Mutsumi Otohime knew she wasn't the sharpest person in the world, but she wasn't stupid either. The busty, brown haired woman might have lacked academic skills but she was good and getting better at reading people and understanding their motivations. For instance Mutsumi had seen the stirring of attraction between her friends Motoko and Kitsune from almost as soon as she met the two of them. She was also aware of how the inn's manager Kanako was becoming more attracted to Motoko and how that might complicate the whole situation. She knew that Su was cheerfully omni-sexual and had considering jumping Shinobu, only holding off because of her friend's shyness. She watched the relationships and lives of everyone in the Hinata Inn and Dorm, and lately had spent even more time watching a certain recent arrival. Tennyo Masaki was both a source of endless fascination for Mutsumi as well as great frustration. Almost as soon as she met the slim, white haired young woman she had felt a odd attraction to her, one that she was almost certain Tennyo returned. So why didn't the other woman do something? After a few more days of feeding Tennyo at the Hinata Café and Mutsumi came to a certain revelation. Tennyo was, despite her occupation and sword skills, a shy woman. For whatever reason it seemed she was unable or unwilling to make the first more. `Either that,' Mutsumi thought wryly as she used a old fashioned broom swept up outside the café, `or Kitsune warned Tennyo off.' Mutsumi loved Kitsune like a brother, but the young woman was often overprotective. In fact Kitsune really did remind Mutsumi of a big brother, willing to stand up for her `little sisters' but like a brother occasionally going a bit far. She had seen Kitsune take Tennyo aside with a serious expression on her face, and both of them had looked at her while trying to act like they weren't looking. "Hello, Mutsumi," Shinobu smiled up at her, the black haired girl carrying a basket of ingredients. Her eyes moved to Mutsumi's large breasts concealed behind her dress and apron, then she blushed and looked away. `Poor thing,' Mutsumi thought sympathetically as she picked up the leaves. The girl had been flat for years, but thankfully she was starting to fill out a bit. "Back from shopping?" she asked cheerfully, gesturing to offer to help carry. "Yes," Shinobu said as they started towards the café, both of them falling comfortably into step by long practice. As Kitsune had divided her attention between managing the café and running her Phantom Quest Corps, she and Mitsumi had gradually come into more responsibilities in the café. Now, one would probably expect that as the elder Mutsumi would have put herself in charge, but she and Shinobu quickly realized that way lay disaster. Instead Mutsumi concentrated on her gifts, customer service and hosting the store while Shinobu handled some management jobs and cooked. It was a odd arrangement, certainly, but both found it quite satisfactory. A faint blush colored Mutsumi's cheeks as she asked, "Did you see Tennyo coming here on your way back?" Shinobu smiled back as she warmly answered, "No, not yet. But we both know she can get pretty busy at her job." "That's true," Mutsumi admitted. She sometimes fretted over Tennyo's job, knowing the architect spent a lot of time in her office dealing with various people. She was sure some man or woman would see how good looking Tennyo was and start actively chasing her. They entered the café together, the building deserted in the lag time between lunch and dinner. Shinobu headed for the kitchen as Mutsumi did a quick walk around, checking for anything out of place and generally tidying up. Meanwhile as Mutsumi cleaned Shinobu laid out the plan for tonight's meal then began to prepare the ingredients. "Do you think we can get Kitsune in here later to give you a break?" Shinobu asked as she gracefully chopped vegetables. Mutsumi gave her a thoughtful look, "And why would we want her to do that?" Shinobu winked, "Why, to give you a chance to eat with her, of course." "What is it with you and matchmaking?" Mutsumi shook her head, chuckling. "First Anthy, now me?" Shinobu smiled at her as she carefully separated out the vegetables for each dish. "I like my friends to be happy," she explained, "and I think Tennyo can do that for you." Mutsumi felt choked up a bit as she reached over to pat the other woman's head. "Thank you," she answered softly, "but I think it'll happen in it's own time." "What'll happen?" Kitsune asked as she strode inside, the slim boyish blonde smiling at them cheerfully. "Mutsumi finally asking Tennyo out to dinner," Shinobu said, giving her a look that was slightly scolding. Kitsune looked just a bit sheepish, privately confirming to Mutsumi she had warned Tennyo off. "You know, I like Tennyo a lot," Kitsune said as she walked by the tables towards them, "but the woman's hiding something." Mutsumi nodded slightly, acknowledging the point. For a person who claimed to be just a simple architect she knew a awful lot, including sword skills on the same level of the God's Cry school. She clearly had a very interesting past, and so far no one had wormed it out of her. "Maybe so," Mutsumi looked at Kitsune with a slight smile, "but I've never pressed you about why you were living here as a author for years. Nor do I ask Anthy who she really is, too. If we extend those rights to you and her, why not Tennyo?" Kitsune smiled wryly, acknowledging the point. "All right," she sighed, "I guess I'm just worried she'll hurt you." "Don't we all take that chance?" Mutsumi shrugged eloquently. "That we do," Shinobu agreed. She gave Kitsune a dangerous look, "So no more interference from you." "Yes, yes," Kitsune nodded, chuckling softly. As Shinobu turned back to the kitchen Mutsumi whispered, "She can certainly be fierce." :That she can," Kitsune agreed, "she can back it up, too. She threatened me with stopping cooking once... it was terrible." "And I'll do it again, too," Shinobu laughed. The evening crowd began to arrive, locals and guests of the area spas looking for dinner. Not long after Shinobu took over cooking word got around about how good the food was, and soon the café was filling to near capacity. Sometimes Mutsumi missed the intimacy of the old days, but on the other hand the extra money from the café came in handy. Mutsumi was clearing a table when she heard the door open, looking up to see Tennyo Masaki walk in. Every time she saw her she was struck by her unusual attractiveness, her regal bearing and beauty. Long white hair shimmered down past her waist as she strode inside, her woman's business suit hugging her athletic body. "Tennyo," Mutsumi smiled as she walked up, her briefcase held in one hand. "Evening," Tennyo smiled back, adding "you look nice in that dress, Mutsumi." Mutsumi felt herself blush at that casual compliment, "Thanks." Looking out from the kitchen Shinobu called, "Do you want your regular?" Tennyo smiled as she said, "Yes, please." Kitsune cleared her throat, "If you want, you can take a break Mutsumi." `Oh, very subtle,' Mutsumi fought back a chuckle. "I'm going on my dinner break," she told Tennyo, "would you mind if I join you?" "I'd like that," Tennyo answered as they moved off together, walking to the corner table usually reserved for staff. "Here," she pulled out a chair for Mutsumi. "Thank you," Mutsumi blushed again as Tennyo pushed the chair in for her. "She's certainly a charmer," Kitsune admitted as she picked up the food from Shinobu. "That she is," Shinobu agreed as she watched the two beginning to talk.
Back to Love Hina: Once Again Index - Back to Crossovers Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction