(Chapter Five: Kazuma's Opinion)

Tohru stared back at his penetratingly blue eyes as he grinned. Parked nearby the building was one of the Sohma cars. Tohru glanced briefly at it but since the windows were tinted and she couldn't see anyone she turned back to Akito.

"I suppose you're surprised to see me here" he replied taking a step forward.

Tohru nodded awkwardly.

"I didn't mean to startle you, but I haven't received a response to my letters, and I was worried about you. I thought perhaps there was something wrong, so I came to see what the trouble is. You did receive my letters didn't you?"

"Yes" she replied slowly, "I received them. It's just a lot has been going on lately. I haven't had time to answer."

"Oh I see" he said, "Well since I am here perhaps you'll give me the answer now. Will you?"

"I" Tohru replied, "I can't."

"Hmm?"

"I can't Akito. I don't think it would be a good idea."

"But all I'm asking is for an afternoon of your time. I don't think that's much to ask. I did so enjoy our time together up at the summerhouse, that I thought perhaps I should get to know you even more. I have spoken with Kyo's father, in case you were wondering."

"Uh" she looked up surprised.

"I thought you would be interested in that at least" he smiled while she lowered her eyes.

"What do I do?" she thought, "I can't go to Sohma house and be alone with him. I promised Kyo," she thought back to the night when they had arrived back at Shigure's from the summerhouse.

(Flashback)

"Just promise me something?" Kyo replied.

"Hmm?" she looked up at him.

"Don't ever be alone with him again. It's dangerous. Tohru will you promise me that you won't do it? Not even for my sake?"

Tohru looked up into his eyes and nodded her head.

"I promise."

(Back)

Tohru still with her eyes bent spoke slowly.

"I. I can't."

Akito frowned and then he smiled even widely.

"Then I suppose you don't care what happens to Kyo?"

Tohru looked up just as a shadow appeared from behind Akito. The shadow was very familiar looking.

"Akito?" Kyo spoke loud enough that he could hear.

Akito turned his head slightly and saw a very confused and angry looking Kyo staring right back at him.

"Well well. It looks like your escort has arrived just in time Miss Honda" he moved toward the car smirking at Kyo as he opened the back door, "Think about what I said in the letter. I want you to think very hard" he chuckled on the last line and climbed into the car.

The car took off with a screech of tires and Tohru watched as it departed. Kyo rushed forward as she turned her head around.

"Are you all right?" he asked with a very concerned look on his face.

"Yes" she nodded, "I'm so glad that you're here."

"So am I but, what's he talking about? What letter?"

Tohru looked at Kyo straight in the eye and his eyes became even wider than they already were.

(Next Scene)

Back at Shigure's house Kyo was waiting in the sitting room as Tohru walked upstairs. Kyoko meowed at her as she entered the room, wanting attention.

"I'm sorry girl" Tohru replied as she picked the letters off of her desk, "I have something to deal with right now."

Tohru left the room and Kyoko ran down the stairs after her. She walked into the sitting room, Kyo looking up immediately as she entered. She handed him the letters and then sat down on the other side of the table, Kyoko walking over and climbing into her lap.

Tohru stroked the cat and then turned back to Kyo.

"I only read one of the letters. I didn't even open the last one," she said.

"Okay. Then that's the one I'll read first" Kyo nodded taking the letter out of the envelope, "Nice stationary" he frowned as he unfolded the note and began to read, "Okay."

As he continued to read he frowned and frowned even more when he got to the end.

"Hmm?" his eyebrows scrunched up as he continued to frown, stuffing the letter back into the envelope.

"Is it just like the other one?" she asked worried.

"I imagine so. But let me see" he replied taking out the second letter and reading it.

After reading it, just like the other he stuffed it back into the envelope and began tapping his fingers noisily on the table.

"I guess that answers that question" she said as she saw how worried he looked, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the letters sooner. It's just a lot was going on the last few weeks. I can understand if you're angry."

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" he stopped shouting making Kyoko jump off her lap, "Tohru, do you think that I'm mad at you?" he looked up at her.

"Well I didn't tell you. And if I had maybe what happened tonight, wouldn't have happened."

"Who's to say if it would or it wouldn't? Tohru Akito's persistent. He would have found some way to get at you. I'm not mad at you."

She looked up at him surprised.

"Really I'm not. But we do have a problem. And I'm stumped as far as where to go from here."

"Well maybe we should talk to someone about it."

