Here's chapter 28 with the other half of the party. Will Kyo recognize Tohru? We'll just see! And we're up to 90 reviews! I hope we can make it to 100 or even more. Well on with the fic and remember to give me kimono designs and dance names for I'm running out of ideas. It'll be very helpful and I just may use it. Let's continue shall we?
Yes it was Kyo who entered the balcony. Tohru just stared wide eyed at him so shock that she couldn't speak a single word.
He finally turned to look at her. "So you're the new apprentice geisha right? The girl who performed that dance?"
Tohru was so happy that he noticed her but was only able to manage a nod.
"For a geisha you don't talk much. I thought geisha were like the queens of talking and gossip," Kyo said looking at her with a stern look.
"Well I'm only an apprentice geisha. Not technically a geisha yet," Tohru said bluntly after getting some words put back in her mouth.
"Same difference," Kyo said inhaling deeply. "All geisha are just the same."
"No there's a big difference between geisha and a novice which is basically an apprentice geisha," Tohru said. "A novice can't perform or entertain without an older sister, while a geisha can do just whatever."
"Well you must've broken those rules for I only saw you dancing," Kyo said.
"Ah yes but did you see my older sister Hana-chan playing the shamisen? So she was basically performing with me, but we weren't doing the same thing. Same difference," Tohru said teasing Kyo by mocking him with her last statement.
"You remind me of a friend I knew long ago. She would always babble on and on about pointless things but her smile always made it worth talking to her," Kyo said. This statement made Tohru stare with wide eye. Could he possibly remember? If so, Tohru wanted to do it without being suspicious.
"Whatever happen to this friend of yours?" Tohru asked. He probably didn't recognize her behind her makeup and kimono so Tohru wanted to see if he could describe the girl. It just may be a perfect match.
"I don't really know. She would always visit me when I was staying at the hospital," Kyo said acting like it was no big deal that someone would care enough for him that they would visit. None the less a complete stranger.
"Did you meet her at the hospital?" Tohru asked.
"You ask to many questions but I guess it's okay since you're curious," Kyo said. "Actually I met her when I was about 11 or so. So 4 years ago. She was sitting on a bridge crying her eyes out. I just happened to walk by and felt somewhat sorry for her. As you can see, I'm a person who doesn't show that much kindness to most people. Only to people that I respect like my Shishou."
"Not everyone is born with kindness. Sure it comes naturally for some people but doesn't mean that everyone should work at it. It may be tough and you can get frustrated but before you realize it, that kindness grows like a flower blooming," Tohru said smiling.
"You sure are poetic," Kyo said giving his rare smiles. "And I'm guessing you're one of those people who are natural with the whole kindness things."
"I'm not trying to brag about it or anything. I just think if your kind to someone, then you'll receive kindness in return. If not, then it's their lost. But if you're a person who's not kind to people except for people you respect then I'm must be a person you respect since I haven't been yelled at," Tohru said teasingly.
"I never said I was being nice to you," Kyo said.
"Ah I'm sorry then. Well I'm sorry for interrupting your story. Continue if you wish," Tohru said bowing in her apologetically.
"Well anyways I wanted to help her for I can't stand to see girls cry. So I took her out for a crepe and walked her home," Kyo said.
"What did she look like?" Tohru asked.
"Well what I can remember is she had long brown hair with the strangest eye color. Ocean blue is what I guess you can say. I think her name was To-" Kyo was cut off with the door opening.
"Sorry if I interrupted anything, but we'll be leaving soon Kyo," Kazuma said putting his head out of the door.
"Alright. Well I guess it was nice talking to you" Kyo said. "Nice meeting you."
"Wait for me outside Kyo. I want to say a few words to the new apprentice," Kazuma said. Kyo just nodded and went to wait for Kazuma out in the front.
Kazuma waited for Kyo to completely leave before he said anything.
"Well it seems that you've changed quite a bit Tohru-chan," Kazuma said making Tohru shocked that he remembered her name. "You're probably still mad at me aren't you? For taking you away from your home and sister. Well all I can say is sorry, but I don't if that will change anything."
Tohru stood there in a moment of silence for she was trying to choke back her tears.
"I can forgive you for it couldn't be help. I'm just happy that I'm getting somewhere in my life. I just wanted you to know how much it hurt to be away from the ones you loved," Tohru said letting a single tear drop slide down her face.
"I do understand. You see my parents died when I was young but I couldn't remember for I was sent to live with some of my relatives," Kazuma. "Well I'm just glad to see you smile again is all. It must've painful for you to learn about your parents' passing."
"Yes, it was sad but I've put it behind me but doesn't mean I'll forget," Tohru said looking up into the night sky. "I'm a person who can't forget the past no matter how big or small the memory is. I promised that I wouldn't forget any of those memories no matter how sad they are."
"Like Kyo right?" Kazuma asked. He saw the how-did-you-know look plastered on Tohru's face.
"I remember he came rather later to the theatre that day. He said he helped a little girl who was lost. And told me about his friendship bracelet he received from you. He was so happy to make his first friend. I've never seen him smile that much since then. But he was disappointed that he didn't see you afterwards when he was released from the hospital. It pained him and he started to slowly forget the memories he spent with you. He hasn't forgotten completely but he probably didn't recognize you am I right?" Kazuma asked.
"Yes, but he did describe what I looked like. So his memory is completely gone. But how could this happen? I mean his forgetfulness?" Tohru asked.
