Note: I finally typed this chapter out. It's been sitting on the paper for months. Oh well, hope you like it. I find it quite cute, so a pairing has surfaced, but things change…oops. Am I giving it all away? Okay, shall not say anymore. Onto the next chapter, I've written till chapter 5 already, just need to type it out, and of course write some more. Enjoy, and the thanks and more notes are below.

Chapter 3 – at first sight

"Martial arts dojo?"

"Yup. We wanted to give Kazuma-san a visit and check the place out. Anyway, we know you love this particular art form and it would totally interest you. You are interested right?"

"Definitely. The question just caught me off guard."

"Perhaps, we could get our little brother to join us."

"Akito and martial arts don't mix. From what I know, he can't take strenuous activity."

"That's true, but the thought is entertaining."

The trio laughed, and soon enough reached their destination.

Standing in front of the dojo, Aisha reminisced about her childhood. Kicking the guys' asses in martial arts class had been one of her favourite pastimes. Her master had told her she had the potential to become a master too and that made her very proud. However as she grew older, there seemed to be less and less time to practice and attend classes, eventually she had stopped. How she missed those days and now here she was.

It had been 2 years already, her moves must have gotten rusty, and she probably couldn't even remember the right moves anymore. How time could blunt the senses, but the beautiful rush of adrenaline she felt whenever she defeated an opponent would never leave her.

"Stop day-dreaming already. Let's go in." Yuri jolted out of those sweet memories, pulling her into reality and into the dojo.

They stumbled upon Kazuma-san giving Kyou an individual class.

The twins giggled and whispered like irritating fan-girls as they watched Kyou practice. Aisha on the other hand, watched in silence. Her eyes were shining and her face was rapt with attention, her fascination with each move almost child-like. Kyou, unused to the attention was becoming increasingly red-in-the-face, committing more mistakes as he continued. Kazuma-san looked on giving occasional instruction until Kyou tripped on his own legs and fell unceremoniously on the floor.

The twins burst out laughing; Kazuma-san just shook his head.

Aisha had had enough. She got up and made a move to leave. She was unimpressed by this flawed performance. She knew that the fault lay mostly with the twins, but as a martial artist herself, she knew how important it was for the artist to keep his cool at all times. Poise and grace were two other important factors and it was something Kyou seemed to lack.

Grey-blue met brown. Aisha stopped mid-step. Eyes and the story behind them. Neither had had it easy. Each had their own share of comedies and tragedies. The pain, the laughter, the hurt, the hate, the regrets, the love or lack there of, and a strange connection. Eyes that seemed to be locked for eternity, unable to break away.

The 2 oblivious to anything around them. They stared, as if trying to read each other's mind, to understand the story behind those soulful eyes. Trying to make some sense of the strange feeling stirring up inside them.

Was it love or was it something else?


She had enchanting, blue-grey eyes. They were mesmerizing and strangely familiar, as if I had seen those exact pair once before. A long time ago. Blurry images, a younger face, but the same eyes. Maybe they didn't tell a very long story then, but the eyes were the same, I was sure of it. But where? When?

Back to the present, a fight? I wasn't very confident. She seemed to know her stuff. There was a queasy feeling in the pits of my stomach. I was going to get trashed, I could feel it. Why had I agreed? What had I gotten myself into? Then I remembered her eyes, and everything else faded into nothing. The eyes were important; I could tell they were trying to tell me something? What? If only could remember.

Whatever it was, I never would have expected what came next.

Kick. Kick. Dodge. Block. Jump.

I didn't quite make the last one and was swept off my feet. Literally. She was obviously better than me and a 2 year hiatus didn't make her any less potent. Her moves were fast and accurate, and she was concentrating, something which I couldn't do at this point of time. I had to admit it was the main cause of my downfall. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I heard the twins giggle. Losing to a girl, no matter if she had nice eyes or not, was not glamorous. Thank goodness, Yuki or Tohru weren't here or I would have died from sheer embarrassment.

Her cheeks were flushed and her breathe was coming out in short gasps. A strand of stray hair fell in her line of vision, and she brushed it away impatiently. Extending a hand to me, she tried not to look me in the eye but failed pathetically. I grabbed her hand and pulled, a little too hard; she flipped over me and landed on her back.

