After that, Tora changed out of her skating outfit and told Rue to tell Neko-sensei she couldn't come to class because she wasn't feeling well. Mytho was sad at this new development between his best friend and their kohai.
Fakir and Author were both upset. Out of the two of them Fakir seemed to be handling harder. Mytho really didn't like to interfere with his friends personal matters because he thought it best they sort it out themselves and he respected their privacy. But given the situation, he doubted his hardheaded friend would talk to Tora any time soon. He decided talking to him wouldn't hurt.
"Fakir? Can I talk to you for a moment?"
It was during class and Fakir along with Author were standing against the wall of the rink as Author watched some of the less experienced skaters practice and Neko-sensei giving them advise.
"Sure." Fakir grunted. He mostly seemed to be staring off into space now that Mytho really looked. He was surprised the two of them were getting along without giving the other snide remarks.
"You know Tora-san left earlier, right?"
"I'm not blind, Mytho. If that eyesore was here, I probably would go blind. So what?" Fakir snapped at him.
"She told me something interesting earlier before she left. But I'm sure you don't what to hear about that. I'm curious, what are you planning to do now about Tora-san?"
"Well, I don't know about Fakir-san, but just give me some time and I'll forgive her out of the kindness of my heart. It's her loss really. I'm going to follow her suggestion and ask Kraehe to be my partner when she returns, hopefully." Author said. His pompous attitude back in full swing.
"Well, good for you Author." Came Fakir's sarcastic reply. "Honestly, I don't know what to do. Hopefully that eyesore will listen for once and leave me alone. I neither need, nor want a partner right now. But, what did she say? Probably, how she hates me or how much of an idiot, I am right?"
"No. She said she just can't face this silent treatment again. Fakir, you need to stop worrying that people are all out to use you for the technique. You and Tora-san had finally gotten along. Don't throw that away."
Fakir was silent and neither Mytho nor Author could tell what he was thinking.
"I'll think about it." He finally replied.
"Fakir, this will only get worse the longer you ignore it, because that is exactly what you are doing right now. Whenever you get hurt, you put up your wall of being a total jerk and avoid the real issue. You can't run away forever. Stop being afraid to turn the next page instead of rereading the past."
With a sigh, Fakir looked away from his best friend. He knew Mytho was right, but he didn't know if there was anything he could do to fix it even if he wanted to. He was unsure of what he even wanted anymore. Be friends with Tora or not. Meanwhile, Author and Mytho shrugged and left him alone to decide what he would do.
-
Back at her apartment, Tora felt drained. The situation with Fakir bothered her. Now she'd become a bump on a log. The log being her couch. Edel had been trying to get Tora to tell her what happened for nearly an hour.
"What's the use, now? Every time I try to talk to him, he'll ignore me." Tora bemoaned her sorry fate.
"Tora-san, you're speaking in riddles. What happened? I thought he offered to be your friend?" Edel asked.
"I spoke to him today and we were getting along for a little bit. Then Author, Mytho, and Rue came in. Then I told Author I wasn't going to be his partner anymore and I wanted Fakir to be my partner. Neither of them took the news well. Fakir thought I planned everything and just wanted to learn the secret of the technique." Tora finally explained.
"Hmm. Well, I know I can't talk to him. He'll freak out. Tora-san, you're a strong and independent person. Why are you letting this get to you so much? You can't avoid him forever and don't forget you need to practice. It will only get worse the longer you stay cooped up here. I do understand why Fakir would think what he did earlier. You need to think these things out more before charging in blindly. But what's done is done. You need to move forward, Tora-san. You also need to take things slower with Fakir. The technique has only hurt him in the past. I understand you want to do it, but understand it's okay if you don't. There have been those in the past who could see me, but never attempted it. I will wait as long as it takes. For now, forget about it and focus on trying to get along with Fakir-san again."
"But, Edel! You said-" Tora began, alarmed at what Edel had said. Knowing how important it was to the spirit.
"It's fine, Tora-san. I am an ageless spirit. Time is all I have. You, however, don't have all eternity. Take this." Edel said as a light shined around her. Tora averted her eyes until the light faded away and Edel floated there now with a gem in her arms. It was in the shape of two hearts connected together. One white and the other red.
"What is it?" Tora asked.
"It is a gem called Courage. If you need anything right now Tora-san, it's some courage. Take it and have the courage to confront the problem. Don't be coward by your fear that he will ignore you. Make him see you and talk it out." Edel encouraged.
Tora accepted the gem, but instead of heading out the door like Edel expected, she went to one of her closets to get something.
"Tora-san?" Edel questioned.
"My mom was into jewelry making. I have some of her old stuff with me." Tora explained as she took out the materials she needed. Soon the gem became a necklace. Each heart attached to one end of the chain. With a smile, Tora put on her new necklace and seeing the time, decided seeing Fakir would have to wait until after her ballet class.
-
At the dance studio, Tora helped her students, while she thought about how she would approach Fakir and later Author. Fakir seemed the one to be most affected out of the two, so she thought it would be best to try and fix the worst of the damage and later make it up to Author. Tora found Edel was right. She needed to be courageous and settle this sooner rather than later.
Her train of thoughts was interrupted when she felt a tug on her clothes. Looking down it was Uzura. "Tora-sensei. I'm glad you're doing better-zura."
"What do you mean, Uzura-chan?" Tora asked leaning down to the little girl's height.
"Cousin Fakir-kun said you were having a bad day and didn't come to skating practice-zura. He said you might not be here because of that-zura." She answered.
Tora was confused by this new information. She figured he didn't care where she was anymore.
"What else has he told you Uzura-chan?"
"Well, when I asked why he said it, it was because he was acting like a bad word and a coward-zura."
"Did he tell you why?" Tora asked.
"No, sorry-zura. Are you two lovey-dovey-zura?" Uzura suddenly asked.
"What?! Why do you ask, Uzura-chan?"
"No other girl has made Fakir-kun worry so much-zura. Grandpa said when you really like someone, they worry about each other and have hard times making things up to each other and avoid each other sometimes-zura." Uzura explained.
"I doubt Fakir-san sees me like that, Uzura-chan. We haven't known each other that long and we nearly always fight with each other."
"Grandpa also says that if a boy picks on a girl, it's because he likes her and does that stuff to get her attention-zura." Uzura pointed out.
"Well, your grandpa doesn't know everything Uzura-chan. Now hurry along, we still have more practice to do." Tora said getting slightly aggravated and ushered the little girl away. Wondering about Fakir and why he would still care.
"Okay-zura. But, Tora-sensei. I think Fakir-kun really likes you and I think he wants to say sorry-zura." Uzura stated.
"I ... I don't know about that Uzura-chan, but I'll keep that in mind."
-
After class, Tora was leaving the building when she heard a voice.
"Glad to see you feeling good enough to teach your class." Tora froze and slowly turned. "After all, you had Rue tell Neko-sensei you weren't feeling well."
Behind her, leaning against the wall, was Fakir.
"I still need to work. What are you doing here? Uzura-chan was already picked up."
"I came here to talk to you."
"About what? That you want to throw what little friendship we had away?" Tora demanded to know.
Fakir sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "No. I came here to apologize. I jumped to conclusions, accused, and hurt you. I'm sorry for lashing out at you. As you might have already noticed, I'm a terrible person. I don't see why you want me of all people to be your partner."
Tora was silent as her thoughts went back to the other night when Fakir had hugged her. When he cried, his arms were so warm. From then on, Tora saw a side of him that was so different than the version of Fakir she had seen prior to then. They were so close, she felt his heartbeat.
"It's because of your warmth." Tora answered.
"What?"
"Your warmth. Underneath your cold hard exterior you're very warm. The other night when you cried, I saw a version of you I'd never seen before. The version of you that I always thought was deep within you. I think together we bring out different sides of ourselves that no one else can. It's not just because I want to know more about the technique. I still want to know more about it, but I understand you want nothing to do with it and so does Edel-san. We respect your decision. You don't have to be my partner if you don't want to and still think I want to be your partner just because of the technique. You're more than just information about a technique. You're an infuriating yet interesting person, Fakir. That's why I want to be your partner."
Fakir was shocked as he listened to her words. He thought it over and came up with a suggestion.
"Heh. You're a weird one little tiger, but I suppose that makes you interesting too. I'm okay with skating with you if that's really what you want, with a grouch like me. If you understand my position on the matter of the technique, then there isn't really any problem. But, if one of us wants to stop and have someone else as their partner, then we'll tell the other in private. Nothing like with what you did with Author and me. Also, I don't want anyone to know that we are official partners. People will figure it out eventually, but I think it would be best to let things cool off a little before even more drama ensues. But all in all, I agree to be your partner. Deal?" Fakir said as he walked over to her with his hand out for her to shake on it.
Tora beamed and quickly grasped the boys hand. "Deal."
The two of them chuckled a bit until a thought struck Fakir. "By the way, you still need to apologize to Author. Though I think he has mostly gotten over it. He said earlier he forgave you out of the kindness of his heart and he's going to follow your suggestion. Also the fish, the flower, and the duck were worried about you and will be bombarding you with questions when we're in class tomorrow."
