Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Tough Times ❯ Friend? Or just Trouble? ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

“Tough Times”

Chapter One - Friend? Or Just Trouble?

A light down pour had started a few moments ago. Causing the out door training at Kazuma Sohma's dojo to end for the day. A young woman sat on the steps of the dojo, her shoulder length black hair hung loosely around her face. Framing her delicate features. Her dark brown eyes focused on the droplets that were hitting the ground out side.

“This is so boring,”

“Yu-san,” Kazuma's voice rang.

“Yes, Shishou?” The young woman asked, turning to look at her master.

He walked over and stood next to her. “It is odd that it is winter and raining, no?”

She turned back to staring out over the back yard, nodding she sighed. “Yes,”

Kuragari Yu was her full name. She had come to Kazuma Sohma's dojo after her father's passing a few months ago. He had trained her well just in the few months. Since she was a quick learner she was progressing quickly.

“Shishou?”

“Yes, Yu-san?” He asked calmly, turning his orbs down toward her.

“Why - I mean,” She started but found it hard to complete her sentence. “Why did you agree to allow me to stay and train here?“ She asked after taking a breath of air.

“Yu-san, I knew your father for a few years. He was a wonderful man and a great Martial Artist. He shines greatly in you,“ Kazuma spoke. ”That is one of the reasons. I knew you could go beyond most of the limits I set for my others students.“ He said with a fatherly smile.

Kuragari returned his smile and then turned her gaze down toward her hands. As she fiddled with a leaf she had picked from a bush near the steps.

“Yu-san,” He started. “I am going to have to go on a short trip can I ask you something?“

“Of course, Shishou.” She said with a smile still playing across her lips. Her eyes showing a bit of sadness, since they had been talking of her father. Old memories had flooded back to her mind and it hurt with just the thought of him.

“If I can get my a friend to offer you a place to stay for a week would you go and stay with him?“ He asked curiously. He stood waiting for her answer.

“A friend? Who?” Kuragari asked curiously and confused by her Shishou's sudden wanting to leave the dojo. “Is something the matter?” She asked worried and stood.

“No, no. Nothing is wrong, Yu-san.” Kazuma stated. “He is a family member more than a friend, his name is Shigure Sohma.“

Kuragari thought for a moment and nodded. “If you do not wish for me to just stay here while you are gone. Of course I would stay with this, Sohma-kun.“ She replied sadly.

“Very well,” He said kindly. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry, Yu-san. Nothing is wrong. I will be back before you know it.“ Kazuma said with a kind smiled.

“Of course, Shishou.” She spoke with a slight nod.

“A girl, huh?” Shigure Sohma asked, while sipping some tea Tohru Honda had made for the two.

“Yes,” Kazuma started. “Her name is Kuragari Yu, she is sort of a hand full. But she is not a trouble maker in any way.“ He said with a gentle smile.

“I see no problem in her staying here for a week.” Shigure said and smiled. “Well will have to find a place for her to sleep though.“ He said with a dumb laugh.

“How old is she? If you don't mind my asking Shishou-san.“ Tohru chimed in. Her voice soft as she poured some more tea for Shigure.

“She just turned 17 so she will be needing to attend school as well.“ Kazuma answered and smiled kindly at Tohru.

“Oh,” Tohru said. “If she wouldn't mind she could share my room. I wouldn't mind.“ She said with a bright smile.

“Yes! See we have it all fixed. Kuragari-san can stay with Tohru-san in her room and you can help her get registered at school. Can't you Tohru-san?“ Shigure asked and smiled at Tohru.

“Of course,” She said with a nod.

Kazuma smiled at how happy it seemed to make Tohru that she would no longer be the only female in the household full of males. “Well I must be on my way back. I told her I would return to tell her what you said.“ He said and stood with a slight bow. ”I will send her off tomorrow evening,“

“All right,” Shigure said with a smile. He watched Kazuma leave and then turned to Tohru. “Well, I guess this will be a great surprise for Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun.“ He said and laughed.

Kazuma had returned from talking to Shigure about Kuragari. He wandered around a bit looking for his young student and finally found her, training in the back room of the dojo. A soft smile crept upon his lips as he watched how hard she worked. She was truly dedicated to Martial Arts, just like her father was.

“Yu-san,” He spoke so not to startle her.

“Oh, hello Shishou.” Kuragari said and smiled as she wiped some sweat from her forehead and stopped training to catch her breath.

“I have good news,” Kazuma said and smiled. “Shigure Sohma has agreed to allow you to stay with him at his house for a week and you will be attending Kaibara High School.“

“School?” She started with a hint of worry in her voice.

“Yes, I thought it would be best for you to attention school now.“ He said and smiled while he walked toward her. ”Don't worry you will be fine.“ Kazuma said with a reassuring smile.

Kuragari nodded lightly. Her bangs covering her eyes a bit. “All right, Shishou.” She said softly.

“Now you better go get packed. I told Shigure-kun you would be arriving tomorrow evening.“ Kazuma explained and smiled weakly at her. Knowing that she truly was scared of going to somewhere where she would have to adjust once again.

“Ok,” She spoke gently. Her voice weak and not as full of life as it usually was. As she turned she sighed, going toward her small room that was in the dojo.

I'm sorry Yu-san, Kazuma thought as he watched her disappear around a corner. But in the long run, this will help you.

Kuragari sighed, “Look at this place...” She said to herself as she took a quick glance at Shigure's home. “It looks...so quaint and cheery.”

As she walked up the pathway leading to the front door she sighed again. I don't understand any of this. Or why I had to leave the dojo for a week. She thought as she knocked on the door. I mean, I could have stayed at the dojo while Shishou was gone, couldn't I?

“Yes?” Tohru asked in her normal tone as she pushed the door open.

Kuragari stared at the young woman confused for a moment then sighed. “I am Yu Kuragari. Sohma Kazuma said this is where I am to stay for the week, Sohma Shigure's home.“ She spoke and waited to see what Tohru would say in response.

“Oh, yes. Yu-san!” She said with a bright smile. “Come in,” Tohru said as she moved back so Kuragari could walk in. “My name is Tohru Honda.”

Kuragari just nodded and glanced around her new surroundings curiously.

“Ah! Is this Kuragari-san?” Shigure asked as he immerged from his study. “I am Shigure Sohma.” He said and smiled kindly at Kuragari as he stood next to Tohru.

“Yes, my name is Kuragari Yu. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sohma-kun.“ She said politely and bowed a bit in respect for Shigure.

She seems nothing like Kazuma-dono said. Shigure thought with a smile. “Tohru-san would you kindly show Kuragari-san to the room she will be sharing?“

Tohru nodded happily and smiled. “This way Yu-san,” She said and motioned toward the hallway that lead toward her room. Which she would share with Kuragari for the week she was going to stay here.

Kuragari stared curiously at Tohru, then nodded.

“Shishou?” Kyo Sohma asked as he entered Kazuma Sohma's dojo. “Shishou?” He asked again as he entered deeper into the dojo curiously. He walked into the training area and then a smile crept across his lips when he saw his father figure, Kazuma Sohma.

“Hello, Kyo.” Kazuma answered and turned from staring outside to look at Kyo.

Kyo laughed and put his bag down on a bench and walked over to Kazuma. “Is something the matter, Shishou?” He asked confused. Since Kazuma seemed to have a saddened look about him.

“No, Kyo. I am fine.” He said and smiled fatherly as he reached and ruffled Kyo's hair some.