuruko standing behind him.
“Surprised to
see me I assume?” Tsuruko asked with a smile.
“Where in the
hell did you come from!?” shrieked Keitaro. “Damn it, I almost had a heart
attack!” He
had looked behind him not 5 seconds earlier. He would have bet his life that no
one was there.
“That’s not my “How do you DO style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“That’s for me to know and you to learn. I was expecting style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“What impressions? What are you talking about?” style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>She ignored the questions. “Why are you here style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘Like a shark,’ he realized. Gathering all of style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Why?” style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“To get you to end this marriage. To let Motoko style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> “Why? I always style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> ‘More like a style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“So she’s not worthy of you?” style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I’m not worthy of her! She doesn’t deserve style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“It is our way, it is our tradition. Why are style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“It’s killing her! You ripped away everything style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Tsuruko’s smile grew slightly wider. “So you style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“What? What are you talking about?” style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Tsuruko walked away from him until she was style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro saw the strike coming and froze. As he style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>A small voice in the back of his head style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Wait a second, I didn’t mean anything like style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Tsuruko saw that her first attack had missed style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>As Keitaro sat there trying to get his bearings style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘What the hell’s going on? I didn’t ask for style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Final Blow!” style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>…Tsuruko, on the downward portion of her leap, style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>After what seemed like an eternity but was style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Congratulations Urashima, you have exceeded style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>After a few moments of just laying there, style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>With a clinical look, a cold smile, and a brief
p>
fault,” replied Tsuruko.
that?”
you to show up Urashima,” Tsuruko stated. “The fact you’re here shows that my
impressions about you weren’t wrong.”
Urashima?” she asked as she began to slowly circle him.
his courage he replied, “I came to try and find you.”
back into the Shinmei School.”
felt that she needed someone to settle down with. She’s never had a boyfriend
before, and now she has a husband she can settle down with. It must be a dream
come true for her.”
nightmare.’ “This isn’t right, the two of us don’t belong together!”
this, she deserves the chance to be warrior again!”
you, an outsider, trying to interfere in our business?”
that she ever cared about! She’s so committed to honor and tradition she’s
going to ignore the fact that the marriage can’t possibly be legal. She’s
willing to die by degrees rather than go against your wishes. You’re her
sister, how could you do this to her?” Keitaro was dizzy at the thought of
standing up to Tsuruko but he had to do it for Motoko. He would never forget
that night on the roof. His hands still bore the injuries.
think you know what is best for my sister?” she said as she stepped right up to
him, easily violating his personal space. “You believe that you know what is
the best way for her to live and behave?”
thirty feet away and turned back to face him. “You would prefer it if my sister
acted more like this?” she called out as she launched a massive ki attack
towards Keitaro.
stared at the onrushing wave he went weak in the knees and started to collapse.
This happened to cause him to fall on his ass and have the wave scream by him.
congratulated him for urinating earlier.
this!” Keitaro shouted desperately.
and fired off another one. “Or perhaps some thing like this?”
back, the second strike raced towards him. He clumsily clambered out of the
way, wailing like a little girl. The first miss had made him think that he had
dodged out of the way of a bullet train. As the second one screamed over him,
he felt like he’d just missed getting nailed by a low flying F-15.
this!’ his mind raged as movement caught his eye. He looked up and saw…
blade over head, and descending fast. Since it would be an exercise in
futility, he made a conscious effort to not put up his arms in a defensive
posture. As the blade neared his throat time stopped, and the blade just hung
there in the air, poised above his throat.
probably only about 3 seconds, Keitaro realized that time hadn’t stopped, the
blade had. “I-I’m alive?” he questioned weakly.
even my expectations,” Tsuruko replied as she lifted the sword clear of his
throat.
stunned beyond movement, Keitaro slowly got to his feet. “What in the hell
yo
you talking about?” he rasped.
gleam in the eyes, Tsuruko replied, “if I had thought you to nwornworthy of my
sister, I would not have allowed you to be with her, Urashima.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro felt his eyes narrow. “Then why-?” he
managed to get out before Tsuruko interrupted him.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“I sense potential in you Urashima, and I will
not easily see it wasted. You just demonstrated incredible bravery in facing
me, and in daring to find me as well. You are also capable of great compassion.
