Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Sometimes... ❯ The Things I Do...For You ( Chapter 2 )

DISCLAIMER: Furuba…not mine, not yours, not theirs. That covers it.

 

 

 

 

* 2 *

The Things I Do…For You

 

 

Time: 3:27 PM

Location: Hallway D, Building G

Objective: Boar to boost Monkey's self-confidence

Success Rate thus far: 5%

Mood: Hungry and annoyed…maybe PMSing

 

(Click)

 

`Okay, maybe that was too much info to record on tape. Argh, I have no one to blame but myself. I should have eaten before popping over here. Ri-chan's class should be ending soon though,' mused Kagura with a sigh while waiting with the patience of a boar, which basically meant she was close to blowing her cover. There's only so much a boy's uniform can hide anyway. And hers wasn't even the true replica of the uniform used here…

 

`But hey, I look good in this! Aya-chan really went all out to put the right touch on the guy's uniform that I sort of `borrowed' (okay, maybe more like a permanent loan). Who would have thought that you could taper this jacket to be fitted onto my small figure? Hehe, I can still remember Ri-chan's and Kaa-san's reaction when they saw me model it for the first time…hehehe.' Their looks were still fresh in her mind as she recalled that moment close to two months ago. Well, actually her mother's reaction was nonverbal…words escaped the overwrought mother at the time so she settled to gawk at her daughter's appearance.

 

Ritsu's reaction wasn't much different. Gaping and stammering, he couldn't utter coherent sentences as she stood before him. Much to his shock, she was going forward with her plans on helping him in any way she could despite his ardent protests that he wasn't worth the trouble and such. Yet she persisted and only relented that she wouldn't go to his classes…just meet him afterwards and be his support.

 

Two months later after that declaration, though, progress has been slow. Sure they have been getting closer the more time they spent with each other, and he certainly has been more like his true self around her. But the point was to get him to be this way outwardly. She had even dropped some nonessential courses—not a peep ever spoken of it to her mother—to be here on some days for several hours. Just to observe and see how much Ritsu has pushed himself to be stronger.

 

So, here she was, leaning discreetly against a windowsill, overlooking the courtyard below. She adjusted the cuffs on her jacket a little and tightened her tie snug against her shirt collar, glad that Ayame did a magnificent job with the alterations. And with her long hair tucked securely under a cap—a perfect match to her outfit—this all held her cover pretty well. She came and went as she pleased through the campus hallways with the majority keeping their distance. And why was that?

 

`Well, I guess that can't be helped. I did give a lot of them the look of pain when they got near me. And I basically glared daggers at them when they started to pick on Ri-chan because he was with me,' she thought helplessly while checking her watch once again. Sighing ruefully, she took the mini tape recorder and resumed her daily log entry. It was only proper to be professional about the whole thing.

 

(Click)

 

So far, general student body too aloof to care what happens with Ri-chan. That, or they're too scared to come near us now. Like it's my fault they're too chicken to back up their words. The jerks…

 

(SIGH)

 

I really wish that Sawamura was one of them. You'd think he take a hint. Maybe beating him to a bloody pulp wasn't so smart. He's been so pushy with trying to get me to go out with him, no matter how weird that looks to others—I mean, `hello, I'm a guy'…sort of…for now. Is this some sick turn-on for guys to come chasing after the person that beat them? Still, I guess I should be grateful for small favors. He iskeeping his lid shut about what happened that first time we met.

 

(Click)

 

`Freaky…that ringleader had almost cost me by trying to hug me. Good thing I'm good at dodging.' Shaking her head at her distressing situation, she mentally tried to recount the number of times he'd tried to get her to go out with him. He had basically turned from a macho kind of guy to a simpering fool trailing after her through the halls of his campus.

 

Giggling lightly, she smiled brightly to herself. “Well, at least I got him to stop harassing Ri-chan. Now he's so busy trying to make up for what he did—”

 

(Ba-BING)

 

As the bell rang, the doors to the classrooms immediately opened to let the river of young men pour forth into the now crowded hallways. She always kept close to the walls or windows in cases like this to avoid the crowd. As she stood to the side and watched all the males shove each other around while trying to reach their destinations, she felt a cool hand against her shoulder.

 

“Ohayo! You are too kind for waiting on me. Are you ready to eat, Ka-Sohma-san?” asked Ritsu unsteadily, still unused to calling her by her last name as per the arrangement to keep her identity low-key. Smiling widely, he leaned close to her so as to act as her barrier against the crowds of mostly male bodies. Having been a long day, all he wanted now was a nice hot meal, and then head home. But first, the crowds will need to disperse for the most part so he could escort her out safely.

 

“Yeah, Sohma,” replied Kagura assuredly as she conversed easily with her `public' name for him. Keeping her voice low, she remarked, “Looks like you've had it rough. Too much homework assigned?”

 

“Iie. Well, yes, that too. I mean, we did have a lot to go over with our class assignments. We have some major projects to finish this year as part of our final assessments. A lot of it will carry a heavy percentage on our final grade. And there's our spring festival we need to work on as well,” recounted the tired Sohma with books in hand and head bent down examining the tops of his shoes.

 

“Heh, sounds like taking a business management major is just as hard as my creative arts major. Well, at least you'll be able to really shine through for your parents when you graduate,” commented Kagura happily. Thinking on the vast business his parents managed, she continued, “They do need the help. Hot springs spa resorts are not easy to manage. You'll be the best thing that has happened to them since…since…the making of onigiri.”

 

“Onigiri?” he asked, perplexed that he'd be compared to an edible dish. `She must really be hungry.' Lightly smiling, he commented, “Well, I do hope to be of some use. They've done so much for me…”

 

“Yeah, parents can be like that,” she remarked wistfully thinking of her own mother.

 

(Ba-BING)

 

With the sound of the bell, the halls became less crowded and so off the two of them went down the hallway. Many at this time either took tutorial sessions or supplemental extracurricular classes to advance their final grade for their professed major. Since Ritsu had done most of this during his summer and winter breaks, he was ahead enough to forgo these classes. It had meant no real vacation for him in a long time, but in the end, he was able to keep up with his classmates. The sacrifices were worth it, though…he'll now be able to graduate with an above-average grade. Most of his teachers were extremely pleased with the progress he was able to maintain.

 

“The spring festival will be a lot of work. Since our campuses are celebrating this together, I have to make twice as many decorations…for our school and for here. That's a lot of overtime being worked, you know,” she said as she rubbed her still sore shoulders from her last night cram session with a sewing machine. `No wonder I'm so crabby today…'

 

“Please, Kagura-san, I mean Sohma-san, if you need anything, anything at all, I'm here to help. I'm not doing much while many here are working hard after school hours to get their booths ready for the event.” As much as he wanted to help, not many cared to have him in their groups. Since his time was free, the teachers used him to help them oversee the work, which only made him look like some sort of `teacher's pet'. Hence why they shunned him when he approached them to gather progress reports—not that he was going to tell Kagura that. She's done so much with her presence alone…

 

`No one picks on me anymore. Even Sawamura-san has been extremely nice—he managed to convince the others to leave me alone, even the ones Kagura-san has hurt.' Looking down on her as she continued to explain the details of their festival preparations at her school, he couldn't help but be eternally grateful once again. He admitted silently to himself that he looked forward to seeing her waiting for him as his classes concluded.

