An embarrassed note from the Author: So guys…I was rereading and refreshing my memory of the manga and I'm going to be honest…the story is going to deviate even further from the main plot line. Main events in the real story may/will show up, but for the most part, it is going to be an independent story line. I hope this isn't an inconvenience. If it is, let me know. If there are many of you who want me to try to push back towards the original plot, I will do my best to do so. Please let me know so I can cater to you guys.
This next part is important for all readers: If you are interested in a story that follows the exact timeline of "Fruits Basket," my story will no longer provide that desire. I want to let everyone know so that if this decision isn't your cup of tea, you don't waste your time reading something that you don't like. Once again, sorry for any inconvenience that this creates for any of my readers!
.-x-.
There were rumors all over the school about Kyo and Reiji having a full blown sparring match during their Tae Kwon Do period. The rumors did not escape the attention of the stressed out girl who had been playing rookie from most of her classes. Along with the rumors, people also were whispering about her…something Mizuki was not particularly fond of. She had enough of that when she was back with the Tsukidorei family before her father died.
The fight rumors and the quiet gossip were not the only things that Mizuki encountered throughout that day. Apparently, Reiji Choi was Prince Charming 2.0. A group of girls even created a "Reiji fan club," which even rivaled the infamous Prince Yuki Fan Club. They went so far as to make pins with a picture of Reiji that stated "I love Rei-san!" The girls also relentlessly harassed those who Reiji spoke to, even if it was only polite conversation about quiz grades.
"So…you're the girl that Rei-san is talking to…" a tall, slender 3rd year girl stated while blocking Mizuki's path to the courtyard. Mizuki recognized the girl as the one who was talking obnoxiously about the Choi's the first day. The 3rd year girl was accompanied by 4 other athletic looking females.
Mizuki inwardly sighed. She preferred her life when no one even knew her name or bothered about what she did in school. Despite her dwindling patience, she responded politely to the behemoth of a girl.
"Yes, he and I used to compete in past tournaments together. We're old friends." Mizuki stated quietly, before trying to move around the 5 girls. The large girl slammed her hand against the doorway, blocking the shorter, white haired girl from exiting the building.
Mizuki pursed her lips and grit her teeth. "Excuse me senpai. We're going to be late for Tae Kwon Do. May I pass?" Mizuki asked, her eyes narrowing slightly while she continued to stare forward. Apparently, the Reiji Fan Club inherited the aggressiveness of its predecessor…only at that moment in time it also included those who knew Reiji from his level of proficiency in martial arts. That made them dangerous and more likely to bully people around, and win.
"Oh Kohai-chan, but we wish to speak with you." The taller girl said. Mizuki had been around the block a few times to understand that "we want to talk" in that tone meant "we're going to beat the life out of you" in fighter lingo. She closed her eyes for a split second and stepped back from the group.
Today was not Mizuki's day. A headache was forming in her temple. She turned her back to the girls and started walking away, who then started laughing at the silent female.
Threats and jokes ensued as Mizuki strode down the hallway, taking the long way to the gym. She walked quickly, letting her muscles loosen as she fled down the hallway. 'I really need to contain my emotions better.' Mizuki berated herself inwardly. While a slight lack of emotional control was to be expected after her accident, today was pushing her further and further towards a person she used to be back when she used to arrive home with bloodied knuckles and cold, uncaring eyes. With current events and how people were walking all over her, it seemed to Mizuki that the person she was before she was in the hospital was a mellow, easy-going individual. That gave her comfort as she arrived to the gym, which looked like it had almost all of the school present. Even teachers were interested in what was about to happen.
Mizuki stopped off in the bathroom to change into her faded Do Bok. The worn fabric felt good against her flushed skin. She tied her ratty black belt around her waist quickly while keeping a watch out if anyone came in to get a head start on the fight while she was in the restroom. No one came.
As Mizuki exited the bathroom, she noticed even more people around her. She pushed through the crowd, making sure not to bump into them with her chest. Finally, she made it into the gym. A wave of nostalgia washed over her. The crowd and the wide, open sparring floor reminded her of her many fights.