"Yea. But who?" he scratched his head, "I don't want to talk to Shigure or the damn rat. We need to talk to someone who knows Akito. Really knows him. And I don't mean Hatori or Kureno either."

"What do you suggest?"

"Hmm?" Kyo thought and then his face brightened, "I know. We can talk to my Master, he knows Akito."

"Oh that's a great idea" Tohru smiled.

"Plus I can tell him about us" Kyo stood up, "I'll go call him right now. After all Saturday is only a few days away" as he walked over he saw Tohru sigh in relief and turned back around, walking back over to her side of the table, "I'm sorry" he replied, "I'm not thinking."

"Huh?"

"Well" he knelt down, "I was so anxious to read the letters, that I didn't even think to ask you how you felt about all this. I mean you must have been scared, right?"

"I was afraid" she nodded, "But I'm okay now."

"Come here" he embraced her, "This is probably what you need right now more than anything."

She smiled and held onto him tight, not wanting to let go. As they embraced Yuki and Shigure arrived home and walked into the sitting room. Shigure smiled and turned to Yuki.

"Isn't that sweet" he said starry-eyed, "They're comforting each other."

"Yes" Yuki nodded but noticed Tohru's nervous face, "But something happened" he thought, "Why is Miss Honda so upset?"

(Next Scene)

On Saturday morning Kyo led the way to Kazuma's house with his hands in his pockets. Tohru was walking behind him.

"I just hope he's ordered out this time" Kyo replied, "I don't want him to make you cook again" he looked back at her.

"But I don't really mind" she said running up and taking his arm, "I like doing it."

"But that's not the point. You're a guest. You're not everyone's servant."

"Really I don't mind at all Kyo" she smiled, "I like helping out people."

"I suppose that's what I love the most about you" he smiled back.

"Huh?"

"Never mind" he shook his head, "We're here."

He knocked on the door and just like always, Kunimitsu answered.

"Why hello Master Kyo" he grinned, "And Miss Honda. Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon" Tohru smiled.

"Hello Kunimitsu" Kyo replied in a monotone voice, "Are you sticking around?"

"Nope I was just on my way out. Teacher Kazuma is waiting for you in the sitting room. Have a good day!"

"Good bye" Tohru waved, "He's so friendly. Have you known him long Kyo?"

"Probably since I was about nine. He was one of Master's students before he became an assistant."

"Is he one of his best students?"

"I don't think Master's ever told anyone that" Kyo replied, "He probably thinks that they'll get cocky otherwise. Well come on" he took her hand, "He's waiting for us. Master!" he called out as they entered the sitting room.

Kazuma looked up from where he was sitting and smiled.

"Good afternoon ,Kyo."

(Next Scene)

Kyo and Tohru sat down on the other side of the table and Kazuma poured the tea that was waiting. The meals in front of them were delivery so they all said they're greetings and then dug in.

"So" Kazuma replied, "You said it was quite important that you saw me today. What's going on?"

"Well" Kyo put down his chopsticks and looked at Tohru taking her hand, "We have news."

"News?" Kazuma's left eyebrow rose as he saw the gesture of Kyo's hand.

"Tohru and I, up at the summerhouse told each other how we felt. I mean we found out that we both felt the same way. That we love each other."

"Mhm" Tohru nodded, "It was quite surprising to me. That Kyo felt this way."

"Mhm" Kazuma grinned, "And what about the obstacle that you were afraid of?"

"Obstacle?" Kyo looked at him confused but then realized, "Oh that. Well it turned out, that it wasn't an obstacle after all."

"I see. So Yuki is okay with this?"

"Oh that's what you're talking about?" Tohru spoke up, "I didn't understand. Yes Yuki's fine with it."

"Yea" Kyo nodded, "You might as far as go to say that the damn rat actually was the one who encouraged us to get together" he frowned a little at the thought.

"You don't say" Kazuma smiled.

"Yes" Tohru agreed, "Yuki was the one who said it would be the best thing to tell Kyo and he was quite happy for us when we told him that we were together."

"We didn't exactly tell him" Kyo grumbled, "He figured out on his own."

"Well good for you" Kazuma replied, "I'm glad that the two of you got together" he sipped some tea, "Is there more to why you came today though? I get the feeling there is."

"Uh" Tohru's face suddenly fell.

"Well" Kyo started to say, "Let's put it this way. One obstacle wasn't an obstacle, but you remember the other obstacle I was worried about?"

