Promise Kept

Disclaimer: Other talented people came up with the
other characters and situations I've used here. I did
not write this to make any money, only for entertainment.

Keitaro stands at the alter, his nervousness is obvious as
he checks himself over for any blemishes to his cloths. I
have to admit, the tux makes him look absoultly dashing.
Even his glasses, which normal lend him such a goofy look,
only add to his appeal this day. His wedding day.

Shinobu and Kaolla sit in the aisle, looking positvily adorable
in their little pink and blue dresses. Both seem excited and a
little sad about what's happening. I can relate. Beside them
Sara and Mokoto both looking beutiful in their gowns.
Amazing considering the fuss they had before finally donning
cloths more appropriate to the occasion.

My eyes drift to Keitaro. He's so happy, and nervous at the
same time. Seta, his best man, puts a comforting hand on his
shoulder. He smiles at him and nodds his thanks.

I always figured this would be the happiest day of my life.
The day Keitaro wed. But I also thought I'd be the one
marrying him. Today's the day I thought I'd become Naru
Urashima. But its not to be and I have no one to blame
but myself.

Kitsune sees my tears and hands me a tissue while Mutsumi
smiles bravely at me. We were always friends and now comfort
each other in our loss.

I still can't believe how it happened. We were half way through
our first year of Tokyo U. We'd all managed to get in during
the exams after the renovations. Everything seemed so right
to me. Sure I decked him now and again but I always thought
he deserved it. Later I realized that wasn't the problem. Not
really at least. the real problem was that I was afraid his promised
girl would come and he'd drop me just like that. I didn't want to
open myself to heart ach again and I kept him at arms length,
never telling him how I felt. He needed to hear "I love you"
from me and I never said it. I gave *her* a clear window of
oppurtunity.

She had begun going to Todai only that year. It seems her mother
died when she was young and she was left to take care of the
family finances. Recently her eldest sister married and she'd
finally been able to scrape together enough cash for college,
though she would't tell me how. We met her in an english class
we all had to take. It was tough so we all studied together. She
was always a bit mischevous but she was also smart. We'd not
have gotten through that class without her.

She and Keitaro began to get close and I reacted poorly which
drove them closer. At first she tried to give me advice. Telling
me about how her youngest sister had lost her fiancee to her
eldest sister. The youngest hadn't been as kind as me she
admitted, but we both kept the man we loved at arms length,
and it worked all two well.

Eventually, she stopped giving me advice and began to truly
return his affections, things proceeded quickly from there.
Within a year they were seriously dating. I still retained hope.
Praying that she'd tire of him. Afterall she was highly sought
after at school, maybe one of those other guys would catch her
fancy. Leaving Keitaro to me. But she never did. I geuss the
enormity of it didn't hit me till he proposed to her after
graduation. Then I realized what I'd lost. I cried for a
long time after that. But Kitsune was there. She and Mutsumi
helped me through it. But I admit it still hurts sometimes.

The real kicker came a few nights ago after the bridel shower
we had for her. It was the first time she and Haruka had met
face to face, and they recognized each other. Everyone was
going into the hot spring. I had to get something from my room
and came into the changeing room a little late. I froze when
I heard the two talking. It turned out Haruka knew she was
here when the rest of us were young. She admitted it and to
being Urashima's promised girl. I nearly dropped my bath things
at that. All this time, she was the girl he'd been waiting
for and she'd said nothing.

I leaned in to listen, she said that she swore that if she found
him, she'd make sure he loved her for her and not because
of a promise. She'd thought that I had him but like her sister
I pushed him away. She swore Haruka to secracy. She still
didn't want him to know. She thought it was better this way.
I've decided to obey her wishes, she's been nothing but a
good friend to me and I won't betray that.

The Music plays bringing me out of my memories. I look up and
see an angel. She looks so beuitful in her wedding dress. Her
father looks near tears as he escorts her down the aisle, her
sisters close behind. I turn and see Keitaro freeze like a deer
in the head lights. I smile, same old Keitaro. Slowly he comes
out of it and a smile of wonder a joy spreads across his face.
A smile I'd hopped to see one day from under the veil. But
I'll never see it now.

She makes it to the end and the cermony begins. The priest
is an older man, but his voice carries across the room. Soon,
he comes to the part I've waited for and dreaded "Do you
Keitaro Urashima take this women to be your lawfully wedded
wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in helath, for richer
or poorer as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Do You Nabiki Tendo take this man to be your lawfully
wedded husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in
helath, for richer or poorer as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you
man and wife." The old priest smiles "You may kiss the
bride."

And what a kiss it is.

I wipe a tear from eyes as the happy couple make their way
down the aisle. Looking not to have a care in the world. For
a moment I see myself in Nabiki's place, but I shake the image
away. I lost him, and I have to let go. I clap and cheer as loud
as I can, as I fight back tears, failing miserably. But so is
everyone else.

Soon there gone from sight, but not from my life. I'll see
them again I'm sure and I hope we can at least be friends.

Author Notes: This came about after watching Love Hina
straight through. I began to wonder who the promise girl
could be and how she could gain Keitaro's attention. After
all, as nice as Mutsumi is and even though she recognized
him in disguise he still goes after Naru. Which makes
little sense to me but oh well. So I figured it would
take a strong smart and kind girl to win him. If Nabiki
were holding onto a promise of love down the road it
might explain her behavior to some extent.

Now honestly I like Naru but I think that if she doesn't
admit how she feels and soon, some girl could yank Keitaro
from her. I've seriously considered writing a much longer
version of this fic detailing how Nabiki managed to win
his heart but that is for later.

In truth I'm fighting the urge to Write a 'Ranma 1/2'
'To Heart' Crossover. The idea of Ranma making frineds
with that caste, then having the Nerima wrecking crew
crash the party is an immensly enticing idea. But I
want to write two more chapters of 'Warriors redemtion',
another of 'Child of Silence' and one more of 'Unexpected'
first. I'm putting the Baldur's gate fic on hold till I
get and beat 'Throne of Bhaal', for, uh, research purposes!
Yeah, that sounds good. So, If anyone wants to take it, the
"To Heart" fic drop me a line and I'll send you what I had
worked out.


Ah well, I'd love to know your thoughts on this.
C&C appreciated.

Jeremy Evans,
    Wild Mage in training