Chapter 12: It's Just Not Your Purpose

Author's Note: I'm sorry if I did something wrong with the fighting. My knowledge lacks in martial arts, and I'd lose to Haru the first second of the match. Gomen (and Gomen to the icky title)! And thanks for the 107 reviews, everyone! The most I've ever got in my fanfiction career!

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Small fireworks went off in the sky, slightly lighting the area around them. Little did they know that a certain orange haired Cat had walked by, stopping in complete shock at the scene he was now witnessing.


Kyo's eyes were now unfocused, and his head was spinning. He couldn't believe what he was seeing… Tohru and that damn rat… kissing. When Ayame had shouted that Yuki told Tohru he loved her, Kyo didn't bother about it. He thought the snake was lying and just being his annoying self. Now, though, he knew that it was true. His hands clenched together and he did the only thing he could do: run.

Kyo didn't know where his legs were taking him, but he didn't care anymore. He passed through the woods and found himself on the streets of an almost empty neighborhood. Most people were out at the festival, enjoying themselves; most but him. Kyo leaned against a brick wall and breathed angrily before running off once more. This time he knew exactly where he was going, and hurried his pace. The only place where he could release the anger he was now having, where he could just sit and be alone to think.

As Kyo entered the dojo, his heart somewhat settled. It was better that he was here; it was all too familiar to him. However much he felt better, Kyo's anger was far from gone.

"Why? Why do I always have to lose everything to that damn rat!" Kyo shouted as he punched the wall next to him, leaving a small indent. "No matter what I do, I'll never be able to beat him in anything!" His fists grew tighter and he hit the wall once more, but with less force. His anger was slowly melting away from how his physical strength was acting, and it was more in his heart then anywhere.

"Well, you seem to be pretty angry," a voice from behind him said, and Kyo turned around, already knowing who was standing there.

"What gave you that idea, Shishou," Kyo said through gritted teeth. "I thought I was alone. Why are you here so late, anyways?"

"I could ask you the same question," Kazuma said, sitting on the floor. He looked back up at Kyo with slight worry in his eyes. "You've mentioned Yuki…what's bothering you so much about him?" Kyo didn't answer him, as he was lost for words. He really didn't want to go into what he lost to the rat.

"Is it about Tohru-san?" Kazuma asked quietly causing Kyo to turn back to him. It was more than likely noticeable that Tohru was exactly what it was about. Losing a battle wouldn't bring him to the dojo as angry as he was at the moment. Kazuma didn't need an instant verbal answer to his question; Kyo's look and his lack of denial was enough for that.

"Shishou, why do I always lose to him? Is that just part of the curse; the cat losing to the rat?" Kyo asked as he leaned against the wall for support.

"No, I wouldn't say that," Kazume replied thoughtfully. "Sometimes you will just need to work harder. Other times, it's just not your purpose to win with something… or someone." Kyo stared at the wall across from him and tried to register what he was told; it was relevant in some sense. However, it did not change the fact that it still had happened, and he knew that Kazuma could tell. "Still angry, I see. You know what helps?"

Kyo shrugged, though he thought nothing would help; at least not now. Even so, before he knew it, Kazuma threw a fist at Kyo, though he dodged it easily.

'How could this help?' Kyo thought, somewhat irritated. He was expecting something a bit more... sensible. Nonetheless, Kyo would not back out of a battle. He punched back, but Kazuma quickly moved his head aside and swung his foot out at Kyo. He stumbled but was able to keep his balance and decided that he needed to go for a tougher move, which he had been practicing for a while, if he wanted to beat Shishou. Kyo moved to the left as if he were going to attack on that side, but at the last minute he changed direction by jumping to the right and running as fast as he could. Kazuma was surprised at the change and gave a smile.

'Kyo has really been practicing,' he thought, but just as the orange haired cat was about to attack, Kazuma quickly moved out of the way, took his foot, and swung it at Kyo's feet once more. Only this time did Kyo fall onto his front side. He slowly rolled over onto his side and sat up calmly.

"Well, what do you know… I feel a little bit better," he said, and it was true; he really did feel better then he had earlier. Of course, it wasn't as if he was completely better, nothing could work that fast on him, but he doubt that he would put another indent in the wall again.

"I'll tell you this," Kazuma said as he helped Kyo up to his feet. "You've really improved. I think you have a chance at finally beating Yuki. Just a bit more practice and you are sure to win, and end all of this mess that's been happening."

