Village of Hibe, Aomori prefecture

November, Sachiko's 2nd year of high school

28 years after graduation.

Sachiko is 16 years old.

"Your mom wants what?"

Sachiko didn't know whether she ought to be amused or offended by her boyfriend Takashi's response to her question as the two of them made their way from the Matsuda Dojo to the Hibe bus station. It was a Sunday, so Sachiko herself hadn't had karate class; Takashi did, however, and she'd run up to the dojo to catch him and relay Tohru's request.

In the end, amusement won out, though she did give his arm a rather sharp poke. "What's with the shock, Taka? Aren't you the one who wanted to tell Daddy, like...the day we decided to go steady?"

He promptly swatted away her hand. "Yeah, I did, but that was different, Sachi. I see Sensei Sohma at the dojo all the time and we're in one of his classes together, no shit I wanted to say something! And even so, everyone was giving me crap about it," he said, rubbing his head awkwardly. "But that's Sensei Sohma, Sachi, not your mom. Or dinner."

"And what's wrong with my mom, or dinner?" she prodded, and Takashi squirmed slightly.

"You don't think it's too soon?"

"Again, Taka, you decided to tell Daddy."

"Tell him! Not have dinner with him!"

She rolled her eyes, then hesitated before smiling. "Look, if you're not ok with it, it's fine, Taka, I promise. Mom's not gonna be offended, she just...really likes feeding people," Sachiko said with a giggle. "But she does wanna meet you, properly," she stressed. "Yeah, it's early, but seeing as how Daddy knows you...she wants a chance to meet you, too."

Takashi was studying Sachiko suspiciously. "You're actually serious, and not just screwing with me?"

"I'd never screw with anybody when it comes to dinner with Mom," Sachiko said virtuously. "We take meals very seriously in the Sohma household."

Takashi thought for a little bit, then exhaled. "Ok, lemme see what I can do. Probably not until next week, though, after the Culture Fest. Is that gonna be ok?"

"Honestly? Mom'd probably be happy having a convenience store bento picnic with you at the bus stop right now, but I think next week'll be fine. Friday? After karate?"

"Pretty sure that'll work, just lemme make sure."

"Ok! And once you're sure...I'll tell my mom."

Just under two weeks later, Tohru was humming happily to herself as she stood at the kitchen counter, deftly slicing through vegetables and arranging them neatly on large platter. The vegetables were soon joined by broiled tofu, and Tohru had just turned around to turn off the stove when she heard the front door open.

"Welcome home!" she immediately called out, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "And welcome to our home, Takashi!"

"Hi Mom!"

"Thanks for having me, Mrs. Sohma."

Tohru beamed as she looked over at the entryway, where Kyo, Sachiko, and Takashi were all taking off their shoes and hanging up their coats. Then after a moment Kyo was on his way over to her, smiling as he gave her their customary kiss of greeting.

"Sauce smells great, Tohru," he said, looking around the kitchen. "You still need any help with anything?"

"Nope!" she said, smiling cheerfully. "I thought you'd all be pretty hungry when you got here, so I wanted to make sure everything was ready to go. Though if you wouldn't mind starting the stove?"

"On it," he said, grabbing the bottle of oil and bringing it over to the table where Tohru had already set up the portable stove.

As he did that, Tohru turned to look at the two teenagers, particularly Takashi. He looked a little hesitant, and a little awkward; she supposed she shouldn't be surprised, considering he'd never actually been inside their house before. She could very well imagine he'd find it intimidating, being around Kyo like this!

It didn't occur to her at all that he might also be intimidated by her.

She certainly didn't look intimidating as she smiled over at them. "We'll be ready to sit down in just a few minutes, I've almost got everything ready. Takashi, do you drink tea?"

He blinked for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah, I do, Mrs. Sohma, thanks!"

"Wonderful!" Tohru beamed. "Then we can actually have a pot; it will be nice to have someone to share it with for a change!"

Takashi shot Sachiko a curious look, and she promptly explained "Daddy doesn't drink it, either, but Mom does."

Kyo was already back in the kitchen, grabbing for the tea things. "Sachi, watch the cookpot and add the oil when it's hot, ok?"

"Got it, Daddy!" Sachiko said cheerfully.

