Part Two:

After the first week of tutoring Katsuya became much more relaxed in his decision to help Stephanie. She was improving rather quickly on her Japanese so it made it very simple to teach her, so much so that by the time they reached her second week at Suichi Nakamura high school, she could speak complete sentences, well almost. So far only Sakura and his best friend Soujiro knew about the sessions so that made it easier also. It was a sunny Friday afternoon as the two of them walked to her house once more for the last tutoring session of the week. As they walked she suddenly turned to him with a quizzical look on her face so that he had no choice but to look back.

"Can I ask you a question?" she said.

"Sure" he nodded, "What is it?"

"Well I was just wondering, why is it that you decided to help me like this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well I have heard a lot about you" she began making him freeze up.

"Heard about me in what way?"

"I heard you have quite the popularity following with the girls. In fact you are known to be one of the most eligible catches in the whole school."

"Mmm" he thought to himself, "Sakura I am going to kill you. Look that's all their doing," he said trying to shake it off, "That's notmy fault" he added in a panicky voice.

"Hmm?"

"I never asked for it" he replied then sighed, "It's true about all that. But it's not like I initiated any of it. Those girls just have a huge crush on me. But I have never ever been interested in any of them or dating for that matter. Oh I hope that's not what you think I'm doing this for?" he suddenly turned to her with a worried expression.

"Huh? Of course not" she grinned.

"What?"

"I don't think that at all. You don't seem like the type of person who would act that way. I was just curious on your reasons for helping me, that's all."

"Oh" Katsuya sighed again this time in relief, "That's good" he said as they continued to walk, "To tell you the truth I'm not really sure why I wanted to do this, except you were in trouble and I felt compelled to help you."

"Hmm. That's awful sweet of you" she smiled kindly making his heart melt once more.

"Good" he grinned as they finally arrived at their destination and walked through the gate, "Well let's get started."

(Next Scene)

Once more they sat in the sitting room learning and teaching the Japanese language. Katsuya observed as they worked that the house seemed much more quiet then it normally did, considering that Sophie was usually around making noise upstairs. As they reached the final hour of the session, Stephanie stretched and suggested they call it for a day. As she walked Katsuya to the door, the phone rang and she picked it up.

"Hello. Oh hi Sophie. Oh don't worry about me. You have a good time. Okay. I'll see you tonight" Stephanie said as Kaye listened in concerned, "All right. Good bye" she replied as she hung up the phone, "That was Sophie" she said to him, "She's staying over a friend's for dinner. So I guess I am on my own tonight, since Sam is also out."

"Huh?" Kaye's eyebrows rose as he thought, "She's alone? That doesn't seem right."

"But" he began.

"What's the matter?" she asked, "You have that same expression on your face."

"What expression?"

"The same one you had on the last time I mentioned dinner arrangements with my family."

"Oh. Well" he said, "The thing is. Miss Kamiya. I was wondering" he replied nervously, "If you don't mind that is, would you like to have dinner with me and my family tonight?"

"What?" she looked at him surprised.

"I'm sure it would be no trouble. I just don't like the idea of someone eating alone."

"You're inviting me over to your house? For dinner?"

"Well. Yea."

"Are you sure that no one will mind?" she asked a bit worried.

"No way. My mom loves company. And the fact that you're from America will make her even more happy to have you over. We have a few people from your country who married into our family actually."

"Oh really?"

"Yea. So it's no trouble. I'll call my mom right now and let her know that I am bringing someone home for dinner. That is if you want to go?" he added since she hadn't answered yet.

"Well" she considered the offer and then smiled, "I'd love to."

"Great" he smiled back.

"I'm just gonna go get changed. Why don't you call your mom while I do that?" she replied as she moved towards the stairs.

"Okay" he nodded picking up the phone as she ran upstairs, "Mom. It's me" he began.

(Next Scene)

When they arrived at the house Katsuya carefully opened the door and glanced in.

"Okay. Come on in" he replied.

"What were you looking for?" she asked as she came into the spacious hallway.

"Uh. Nothing" he lied although he knew perfectly well who he was looking out for, "It's nothing" he replied taking off his shoes.

She did the same and then they heard some pounding feet as Takara bounced into the area, running towards him.

"Kaye! You're home!" she shouted as she leapt into his arms knocking him down with her embrace.

"Whoa!" he said and then laughed out loud as Stephanie watched the interaction amused, "Takara. Get off. I want you to meet somebody" he replied gently.

"Okay" she nodded as they both stood up and she looked at the pretty brunette.

