(Chapter Seven: A Talk with the Master)

It was at least two weeks till Tohru got the courage to tell Kyo all that had happened with Aiku and about her mysterious rescue from Rin. Kyo was thoroughly angry but hid it from Tohru as much as he could. On this particular afternoon, he had decided to go to the dojo to work out some of that anger. He walked in and changed quickly. First he did some punches and then some kicks. Finally he finished off by beating the crap out of one of the practice dummies. Kazuma walked into the room and stopped as Kyo took a deep breath.

"Feel good to get some of that out?" he asked teasingly.

"Boy Master" Kyo replied, "You don't know the half of it."

"Well you are about due for a break aren't you?" Kazuma said, "Come on home with me and have a bite to eat. Then we can come back."

"Okay" Kyo nodded, "But after that I have to be somewhere."

Kyo and Kazuma walked back to the house and sat down to another one of Kunimitsu's delicious meals that they just had to heat up. As Kyo sat down he sighed heavily and Kazuma leaned forward.

"What's on your mind Kyo?" he asked, "You seem awfully disturbed about something."

"Well it's just. There's a creep bothering Tohru on the set of her new movie. You know coming onto her and stuff. It makes me furious."

"I imagine so" Kazuma smiled, "I mean you love her and all."

"Yea I really do. I don't like it when some guy suddenly shows interest in her. In fact it still bothers me sometimes when she still hangs around that damn rat."

"Why do you think that is Kyo?"

"I don't know" Kyo shrugged, "I'm always terrified that I am going to lose her somehow. Just like I have lost everyone else."

"Oh" Kazuma nodded his head sadly, "Well that's understandable. But Kyo do you really think that is going to happen?"

"No. I mean. I don't know" he looked up, "I really don't."

"It is difficult sometimes when you love someone. You're always afraid in some way that all the good times that you had with them will disappear" he stood up and walked over to his shelf.

"Master" Kyo looked up at him as he walked over, "Have you ever been in love before?"

Kazuma looked back at him and nodded his head with a smile.

"Oh yes Kyo. I too have felt those feelings."

"Who was she?"

"Oh" Kazuma sat back down, "She was a good friend. I knew her since childhood. But my love for her was not to be."

"How come?"

"Because she was already in love with my best friend."

Kyo stared at him for a moment and then shook his head.

"Master you don't mean?"

"Yes" Kazuma nodded, "I loved her Kyo. I loved her with all my heart and I wanted the best for her."

"My mom? You loved her?"

"Like I said before Sakura and I grew up together. But Rei was the man she ultimately wanted to be with. And rather then stand in his way and her way at happiness I pretty much remained the constant friend."

"Did you ever tell her how you felt?"

"No" Kazuma shook his head, "I wanted to. Many times. But after she died I guess it was too late."

"Is that the reason?"

"Hmm?"

"The reason you took me in?"

"At the time it was one of the reasons. I always told your mother that I would look after you and I wanted to do something for her. By taking you in I felt like I had kept my promise."

"I see" Kyo smiled, "I bet my mom would have loved you back if she had had the opportunity."

"No one really knows Kyo" Kazuma smiled sadly, "But I will always love her. Till the day I pass on."

Kyo nodded and stood up grabbing his bag in the process.

"Well I got to get to the set. I asked the damn rat to go with Tohru till I could get there."

"Okay. Have a safe trip there."

"Oh and one more thing" Kyo looked back over his shoulder, "Thanks for telling me, dad."

Kazuma looked up startled as Kyo smiled at him and exited the house. He felt tears stinging his eyes as he wiped them away.

"You're welcome Kyo, my son."

(Next Scene)

The whole stage was in a tizzy. Tatsuya Hiraki was arriving any minute for the final few scenes in the movie. Kandis and Tohru were standing on the sidelines with Rebecca and the other girls while close by the guys were all waiting patiently as well. Finally he entered the stage and Yuki's jaw almost dropped. Despite being a little taller, Tatsuya looked just like Akito in every way possible. Yuki moved farther down into his chair as Kyo entered the stage.

"So did I miss anything?" Kyo asked.

"Just the arrival of Akito's duplicate" Yuki answered.

"What?"