Tora just laughed as she heard this. Imagining the girls as what he called them.
"I thought you only called them that because you were drunk. Do you seriously always refer to them as that?" She asked as chuckles still escaped from her lips.
"Only when they're really annoying and you have to admit it's funny." Fakir said in his defense. A smile creeping up his face.
Then the both of them broke out into laughter. Every time they looked at the other, they would once again release laughter. Soon they calmed down and checking his watch, Fakir bid Tora good night and the now partners went their separate ways into the night, both happy to be getting along and looking forward to skating with the other in the near future.
-
What Tora forgot to plan in that future was the interrogation her friends were currently giving her while in the changing room the next day.
"What happened Tora-san?" Ahiru asked.
"Yeah, are you sure you're well enough to be here?" Pike added in.
"Don't worry girls Tora-san isn't sick like that. She love sick of course. She hurt the man she loves and couldn't face him ignoring her so she didn't come to class yesterday. It's so tragic!" Lillie cried.
Tora was shocked when she heard that. Lillie was partly correct though she doubted the love part.
"Seriously, Lillie? Be more realistic. No way that happened." Pike shot down with Ahiru nodding with her.
"Guys. Please calm down. It was nothing serious. I'm over it and ready to make up for the practice I missed. So can we please hurry up and change?" Tora asked hoping to change the subject quickly.
The girls nodded and soon as they left the room, Tora bumped into Author.
"Author. I'm-" Tora began until Author's hand stopped her.
"Say no more my little kohai. I've already forgiven you for what happened yesterday. However, I will be taking your suggestion and can't wait until later on. I wish you good luck with that jerk. Farewell." Author said as he left to go to the rink.
Tora could feel the girls penetrating curious gazes on the back of her head and hoping to avoid further questioning rushed to the rink. The girls complains and questions heard not far behind.
Tora turned to look at them when something or someone cut off her view of them. Instead of a Fakir as she thought, though she didn't know why, it would be it was Neko-sensei.
"I don't mind if you girls are gossiping and having fun, but do keep it to a minimum. Otherwise I will FORCE YOU TO MARRY ME!" He yelled at them as Tora once again could have sworn she heard the wedding march playing somewhere. Only to be cut off when his cat once again bit him causing him to cry out in pain this time and then apologize to the feline as he rubbed his injured hand. Tora absentmindedly wondered how his hand wasn't scared all over from the actions of his cat.
While this was going on, the three girls scattered. When he was finished, the sensei sighed and turned his attention to Tora.
"I'm glad to see you back so soon, Tora-san and it wasn't anything serious. But, I've been wondering about something lately."
"What is it?"
"Is everything going alright for you? You haven't been having any troubles with the other students have you?"
"Not really. Fakir-kun has been a bit of a jerk, but now we've gotten to a point where we get along now. Other than that, I've been enjoying classes here with everyone else. Author is also planning to ask Kraehe when she gets back to be his partner." Tora answered.
"REALLY!? Splendid! About time if you ask me. Anyway, that's all I wanted to know. If you have any problems, just let me know." With a nod, the sensei left Tora alone. Tora sighed at all the fuss and bother as she went about practicing.
Tora was expecting to have a normal day just skating. However, fate had other thing in store for the little tiger.
"Excuse me?" Came a slightly deep voice with an accent. Tora looked up to see one of the girls Ahiru, Pike, and Lillie pointed out to her the other day when she needed more clothes after Kraehe ruined them. If she remembered correctly, the girls name was Arikurumi. The Russian student.
When Arikurumi saw she had Tora's attention she continued. "You're Tora-san, right?"
Tora nodded.
"I'm sorry for not having the time to introduce myself sooner. I'm Arikurumi. You're friends with Ahiru, Pike, and Lillie. I was wondering if you had a moment to talk. I want to ask you a few questions about the way you skate."
Tora thought she could use a break and agreed she could spare a moment. Together, they left the ice.
"So, what's up?" Tora asked as Arikurumi got a canned drink out of the vending machine.
"I was wondering where you took classes before Neko-sensei got you to join our little class here at the Prince of Ice? You seemed skilled to be able to keep up with not only Author-sama, but also a great skater such as Fakir-sama." Arikurumi started. Her back still towards Tora as she leaned against the wall.
"Well, I used to do ballet as a kid and later on, I came here to the Prince of Ice to skate. I just fell in love with it. I never really took any special classes. After the first morning class you guys had, Neko-sensei saw me skating and asked me to join. That's all. It's due to my passion for skating and the practice I've done that allows me to be able as you said keep up with them."