 

The walks home to the main house were all worth it as well. He had never before been so relaxed with just being…him; being comfortable in his own skin, being who he is…an average male with nothing remarkable to his name (except his family name not to mention his curse). He knew he was below notice of his extended family, and definitely below notice amongst the Jyuunishi circle. He had accepted this long ago, and had no problem with it. It was to be expected…he knew himself to be truly strange, and so he constantly apologized for being as such.

 

Yet somehow, he felt less so whenever he stood next to Kagura. He could be doing the most mundane tasks with her…walking, talking, eating, laughing…really, these were such ordinary tasks. But he never knew that such day-to-day tasks could bring such warmth into his life. Even if all they did together was sit under the veranda at her home, tending to their homework quietly, it was time well spent as long as it was with her. And he never tired of it…such a strange anticipation it is.

 

It was a stirring of sorts in his heart…nervous, slightly embarrassed, but most of all, happy. Sometimes, he'd be the first out of his class and wouldn't see her outside his classroom door. The immense disappointment would soon overtake him, but then he'd hear her call out to him from across the hallway, discreetly, of course…well, as discreet as any whistle call could be. Relief, gratitude, and overall joy would hit him simultaneously, leaving his heart pounding to meet up with her. By now, he honestly didn't care if his more rude classmates picked on him anymore. He just wanted to always enjoy seeing someone waiting to see him…to be with him.

 

`Am I really worth so much trouble?' he thought as he reflected on his current situation, looking ahead at the stairwell they've come across. Clearing his throat, he replied as he walked down the steps, “Thank you, again, for coming—”

 

“Ri-chan,” she remarked quietly, slipping back to her normal greeting to him, “what did I tell you last time?”

 

“Oh, ano, uh…you mentioned to not thank you all the time.” Giving it more thought, he immediately felt terrible for forcing her to put up with his annoyance. “I'm sorry, I get carried away at times. I won't be such a burden next time…I'm truly very sorry…”

 

“Ri-chan,” she interrupted with a hand to his mouth, effectively halting further runaway remarks on his part. “I also said that you don't have to apologize for everything. Don't you trust me when I said that I want to be here for you? You're never any trouble…not then, not now, not ever. Okay?”

 

Turning her back on him, she pondered as to how effective she's been with helping Ritsu all these months. He does seem more relaxed now than from before when he would be hiding from all prying eyes, too scared to look at anyone straight in the face, and so kept his head down most of the time. Still, it's a far cry from being the `new, improved' Ritsu she had been hoping for.

 

`I'm not doing enough. I try so hard…maybe I'm doing this all wrong. Hm…I'm sure she would have come up with an instant solution and spared the poor guy all the grief I put him through. How can I get him to have that confidence in himself? I think that only then he'll be able to move forward.'

 

Heaving a sigh, she reached out to the silent Sohma behind her and dragged him forward. “Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come down on you like that.” Giving his arm a squeeze—none too gentle if Ritsu's momentary grimace was any clue—she brightly remarked, “I'm so HUNGRY! Come on, I feel like takoyaki. There's a really great place two blocks from the bus stop—”

 

“SOHMA! WAIT UP!”

 

`Grrr…why now?! Why me?' Groaning loudly, she leaned against Ritsu in vain hopes that the object of her disdain would ignore her presence. Being the object of this person's affection certainly is making her skin crawl. `Hm…could this be how Kyo-kun felt whenever we were together? Kyo-kun…'

 

Ritsu looked down to his companion, noting that she had gone strangely silent. Seeing the melancholy expression on her face, he could only assume she was lost in her thoughts, no doubt on one particular person. Before he had a chance to say anything, they were joined by the new presence.

 

“PHEW! Damn, that was a run! What are you doing out here, man?! Hey, sweet thing, I got something for ya…” trailed Sawamura in his comment as he produced a rather withered bouquet of blooms. “Now, these here are from my old man's shop. He gets some nice ones every now and then. These were a steal…”

 

“You didn't actually `steal' them, did you Sawamura-san?” asked Ritsu incredulously as he stared at the tattered flowers. “I'm sorry…no, I mean, it's rude to ask, but I was just curious…”

 

“Hell no, Sohma! My old man would skin me alive if I ever took anything from his shop! And believe me, he'd know…old codger has some mental-radar or something.” Grumbling lowly at that mental image, he immediately shrugged it off as he laid his eyes on his lady fair who was currently looking far away into the distance. Waving his hand in front of her gaze, he called out, “Earth to my dear Sohma! Come back to me; I'm right here! Just take at look at these posies…I spared no expense!”

 

Having the flowers shoved into her face, Kagura couldn't avoid the inevitable any longer. Nor could she avoid the rancid smell that suddenly knocked her back to reality. “EWW! What is that smell?!” Noticing that the stench came from the bouquet of winter blooms, she quickly shoved them back to Sawamura. “Ugh, those flowers have gone rotten! Where did you get them?!”

 

“Eh?! They are?!” questioned Ritsu as well in mild alarm.

 

Taking a good sniff at them, Sawamura couldn't help but give his two cents worth. “DAMN! This stuff smells like horse—”

 

“ANYWAY…” continued Kagura while pulling Ritsu away, “we were just leaving, ne Ri-chan?”

 

Blinking widely at her, he mouthed silent words as he tried to think of a response that would support her declaration. Just as he was about to voice his one idea, Sawamura suddenly reached out to grab Kagura's unoccupied wrist.

 

“Then let me escort you! What's a gentleman for?” asked Sawamura happily while trying to pull her to his side.

 

“Let me know when I see him…” she grumbled lowly, pulling her wrist back none-too-discreetly. Smiling ever so brightly through clenched teeth, she persisted, “Thanks, but no. I have Ri-chan to escort me home.”

 

“Did I ever tell you how stunning you look in our school uniform? No one can carry it off like you,” complimented Sawamura, oblivious to her struggles in trying to remove his hand from her wrist. As he grasped her wrist tighter, he grinned widely while practically dragging her in the opposite direction. “You look like fresh spring on a winter's day. You just need to let your hair down and…”

 

“THANK YOU…now I'm leaving without you,” she blurted out as she pulled back once again. Her patience was razor thin at this point—so much so that she was about to just let him have it (like she had all other times when he was persistent) when she felt a pull on her other wrist.

 

“Ano, uh…well…it's cer-certainly very nice of him to be so…uh…gracious in his compliments, ne Kagura-san?” stammered hurriedly Ritsu, hopefully trying to placate the very perturbed Boar of the Zodiac. Turning to Sawamura with a nervous smile, he stuttered in his continuing remark, “Sa-wa-wamura-san, you are much too kind. Ah…ano, I'm very sorry, but we do need to be leaving, so I'll just be—”

 

“Hey, you're going the wrong way, Sohma! She's…coming…this…way,” Sawamura gritted through his teeth as he pulled her the other way, unwilling to let her go, much less get a clue that he was going the wrong way.

 

Having had enough of being in the middle of this impromptu tug-o-war, Kagura yelled irately, “DAMMIT, I'M NOT A ROPE! YOU'RE HURTING ME!!!” Of course it only occurred to her then that her remark that she meant for Sawamura was actually taken to heart by Ritsu. Sure enough, he immediately reacted.

