Authors Note: This chapter is split up into sections by date. It will be like that until the twins are born. Just so you know! Okay on with the chapter!
Chapter Eleven: Kagura's Predicament
January 23Kyo climbed out of the truck a bit wearily that Thursday morning. Tohru's morning sickness had gotten worse since Christmas time and he spent many nights helping her out, as well as not getting sleep himself. All in all though, he was still very excited to be a father of twins that he could hardly hide the smile on his face. As of the start of the year, Tai Ushida had given the dojo almost no problems at all, but of course Kyo knew the only reason that was, was because his dojo was opening up in three more months and he was busy signing up new customers. Despite the Diamond dojo's reputation however, the members of Kazuma's dojo had remained faithful.
As Kyo walked into the building to get prepared for his class, he thought about his pretty little wife at home waiting for him. At the insistence of not only Kyo and Yuki, but Momiji's father as well, she was now training Andie, Momiji's fiancée to take her place as secretary when she quit her job in three more months, so she could stay home with their future children. Yuki had remained in town, debating on whether to go back to Kyoto for the remainder of his business courses but was also toying with the idea of taking classes right in town, considering that Tohru was now home, and it would be a very vulnerable time for her to be alone in case a certain someone was to rear his ugly head again.
Kyo stopped by his master's office like he did every morning to pay his respects. Kazuma was sitting at his desk reading another one of Shigure's latest novels when Kyo popped his head through.
"Good morning Master" Kyo grinned.
"Good morning Kyo" Kazuma smiled, "You look real happy this morning."
"And why shouldn't I be?" Kyo smiled even more placing his hands on his hips; "I have a beautiful wife and two wonderful children on the way. Life can not possibly get any better than this."
"Speaking of which" Kazuma replied, "There was something I wanted to discuss with you Kyo."
"Is everything okay?" Kyo asked with a look of concern on his face.
"Oh yes it's nothing serious" Kazuma reassured him, "It's just important."
"Okay" Kyo nodded, "Well I guess I can talk to you after classes today."
"All right. We'll talk then."
"Kay" Kyo nodded again as he opened the door, "See you later" he replied as he closed the door behind him and stood in front of it for a brief moment, "I wonder what's wrong now?" he said to himself a bit worried as he hurried off to his first class.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile at the apartment Tohru and Yuki were sitting in the kitchen as she did the dishes from the morning breakfast. Yuki was perusing the paper as she finished up the last dish.
"So Yuki" she said, "Have you decided where you are going to school yet?"
"Um" Yuki shook his head slightly, "I'm not sure yet. Not quite. I mean Machi is going to be in Paris for at least another year, so I do have the option of staying in the city longer."
"Wow a year? That's got to be rough."
"It's okay. At least I got to see her for Christmas and New Years."
"But I'm sure you miss her."
"Oh yea terribly. When is your last day of work?" he asked curiously as she came over.
"Um two months from now. Andie's in training so that's what I have been doing lately."
"Have you and Kyo thought of names for the babies yet?"
"Mmm. We've talked about it, but not really" Tohru said as she sat down and ran her fingers through a strand of her hair, "Knowing us" she giggled a little, "We'll probably come up with the names right on the spot."
"That won't be so bad" Yuki grinned as he picked up his cup and took a sip.
"What would you name them?" Tohru asked.
"Huh?" Yuki looked up, "Oh. I don't know. That would be kind of difficult. But if it was a girl, I'm quite partial to the name Takara."
"Really?"
"Yea I have been ever since we went into that dream world. Hey if you have a daughter that looks like you, that would be a perfect name."
"Maybe. But I'm hardly anything like Princess Takara."
"That's true" Yuki nodded.
"Besides I wouldn't want to take your name. You should save it for whenever you have a daughter" she suggested.
"If I ever have one" Yuki replied a bit sullenly averting his eyes.
"Huh?"
"Never mind" he turned back to her with a smile, "Are there any other chores you need help with today?" he said changing the subject so Tohru simply shook her head and dropped it.
(Next Scene)
Later that day, Kyo walked to Kazuma's office once more worried then ever that the news he was going to hear was going to bad news. As he entered the office he moved in slowly.
"Master?" he called.
"Kyo" Kazuma smiled as he entered in. He was sitting at a small sitting table drinking a cup of tea. "Come on in. I was just having a cup of tea would you like some?"
"No thanks" Kyo shook his head as he came over and sat down, "You said there was something important that you wanted to talk to me about."
"Yes" Kazuma nodded, "There is."
"Okay" Kyo said, "But could you tell me first, ifit is bad news?"
Kazuma chuckled and then turned to him with a grin. "What's with the face Kyo? I assure youthis isn't going to hurt."
"So it's not bad news?"
"No. But it is important" Kazuma emphasized.
