As it was Kyo got homeso late that night that Tohru didn't have time to tell him her good news, nor did he have time to tell her about the night before the fight. The last day before graduation was a day off so Tohru spent most of it with her friends shopping downtown, trying to get her mind off what was happening soon. Yuki of course was atthe school preparing the last bit of instructions for Nao and attending a small party for him and Kakeru since they were leaving. The rest of the afternoon he spent with Machi at her house talking out ways that they would still see each other after he graduated. Kyo meanwhile was at the dojo, practicing one last day with Kazuma since his Master had insisted that the day before the fight that no practice would happen. Shigure was the first to sit down at the dinner table that night and while Tohru prepared it, Ayame arrived to spend the night, since he was attending the graduation ceremony the next day. Yuki came home, ignored his brothers twisted comments and then sat down as well and finally Kyo arrived last, dead beat tired, but still in pretty good spirits considering every thing. After dinner Kyo and Tohru retreated to the roof. Tohru sighed and looked at Kyo lovingly.
"Can't believe it's finally here" she replied slowly.
"Hmm?"
"Graduation. I have dreamed about this day. About finally keeping my promise to mom. And still I feel like it's not the most important day at all."
"What do you mean? he looked at her.
"It's just a day. Just like any day. The only difference is, we're leaving that place."
"Yea."
"I got some news for you" she said a little excited.
"Huh?"
"Some good news" she turned to him and took his hands, "Momiji's father offered me a secretary job after graduation."
"What?"
"Mhm. It'll be more pay and the best thing of all I won't have to work at night anymore."
"That's great Tohru" he smiled, "I'm happy for you. When did you find out?"
"Last night. But you were too tired to talk last night" her voice faltered.
"Yea. I have something I need to tell you too" he sighed.
"What is it?"
"I. I've decided that the night before the fight, I'm staying over my Masters."
"Oh" Tohru's face dropped a little as he turned his head.
"I really need to be around him right now. I need his support."
"Of course" she nodded, "I understand."
"But I am going to spend as much time as I can with you tomorrow at the ceremony. But after that, I will come home and pack everything."
"Everything?"
"Tohru if I don't win on Saturday, I am going to need my belongings. All my stuff has to go with me you see. I made a decision. If I lose I'm going straight to that house. The one they have all set up for me. I'm no. I'm no quitter. And I will be a gracious loser if I do lose."
"Kyo" the tears stung her eyes.
"But I want you to know something" he looked deep into her eyes, "That no matter what the outcome is on Saturday, my feelings for you will never change and I only pray that someday you find someone good enough to make you happy."
"Kyo. No" she shook her head sadly.
"I'm only thinking of the worst outcome. I just want to prepare you for it and myself. I'm not trying to jinx my fight or anything but I want to make sure that you will be well taken care of."
"But I will be" Tohru said as the tears slid down her cheeks, "Shigure has offered for me to stay here after the fight. And you too if you win."
"Has he?" Kyo smiled, "That's good of him."
"Kyo" she replied, "You're always saying let's not think about things like that, till they come. Why can't we do that now? Why can't we just concentrate one day at a time?"
"Is that what you really want?"
"Yes" she nodded, "I don't want to think about that stuff."
"Then" he wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes, "We won't."
(Next Scene)
The next morning Yuki and Kyo hurried to the auditorium to get their presentation ready. Tohru filed in the classrooms with all the other third years wearing her cap and gown. Soon the bell rang and the students headed for the ceremony. The seats in the auditorium had already filled up and Kakeru was waiting on the stage grinning widely. As Tohru sat down in her seat she spotted Shigure, Ayame, and Hatori in the crowd. The final bell rang and Kakeru walked up to the mike.
"Good morning!" he replied, "To all of the students, faculty, and parents who have joined us this morning to honor this class of 2005. I am Kakeru Manabe, Third Year student here at Kawaii High and I will be your host this morning. To start things off the Kawaii High Choir would like to sing a song."
The choir began and Kakeru joined Yuki on the stage and sat down. Kyo sat on the boy's side and kept his eyes forward. When the choir finished Kakeru stood back up.
"And now our Principal would like to say a few words."
The Principal got up and said a grandiose speech that lasted for about twenty minutes. When he was finished the crowd clapped and once more Kakeru stood.
"And now I am proud to present the Class of 2005's valedictorian, Yuki Sohma!"
The audience clapped and several girls sighed and cried as he walked up to the podium.
