Uo escorted Tohru to the Sohma building where she still worked before bidding Tohru goodnight and heading off to her own job.

After a few blocks, she stopped walking. "Guess what. I carry a switchblade, now," Uo stated nonchalantly. Three figures came forth from the shadows. "It's been awhile. I was wondering if you were going to catch up with me."

"Uotani," Akako said. The two behind her gave curt nods of acknowledgement. All three girls wore long black dresses, beneath which was a pair of white pants. Their lower facemasks were off, resting below their chins, to reveal scowls. "We haven't come to collect today, but know that you will pay. And this time, Kyoko won't be there to save you."

Uo glared. "I'd like to see you try."

"We will, Uotani. We'll hit you where it hurts the most. You can count on it."

Uo sighed as the three disappeared into the shadows once more. "I thought they still might be bitter about me leaving. I wonder if Sensei is still with them. I hope she got out okay."

Brushing aside all thoughts of her former gang, Uo increased her pace so she would not be late for work. She was not worried in the least. She could take care of herself. Eventually, their threats completely slipped her mind.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The fan girls grumbled amongst themselves as they watched the Sohma males they worshiped interacting with Tohru, Uo and Hana.

"What are we going to do about those two?" demanded one. "Honda is easy enough to deal with. But those other two…" Hana's dark eyes slid sideways to meet her own and she nearly fainted in fear. "Especially psychic girl," she added with a shiver.

"She must have a weakness," said another. "Everyone does. We just have to find it."

"A few girls tried it years ago, and not only could they not find it," the girl lowered her voice, "I hear they were cursed by her brother."

Some of the girls keened quietly in despair.

"I believe we have the answer right before us," stated Leiko, who was in charge of Momiji's fan club. The others looked at her with a mixture of confusion and hope, waiting for her to explain.

Leiko always had an eye on her beloved Momiji as she watched him in the company of his family and friends, but she also observed Tohru Honda and her female companions, especially Saki Hanajima.

"Our enemy number one, Tohru Honda, is most assuredly the dark girl's weakness."

The others stared at the Sohmas and Tohru with jealousy. But as they watched, they noticed Hana's gaze turn soft and protective as she looked at Tohru. Hana's smile was full of warmth for Tohru above all others. The fan girls gasped almost as one.

"We have some planning to do," Tanaka, a member of Hatusharu's fan club since its founding, proclaimed. The others nodded, and with a last, wistful glance at their adored Sohmas, they departed.

- - - - - - - -

Tohru hugged Hana affectionately. "Good luck with school, Hana. Come and visit again soon!"

Uo slung an arm around Hana's shoulders. "You better." Then in a lower voice, she added, "She really misses you, you know."

Hana nodded with a small smile. "And I, her."

Uo removed her arm and she and Tohru waved as Hana's car drove to the train station to return her to her university.

"Sucks how she has to go so far away for school," Uo commented, not for the first time.

Tohru gave her standard reply. "They did offer her a very nice scholarship, and she had been planning on college for a long time."

Uo had work, Momiji and Hatsuharu had to return home, and Kyo went to the dojo to practice with his master, so Yuki and Tohru walked back to Shigure's house together.

"This is nice," Tohru said, as they strolled side by side. He looked at her. "I haven't seen you much lately. You've been so busy with school, and I've had work." She smiled at him.

"Yes. Whenever a new semester begins, there is always plenty to do."

"Just don't overwork yourself," Tohru cautioned worriedly.

Yuki gave a small chuckle. "I should be saying that to you, Miss Honda." He paused, looking thoughtful. "I'll make you a deal. I won't work too hard if you promise not to, either."

Tohru nodded, smiling. "Okay, it's a deal. So, how are your classes this year, Yuki?"

They spoke amiably about schoolwork and teachers until they reached the house. Then Yuki went upstairs to do homework and Tohru entered the kitchen to prepare dinner, glad for the time she had been given to spend with Yuki. She smiled when Kyo arrived back in time to eat with them.

The following Thurdsay when Tohru finished school for the day, Momiji, Hatsuharu, Yuki and Kyo still had class; and Uo had work. Tohru had some time off, so she decided she would visit Akito. Almost two weeks had passed since she had last seen him.

Enjoying the weather, she took the longer route that passed by the park.

Tohru's mind was wondering as she walked through the peaceful setting when an irritated-sounding voice unexpectedly spoke.

