Ask and ye shall receive, my brothers!
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Keitaro suppressed a sigh as he made his way to the hot springs, this time having double checked that Naru, Motoko, and pretty much every girl at the Hinata Sou were either in the kitchen, in their rooms, or watching television so he wouldn't have to worry about any accidents.
Afterall, Motoko's brother-in-law was staying with them for the next week, and he didn't want the man to think he was as much of a pervert as all his tenants believed him to be. Securing the towel around his waist, he pulled his cleaning supplies under his arm and stepped into the open air, allowing himself to revel in the peace and quiet.
"Oh! If it isn't the young manager!"
Out of sheer reflex, Urashima froze like a deer under the headlights, slowly turning his head to catch a glimpse of the black bowl-cut hairstyle that belonged to only one man. "A-Ah. H-Hello Gai-san. Is is alright if I join you?" Keitaro felt himself already beginning to backpedal, not wanting to draw the ire of a man that married someone as terrifying as Tsuruko-san could be.
What he didn't expect was another bout of booming laughter before Maito Gai got to his feet and grinned, teeth managing to glint like a lantern through the steam. "Of course not, Urashima-san. There's more then enough room for two youthful men like us!" He motioned Keitaro over before sinking back into the water, absently petting Tama-chan who had come to join them in the steam.
The unusually friendly reply was enough to bolster the young manager's spirits, making him quickly get through his cleaning before sitting down alongside the older man. "Thank you, Maito-san. And please just call me Keitaro."
"Very well then, but only if you just call me Gai." He said with a thumbs up, the broad smile replaced by a much more relaxed one. The two remained in silence for several minutes, unable to break the ice until Gai spoke up. "Tell me Keitaro, has Motoko-chan been as youthfully rambunctious as Tsuruko told me?"
Rather then say she was a man-hating sociopath, Keitaro just chuckled weakly and scratched the back of his head. "She's..uh...very full of youth." He let out a nervous laugh, feeling the sweat begin to bead down his face as he found the man's chiseled features were not bearing down on him with an utterly serious expression.
As if those beady black eyes could see into his soul....and the freaky eyebrows could too!
Of course, this all dissipated when Gai sighed and resumed leaning back against the stone. "I was afraid of that. Tsuruko said she required some time to get accomidated with the changes, but I fear her youthful flames are being tainted by anger." He tried to fight back tears, which meant Keitaro only saw two rivers streaming down instead of one massive monsoon of manly regret.
"She has such potential, little Motoko-chan does! If harnessed right, her burning flame of youth could become bright enough to eclipse THE VERY SUN!" This indignation put Gai right on his feet, Keitaro's gaze following his face...if only because he refused to look at ANYTHING that was at normal eye level. "But I cannot do it alone! Without my hip rival Seta here to support me, even I doubt I have the power to set her on the right course.." he frowned and began to stroke his chin, shifting from one leg to another as he thought.
"Sweet kami! Make him sto-wait.." "Did you say Seta, as in Noriyasu Seta?"
By a miracle that was beyond words, Gai kneeled down to Keitaro's level. "That's the exact same man!"
"He's my sempai!" Keitaro felt himself grinning broadly, elated the two had someone in common.
It was the worst possible thing he could have said.
"THEN THAT CLENCHES IT!" Gai immediately seized Keitaro's hands and pulled him to his feet. "Mokoto here...you knowing Seta...This cannot be coincidence! Noo..this is PROVIDENCE!" hie eyes erupted into flame as he put his arm around Keitaro's shoulders, pulling him so Keitaro's head was cradled to his chest. "If that layabout saw the spark of fiery youth in you, then I cannot ignore it either!
"During this week, I shall make you my personal apprentice! And with your help, our dear Makoto-chan will finally find her way onto the Path of RICHEOUS BURNING YOUTH!! YOOOSH!"
Keitaro tried to join in the elation, but was cut short when Naru made her way into the hot spring in time to see the panoramic sunset behind the two naked men that were in eachothers arms.
As can be guessed, much violence ensued.
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Why did I write this snippet? Because I was bored, and Gai needs a reason to get his hands on Keitaro! :evil2: