Chapter 24: Graduation
Disclaimer: I don't own Furuba. Only my Original Characters.
O.o What's that in Akito-san's hands, ah… it is the latest and final volume of Aikyou! Hits shelves once I click the submit button. This chapter, I had to make long..since...:cries: The end of Aikyou is here…. sniffles Please, enjoy. Please R&R. Please…bite my head off in your reviews as much as you want. I'll take whatever heat you throw at me. If you want to contact me feel free to email me as much as you want. I'll answer every question over IM or Email.
A month gradually passes, the days just dragged along endlessly. The strain of going to school was wearing on them and it was getting rather old. Kyo couldn't help but contemplate on why they would continue to have school if they had already taken all of their finals and are ready to graduate. The day of graduation had fallen upon them as if it were an avalanche. Kyo awoke in the morning and took a shower after Tohru and got dressed into the black uniform they were to wear under the cap and gown. Tohru was in the kitchen talking happily with Shigure when Kyo came downstairs. He saw her wearing her cap already, and a soft smile leapt across his face.
Approaching them slowly he sits at the kitchen table and eats toast, drinking milk with it. Gulping it all down quickly, he gets back to his feet and turns around to see Yuki standing at the threshold of the kitchen. His hair was still a little wet from his shower. Kyo sighs and shoves past Yuki, who had clearly been awakened by his shower since his eyes were actually more then halfway open. Rubbing his head, getting his fingers wet a little, Yuki looks at Shigure and Tohru. "What's with him?" He asks wondering if the fear of being locked up was finally getting at his thoughts. Yuki groans and then sits at the table like Kyo had done and drinks orange juice while eating an English muffin.
"Maybe Kyo-kun is going to try on his gown!" She exclaims, her eyes glowing happily, her hands clasped together as she imagined everyone she knew in the graduation gowns. It was as if she had been dreaming of this day since the moment she moved in with the three of them. The only negative thing that she saw in her imagination of the graduation was the fact that Kyo would be taken away from her afterward. It was a new thing they had started, the cap and gown thing for high school graduation. They all supposed that it was because they wanted them to be mature when they were to graduate college. Each student had heard that it was against the rules to throw the hats up at the end of the ceremony when you're in college.
Finally upstairs since he was going so slowly, Kyo opens the door to his bedroom and stuffs the cap and gown into a plastic bag. Exiting his own room, he cocks his arm back and launches the bag forward. Moment later it plopped to the ground on the bottom floor of the house. It had startled everyone down there and they each took turns glancing up the steps after departing from the kitchen. Tohru grabs the bag and holds it for Kyo so that when he came back down she could give it to him. And just as she thought, he made his way down the steps slowly and extended his hand. She gives him the bag slowly, a bright smile once again taking refuge on her face.
He couldn't help but smile as he retrieved the bag from her grasp. Holding it at his side he glares at Yuki from the corner of his eye. As he walks towards the front door to exit the house for almost the first time since he had returned, Yuki stops him by grabbing him by the elbow. "Kyo…I have to talk to you…." He gasps as if he didn't want to say whatever it was but knew he should. Tohru looked at the both of them curiously wondering what either of them was going to do or say. For a moment it was a dead stare.
Kyo merely glares at him and pulls away from his grasp. He hurries outside and down the path that wound in and out through the forest until it eventually led out to the main road where the school would be located just a ways down. Quickly, he rushes to the school that was completely empty except for a few teachers, one of them being Mayu-san. Skidding to a halt, Kyo looks around somewhat frantically, and then runs to the corner of the school where a new forest begins. He pulls his black, school uniform shirt off and puts a white, training shirt on. Stretching his arms and legs for a moment he grins and realizes that he was already set to practice a little. He kicks at the air and throws many punches before deciding to stop knowing that it would be better if he didn't strain himself in any way or make any part of his body sore. Again, he changes shirts, this time back into the uniform shirt and cracks a few knuckles as he walks to the front of the school.
He sits on the steps that led up to the front doors of the high school. Kyo rolls his head around trying to loosen up a little. He didn't want to feel any type of stress; he had to keep focused, and self-assured. In a gentle tone he mutters, "I just have to remember my training with Shishou…just…remember your training." All he could do now was to stay positive and reassure himself whenever he felt the need to doubt his own abilities. Lifting up his head slowly, he sees Mayu-chan walking towards him.
