Update time.
***
ôUrashima, we need to speak with you.ö Motoko confronted Keitaro as soon as he closed the door to KitsuneÆs room.
ôSure, just let me pack first.ö Keitaro replied as he turned to enter his room.
ôNow.ö Motoko growled. ôTo the atticö
Keitaro had intended to start packing, he really did. However, when a shinmeiryu swordswoman accosts someone by jabbing a scabbard into the small of oneÆs back and orders them to march, that person isnÆt in much position to argue.
As they approached their destination, Keitaro could hear the other girlsÆ voices. He couldnÆt make out exact words, but from the assorted giggles from Kaola mixed with NaruÆs increasingly frustrated explanations, he could get the gist of it. The young ronin readied himself for a pummeling.
Normally, Naru was only violent when something perverse came up. Despite her open interpretation of what qualified as perversion she quite pleasant to be around when she was calm. Right now he was getting caught up pretending to be her best friendÆs husband, and in her eyes he was probably going to jump Kitsune the moment everyoneÆsÆ back was turned. To put it bluntly, he was about to be beaten to a pulp, castrated, or both.
As he made his way up the final steps, he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable Naru punch.
ôYou donÆt get it!ö Naru explained, trying to keep herself from shouting. ôIÆve never seen her scared like that before!ö
ôMaybe she has a good reason?ö Shinobu replied meekly. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Keitaro held his breath as they went about their conversation.
ôSheÆd better!ö Naru snapped. ôShe still canÆt believe sheÆs dragging Keitaro into all of this, does she even know how close the practice exam is?ö Keitaro slowly opened an eye. Was he wrong? It seemed like Kitsune had earned the lionÆs share of NaruÆs ire, but that hardly meant he was completely safe. His thoughts were interrupted when Suu suddenly rocketed away from the two, intent on delivering a playful and painful æhelloÆ kick to her landlord.
ôHiya Keitaro!ö Suu gleefully shouted. Keitaro inhaled sharply, only to have his breath forced from his lungs as the giddy foreigner planted a foot near his diaphragm. ôIs it true ya and the fox lady got hitched?ö
ôNo, Suu. Like I was telling you, theyÆre just pretending.ö Naru grumbled in frustration as she helped Keitaro to his feet.
ôIt is just pretend, right sempai?ö Shinobu said, half-begging for a æyes.Æ
ôDonÆt worry.ö Keitaro said as he struggled to get air back into his lungs. Aside from SuuÆs relatively gentle flying kick, it seemed he was safe.
ôCan I play too?ö Suu announced as she crawled on his back.
ôKeitaro, do you have any of Granny HinaÆs notes? Maybe thereÆs something in there.ö Naru said, trying her best to ignore Suu.
ôActually, I donÆt think she had any notes about Kitsune.ö Keitaro could tell Naru wasnÆt satisfied with that response. ôItÆs kinda weird now that you mention it.ö
ôThis just keeps getting stranger and stranger.ö Naru mused. ôShe never said anything about what happened before she came here.ö
ôWe all have things we donÆt want to share.ö Motoko stated flatly. The swordswoman seemed unnerved by the direction the conversation was heading.
ôYeah, but she never said a word about her past to any of us. Not to me or even to Granny Hina, it seems.ö Narusegawa continued as she wracked her memory for any possible clue.
ôWell, it seems to have something to do with all those omiai.ö Keitaro chimed in.
ôThat doesnÆt explain why sheÆd be so secretive about it.ö Motoko retorted calmly
ôI wanna play too! I can be married to Motoko!ö
ôSuu! Stop fooling around, you canÆt even marry aàö
Realization hit the small gathering like a ton of bricks.