Akamatsuverse So, What Now, Genius?!
- Thread starter Zenithos
- Start date
YES! My muse has finally left it's death bed and decided to rejoin me! YAY! I finally finished chapter 1 of the story! 
Sorry, can't help but feel really happy over this.
Take this injustice! Rule 5) Injustice is ALWAYS in season! (I always wanted to say thatà, sorry, Lord Raa)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ôMustà.haveà.bananaaaaaaaaaaaà.ö a long, drawled out moan filled the room as the tan-skinned foreigner rolled over in the bough she occupied. ôBananaaaaàö She gulped unsteadily as she reached for a nearby banana.
ôUlpàö She immediately raised a hand to her mouth as the scent of the banana reached her nose. Her stomach boiled. An uneasy rushing sensation ran up her neck, stopping abruptly and uncomfortably at the base of her tongue. For just a moment she half-tasted the fizzy acid of her own stomach that had risen up to the base of her mouth in retaliation to the disgusting smell. In the panic she somehow managed to fall out of the tree, crashing straight into the low shrubbery below.
The very smell of bananas disgusted her this much? What? She gulped, her eyes watering painfully, as she stumbled away from her prized bananas.
ôSuu?ö She heard a voice say. She looked up, desperate for help. She MUST have her bananas!
It was a grave-looking Haruka. Suu noticed that there was something off about her. A few things, actually.
For one thing, she was missing the usual cancer stick that would normally dangle from her lips. The other thing was, she didnÆt even smell like tobacco, which meantà
æShe suddenly started to hate the taste of cigarettes?Æ Suu thought, propping herself up by the edge of one of her experiment tables. æThere must beà.a logical explanation behind thisàÆ She thought wretchedly as she raised herself to a standing position. æButàfirst of all, Suu-chan needs an experimental subjectàÆ She looked up at Haruka.
She noticed Haruka sigh. ôYou too, huh, Suu?ö She asked.
ôYesàSuu-chan canÆt eat bananasàö She moaned, stumbling towards Haruka. ôHave you started to hate the things you like, HarukaHaruka?ö
ôSighàcome with meàö Haruka shook her head in exasperation as she took Suu by the hand while reaching into her pockets to bring out a small white cardboard package.
ôButàButàmy laboratory is over hereàö Suu pointed out, too weak to resist HarukaÆs pull on her arm.
ôOh, and by the way, no more climbing and leaping about for a bit, Suu.ö Haruka added. ôIf I find you climbing and leaping out of trees like that again, IÆll be sure to clear out your room of all the greenery, is that understood?ö
ôB-butàHarukaHarukaàö Suu started in protest.
Haruka glared down at her. ôAre we clear?ö
Something about that look told her that there was absolutely no room for even a simple compromise. She gulped and nodded, before following after her in a sedate pace.
First, no bananas. Now, no climbing and leaping. What was her life coming to?
Quite a lot, actually, as she later found outà
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ôKeitaro, whatÆs the meaning of this?!ö
When Haruka and Suu reached the living room, they found themselves walking into what looked like a titanic battle of wills.
ôI found this letter when I went out to find Shinobu-chan in her room!ö Naru shouted, throwing the crumpled piece of paper at KeitaroÆs confused face. ôI knew something was going on! Tell me NOW!ö She screamed, pulling Keitaro up by the scruff of his neck.
Correction, it wasnÆt as much a battle of wills as it was Naru forcing Keitaro to write his will.
ôI-Iàö Keitaro slumped. ôI donÆt knowàö He clutched his hair in a lost manner. ôI just donÆt know anymoreàö He shut his eyes tightly, shaking his head.
Haruka let go of Suu to bend down and pick up the letter. Upon unfolding it she found ShinobuÆs neat handwriting, blotted in places by what she could only guess to be tears.
