Akamatsuverse Can't think of a title...

[division-six]

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina, Ken Akamatsu does.

Keitaro Urashima enjoyed riding in trains. The passing scenery coupled with surprisingly comfy seats and the dull, almost hypnotizing clickity-clack of the rails made for a thoroughly relaxing experienceà

ôItÆs been twenty minutes! How long does it take to get a drink cart ready?ö asked the young woman sitting next to him.

àmost of the time, anyway. It helped when oneÆs traveling companion wasnÆt quite so tense. Truth be told, heÆd never seen Kitsune quite this frazzled. Sure, heÆd seen her get nervous a few times during some of her schemes, but she was usually too relaxed a person to get stressed out.

The roninÆs mind reeled as he tried to puzzle out why he was even here. One moment, he was enjoying ShinobuÆs delicious breakfast; the next moment Kitsune tosses a packed suitcase at him and demands that he go with her to Osaka, no ôifs,ö ôands,ö or ôbuts.ö

ôKitsune, is everything all right?ö Keitaro asked, hoping that sheÆd calm down if he could get her to say something.

ôNo actually, it isnÆt.ö the fox replied. ôIÆve been waiting ten minutes and still no refills.ö

ôActually I was wondering why you suddenly wanted me to come with you on this tripàö KeitaroÆs voice trailed off as the fox blanched at his question ôàbut if it makes you feel better I think I see the cart coming this way.ö

ôReally?ö KitsuneÆs voice and demeanor picked up as the cart pulled next to them. ôGive me the strongest drink youÆve got. Leave the bottle, the big one.ö

ôSo are you going to tell me why weÆre-ö

ôIn a minute, we need to get our stories straight anyway.ö Kitsune remarked as she poured herself a drink.

ôAnd what story would that be?ö Keitaro asked nervously. HeÆd do almost anything for his friends, but he was a little tired of getting dragged into KitsuneÆs schemes.

KitsuneÆs only response was to down another cup of booze, then another. The alcohol didnÆt seem to have fazed her at all.

ôKitsune?ö

ôDonÆt you remember Keitaro? The fox blushed as she tried to avoid her landlordÆs gaze. ôThe story of how we eloped three weeks ago?ö She wasnÆt particularly convincing, but Keitaro was also particularly gullible.

ôW-W-What?ö Keitaro stammered. He should have remembered something like this, right? Then again, if he couldnÆt even remember something as important as the face of his promise girlà

ôYes, and weÆve been living in newlywed bliss since then.ö

ôWaitàwe have?ö Keitaro was beginning to doubt her claim.

ôYes, we have,ö She gulped down another glass and grabbed Kei by the collar. ôeven if we havenÆt; especially if we havenÆt, and thatÆs what weÆre going to tell my parents. Got it?ö

ôAll right.ö Keitaro nodded nervously ôI got it.ö

ôGood.ö Kitsune returned to her booze.

ôSoàuh, why are we telling your parent that weÆre married?ö

"Why? Because I'm not sitting through another boring omiai with some starving artist who either doesn't have a shred of personality or wants me to pose for some "artistic" nudes."

ôAnd-ö

ôIÆll tell you the rest when we get to the station.ö Kitsune said bluntly. ôIÆm just not used to talking about myself, or my family.ö

ôActually I was going to ask how I was.ö The ronin chuckled nervously. The fox raised an eyebrow.ö

ôYou were adequate.ö

ôJust adequate?ö Keitaro frowned.

ôWell we have to keep things plausible. Good thinking though. We need to flesh out some details in case they ask.ö


The phone made a satisfying æclinkÆ as Narusegawa placed it on the receiver.

ôWell that was oddàö she thought aloud.

ôWho was it, Naru-sempai?ö Shinobu inquired.

ôIt was KeitaroÆs parents, I think. They wanted to speak with him, and I told them he was in Osaka.ö

ôWhat did they say?ö

ôAnd they said ægood,Æ and then hung up.ö Naru mulled the facts over in her mind for a few moments.

ôWell, now IÆve got a bad feeling about this.ö exclaimed the older girl.

 

[Innortal]

Good job, no title suggestion.

 

[Terdwilicker]

I suggest "A Little White Lie" or perhaps "Katamari Kitsune" since her lies get bigger the further they roll downhill.

 

[Sunhawk]

So, the question is... why did they say "good"?

Is Keitaro the next sap to be set up with Kitsune by her parents or something?