She sits down beside him and looks at him curiously. "Since when do you not have a cocky expression on your face?" Mayu was apparently surprised by this and was most curious about what was going on. "You look as if the head of your family is coming…" her voice trails off.
Kyo looks at her abruptly and stares in shock. "Wha… How do you know about that?" he questions becoming even more inquiring then Mayu.
"Shigure-san and Hatori-san told me about him…"
Obviously she was yet to be informed that Akito was a girl. Then again, it was quite an easy mistake. Akito does look pretty manly for a woman. Kyo snickers as he began to think about that. "Really…?" he says out of nowhere, trying to sound interested. He did this often in class whenever he was informed of something new or was asked a question.
"You should get ready. Everyone will be coming soon. Find your spot in the lineup posted in the auditorium. There will be small numbers on the ground where u will be told to stand. Stand at the number your name is beside on the papers." She informs him quietly. And just before she leaves him to go inside to prepare her list of students to call off, she gives him a caring pat on the shoulder. "You should calm down. Relax Kyo…" Mayu walks into the school and towards the auditorium leaving Kyo on the steps –alone- once again.
Kyo nods to himself, feeling a little uneasy. He gets to his feet and walks into the school by himself. Slowly, he makes his way into the auditorium only to see Haru, Momiji, Kisa, Hiro, Katsuro, Isuzu, and Hatori sitting in the front row of the seating arrangement. There were about two free seats to either side. No doubt those chairs were being saved for Akito, Shigure, and Kureno. He groans and heads into the back room of the usual lunchroom that was transformed into an auditorium. Carefully, he pulls the gown out of the bag, but roughly pulls it on over his uniform. He sighs feeling like a complete idiot. Snatching the cap before it fell out of the leaning bag, Kyo slams it onto his head and moans in annoyance. "I look like a happy school boy!" Kyo exclaims to himself.
No more then two minutes later had Yuki and Tohru entered the same room he was waiting in followed by the final year students that were in the secret fan clubs. Eventually, the whole back room was packed and filled with people pulling their cap and gown onto their bodies, just to cover their school uniforms.
Tohru smiles proudly at Kyo and grabs his hands. "You look very handsome Kyo-kun!" She exclaims happily as she finally lets go of both of his hands. Looking at Yuki now, she tells him the same. "You look very handsome too Yuki-kun!" Tohru nods to both of them. There was nothing she was thinking of that could ruin their graduation. She didn't want to think about Kyo being locked up at the moment. She had done that earlier in the day.
Kyo smiles at her and messes around with his cap since it was becoming a bit of a nuisance. She places her left hand at her hip and sticks her right arm out, making the peace sign with her fingers. "Mom would be proud right now!" A happy grin crosses her face. Yuki and Kyo smile with her and break out into a soft laugh and soon enough she began to laugh as well.
Eventually -after all the messing around in the back room was over- everyone got in line. The only thing that was unique about the lineup was the various heights of each student. Other then that, each and every person looked the same, all of them wearing a silky black gown covering their regular, clean black school uniform. It wasn't necessarily in alphabetical order, but some spots would have a few people in a row according to their last name and other times they'd be completely jumbled up like an 'A' beside a 'Z'. But, that's only an example. Miraculously, the order our main characters were put in was: Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo. It's actually slightly surprising for the fact that 'H' and 'S' was eleven letters apart. Not that they minded the least bit.
In the audience, Momiji was hopping around excitedly in his seat, while Haru and Isuzu sat calmly watching the stage for members of their family. Kisa, Hiro, and Katsuro managed to put together a new, much easier version of Dai Hin Min. Not that it is a hard game at all. Just imagine it even easier. Suddenly, the doors opened making the light from the sun illuminate the auditorium. In came Shigure and right behind him steadily walked Akito and Kureno. They sat down in the final two seats in the front room. Akito and Kureno beside each other at the left of Haru. Shigure sat in the last seat at the opposite end, alongside Hatori.
