Chapter Three: Kyo's Proposal

Kazuma stared at Kyo for a few moments with a very satisfied smile on his face. Kyo smiled back and placed his teacup down.

"Do you have a ring already?" Kazuma asked.

"Yea" Kyo nodded, " I got it in my bag. Wait there I'll be right back" he stood up and dashed towards the front door.

As he ran out Kunimitsu came out from the kitchen drying his hands on a dishtowel.

"So did you tell him yet?" he asked Kazuma.

Kazuma shook his head with a mischievous grin as Kyo came back in with a small box and handed it over to him. Then Kyo sat down as he opened the box and his eyes shined.

"I know it's nothing fancy or anything" Kyo replied, "But I think it's really pretty."

"Yes" Kazuma nodded, "It's a lovely ring Kyo."

"So you're going to ask Tohru to marry you?" Kunimitsu replied excitedly, "Wow teacher Kazuma you sure called it."

"Huh?" Kyo looked at them confused.

"Well Kyo" Kazuma said as he handed back the ring and closed his eyes, "When you told me a month ago that you were looking for apartments, I knew it would only be a matter of time till you asked her to marry you, which is why, Kunimitsu if you would?"

"Yes sir" Kunimitsu agreed with a grin taking Kyo's hand and placing a small key in it.

Kyo stared at the key for a moment.

"What is this for?" he asked still thoroughly confused.

"Well Master Kyo" Kunimitsu said, "It's the key to your brand new apartment."

"What?" Kyo looked over at his Master as he nodded.

"Yes Kyo" Kazuma confirmed, "I sent Kunimitsu out around the same time you were having trouble finding a place. He's very good at finding things like that. He found the apartment earlier this week. So we put down your first payment. All you have to do now is pay for the rent every month. I'm sure you can do that."

"Master" Kyo replied in shock, "You didn't have to do this, I mean as Tohru says it's too much. You have already done so much by giving me a job here."

"Nonsense" Kazuma shook his head, "Consider this an early wedding present."

"Would you like to go see the place Master Kyo?" Kunimitsu asked.

"You mean I can see it? Tonight?" Kyo said not believing his ears.

"Mhm" Kazuma nodded, "If you want to we can go right now."

"Okay" Kyo agreed standing up filled with so much gratitude to both of them that he could hardly say anything else.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile at Uo's apartment Tohru, Hana, and Uo were just preparing to have dinner themselves.

"So Uo" Tohru replied, "How's the modeling school working out for you?"

"Oh it's going okay I guess" Uo nodded, "I guess the best thing about it, is it takes place during the day so I had to quit my job as a waitress at the restaurant. About time if you asked me. I hated that job."

"But you still have that job at the convenience store don't you Arisa? Hana asked.

"Yea. I still work in the evenings there. And I got a job lined up for me next month."

"What do you mean?" Tohru said.

"Well sometimes they find modeling jobs for students in the school. It's a bit irregular for a rookie like me to get a job so soon but the people who are doing the ad really liked me so I got the job."

"That's great Uo" Tohru replied happily.

"Thanks Tohru" Uo smiled back, "So Hana, how about you? How's school going?"

"It's going fine" Hana said, "To be honest it's no different then high school. The only difference is that I actually have some classes that I like."

"Really? You?" Uo replied joking.

"Yes" Hana said, "And I get along with the other students as best as I can. But some of them do think that I am a little weird. But I have found in college that, that sort of thing is actually common. Most people in my college praise me for being an individual."

"I guess that's a good thing" Uo grinned, "So Tohru your turn? How's work going for you? Do you like it?"

"Oh yes" Tohru nodded, "I really like being a secretary. It's actually been a lot of fun."

"And Orange Top? Are you guys doing good?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded again, "We're doing just fine. In fact we are in the process of finding an apartment for ourselves."

"Cool. Moving onto the next step. I knew you would sooner or later. Of course I thought that he would have proposed to you by now."

"Huh?" Tohru became red at once.

"Arisa you know how I feel about talk like that" Hana said.

"Sorry Hana" Uo replied, "But you know it's inevitable. They're not kids anymore. It will eventually happen."

"I wouldn't be worried about it just yet" Tohru added, "I don't think Kyo is even thinking about that sort of thing. He's never mentioned it and he's one who usually gets too uncomfortable when things go too fast."

"Uncomfortable, hell" Uo said, "You guys have been together for practically four years. I think that is more than enough time to pop the question."

"Can we please change the subject" Hana interrupted, "How about your relationship with that guy Arisa? How is that going?"

At this question both Tohru and Uo lowered their eyes sadly.

"Did I say something wrong?" Hana replied concerned.

"No Hana" Tohru spoke up, "But the thing is."

"No Tohru" Uo said, "Allow me. You see Hana the head of the family Akito you remember him?"

"Yes."

"Well Kureno is usually in charge of taking care of him and for the past year, he has been bad off. His sickness has gotten much worse and Kureno spends as much time with him as he can. I still get e-mails from him every week to keep me updated, but I really haven't seen him otherwise."

"Is it really that bad?" Hana replied surprised.

"Yes" Tohru nodded sadly, "It's so bad that Shigure says it's probably only going to be a matter of time till he passes away."

"Oh that's a shame," Hana said.

"Yea" the other two nodded.

After a few more moments of silence they all smiled and ate their dinner mostly talking about the sorts of things they did on their own prospective jobs.

(Next Scene)

Kyo placed the key in the door of the apartment and turned the handle. Kunimitsu flipped on the switch beside the door and Kyo gazed at the large space. He walked forward a little as Kazuma slid inside and Kunimitsu closed the door behind them.

"Well Kyo" Kazuma replied, "What do you think? Is it enough room?"

"Enough room?" Kyo blinked his eyes, "It's more than enough room. And it's exactly what we have been looking for. But."

"No buts Kyo" Kazuma shook his head knowing exactly what he was going to say, "Take it, it's yours. Now you have nothing to hold you back. You can propose to Tohru at any time."

"Master" Kyo said slowly as Kunimitsu departed to give them a moment, "I don't know what to say. I can't thank you enough for this. Tell me something are you really happy about this? Tohru and me getting married?"

"Kyo" Kazuma looked at him straight in the eye, "I am very happy. Are you kidding? You are marrying Kyoko and Katsuya's daughter. I know they would be happy too. My son is marrying my best friend's daughter. I couldn't be happier."

"Master" Kyo said on the verge of tears.

He moved forward and did something he hadn't done since he was small and embraced the man before him. Kazuma wrapped his arms around him tightly and smiled.

"Never forget Kyo" Kazuma said, "I am so proud of you my son. I couldn't be any prouder of any other student. I love you so much."

Kyo's eyes became wide as he said these words, but he simply nodded as they embraced a few moments longer. Then Kyo broke away and turned away. A second later he punched out his hand, and Kazuma blocked it. Kyo smiled and Kazuma grinned back patting his head as he had done so many times before.

(Next Scene)

As Kyo walked home he smiled up at the moon shining above him. He had his hands in his pockets, his bag slung over his shoulder, the ring tucked inside.

"I want to tell her about the apartment" he thought, "But not before I propose to her. Besides there is one more thing I got to do first. And I can do it tomorrow when we go visit them. I'm glad I got off for this. I can't wait till tomorrow" he grinned.

(To Be Continued..)

Authors Note: Hey guys! I am going to give you yesterday's chapters today. Enjoy them. Here's another two-parter for ya!

Next Part: The next day, Tohru and Kyo make a trip up to her grandparent's estate for a visit and Kyo talks to her grandfather about his plans. You don't want to miss this. Finally Kyo's proposal!