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Marley moved her body to the fast-paced music, her heart was racing, and she left like she was filled with electricity. The energy from the other dancers in the room only adding to the fun atmosphere. This was different from doing her contemporary work or ballet, even where she poured many of her heart's more fragile feelings.

Gabriella and Marley were having a bit of a girl's day, but the older woman still had a workshop during the day, which just meant that Marley got to join. The Latina hadn't been sure if the former ballet dancer would be able to keep up, but it seemed Marley had been practicing her hip-hop a lot more Gabriella was vibrating with excitement, a broad smile that beamed with pride.

Si el ritmo te lleva a mover la cabeza, ya empezamo' cómo e'

Mi música no discrimina a nadie, así que vamo' a-

Y toda mi gente se mueve

Mira el ritmo cómo lo tiene'

Hago música que entretiene

El mundo nos quiere, nos quiere, y me quiere a mí

Toda mi gente se mueve

Mira el ritmo cómo lo tiene'

Hago música que entretiene

Mi música los tienen fuerte bailando, y se baila así

Come on

Marley knew that she was more skilled with ballet, and her body was more trained for it. But she wanted to learn everything, especially when given the opportunity, and she found with hip-hop or street dancing, it was like she could put on an attitude and fill her with fire. Marley felt like someone who could rule the world when she was on the dance floor. She wished she could feel this way all the time and not just when she was dancing to the right now.

They say my body stay wetter than the (Ocean)

And he say that Creole in my body's like a (Potion)

I can be a beast or I can give you (Emotion)

So please, don't question my devotion

I been giving birth on these haters 'cause I'm (Fertile)

See these double Ds on this bag (Murda)

Want my double Ds in his bed (Serta)

If you really love me, make an album 'bout me (Word up)

Soon as I walk in, boys start they talkin'

Right as that booty sway (Freeze)

Slay

Lift up your people from Texas, Puerto Rico

Dem islands to México (Freeze)

"GET IT!" Gabriella was jumping around and hollering as the music blasted in the studio. Hyping up the dancers but mostly just beside herself in joy at how well her best friend's daughter seemed to flourish. She had her phone camera out, not missing anything.

Marley hit the beat with a split landing, and the girls in the studio whooped, cheering on and hyping her up. When the routine was over, Gabi practically tackled the girl in a hug, yelling about how happy she was while Marley only laughed. The rest of the dancers cheered.

The professional burlesque dancer had invited Marley to join the one drop-in class Gabi had to teach today. Since Marley was only 17, she couldn't teach her burlesque, at least not in an official class or anything, but Gabriella had been a street-style dancer before she dived into burlesque, so she figured she would see what the talented teen could do.

Gabi had no idea the ballet dancer could keep up like she did. She wished that Chandra and Yuto were around to shower the girl with praise.

Although... I doubt they would appreciate me showing Marley how to throw it back...

"Damn! What the hell? You're curves finally kicked in, and you became boss ass bitch on the floor." Gabi was still beside herself on what she saw on the dancefloor, slapping Marley on the backside, making her let out a sharp yelp.

"What?!" Marley jumped away as she hid behind a white towel, and the other women in the changing room looked over to see the commotion, but Gabi didn't bat an eye. After the dance class, they decided to hit up a small bathhouse and enjoy a soak in the onsen.

Marley showed Gabi over to the hose and told her that she had to wash off all the grime before entering the shared bath and made sure to keep her hair out. Marley quickly threw her hair up into a messy top knot.

After she was done, Marley stepped into the large shared bath, letting her skin get used to the steaming hot bath before relaxing on the side, leaning back slightly.

"Things are good, though, right?" Gabi asked for what to be the millionth time since she'd been in Japan. It wasn't that the woman didn't like Tetsuo; she knew that wealthy and prominent families such as Sohma's must-have dark secrets as she just felt it.

And in her opinion, rich folks could be the worst of the worst and didn't want someone as sweet and optimistic as Marley getting caught up in that foolishness. But she also knew there was a fire in Marley that wouldn't be so easily blown out. The last few years had proven that.

"Yes, Dadaji's been taking good care of me," Marley reassured the slightly protective woman.

"And how about your other stuff? Are you still doing your Aerial Silks." Gabi watched as Marley threw her a bit of an awkward smile and shook her head.

"Ah, no, I'm kind of taking a break from it."

The woman slightly whined, disappointed, and Marley shrugged and insisted that she didn't really have time. There were other reasons behind it, but Marley didn't want to talk about it.

"Boo! But it made you look so cool. We have a girl who does silks now at the show, but she's nowhere as good as you or Chandra." Gabi groaned.

"So, how are things back at the club?" Marley had meant to ask about the burlesque joint, but it seemed like something to ask more in private as she wasn't sure how open Gabriella wanted to be about her profession.

While Marley herself didn't see anything wrong with work and had grown up seeing her Mother in the feathery outfits and beautiful sequins, she knew that sometimes other people might judge.

"Hmm? It's not too bad. Jeffe wants to do some re-vamping or something. And we got a few new dancers. One has this pretty cool flamingo act." Gabriella mentioned, and Marley gushed that she imagined the outfit for the flamingo burlesque was probably beautiful, and Gabi promised to show her a picture later.

The two women continued to catch up as they relaxed in the hot bath. Gabriella complained about her apartment and hoping to move soon, wanting to have a nice kitchen. Marley went over how even though she was stepping away from the aerial stuff she was still being kept busy with dance and had been having fun learning new things from hip hop to swing dancing,

Marley's life was definitely different here in Japan, but that was to be somewhat expected.