 

“I'M SO SORRY!!! PLEASE FORGIVE MY IGNORANCE!!! I'M SO INCONSIDERATE, PLEASE BANISH ME FROM THIS WORLD!!!!!! I HAVE NO SHAME AT ALL!!!!!!!!” As quickly as his outburst came forth from his mouth, he quickly let go of her wrist.

 

Slow motion. Everything slowed down to the seconds in which he let go of her. Kagura was already taken aback at his loud outburst, so she was quite unprepared to being let go so suddenly. The abrupt loosening of his grip on her…the swift move of her hand as they grazed his fingers lightly as they swept by them…her feet tipping ever so slightly so that her body tilted in it's position…then gravity did the rest.

 

`OH MY GOD…' was her only stunned thought as she felt her body weight pull her down onto the young man behind her. A man who wasn't a Jyuunishi member. She clenched her eyes shut, bracing herself for the full impact on male flesh which would promptly turn her into a puff of smoke to reveal her Zodiac form. So essentially she was bracing herself for hell.

 

“OOMPH!” she spat out as she slammed against the chest below her, her front of her uniform being crumpled between her body and the body of the male below her. Still keeping her eyes tightly shut, she held her breath and formed her lips into a grim line. She couldn't help but clench her hands into the shirt below her and sink her head down into the young man's chest in hopes of hiding her Zodiac form.

 

`Um…I'm not feeling hooves on my hands or feet…' Daring to open one eye, she pried it open to see that she indeed had no hooves gracing her hands. Releasing her breath shakily, she lifted her head uncertainly to find that the chest she was sprawled on indeed was male, but not Sawamura.

 

“RI-CHAN! How did you ever get down there?!” cried out Kagura in shock as she braced her hands onto his pinned shoulders.

 

Groaning low at the shift in her weight, Ritsu stuck his hand behind his head to soothe the bump he received back there from slamming himself so harshly against the danger Sawamura's body posed to Kagura. Keeping his other arm wrapped around her waist to keep her from falling on the ground, he wearily looked down at her. He had to admit that the sight that greeted him had his heart skip a beat or two.

 

And why wouldn't it. She was on top of him with eyes wide with shock and worry. Her face was flushed, due to the cold weather or her near miss with disaster he couldn't be sure. Better than anything was her hair. Granted, he always liked how she wore her hair…so elegant and reposed one day, fresh and simple the next. No one ever really came close to how she can wear her hair; well, no one in his lowly opinion. Obviously he would never admit this loudly—after all, he was extremely shy to say anything about it. But just now, at this moment in time—cap slipped off, her hair splayed messily across her shoulder, a few tendrils lifting slightly in the cool winter breeze—was enough to catch his breath briefly.

 

Shutting his slightly opened mouth, he blinked away his straying thoughts as he recalled her earlier question. “I-I'm sorry! I was…uh…you were falling. I…I got in the middle. Heh…being a monkey isn't so…terrible. I have…good reflexes. I mean…uh…I guess so.”

 

Smiling at his stammered response, she let out a sigh of utter relief. Gazing at him gratefully, she softly replied, “Yeah…you do have great reflexes.”

 

“Um…I don't know what ya talkin' about, but…could you get off me already?! You guys weigh a ton!” was Sawamura's muffled plea as he gasped for air from beneath Ritsu. Nursing a very bruised nose that was smacked hard by Ritsu's head, he tried shifting his body from under the two Sohmas. “Dammit, you guys should lay off on the desserts or somethin'…”

 

Just then realizing that he was on top of his classmate, Ritsu immediately panicked. Only this time instead of a string of apologies, he shifted suddenly to remove himself from the trapped man. Unfortunately, he managed jab his elbow against Sawamura's ribs, causing the ailing man to gasp for more air. Startled by his actions Ritsu panicked even more and somehow elbowed his chin in the process. Sawamura now was in a curled heap as he nursed his new and old wounds. Appalled that his clumsy actions were hurting Sawamura, Ritsu was practically at his boiling point that he would declare himself suicidal if only to rectify the mistakes he just made.

 

Realizing that her fellow Jyuunishi was ready to pop, Kagura immediately got to her feet and hauled Ritsu off the distressed young man. `Well, at least he'll be leaving me alone today.' Clamping her hand over Ritsu's mouth, she dragged him back to his fallen books and quickly shoved them into his arms. Running the other way with Ritsu in tow, she called out over her shoulder, “Arigato, Sawamura-san! Maybe another time!!!” `More like never…'

 

Catching their breaths after a brisk walk (more like tearing through the streets at breakneck speeds), Kagura and Ritsu leaned against the store shop window that advertised many a dessert to the wandering eye. Taking a quick look at each other, they both smiled and started to laugh softly until they were choking down tears of laughter.

 

“Hehehe…hehe…ano, I really should be more careful with that guy around. Hehehe, he just can't take no for an answer! Not even the words `get lost' mean anything to him!” Still clutching her aching side from all her laughing, Kagura tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. Suddenly realizing that her cap was left behind, she inwardly groaned. “Darn…that was my favorite cap, too.”

 

“Sawamura-san was correct, though…” blurted out Ritsu as he leaned heavily against the window with his books clutched to his chest. He was so tired from his schoolwork, the run-in with his classmate, and now the dash they made across the streets. So tired in fact that he didn't realize that he had voiced his thought out loud.

 

“Eh? What do you mean, Ri-chan?” she asked with a smile that inquired to know more behind his question.

 

Stunned that he spoke his private thought, he stiffened in embarrassment. Feeling a blush spread across his face, he immediately stuttered nonsensical words. “Eh…ano…just…well, nothing really…um…yes…of course, it was just my…uh…thought…”

 

“And that would be?” prodded Kagura, now even more intrigued to know what he meant. He was such a private person and shared his personal thoughts only when he felt comfortable in doing so. `He thinks his opinions are of little importance. But that just isn't so…'

 

“He's…correct,” repeated Ritsu his earlier remark. Knowing that she was still waiting, he quickly took a deep breath, then another…then another. `I'm really not getting anywhere this way. And I can't lie…I'm just not very good at it.' Clearing his throat, he shyly looked away as he softly remarked while clutching his books tighter, “Well, your hair…it's…nice. Down…or however you style it. It's…nice. Your cap just hides it…”

 

“My cap…hides…” she trailed in her comment as she tried to make sense of what he meant. Then it hit her. Eyes widening at the realization that heaven and earth just shook. `It had to be. Ri-chan just complimented me! He never has before!'

 

Feeling more self-conscious about the state of her hair, she quickly ran her fingers through the wind-blown mop, gravely noting that her hair was pretty much out of her control. `Still…he did say it looked nice just now!' Blushing with glee, she bashfully remarked to him with a soft nudge to his shoulder, “Oh, Ri-chan, you say the nicest things…thank you!”

 

Yet in the world that Kagura resided in, `soft nudge' really meant a hard shove. The poor guy didn't stand a chance against her hidden strength. And so down he went against a nice display advertising the specials of the day. All too soon an irate store clerk came bustling out of the store with broom in hand, quite eager to swing the thing against rambunctious pranksters that occasionally plagued his displays.