"Takara this is Miss Kamiya" he said, "Miss Stephanie Kamiya" Takara nodded as he turned to the other girl, "Miss Kamiya this is my cousin Takara. She's ten."

"Well hello Takara" Stephanie leaned down slightly, "It's nice to meet you."

"Very nice to meet you too" Takara bowed her head politely as her eyes shone brightly.

She turned to Katsuya and smiled up at him.

"Aunt Tohru didn't say that you were bringing a girl home for dinner."

"Uh" he blushed.

"I assumed you were just bringing Soujiro."

"Not exactly" he chuckled nervously, "Is Sakura here yet?" he whispered.

"Mnm. Not yet. I think she's at the dojo with Uncle Kyo."

"Good. Takara can you do me a favor?"

"Sure Kaye. Anything" she replied.

"I need to go get changed and then help mom in the kitchen. Do you mind entertaining our guest?"

"Sure!" she shouted elated, "Not at all!"

"I hope that's okay?" he chuckled slightly at her enthusiasm as he glanced at Stephanie.

"That's fine" she nodded with a smile.

C'mon! Let's go" Takara said taking her hand and leading her to the sitting room as Katsuya walked to his own room to change.

A couple of moments later he walked past the sitting room and saw that Takara was demonstrating some of her baton twirling moves for Stephanie so he headed for the kitchen where he spotted his mother already working on dinner.

"Hey mom" he replied with a smile.

"Welcome home Kaye" she said smiling back, "Where's your guest?"

"In the sitting room with Takara."

"You should be out there too" Tohru replied.

"No. I got to help with the side dish for dinner remember? She'll be all right."

"She'll? You mean Soujiro's not out there?" she asked surprised.

"Not exactly" he shook his head and then began to tell his mother about the situation.

"Aw. The poor dear. Well then we're more than happy to have her."

"That's what I told her," he said as he finished stirring the side dish, "Would you like to meet her?" he asked.

"As soon as we're done here" she nodded, "I'd love to. Why don't you go tell Takara to start setting the table."

"Okay" he agreed wiping his hands on a dishtowel and heading into the sitting room.

He was astonished to see that not only were Takara and Stephanie in the room, but by this point Sakura and his Uncle Yuki as well. After asking Takara to go set the table and getting a knowing look from his sister, to which he frowned at her, he sat down next to Stephanie as Yuki departed to change.

"I'm sorry if they're asking too many questions" he replied.

"Oh no. That's okay. Your sister and I are already good friends at school and your Uncle seems like such a nice guy. Does he live here with you?"

'Yea" Kaye nodded, "He and Takara have lived with us since her mother passed away. Just after she was born."

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"No it's all right" Kaye interrupted, "Any way they have lived with us ever since."

"Oh okay. By the way what were you doing just now?"

"I was helping my mom with the side dish for dinner. I do it every night."

"You like to cook?"

"Yea. Why do you sound so surprised?"

"Well you hardly meet a guy who does, that's all."

"Oh. Oh hey mom" he replied as Tohru came into the room with a warn smile and he introduced them to each other.

(Next Scene)

Dinner that evening was very entertaining what with Takara's animated voice. Tohru and Kyo were interested in their guest and asked a lot of questions about her background, dropping hints here and there about their son, making Katsuya's face blush so much that by the end of the evening he felt completely embarrassed. As he walked her to the door, the family saw them off. Takara was the first to say goodbye.

"I hope you come back Stephy" she replied sweetly.

"Stephy?" Stephanie's eyes became soft at her cute voice.

"Mhm."

"She gives everyone a nickname," Katsuya explained.

"Oh well. I'd love to come back. I had a wonderful time."

"And we'd love to have you back" Tohru replied, "Anytime you want to come over Miss Kamiya, you're more than welcome here" she said as Kyo nodded.

"Thank you Mrs. Sohma. Mr. Sohma." Stephanie bowed her head politely, "And thank you for allowing me to spend the evening with your family."

"It was our pleasure" Kyo said, "Do come again," he added as Yuki nodded.

"Mhm" she nodded back bowing her head to him this time.

"I'm gonna walk her home" Katsuya replied opening the door after Takara had embraced her tightly and they had put on their shoes.

"See you at school tomorrow!" Sakura waved.

"Okay" Stephanie nodded for a third time as they walked out the door, "Thanks again."

Well I'll be" Kyo said as they closed the door and began walking down the street, "She's a real sweet girl."