"Okay" Kyo sighed in relief, "I think I can handle that. What's up?"
"Well as you know Kyo, some day you are going to inherit this dojo. I've been doing a lot of thinking, pretty much since I found out that Tohru was pregnant and even more so when I found out that it was going to be twins. The thing is your apartment is so small for all of you."
"I know" Kyo nodded, "But we'll make it work."
"You won't have to" Kazuma shook his head, "You see I have decided to retire at the end of three months."
"Retire? Why?"
"I'm ready to. I've been doing this a long time Kyo. I think it's time I settle down somewhere and live the rest of my life in peace."
"But you're the best martial arts master in all of Tokyo. If you're not around, people will rely on stupid places like the Diamond dojo."
"Not really. I am not closing the dojo Kyo. I am passing on to you."
"Huh? Me? Now?"
"Yes now. Why not now? I think you're ready to take on this place. You have been for a long time."
"But I don't know anything about finances or running a business. I suck at the kind of stuff."
"I know that. But you do know someone that doesn't. In fact he's very good at it I hear. He could probably help you to get this dojo back on its feet. "
"You're not suggesting who I think you are suggesting are you?" Kyo frowned slightly.
"I haven't asked him yet" Kazuma chuckled with a twinkle in his eye, "I suppose I should leave that up to you."
"But I don't understand. If you're not going to be running this place what are you going to do?"
"Well" Kazuma leaned his head back, "I have always wanted to retire to somewhere somewhat remote, but still close enough to the city. Down in Kyoto the Sohma's just happen to own a lot of property and I do have a house down there."
"Oh yea right. But wait. You're going to move out of your house too?"
"That's the other part of the deal Kyo."
"What do you mean?"
"Well the dojo and the house are both joint property. Therefore you inherit the dojo, you inherit the house as well."
"Are you serious?" Kyo's eyes were about to pop out of his head.
"Mhm. I can sign the dojo over to you in three months. You and Tohru can move out of that small apartment of yours and raise your children in your old home."
"But master" Kyo shook his head, "We can't do that. I mean you have already given us so much as it is. First of all you gave me a job here. Then you helped us get our apartment. I can't ask you to do anything like this. It's just too much."
"You're not asking. I am telling. And to be quite frank Kyo, it's my property I can do what I want with it. The house is all paid off. All you would have to pay for is the gas and electric."
"But" Kyo started to protest.
"Kyo" Kazuma replied as he stood up, "I am not taking no for an answer. I want you to take the house and raise your family within it's walls. I have always intended to give it to you. And this is the perfect time."
"Master" Kyo said slowly, "I don't know what to say. This means so much. I" Kyo stopped and stood up so that he was face to face with the older man, "Tohru's not going to accept, but as for me. I" Kyo couldn't finish. Instead he just wrapped his arms around the man and embraced him tightly, "I can't thank you enough."
"I would do anything for you my son" Kazuma replied as they pulled away, "You're going to be a wonderful father."
"What about you" Kyo said with a smile, "You're going to be a great grandfather."
"What?" Kazuma's eyes became wide.
"You'd better believe it. Tohru's parents are both dead and my mother is dead. You raised me. No one else deserves the title more than you."
"Kyo."
"But I have to ask. Why do you do this stuff for me?"
"Because I love you. And I love Tohru. I have never kids of my own and you two are pretty much it. Besides I made myself a promise."
"What's that?"
"I promised myself that I would take care of you both in Katsuya, Kyoko, and Sakura's place."
Kyo smiled once more and then the two of them were silent until Kyo departed saying he had to hurry home to tell Tohru the good news.
(Next Scene)
Tohru was surprised and elated by the news of the house, but just as Kyo had expected she was afraid to accept. However after a brief reassurance from Yuki and a number of reasons from Kyo to take the house, she finally agreed. Later that evening she went to bed early and Kyo and Yuki were left alone in the living room.
"So" Yuki replied, "You're getting the dojo in three months."
"Yea" Kyo nodded, "Um" he scratched the back of his head nervously, "Can I ask you."
"Yes" Yuki looked at him directly.
"Well. Here's the thing. Have you decided whether you are going back to school or not. Or where for that matter?"
"No. As of yet I haven't decided anything. Why?"
"Well. Inheriting the dojo is great but there are a lot of aspects of running that place that I'm not good at, so I was wondering if um. If you're not busy that is."
"Kyo" Yuki interrupted him, "Are you asking me to help you?"
"Well to put it bluntly. Yes. I am. I need help financial wise and stuff like that."
"Oh well I would be happy to help. But" Yuki grinned mischievously.
"But?"
"You haven't asked me properly yet."
"Fine" Kyo said through slightly gritted teeth, "Yuki would you assist me as my new financial and business advisor for the dojo?"
"That wasn't so hard was it?" Yuki replied sarcastically.