 

“No! Please, it's my fault, sir!” cried out Kagura as she quickly kneeled next to Ritsu's twitching form. Slapping Ritsu very lightly, she called out to him to bring him back to the land of the living. “Ri-chan, I'm sorry! I'm so, so very sorry! Please speak to me! WAKE UP!!!”

 

Being throttled back to life certainly gave him a headache. Bleary-eyed he gazed at her quizzically while she ranted on and on. Before he could even think of stopping himself, he started to laugh which promptly ceased her actions.

 

“What's so funny?” she asked, worried that maybe he hit his head against the ground.

 

“It's just…you're the one apologizing now,” he replied with a grin as he sat up and nursed the bump on his head. “It was just…strange, to see someone apologizing to me. (Gasp) But there really is no need to. I am well, really! You are very kind to worry so, but it's not necessary. Here, let me help you up.”

 

“Thank you,” she remarked demurely as he helped her on to her feet. “I really am sorry for pushing you over.”

 

“That's okay, really, Kagura-san. I should be more careful of where I land. I can be so clumsy.” With a smile, he gathered his scattered books once more. He shyly commented, “Maybe I should take Kazuma-san's martial arts classes…perhaps I'll learn something of balance.”

 

“Hehe, that's not a bad idea…say…” Tapping her chin in thought, her face lit up with an idea. “Come with me today to the dojo. Maybe you can learn a few things just by watching. You don't have to stay for long, just a little while.”

 

“I didn't mean to impose,” quickly interjected Ritsu anxiously. “I was just thinking out loud. Please don't pay me mind.”

 

“Don't be silly. Of course I'll pay you mind! Come on! We'll be late as it is! Oh…what will Kunimitsu-san say?” she idly remarked as she pulled Ritsu along the sidewalk to their bus stop. Inwardly though, she was ecstatic at the opportunity that presented itself. `Maybe I can teach Ri-chan a few things after all. Martial arts is definitely my forte beside craftwork. I'm sure Shihan wouldn't mind me having Ri-chan there.'

 

Seeing her walk with determination, Ritsu was glad to note that her earlier melancholy mood was no longer present, however brief it presented itself. He could only hope that she'd always be this carefree, with no worries or sorrows plaguing her jubilant attitude.

 

`She may not think I notice, but her sadness with Kyo-san has taken such a toll on her. Yet, little by little she's coming back to how she was before it all happened. I can only pray that I won't make it worse for her. She does deserve better company than me…'

 

It then struck him that she still had her hair loose to the cool winds that blew. Smiling softly, he gently tucked one wayward strand behind her ear. Without a second thought, he quietly commented, “Your hair really is…pleasant.”

 

Her response…an equally gentle smile. `He's speaking his mind more frequently than before…maybe I'm helping out after all.'

 

His reaction to her smile…he looked away without another word being spoken. `I have to try harder…to be a better friend. If that's what it takes to see her smile more. Yes…her smiles suit her best.'

 

—ooo—

 

(Swing)

 

(Thrust)

 

(THUD!)

 

“Winner…Mazuki!”

 

(Clapping)

 

“Ano, Kunimitsu-san, are you sure it's fine to be here?” asked Ritsu anxiously as he eyed the sparring matches taking place. Moments after arriving at the dojo, Kagura disappeared behind closed doors to change out of her attire. She had left him with Kunimitsu, confident that he'd keep an eye on the young man amidst all the ladies. He in turn was kind enough to show the wary Jyuunishi around the dojo, steering him clear of all the ladies that couldn't help but gawk at the handsome stranger visiting them.

 

Smiling widely at the young man, Kunimitsu turned his attention to the next match that was about to commence. “Ladies, please keep your banter to a minimum. The tri-annual international tournament will be upon us before you know it, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. Mazuki, you and the winner of this next match will spar. Kei, check on Kagura and let her know that her delayed presence would be appreciated.”

 

“I'm here, I'm here!” cried out Kagura excitedly as she joined the large group. Having already done her stretches in the bus (while being gawked at by other passengers), she came rushing out with hair in a high ponytail and wearing her workout uniform. Beaming at Ritsu, she turned to Kunimitsu with a low bow. “Sumimasen, Sensei. I will endeavor never to be late again!”

 

“Formal today, aren't we?” replied Kunimitsu with a smirk. “Well, that's not going to get you out of cleaning the floors today. Rules are rules…cleaning duties to those who are late. All cleaning duties.”

 

“Drat…” mumbled Kagura lowly as she narrowed her gaze at the instructor before her. Kunimitsu never gave her any leeway, even though she's a Sohma and he's known her far longer than all the girls there. Heck, they've been on a first-name basis for years, and she only used the `sensei' term whenever she's trying to wheedle her way out of something or into something. Still, it's because of this fact that Kagura respected him as much as she respected Kazuma.

 

“Save your energy, Kagura, for this exercise with Kei. Whoever wins spars with Mazuki. All right…ladies…” Once both ladies were in position, he quickly made his gesture between the two so they could start the exercise. Swift kicks and jabs were all but a blur between the ladies as Kunimitsu gave directions and pointers to each. Glancing briefly to his fellow observer, he noted how Ritsu stood quietly watching the match, mesmerized with the fluidity in the way Kagura fought.

 

`Even he can tell how well she fights in her matches.' Pleased with this, he turned his attention once more to the dueling ladies and saw how Kagura once again beat her opponent in record time.

 

He had begun to notice this trend several months back when the ever cheerful Jyuunishi had suddenly become sullen, and then just as quickly become depressed. It was never his business to pry into the matters of the Jyuunishi, but he was worried about her as was Kazuma. It wasn't such a mystery once they saw how much Kagura went out of her way to avoid any and all contact with Kyo. Details were never spoken amongst them about it; suffice to say that it was terrible the fallout that happened between the two.

 

Still, Kunimitsu was pleased to note she was slowly coming around. A shadow still lingered in her expressions and gestures, but overall, she was becoming more herself with each day. Only this time around, she came to be more focused, more mature in how she carried herself, Hence her grand improvement in her skills…she was an opponent to reckon with before, but now, she was their best student in the female group. It was his hope as well as Kazuma's that she will continue her training and be able to shine in the tri-annual tournament that was to occur in a couple of years.

 

`It's sad, though, that through her misery she was so focused in her efforts and concentration whenever she practiced that she greatly improved her skills without realizing it.' Shaking his head from his wandering thoughts, he immediately turned the two ladies that were quietly addressing their own mistakes amongst themselves.

 

“…yeah, it was pretty hard. I didn't think I'd reach that high, Kei-san,” commented Kagura as she stretched her limbs some more to stay loose. Turning to look at Ritsu and Kunimitsu over her shoulder, she saw how they both were smiling at them. “Ri-chan, what do you think…pretty intense, huh?”

 

“Hai, quite. You were remarkable,” complimented Ritsu softly as he approached them cautiously, careful to avoid the many female bodies that surrounded her. “You certainly show great control over balance…much better than I have.”

 

“Hehe, it's just practice. It's also all in the mind, too,” she further commented as she broke through the throng of gaping girls that were all but climbing over each other to reach out to her Sohma relative. `Good thing Yun-chan keeps away from here. There are too many pheromones in this place.' Taking a towel from one of the girls to dry off her sweat, she beamed at him with an excited air about her. “Hey, you know we can do some meditation exercises later on at my house. Kaa-san is making oden for us, isn't that great?