ôDonÆt look for me, sempai. IÆll be fine by myself. You should take care of the others.ö Haruka read out, slowly. ôSigned, Shinobu.ö She sighed, crumpling the letter up once again with one hand, holding her head in frustration with the other. ôKeitaro!ö
ôH-Haruka-sanàö Naru gasped, slowly letting go of Keitaro, causing him to sink to the floor.
ôK-Keitaroàö Suu somehow felt a pang of sorts take hold of her heart. As if by instinct, she went forwards and knelt by KeitaroÆs shuddering figure. A strong convulsion to comfort Keitaro somehow gripped her and she had no reason to resist it. She reached out and pulled Keitaro into a tight embrace. ôKeitaroàwhy?ö She murmured, half-asking him why he was crying, half-asking him the reason for this strange feeling she was now experiencing, as she felt the wetness of KeitaroÆs cheeks against her own.
ôKeitaro, this isnÆt time for tears.ö Haruka said, towering over him. ôYou should go out after her.ö
ôButàbutàö Keitaro shook his cradled head. ôI canÆtà.ö
He was once again pulled up by the scruff of the neck, this time by Haruka, who followed it through with a resounding slap to his face. ôShut up, nephew. If I hear you utter the word æIÆ one more time, I will personally reduce you to a pulp, is that understood?ö She asked, raising up his chin to look straight into his eyes. ôThis isnÆt a matter of æIÆ anymore. What matters are these girls. Are we clear?ö
ôKe-Keitaroàö Suu mumbled, looking up helplessly at KeitaroÆs dark face.
Another hand came down and picked up the letter Haruka had discarded behind her. The owner of said hand hid behind a wall and read through the short, concise, tear-stained letter.
Mitsune sighed as she crumpled up the letter once more and threw it aside before picking up her suitcase and turning to leave. It wasnÆt her business anymore, thatÆs for sure. Why should she worry?
ôGoodbye, Keitaro, everyoneàö She murmured as she lowered the cap she wore.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ShinobuÆs breath came out in pale white puffs as she looked down the tracks, watching her train rounded a far off bend on its way towards the deserted station.
She looked around and sighed as she took one last look at the tall hill on the horizon that kept the place she had called home for the past few years. It was certainly beautiful, hugged by the multitude of autumn colours against the pale red autumn sky.
ôItÆs just you and me, huh?ö She sighed, gently patting her tummy. In a few months it would bear a full sized babyà.his babyà
A tear ran down her cold cheeks as the thought of her beloved sempai floated through her mind. But those are all memories now. Going back was no longer an option. If anything, she would only be a burden to him. Better that she left, really.
She wiped away her tears, picking up her small suitcase as the train slowly pulled into the deserted station. She hadnÆt brought much with her. She figured that she could have Haruka-san send her stuff for her later on. For now she just had to get away. Away from everyone, away from the Hinata Sou, and away fromà.
ôNow where do you think youÆre going, young lady?ö
Shinobu half-gasped, half-choked, as she turned around in surprise to come face to face with a foxy grin. ôMi-Mitsune-sempai!ö
ôWell, well,ö Mitsune chuckled, watching as the train slowly came to a screeching halt. ôArenÆt you a little too young to be traveling about alone?ö She asked, as the doors slowly slid open.
ôI-Iàö Shinobu looked away, not being able to stare into the older womanÆs eyes.
ôItÆs all right, I understand.ö Mitsune smiled, looking forwards at the open doors. ôBut what youÆre doing, if anything, would only hurt him more.ö
Shinobu gasped. ôB-butàö
ôHow do you think heÆll feel? HeÆs him, after all.ö Mitsune chuckled lightly as a light breeze blew through the station. ôStay with him, Shinobu-chan. ItÆs for the best. For the child too.ö She nodded at ShinobuÆs tummy, which made Shinobu blush profusely.
ôH-How did youà?ö Shinobu started, her blush going all the way up to her ears.