 

[TerraBull]

*Heh* For some reason, the Title that poped into my mind was "The Wedding Ringer", sorry, cheesy but there.

 

[David Alan Abramczyk]

How's about Butterfly Wings for a title?

They say in chaos theory, that the flapping of a butterfly's wings in Mexico could cause a major storm in Poland.

 

[rolalinii]

So, the question is... why did they say "good"?

Is Keitaro the next sap to be set up with Kitsune by her parents or something?

i'd have to agree with that myself. Of course that'll just open up a can of worms when the parents find out their married already


Good begining btw :yay:

 

[DhampyrX2]

ôSoàuh, why are we telling your parent that weÆre married?ö

"Why? Because I'm not sitting through another boring omiai with some starving artist who either doesn't have a shred of personality or wants me to pose for some "artistic" nudes."

Hmmm, Keitaro does like to sketch, and his only real income is from running the dorm. If not for Shinobu I suppose you could call him a starving artist. I guess he still fits the mold well enough. :evil2:

Although I think you might want to change it to they got engaged three weeks ago so the parents can insist on a wedding while they have them there. :evil3:

And let just take the time to ask for MOAR.

 

[alansg]

I aprove of this fic. Any non-harem Kei/Kit is more than welcome.

As for the title, I second "Katamari Kitsune"

 

[knight_of_ni]

I take it they said "good" because either Kitsune told her parents a lie about them being a couple, and they in turn told Keitaro's parents and so they are going to force a wedding as Dhampyr suggested or Kitsune accidentally brought her newest possible fiance with her.

 

[windfalcon]

Is it ever mentioned where Keitaro's from originally? Maybe his family is IN Osaka?

Anyway... do keep this up, I see very few Keitaro/Kitsune ideas.

 

[David Alan Abramczyk]

I always wondered about Mitsune's family. There was one story I remember where the author wrote that her parents were in the Diet.

 

[toraneko]

Title? I suggest "Tangled Webs".

But "Katamari Kitsune" made me giggle.

 

[runestar]

Hmm...maybe Kitsune's next Omai target is Keitaro...that's why his parents were so pleased with the convenience of him already being nearby... B)

No title suggestion either, but "Katamari Kitsune" does have a nice ring to it. To me at least... -_-

Interesting. It seems that both of them have just dug their graves, and all they need to do now is to lie in them.

Looks forward to the next update soon. There are simply not enough Kitsune/Keitaro pairings around.

 

[BakaNeko]

*Holds up a Giant Banner* "Katamari Kitsune" !!

 

[Drawde]

What does "Katamari" mean?

 

[Pirazy]

What does "Katamari" mean?

Lump, mass, clod, cluster or bundle according to http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html

 

[hawker_748]

I hope it isn't too late to add in my suggestion, but how about: "Gambit of the Fox"?

 

[Genericrandom]

I agree, good start. And I'm going to also recommend you go with "Katamari Kitsune". It brings to mind the image of the Katamari games, Katamari Damacy and We Love Katamari (although it's a heart instead of the word 'love' in the actual title, I can't find one that'll display right), which is a very fitting image to put alongside almost anything that has to do with the girl. After all, snowballs are limited to going downhill, Katamari tend to go... wherever the hell they want, especially in the interest of getting bigger. Just like your average prank or 'white lie'. Or nearly anything Kitsune gets involved in.

 

[division-six]

Motoko Aoyama looked at the mess that was NarusegawaÆs room had become. Clothes were strewn about like confetti, covering every piece of furniture and every centimeter of the floor. On top of this mountain of fabric, it was even worse. Magazines, toiletries and other paraphernalia were littered from wall to wall. In the middle was the roomÆs tenant, violently shoving as much of this mess as she could into a suitcase.

ôNarusegawa-sempai? What on earth are you doing?ö Motoko asked.

ôPacking!ö came the kurt reply.

ôI can see that, but why?ö

ôBecause,ö the woman said between huffs as she continued stuffing. ôI canÆt let that pervert alone with my best friend! Who knows what heÆll do to her? What if heÆs doing something to her right now? I have to go!ö Naru paused to catch her breath.