 

“All right, Kagura, get back to the practice matches. Thank you, Kei-san, for your efforts. We'll work together on the mistakes you've made, okay?” Bringing the congregating girls into order, Kunimitsu directed them back to their positions. As Ritsu retreated to the far wall once more, Kunimitsu brought both Kagura and Mazuki to the center of the ring. “Now ladies, same rules and restrictions apply. Let's not make this into something more than a match, okay?”

 

Both girls didn't need to be told what he meant by that remark. Jealousy and envy from the blond-haired Mazuki combined with Kagura's general dislike of the girl's attitude never made a good combination. They both rivaled for the top spot which was Mazuki's before Kagura decided to return to the sport a few years back. It was not unusual for the two to be caught in some form of bickering whenever they encountered each other.

 

Heaving a sigh, Kagura closed her eyes as she tried to bring her focus back to her mind. Standing in position, she kept her expression blank and unreadable, ready to take on her new opponent. “Hai, Kunimitsu. I'm ready.”

 

Giving the final gesture between the two, the match commenced. Swiftly the two girls lunged at each other, both eager to land a quick and decisive blow on the other. After several parries, neither was any closer to their goal. Narrowing their eyes at each other, they circled around one another, calculating their next blow.

 

“Hmph, getting a little sloppy there, Sohma. Distracted?” bit out with contempt the much taller beauty as Mazuki glowered at the short girl before her.

 

“Not as much you are,” shot back Kagura evenly. “I swear, you react the same way with all my male relatives, don't you? Can you get anymore obvious? You need to stick your eyes back into their sockets.” Slightly smirking, she prodded her some more. “Oh, and do yourself a favor and take out that stick that's up your behind…it's getting in your way.”

 

“Kagura…” warned Kunimitsu.

 

Without another moment, Mazuki went after Kagura with a quick parry between a punch and a right kick, connecting with the punch but blocked on the kick. Standing across from her in a defense stance, she seethed in bitterness, “Damn bit—”

 

“Mazuki!” cried out Kunimitsu in warning as well.

 

“Oh, please. Save your energy,” sneered in response Kagura as she glared at Mazuki, using Kunimitsu's advice to antagonize her. “It's the only way you stand a chance of actually landing a good one on me. You can't carry the same force in both your kicks and punches. Useless.”

 

As the two were at a standoff for the moment, Ritsu stood in awe at the level in which the two fought. It was superb in the sense that they both carried a sense of motion that made their moves seem flawless. He saw the glimmer of passionate calm that resided in Kagura's eyes, a sort of calm that made all her calculated punches and blocks come forth abruptly with such passion. It was rather hard to describe it better than that, but nonetheless, he was amazed.

 

Only thing that did worry him was the growing antagonism between the two. Unsure as to what Kagura meant with her last comment, he turned to the mentally drained teacher. “Kunimitsu-san, what did Kagura-san mean by her last remark?”

 

`This isn't looking pretty…' Roused out of his weary thoughts by Ritsu's question, Kunimitsu replied, “She just meant that Mazuki's offensive tactics don't carry the same amount of force when used at the same time. It's very difficult to accomplish and that is Mazuki's greatest weakness. Kagura knows this since she is much better at it. So in essence, Kagura is baiting her…”

 

Turning to the two ladies once again, he called out to them with a slight edge to his voice, “Both of you, knock it off! This is a match and will be reviewed as such by myself and Kazuma. This sort of bickering will not be tolerated here and especially at the tournament. Finish your match.”

 

Knowing not to push Kunimitsu any further to the edge of his patience, Kagura breathed in heavily to regain her calm and reign in her quickly escalating temper. Feeling in better control of herself, she calmly remarked, “Hai, Kunimitsu.”

 

Not wanting to relent just yet, Mazuki kept her mouth shut as she lunged again. This time all her attacks were blocked. Gnashing her teeth, she mentally went over on other ways to get Kagura to lose her temper. Smirking plainly, the idea came to her.

 

“You know, you Sohmas are something else. But your little tag-along boy toy seems to be a `bottom of the barrel' kind of guy. Figures, I suppose, since you can't even get Kyo-san to even look your way anymore,” said Mazuki with casual indifference. Looking at Kagura with a look of scorn, she pretended to look her over, inwardly glad to see that her opponent's eyes, for a moment, carried the look of a haunted soul who felt deeply wounded. “Tsk, tsk, not that it's a shock. I mean, really, did you ever think you could measure up to his standards? Honestly, you're not much to look at…just a little girl trying to be a woman…”

 

Exasperated at her attitude, Kunimitsu called out crossly, “Mazuki, that's en—”

 

(SLAP!)

 

Now, Mazuki expected a yell of anger, a parry of punches or kicks, but never a good ol' fashioned slap across the face. Kagura suddenly broke formation and quicker than Mazuki or even Kunimitsu could interpret, Kagura lashed out with a sound right-handed slap against her cheek. Shocked with these change of events, Mazuki felt utterly humiliated at being essentially beaten by one simple slap that she should have easily blocked.

 

“BITCH!!!” yelled Mazuki enraged as she lunged herself against the equally angered Sohma. Grasping her by the waist, she knocked Kagura down onto her back, bringing her hands back up to land blow after blow on her pinned opponent while straddling her waist.

 

Quickly gaining back control, Kagura blocked all the wailing punches. Heaving a deep breath, she connected one blow to Mazuki's chest and flipped her over while she rolled with her. Now with herself on top, she continued to slap Mazuki left and right while everyone around her were vainly trying to convince her to stop.

 

“Damn this!” Feeling himself backed into a corner, Kunimitsu ran to the phone on the wall which was part of the intercom system they used at the dojo. Since the training rooms for both the girls and boys were in different buildings, this system was installed so that he may communicate with Kazuma or other personnel with little deviation from the training sessions.

 

“Ritsu, stay against the wall!” cried out Kunimitsu when he saw Ritsu try to reach out to Kagura through the frenzy crowd of female bodies. Satisfied to see the young man retreat to his original position, he quickly dialed the number to the dojo where Kazuma was. His thoughts ran rampant with frustration, `Damn, I can't get near Kagura either—she's unstoppable at this point! Come on, come on…pick up!'

 

He knew it, the moment that Mazuki spoke the venomous words, he knew. Ritsu was astounded that the girl would dare utter such words to Kagura, but utter them she did and in front of Kagura's peers. It was obvious the girls at the dojo looked up to the petite girl, but now, after being humiliated like that, it was doubtful if Kagura could even manage to lift her head in this crowd.

 

`I need to reach out to her…she needs help. She needs… me,' was the thought that went over and over in his mind. Ritsu did try getting to her since he couldn't make his voice heard above the loud shouts of the girls crowded around the dueling pair. But Kunimitsu promptly ordered him back to the wall again, no doubt for his own safety. The fact that one Sohma was already putting herself at risk by exposing herself indecently in her rampage was more than enough for Kunimitsu to handle.

 

Ritsu barely noticed Kunimitsu return to his side a few minutes ago since he was too absorbed with the continuing thrashing between the two females. Worriedly he asked, “Kunimitsu-san, aren't you going to stop them?”