ôWell, goodbye, Shinobu-chan. Have a good life, ok? Stay with him, at the very least, for the child you bear, and, if possible, for your own happiness.ö She turned around and gave Shinobu one last grin before stepping through the trainÆs doors.
Shinobu, who had been left shell-shocked on the platform, gasped as the train doors slowly slid shut. ôW-wait for me!ö She cried, as the signalman blew the whistle, signaling the trainÆs departure. ôN-No, Mitsune-sempai!ö She cried, as she ran after the slowly departing train. ôI-I want to go! Stop the train!ö
Mitsune sighed as she watched Shinobu slowly fall behind. ôHeh, I say all that, and yet, Ià.ö She looked down at her tummy and smiled sadly. ôGomeneà.ö She closed her eyes as tears slowly started to leak out. ôGomeneàö
Shinobu gasped for breath, supporting herself by her knees as she helplessly watched the train pull out of the station. ôPleaseà.take me with youàö She murmured as she fell to her knees. ôPleaseàö
A pair of arms reached out from behind her and pulled Shinobu into a tight embrace. She gasped slightly, but found that she had almost no more strength to resist.
ôShinobu-chanàö She heard an uncertain voice murmur. ôIÆm sorryàIÆm so sorry. I shouldÆve said something earlier. I shouldÆveà.ö The voice faltered. ôàI know IÆve been completely uselessà.and IÆve never felt this wretched before, butàpleaseàö The voice shook. ôPlease, Shinobu-chan, give me a chanceàjust one more chanceàand I swear IÆll make you happy.ö She could hear sobs enter the voice. ôWeÆll be a family, a good one. WeÆll make it through togetheràI-Iàö
Shinobu felt her cheeks moisten again as she raised a shivering hand to touch the arms folded around her. They were deathly cold. He had ran out without putting on a coat or sweater.
ôSh-Shinobu-chanàI donÆt knowà.Iàjustàpleaseàö He choked. ôPleaseàpleaseàö He repeated over and over, sobbing. ôPleaseàö
Another wind blew through the deserted station as Haruka, Naru, and Suu ran through the ticket counter. This time, it was a warmer one. The three watched the two, kneeling on the platform, Keitaro hugging Shinobu from the back, both shivering with tears.
Sorry, can't help but feel really happy over this. Take this injustice! Rule 5) Injustice is ALWAYS in season! (I always wanted to say thatà, sorry, Lord Raa)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ôMustà.haveà.bananaaaaaaaaaaaà.ö a long, drawled out moan filled the room as the tan-skinned foreigner rolled over in the bough she occupied. ôBananaaaaàö She gulped unsteadily as she reached for a nearby banana.
ôUlpàö She immediately raised a hand to her mouth as the scent of the banana reached her nose. Her stomach boiled. An uneasy rushing sensation ran up her neck, stopping abruptly and uncomfortably at the base of her tongue. For just a moment she half-tasted the fizzy acid of her own stomach that had risen up to the base of her mouth in retaliation to the disgusting smell. In the panic she somehow managed to fall out of the tree, crashing straight into the low shrubbery below.
The very smell of bananas disgusted her this much? What? She gulped, her eyes watering painfully, as she stumbled away from her prized bananas.
ôSuu?ö She heard a voice say. She looked up, desperate for help. She MUST have her bananas!
It was a grave-looking Haruka. Suu noticed that there was something off about her. A few things, actually.
For one thing, she was missing the usual cancer stick that would normally dangle from her lips. The other thing was, she didnÆt even smell like tobacco, which meantà
æShe suddenly started to hate the taste of cigarettes?Æ Suu thought, propping herself up by the edge of one of her experiment tables. æThere must beà.a logical explanation behind thisàÆ She thought wretchedly as she raised herself to a standing position. æButàfirst of all, Suu-chan needs an experimental subjectàÆ She looked up at Haruka.
She noticed Haruka sigh. ôYou too, huh, Suu?ö She asked.