"Well I can't say for sure. But I think he must've hit his head but my mind's a bit fuzzy and must've suffered from a concussion making him lose a part of his memory. But if you drop hints, he'll probably remember. But it's best not to say who you are, for he'll feel like you've let him down," Kazuma said.
"But he seemed to recognize me when he was at my friend's debut party about a year ago. I was dropping off her shamisen and he came out and said I looked familiar. That must mean something. But I was filled with shock and ran away," Tohru said sadly.
"I don't blame you for running away. But just give it time Tohru-chan," Kazuma said.
"But I may not see him anymore for this party was just a coincidence for us meeting in the same place," Tohru said.
"I won't say you'll never see him again. We'll be at teahouses and at the theatre. You see, he's becoming a successful samurai with all his karate and sword training. So if there's a war, he'll be prepared and if he comes back alive then he'll be a hero. So it shouldn't be a problem seeing him at such parties," Kazuma said.
"But I've heard that you didn't approve of his sword fighting. And he doesn't like going to parties much for he claims you drag him along," Tohru said with a sweatdrop.
"Well his real father didn't approve. You see his mom committed suicide when Kyo was very young. His father blames him for the death so there was no way those two could live together. So I took him in and became the adoptive father. Since his father hated him, he would always crush his dreams so I filed some paperwork so Kyo wouldn't have to see or hear from his father again. It was for the best," Kazuma said.
"It must be sad that no one would take care of Kyo. But the world should be thankful for people like you Kazuma-san. You cared enough to support Kyo which is probably why he respects and looks up to you," Tohru said.
"I don't know about that. Well I must be going for I don't want to make Kyo wait any longer. So no worries Tohru-chan. You'll see him again. I'll make sure of it. Kazuma said walking out the door but stopped. "I almost forgot. Here's your congratulations gift. It's a kimono and surprisingly, Kyo picked it out for I'm not so good with presents," Kazuma said giving Tohru a wrapped package.
"Well it was nice seeing you and I hope you'll become a great geisha." With this Kazuma bowed and left.
Tohru sat there and slowly opened the wrapped package. Her eyes widened when looking at the kimono. It wasn't the best quality but it was beautiful. It was pure black with little cats playing near the hem. Tohru started to cry for it was such a great gift and her love of cats.
After settling down a bit, Tohru wrapped the package back up for she wasn't supposed to open presents yet and went back inside. As it turned out most of the guests left leaving only Hana, Megumi, Kana, Mayu, Shigure, Akito, and Ayame.
"Ah it's nice enough for you to return Tohru-chan. We thought you disappeared!" Hana said making everyone laugh.
"Ano gomen nasai for being gone. I just wanted some fresh air," Tohru said.
"Well the party was a success and most of the guests left. Meaning you can open some presents if you wish," Hana said motioning the waiters to roll the table of presents near Tohru.
Tohru just nodded and went through one by one unwrapping each present carefully. Tohru got dozens of jewelry, hair ornaments, perfume, assorted rare teas, even some kimonos including the one she received from Kazuma and Kyo.
"Ah such marvelous gifts. I wonder how much all of it costs," Mayu said wanting to know how much money it would be.
"Oh Mayu, enough money talk for we still need to give our presents," Kana said motioning everyone who was left to give their presents.
"Open mine first Tohru-chan!" Ayame exclaimed.
Tohru reached for his gift and opened it revealing another kimono but with studded diamonds attached to it making it look like stars. A giant moon with a pink outline of a bunny was the design on the back.
"They say if you see the bunny in the moon, you'll receive good luck," Ayame said. "So I thought this would look perfect.
"Open mine next my beautiful flower," Shigure said handing a box to Tohru. She revealed something that looked like hair. She stared at it confused.
"It's a wig. So if you have a bad hair day or can't stand the hairstyles, you can put this on. It's the same color as your hair so no one will no the difference," Shigure said laughing.
"Here's mine. If you call it a present," Akito said handing a small wrapped package. As Tohru showed a book to everyone Akito said, "It's next year's almanac. Not out in stores yet. Hopefully you'll get a head start without having bad luck."
"Now from me and Mayu," Kana said handing Tohru their last gift. It was a trinket – a ruby necklace with the Takei Okiya labeling. "It's so you won't forget your home you grew up in," Kana said smiling.
"Ano arigato gozaimasu!" Tohru said bowing to everyone.
"Ah it seems as though Tohru forgot to invite us Kagura," Rin said out of nowhere. Everyone stood in silence.
"How did you know about this party? You're not allowed without an invite," Megumi said sternly.
"Oh relax kid. The party is gone I see, or was this all you could afford?" Rin said laughing. Kagura just stood there in silence.
"Well here's your gift from the both of us," Rin said handing a flat small package to Tohru. As she opened it Tohru was puzzled for there was nothing inside.
"Oops I guess we got hungry along the way and ate it!" Rin said laughing hysterically again.
"Rin! That was completely uncalled for!" Mayu said. "Apologize to Tohru!"
"Oh I'll apologize alright," Rin said. She got up to Tohru and slapped her.
"TOHRU-CHAN!" Everyone screeched for she fell right back
kimchee: So are you happy you saw Kyo?
Tohru: Yes very much but why must I be slapped?
kimchee: Many reasons but got to wait until next chapter. Until next time!