"Watch where you're going, Honda. You might trip!"

Tohru felt her foot catch on something, and though she tried to regain her balance, she felt her other foot snag and she fell to the ground.

She pushed herself up onto her hands and knees when suddenly shadows fell over her. Looking up, Tohru found herself surrounded by a group of girls that she did not recognize. None of their faces were friendly.

Tohru nervously gathered her bag and stood. "Can…can I help you?"

"Is there a problem here?"

All of the girls jumped at the sudden presence.

"Kazuma?" Tohru said hesitantly. The others suddenly left.

"I thought it was you that I saw. Are you all right?"

"Yes… yes, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." He eyed her dirty clothes. "I just tripped, is all."

He looked at her for a moment before saying, "If you do not have any plans, would you like to come to the dojo and join me for some tea? You could wash your clothes there as well."

Tohru hesitated only a moment before smiling and bowing. "Of course. Thank you."

Kazuma escorted Tohru to the dojo and allowed her to borrow a set of martial arts clothing while hers were in the wash. "They look right on you," Kazuma complimented with a smile as they sat drinking their tea. Tohru blushed and stammered out a thank you.

"Tohru," Kazuma looked at her seriously, "did you know those girls at the park?" Tohru shook her head. "Then you probably do not know why they approached you, either, do you." His words were more of a statement than a question, but Tohru confirmed his belief when she shook her head again anyway. Kazuma sighed. "Tohru, are you being bullied?"

"No! No. I mean…" Tohru lost her conviction and dropped her gaze. "I don't think I am."

Kazuma remained patiently quiet, silently imploring her to continue.

"Sometimes… sometimes people bump into me in the hallway, or I trip on something, or spill something—but that's probably just me being clumsy," she quickly excused the occurrences and gave a nervous laugh.

"Is there any reason someone could have for being upset with you?" he asked gently.

"No, not that I know of."

With no motive and no idea who, and with all of the incidences not seeming to be more than common mishaps, Kazuma could not blame her for doubting that she was being terrorized.

Looking at Tohru, who sat sipping her tea shyly across from him, he wondered why anyone would want to harm the sweet girl. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "Tohru." Kazuma waited for her to meet his eyes. "Would you consider allowing me to train you?"

When she realized what he was proposing, she quickly spoke up. "No, no, no! I couldn't! I don't have the money! And—"

"I wouldn't charge you, Tohru," he tried to interrupt.

"—I couldn't fight anyone! I don't think I could hurt anyone!"

Thinking on her words, Kazuma did have trouble imagining Tohru sparring, let alone fighting, with another person. "What if I teach you self-defense, then?"

Tohru had finally calmed. "No. Thank you. It's very kind of you to offer, but no. First of all, I wouldn't want to take up your time, especially if you were not being paid for it. Anyway, no one has threatened me or attacked me. I'm sure everything will turn out okay." She sounded so convinced at her own words that he stopped insisting, though after the display he had witnessed at the park, he remained uncertain himself.

The buzzer on the dryer sounded. "I think your clothes are ready." Kazuma gave her a reassuring smile.

Tohru rose and left the room to change. When she returned, she bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Kazuma, but I think I should be going now. I have to start dinner."

"Of course," he said, standing to accompany her to the door. As she was about to leave, he called her name.

"Yes?"

"The others—Kyo and Yuki and Shigure—they don't know, do they?"

Tohru shook her head. "There really isn't anything to tell," she said softly. Suddenly her eyes widened. "Are you going to tell them?"

Kazuma paused. "No, though I think you should. But will you give me the opportunity to try and convince you to change your mind about allowing me to teach you to defend yourself?" When she remained tentative, he pressed, "simply come over for tea once you finish school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kyo has school late then, and I think the others do, too."

Tohru smiled. "Okay."

"Good," he returned her smile. "Be careful walking back," he said as she departed. "See you next Tuesday."

Tohru waved and returned to Shigure's house.

Kazuma sighed, thinking he should have done more. Why did he feel as though things were going to get worse before they got better?


Animedreamer240
: Thanks! I hope the story continues to please.

flute4ever330: Thank you! I hope I updated soon enough for you.

Nightblue: You asked a good question, so I decided to answer it in this chapter. Thank you for the review!

kishe: I will! Thanks for reviewing!

Anonymousfanfic: Thanks! I hate to disappoint you, but there will in all likelihood be no official pairings, like the anime.