ôYesàSuu-chan canÆt eat bananasàö She moaned, stumbling towards Haruka. ôHave you started to hate the things you like, HarukaHaruka?ö
ôSighàcome with meàö Haruka shook her head in exasperation as she took Suu by the hand while reaching into her pockets to bring out a small white cardboard package.
ôButàButàmy laboratory is over hereàö Suu pointed out, too weak to resist HarukaÆs pull on her arm.
ôOh, and by the way, no more climbing and leaping about for a bit, Suu.ö Haruka added. ôIf I find you climbing and leaping out of trees like that again, IÆll be sure to clear out your room of all the greenery, is that understood?ö
ôB-butàHarukaHarukaàö Suu started in protest.
Haruka glared down at her. ôAre we clear?ö
Something about that look told her that there was absolutely no room for even a simple compromise. She gulped and nodded, before following after her in a sedate pace.
First, no bananas. Now, no climbing and leaping. What was her life coming to?
Quite a lot, actually, as she later found outà
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ôKeitaro, whatÆs the meaning of this?!ö
When Haruka and Suu reached the living room, they found themselves walking into what looked like a titanic battle of wills.
ôI found this letter when I went out to find Shinobu-chan in her room!ö Naru shouted, throwing the crumpled piece of paper at KeitaroÆs confused face. ôI knew something was going on! Tell me NOW!ö She screamed, pulling Keitaro up by the scruff of his neck.
Correction, it wasnÆt as much a battle of wills as it was Naru forcing Keitaro to write his will.
ôI-Iàö Keitaro slumped. ôI donÆt knowàö He clutched his hair in a lost manner. ôI just donÆt know anymoreàö He shut his eyes tightly, shaking his head.
Haruka let go of Suu to bend down and pick up the letter. Upon unfolding it she found ShinobuÆs neat handwriting, blotted in places by what she could only guess to be tears.
ôDonÆt look for me, sempai. IÆll be fine by myself. You should take care of the others.ö Haruka read out, slowly. ôSigned, Shinobu.ö She sighed, crumpling the letter up once again with one hand, holding her head in frustration with the other. ôKeitaro!ö
ôH-Haruka-sanàö Naru gasped, slowly letting go of Keitaro, causing him to sink to the floor.
ôK-Keitaroàö Suu somehow felt a pang of sorts take hold of her heart. As if by instinct, she went forwards and knelt by KeitaroÆs shuddering figure. A strong convulsion to comfort Keitaro somehow gripped her and she had no reason to resist it. She reached out and pulled Keitaro into a tight embrace. ôKeitaroàwhy?ö She murmured, half-asking him why he was crying, half-asking him the reason for this strange feeling she was now experiencing, as she felt the wetness of KeitaroÆs cheeks against her own.
ôKeitaro, this isnÆt time for tears.ö Haruka said, towering over him. ôYou should go out after her.ö
ôButàbutàö Keitaro shook his cradled head. ôI canÆtà.ö
He was once again pulled up by the scruff of the neck, this time by Haruka, who followed it through with a resounding slap to his face. ôShut up, nephew. If I hear you utter the word æIÆ one more time, I will personally reduce you to a pulp, is that understood?ö She asked, raising up his chin to look straight into his eyes. ôThis isnÆt a matter of æIÆ anymore. What matters are these girls. Are we clear?ö
ôKe-Keitaroàö Suu mumbled, looking up helplessly at KeitaroÆs dark face.
Another hand came down and picked up the letter Haruka had discarded behind her. The owner of said hand hid behind a wall and read through the short, concise, tear-stained letter.
Mitsune sighed as she crumpled up the letter once more and threw it aside before picking up her suitcase and turning to leave. It wasnÆt her business anymore, thatÆs for sure. Why should she worry?
ôGoodbye, Keitaro, everyoneàö She murmured as she lowered the cap she wore.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
ShinobuÆs breath came out in pale white puffs as she looked down the tracks, watching her train rounded a far off bend on its way towards the deserted station.
