Disclaimer: I do not own Love Hina or any of the characters contained in here created by Ken Akamatsu. Love Hina is owned by Ken Akamatsu. The only characters in here I own are the ones that I added to the story. This FanFic is purely for the enjoyment of others...So don't sue! Arigato!

Chapter 4:

"Keitaro?"

The former manager's headed whipped around, and he jumped to his feet.

"Naru! What are you doing out here?"

Naru walked over to sit on the bench. Keitaro hesitated for a moment, then sat beside her. They were quiet for a few moments, then Naru spoke.

"Why did you take off like that? You had us worried."

The manager looked down at his feet.

"What's wrong Kei?"

"I was doing fine until Taka made that comment. I thought that I was past everything, but I guess not. I don't know, its just been a long time, and a lot of things have changed, a lot of things have happened…" The manager's voice trailed off.

"I know." Naru said quietly. "How did you know I was married?"

"For one, your wearing your wedding ring and right after your marriage I saw a picture of the two of you in the newspaper. It said 'Doctor Hayato Ueda and his wife Naru Narusegawa returning from their honeymoon.' Kinda gave away the fact that you were married."

Naru didn't say anything. Again there was the long silence until Keitaro asked, "Why did you marry him Naru?"

Naru stood up and started walking towards some playground equipment. She went and sat on the swing, then rocked slowly. Keitaro walked over to join her. He tried not to notice the intense emotions that were showing on her face.

Did she still love Hayato? Did he even stand a chance? Maybe coming back to Hinata house was big mistake…

Finally, Naru looked over at Keitaro and began her story…

:Flashback 10 years:

(Naru's bedroom)

"Naru, you've got to eat something, you're going to make yourself sick!" Kitsune exclaimed. Naru had been

in her room for the last two weeks, and only came out to bathe. She walked into the room, and looked at the

shell that was her best friend. Since Keitaro had left to travel the world and study, the Naru they had

known had died, and in her place this ghost of a person was left. She just sat in her room all day,

looking at her photos, holding the teddy bear she'd come home with. Most nights you could hear her crying,

and the pain in the tears haunted the residents of Hinata House.

A week later

"Naru?"

Naru's mom walked into the room, and stopped in her tracks. If Kitsune and Haruka hadn't warned her, she

never would have known this was her daughter. Naru had always kept herself clean and dressed nicely. Seeing

her in jeans and a sloppy shirt was bad, but the sorrow etched on Naru's face broke her heart. She walked over and knelt by Naru's side.

"Come on, I'm taking you home."

Naru nodded listlessly, and sat staring out the window while her mother packed her belongings. She let her

mother help her up, and they walked down the stairs to where the other residents were standing. One by one

they tearfully hugged their friend goodbye. With a promise that she would keep them updated, Naru's

mother led her out the door to where her car was waiting. She got Naru settled in and then started down

the drive way. Naru turned around for one last look at the place she called home…

Two months later Naru was getting back to normal. She didn't cry as much, and seeing Keitaro's picture

didn't make her feel like her heart was being ripped out. She was sitting in her room writing a long letter

to Kitsune and the girls at Hinata House when there was a knock on her door. When she called out her

welcome, her mother came in, grinning from ear to ear.

"This is your lucky day!" she exclaimed, grabbing Naru's hands. "We've found you a husband!"

'A…husband?' Naru thought. A million thoughts were going through her head, and she finally tuned back in

to what her mother was saying.

"…and he's a doctor. He'd seen you a few times before, and had wanted to ask you out, but you were always

with that…boy." her mother said with a sneer.

"Wait a minute! What do you mean a husband? I don't want to get married! I'm still trying to figure things

out!"

"That enough Naru." her mother said quietly. "Your father and I let you see that boy, Keitaro, because we

thought that it was a phase that you would grow out of. But now its time for you to get serious. You need

to marry someone of social standing. Hayato is a great man and a doctor of high standing. You would want for

nothing! This is a good match, you should be proud that he wants you. His parents and I have been

discussing this for the past few weeks, and we really think that this will be good, for both of our families."

"Wait! I can't marry him! First I don't know him, and second, I love Keitaro!" Naru exclaimed, shocked at her

mother's words.

"Keitaro left you to travel the world. He left you alone. You need to forget about him and move on with

your life, like he's doing with his."

With that her mother stood and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Naru just sat

there, mouth opened. Her mother was serious about this…she was arranging a marriage for her! Naru left

her room and headed towards the front room where she heard her mother's voice.

"You can't do this to me!" she exclaimed, bursting into the room.

"Naru!" her mother scolded, getting to her feet. "I know you have better manners than that! Now if you'll

be quiet, I'd like you to meet Dr. and Mrs. Ueda, Hayato's parents."

Naru stumbled to a stop, and took a deep breathe. "P-p-pleasure to meet you." she stuttered.

"Its okay, we were just leaving." Mrs.Ueda said, rising to her feet, "It was nice meeting you Naru.

We'll be in touch." With this the couple made their way to the door and left.

Naru's mother spun around with fire in her eyes. "What do you think you were doing? Were you trying to

embarrass us? Honestly Naru!"

Naru looked down at her feet and murmured an apology. Turning, she went to her room and sat at her desk

again. Looking down at the letter, she picked up her pen and wrote of the new development. Hopefully they

would help her figure out what to do.

A few nights later…

Naru smiled across the table to Hayato. He called up and asked her if she would like to go to dinner with

him. On the spur of the moment she accepted. Her mother took it as a sign that she was accepting the

arranged marriage. He had arrived on time at her house and had brought her flowers. He said he was taking her

to one of his favourite restaurants, and it turned out to be one of her favourites as well. They had spent

the night talking about everything. Finally, Hayato brought up the subject that she had been avoiding all

night.

"What are you thoughts on this arranged marriage?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"I have no idea what to think." she said, shrugging her shoulders. "This isn't something I've dealt with

before."

"Do you think that marriage to me would be that bad?"

Naru paused and then shook her head. Hayato pressed on.

"In fact, this could be good for both of us. This way our parents will be off our backs, and we can do what

we want. We already get along well, we can see what developes as we go. I will treat you well, and you can

have whatever you want. We can go to different countries on vacation, and your friends are more than

welcome to come and visit with us. I would love to meet the people who've had such an impact on your

life. What do you say, Naru? Marry me? "

Authors Notes: Konnichiwa Minna! I'm sorry that its been so long since I updated. Things have been mad down here, between work, family, and the Hurricane's, I've been crossed eyed. Hope you enjoy the newest

chapter. As always, read and review!

The limits of life can seem daunting at times, tying us down, confining our

parts, but the Power of Love breaks free of all bounds, making rulers of us all

through the strength in our hearts.

Yahoo! Music Unlimited

Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

http/music.