Chapter Four: Rigorous Training

When the weekend was over they all went their separate ways. Momiji dropped Tohru, Hatsuharu, and Kyo off at Shigure's corner. Kisa and Hiro were going to ride with him home, while Yuki and Machi got dropped off at her house. Momiji of course was also dropping off Andie personally. Tohru and the two boys walked into the house and to their astonishment the only being that greeted them was Kyoko who had just awoken from a nap. Tohru smiled and carried her upstairs while the two cousins walked into the kitchen for something to drink.

"So Kyo" Haru replied, "The real training begins this week huh?"

"Yep" Kyo nodded taking a sip from the carton, "I'm scheduled to be at the dojo all week."

"By yourself?"

"No my Master is going to be helping me a little bit and now that I am done with the project with the damn rat, I have more than enough time."

"I was wondering do you think I could help you?"

"You want to help me?" Kyo said lowering the carton.

"Yea. I might know of some new techniques you can use. I thought about them the other night."

"Really? You mean, you've actually thought about this?"

"Mhm. I mean I have seen you fight Yuki before. Maybe I can help by giving you pointers on what you are doing wrong."

"Well I would appreciate that. I can use all the help I can get."

"My thoughts exactly" Haru grinned that he didn't have to convince Kyo too much.

"So you'll come with me to the dojo after school tomorrow?"

"Oh yea. You bet."

"Great."

(Next Scene)

The next morning Hatsuharu met Yuki in the Student Council office. Yuki handed him a piece of paper with many pointers on them.

"The ones with stars next to them are the most important" Yuki explained as he pointed them out, "The rest are just in case of."

"You really did your homework Yuki" Haru smiled, "You even put on here moves he could use against your moves."

"Yea well. I made my mind up" Yuki frowned, "I am going to do whatever it takes short of not doing my best to see that he wins."

"Well thanks" Haru replied moving the paper up in gesture, "I'll work on these things all week with him."

"See that you do" Yuki nodded, "If I have anything else, I'll let you know. The graduation is next week. That Saturday I have to be at the main house early in the morning. Akito's insistence."

"I understand" Haru said walking to the door, "Talk to you later Yuki" he replied leaving the room.

"Bye" Yuki nodded as Machi came out of the back, "Machi."

"Are you sure that you are okay with this?" she asked him with concern in her eyes.

"Yes" he replied, "Just like I said back at the Hot Springs, I'm gonna do what I feel is right in my heart from now on."

She nodded sadly and wrapped her arms around him. He closed his eyes and allowed the embrace to last for a few moments.

(Next Scene)

During the course of the week Hatsuharu used Yuki's list to a T. And the best part about it was Kyo had no idea, that it wasn't Hatsuharu's instructions in the first place. The most important element on Yuki's list was the one thing that Haru repeated day after day.

"What's rule number one Kyo?" he asked on Wednesday, as they got set up for their practice fight.

"Always think. Think before you act."

"Right" Haru nodded, "Think before you attack. That is one of Yuki's best qualities. He never charges headfirst. You wait and see what he does first then you take the next step."

"Right" Kyo agreed, "This is really good stuff Haru. This is working a lot. I had no idea I had work to do like this."

"No problem. You ready?"

"Yea" Kyo nodded, "I'm ready."

From where he stood Kazuma watched the practice. He crossed his arms and listened to the instructions that Hatsuharu was giving him and smiled slightly. Then he moved into the dojo to watch the other students who were practicing that afternoon, quite certain that Kyo was in very good hands.

(Next Scene)

When practice was over for the day he walked over just as Hatsuharu was leaving.

"See you later Master Kazuma" Haru replied picking up his duffel bag.

"Good night Hatsuharu" he smiled, "See you tomorrow. Kyo are you all right?" he asked the boy who was breathing heavily.

"Yea. I feel really good. I got to get home too. I'm late enough as it is. Tohru will worry about me."

"Probably" Kazuma nodded sadly as Kyo waved one last time and said goodnight, then he thought, "Oh Kyo. You are doing whatever it takes to gain your freedom. So far you have won one battle. One that was not easy and against your father off all things" he thought recalling Hatori's story about what happened at Kyo's defense with the elders, "Now you fight an even bigger battle. I only hope that you get everything you deserve."