Without paying attention, Mizuki tripped over someone's foot and accidently shouldered a white haired guy in front of her. A vein popped on his head as he turned around with narrowed eyes. As soon as he saw her, his eyes relaxed.
"Sorry! I hope I didn't hurt you or anything! I'll watch my step next time." Mizuki apologized. She gave the white-haired class-ditcher a low bow. The last thing she needed at this current time was making an enemy of some guy who looked comfortable skipping classes. Immediately, her bashful face returned to a stoic, unemotional façade. She excused herself.
The guy remained silent as he pursed his lips as she walked by him. He seemed slightly confused and disoriented, but Mizuki quickly let that thought leave her mind as she arrived on the sparring mat.
Haru stood behind her, watching her walk away with storm grey eyes. While his face remained passive, his turbulent eyes silently questioned her new behavior. He hadn't talked to her since she initially woke up, but her personality seemed more serious and guarded, much like how she was after he turned Black under the bridge.
Mizuki joined Reiji at the front of the gym. Kyo was with Momiji, Tohru, Arisa, Saki, and a few others near the side of the gym. Reiji gave Mizuki a concerned look.
"Everything okay Mizuki-chan?" He asked her, while leading her to the side where less people could see their conversation.
She pursed her lips towards the growing crowd that were filling the stands. "Just having a bad day. Do you guys really have to fight? I mean I know—"
Before Mizuki could continue to talk to Reiji, the same, large 3rd year student came over the loud speaker in the gym.
"Attention all! I, Kurami Chika, and my friends all challenge class 2-D Tsukidorei Mizuki to a sparring match!" The girl yelled into the microphone. The gym went silent as everyone's eyes turned to Mizuki, whose mouth was gaping wide open.
The petite, white haired girl balked at the brash invitation to a fight. Mizuki turned to Reiji, who gave a concerned look to her. "What do you think?" Mizuki whispered to Reiji. Bright hazel eyes gave her an anxious look before a sincere smile graced Reiji's lips. "If you are still the girl I remember, then you will be fine. I'm a little nervous because you are still getting used to training again…but you will be fine. Just don't kill em." Reiji said jokingly.
With a tight chest, Mizuki firmed herself and turned to her challengers. "I accept. If I win, you must stop bullying everyone around you. If I lose, you get to choose my punishment." She stated loudly. A gasp erupted from the entire crowd at her brave acceptance to fight some of the most athletic girls in the school.
Takeshi grabbed the microphone from the mammoth and gave a bright smile to the crowd. While he introduced himself, Mizuki turned back to Reiji. "Are they really bullying people like that?" He asked her solemnly. She nodded. "They don't do it while you're around, but yes." Mizuki confirmed. Reiji's eyebrows furrowed in irritation. "I'll talk to them myself, then." He promised. He then excused himself to go warm up for his match with Kyo.
After he left, the group with Kyo approached Mizuki, who started stretching. "Hey guys." Mizuki greeted. Everyone except Kyo greeted her, but immediately started giving her concerned looks. Arisa spoke up first. "Look, Mizu-chan…You don't have to do this if you don't want to…Just say the word and I'll bash their windows in with a pipe." She stated gruffly, while flexing her bicep.
Mizuki shook her head and continued to stretch. "They're not going to leave anyone alone until they are brought down." She stated bravely. Although she sounded brave, her hands were sweaty and shaky. The group gave her reassuring looks and dispersed, leaving Kyo behind.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Mizuki interrupted him. "I really can't handle any more stress Kyo, I'm sorry." Mizuki said softly, without looking at him. Kyo lowered his head, but then spoke anyway.
"Look, you are right. I have no right to treat you that way. I'm…sorry. I was being stupid…I just don't want you to get hurt again. Do you really think you can take those 5 girls?" Kyo stated.
Mizuki looked at him and her expression softened a little. "Thanks…But you don't have to worry about me…And Kyo, I can do this. Just have faith in me for once. If…you're actually going to fight Reiji, please be careful." She told him, before walking off the mat and towards the bleachers.
Reiji walked back out onto the mat and joined Kyo and Takeshi at the center of gym. Takeshi gave another bright smile before introducing his cousin and Kyo, who both put on their head gear and mouth pieces. The whole school cheered as the two males tapped gloves and the match started.