"I hope you like sukiyaki, Takashi," Tohru said, smiling as she transferred the meat to another platter and started bringing everything over to the table. "I thought with it starting to get so cold, something warm and filling would just hit the spot!"

"Sukiyaki's great, Mrs. Sohma," Takashi said, then hesitated. "Is there anything I can help with?"

She promptly beamed at him. "Would you bring over those dishes I've got laid out on the counter there, if you don't mind? I'd really appreciate it!"

"Sure!"

Tohru watched with a smile, noting with approval how he didn't try to carry everything at once. And she continued to smile as Sachiko directed him, trying not to giggle at Sachiko's mostly-under-her-breath teasing comments about Takashi being a suck-up and Takashi's equally-under-his-breath 'shut up, I know how to behave!'

Before long, everything was ready, and they all sat down at the table with Tohru and Kyo on one side, and Sachiko and Takashi on the other. Tohru had already gotten the pot going, and soon they were all digging in.

"I'm so glad you could come over, Takashi," Tohru said, looking across the table at him. "I've been really looking forward to getting a chance to meet you properly!"

He gave her a nervous smile at that, and Kyo chuckled as he said, "Try not to put too much pressure on the kid, ok, Tohru?"

"I'm not putting pressure on him!" Tohru immediately protested, then her eyes widened. "Am I putting pressure on you, Takashi? I'm so sorry, I really don't mean to!"

"No, it's fine, Mrs. Sohma, you're not!" Takashi quickly responded. "It's just I've never done any of this before, so I'm not totally sure-" he broke off, glaring at Sachiko as she started snickering into her hand. "Come on, Sachi, really?"

"I'm sorry!" she giggled, not even looking up. "You're just..."

"Sachiko, be nice," Tohru censured. "I think it's sweet!"

Sachiko promptly burst out laughing, and Takashi flushed, prompting Tohru to stare at her daughter in bewilderment.

"What's so funny about that?"

Kyo sighed, though he was smiling as he patted Tohru's hand and looked across the table. "You're not exactly making this easy on him, you know that, right Sachi?"

She was giggling too hard to answer, and Kyo looked at Takashi, who was staring intently down at his food. "You're fine, Takashi, don't let Sachi get to you. And I know it's easier said than done, but try to relax, ok? I promise, it'd take a lot to get Tohru to dislike you."

"He's right," Tohru agreed, smiling at him. "But maybe it would be easier if we just started over?"

Takashi took a deep breath, then smiled bravely. "Thanks, Sensei, and it's ok, Mrs. Sohma, I'm good. I'll be good. I just...don't know what I'm doing, exactly," he admitted.

"Well, what you're doing is fine, and I appreciate you trying," Tohru said kindly. "And coming over at all, for that matter! I really like cooking," she said with a sheepish smile, "So having dinner felt natural, but I didn't really think about how that might be a little intimidating to do so soon."

"It's ok, Mom," Sachiko said cheerfully as she straightened up. "Taka's tough, he can handle you!"

"Oh, you're done laughing then?" Kyo asked, looking at her. "And here I thought you were just gonna keel over over there."

"And miss seeing how happy Mom is? Hell no," Sachiko said with a grin.

Takashi was firmly ignoring Sachiko and looking instead at Tohru. "Well, it's really good, Mrs. Sohma! Your sauce is great," he said, smiling. "We almost never do sukiyaki at home, Mom's...kinda terrible with tabletop cooking," he admitted. "One time, we even had to put out a fire."

"Oh dear!" Tohru exclaimed, and Kyo chuckled.

"Yeah, that's a pretty good reason to be wary. Can't say we've ever had to deal with something like that," Kyo said, glancing at Tohru, who smiled.

"No, we've always been lucky," she agreed. "Do you cook at all, Takashi?"

He shook his head. "Not really. I can make...eggs, and miso soup, and some super basic stuff, but," he shrugged. "We're not really a cooking family, to be honest. Dad doesn't know how, and Mom's...well, Mom's not really all that good, either," he admitted awkwardly. "We eat a lot of takeout."

"But Taka's trying to learn, aren't you, Taka?" Sachiko asked, nudging him, and he nodded.

"Yeah, I'm working on it. Like I said, I can make...eggs, and stuff like that," Takashi said, smiling sheepishly. "My sister couldn't cook at all when she moved out for university, and she said it really sucked, so she's been pushing me to know how to do some stuff before I graduate."