"Yes" Kazuma nodded.

"That's more the reason we came to see you today."

"I see" Kazuma frowned, "Go on."

"Um. It's like this. Tohru and told each other how we felt and that night. Well first of all you should know that the Zodiac members like myself don't transform around her anymore. We don't know why" he replied when he saw Kazuma's stunned face, "But the curse still exists. We still transform. But she's unaffected by it now. So to make a long story short Akito was at the summerhouse and he wanted to see for himself the whole deal."

"Okay. We'll come back to the transformation. Please continue."

"After he saw it, he asked if he could speak with Tohru alone and I don't know what he was talking about out there but he."

"Kyo" Tohru interrupted him, "Can I continue?"

"Huh?" he looked at her surprised.

"I want to do it. I was there so it makes more sense for me to tell the story."

"But."

"It's okay. I don't mind."

"Okay" he nodded slowly.

"Where was he? Oh right" Tohru looked up at Kazuma who was quite interested in Kyo's reaction, "Akito asked to talk to me alone on the front porch. He wanted to see me. The next day at the main house. Alone. He said he wanted to ask me something and that it was very, very important, but I was not allowed to tell Yuki or Kyo about it. Or anyone for that matter."

"And did you go?" Kazuma asked.

Kyo closed his eyes as Tohru sighed and nodded her head.

"Yes I did. I told Kagura that I was going for a walk so no one would worry about me. I walked to the main house and was greeted by Kureno who was surprised that I was so early. I entered into Akito's room, but he wasn't there at the moment so I waited. Finally a door slid open and he came in. He was quite pleased that I was so early, saying he doesn't like to wait. Or something like that. Then I asked him why he asked me there. He told me; well he asked me how I felt about everyone that I lived with. I told him that I think of Yuki" she smiled at this point, "As an older brother and of Shigure as a kind and caring Uncle. But when he got to Kyo I couldn't lie to myself. I told him. I told him that I loved him."

"And what did he say to that?" Kazuma replied.

"He was astonished at first but then he stood up and walked over to his birdcage. Then he said I must be very upset over the fact of Kyo's imprisonment after school. I said yes I was upset. I said it didn't seem fair to me or right. And he actually agreed."

"Agreed?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded as Kyo raised his head and opened his eyes in surprise, "He said he felt the same way about the whole situation. I don't know if that was a lie, but at the time I believed him. He walked back over to his chair and sat back down and asked another question. This one was a question I hadn't expected, but it happened just the same. He asked me if he could possibly convince Kyo's father not to lock Kyo up would I do anything. Would I do anything to make certain that that unfortunate outcome would never come true. And naturally of course I said I would. He was thoughtful at first. He asked me if I was certain about that. He could be asking me to leave Shigure's house forever. But I said that would be all right with me."

Kazuma smiled as Kyo once more closed his eyes clenching his fist under the table.

"Then he made extra certain that I was positive about my decision. And I told him I was, and that whatever he wanted I would gladly give for Kyo to be free. He smiled and then I asked him what he wanted and he told me" she paused and sighed again, "He said he would talk to Kyo's father in exchange for me allowing him to kiss me."

Kyo clenched his fist even tighter and his eyes scrunched up even more.

"Kiss you?"

"That's right" Tohru nodded, "A real kiss."

"And what did you say?"

"You know what I said. You know how I am. I agreed to it. Well not at first. At first I was silent. I didn't know what to do and I certainly didn't want to betray Kyo so close to the time when we had told each other how we felt. But then I weighed the possibility of him being free and a simple little kiss and thought, it wasn't that big of a deal. And in the end, ultimately Kyo would be happy and that's all that mattered. So I agreed and he walked over, knelt down and leaned in closer to my face. And he" she closed her eyes as Kyo's hand encompassed hers.

"Tohru" he replied looking at the tears forming in her eyes, "No more. Don't put yourself through anymore."

"I have to Kyo."

"No you don't" he shook his head, "You don't have to relive it. I won't let you. Master, the point is" he looked at Kazuma, "He kissed her. Not a normal kiss. Not what she was expecting. But the kind you see in movies. The kind where, it's a first kiss kind."

"I think I understand" Kazuma nodded with a frown.

"But the whole point of it was, was to get at me."

Kazuma nodded again.

"Later that day he tried to get some information out of me by telling me. By telling me the absolute truth" he scoffed, "He used her. He used her to get me. And he still is. He's been sending her letters lately, asking her to see him again."

