Li stood under a tree in the yard, thinking over the days offenses. He had a feeling this was not the first time Master had been called in over Kyo's behavior, he'd greeted the Principal by his first name. It had been difficult to suppress the anger he'd built up over Kyo's situation long enough to even try to explain the circumstances to the Principal, but the man hadn't even deigned to hear him, and Li was not naive enough to believe that it was the first time adults had ignored Kyo. Li could barely believe he'd lost it, he'd never lost control of his temper like that before, nor felt such pleasure as the pleasure of plowing his fist into Kehji's face. He hoped he'd broken the boys nose.

"You know kid, I didn't think I'd ever see you this angry."

"Shut up you stupid toy." Li growled as Kero flittered over to land on his shoulder.

"That wasn't a criticism Li, I wanted to bite that kid myself, him and the three boys with him. No wonder Kyo's auras so muddled." Li looked over at the Guardian Beast and frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't notice? You must have really been out of it."

"Of course I didn't notice his aura, I'm not in my body I couldn't see it!"

"You should have anyway, with all the training you've been through... oh, I gotta duck!" Kero jumped from Li's shoulder as he noticed Master walking up the slight incline toward his pupil and surrogate son.

"Kyo."

"Master."

"We're going home." He said shortly, "Gather your things." Li buttoned the light school jacket, hung his bag over his left shoulder, and stood patiently, waiting for Master to start away. Master watched the boy with a slight frown on his face. He knew his boys mannerisms, and though his hands did return to their pockets, he'd never know Kyo to button a jacket in his life, even if it had been snowing, the boy would've toughed it out.

"What?" Li asked defiantly as the man stood there.

"What is wrong with you Kyo?"

"They started it!" Li threw his hands in the air in pure frustration, his knuckles hurt like they'd never hurt before. He knew how to throw a punch of course, but he hadn't realized that anger could make a punch so hard and wild. He really hadn't meant to punch Mitsu, but the boy had gotten in his way as he went to get Kehji again, and he thought he might have twisted his ankle a bit when Jiho grabbed it to trip him up. "But I always get blamed for it, don't I?" Li understood that one boy's word against many was always going to be Kyo's curse. That didn't mean he'd have to like it. "I'd like to see those pansy's up against the FIGHT card." He muttered under his breath as Master turned to walk back to the Sohma compound.

"The what?" Master turned to look at Kyo oddly.

"Nothing." Li answered moodily. He almost blushed, he didn't realize how keen the Master's hearing was.

"How did it start Kyo, and please just keep it to the facts."

"When have I ever lied to you?" Li asked before thinking, not knowing if Kyo had ever lied or not. Master just looked at him and nodded thoughtfully.

"Go on." He asked gently, Li realized that Master had to be just as tired as Li himself felt. Being someone else all day was not easy...
"Kyo!" Meilin trotted to catch up with the moody boy.

"Yeah?" Kyo asked as he kicked a soccer ball back to the field where the third graders where playing. One of them waved thanks before turning back to play. Kyo smiled gently, kind of pleased with how the day was going.

"Did you and Sakura have a fight?" she asked, "and I know it's really none of my business but she seems kinda out of it, I mean more out of it than usual."

"She told me that she missed Li." Kyo shrugged, "I might not have been very helpful."

"Helpful?" Meilin knew Li's moods and body language, she had to after training with him for so long, studying him and how to best be his compliment. Kyo was in Li's body, which still acted as Li might. Kyo was evading, his shoulders where stiff.

"Never mind. I'm sure she'll feel better after tonight." Kyo looked up from the soccer field when a thought invaded his mind. "Just a quick question... what happens if we don't switch back tonight?"

Meilin was startled for a minute, but then nodded, "Um, then the switch is permanent."

Kyo was silent for a minute; all tension drained from his shoulders as he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He closed his eyes and nodded, "Then we'd better get this right."
"Kyo." Master stood in the doorway of Kyo's room, not only suspicious that the boy was not sulking, but actually puzzled. Kyo sat at the desk and was doing his homework! Master knew his surrogate son well enough to know that Kyo didn't do his homework until after practice, when all his physical energy had been exhausted. "Are you all right? Did you want to see Hari?"

"Who?" Li asked absently as he marked a 7 on the sheet. He could have smacked himself as he turned around to see the worried expression on Masters face. "Um, no, that's ok." Li answered before turning back to the problems. He took a deep breath and prayed no other questions would come. Of course this had not been his luckiest day.

"Do you think you're up to practice today? If not I can get Haru to spar with Yuki." Kyo knew that Yuki didn't spar with anyone but the Master. Not because he was really good, or really bad, but because Akito was being especially possessive lately.

"No, that's ok. I can spar today." Master crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. Kyo hadn't even added a "damn rat" for esthetics sakes.

"Kyo." He waited until the boy turned to look at him. Not even the faintest smile came from those eyes. They were still the same dull brownish-red they always were, but for some reason Master had a hard time believing that it was Kyo staring out at him from that piercing gaze.

"What?" Li could feel the sweat forming on his back, this Master was no push over, and he wondered how Kyo ever thought he could put one over on this man. He knew he was going to be caught out he just knew it.

"Kyo!" a cheerful voice rang from down the stairs.

"Momichi." Master greeted the blond hurricane as it bounced into the room and threw his arms around Kyo.

"What are you doing?" Li snapped at the boy, not noticing how Masters shoulders eased a bit at the automatic reaction. Kyo liked the little german boy, but could never show it, so he yelled at the kid to cover it up.

"Master! Kyo's picking on me!" Momichi whined as Li put his head in his hands.

"Momichi!" Li growled.

"Both of you get ready for practice." Master smiled, leaving them alone.

"So." Momichi grinned and looked up from the floor where Li had pushed him, "who are you?"

"Ahhhhh..." Li froze, completely stunned. Momiji grinned

"Kyo would've hit me."