"I'll say. She sort of reminds me of Tohru" Yuki nodded.

"I really like her" Tohru agreed as Sakura and Takara nodded their heads in unison, "And what's even better, I think Kaye likes her too."

(Next Scene)

The walk back to Stephanie's house was somewhat quiet till Katsuya broke the silence.

"I hope my family wasn't too embarrassing tonight?"

"No not at all. I had a wonderful time. I didn't exaggerate."

"Oh?"

"It's not everyday you meet such a close family. They're all wonderful. You're truly lucky."

"Yea. I know" he grinned, "I really am. Well they all seem to like you. They couldn't stop asking questions."

She laughed and smiled as they reached the gate and walked inside.

"It was awful cute of your cousin to give me a nickname also."

"I hope you don't mind that. But consider it a compliment" he said as they stopped at the door.

"I don't mind. She's so adorable and she really loves you. I can tell."

"Yea. She is. I love her too. She's my buddy."

"You seem really close with all your family. Especially your mom."

"Mhm. Sakura has always had a closer relationship with my father andIhave always had one with my mother."

"Well" she replied, "Thank you again for inviting me over for dinner Mr. Sohma."

"You're welcome. But you know what, I think that maybe we have gotten to know each another enough to call one another by our first names now don't you?"

"Why I do believe you're right" she nodded with another smile, "In that case. Thank you Katsuya" she said gently, "For a wonderful evening."

"No problem" he blushed slightly when she said his name, "Um one more thing" he said as she turned to go inside.

"Mhm" she looked back.

"I don't suppose you have seen much of Kyoto yet have you?"

"Mnm. Not at all."

"Well I was wondering if, since we only have half a day tomorrow, would you like to go on a tour of it with me?"

"You want to show me Kyoto?" she asked somewhat excited.

"Well yea. If you want to."

"That sounds like fun. Okay" she nodded.

"Really?"

"Mhm. I'd love to."

"Okay then" he grinned, "Then we can go after school tomorrow. I'll pick you up around one."

"Great" she smiled once more as the door suddenly opened abruptly, "Sam?"

Her older brother Sam stood inthedoorway, his eyes glaring behind his glasses at Katsuya. His brown hair was a bit untidy because moments before he had been lying on his bed reading a book.

"Who are you?" Sam asked him not even glancing at his sister.

"I uh" Katsuya stammered at his reaction.

"It's all right," Stephanie said a bit angrily toward her brother, "Sam. This is a friend. Katsuya Sohma. He's been helping me with my Japanese and tonight he invited me over his house for dinner since I was all alone."

"Uh hi" Katsuya squeaked out.

"Sohma huh?" Sam's nose crinkledhis mouthstill frowning, "Yea. I've heard all about you."

"Would you go wait inside," Stephanie replied irritably pushing her brother back inside the door and closing it, "I'm sorry about that. My brother's just a bit overprotective," she said to Katsuya.

"Oh no. It's all right. I'm a brother so I know how that feels. I got to get going anyway."

"Okay" she nodded, "Well thank you again Katsuya. I had a great time."

"Me too. Stephanie" he said after a pause since he was so used to using her last name, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye!" she waved as she opened the door and walked inside, "You're unbelievable!" she replied angrily to her brother who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"I'm just looking out for you" Sam retorted.

"Well I didn't ask you to did I?"

"She's right Sam" Sophie said since she had seen everything, "You shouldn't have done that."

"Oh be quiet pipsqueak" he frowned as he trudged back upstairs.

"Stupid brother!" Sophie stuck out her tongue and then turned to her sister, "So did you have fun?"

"Mhm" Stephanie nodded with a smile, "I had the best time."

(Next Scene)

As Katsuya came back through the door he saw that Takara was the only one waiting for him on the other side.

"Hey Kaye."

"What are you still doing here princess?" he asked as he squatted down.

"I wanted to tell you something before anyone else."

"Huh?"

"She's great," she whispered.

"What?"

"I really like her Kaye."

"You know what" Katsuya nodded as she took his hand and led him into the sitting room for the remainder of their story, "So do I Takara. So do I."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay you guys! Here's the second part. I've decided to write the last three chapters of the week tomorrow and Saturday so look for them then! Hope you enjoyed it! See you tomorrow!

Next Chapter:

Chapter Four: Another Ushida?

And you thought they were gone? But now the offspring of Tai Ushida are causing trouble in Suichi Nakamura high school. Find out what happens when Sakura and Stephanie meet the two brothers on an unplanned encounter.