Kyo and Tohru boarded the bus that led to the countryside where her grandparent's home was located. They once more greeted the bus driver, who had been driving them to that particular location since Tohru had been going there. The first time was around New Years, when Kyo and Yuki had accompanied her to her family party. At the time Kyo had been pretending to be her boyfriend, while harboring secret affections for her. Of course that wonderful occasion had included Tai Ushida, one of Tohru's former friends, and Kyo's worst enemy next to his father. Just before Tohru and Kyo tied the knot and the Zodiac curse was almost solved, Tai had concocted a plot that involved Kyo's father, in order to get rid of the cursed boy and to obtain Tohru for himself. Luckily for the two sweethearts Yuki, Momiji, Rin, and Hatsuharu Sohma, managed to save Kyo just in the nick of time, to defeat the stubborn millionaire. Kyo frowned as the bus finally arrived at their destination. Tohru looked over at her husband as the bus drove off.
"Is everything all right Kyo?" she asked.
"Yea" he nodded his head brushing a hand threw his short orange hair and replacing his frown with a smile, "Come on" he took her hand gently, "I'll lead the way."
"Okay" she nodded as they began to walk up the hill towards the large gate that bore the name of Miyoshi.
As they walked past the first large gate, Tohru frowned herself, remembering the same time she was trapped in the large house, all thinks to Tai's evil scheme. But she also noticed that on the front of the gate was a For Sale sign. She scratched the back of her head as they arrived at the second large gate and Kyo knocked on the door. The servant who usually answered the door smiled as she opened it, and then led the young couple to the backyard area, where Tohru and Kyo saw that her grandparents were waiting for them by the swimming pool area. Serika Miyoshi, Tohru's grandmother was sitting at a table close to the pool wearing a beautiful lavender dress and was sipping some ice tea. Kousuke Miyoshi, the head of the family and Tohru's grandfather was drying off after having a swim in the large pool. Unlike her grandmother, he loved to swim and tried to do it in the summertime as often as he could. Her grandmother smiled and stood up as the two of them walked over.
"Oh Tohru darling" she replied, "I'm so glad that you could make it."
"We're happy to be here" Tohru said, "Thank you for inviting us."
"Oh not at all. And Kyo" she embraced him tightly, "When Tohru informed me that you were coming I have to say that Kousuke and I were just thrilled."
"Thank you Mrs. Miyoshi" Kyo replied with a smile but she shook her head.
"Now Kyo. Enough with that Mrs. Miyoshi stuff" she said as they all sat down and Mr. Miyoshi came over, "You can call me grandmother, just like Tohru."
"Uh" Kyo suddenly became nervous, "Okay. If you say so."
"Don't try to argue with her my boy" Mr. Miyoshi replied as he shook his hand, "You'll never win" he added with a smile and a wink.
"Okay sir" he nodded as Tohru stood up to embrace her grandfather warmly.
A couple moments later the two couples were sitting at the table, having a marvelous lunch and talking about everything that had been happening the past two months.
"So" Mr. Miyoshi said taking a cloth out to clean his glasses, "You both had a good time on the honeymoon? I'm glad to hear that."
"Yes sir" Kyo replied politely.
"I've been to Kyoto on a couple business trips, but I had no idea it was a popular place to have a vacation."
"Oh yes grandfather" Tohru nodded, "Lots of people go there for trips. In fact the first time that Kyo and I ever went was for a school trip right Kyo?"
"Yep" Kyo agreed, "It was the senior trip."
"Oh I see" Mr. Miyoshi nodded while his wife listened contently, "And how is everything going at your jobs?"
"Really well" Tohru grinned, "In fact I have off all of next week so I am looking forward to that."
"As for me" Kyo added, "The dojo is running very smoothly and so far I really am enjoying it."
"Yes" Mr. Miyoshi said, "Well you seemed to really enjoy the skill of Martial arts when I watched you in that match with Tai Ushida" Mr. Miyoshi suddenly frowned and then cleared his throat, "I hope you two don't mind, but I do have some business I have to take care of this afternoon, so I will excuse myself" he stood up, "I will see you both at dinner. In the meantime, it's the last month of summer. You should take advantage of a nice dip in the pool" he smiled picking up his towel, "It is quite relaxing" he leaned down and kissed his wife gently on the cheek and then departed as Tohru and Kyo both thanked him.
"Well" Mrs. Miyoshi turned to them, "Like Kousuke said, you two make yourselves at home" she rose, "I have some errands I wanted to run this afternoon as well, so I hope you'll pardon me?"
"It's okay grandmother" Tohru nodded, "We'll take grandfather's suggestion."
"Yea" Kyo said, "We brought our suits this time justin case."
"Wonderful" Mrs. Miyoshi smiled, "Well then I will see you two later. Enjoy your afternoon."
"We will" Kyo nodded bowing his head, "Thank you," he added as she left and the two of them were left alone.
Kyo turned to his wife with a smile.
"Well shall we?" he asked.