"Learning to cook before graduating...sounds a little familiar, doesn't it?" Kyo asked, smiling at Tohru, and she giggled, remembering her attempts to teach Yuki how to cook in the last couple of months before they'd graduated. "Yuki ever manage to make anything edible?"

"Of course he did!" Tohru immediately protested, then she admitted, "though it didn't taste all that good, if I remember correctly."

Kyo laughed at that, then smiled at Takashi. "It's good you're learning stuff like that, Takashi. Everyone oughtta know at least the basics when they're starting out, if just to save money and make sure they're getting a balanced diet. Especially if you're planning to stick with karate after you graduate, you wanna make sure you're not trying to live on instant ramen."

"Oh, I plan to stick with it, Sensei," Takashi said, then asked, "Do you know how to cook?"

"Sure do," Kyo said promptly, and Sachiko promptly chimed in,

"Daddy's a really good cook!"

"We are a cooking family," Tohru said with a smile.

"Though some of us have more aptitude than others," Kyo said with a pointed smile at Sachiko that made Takashi turn and look at her in surprise.

"You cook?"

She immediately puffed up. "Of course I cook! Why'd you think I wouldn't?"

"'Cause you never said? And when we talked about me practicing and figuring out what kinda stuff I oughtta learn, you never mentioned it?"

"Duh, we were talking about you," she said, sticking out her tongue at him.

"Yeah, and it would've been relevant!"

"Well, you never asked!"

Takashi exhaled in annoyance, then realized that both Tohru and Kyo were trying hard not to laugh and colored slightly.

"So...everyone in your family cooks?" he asked, once again pointedly ignoring Sachiko, and Tohru nodded, smiling.

"That's right! Sachiko's brothers are both very good at it, though Katsuro, our middle son, is perhaps the best. Sachiko has never had all that much patience for cooking," she said, smiling at her daughter, "but she's very good, when she actually takes the time."

"So basically never," Kyo said dryly, and Takashi snorted a laugh.

"Hey, I just think there are more interesting to do than cook, that's all!" Sachiko protested. "I promise, when I move out I'll make an effort," she said, "even if instant ramen is a whole lot easier."

"And loaded with salt, and lacking in flavor," Tohru chided, and Sachiko giggled.

"You're such a food snob, Mom."

"I am not! I just think it's worthwhile to properly nurture our bodies, that's all," Tohru huffed.

"Well, you do a great job, Tohru," Kyo said, smiling at her, "And I'm sure if Sachi actually had to deal with instant ramen every day, she'd agree with you."

"How are you learning, Takashi?" Tohru asked, smiling at him, and Takashi grinned a little sheepishly.

"Internet. Mom's shown me a few things, but...it's just kinda easier this way," he admitted, and they all laughed.

"Well, if you were ever interested, I'd be happy to show you some things, sometime," Tohru said. "It wouldn't be hard at all for you to stop by for lunch on a weekend after karate, if you ever wanted, and I could help you get a few more recipes under your belt before graduation!"

Takashi blinked. "I wouldn't wanna bother you, Mrs. Sohma-" he said, hesitatingly, but Tohru shook her head.

"It wouldn't bother me at all! There's no rush; I know you two have a long time until you graduate" she said, smiling at him. "But I love cooking, and while I couldn't teach anyone how to even make a fist," she said, giggling, "I feel I'm more than qualified to teach someone how to cook!"

He grinned. "That could maybe be fun, sometime, Mrs. Sohma, I'd actually like that a lot, if you didn't mind!"

"I'd like that too," she said, beaming. Then he asked,

"So you never took karate, Mrs. Sohma?"

The simultaneous choking coughs from Kyo and Sachiko were so sudden and pronounced they almost made Takashi jump, and he stared as Kyo and Sachiko both coughed into their napkins. Tohru's expression was mildly exasperated, but she was still smiling as she said, "No, I didn't. I've never had any aptitude for it; Kyo tried to teach me a few times over the years, but nothing ever stuck."

Sachiko had recovered enough to speak, and she grinned as she said. "Mom even broke her hand once, trying to punch like this," she said, showing Takashi a fist with her thumb protruding. "Pretty sure that was the last time you ever tried the punching bag, wasn't it, Mom?" she asked, and Tohru smiled ruefully.