"You haven't answered me!" Kyo practically shouted a bit frustrated.
"Kyo. I was going to help you in the first place. Master Kazuma talked to me over the holidays."
"Then why did I have to ask you?"
"Because I love watching you grovel" Yuki smiled as he stood up from the couch to walk into the kitchen.
"You're lucky that Tohru let's you sleep on our couch you damn rat" Kyo said angrily.
"Whatever stupid cat. I will help you with your books all right?"
"Okay. We can't pay you right away but."
"Don't even worry about it" Yuki shook his head, "This is family. For now I can do this for free."
"Thanks."
"Hey anyway to save the old dojo and rub it in Tai Ushida's face."
Kyo smiled and chuckled lightly as he said goodnight and walked into his bedroom to go to bed.
(Next Scene)
February 12Kyo knocked on the door with a tap and then walked into the cluttered room. In the center of the mess Yuki was examining all the files of the dojo.
"How's it going?" Kyo asked as he handed Yuki a cup of tea.
"Well" Yuki replied, "It's not going as bad as I thought it would. I mean Master Kazuma's done pretty well with the books all these years. But your filing system is way outdated. We'll have to do something about that."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Getting a computer for one and if you don't mind, I kind of would like to use this small room as my office."
"Sure. But we can put you in a bigger room."
"No this is fine" Yuki shook his head, "I think I still have my old computer at the main house, so I can pick it up and revamp it for this place. Meanwhile, I'm going to move some stuff this afternoon and grab that dusty desk over there" he pointed into the right hand corner of the room, "So I have somewhere to sit."
"Okay. Well if there is anything you need let Kunimitsu know, he's at the front desk. I got class so I got to run."
"Okay" Yuki nodded leafing through a manila folder, "See you later" he added as Kyo closed the door.
About an hour later, Yuki had pulled the desk in the center of the room, dusted it off, and placed the phone there in case anyone called since Kunimitsu had asked him to watch the phones during lunchtime. As he sat there, the phone rang and he picked it up.
"Hello Yuki Sohma."
"Um" a small voice replied.
"Hello?"
"Yuki. It's Kagura."
"Kagura?" Yuki's eyebrows rose, "Hi. How are you?"
"Um I'm all right. Listen I was looking for Master Kazuma is he there? Is he available?"
"Uh no. He's busy right now with a class. Is there something I can help you with?"
"No. No" she replied a bit nervously, "I probably shouldn't have called."
"Kagura what's going on? We haven't seen you for months" he said concerned, "We didn't even see you at New Years during the Zodiac banquet."
"Oh I know" she replied trying to be cheerful, "I've just been real busy."
"Busy doing what?"
"Um I can't talk anymore Yuki" she said in a hurry, "I got to go."
"Wait" Yuki started to say but he heard the dial tone, "Kagura? Hello?" he clicked the phone, "She hung up" he replied to himself with a frown as Kyo came back into the room.
"Hey damn rat" Kyo said but then he saw his face, "What's the matter? Is there a problem with the books?"
"No the books are fine. But I just got a weird phone call."
"From who? From Ushida?" Kyo suddenly became angry.
"No actually. It was Kagura."
"Kagura?"
"She sounded really weird Kyo."
"I wouldn't worry about it" Kyo shrugged it off.
"Oh yea. Don't you think it's kind of strange that no one including her mother hasn't seen her for months? I mean the last time we saw her was your wedding."
"So? That's just the way Kagura is. She goes with the flow. When she wants to make an appearance she will."
"I don't know Kyo. She sounded unhappy. And I am not sure if I can just accept that she's just fine."
"Well what are you going to do about it?" Kyo crossed his arms.
"I don't know. But maybe I can find out where she was calling from" he picked the phone back up.
"Trust me. Maybe you should just leave well enough alone. But of course it's your choice. I am on my way out. Do you want a ride home?"
"No. I'll meet you back there."
"Suit yourself" Kyo nodded departing the room, "But really I think you should just leave her be."
"My gut is telling me to do otherwise" Yuki shook his head.
"Okay" Kyo said, "See you later. I would help but" he turned back around.
"No I understand. You have a lot on your plate right now. I'll try to find her myself."
"It's not like I don't care" Kyo added.
"I know Kyo" Yuki nodded a bit irritated, "Go home. I'll handle it."
Kyo agreed and finally walked out the door as Yuki got the operator on the line.
"Yes I need to find a number please" he replied politely, "Yes. It's very important."
(To be continued…)
Authors Note: Another chapter that ended up being two parts! You guys will get part two and Chapter Twelve tomorrow. Also I changed the Chapter title since I thought the other one was so bland. Anyway I hope you enjoyed it!
Next Part: Yuki finally is able to track down Kagura and gets a few surprises. Surprises that will change the Sohma family in the future!