Disclaimer: Ken Akamatsu owns Love Hina, the locations, characters and situations thereof... I'm merely using them for entertainment purposes without intent to profit.

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"Unmasked"
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'

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Keitaro watched as Shinobu and Tama jumped off the bridge into the river below, chasing after the mask that he had thrown into the water, then he slowly turned to Motoko, resting one hand on her shoulder before sliding it up her neck and under her hair to the back of her head. Carefully, he moved his head towards hers, closing in on her lips with his own. Inches away, however, he stopped.

"Last chance to change your mind," Keitaro reminded her.

In response, Motoko reached up and grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him to her with enough force that there was an audible smacking sound as their lips met in a bruising, claiming kiss.

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"Mmmm...Aaaah!" Keitaro sat up with a start, breathing heavily as he looked around to see that he was laying on the couch in the Hinatasou's living room, the main menu of a DVD showing on the tv screen, "Remind me never to fall asleep watching American comedies again..."

Rubbing his face with his hands, Keitaro added to himself, "Though right now, I'm not sure if it was a comedy or horror thanks to that dream... I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sleep again... Oh, man, what time is it?"

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Author's Note; this was going to be the opening scene for another 'Love Hina' project; but, unfortunately, that one doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon - is there a 'Muse Abandonment Support Group' for fanfiction authors anywhere? - so I decided that since this part was fairly standalone I'd post it as a drabble.

The title is a reference to the fact that Keitaro's dream involved the movie "The Mask" with him and the Hinatasou residents playing the various roles.