Both were relatively the same height and weight. Reiji sent a few precursor jabs towards Kyo, who dodged them easily. Kyo responded by spinning and attempting to kick Reiji on the side of the head.
Reiji brought his arm up fluidly, and blocked Kyo's spinning hook kick. While Kyo's back was still turned, Reiji rushed into Kyo and sent an elbow Kyo's head, and then sent a jumping back kick to Kyo's chest, sending him to the ground. Reiji, with steely eyes, backed up from Kyo to allow him to stand. He watched Kyo with sharp eyes as the Cat grit his teeth and charged at him. Reiji easily continued to block and dodge Kyo's attempts to hit him.
Kyo darted to the side and sent a side kick under Reiji's arm before jumping and sending a back kick to Reiji's side. Reiji stumbled to the side, and almost fell.
Kyo smirked at Reiji, who returned the smile with equal distaste. He shot in, and sent multiple punches and palm hits to Kyo's head. Kyo knocked most of the hits away, but not before Reiji managed to jab the edge of his head gear. Kyp moved slightly during the impact, and Reiji's glove slid and hit the corner of Kyo's mouth. Kyo growled and wiped his bleeding lip. Takeshi issued a warning to Reiji for hitting the face. Before Kyo could completely regain his stance, Reiji once again darted in closer to Kyo, and spun around. He sent a kick up to Kyo's head, making contact. Kyo's head snapped to the side, and he collapsed to the ground.
Reiji regained his balance as the gym stood up at Kyo's collapse. He immediately knelt down to check on Kyo, who had his face scrunched in pain. Takeshi rushed over to Kyo, who was beginning to sit up. As Takeshi was asking if Kyo was alright, the Cat stood up by himself.
Takeshi checked Kyo's eyes if they were unfocused. He gave the Cat a thumbs up and said, "You only have 2 minutes left." Takeshi gave a short nod to both the males before swiping his arm between them, signaling to start again.
Reiji backed off from the Cat and went on the defensive. He began moving slightly, dodging Kyo's quick attacks. Kyo send a fake punch to Reiji's head, and while his opponent was dodging, Kyo quickly knelt and swept Reiji's legs out from underneath him. Reiji hit the mat hard before pushing off of it and flipping back up. Reiji cracked his neck and lowered his stance. He twisted his front leg, and sent another spinning kick to Kyo. Kyo stepped back quickly before sending multiple roundhouse kicks to Reiji's wide open chest. Reiji stumbled back and barely dodged a knife hand that was sent to his neck. Reiji responded with a jab to Kyo's side, which hunched the Cat over in pain for a split second. As Kyo was recovering, the buzzer rang. Takeshi stood in between of the males who took a breather. Takeshi then looked to his score keepers, who brought them their results of the two guys.
As the guys rested, Takeshi spoke to the crowd. "According to the scores, with a winner by just one point, Reiji Choi is the winner of this match!" Takeshi exclaimed to the crowd while raising Reiji's arm. Kyo scowled and walked over to the bench where Mizuki and the others were. Everyone clapped him on the back for a job well done. Reiji came over and held a hand out to Kyo, who sent him a confused look. He eventually grabbed Reiji's hand and shook it. "Good job Kyo." Reiji told him professionally. Kyo nodded and told him roughly, "I guess you aren't that bad after all." Reiji gave a small chuckle, before looking at Mizuki, who had stood up and was preparing for her fight.
Takeshi was entertaining the crowd when Chika and the other girls asked for the microphone. Chika stood at the center of the ring and spoke to the crowd. "Due to Tsukidorei's apparent expertise in martial arts, we challenge her to fight all 5 of us at one time with anything goes techniques." Chika stated smugly.
The crowd booed at her request, screaming at the girl stating that that was unfair and wrong. Mizuki balked again for another time. "Are they trying to kill Mizu-chan?! How would they feel if we tag teamed her?!" Uo yelled angrily.
Mizuki gave her a calm smile and popped her mouth piece in. "I got 'em." She told her friend, before facing Reiji.
He nodded to her, and sat down next to the others. She steeled herself and walked towards the mat, getting ready to face the 5 girls.