Motoko was heading back to the Hinata. One on hand, she was worried about Shinobu. On the other hand, the less time she spent around Tsuruko, the better. Even though Tomoko had somehow talked Tsuruko out of taking Motoko back to the Shinmei-Ryu compound, there was always a chance that Tsuruko's 's temper might change her decision, what with Keitaro's clumsiness and ability to get into unwanted positions with women.
As Motoko reached the top of the stairs, she got a feeling that she was being watched. When she left the stairs and was about ten feet away from the steps, she called out, “Who's there? Show yourselves!â€
There was the sound of someone landing behind her. Motoko quickly turned around and tried to attack them with a bokken that she pulled out of her bag, but her strike was blocked. Motoko was both surprised and depressed at who it was.
“You seem to have forgotten about the lesson to be aware of both your surroundings and who you try to attack, sister...†Tsuruko said, as Motoko backed away. Tsuruko put away her bokken.
“Perhaps, but I've been distracted by recent events,†Motoko replied, putting the bokken back in her school bag. She expected Tsuruko to admonish her for that excuse. But what Tsuruko surprised her. “Excuse me but could you repeat that?â€
Tsuruko sighed, but said, “I understand will and overlook this.â€
“Thank you, sister. What of the situation with Shinobu's room?†Motoko asked as she and Tsuruko walked towards the Hinata.
“Nothing unusual or harmful. Merely the signs of an old house, hidden tunnels, and someone probably having insomnia,†Tsuruko answered. Spotting the angry glare on Motoko's brow, Tsuruko beat Motoko to the punch and said, “I don't think a man with a cast on his leg would go and crawl around in some tunnels, knowing it would aggravate his injuries.â€
“You can't be certain, sister. You don't know him as well as I do,†Motoko grumbled, as the two entered the Hinata. “He is-â€
“Someone good enough that Hina Urashima put in charge of the place. That is good enough for me,†Tsuruko quickly said, sounding annoyed. “But enough of that. Go get ready, we're going out to do something we haven't done for a long time, and that is to spend some time as sisters.â€
Motoko looked like she wanted to argue, but the glare she got from Tsuruko was enough to silence her.
“Very well. It won't take me long to change,†Motoko said, sounding a bit disappointed at Tsuruko. She walked away to her room. Tsuruko shook her head a little as she remembered what Tomoko told her about what would have happened.
'Since losing a fight allowed her to grow, perhaps replicating it would be just as helpful... But perhaps I'll give Motoko a choice in who to fight? It might help Tomoko to face her past self in a duel... I'll just have to make sure that neither get too out of hand in their fight.... That is... If Motoko chooses to fight her... I might have to set things up for it to happen and with Motoko's temper, that will be easy....' Tsuruko thought. She looked down at her Hakama and frowned. “Might as well go change...â€
Motoko soon came down. She abstained from her typical school uniform or kendo garb, wearing a dark blue sleeveless vest, and knee-length skirt. She looked around a little bit, called out, “Sister? Sister? Where are you?â€
“Ah, I was worried that you might have decided to wear a hakama out on our trip,†Tsuruko's voice called back.
Motoko smirked as she slowly turned to face where Tsuruko was. “You say that while you're wear-â€
Motoko frowned when she saw Tsuruko wearing a white tanktop and red shorts.
“What?†Tsuruko asked, smiling as she knew what Motoko was going to say.
“Let's just go....†Motoko grumbled as she started to walk away. Tsuruko followed after her.
-oOo-
Su and Tomoko had finished cleaning the hot springs and setting up a wall to separate it. As they looked around, Tomoko noted while they did a fairly good job, it wasn't up to how Keitaro's usual work.
“I think we did a good job....†Su said. She then made a banana appear in her hand and offered it to Tomoko. “Banana?â€
“No thanks, you can have it,†Tomoko said, making a slight refusal gesture before silently chastising herself for not doing as good of a job as Keitaro, even with Su's help.
“Your loss,†Su replied before quickly devouring the banana. Tomoko briefly pondered the idea of asking Su to design a machine to help clean the Hot springs, but decided against it, out of fear that such a device might go out of control and keep everyone out of the hot springs, by any means possible. And knowing Su, it would probably include a lot of misses, bullets, lasers, and a self-destruct device.