"Yes, it was; that was only a few months after we got married, too," she said, looking at Kyo, who had also recovered but was still chuckling. "I think Kyo was a little relieved when I gave up, after that."

"More than a little," Kyo admitted. "You were always willing to try, I'll give you that, Tohru, but you couldn't punch your way outta a wet paper bag."

Takashi had latched onto something else. "You guys have a punching bag? That's pretty cool!"

Kyo grinned across the table. "After dinner, Sachi, you oughtta show Takashi the exercise room, he might get a kick outta it."

She was grinning back. "Oh, I plan on it, Daddy."

After they'd finished up lunch and everyone helped clear the table, Sachiko was true to her word and led Takashi down the hall to the door at the end.

"So, this is the exercise room," she said, pausing with her hand on the door. "Technically it's for all of us, but it's really mostly just Daddy's and mine ever since Hajime left. Both of us are in here, every morning," she said, opening the door.

Takashi didn't know quite what he was expecting, but it wasn't what he saw. And he was aware of Sachiko laughing at him as they both walked in, but he didn't care; he was in too much awe.

It was huge, for starters. Looking around he guessed it was the entire back of the house, as wide as the entire open living room/kitchen they'd been in before. The floor was tatami, unlike the rest of the house he'd seen, and running along one entire wall was an enormous mirror.

His eye went to the large punching bag immediately, but it only lingered there for a moment before Takashi walked further into the room and slowly turned around. One large corner of the room was entirely given over to weights, complete with a rack and a bench; another corner had some kettlebells and a medicine ball along with some folded tumbling mats and a couple of rolled up yoga mats. An entire section of wall was given over to gear; he saw punching gloves, handwraps, and sparring gear, along with a few jump ropes. And sitting on the floor against the back wall was a sound system, connected, he was guessing, to the speakers up in the corners of room

Less than a third of the floor space was occupied, and all of the gear was concentrated along one end of the room; as he looked at the large open patch of floor, he could only imagine how many sparring matches had likely been fought there, or how many katas performed.

He was pretty sure it was a lot.

Sachiko was grinning from ear to ear when Takashi looked back at her, her arms crossed over her chest as she innocently asked, "What do you think?'

He was shaking his head as he looked at her and said, "no wonder your dad's so ripped."

"My dad?" she promptly protested, dropping her arms. "What about me?"

"What about you?" he teased, grinning at her. "You talking about those tiny little noodle arms of yours?"

"Careful, Taka, or you're gonna have one of those 'tiny little noodle arms' driving an elbow right into your face," she said sweetly, and he laughed, stepping backwards and shifting slightly into a defensive stance.

"You think you can actually even reach my face?" he asked. "I mean, yeah, maybe I can see that you work out, but you're still pretty tiny..."

The sound of voices was soon joined by laughter mixed with the unmistakable sound of a sparring match, and back in the kitchen Tohru glanced down towards the open exercise room door and sighed.

Kyo was grinning as he dried the dish Tohru had just handed him. "Sounds like Takashi likes the room," he commented quietly, and Tohru gave him a resigned look and shook her head.

"I don't think I'm ever going to understand just what's so fun about attacking one another," she said in an equally soft tone, and Kyo chuckled.

"Probably not," he agreed, grinning at her. "Not if you don't get it by now. But trust me, Tohru, they're having fun right now, both of 'em."

The two of them were quiet for a little while, listening to the sounds from the other room, then Tohru smiled up at Kyo.

"I like him," she announced. "I thought I would, and I do. He's a very nice boy, don't you think?"

Kyo chuckled once more, giving Tohru an amused look. "As if there was ever any doubt you would. And yeah, he is. He's a good kid," he said, glancing down the hall.

"Do you think they'll last?" she asked, and Kyo snorted.

"I think they're both a couple of high schoolers who started dating like...two months ago, not even," he reminded her, and Tohru stuck her tongue out at him.

"So you don't have any 'gut feeling?'" she asked, and he gave her another amused look.

"No, and why would I?"

She shook her head once more, then repeated, "well, I like him."

"I figured," he teased, then he kissed her cheek as he agreed, "I like him, too."