 

“Only with backup…I can't handle Kagura alone like this,” answered Kunimitsu. “But I will get these girls back…” With that said, he bellowed, “ENOUGH!! BACK TO YOUR POSITIONS IMMEDIATELY!”

 

As they all scurried back to where they were before with the clashing girls still at it, Kazuma entered the dojo with a grim expression adorning his normally even-tempered face. Quickly assessing the situation from what he was seeing and from what Kunimitsu told him over the phone, he snapped his head to the individual behind him over to the girls. Immediately Kagura was seized in mid-slap and thrust into the arms that had her in an iron-clad grip.

 

`DAMN HER, DAMN HER, DAMN HER, DAMN HER!!!' was the raging thought that was being rewound over and over again in Kagura's mind. She never acknowledged anything else but the anger, hurt, and humiliation of Mazuki's words. They were words that she herself believed to some extent, and she certainly didn't want to face them so…so publicly. Yet, they were also words that she was slowly accepting so it only felt half as bad. What really struck the nerve was the other thing she had mentioned. The two things coupled together quickly threw her over the edge.

 

It was at this point in her mental rampage that she felt the strong vise-like grip on her arms and waist as she was hauled off Mazuki. Tilting her head sideways, she noted who it was that held her tight in their arms. It really was no surprise…only this particular male Jyuunishi could hold her down.

 

“Haru-chan! LET ME GO!!!” yelled Kagura irately as she glared bitterly at Mazuki's beaten face.

 

“Sorry…grrr…Kagura-nee. Argh…damn, could you at least keep it together?! Ease down now, ease down,” smoothly remarked Haru (slightly in `black' mode) as he tried to calm the rage her Zodiac form was in. Unlike her, when he's in `black' mode, all one needed to do was whack him soundly to bring him around to `white' mode, but the same treatment would only antagonize the Boar further. Breathing calmly against her, he coaxed her on, “Shhh, it's okay. Just let it pass, Kagura-nee. You're better than this trash anyway, right? (`I never did like Mazuki anyway.') Be our sweet Kagura-nee…that's who you are. Okay…hmm?”

 

The effect was practically immediate. Kagura slouched in his hold and lessened her struggle in his grip. Not wanting to let go just yet, he held onto her firmly, only willing to let go when the object of her disdain was far and away from this room.

 

Kazuma seemed to have the same idea as he turned to Kunimitsu. He quietly remarked, “Kunimitsu, could you take Mazuki to the medical clinic over in the next building? Kaori-san should be in. Everyone else, you may take your leave for the day. We will discuss this tomorrow. Dismissed.”

 

The girls hurriedly made their way out of the room, anxious to avoid the wrath of their head teacher. They knew that come tomorrow, they will endure heavy discipline due to their crass behavior on this day. But they were more than curious as to find out what would happen to the two main opponents. Such curiosity was shared by those very two individuals.

 

`Dammit! Stupid bitch is gonna get me thrown out because of her petty problems,' thought bitterly Mazuki, still nursing her bleeding lip from the multiple slaps Kagura gave her. As Kunimitsu directed her away from the scene of the crime, she couldn't resist at the open opportunity before her despite Kazuma's presence. Feigning great distress, she was able to fool Kunimitsu from grabbing her too hard. She slipped his grip and made a beeline straight to Kagura, intent on landing just one punch across the pretty little face that the Sohmas were all blessed with.

 

`What the…is she crazy?! Argh…I can't let Kagura go—she'll nail the poor girl for sure, and Shihan is already pissed. And I can't stop the blonde either…it's too risky.' As much as he wanted to, Haru couldn't move to stop Mazuki for obvious reasons, and Kazuma couldn't safely intervene fast enough without coming in close contact with Kagura.

 

Kagura was too lost in her quickly downward spiraling thoughts to notice much of anything. She was so ashamed of her actions. `I'm a Sohma…Shihan's my relative. Distantly related, but still, I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. I mean, well, she really did deserve it, but…I can't be like that. Shihan must be so ashamed of me. Or maybe too angry with me…or maybe…'

 

“Mazuki, that's ENOUGH,” warned Kazuma with his last shred of patience.

 

“KAGURA!!!”

 

Ritsu's startled yell pulled her from her thoughts as she tried to decipher the meaning behind it. She realized only too late to see that Mazuki had slipped her escort and was heading straight for her at breakneck speed. Before she could even think of retaliating, she immediately felt an embrace from in front of her. Looking down stunned, she saw with widened eyes that Ritsu had once again reached out to protect her.

 

`Hm, he really does have fast reflexes…' Looking down worriedly, she softly called out to him, “Ri-chan…”

 

Halting in her steps momentarily, Mazuki glared at the obstacle in her way. That moment was all Kazuma needed as he took her into an iron-clad embrace, determined to knock some sense into her.

 

“THAT'S ENOUGH, I SAID!” he cried out animatedly while holding onto Mazuki who started to struggle. Yet with his loud command, she immediately desisted in her struggles, finally realizing what she was doing and in front of whom.

 

“Hai, Sensei,” replied the defeated Mazuki, not bothering to lift her head as she stared at the floor.

 

“Come along, Mazuki,” remarked Kunimitsu quietly as he took the girl from Kazuma and escorted her out to their personal clinic that was just around the corner.

 

Heaving a heavy sigh, Kazuma rubbed his eyes tiredly. He lifted his gaze to Haru and signaled him to let go of Kagura. The teen immediately did so, letting out a sigh of relief as he stretched his arms over his head. The brief struggle to contain Kagura gave him a thorough workout.

 

“Hey, are you okay, Kagura-nee?” asked Haru gently while laying his hand on her shoulder.

 

Nodding numbly in response, Kagura looked to Ritsu and gave him a small smile in appreciation for trying to protect her. Closing her eyes, she breathed in heavily as she turned to Kazuma, ready to receive the rebuke that she knew she had coming to her. Yet, before the teacher could say one word, a sudden appearance of another made himself known.

 

“Shishou, what the hell happened?! You ran off with Haru in tow and didn't say anything,” remarked Kyo loudly. Quickly surveying the individuals in the room and sensing the still tense atmosphere, he grimly commented, “I had heard the girls talking as they went by the dojo…”

 

“Not now, Kyo,” interjected Kazuma with a slight strain to his voice, “I had left you in charge of watching the others…”

 

“I left Hajime in charge,” replied the exasperated youth as he stared at Kagura. She never once looked his way when he arrived. With his suspicions all but confirmed, he tightly commented, “I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. Kagura, look at me.”

 

`This can't be happening…of all the times that he could have shown up, it had to be now.' She did the only thing that made sense to her shot nerves…she resolutely walked off in the opposite direction, picking up stray towels as she went along. `I can't…not now. I can't trust myself to see him right now.'

 

Bracing himself for what was to come, Kazuma firmly reiterated, “Kyo, now is not the time…”

 

“Then when, Shishou?! I'm sick of pussy-footing around her! I'm not putting up with her crap anymore!” remarked Kyo irately with fists clenched to his side.

 

“Kyo, Shihan is right…now really isn't a good time,” warned Haru quietly as he eyed the retreating boar who was busily trying to bring order to the mess she made in the dojo.