"Mhm" she agreed with a grin.
(Next Scene)
Tohru and Kyo quickly got ready and then met each other out by the pool. Since Kyo was the first one there, he had already climbed in and was waiting for her by the side of the pool. She smiled when she saw him and then knelt down, stroking his hair.
"Hey you."
"Hey" he grinned back.
"It's amazing" she replied.
"Huh?" he looked at her quizzically, "What is?"
"Just a year ago you hated the water because of your curse, and now look at you. I never would have imagined that you would be the first in the water."
"To be honest" Kyo said slowly, "I didn't hate the water. I always wanted to go in it, but growing up I wasn't allowed."
"What do you mean?" she asked with a sad face.
"My mom and my father both agreed that it would probably not be the best thing. So I was never permitted to swim like all the others. Do you know that the main house actually has a swimming pool?"
"It does?"
"Mhm. It's indoor though. I remember being about five years old. It was just before mom, well you know" he frowned, "I was standing outside the building for the pool, watching them. The damn rat and Haru and Kagura, Rin. All of them. It was the only thing that Akito allowed besides New Years for them to participate together in" Kyo lowered his head, "However, I was invited but I wasn't allowed to participate."
"Oh Kyo" Tohru said sadly.
"It really is all my father's fault though. Because after mom's death I wouldn't get in even if I could."
"How come?"
"Because my father, before I went to live with Master and even after would always scare me with stories about drowning and how water was evil and not to be trusted."
"But you're such an excellent swimmer Kyo" Tohru replied, "Where did you learn to swim if you had never been in a pool?"
Kyo smiled and then got a far off look in his eye.
"I never said I never went in."
"Huh?"
"One day it was kind of sunny out, real hot you know. It was two months after mom had died and I was still living with Hatori's family. My old man had nothing to do with me, but I got an unexpected visit. You see I never thought I'd see her again."
"Who?"
"Your mom" Kyo looked at Tohru directly as he continued to smile, "She came over to teach me how to swim. Somehow she had heard that I was interested and knew how badly I wanted to try. So with Hatori's fathers permission, keeping it a secret from my old man of course, she took me to a public pool and taught me how to swim."
"You learned only in one day?" Tohru asked a bit surprised but happy.
"I'm a fast learner and your mom was an excellent teacher. But what she told me as she was teaching me was really what made me strive to learn."
"What did she tell you?"
"She told me that she did learn to swim at a young age, but never enjoyed it. She didn't say why, but she did say" he smiled wider, "That she learned to enjoy swimming when she met my mom. I found out that my mom was a fantastic swimmer. One of the best in her high school. I was so surprised. I never knew that about my mom. That's why I wanted to learn. I wanted to know something, to be good at something that she was" Kyo turned back to Tohru with a look of gentleness, "Your mom took me out five more times after that and we practiced. Finally one day she said I was a good enough swimmer and that my mom would be proud."
"Wow" Tohru said, "How come you never told me about this?"
"I don't know. It just never occurred to me till you asked the question. I knew your mom so well. But that was the last time I did see her, because right after that I moved in with my Master."
"Mhm" Tohru nodded, "My mom taught me how to swim too. I'm afraid though" Tohru grinned sheepishly, "I'm still no good at it."
"That's okay" Kyo replied wrapping his arms around her, "You're better at much better stuff. Like cooking for example. No one can cook like my wife can."
"Oh Kyo you're teasing me" she laughed.
He joined in and the two of them continued to laugh as Tohru's cousin Takao approached the pool quite surprised to see the two of them.
"Tohru? Kyo?"
"Takao" Tohru said with a smile, "This is a nice surprise."
"Tell me about it" Takao smiled back warmly, "I had no idea you two were coming this weekend" he climbed into the pool since he was also wearing his swimsuit, "Good to see you" he embraced Tohru and then shook Kyo's hand, "I hope you're treating her right?" he raised an eyebrow jokingly.
"Of course" Kyo nodded as Tohru told him that she had to run to the ladies room.
When Tohru departed Kyo leaned back on the wall, while Takao swam nearby.
"So Kyo" he began, "How's married life?"
"It's going really well" Kyo smiled, "How about you? What are you doing now?"
"Me? I help my father in grandfather's company. It's not much but it helps to pay for my college tuition."
"So you're working and going to college?" Kyo asked surprised, "That must be a lot of work."
"It's not that bad" Takao shook his head, "Besides I don't really know what I want to do yet, so I am just taking the basics right now."
"Oh? And what about your brother? Is he doing the same?"
At this question Takao suddenly frowned and shook his head.
"Actually, Riku moved out about a month ago. He was offered the same opportunity as I was by father and grandfather but he refused. He said he had another job already lined up for him."
"Another job?" Kyo said with a raise of his eyebrows.
"Yea" Takao nodded angrily, "It turns out that Tai Ushida has hired him as part of his new company."
"But wait" Kyo stopped him, "I thought Tai works for your grandfather?"