Your injured your hands helping Motoko correct?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Yeah, you could say that,” he guardingly
replied.
style='mso-ansnguanguage:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“From the location of the cuts, I would venture
that you prevented my sister from killing herself with her sword.” Keitaro face
was a perfect caricature of shock when she said that.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>She leaned in close to him, almost sneering in
his face. “Why would you do something that foolish?”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“You heard me. Why save the life of my sister, style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Keitaro felt his blood briefly turn to ice, and style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Excellent, you are capable of displaying spine style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&n style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Tsuruko turned and walked over to a rock and style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Hey! You think this is over, that this bag style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>She looked over her shoulder and said, “No, I
she made the decision on her own, correct?”
then burn with a fire he’d never experienced before. “How can you say that
about your own sister?!” Keitaro shouted.
as well. You continue to exceed my expectations Urashima.”
from behind it pulled out a sizable duffel bag. She then walked back over and
handed it to Keitaro. “Take this Urashima, do NOT open it, and take it to my
sister. She will open it and your curiosity about the bag will be satisfied. I
will say this, that the contents of that bag have the potential to make
everything well for you and my sister.” She then turned and started to walk away.
will solve everything?!”
merely said it had the potential to. The rest is up to the two of you.” She
turned back and walked away, leaving a confused Keitaro alone with his thoughts
and the bagp>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>‘Now what?’ he thought to himself. ‘I’m glad to
be alive now, but I still don’t have a clue what to do. I’m still married to
Motoko, she’s still banished, and Naru’s still pissed.’ He briefly considered
looking in the bag, Tsuruko be damned, but he thought better of it. ‘I’ll see
it soon enough anyway and I’m not certain I’d live to tell about it if I opened
it.’ He picked it up, ‘at least it’s light,’ and started walking back to the
train station.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>&nb![en![endif]>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>“Well, let’s see what happens now,” he said to
himself, “it’s time to go home.” He continued walking, with the noonday sun
looking down on him like an unwavering sentry. As he walked his thoughts were
mainly of what had just happened and how he could defend his actions to his
spouse. “Hope she’s as forgiving of insult as Tsuruko,” he said with a
humorless laugh as he continued his journey home, where an uncertain future
awaited him.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>End Chapter 2
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>OMAKE! OMAKE! OMAKE! OMAKE!
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
As soon as Tsuruko was out of sight,
Keitaro stopped walking, sat down on a rock and opened the bag. ‘Let’s see,
scented candles, a dozen long stemmed red roses, chocolate covered
strawberries, oysters? What the hell?’ Keitaro’s eye began to twitch violently.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>He continued to empty the bag. ‘Bottle of Dom
Peringion, y Why White CD, Marvin Gaye CD,’ he held up a small plastic bottle
and examined it. ‘What the hell’s ‘Astroglide?’’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>He pulled out a shiny gold box tied with a bow.
‘Who’s Frederick, and what’s this box doing here if he’s from Hollywood?’ He
opened it, and turned the color of a ripe tomato. ‘Is this an eye patch?’
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>With a now shaking hand Keitaro removed the
last of the bags contents. ‘A copy of the Kama Sutra?! Handcuffs?! A ball gag?!
Cat o’ nine tails!?’ “Aauuugghh!” Keitaro’s scream was heard for miles.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>After the echo died away, Tsuruko shook her
head in disgust. “The f I t I told him it was for Motoko.”
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>End Omake.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Special thanks arvearvey Bautista for the
pre-read and for giving me the idea for the omake.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>The next chapter is in the works, but I’m not
sure when it will be posted. Real life does interfere with writing from time to
time. Hopefully, not more than two weeks, but I make no promises.
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Coming Soon: Chapter Three: Returns and
Repercussions
style='mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>