"But I haven't won against him before, Shishou. What's going to change that now?" Kyo asked, surprised at what was told to him. Kazuma smiled at him and said, very convincingly,

"Things change, Kyo. They always do."


Being that it was almost midnight and the festival was about over, Yuki and Tohru headed back to the booths to find Hatori, Shigure, and, though slightly to Yuki's dismay, Ayame. Hatori had earlier told them to meet so that he could check up on Yuki and see if he was doing alright. Yuki had in fact felt perfectly fine throughout the day, but now it was catching up to him and he couldn't wait to get home and rest. Tohru seemed to have noticed Yuki's change and carefully watched him to make sure he was doing alright.

After only a few minutes of searching, Yuki and Tohru found Hatori, but there was no sight of Shigure or Ayame.

"Glad to see that you loom well," Hatori said as he took out a small box of medicine from his pocket; the same ones that he gave to Yuki earlier that day. "However, that means nothing to how you feel inside. Now, before you go to sleep, take…"

"…Two of these and two when you wake up," Yuki finished, and held out his hand for the box. Hatori looked slightly surprised; that was exactly what he was going to say. Yuki saw his look and shrugged with a small sigh. "I'm getting use to all of this." Hatori gave a somewhat grim nod.

"I understand," he said as he put the box in Yuki's hand. "Sooner or later, Yuki, you won't have to take these anymore." He quickly glanced around the slightly empty festival area. "I don't know where everyone went, so you two should head home, it's getting late."

"Oh, Yuki-kun, I need to talk to Hatori-san real quick," Tohru said before they started to leave. Yuki nodded with a warm smile and Tohru went up to Hatori, who was also on his way home.

"Hatori-san, can I speak to you for a moment?" Tohru asked quietly, so Yuki wouldn't overhear. Hatori looked over at her and gave a look that told her to continue on, as he was now listening. "Do you think Yuki-kun should practice his martial arts, as Kyo is? So he could get some practice before they really fight?" Hatori thought carefully about what he was asked.

"Well, we don't want him getting sick," he said slowly. "However, we want this to be a fair battle for him to be cured. If he doesn't practice, that might count the battle as not being justified. Tomorrow he could practice, but only a little. We don't want him to get any more sick." Tohru nodded, understanding Yuki's position and how he should stay as healthy as he could. As the two started to leave, Hatori said one more thing, almost too quiet to hear.

"Don't forget, Yuki."

But how could he?


The Sohma house had its lights on, indicating that Shigure or Kyo were home, or it could have possibly meant that someone had broke in, whichever came first. Yuki only cared that, if they were robbed, his bed was still securely in his room. He felt so tired, even somewhat dizzy, that his thoughts of a robbery sounded silly.

However, when Yuki and Tohru entered the house, they, or at least Yuki, since it was his own thoughts about being robbed, knew that it indeed wasn't a stranger; just someone strange.

"Little brother!" Ayame said as he got up from his place at the table. It was apparent that he was drinking tea with Shigure and was also awaiting their arrival. "I've barely been able to see you for one whole day!" Yuki, doing the only logical thing he could think of, stepped aside from his brother and went into the kitchen to get some water so he could follow Hatori's instructions. After he took the medicine, Yuki walked passed Ayame, said a good night to Tohru, who was putting away her things, and headed up the stairs. However, his attempt at escaping from his older brother failed, at which Ayame followed him up.

"That's such a good idea, Yuki! You need your rest, after all!" he said happily. Yuki stopped right in front of his door, turned around, and gave Ayame an annoyed look.

"What are you doing here, anyways? Don't you have a home?" he asked.

"Of course, but it is too far away. I am just too tired to travel so far at this time of night!" Ayame replied, still smiling. Yuki raised his eyebrows, not the least bit amused, and closed his door without answering. "Bonne nuit, petit frère!"


When Yuki headed downstairs the next morning, he accidentally ran into Ayame, who seemed like he had planned the encounter.

"Why are you still here?" Yuki asked, trying to keep from yawning. He was very tired, which was nothing out of the ordinary for him. With that being said, Yuki stumbled on the stairs but Ayame caught him before he completely fell.

"Ah, little brother, what would you do without me?" Ayame asked while laughing. Yuki, deciding not to answer, continued his way downstairs so he could take his other set of medicine. Shigure and Tohru were already up and just about to eat breakfast.

"Good morning, Yuki-kun," Tohru said, with a smile, as she saw him enter the kitchen.

"Good morning, Honda-san," Yuki replied, but the morning was far from good. Especially since the first person he saw was Ayame. Not to mention that he had a pounding headache and a slightly burning throat. Hopefully the medicine Hatori gave him would work on those. When Yuki sat at the table, he noticed that the only noise he heard was Shigure and Ayame's meaningless chatter. It just seemed too quiet, even with the two rowdy 'adults.' That's when he noticed one of the, should be, five was missing.

"Where's the stupid cat?" Yuki finally asked.

"He's at the dojo; has been all night," Shigure replied, now taking a sip of tea. "Kyon-Kyon's probably practicing. You know, Yuki, you should, too, just so you don't get rusty." Yuki raised an eyebrow and Shigure gave him a smile. "You want the battle to be fair, right? Not that you have to practice long (we don't want you getting sick!)." Tohru had earlier talked to Shigure about her conversation with Hatori, and he volunteered to tell Yuki.

"Oh, I can help you!" Ayame cut in joyfully.

"No." Yuki said as he quickly finished his food. He put his dishes in the sink and headed for his room while saying, "I guess I can practice for a little bit, then."

When Yuki had retreated into his bedroom, he decided to work on some simple moves; such as his punches and kicks. It was true that he was a bit rusty; Yuki hadn't practiced in a week. As a target, he marked his wall with tape to how high his kicks should go and he tried to aim for it. A few times he got it, but he also had some misses. His headache was really bothering him that when he punched, his head throbbed with pain, however small it was.

Yuki felt that his moves were getting just as weak as he was. He decided to take a short break and get his act together.

'If I don't get back to how I use to fight, then the Cat will surely win without any complications…' Yuki thought blankly. He didn't know if it was a good thing Kyo would win, or a bad. Anything could be counted as unfair, and Yuki was unsure of what would be …


Author's Note: I am SO sorry that I haven't updated. I've barely been home all week, no lie. But I promise that I'll get the next chapter up, I really do! Now… two things:

Bonne nuit, petit frère: Good night, little brother.

Now my reviewers:

MegTao- 'Tis true, Ayame should be around, but have no fear, he'll be around some! And yes, fanfics with Tohru being able to hug Yuki (unless AU) is kind of … I dunno. But Tohru didn't hug him traditionally; they kept their distance XD Thanks for the review!

bummedoutchick- mwahaha, can't tell you what happens XP but I understand, I cry when Yuki dies in stories T.T I'm glad you like my story!

crimsonsun-rk- Indeed, Shigure is carefree! He's so cool, I'm really glad he's wacky, and nutty, and crazy, and all that! I'm kind of mad at Kyo right now (you can't have Tohru, silly cat!), so I kind of mad him have a bad day ;;; but I made him happier in this chapter! Thanks for the review!

shiawasehigurashi- I agree with you; they're special in their own way. But I'm for Yuki/Tohru XD but yes, Kyo's special in his own way. Thanks so much for the review!

Steff7- Thanks for the review! Kyo was a bit upset, still is, but he's also feeling a bit better so that's good!

Yugata Tenshi- Yes, I've been mean to Kyo in the last chapter. I'll give him something to make him feel better. I was just mad at Kyo when I wrote that. I'm less mad now XD Thanks for the review!

kishe- haha, he should've yelled that! But he's the jealous type. I'm surprised he didn't run up and punch Yuki! But I couldn't do that to him! Thanks for the review!

Maple Chan- You areeee? I'm more of a Yuki fan, and I was mad at Kyo when I wrote all that… I hold grudges XP;;; but he's better, especially after this chapter! And I totally agree, there was a lot of kissing, I'm not good at fluff. Trust me, I laughed when writing that stuff; I don't know why XD. Thanks for the review!

QueenOfHearts3- He got a bit jealous, indeed XP He's feeling somewhat better now, though. Thanks for the review!

Tochi Kitsune Moga- You're welcome! I'm glad you like the romance, I wasn't too sure of it XD;;; The yaoi story, well, maybe that's why they didn't put a warning on it. But they should've (washes out eyes). And I'll update sooner next chapter! Thanks so much for the review!

Until the next... TBC