Chapter Six: Quality Time

That evening Tohru and Kyo sat down with everyone at the dinner table. Kyo gazed around him. It was the first time in his life, that he felt welcome at a family dinner; one is big as this that is. Tohru's grandfather was at the head next to his wife, while Tohru's Uncle Tenchi was at the other end next to his wife Kuniko. They had a splendid meal with many different kinds of food. Afterward everyone walked over to the large sitting room and each did their own thing. Two of Tohru's uncles were playing Shogi. The young cousins were looking in manga comics. Takao and Riku were playing video games. Her grandmother and the other mothers were chatting and talking about family things near the fireplace. Tohru and Kyo were talking mostly with her grandfather. Kyo got up to use the bathroom and Tohru wandered over to her grandmother to speak with her.

(Next Scene)

As Kyo was coming back he bumped into her grandfather once more, who had left the room to get something.

"Oh I'm sorry sir" he replied politely.

"Oh that's all right," Mr. Miyoshi said with a grin, "Actually I'm glad that I ran into you Kyo. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay" Kyo nodded as he steered him a direction away from the sitting room, "Um did I do something wrong?"

"Oh no. No not at all. I just wanted to ask you, are things going well with Tohru and you?"

"Uh. Yea. As well as can be expected."

"That's good. That's good. I'm glad to hear it. She seems so happy."

"Well to tell you the truth sir" Kyo looked back over his shoulder and saw her laughing and smiling, "I'm the one who is really happy."

"Now that's real love" Mr. Miyoshi smiled, "I know that face you're making. I used to make that face when Serika and I were young."

"Does it really show?" Kyo looked back at him.

"Oh yes. It's quite obvious that you really care about her. And that means the world to me. That thing I did with the check, I have regretted since I did it. I am terribly sorry for the way I behaved."

"Oh no" Kyo shook his head, "You have already apologized for that."

"I know. But I do have to say this. You did make quite an impression on me that day."

"I did?"

"Yes your love for Tohru, your passion for her is very strong and should be commended. You defended her honor against a very strong obstacle. That's not an easy feat."

"It's really not that big of a deal. I mean I felt guilty for talking to you that way."

"Oh no no. I deserved it. I was way out of line. You had every right to say what you said. And I want you to know, that you are always more than welcome here Kyo."

"Well thank you sir. I know Tohru really loves you guys and loves coming here. And I love her. So that makes me feel really good that you welcome me this way."

"My pleasure. Now tomorrow, the family has things to do, so for most of the day you and Tohru will be by yourselves."

"I thought we were invited to spend it with you guys?"

"Well to be honest, I thought the two of you would like to be alone for awhile. I know that you live with a lot of people in your home, and it's not always possible. So here you have free rein. I want you to enjoy yourselves" he patted him on the shoulder as he exited.

"Thanks" Kyo replied a bit surprised.

Then he walked back into the sitting room. After a couple more hours everyone went to bed and Tohru and Kyo said goodnight.

(Next Scene)

The next morning Tohru's family departed before Tohru awoke, so she was quite surprised to see only Kyo at the house.

"Where is everyone this morning?" she asked as she sat down.

"Oh Um. They left quite early. They said they'd be back later. Your grandfather said we could do whatever we want."

"Hmm. Well you've seen most of the house. How would you like a tour of the small town?"

"It looks like it's going to rain out there," he said through chews.

"We can take an umbrella."

"Okay" he nodded, "Whatever you want to do."

"First we'll have breakfast," she said as the servant filled up her plate, which was a little awkward since she wasn't used to being served.

(Next Scene)

After breakfast Tohru and Kyo walked to the main door, where the main servant handed her a large blue umbrella.

"Thank you" Tohru replied taking Kyo's hand and leading him outside.

They spent most of the morning looking at the small shops and buildings throughout the countryside. As afternoon approached Kyo noticed the dark clouds looming in the sky and raised his hand up. A drip of water splashed into his palm.