"Why?"

"Because his plan didn't work. Instead of me getting angry, like he expected I would. I didn't budge. I didn't let him get at me. And now he's going after her because he figures she's a lot easier to get the information from."

"What information does he want?"

"That I don't know. Whatever it is, it's obviously very important to him, or he wouldn't have shown up at her work the other night."

"I've heard enough" Kazuma frowned crossing his arms, "Have you come here to seek advice from me?"

"Exactly Master."

"Any advice you can offer" Tohru added.

"As far as I'm concerned Akito has always been and will always be nothing but a spoiled brat to me" Kazuma stood up and walked over to his shelf, trying to control his anger, "Ever since he was a kid, he got what he wanted, when he wanted it. He's selfish and unmanageable at times. I have always done my best to avoid him when I could, and I suggest the two of you do the same" he walked back over and sat down facing them, "He's trying to scare you. He will stop at nothing to find out the answer. The best advice I can give the both of you is to ignore him. Don't listen to him. Don't play his game. Because that's what he wants. And at all costs never give him what he wants. It's about time that spoiled rotten brat, got what he deserved which is a good slap in the face. That's my opinion and I'll keep it."

"You're right about that" Kyo nodded in agreement, "He doesn't care about anyone but himself. He is selfish and spoiled and hateful. And all those things. He just doesn't care. If it has nothing to do with him, he just doesn't care."

"I wonder" Tohru spoke up, "If that really is the case?"

Kazuma and Kyo looked her way as she spoke.

"I understand what the both of you are saying about Akito, and I understand why you feel the way you do, he does come off that way, but why is he the way he is?"

"He just is Tohru" Kyo retorted, "You don't have to think about it. He was born that way."

"No Kyo" she shook her head, "Nobody's born that way. They don't come out of the womb hating people. My mom said that no matter what always find the good in people, it might be hard to find it, and in some people you can't see at all, but if you try you will find it and maybe give them the courage to find the good in themselves. What she meant by that was, people aren't born hating or loving. They are born and then they're taught. You have to be taught to hate and to be selfish. It's natural for people to be selfish if you think about it. That's why I can't hate Akito. I know I should, people would say I should, but I can't. I keep thinking about how he feels. Why would he behave the way he does? I think deep down he's hurt, just like everyone and he doesn't know any other way but to strike out at the ones he loves the most. That's how we are aren't we?" she turned to the two of them, "We always hurt the people we love the most, even if they're not the ones we're angry at. It's comfortable for us that way. I don't know how I would feel or how I would act if I were told I was going to die. I might act just like he does. I believe more than anything he's scared. And I am an obstacle in his way; because he doesn't want to lose the thing he loves the most, his family. He sees me as something that's taken something away from him. And that's something he needs. He's scared of losing all of you" she looked directly into Kyo's eyes, "That's how I feel about him. You both are welcome to have your opinion, but I think that there is more to Akito then the spoiled, selfish, brat that you called him."

Kazuma smiled and leaned forward taking her hand.

"You truly are your father's daughter" he replied, "He would be so proud of you."

(Next Scene)

Tohru waved to Kazuma as he waved at the door. Kyo stood in front of her with his head bent and his hands back in his pockets.

"Well let's go Kyo" she replied walking past him with a smile.

"Tohru."

"Hmm?" she stopped and looked back at him, "What's wrong?"

"I didn't understand. I never thought of Akito that way. It never occurred to me that he could be suffering too. Thanks."

"For what?"

"For opening up my eyes" he moved forward as a slight breeze blew around them making a piece of her hair fall over her eyes, "For giving me another perspective. One that I will keep in mind, when I think about him" he moved the hair out of her face, "Like I said before, that's probably the biggest reason that I love you."

"But you didn't say what that was."

"Your compassion for people. No matter how many times they may hurt you, you forgive them. I wish I could be that way. But I'm not."

"I can teach you how to be, if you want?"

"I would like that very much" he smiled.

"Well come on" she said taking his hand, "Let's hurry home."

They walked down the sidewalk side by side, hand in hand; Kyo with thoughts in his head about how much he loved this girl. How much he longed to be by her side like this for the rest of his life.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey Guys! A really long one for you! I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Isn't Tohru the sweetest character in the whole world? She really is someone to admire and look up to!

Next Chapter: Yuki's Heart

Yuki seeks advice from his older brother, this time on love!