 

“Mind your own business, Haru! I don't get into your business, so don't get into mine!” That said, he briskly took long strides to reach her, yet another obstacle presented itself. Growling in irritation, he ground out, “Dammit, what the hell is your problem? Get out of my way, Ritsu…this doesn't concern you!”

 

Ritsu managed to keep himself out of the vocal quarrel the other three were having, believing that he would only make matters worse by saying anything that probably would hold no meaning to them. Yet, seeing her, dejected and forlorn, as she vainly tried to ignore the presence of Kyo, he just couldn't bear it. How things certainly turned for the worst in a matter of minutes when only earlier she was smiling brilliantly like the sun on a cloudy day.

 

`Only smiles suit her best.' Swallowing the lump of nervousness in his throat, he licked his dry lips and heaved a heavy breath as he resolved to be the better friend that he promised himself to become. Seeing Kyo fast approaching her, he intercepted the enraged Cat.

 

“I…I'm so-sorry, Kyo-san. You are…right…correct, of course. I'm…uh…please, if you could…just come and talk with her at another time… Eh…yes, that…that would be best,” stammered Ritsu with his hands twisting nervously on the hem of his school uniform. With head bowed, he quietly continued, “She's just…really tired. Please…”

 

“Damn this!” cried out Kyo angrily. Reigning in his rage, he gripped Ritsu's shoulders as he bit out, “It's time someone put a stop to her pouting and self-pity. She's carried her petty bitterness too far this time, and I won't stand for it. Now, MOVE.”

 

Shaking his head, Ritsu blinked rapidly with growing anxiety at facing the Neko's wrath. With clammy hands, he shakily replied while standing firmly in his way, “Ii—iie. I'm ve-very sorry, I just…can't…”

 

“THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND KAGURA!” bellowed Kyo to Ritsu's frightened face, which he brought inches to his own with a grip on Ritsu's shirt collar. “YOU ARE NO ONE, NO ONE IN THIS FAMILY TO BE BUTTING IN—”

 

(SMACK!)

 

And that ended all discussions.

 

It certainly was a shock to all who observed it. One minute there was a heated conversation and the next, Kyo was lying on his back nursing a busted lip while reeling from his own shock. As much as Kazuma wanted to reach out to his stubborn son before it came to physical blows, he knew to refrain and let this work itself out. It was the reason he had instructed Haru to stay put as well. Sad to say, this was the only way for the Boar and Cat of the Zodiac to start finishing this mess they had dug themselves in.

 

If the Cat had anything to say about it, it was very painful to get this mess sorted out. Licking his bleeding lip carefully, he looked up with anger still shining in his irises. Yet the instant he laid eyes on Kagura's face, he immediately retracted. He knew at that moment that should he so much as mumble a word, he would be in a hell of a lot more pain than he was in now. And there was no stopping the rampage of a boar…especially this one who was not one to back down.

 

“Don't you dare say that. Don't you ever say that…EVER!!!” tearfully yelled Kagura as she angrily lashed out at the young man below her, her reddened fist clenched tightly at her side. “HE IS SOMEONE! HE IS!!!”

 

“Kagura-san, no, please don't upset yourself over me,” replied Ritsu quietly as he rushed to her side. Gently laying his hand on her shaking shoulder, he softly pleaded, “Onegai…don't shed anymore tears over me. You are more deserving than to have tears grace your face.”

 

She was tired. She was so spent…emotionally, mentally, physically. And with Ritsu's gentle words, she couldn't hold back the flood of tears that had threatened to spill the moment Kyo showed his face. Yet, this time, her tears were having a different effect. Instead of bitter resentment, she felt the heavy burden of regret lift itself off her shoulders, leaving her finally to feel free and at peace with herself. It was a long time coming, and she knew now that she could face her pain and move forward.

 

`I'm more deserving…so you say, Ri-chan. But it's so hard to believe that,' she thought with a small smile as she sniffled and regained control of her tears once more. Realizing then that she had cried into Ritsu's shoulder, she wrenched himself from his loose embrace.

 

“Oh, look at the mess I made to your uniform. I'm sorry,” she croaked through sniffles while wiping the tears absently from her face. She then reached out to rub off the tears spots she left on his uniform with her yukata sleeve.

 

“It's fine, Kagura, really,” replied Ritsu demurely, relieved to see that she was gaining back her wits.

 

Guilty. Ashamed. Heaving a heavy sigh, Kyo realized only then just how much he overreacted. He couldn't help it…the moment he heard the girls gossiping of how Kagura had gone berserk because of how she felt about him, he dashed out to find her, to stop her moping before she really got carried away and possibly expose her Jyuunishi self. He was just so afraid that in the end she'd end up getting hurt, and that was the last thing he had ever wanted for her.

 

`Damn…who am I kidding? Damn the guilt that's making me feel that it's my fault for what happened. And she'd be the one to get into trouble.' Tiredly he stood up on his wobbly legs, cautiously approaching the two fellow Jyuunishi members. “Listen, Kagura, I…I didn't mean for any of this to happen. When we…talked, that last time, I never wanted to hurt you. And here you are, just looking to hurt yourself…”

 

“Crap.” Turning to face Kyo, she solemnly stared at him, not so much as raise her voice when she said it. “That's what you said—that you're tired of my `crap', my `pouting', my `petty bitterness'. Now you're telling me that you never wanted to hurt me.” Tearfully breathing heavily, she shakily continued, “You just did…”

 

Reaching out to grasp her shoulder, Kyo quietly pleaded, “Kagura, I di—”

 

“I know you didn't mean to say it,” she replied as she cut him off. Sniffling back the tears that made their way down her nasal passages, she cleared her throat as she stared right at him. “But the fact is you did say them just the same. What's said is said. You can try taking back the words. You can't just make cutting remarks like that to me or to Ri-chan or to anyone else and expect to be able to take back the effect they have on us.”

 

Nodding numbly, he bowed his head in shame. He softly remarked, “I'm sorry…I really…”

 

“Save it. I don't want your apology.” Turning her back on him she headed for the door of the dojo before pausing on her way out. “I'm the one that's sorry…to you and everyone. I…I had tried so hard to keep my pain to myself. I had…lost something so, so precious to me…I couldn't help but mourn for it. I never meant for it to get so out of hand.”

 

Turning back to face him, she smiled brokenly to him. “I'm sorry that my `crap', my `pouting', my `petty bitterness' gave you trouble. I swear to you it will never happen again. I'll do what you ask…I'll leave you alone and stay away. Just what you always wanted...”

 

Breathing heavily once again, she looked over to Shihan who stared at her compassionately. `Arigatou, Shihan…for helping me to let go, as painfully as it turned out to be.' “Ahem, Shihan, sumimasen, but may I receive my discipline tomorrow? I will clean and scrub this dojo `til the wood shines.”

 

“Certainly. Go on home,” replied Kazuma with a sad smile of his own.

 

Heading to the other building that housed the girls' change rooms, she called out over her shoulder, “Ri-chan, come on. Kaa-san can use some help with dinner.”

 

“Of course, right away,” responded Ritsu while hastily gathering his things. Not daring to look at Kyo at the moment, he barely glanced at Kazuma and Haru. Smiling warmly at them both, he hurriedly rushed out the door after her into the dwindling daylight hours.