The principal advances out from a large, navy blue curtain. A large wall was in front of the students so that parents, family members, and friends couldn't see them. They were all concealed at the moment except for the principal, teachers, and, of course, the audience. Akito let out a gentle laugh as if someone had said something funny that was like a private joke. The principal adjusts the microphone at the podium, which was centered at the left side of the stage. "Today… is one of the best days any student in this school could ever have. The right of passage into the real world. Each child that is graduating today has earned every part of their grade and has learned everything they could. We wish each and every one of them good luck in their future lives. May it be going to college and graduate school, or not going to college and starting a life, possibly even a family." He pauses, a proud smile inching onto his face. Raising his left hand slightly, he puts it to his waist and extends it to the side. "They have grown in spirit, heart, and mind from here." He motions to the halfway point and then raises his hand even higher to his head, only extended outward, "To here. Mind you, all of them are amazing and unique persons in their respective ways. But one thing they all share is that for life, they can make their own decisions. And those choices, allow them to succeed or fail. With this bunch of graduates... I see them all succeeding one way or another in the near future." The principal stops, his smile even bigger then before. He, too, was wearing the cap and gown, only his was a vibrant red that was almost impossible to miss.
The audience applauded happily, everyone was whistling and screaming out their family member's names. The only people that were utterly quiet were Akito, Kureno, and Shigure. Everyone else was either applauding, or in Momiji's, Kisa's, and Katsuro's case yelling out Tohru's name happily in great support. Haru whistles gently with his fingers before getting a quick lash across his arm by Akito's slapping hand. He glares at her, and then his expression lightens as he remembers what he had heard while eavesdropping a month earlier.
Mayu-chan walks across the stage and gives a respectful bow to the principal before taking stand at the podium. Hatori's eyes glowed a little, but it was a slightly invisible due to the fact that he was growing out the front of his hair a bit more so that both eyes would be somewhat covered. How happy he was to see Mayu-chan again. But, he didn't dare express it. The last time he expressed such love for someone, that person had been shown first hand pain. The pain of regret.
She smiles happily, and pushes the tassel of the cap away from her face. "Now, for your amazing, high school graduates!" Her voice rang throughout the former lunchroom that produced loud cheers from many families. "First, is…" she went on and on going through each name slowly so that no one missed a chance for a snapshot and all that good stuff. Finally, she reaches numbers 315, 316, and 317 (the slots that Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo were placed in.)
"As we approach the finally three students, I'd like to express something that they all exhibit. Throughout this entire school year, these students expressed their care and protection over each other as friends. A strong bond that most people don't have these days. The fights they have are weakened by the good times. I know that two of them are always getting a long. No matter how they are paired up. One is always nice to another in some way. The strongest part of a friendship is faith. A friendship without fights and arguments always becomes a strong one. It's always better to avoid these conflicts in life. And, these three have progressed so well that they have a true friendship now. One that doesn't consist of yelling at one another and getting into fights about silly or important things." This speech had caught everyone's attention; even Kyo was listening to her, which was a first. "I wish these three extra luck on their journey through life. As even with rocks the best of friends is always called… a trio." The audience erupted in cheers and applauds. Kyo was shocked at her words and felt his body freeze. It was the same with Yuki and Tohru. The whole front row was the loudest of everyone there. All, once again, with the exception of Akito, Kureno, and Shigure who were completely quiet.
"Okay…settle down." Mayu laughs gently. The audience gradually silences. "The first is Ms. Tohru Honda!" The audience clapped, with the main clapping coming from Momiji, Kisa, Katsuro, and Hiro.
Tohru shyly walks across the stage and all the way to Mayu-san. She bows her head in slight embarrassment and is asked to stay behind her on the stage. Her face got red the more she got the feeling of embarrassment. She tightly gripped her high school diploma. "Next, is Yuki Sohma!" Mayu exclaims and then hands Yuki his own diploma as he approached her and stood beside Tohru. "And last, but not least, Kyo Sohma!" He trudges across the stage almost exactly the same as Tohru. He accepts the diploma and stands beside Yuki, grumbling a little.
"Everyone…to one of the most held together friendships in school…. give it up for these three. They've become true friends…" Everyone once again puts his or her hands together. The three of them bow, caps dropping to the ground, plopping as they did so.
Hours passed over until they finally got away from the mob of congratulations. Akito was nowhere to be seen after the students had been dismissed. Kyo grins after noticing this and decides that he could finally enjoy himself and spend some time with Tohru and his 'friend' Yuki.
