"Fong?" You whispered, seeing the once Arcobaleno practicing his kicks and punches on a dummy in the gym. The gym teacher had lent him the room, then sped off, yelling about and EXTREME soldier's boxing meeting. You wondered what their relationship was... Shaking your head slightly, you went back to watching your student and teacher. You taught photography, and weren't all too much surprised when Fong had showed up. He was a man of peace after all.

He was also your teacher in a way. Your martial arts teacher. Around students, you called him Fong, but alone, you called him 'Fong-sensei'. It was sort of complicated, but it was just so natural for you to go to the man whenever you were having trouble with something, whether it be with martial arts or problems at home.

Home. It has always been a funny word to you. People say, 'Home is where the heart is' but it seems your mother's heart disappeared when your father had died. Ever since then, it's always been silent, and you started working as a teacher since you couldn't stand to see your mother, curled up in her room with lifeless [e/c] eyes, staring blankly. It broke your heart.

You had moved from your little house in Kyoto, since you thought a change of scenery might be good for her. It proved hopeless. Or so it seemed. Once, just once, you saw her walking around, clutching a worn pink bathrobe around her thin shoulders, trying to cook herself something.

You watched in amazement as one kick made a large dent in the side of the training dummy.

"Fong-sensei..." You called out. Said man turned, and smiled at you, his long braid swinging around. Your face heated up when you saw he was well... not wearing a shirt. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." He shook his head.

"Not at all. What's on your mind?" Stepping fully into the room, your shoes clicked softly on the floor as you shut the door.

"I-I was wondering when the next time we would train together would be..." You said softly. He nodded, still smiling kindly.

"If you would like, we could begin now."

"Eh? But wouldn't I be interrupting your—" He held up a hand, silencing any protests you might have had. You nodded, and changed in the girl's locker room, folding your clothes and putting them in your locker. Tying your hair up in a bun, you took some sports tape to wrap it around your hands and wrists. Stepping out, you saw Fong had set up the mats, and was waiting you patiently in the center.

"Shall we begin?" He asked, smiling. You nodded, as you both bowed to each other, and got into a fighting stance.

"Yes."

[...]

A few hours later, you lay on the matt, your hair strewn across it in all different directions as you steadily gazed at the man kneeling in front of you. Drops of sweat rolled down both your necks and faces, and you were glad the air conditioning was on. You panted slightly, Fong's knees on the sides of your waist as he held a hand above your head, with two fingers on his other hand pressed up lightly against a pressure point in your neck.

"That was very good, [Name]. You've been practicing." He smiled, and you nodded. He pulled you up, and handed you a bottle of water, which you drank from gratefully.

"I don't think I can ever be as good as you though..." You frowned slightly, gazing at your hand holding the water bottle. Fingers slid under your chin, as Fong brought your head up so he could look into your eyes.

"There is no such thing as perfection, only the work and effort that gets you to your goal." He said wisely, fingers subconsciously caressing your cheek. You nodded, face feeling hot from the closeness. Fong smiled at you, and you felt your lips pull up in a small smile. Then, something happened. Your eyes locked, and the surrounding area seemed to disappear. It was just Fong and you, a man and a woman. Fong's smile turned into something deeper, more sincere. "Forgive me..." he breathed, reaching out to hold your chin again.

Lips met, and those sparks that everyone talked about, erupted through your body, starting from your toes, traveling up your spine and back down. The kiss was the start of something bigger.

It started with a greeting, a smile, talking, learning, training, which lead to affection, adoration, hope, and ended with a new beginning.

Love.