 

Silence immediately reigned once again in the dojo. Such a heavy weight it was, and Haru couldn't help but shake his head in dismay at what just happened. Choosing to stay out of this personal problem that wasn't his, he strode out the door quietly, intent on going back to the dojo where all the guys were still training. Hopefully he'll make it this time around before they all left. He can get so lost sometimes…

 

“Shishou…” quietly remarked the red-headed youth. Rubbing his lip absently, he said, “It wasn't…she wasn't…”

 

“I know, Kyo,” replied Kazuma just as gently. Resting a hand on the youth's shoulder, Kazuma guided him back out to the doorway. “Give it some time. It's the best thing you can do for her.”

 

“What if that's not enough?” asked Kyo forlornly, never once raising his head to face his father.

 

“Let her realize on her own when it's enough…you can do nothing else until she's ready to make amends with you,” advised Kazuma.

 

“She'll still want to seek me out…after all that I had said?” scoffed Kyo in disbelief.

 

“Of course,” replied with a small smile the elder Sohma. “Come what may, she's your oldest friend, Kyo. She would never have tried to make the peace with you, however subconsciously, just now if she didn't believe that to still be true.”

 

Rubbing his sore jaw, Kyo looked up warily at his father, doubt still lingering in his gaze. “Yeah…maybe. But her making the peace is hurting the hell out of my jaw.”

 

“Hm, so it is, so it is,” grinned Kazuma as he strolled along the path that led to the other dojo he had left.

 

“Yeah,” remarked Kyo quietly while staring straight ahead. `But I deserve this pain…and she deserves better than what I've put her through. She really does…because she's the one friend in the family that I trust completely besides Shishou.'

 

Such high regard for her was equally shared by another Sohma male. As he walked in silence along Kagura's side, Ritsu nervously kept twiddling with the collar of his uniform. Unsure of what to say to make her feel better or to at least break the silence, he kept shifting his gaze from the lady to his side to the ground below them.

 

By now all the females have pretty much made themselves scarce since it was indeed a rare occasion to be let out early during practice matches. So the complex was pretty much vacant as she gathered her scattered thoughts and pieces of what lay of her wounded heart.

 

`I did it. I faced him…I faced my pain. It had to be done, and I did it.' Wiping stray tears from her eyes, she rubbed her fist absently, vaguely noting that it was bruising because of the punch to Kyo's jaw. She had hurt him on impulse, as is usually the case, but this time the words he directed to Ritsu were what set her off, much like the words Mazuki had said about the overly shy Sohma.

 

`I'll walk away now. I won't ever force my presence on him ever again.' She sniffled absently. `Heh…that could be a blessing for him. No more Sohma Kagura to wreck his day…his life…'

 

“Thank you.”

 

Startled from her miserable musings, Kagura turned to the now halted figure of Ritsu. “Huh? What do you—”

 

“I'm sorry for not noticing sooner, Kagura-san. There was much distraction…” Lifting his gaze, he stared steadily at her as he voice only slightly wavered. “So…thank you. As unhappy as I am for what you're going through, I'm also very thankful and grateful. No one could have a better friend than you.”

 

“Why would say that?” asked Kagura perplexed. With a helpless shrug of her shoulders, she smiled wryly while incredulously replying, “You think a girl on a rampage that cries and screams and fights is worth calling a friend?”

 

The apology was there at the tip of his tongue…that much he couldn't deny. But this time…this time…he won't hide behind that excuse anymore just so that he could be spared the pain of disapproval. His rampant apologies only served to alienate him from others…and that was no longer acceptable to him, not when she needed him the most.

 

`And close to her I shall remain…' Smiling gently, he took the one step forward…the one step to start his new journey to join her in her pain. “Yes….because I never had a close friend cry and scream to others that I am a somebody instead of a nobody.”

 

Eerily quiet her world had become as she focused on his words. Before she could think of a response, she felt his warm embrace…an embrace that drew away her pain and dared to soothe it with nothing but the beating of his own heart. And she welcomed it with an embrace of her own.

 

It was in this calm and serene setting that Kunimitsu found the two Sohmas in as he returned to his tattered training room. Slumping in relief, he exhaled silently while treading carefully back to the room to clean up. No doubt Kagura had already talked with Kazuma…he'll need to check with him on how to best discipline the wild girl.

 

`For now, I'll let her be… I'm not about to ruin that moment. I wonder where they will go from here?'

 

Indeed, a thought the two Zodiacs shared as well…

 

 

~*~

 

Edited by: Seiren-no-Kaze 05-06, HelloKat 09-28-06

~*~

 

 

Belated Thoughts From Me To You (11-11-05):

 

Long time no write! Well, that's not exactly true, but close enough! Sincere apologies to those who were waiting for this update for a couple of weeks. Too much work and no play makes this author a dull lump.

 

Thank you for reading my rambling chapter that's chockfull of juicy details about Kagura and Ritsu. It's basically just a low-down on how each is progressing to that step of becoming more than just acquaintances and becoming good friends. Both have obstacles to overcome, and so the title of the chapter should reflect the struggle of both to be there for the other. Hope you like!

 

Next chapter should have a little more romance and Kyo once again. I'm sure many Kyo/Kagura fans are out to lynch me for what I did in this chapter between the two, but alas, it was necessary. Basically I needed Kyo to force Kagura to move on in a not so delicate way. She does, and lo and behold, Ritsu is there to support her. It'll be interesting to say the least.

 

I think staying in character was truly hard in this chapter. I had to basically make up their reactions with one another as I went along because the manga/anime doesn't have these characters interfacing with one another at all…especially when it concerns Ritsu. I had hoped to keep the Kyo-bashing to a bare minimum but OOC may still be found in some parts. Argh…judge me as you will…I won't break.

 

Also, I'm introducing outside characters into this storyline. Yes, I'm borrowing names from manga I've read (see if you can guess which manga!) because they are unique. At least to me. I will carry these characters over to the SOS fic as I see fit so don't be too surprised to see them there. In case you don't remember, Kunimitsu is Kazuma's assistant that had already been introduced in the English volumes of the manga.

 

I hope you caught on what Kagura was trying to warn Kyo about. We all say things we don't mean, but like she said in the fic, it won't spare you the consequences of your actions or words that were said. It's a very important thread that I've more or less woven into the SOS fic, and it will have a greater impact much later in the fic. Now, no more cookies!

 

Oh and by the way, Akito will make an appearance in this fic along with Yuki. How? When? Where? Hehehe, soon my dears…very soon.

 

Musical suggestion: Vicente Fernandez and his Spanish song “Me Voy a Quitar de en Medio”; roughly translated “To Remove Myself from Inbetween”. It's about a person seeking to let go the love of their life to another despite not wanting to, but if that's what they wanted, then it will be done. Kind of hard to describe, but oh, it fits so well! Just ask for lyrical info, and I shall provide!

 

Okay, I expect oodles of reviews and comments and general lynching if nothing else. Please keep the flames to a minimum though…hehe. And muchos thanks to Miya-chan for editing my first five chapters in SOS. She's the best, and I hope to see her edit this mess of mine!

 

Take care and be safe to all my good readers and loyal reviewers. Ja ne!