“As for how we did, I believe it is passable,†Tomoko said, while walking away. “Let's go relax. It's a slight shame that a certain show won't be on for two or so years.â€
“What show is that?†Su asked, following after Tomoko.
“A show called Mythbusters. It has enough explosions to keep your interests and it also tests the validity of of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos, and news stories,†Tomoko said, enjoying the look of amazement on Su's face.
“Let's go watch it now!†Su cheered, jumping in the air.
“It won't be on until 2002 and that's 2 years away, like I said,†Tomoko said.
Su fell to the ground in a depressed heap.
“That's..... That's evil....†Su quietly muttered, before saying a few foul words in her native language.
“Don't worry. The years will pass quicker than you'll realize, Su,†Tomoko replied, holding out a hand for Su. Su grabbed it and stood up.
“Chances are that Kitsune would hog the TV anyways...â€Su grumbled. She was brought out of her funk by Tomoko's hand on her shoulder.
“I'm certain you could think of a few ways to get her away from the TV...†Tomoko said. Seeing an evil grin appear on Su's face, Tomoko replied, “And make sure they don't involve anything that explodes or injures anyone.â€
Su frowned at Tomoko.
“I know... I know.... she might deserve it for all the schemes that she put Urashima though, but let's try to be the better person, Su,†Tomoko said.
“Whatever....†Su muttered, looking down at the ground. She seemed annoyed at the thought of either not punishing Kitsune or being forced to do something mature.
“You know that we're just as guilty as she is,†Tomoko quietly said. That hit Su like a bucket of ice water.
“But she's not even trying to make up for the stuff she's done!†Su exclaimed.
“She's been a friend to both of us. Therefore, she deserves a warning and a chance to do so, doesn't she?†Tomoko asked.
“...Yeah...†Su whispered.
“I do have one question though. Why are you bothered by Kitsune hogging the Television?†Tomoko asked, hoping to lighten the mood by changing the topic.
“Some shows are better off watching wither everyone and I think the show you told me about might be one of them,†Su answered, still a bit depressed.
Not wanting to keep Su feeling blue, Tomoko leaned down and whispered, “By the way, I secretly bought some ice cream when we went out. Want to have some?â€
Su cheered up instantly and nodded so fast that Tomoko wondered if Su's head was going to fly off.
“Just keep it a secret from Shinobu, got it? Tomoko asked.
“Sure!†Su answered before running off to the kitchen.
“Wait up! You don't know where I hid it!†Tomoko said, before she started to follow after Su, but Tomoko was taking her time for the purpose of annoying Su.
-oOo-
Kitsune had left the Hinata to find an easy job. She managed to find a night club that either didn't quite know of her reputation of scamming men into paying for her drinks or the management somehow planned on having her use her wiles to get people to drink more.
As she was making her way home, she thought, 'Pheh... stupid place and its stupid rules... But at least I'll have an excuse to sleep during the day....'
In the distance, she thought she spotted something familiar. Squinting, she realized that it was Motoko and she was with Tsuruko.
'What are they doing out together?' Kitsune thought. Slowly making her way towards the two sisters and trying to keep hidden from them. 'Please, oh please let it be something embarrassing for Motoko!'
Sadly for Kitsune, the time Motoko spent with Tsuruko wasn't that embarrassing enough for Kitsune to use as blackmail in the future. Most of the time, Tsuruko asked Motoko if a certain shop was good or if a certain restaurant was good. When Motoko either wasn't sure or said she only bothered with the essentials, Tsuruko took her to go in and splurge a little bit.
From what Kitsune could see, Tsuruko seemed intent on making Motoko try a variety of food that the younger Aoyama would normally admonish others for even thinking of eating. At first, it seemed like Motoko almost had to be forced, but Tsuruko seemed to use a bit of a death glare to make Motoko eat. As for the clothes, To both Motoko's and Kitsune's surprise, it seemed that most of the outfits were either cute enough to embarrass Motoko if she wore them or clothes that seemed acceptable to Motoko , but also brought out her figure.