"Hmm~. Interesting. Very interesting Tora-san." Arikurumi said as she began to shake her drink. "I've been wondering about it for nearly that entire past week how someone so common as you can even hold a candle to the great Kraehe-sama who I've admired for years and trained my hardest to be just like and to think someone like you could best her in skating is unbelievable. I WON'T ACCEPT IT!"
Tora was shocked as Arikurumi whirled around and pointing the can drink at her, opened it. The cotenants spewing and soaking the redhead as she tried to use her arms to protect herself.
After the shock wore off Tora lowered her hand and looked at Arikurumi. Disappointment marring her face. Perhaps this is one of the scavenger of the world Fakir had warned her about.
"So you're another one?" Tora asked.
"Pardon?" The Russian girl asked gruffly.
"You're another person that would sink so low to get me to leave."
Arikurumi chuckled. "Maybe. I'm mostly just here to knock you down a few pegs for what you did to Kraehe-sama. I'm here to avenge her! Just think how happy she will be with me for getting back at you for humiliating her in front of everyone like that. And if that's not enough, you stole her boyfriend from her too! I've seen the way you've caught his eye. I've always admired Kraehe-sama. So elegant and beautiful. She's my idol! And then you came along and ruined everything! I'm not the only one who thinks this either. The rest are too chicken to do anything. But, I'm not! When Kraehe-sama returns, I want you to apologize to her from the bottom of your heart."
Tora narrowed her eyes at the girl. "Good luck with that, because it's not happening. Your precious 'Kraehe-sama' couldn't bully me to get me to do what she wanted and leave, and neither are you. What happened to her was her own fault. Both of you need to grow up and stop acting like pampered princesses when ever something happens that you don't like. Now, if that's all you wanted to say, I need to find some dry clothes." She said with her head held high as she walked pass Arikurumi.
As she walked Tora couldn't help but shiver from being cold and wet. As she headed off to the changing room she sees Fakir and waves him over to her.
When he came over the slight smile that had been on his face vanished. Only to be replaced with a stern frown.
"What happened?" Fakir asked.
"You have Arikurumi-san to thank for my new look. She wanted to talk to me alone and after getting a canned drink, she sprayed it all over me." Tora answered with a frustrated huff.
Fakir sighed and pinched the bridge on his nose. "I tried to tell you about Kraehe's fan club awhile back. I should have been more specific and told you who to avoid." He said, scolding himself.
"You couldn't have known when she was going to do it. Its been days since Kraehe left and only now did Arikurumi-san do something about it. Anyway, what do you think I should do about it?" Tora asked. She thought back to earlier about what Neko-sensei said about telling if she had any problems, but she was still worried about tattling.
"I know what we're going to do. We're going to tell Neko-sensei. You're my partner and I'm not going to stand around and do nothing when people are trying to hurt you. If you don't want to tell him, I will. Besides, you need to get out of those wet clothes or you really will get sick." Fakir said.
It shocked Tora how much he cared and was willing to help her. She smiled. "Thanks Fakir-kun. But we're partners. We're a team, we'll do this together."
He smiled. "Change first. Then we can talk to Neko-sensei."
Tora nodded and hurried in. Meanwhile, Fakir was on edge. Why couldn't people give Tora a break? Though he really didn't have much room to talk seeing he was among the people who had been giving her a rough time. At least now he could begin to make up for what he did.
Soon Tora returned in her usual clothing and Fakir handed her his jacket. Moving on the two went to find Neko-sensei. Approaching their sensei Tora still didn't want to be a tattletail.
"Neko-sensei, there's some thing we need to tell you." Fakir started.
"Neko-sensei, I think you should keep a close eye on Arikurumi-san from now on." Tora interjected. Both men turning to look at her.
Fakir was surprised and unhappy by what his partner just said. He wanted a real solution and something to be done about Arikurumi.
"Why? Has something happened?" Neko-sensei asked.
"She's been acting weird lately and I just think it would be a good idea to keep an eye on her." Tora answered.
Fakir was getting angry and was about to ask her what in the world she was doing and not tell their sensei what happened. However, the look she gave him made him keep his mouth shut.
"I see. I'll do so." Neko-sensei answered.
"Thank you." Tora said with a bow.
"And don't let her out of your sight for a second." Fakir added in before they took their leave.
Neko-sensei nodded and want on about his class.
Walking away Tora sighed. She could only imagine what was going to happen when Kraehe would return. Now she had to worry about her groupies too. For all she knew, Kraehe would continue to vandalize her locker. She just hoped she would be able to take it.