Walking outside of the school through the back door, Kyo, Tohru and Yuki lean against the walls quietly. Almost simultaneously they pull their gowns off and are again, in their school uniforms. The girls uniform never really changed much, so the color of Tohru's outfit was the same, like mentioned earlier though, Kyo's and Yuki's uniform was black. Suddenly, Kyo bursts out laughing and the two of them stare at him curiously. "We did it huh? We showed everyone we could graduate and we did!" he exclaims trying to sound happy. Tohru nods many times before Kyo stops her by putting his hand on her head. "I bet your mother's proud of you…" he whispers to her. She smiles and nods once more, but this time she only shook her head up and down once. Yuki grins and pats Tohru on the shoulder as he silently agreed with Kyo.
Then, as if everything were back to normal, Kyo walks away from them and stands at a clearing nearly twenty feet away from the wall they were leaning against. Slowly, Kyo pulls his black school uniform shirt off and pulls his white training shirt on. He glances at Yuki. "You have to accept Yuki…. Fight me… just one more time…" Kyo says quietly.
Yuki nods and walks to the same clearing and stands about fifteen feet away from Kyo, just across from him. Tohru stood by and watched from her spot against the wall seeming worried about what they were about to do. "Kyo…promise me, that after this fight…you let me get a sentence in…" he calls to him as he set down his condition.
"Fine!" Kyo calls back to him, shifting into a readied stance. Yuki got into his own stance and it back.
Kyo ran at Yuki swiftly and began throwing punches left and right. He actually nailed him in the chest and face once or twice but missed with every kick that he had lunged at him desperately. Suddenly, Kyo stops dead in his tracks. Closing his eyes he began to think about his training. He opens his eyes, full of extra confidence and threw one of the last punches his body would allow. A loud 'thwack' filled the air. Everything was silent. Kyo dropped his head down, ashamed. Yuki had caught his fist, making his palm burn. "I…guess I really wasn't meant to be the Rat… I wasn't born to beat you. I was born to fail miserably…and ruin things…"
Out of kindness, Yuki pats Kyo's shoulder, releasing his fist. "Now…let me-." His voice faded as he realized that Kyo had dropped into another fighting stance. He sighs and gets ready.
"One more!" he exclaims sounding a bit like he was full of sorrow. Yuki nods giving in to Kyo's persistency.
He runs at Yuki and begins to throw furious punches. This time he was missing completely. Nothing had landed during this bout either. He was doing even worse then before and it was making him angry. He had caught my kick. He caught it during our training and when I attacked again and landed my kick he decided that it was time to continue my training. What did he teach me after that? Then, he began to believe he was able to hear Kazuma as he fought with Yuki for the second time. Kyo, to focus is one thing, but to stay focused is another. Concentrate on your target, not your enemy. Think of only your objective, not your anger. Believe you can fight, without releasing your fury. Everything he said had deeper meaning. He found himself able to understand all of it now. He was not to think about Yuki while he fought, but to think about who he was fighting -even if it was Yuki- as just a person he was sparring with. He should only think about what he was fighting for, and not fight blindly with his anger. I have to believe in myself and not fight ruthlessly.
Abruptly, Kyo spins around and whacks Yuki in the face with his left foot, leaving him on the ground before he had the chance to defend himself in any way. His jaw drops slightly as he realizes what he had just done. He stares at Yuki motionlessly and blinks many times- it felt like a million. "I… Did I… just beat Yuki?" he mutters now sounding slightly confused at this.
Tohru runs to the both of them, still in her cap and gown and looks at them. "You…you did it Kyo-kun!" She exclaims as she begins to help Yuki back to his feet. He wobbled around a little and held himself up by putting his hand on her shoulder. "You wont be locked up now! And… and you'll be able to become a member of the Juunishi!" Tohru cheers on happily, staggering over to Kyo with Yuki stumbling beside her. He smiles at her, and puts his hands at his own hips proudly, and looks at Yuki with a victorious grin.
Suddenly, from the door of the school, Akito approaches them with a large, mysterious grin crowning his face. Her mouth opens and she speaks with certitude in her tone, "There's a little problem…."
Dropping away from Tohru, Yuki looks at Akito breathlessly. The last word to escape his mouth were, "No…"
AHH! 'Aikyou' is over! AHH! Cliffhanger! Omg! I'm honestly crying right now. I feel like I could've made this story longer…but….I felt that 24 chapters felt just right. I hope everyone else feels the same. And, I give you all permission to bite my head off!
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