ôFor example,ö she continued ôwhat about the time when he first moved in? He didnÆt even know her for twenty minutes and he starts getting grab-happy!ö

ôActually, Narusegawa-sempai, Kitsune-san later said that it was her doing, remember?ö

ôOh, right.ö the woman paused for a moment. ôWell, what about those other times, then? Like during the festival! Can you believe that he was trying to take advantage of her when she was drunk?ö

ôAgain, it seems that Kitsune-san was also trying to force herself on him, remember?ö

ôOhàö Naru froze as she scoured her memory. ôWhat about when he had a cold, and Kitsuneànoàwell, there was the æspecial serviceÆ incident andàwait, those was her alsoàö

One quick epiphany later, Narusegawa redoubled her packing efforts.

ôNarusegawaàsempai?ö

ôMotoko! I canÆt leave that pervert alone with Keitaro! Who knows what sheÆll do to him? What if sheÆs forcing herself on him right now?ö

***

ôI am not an opium addict!ö Keitaro whispered insistently.

ôAnd IÆm not saying that you are.ö Kitsune replied as calmly as possible. ôI just need you to tell my parents that you were.ö

ôAnd how is this believable? I donÆt exactly look the type.ö

ôItÆs believable because I helped you clean yourself up and get your act together. One thing lead to another, yadda yadda yaddaàyou get the idea.ö KitsuneÆs voice trailed off.

ôYou helped me get over an addiction?ö Keitaro was incredulous.

ôExactly. Just remember to say it with more conviction when we meet my parents.ö

ôI still havenÆt agreed to do any of this, you know.ö grumbled the ronin.

ôCome on, donÆt be that way.ö chided the fox. Without missing a beat, she leaned over to her traveling companion and whispered seductively in his ear. ôI promise, IÆll make it worth your while.ö

KeitaroÆs body tensed up-some parts more than others. While he would never take advantage of any of his tenants, he would have been lying if he said it hadnÆt come across his mind in the occasional fantasy...

ôKitsune, we canÆt.ö Keitaro objected.

ôOh no? I know you find me attractive. Help me out with my parents, and IÆll do anything for you.ö She continued to whisper while draping an arm around him, pulling him in far too close for the roninÆs comfort. The foxÆs touch was invitingly soft, and his nostrils filled with the scent of perfume and pheromonesàand booze.

æHmmàalcoholà' within the roninÆs lust-muddied mind, an idea formed.

ôAnything?ö Keitaro replied.

ôWhatever you want.ö

ôThen I want you to stop drinking so much.ö Keitaro stated flatly.

One moment later, the hand that was lazily drawing circles in his chest had gripped his collar, while the soft purr of her voice had been replaced with an irritated growl.

ôWhat?ö Kitsune muttered.

ôJust for the weekend!ö Keitaro responded. ôAnd we can tell you parents that I helped you get over your alcohol problem instead me using opium. It wonÆt even be a lie!ö

ôYour plan lacks a certain je ne se quais.ö

ôWell why do we even have to tell them this in the first place?ö

ôBecause theyÆre suckers for that kind of sap story, thatÆs why.ö sighed Kitsune.

ôIs that-ö Keitaro tried to say.

ôI said IÆd tell you at the station.ö The Fox stated bluntly as she polished off her drink.

Hm...guess the new name is 'Katamari Kitsune' by popular demand, although I could work in the other names as chapter titles.

 

[Terdwilicker]

I'm glad you like my title. And getting Kitsune to stop drinking this way is clever and just the right kind of sadistic.

 

[Scygnus Darkhawk]

Nice one Keitaro! What's her withdrawls going to... *pause* *blink*

I must say first that I am a very dirty minded person... but I'm wondering if Kitsune's withdrawals will lead her to another addiction :rofl:

And if the frequency of the fix stays the same... poor poor Keitaro...

But seriously, since you seem to be going in a serious direction with light humor, her withdrawals would be a very important character development point.

 

[division-six]

KitsuneÆs tongue ran circles along the rim of the bottle, refusing to let a single drop of the liquid escape her. Satisfied that she had polished off her fifth bottle, she rested it against her forehead. The contrasting sensation of cold glass on her flushed skin elicited a shiver from the fox.

She tried not to glance at her companion. The thought of going without booze was certainly unpleasant, but the prospect of facing another omiai was too much to bear-especially with the taste her parents had. With no other way to convince the ronin, it appeared that she didnÆt have much of a choice ahead of her.

It was sweet, in a way. Of all the things he could have asked from her (and with her relatively dirty mind she could think of a lot that would have been fun for the both of them) he had asked for something that would have helped her. Kitsune had half a mind to include a few ôfavorsö at the end of their little journey. Of course, that was probably just the alcohol speaking.