"What the hell? Why'd you do that for?"

"Sorry." I jumped up, but in my haste tripped over my own feet and fell facing her.

The twins squealed, and Kazuma gasped in horror. My eyes widened realizing what was going to happen next.

She was trying to push me off her, taking in lungful of air. I was rather heavy, for a girl her size.

A minute passed.

Nothing happened.

I picked myself up and gave her a hand up.

Still nothing happened.

Amazingly, I hadn't transformed. The two of us were staring at each other. Silence in the room as the moment sank in.

"Why didn't he transform?" she suddenly asked.

I was shocked, surprised, caught of guard at her question. Thoughts raced through my head. How did she know? When did she found out? More importantly why hadn't I turned into a cat?

"Kyou. Don't panic. We told her. The question is why didn't you transform? Can we do an experiment? Aisha, for the sake of science, be a good girl and hug him." Yuri suggested.

Aisha starred daggers at her, before turning to face me. She seemed to be pondering whether or not she should do as told. Taking a tentative step towards me, I suddenly realized how close we were. I couldn't move, not when she was so near. I felt paralyzed, but my brain was still functioning and churning out thought after thought.

My heart was beating wildly and I could feel the heat radiating from her. I could see the way she bit her lips, the way she adverted her gaze as she closed the gap between us. It was driving me insane all these new and intoxicating emotions coursing through my vein.

When we finally hugged, I could feel her arms wrapped around my waist and her cheek pressed against my chest. Natural instinct made me wrap my arms around her slim shoulders. There was a tingling sensation wherever our skin met and the smell from her was again, familiar.

She closed her eyes. I wondered what was running through her mind. It seemed as if she hadn't been hugged for a long time. Neither had I, especially by a girl. I rested my chin on her head. I knew I wouldn't mind staying like this a little longer.

Suddenly we heard the snap of a camera. We both turned towards the sound and witnessed Yuri holding a camera phone in her hand, grinning wildly.

We immediately jumped apart and went after her. It would never do to let this picture get circulated among the family. I knew I would hear no end.

"Now, now. This is proof. See nothing happened to Kyou. I have to show this to Hatori and Akito and they'll decide what to do. Not before I print a few copies and pass it to our relatives of course." Yuri smirked.

By now, we were chasing her around the room.

Aisha managed to grab her and wrestle her to the ground. I quickly took the phone out of her hand, but not before Mizuki pounced on me, causing me to drop it.

The 4 of us reached to grab it and rolled on the floor fighting for the phone.

"I chipped a nail." Yuri suddenly screamed.

"And I got the phone." I said triumphantly.

"Fine you win. But, that doesn't mean we can't tell anyone. Perhaps everyone will get a laugh from your story."

Aisha came up to me and took and phone, she stared at it for awhile. I came and looked over her shoulder. I thought we looked pretty good together, but before I could say anything, she deleted it and tossed the phone back to Yuri.

"Don't do that again." She threatened.

I looked at her and she flicked her head to stare back. The bond between us was deluding all understanding. It was as if it had always been there, forgotten for sometime, but now brought to the surface again. I had never experienced this before. Could it really be love? I considered it carefully. Love at first sight, was it really possible? Then what about Tohru, I thought I loved her too.

Aisha turned to leave. I almost wanted to take her hand and ask her to stay, to talk about everything she had been through, and to let her listen to my story too. There was so much I wanted to know, so much I wanted to learn about her. I controlled myself, and watched her retreating back. Maybe another time, if there was another chance.

Note: original ending of this chapter was a little different, wasn't so amusing. Well, was it good? Bad? Pls review! I promise to take all reviews into considerations, and try to improve, that is the point isn't it?

Thanks to…KuroiCho: ah….thanks…cause so far you're the only one who reviewed…and I'm not afraid to say that I've been waiting for a long time for someone…anyone to review…so that I can post the next chapter. so…Aisha. I don't really know how to describe her myself…but I have to ask what exactly is a Mary-Sue? I'm sorry to say that I don't really know. once again…thanks a million.