She looked around and sighed as she took one last look at the tall hill on the horizon that kept the place she had called home for the past few years. It was certainly beautiful, hugged by the multitude of autumn colours against the pale red autumn sky.
ôItÆs just you and me, huh?ö She sighed, gently patting her tummy. In a few months it would bear a full sized babyà.his babyà
A tear ran down her cold cheeks as the thought of her beloved sempai floated through her mind. But those are all memories now. Going back was no longer an option. If anything, she would only be a burden to him. Better that she left, really.
She wiped away her tears, picking up her small suitcase as the train slowly pulled into the deserted station. She hadnÆt brought much with her. She figured that she could have Haruka-san send her stuff for her later on. For now she just had to get away. Away from everyone, away from the Hinata Sou, and away fromà.
ôNow where do you think youÆre going, young lady?ö
Shinobu half-gasped, half-choked, as she turned around in surprise to come face to face with a foxy grin. ôMi-Mitsune-sempai!ö
ôWell, well,ö Mitsune chuckled, watching as the train slowly came to a screeching halt. ôArenÆt you a little too young to be traveling about alone?ö She asked, as the doors slowly slid open.
ôI-Iàö Shinobu looked away, not being able to stare into the older womanÆs eyes.
ôItÆs all right, I understand.ö Mitsune smiled, looking forwards at the open doors. ôBut what youÆre doing, if anything, would only hurt him more.ö
Shinobu gasped. ôB-butàö
ôHow do you think heÆll feel? HeÆs him, after all.ö Mitsune chuckled lightly as a light breeze blew through the station. ôStay with him, Shinobu-chan. ItÆs for the best. For the child too.ö She nodded at ShinobuÆs tummy, which made Shinobu blush profusely.
ôH-How did youà?ö Shinobu started, her blush going all the way up to her ears.
ôWell, goodbye, Shinobu-chan. Have a good life, ok? Stay with him, at the very least, for the child you bear, and, if possible, for your own happiness.ö She turned around and gave Shinobu one last grin before stepping through the trainÆs doors.
Shinobu, who had been left shell-shocked on the platform, gasped as the train doors slowly slid shut. ôW-wait for me!ö She cried, as the signalman blew the whistle, signaling the trainÆs departure. ôN-No, Mitsune-sempai!ö She cried, as she ran after the slowly departing train. ôI-I want to go! Stop the train!ö
Mitsune sighed as she watched Shinobu slowly fall behind. ôHeh, I say all that, and yet, Ià.ö She looked down at her tummy and smiled sadly. ôGomeneà.ö She closed her eyes as tears slowly started to leak out. ôGomeneàö
Shinobu gasped for breath, supporting herself by her knees as she helplessly watched the train pull out of the station. ôPleaseà.take me with youàö She murmured as she fell to her knees. ôPleaseàö
A pair of arms reached out from behind her and pulled Shinobu into a tight embrace. She gasped slightly, but found that she had almost no more strength to resist.
ôShinobu-chanàö She heard an uncertain voice murmur. ôIÆm sorryàIÆm so sorry. I shouldÆve said something earlier. I shouldÆveà.ö The voice faltered. ôàI know IÆve been completely uselessà.and IÆve never felt this wretched before, butàpleaseàö The voice shook. ôPlease, Shinobu-chan, give me a chanceàjust one more chanceàand I swear IÆll make you happy.ö She could hear sobs enter the voice. ôWeÆll be a family, a good one. WeÆll make it through togetheràI-Iàö
Shinobu felt her cheeks moisten again as she raised a shivering hand to touch the arms folded around her. They were deathly cold. He had ran out without putting on a coat or sweater.
ôSh-Shinobu-chanàI donÆt knowà.Iàjustàpleaseàö He choked. ôPleaseàpleaseàö He repeated over and over, sobbing. ôPleaseàö
Another wind blew through the deserted station as Haruka, Naru, and Suu ran through the ticket counter. This time, it was a warmer one. The three watched the two, kneeling on the platform, Keitaro hugging Shinobu from the back, both shivering with tears.