While that did embarrass Motoko, Kitsune knew that if she did try to use it against Motoko for either favors or simply to get her to back off would backfire, as Kitsune realized that it was the kind of thing that was embarrassing at the time, but would be looked back at fondly by Motoko.
After watching them enter a hobby shop, Kitsune sighed and began to make her way home again.
'Almost kinda wish that I had a sister like Tsuruko.... Hell, I almost wish I had a sister... Naru counts... Kinda. Almost. Ah well, Maybe it's better I didn't have Tsuruko as a sister. I get the feeling she's a bit of a schemer and the only schemes I want to be a part of are mine!' Kitsune thought as she turned around a corner. She briefly stopped as a part of her mind pondered what kind of schemes Tsuruko would pull. 'If Motoko and Keitaro were an item, would Tsuruko try flirting with Keitaro, just to get a reaction outta Motoko?'
Kitsune had a small giggle at that.
'Maybe.... It's be a real riot to watch Motoko get all jealous and protective over her 'boyfriend'...' Kitsune thought, still giggling in small spurts.
-oOo-
As for the two sisters, they were heading home as well.
“I enjoyed our little outing, sister,†Tsuruko said, looking over at Motoko. “Shall we take the bus or walk home?â€
“If you don't mind us resting before we head up the stairs, I don't mind walking,†Motoko replied. She was trying to hide a smile, but Tsuruko could tell that she enjoyed the time spent together.
“I take it you enjoyed our time together as well?†Tsuruko asked, as they waited at a crosswalk.
Motoko nodded, just as the light changed for them to cross the street.
“It was honestly better than I thought,†Motoko answered. Inwardly, she was not looking forward to the plan that she overheard a night ago. There was a part of her that hoped that Tsuruko might accept a refusal to train Keitaro.
“I'm glad to hear that,†Tsuruko replied. “so be sure to thank Tomoko for talking me out of my desire to bring you back to the compound.â€
“Don't worry, I will,†Motoko said.
Most of the conversation was idle chit-chit about various topics, like music, movies, and the trip to Okinawa a few months back. The latter because Tsuruko was pondering a trip with her husband there.
When they finally reached the Hinata and went inside, the two passed by the dorm's telephone.
“I'm going to call someone. So go on ahead and put our bags in your room. I'll be by later to get my things,†Tsuruko said. Motoko nodded.
After Motoko left, Tsuruko picked up then phone and started to dial, only to hear from the other room the sound of the floor cracking and breaking, someone shouting “Wa-ah!â€, and then the sound of someone landing on someone else.
“How.... How dare you, Urashima, you pervert!†Motoko shouted, as Tsuruko shook her head when she heard that.
'Some things never change.... But perhaps I might use this to my advantage....' Tsuruko thought, as she put the phone down and began to head over, overhearing the sounds of Motoko pushing Keitaro away from herself.
When she entered where Motoko and Keitaro were, Tsuruko took a quick look around. By Keitaro's feet was a spot where the floor had broken when he placed one of his feet and it then broke, thus making him trip and fall on Motoko.
'How odd. I wonder if there is some force that is actively creating situations where Urashima winds up looking up like a pervert?' Tsuruko thought.
By that moment, Motoko had standing up and had a bokken in her hand and was pointing it at Keitaro.
“I almost had a perfect day, but you had to ruin it! I challenge you to a-†Motoko uttered before Tsuruko pulled the bokken out of her hands. When Motoko looked at Tsuruko to demand why she had done that, there was an angry glare on Tsuruko's face. It put out Motoko's anger like a bucket of ice water puts out a campfire.
“If you were more observant, you would have noticed that the wooden floor under him, Therefore your anger at him was misguided,“Tsuruko said, sounding angry, yet calm. “And what's worse, you almost challenged someone who was injured. Perhaps you need to be punished.â€
-oOoOoOo-
Author's note – A big thanks to EagleCeres and PCHeintz72.
One idea I kinda had when surfing the web. A Magic School Bus/Love Hina Crossover. Ms. Frizzle is the substitute teach for one of Su's classes. And Frizzle somehow both makes Su want to invent more, but also be far less destructive.