"Told you it was going to rain," he said.

"It's a good thing we brought this" Tohru smiled opening the large umbrella so it covered their heads, "We should head back to the house."

"Good idea. Before it gets worse."

The rain didn't get worse. In fact it was quite pleasant. It was the peaceful plip plopping sort of rain that felt really good after a hot day. As they neared the house, the rain picked up a little and Tohru noticed a medium sized puddle in the way.

"Oh dear" she replied.

"We can walk around it" Kyo suggested.

"I got a better idea" she smiled.

"What are you doing?" he asked as she handed him the umbrella and headed towards the puddle.

"Come on" she said as she began to splash around in it.

"Oh no" he shook his head, "You know how I feel about rain and water."

"Come on" she reached for his hand, "It's fun."

"I. I don't know."

For some odd unknown reason he found himself pulled into the puddle. She splashed around like a little kid, laughing and smiling, and Kyo couldn't help but find her utterly irresistible and adorable at that moment.

"You're nuts" he laughed.

"Come on. My mom and I used to do it all the time. Splash around."

"All right" he nodded kicking his feet out and holding her hand tightly as they ran around in it.

For the first time in his life he didn't mind the water on his face. He let the umbrella go and just followed her around enjoying every minute. Some people stopped walking and watched them with amused faces. Finally Tohru stopped and looked up at the sky. It was getting darker. Kyo stopped as well and looked at her with her laugh.

"You're covered with water" he brushed her wet hair from her face, "You're gonna be sick if we don't get inside soon."

She laughed.

"Yea besides I think it's getting worse" she looked at him lovingly.

"Yea" he nodded picking up the umbrella nervously, "Come on. Let's go."

She agreed and they hurried back to the mansion. The servant opened the door quite surprised at their appearance.

"Miss Honda. Mr. Sohma. Did you get caught in the weather?"

"Uh sort of" Kyo and Tohru said at the same time.

"Well we must get you into dry clothes at once" she hurried them in, "On the news they said it was going to get worse. Lightening and thunder even. All the candles in the house and the electricity is off. So you'll have to have lunch in the sitting room by the fireplace if that is all right?"

"Oh yes that's fine" Tohru nodded.

"Good well I'll get your lunch ready while you guys get changed."

"Thanks" they agreed walking to their rooms.

(Next Scene)

They put on clean, dry clothes and walked back into the sitting room. Their lunch was waiting on trays near the fire. The servants wrapped some blankets around them as the winds picked up outside and the rain poured down. Kyo looked at the fireplace.

"Wow some hospitality" Kyo replied.

"I wonder if we'll be able to get home tonight" Tohru said worried.

"If not we don't have school tomorrow anyway."

"Oh that's right. It's a teacher workday. Well I'll call Shigure later and tell him that we are not coming home tonight."

"He probably will assume that anyway since the storm. Well this all looks good" he looked at his plate.

"Should we dig in?"

"Yea."

They both ate silently for a few moments. Tohru watched his expression as he ate. He was frowning a little.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into the puddle like that" she replied.

"Hmm? Oh no" he shook his head, "Actually I didn't mind it."

"You didn't?"

"No. It was weird. I didn't. It was kind of fun."

"It was fun for me too. I really had a good time. I'm having a good time."

"Me too. Thanks for letting me come."

"Well thank you for coming."

"Tohru."

"Yes" she nodded.

"Um. Oh never mind. Let's just eat."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea" he nodded again, "I can't remember what it was anyway."

"Okay" she nodded once more and returned to her meal.

Kyo returned to his meal and many thoughts entered his head.

"It's not time yet" he thought, "This is the wrong time. I know it is. But my master is also right. I have to tell. Eventually. I have to tell her how I feel."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay that's it for this week! See you next week for four more chapters!

Next Chapter: Haru Speaks to Kyo

Kyo admits to Haru how he feels about Tohru and Haru gives him advice!