Yuki pointed and Kyo slowly slid into his chair too stunned to speak. Kentaro asked everyone to get into their positions and then it began. The first two scenes moved flawlessly, but Tohru found that Tatsuya despite his character being so scary was really one of the nicest guys she had ever encountered. He was extremely polite and not unlike her in fact. The days shooting ended and Kentaro reminded everyone that on Saturday was the last day of shooting and they only had one scene left to film. Tohru tired and exhausted walked over to Yuki and Kyo, and the three of them left the stage, Kyo eyeing Aiku from where he stood the entire time.

(Next Scene)

On Saturday Tohru gathered with the other actors once more on the set. They all were in the final scene together so they all took their positions once more. The set piece was the inside of Akihiko Sakamoto's room. Everyone was kneeling down and Tora Hirota was in the front. Akihiko was looking at everyone and then he turned to Tora Hirota.

"And what makes you think?" Akihiko asked Tora, "That you can help save us?"

Tora Hirota stood up and walked over to the kneeling Akihiko.

"I don't know what I can do" she replied, "But I do know what I can say. Don't think that you are not as important as the rest of the Sakamoto family. Everything you say is important to me, and to them. We all care about you Akihiko. We want to help you. And if you need proof of our love for you, then allow me to show you."

Kyo leaned forward in his chair as Tohru bent over and kissed the forehead of Tatsuya. Yuki grimaced a little. But then a miracle occurred she backed up into Yosai and he didn't transform. Everyone all around her became excited.

"And cut!" Kentaro called, "That's a wrap folks!"

Everyone clapped and Kandis and Tohru hugged one another.

"Okay!" Kentaro called, "Now it's time for the movie to go into editing. In two months we will be in contact with you on when the premiere is going to take place. Until then, have a safe trip home."

Tohru said goodbye to Matt and her other co-stars and then turned to Kandis and Rebecca.

"Aw I'm gonna miss you guys" she replied giving each another hug.

"Don't worry Tohru" Kandis smiled, "We'll see each other soon enough. Rebecca's actually thinking about moving here. And I might come with her."

"Really?"

"Yes after I graduate from high school."

"But why would you want to move here?" Tohru asked.

"Well" Rebecca spoke up, "I was born here. My family all lives here. You see my father was American while my mother was Japanese. I lived in Japan during my childhood and moved to America when I was a teenager. I've been thinking some time that I would love to come home."

"So" Kandis beamed, "We'll see you when we see you Tohru" she replied hugging Tohru one last time, "I can't wait. And don't forget to keep writing."

"I won't" Tohru nodded.

"Bye" they waved as Kyo and Yuki came over.

"Good bye!"

Kentaro came over with Jill and Tom. Both of them stumbling over themselves to thank and congratulate Tohru.

"Okay you guys" Kentaro stopped them; "I'll meet you at the car. Tohru honey" he embraced her, "You did a wonderful job putting up with me these past three months."

"Oh it was no problem Uncle Kentaro" she smiled as she pulled away, "I had lots of fun."

"I'm glad. Well here are your checks" he handed her an envelope, "I have to head to the airport now and start editing this puppy together" he smiled, "Goodbye Yuki, Kyo. It was good seeing you again."

"Goodbye Mr. Miyoshi" Yuki replied.

"Yea" Kyo shook his hand, "Take care."

"You too" Kentaro nodded, "Tohru I'll be in touch."

"Okay" she nodded as he said goodbye and finally the three of them left the set.

(Next Scene)

They arrived home and Tohru immediately rushed into the sitting room to tell Shigure all about the final day, just like she promised. As she was doing that, Kyo and Yuki took off their coats.

"Well" Yuki said, "I just have to say one thing."

"What's that?" Kyo asked a bit curious.

"It's just too bad that, that sort of thing can't actually happen" he shrugged his shoulders.

"Yea" Kyo nodded slowly with a bit of a frown on his face, "Tell me about it."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hello there! Just three more chapters to go! I know this one was much shorter than you are used to. But they have been so long, and I needed a short one. Isn't it great that Kyo finally called Kazuma dad. He really does deserve the title.

Next Chapter: The Premiere

Three months pass and Tohru is called yet again by her uncle, this time to attend the movie premiere of Zodiac Curse. The Sohmas have been invited as well as Hana and Uo. What sorts of things will happen there? Will the fame that Aiku saw in Tohru's future really come true? Find out next time!!