"Thank you Mr. Manabe" Yuki replied putting his notes before him, "Welcome everyone. As Valedictorian I am required to give a speech. It took me a long time to decide what to say to the Class of 2005, but I think the most important thing is what I should say. For starters when I started out in Kawaii High, I didn't know nor I did realize that through the course of my three years here that I would become the person I am today. That's the same for all of us who are here graduating. In our high school years it's the time when we discover who we want to really be. And I don't mean in just our professional life but in our personalities as well. I for one can say for myself that I have changed and it's because of the people, this class that that came about. It's also thanks to many of the kind staff who have taken us all under their wing. Molded us into the people we are today. And our families no matter how they are, who are also a very important part of our lives. As a token of my class to this school my cousin Kyo Sohma and I. Kyo would you come up here!" he called as Kyo walked to the stage, "Present a gift to the school and to the graduation class. This gift" he pointed at the sheet behind him, "Is a reminder of what we used to be and what we have become."
He and Kyo pulled off the sheet and the crowd gasped in astonishment. Behind them was a large sheet of poster covered with pictures of every student in the graduating class. Pictures that had been taken all three years. Next to each person was their handprint, and either a quote they had said or something to do with their own special personality.
"We hope the school accepts this, as also a reminder of this class. Thank you very much."
The entire auditorium exploded with applause as Kyo and Yuki both bowed to them. The teachers were proud and the students were very happy as well. Finally two teachers came up and announced that it was time for distribution of the diplomas. One by one they went up there. Finally it came down to the last group, which Tohru and the Sohmas were in. Shigure took a snap shot of all three of them as they crossed the stage and proudly took their diplomas. After all the diplomas had been given out, the principal accepted the gift and dismissed the class as graduates.
(Next Scene)
Later on the school grounds everyone gathered to take pictures and say goodbye to their friends. Tohru said hello to Hana's parents and Megumi who had gotten the day off to attend. She talked a little with Uo's father who was very proud of his daughter. Finally she walked over to Shigure and the others and was surprised to see Momiji and Hatsuharu.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked.
"We got the day off" Haru explained, "Because we have family graduating. Congratulations."
"Thanks" she smiled.
"This is for you Tohru" Momiji replied handing her a small flower.
"Oh Momiji. It's beautiful" she placed it in her head, "Thank you."
"It matches the dress too" Haru smiled, "Where did you get that dress anyway?" he asked.
"Ayame brought it over last night" she grinned, "It really is a pretty color. But the sleeves are a bit poofy."
"I think it looks good on you Tohru" Momiji said, "Where's Kyo?"
"Oh" she looked over her shoulder, "He's shaking hands. Everyone was really happy about the big poster that he and Yuki put together."
"That was something. I can't believe they have been working on that for months."
"Yea" she nodded walking over to Shigure, "Well I'll see you guys later."
They nodded and Ayame immediately embraced her.
"Oh Tohru" he replied teary-eyed, "You looked so beautiful."
"Thank you Ayame. I'm so glad that you could come."
"Well I had to come for Yuki of course. Mother didn't really come."
"Oh really? Why not?"
"Who knows? But I'm here!!" he cheered.
"And it wouldn't be a party without you Aya" Shigure grinned embracing Tohru, "Congratulations Tohru."
"Thank you Shigure" she pulled away, "Would you guys excuse me for a moment?"
"Of course" Shigure nodded.
Tohru made her way across the crowd just as Kyo managed to make his way toward her.
"What a zoo" he said in a huff.
"Well they are all very proud of what you and Yuki did."
"Yea but I haven't had any time to spend with you. I have an idea" he took her hand, "Come on."
(Next Scene)
Kyo led her to the roof of the school and they climbed to the very top where she had spotted him before. He removed his tie and sighed.
"That's better. Too tight."
She laughed.
"What a beautiful sun today" she looked at the sky.
"Yea it is nice. What's even better is we are away from that crowd."
"Mhm" she nodded, "I agree."
But despite being alone now, they couldn't think of anything to talk about. Instead she leaned back into his chest and watched the sun. He sighed contently and breathed in, knowing just maybe this may be the last time he held her in his arms like this.
(Next Scene)
When Tohru arrived home Shigure and Ayame had planned even more celebration and by the time they were finished the sun was setting. Kyo had gone to take a bath and Tohru wandered up to her room. Yuki was in his room packing for the main house since he would be spending the night there, for the fight the next day. Tohru petted Kyoko briefly and then walked over to her mom's picture.
"Well mom" she said slowly, "I did it. I kept my promise. Today I graduated just like you wanted me to all those years ago. I hope you're proud of me. But I also hope that tomorrow that you will be with him since I can't be. Not really. He needs you and his mom tomorrow. Would you tell her? Thanks mom. For everything" tears stung her eyes as she turned from the photograph, which seemed to shine a lot more than when the sun hit it.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay! One more for today!! I hope you liked the gift that Kyo and Yuki presented. I don't know, I just thought it was a neat idea!
Next Chapter: Yuki Vs. Kyo
The final battle between Cat and Rat has begun!!
