The Cat and Mom

Chapter 1

Relaxing on the park bench, Kyoko watched as her daughter Tohru pretended to be flying through the air on her swing. It was a beautiful day in late spring. The sky was clear and blue and the sun was shining brightly. Each time Tohru swung forward she would give her mom a wave and each time Tohru waved, Kyoko grinned and returned the wave. Kyoko felt it was the perfect day to celebrate Tohru's eighth birthday and she did plan on celebrating it big time.

Off to the side, a young red-haired boy stood. He appeared to be about Tohru's age and was standing alone. Wistfully he watched the young girl and her mother. The exchanged waves, the smiles both underlined something that was missing in his life. He wished his mother was still alive, but even if she was it wouldn't be the same. His mother loved him in her own way. She made sure he was fed and clothed. He understood this, but there was no real warmth, no feeling of accepting him fully for what and who he was. A hundred times a day she would touch him to make sure his bracelet was still in place. That was the only time she would really touch him. He supposed it wasn't her fault, it was because of the curse, but still.....

The young girl glanced up and saw the red-haired boy as her swing glided back to earth once more. She saw his hungry gaze as he watched her mother and guessed that his mother was no longer alive.

As Tohru approached the boy he looked as if he would bolt at any minute. Her smile and her friendly manner held him there.

"Hello, I'm Tohru, Tohru Honda. Would you like to play with me?"

The young boy hesitated looking down shyly as he kicked at the playground sand. At first he was silent and seemed unwilling to speak, but then with an awkward smile he replied.

"Kyo, Kyo Sohma. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Honda."

Kazuma Sohma wateched from the shadows as the small brown-haired girl approached Kyo. He had been watching Kyoko and her daughter for quite a while. He, Kyoko, and Katsuya had been an inseparable trio for many years. He was best man at their wedding and had been there for Kyoko to talk and cry with when Katsuya died. She was the sister he had never known. Curious, he continued his observation.

Kyoko watched Tohru approach the lad with the fiery hair and smiled. She knew what was coming next.

Kazuma held his breath and released in in relief when he realized the girl was only grabbing Kyo's hand. "Come on Kyo-kun, if you don't mind, will you help me build a sandcastle" Tohru encouraged.

Kyo hesitated but didn't resist when Tohru grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the sand box.

"Momma, come help us, it'll be fun!!!" Tohru called.

Kyoko, with a happy laugh approached the two children. She gave Tohru a big hug and tousled Kyo's curls. With a "Let's do our best" she gracefully sat down and helped the children construct a huge sandcastle. Tohru's laughter and Kyo's smile were the only rewards she needed as the finishing touches were placed on the castle.

Kyoko glanced around and saw an ice cream vendor, then saw Kazuma watching from the outer edge of the playground. "You two stay here and I'll go get us some ice cream cones. Is strawberry okay?" Two heads nodded and Kyoko left them as they raced to the swings.

"Kazuma-kun" she greeted as she strolled to the ice cream vendor.

"Kyoko-san" he greeted her back..

"Walk with me while I get ice cream cones and tell me why you are here" she said with a smile.

Kazuma sighed. He shouldhave realized she would spot him sooner or later. "Him" Kazuma said and nodded toward the red haired lad happily swinging with Tohru. "Kyo is something of an outcast within our clan and I've taken him under my wing. He wandered away from the dojo and I followed him."

"That is so like you Kazuma-kun. He reminds you of your grandfather doesn't he?"

"Yes." Kazuma had talked to Kyoko a lot. How much had she put together from the words he had spoken?

Kyo saw Kazuma fall into step with the wonderful mom of the girl. He wondered if he would have to return to the dojo soon and lose his freedom. He had not realized that Kazuma had followed him. Why had he not stopped Kyo from playing with the girl?

"Kyo-kun, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, really. I'll race you to the slide!" If his playtime was almost up, he was going to have as much fun as possible with what remained.

Kyo easily outdistanced Tohru but waited for her so she could take the first trip down the slide. She grinned at him.

"You're really fast Kyo!"

"I'm not fast, you're just slow!" he said with a smile.

Tohru smiled back and gave a joyful laugh. "That's true."

Kyoko watched Kazuma for a moment then made her decision. "Kazuma-kun, may I ask a favor of you?"

"What is it Kyoko-san?"