I like where this story is going. Angsty materials often lead to some of the best characterizations. I do wonder if Kitsune will be found or come back though, since it won't be long before she's missed.
Having said that, I'd expect that at least one of the girls (probably Motoko) would be angry over this. I don't mean some half-baked fit of pique like they usually have, but a deep sense of resentment over the fact that they've just had a life-altering complication thrown at them, and it is partially Keitaro's fault. Accidentally getting pregnant is usually a sign that you won't get to live the life you want.
...having said that though, it's funny how abortion never seems to be a real option in these fics (then again, if it was, there wouldn't be much to write about, would there?).
Having said that, I'd expect that at least one of the girls (probably Motoko) would be angry over this. I don't mean some half-baked fit of pique like they usually have, but a deep sense of resentment over the fact that they've just had a life-altering complication thrown at them, and it is partially Keitaro's fault. Accidentally getting pregnant is usually a sign that you won't get to live the life you want.
...having said that though, it's funny how abortion never seems to be a real option in these fics (then again, if it was, there wouldn't be much to write about, would there?).
I had a feeling you'd like all the angst. No much WAFF here, no? :snigger:
As for Motoko, I haven't exactly decided on her overall reaction. Well, the Shinmei-Ryu won't be happy, for one thing. Tsuruko might get involved somewhere. Otherwise...I'm still working on a blank slate here. ^_^
Abortion....well, Mitsune did consider that, didn't she? But then again, who'd want to read a fic about abortion? That's over-stepping the realms of fanfiction, in my book at least.
Stills lots of stuff to decide, really. Unlike all my other fics, I currently don't have a direction I want to take this fic, really. But I guess I'll just spend the first few fics on Angst as Keitaro tries to hold them together.
And I still can't envision Naru's reaction to this whole thing yet. Hmm....
No much WAFF here, no? :snigger: As for Motoko, I haven't exactly decided on her overall reaction. Well, the Shinmei-Ryu won't be happy, for one thing. Tsuruko might get involved somewhere. Otherwise...I'm still working on a blank slate here. ^_^
Abortion....well, Mitsune did consider that, didn't she? But then again, who'd want to read a fic about abortion? That's over-stepping the realms of fanfiction, in my book at least.
Stills lots of stuff to decide, really. Unlike all my other fics, I currently don't have a direction I want to take this fic, really. But I guess I'll just spend the first few fics on Angst as Keitaro tries to hold them together.
And I still can't envision Naru's reaction to this whole thing yet. Hmm....
The question about shinmei ryu is a curious one. Tsuruko has no children, that we know of. Motoko never mentions any. We have no idea how big or small the Aoyama clan is. It could be a couple dozen people, or it could be just a few. Fans tend to make things up so there's something reasonable sounding.
On one hand, Tsuruko nearly married Motoko to Keitaro, perhaps for reasons of breeding a warrior, or perhaps motivation to try harder by Motoko. On the other hand, if honor is key, Motoko getting pregnant may be a shameful act so she'll be expected to abort it, and return to the family if they know, and abort it and never speak of it again if they don't. Theoretically, anyway.
On one hand, Tsuruko nearly married Motoko to Keitaro, perhaps for reasons of breeding a warrior, or perhaps motivation to try harder by Motoko. On the other hand, if honor is key, Motoko getting pregnant may be a shameful act so she'll be expected to abort it, and return to the family if they know, and abort it and never speak of it again if they don't. Theoretically, anyway.
It's not illegal, but it is not the sort of thing you would go around announcing to the whole world....That's probably why you see or hear so little of it. Most families probably go to great lengths to keep this sort of thing under wraps. I suppose it would not be implausible for the parents of their daughter to "adopt" the child and claim that it is their own offspring, just to spare everyone the possible humiliation.