"Mnm. He quit just a month before your wedding. He started up his own company after that. He even had his mansion sold and moved back to the city. When Riku made his decision he really angered my grandfather and my parents, not to mention me. I haven't spoken to him since."
"I'm sorry" Kyo shook his head, "I had no idea."
"It's no big deal" Takao tried to grin, "My brother made his choice and I made mine. If that's the way it's got to be, then that's it. There's no point in arguing with him."
"I see" Kyo nodded as Tohru returned.
"Hey guys" she replied, "What are you talking about?"
(Next Scene)
"Oh" Tohru said on the bus when they had departed her grandparents home for the city, "That's why I saw that sign on Tai's fence. It would also explain why my Uncle Tenchi seemed so tense tonight."
"Yea" Kyo agreed, "But it's not something any of us can change though right?"
"That's true" Tohru nodded, "But still I feel terrible for them to lose Riku like that."
"Hey he chose his path" Kyo said angrily, "And if he chooses to go with that loser Ushida, then it's his decision."
Tohru nodded her head again slowly, but she could see that somehow Kyo was blaming himself for the disturbance in the Miyoshi family. But rather then bring it up, she leaned her head on his shoulder and placed her hand in his to make him feel more secure.
When they arrived home Kyo walked into the apartment silently, patted Kyoko briefly on the head and then walked into the bedroom saying he was tired, and even though it was still kind of early, Tohru didn't argue with him. She watched him go in, and then with a heavy sigh she walked over to the couch and laid down her head on the pillow contemplating all she had heard that day about Riku's decision. Soon it was after midnight and the weary girl, herself went to bed.
Later that same night Tohru woke up and realized that Kyo wasn't lying in bed next to her. She rose up and looked around the room. She got out of bed and opened the door to the room quietly. As she peered out she noticed his figure at the table, sitting in the dark and staring down at his hands. But rather than say anything she closed the door behind just as quietly as she had opened it and thought.
"That's not the first time I have seen him like this" she said to herself, "This has been happening a lot lately. Ever since we got back from the honeymoon in fact" she frowned, "I wonder what it is. I know he's tired, but he just doesn't seem to sleep at all except at weird times of the day" she shook her head sadly and climbed back into bed, eager to push her worries about Kyo out of her mind, so she wouldn't have to admit to herself that something was wrong.
(Next Scene)
The very next morning Tohru was in the kitchen making breakfast, waiting for Kyo to awaken. He had finally come back to bed around five in the morning. He had slowly sunk into bed, careful to not awake her, but what he didn't know was that she was already awake. Wide-awake and very worried, because even though he had come back, she still could tell that he could not fall asleep. She lowered her head as she heard someone knock on the door. Once more pushing her thoughts aside she walked over to answer it. When she opened the door she was greatly surprised and immediately jumped into his arms.
"Yuki!" she cried.
He laughed as he embraced her back and Kyo came out of the bedroom, equally stunned to see him since he stopped in the middle of the room to stare at him.
"Damn rat?" he whispered.
"Hello Kyo, Tohru" Yuki said as she pulled away, "It's good to see you both again."
"Well come on in" Tohru pulled his arm and walked him over to the table, "Why didn't you tell us you were back in town?" she asked excitedly as he sat down and Kyo walked over and took the his usual seat.
"I kind of wanted it to be a surprise" Yuki grinned.
"Well you succeeded there" Kyo frowned slightly at the sight of his old rival, "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I'm visiting" Yuki said simply continuing to smile, "You're just one of my first stops before I return to the main house. I got your address from Shigure, I hope that's all right?"
"Oh it's more than all right" Tohru nodded, "We have so much to catch up on. Why don't you give me a few moments to get ready and then we can all go out to get something to eat to celebrate."
"An excellent idea Tohru" Yuki agreed, "Go right ahead and we'll wait here. I need to talk to Kyo anyway."
As Yuki said this Kyo's eyes shot open and he watched him suspiciously as Tohru departed from the room. Afterwards he turned to his cousin and eyed him.
"All right you damn rat" he replied, "Tell me what you're really doing here?"
"So" Yuki said slowly, "You know that I am here for another reason?"
"It's written all over your face. I may not care for you much, but I do know when you are lying to hide orspare something from Tohru. So spill. What's going on?"
"You're right Kyo" Yuki nodded, "I have come here for an important reason and I have to ask you an important question" he looked at the former cat straight in the eye.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! Thanks for the great reviews! I have decided since I am not quite done with my Ranma fan fiction yet, that I will alternate between my weeks. So "Curse Renewed" will pick up again on the twenty-fourth of May while the Ranma chapters will be out next week! Just so you know! See you then!
Next Chapter:
Chapter Three: The Bodyguard
Yuki discovers a common situation between him and Kyo and decides to stick around town a little longer than he first intended. It turns out it may be his best decision, because an old enemy rears his ugly head once more causing problems for Kyo not only at home but at work as well. Find out what happens next time!