"Would it be okay if Kyo spent the day with Tohru and me? Today is Tohru's eighth birthday and it would be so much fun if we could borrow Kyo as a friend for today. They are having such a wonderful time together. I'm sure he would enjoy our company." She ended with a laugh.

Kazuma hesitated. What if Kyo's secret was discovered? Yet....

"Kazuma-kun, what's wrong?"

"Nothing really. Kyo can spend the day with you. I'll meet him back here at 7:00 pm so we can return home together."

"Wonderful, thank you very much Kazuma-kun."

Kyoko ordered the ice cream cones but Kazuma insisted on paying. "See you later Kazuma-kun" Kyoko called as she waltzed away.

"At 7:00, don't forget!"

Kyoko waved nonchalantly. "You worry too much Kazuma-kun.

The two children raced up to Kyoko as she approached with the cones.

"Mom, who was that man?" Tohru queried.

"Do I have to leave now?" Kyo asked.

"Kyo, Kazuma-san had done me the favor of allowing you to visit with us until 7:00 tonight. You'd like that wouldn't you?"

"Well, yeah." Kyo said in wonder. Why was he being allowed this, what did master have planned?

"Tohru, that was Kazuma Sohma, Kyo's guardian. He has allowed the three of us to stay together until 7:00 tonight."

"Hooray! Kyo let's go swing some more!"

"Hey watch it, you'll drop your ice cream cone."

Kazuma faded into the shadows and watched until the three left the park.

After a full morning at the park and stopping at a diner for sukiyaki and ramen, they ended up at Kyoko's and Tohru's apartment.

"Tohru, run upstairs and change into some clean clothes"

"Yes, momma." And Tohru hurried to obey.

"Now Kyo" said Kyoko with a conspiratorial wink, "come help me in the kitchen. Today is Tohru's birthday and I want to surprise her when she comes down.."

"Yes Ma'am Honda –san."

Kyo put the tea kettle on as Kyoko pulled out brightly wrapped gifts, jelly buns, and a gaily decorated birthday cake. As soon as Kyo had carefully put the tea set on the table, Kyoko grabbed him by the hands and swung him around the kitchen. "This is going to be so much fun Kyo!" Suddenly Kyoko lost her balance and they ended up in a heap in the middle of the kitchen floor with Kyoko cushioning Kyo's fall. Suddenly there was a loud pop and Kyoko was holding an orange cat in her arms.

Kyoko was a little surprised but not totally off guard. "Oh Kyo, I love you this way too, you are so adorable!" She had accidentally confirmed her suspicions about the mysterious Sohmas.

"Oh Momma! A cat! He's so cute can I hold him?"

"Certainly, but just for a minute then we have to put him back outside so he can go home. I'm sure his family is missing such an adorable kitty as this."

While Tohru was occupied with the surprised cat, Kyoko put Kyo's clothes in the downstairs bath making sure he noticed.

"Tohru sweetie, come into the kitchen and see what Momma has for you. Kyo will be out of the bathroom to join us soon."

Tohru put the orange cat aside and ran into the kitchen. "Momma, I'm so happy! I love you!"

Kyo raced to the bathroom just as there was a second big poof and he was himself again. He quickly put his clothes on and made us of the facilities. Should he leave now or should he go to the kitchen?

Kyoko solved that problem. "Kyo-kun we're waiting for you so Tohru can open her gifts and enjoy her birthday party."

Kyo joined the party. As he walked through the door Kyoko tousled his hair. "My own little orange top! I really would have liked for Tohru to have a brother like you."

Kyo felt warm and loved. He felt accepted, as if he'd found a new mother, a new family that didn't shun him. For the first time in his life he was part of a close family circle.

As Kyoko returned Kyo to Kazuma she whispered "It's our secret Kyo. Your master doesn't have to know unless you want."

Kazuma held out his hand, "Let's go Kyo, it's getting late."

"Bye Kyo, come play with me again," Tohru called.

"Kazuma-kun, I hope you will bring him again" was Kyoko's parting reply.

For two glorious weeks Kyo was in heaven. Each day he was allowed to spend time with Tohru and Kyoko. They would prepare their meals together and eat together. After the evening meal, Kyoko would tell both of them a story. If Tohru fell asleep early, a not unusual occurrence, then Kyoko would invariably give the young boy a big hug and contentedly hold the orange cat for a few minutes before allowing him to head home. Kazuma watched the young boy blossom and wished it could always be this way. And then one day it ended.