ôWeÆll do things your way, Keitaro. IÆll give up drinking for the weekendàand thanks.ö Kitsune announced.

ôMmmmàö Keitaro muttered.

ôI mean it.ö she insisted. ôI mean, I barge in at breakfast and drag you off to god-knows-where before you can even get a second helping. You havenÆt really even asked for anything when you help me.ö

ôUnn.ö Came the curt reply.

As seductively as possible, she leaned over to her landlord and whispered in his ear. ôPull this off and I may even throw in the special service as an extra.ö

ôHurrfö Keitaro slurred.

KitsuneÆs brow furrowed, and after a few moments, she violently jabbed her index finger into his ribs, forcing the comfortable young man from his nap.

ôI-IÆm awake!ö the startled ronin cried. ôIÆm awake!ö

ôIÆve decided.ö grumbled the fox. ôWeÆll do things your way, now for the rest of the story-ö

Keitaro didnÆt know why, but he was overcome with the all-too familiar feeling that heÆd done something wrong again.

***

Taking great care not to be spotted, Shinobu peeked around the corner of the hallway. Satisfied that no one was waiting around the corner, she bolted down the corridor into an empty closet.

Shinobu paused for a moment to adjust the straps on her backpack. She had been traveling all of twenty-five meters, and already the heavy pack was digging into her shoulders.

Truth be told, she probably wasnÆt going to need most of the stuff she was taking, but she wasnÆt about to have a repeat of the last time sempai went out of town. This time she would be prepared, she would be ready, and she would face the trials that awaited her on the way to Osaka.

Part of her- the rational part- chided herself about her actions. To run off like this would only inconvenience sempai and cause everyone at the house to worry about her. How on earth was she going to find him in Osaka anyway? At least Kyoto was a tourist paradise, with myriad attractions she could use as a starting place to search from. Osaka, however, she knew absolutely nothing about, and while she had a handful of maps and guides, Sempai would be traveling with someone who knew the back roads of the town.

And what was she worried about in the first place? While she knew sempai thought Kitsune wasàwasàsexy.

Shinobu blushed at the thought. She knew the older woman had something that men found irresistible-even sempai, although she couldnÆt quite place her finger on what that something was. Even then, hadnÆt Kitsune always stated she was interested in rich guys?

Every other nook and cranny of her mind laughed as she tried to talk herself out of going. She knew none of those ôreasonsö mattered. She had to go. If there was even the slightest doubt that Keitaro might need her for help, or for anything, she would go.

With her resolve stiffened and back rested, the young girl stepped out into the hallway.

àand right into a rabbit snare.

Before she it even occurred to her that something was wrong, she was dangling upside-down from the ceiling with blood rushing to her head.

ôLookie what we caught here!ö Su commented between sinister chuckles. ShinobuÆs nose filled with the scent of burning tobacco, signifying HarukaÆs entrance.

ôGood job, kid. Your bananaÆs are in the kitchen.ö

As Su scampered off to claim her prize, Haruka twirled the dangling girl so they could converse face-to-face.

ôTrying to sneak off on your own, are you?ö

Shinobu couldnÆt reply. Fear over her impending punishment had frozen her body.

ôOf course you were.ö The older woman continued. ôYou know how much trouble that is for everyone. ItÆs not safe for a young girl on her own.ö

ôIàö

ôBut you tried anyway regardless. I bet even if we kept you under lock and key youÆd still try to run off.ö Haruka cut her off. ôDo you know what is going to happen now?ö

Shinobu nodded meekly.

ôNo, I donÆt think you do.ö Haruka grinned. ôIÆm going to cut you down, and youÆre going to meet up with Naru and Motoko at the front door. Then you are going to Osaka with them.ö Haruka released the young girl from the trap, taking care not to cause any injuries.

ôYou mean youÆll let me go?ö Shinobu asked in amazement.

ôYouÆre not off the hook. WeÆre going to have a long chat when you get back. Now go, theyÆre waiting for you.ö

 

[Innortal]

Not a bad addition, even sounded like it would fit the story. Will Su somehow be at the door, holding the bananas, with Mutsumi standing nearby?

 

[glaed]

Ok, so Keitaro and Kitsune going to claim that they got together as a result of Keitaro helping Kitsune break her alcohol addiction, right? So how do they plan to hide the evidence of her going through the DTs of an addiction that she should already be over?