(Next Scene)

Saturday evening Tohru sat down in the sitting room once more after she had cleared the table from dinner. She looked up at the mantle clock sadly and realized that once more Kyo was late. She sighed and stared at the table and then stood up when she heard the kettle go off. She walked into the kitchen and prepared a single cup of tea. Then she walked to Shigure's study and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Shigure called and she entered.

"Good evening Shigure" she smiled, "I brought you your tea."

"Thank you Tohru. That was very sweet of you" he grinned his eyes twinkling behind his glasses, "You can put it right there."

"All right" she nodded placing it on his table, "Do you need anything else tonight?"

"No this is fine. Is Kyo back yet?"

"Uh no" she shook her head sadly, "He isn't home yet. But I'm sure he'll be home soon."

"Of course he will" Shigure nodded, "Any moment now."

"Mhm" Tohru agreed walking over to the door.

"Tohru!" Shigure called out.

"Yes" she replied turning back around.

"Please come back in. I wanted to talk to you about something" he said removing his glasses.

"Okay" she nodded coming back over and sitting on the other side of the table, "What is it Shigure?"

"Well it's just I have been doing some thinking. You all will be graduating next week. Really big deal."

"Yes."

"However I am concerned about you."

"Concerned? What about?"

"Tohru with graduation coming up so soon and with everything that is happening with Kyo you haven't had time to think of what is going to happen afterwards."

"I don't understand Shigure?"

"If Kyo wins you'll stay with him won't you?"

"Well I suppose I will."

"Exactly. But my thought was if he wins or loses I don't think I like the idea of not knowing what's going to happen to you."

"But Shigure I am going to be just fine. I am" she smiled a little.

"Where are you going to go?"

"Oh that. Well I haven't really thought about it much. I don't have that many options."

"What if I gave you another one?" he asked seriously looking her straight in the eye.

"Huh?"

"Tohru what if I were to tell you that I would very much like it if you would stay here even after you graduate?"

"But Shigure" she looked at him surprised, "What about my deal with Akito?"

"It doesn't matter" Shigure shook his head, "This is my house. My property. Akito doesn't own this land I live on. In fact as of this weekend it is all mine. That's what I was doing in the city, making the final payments. I want you to stay Tohru," he said, as she listened silently, "I don't want you to leave when Kyo wins, and I have a very good feeling that he will. I want you both to stay here with me."

"Are you serious Shigure?"

"Yes. Don't worry about Akito. I'll handle him. Of course it is entirely up to you. But whether Kyo wins or loses I want you to stay. Please say you'll stay here with me?"

"Oh Shigure" she began to tear up, "I don't know what to say. I mean you all have been so kind to me. I don't know if I can ever repay you."

"You don't have to" he smiled, "All I ask even if you don't stay is that you don't walk out of our lives forever" he closed his eyes and then opened them again, "Because I am not the only one who will very much miss you if I never saw you again. I know for a fact that there are several of us who would much rather take on Akito's wrath and temper then to ever lose you Tohru Honda."

Tohru was silent as the tears slowly slid down her face. Then she stood up and walked over to Shigure slowly bent down and threw herself into his arms embracing him tight.

"Shigure" she cried as he patted the back of her head lovingly, "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do if I had to leave you all either. In fact it's been killing me inside. I've just been afraid to ask."

"So is that a yes?" Shigure smiled as she pulled away slightly, "You'll stay?"

"Yes" she nodded quite certain, "I'll stay" she wiped the tears from her cheek, "If you really want me to, I'll stay."

"Tohru" Shigure replied slowly grinning, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

(Next Scene)

When Kyo finally arrived home he was so dead tired that he dropped his duffel bag in the hall and managed to climb the stairs to his room. Tohru had heard the door and had rushed to the hall. When she saw the bag she immediately ran upstairs and to his room. She knocked softly on the door and entered in when he didn't answer. As she walked over to his mattress she saw that he was face first in his pillow completely oblivious to her presence.

"Oh Kyo" she said sadly as she covered him up with blanket and stroking his hair, "When will this all be over?"

"Tohru" he whispered but didn't open his eyes.

It was obvious that he was already asleep and dreaming. She bent down and kissed his forehead and then left the room quietly. As she walked slowly down to her room and entered in Yuki watched from his bedroom door. He leaned against the doorpost and sighed.

"You better win you stupid cat" Yuki thought, "For her sake. You damn sure better win."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Ignore the last sentence. It was a typo. Arg! That's what I get for staying up late the night before. Again thanks for pointing it out to me.