"Must be weird." Gabi sighed as she took a look at the far wall on the bathhouse. On it was a tile mosaic of what looked like mount fuji. She hadn't had a chance to see it yet but hoped she would get some free time next week and do some sight-seeing.

"hmm?"

"Living in that big house. I was just thinking...You could fit your apartment in the living room alone."

"The apartment wasn't that small." Marley laughed. To be honest, she barely remembered what the old apartment looked like except for maybe the small blue couch and weird art-deco tiling in the bathroom.

"It's more than that... you had to adjust to a lot of things, I imagine..." Gabi turned to look at Marley, and she understood what she was talking about.

"It's been... weird at times. I feel like there's still a lot I'm not fully grasping, and I know I probably make a lot of mistakes. And if I try to talk too fast, I apparently start reverting back and forth between Japanese, English and Punjabi." Marley laughed at bit. It was sometimes embarrassing.

The young dancer looked into the water and used her hands to cup some water and look at her reflection.

Marley still struggled with kanji and sometimes missed Japanese social cues. She knew she stuck out like a sore thumb and didn't look like she fit in at all, but the people who mattered didn't seem to mind.

"But... I have people supporting me, and even if I might now do everything right... I'm gonna keep trying." Marley smiled as she stared down at the reflection and let the water slip through her hands. Gabi nodded her head and had her own smile and decided to change the subject.

"Looking forward to going to the beach house?" Gabi asked as she knew that next week Marley would be gone along with many the Sohma kids.

"Mhmm. It's too bad you can't join."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be kept plenty busy, plus Diana flies in next week, and we'll have the AIR BnB to ourselves." Gabi gave a slight squeal of excitement over being reunited with her wife and even getting alone time together since Miguel was going to the beach house.

Marley wondered if Miguel still wanted to go to the beach house. She wanted him to come, but she didn't want him to be uncomfortable. Marey had tried calling, but Miguel just kept saying he didn't want to talk about it.

Marley knew that wasn't the right way to go about things, but... what more could she do but hope at this point. The white-blonde slightly shook her head and returned back to the

"How is Diana? Is she still studying medicine?"

"She starts her intern year in the surgical program this fall. I'm sure she's gonna be busy, but that's why I'm excited to have a bit of vacation time before all that." A proud smile donned Gabi's face. Even if it meant that Gabi might not see her as much, she was happy that her wife made her dreams come true.

"Wah, that's so cool, though. That's she's going to be a surgeon!" Marley's eyes sparkled.

"Hell yeah, she is! And she's gonna be a badass." Gabi jumped up in the bath and took on a proud pose while standing stark naked, and the other women in the bath giggled at the interesting woman.

They relaxed for a little longer before exiting the bath and went back to the lockers, and Marley was just in time to catch a text from Uo.

+Yo! I just finished up my shift, and I'm meeting the girls for dinner you in?+ Uo had texted her, and Marley looked over at Gabi, who was putting on a shirt.

+Can my friend come?+

+Sure, why not.+

"Gabi, you wanna go to dinner with my friends," Marley asked.

"I'd love too, I'm starving."

+Where are you guys meeting?+

Next, Marley was texted the address, and Uo mentioned she would be there in about 20.

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.

When Marley and Gabi arrived at the monjayaki restaurant, everyone else was already there waiting. Megumi, Hana's little brother, was there as well and was quick to steal a spot beside Marley and compliment her on her high waisted jean shorts.

"I think he might be a leg man." Uo laughed, and the rest of the girls giggled, but Megumi was completely unbothered and owned up to it

All the introductions were made, and soon everyone was settled, and Uo had caught up everyone her meeting with the mysterious man that Uo had met at her convenience store job store last month.

Uo explained that she ran into while on her break today, and they ended up going to lunch together, where she got to know him a bit better. When the two parted, the man had left her more confused than before, but even thinking about him made her heart race.

"It... was like he was saying 'I love you.." Uo let out an airy sigh, a somewhat dreamy look on her face as she stared up at the ceiling. But there was also a sadness in her eyes, an uncertainty that Marley noticed.

"So, do you love him too, Arisa.", Hana asked as the monjayaki cooked on the hot surface, the sounds of the food sizzling as Uo tried to figure out the answer for herself.

"I dunno! After all, he's a man of mystery. There are things he says and does that I just don't get!" She huffed as she leaned back on her hands and gritted her teeth. This was the most annoyed she had been in a long time.

The waitress came by and took everyone's order, and Marley had to ask if there was any vegetarian option that led to a simple cheese and green onion monjayaki. Gabi got herself a seafood variant that she would share with Tohru.

"I mean, why did he leave without saying another word?! Was it me?! Did I have tororo breath?!" She started to panic as she tried to replay the moment in her head.

"Well... Maybe the 9-year difference made him nervous..." Hana pointed out, and Gabi's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"What did you say?" The woman asked, hoping that she heard it wrong as her Japanese was pretty limited.

"Ah well, the man that Arisa is speaking of 9 years older-" Marley barely got the sentence out as Gabi dropped the food on her fork, and Marley quickly moved a napkin to catch it with her quick reflexes.

"9 years?!" Gabi yelled, clearly horrified and started shaking her violently.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. NO."

"What are you like 15?" Gabi pointed at Uo, and the teenager looked shocked at the change in the attitude form the woman she had just met. It felt like getting a scolding from a big sister.

The older woman began rambling. Most of it was English was there was also Spanish thrown, and Marley tried to keep up best she could. Marley understood where Gabi was coming from. She certainly wasn't happy with this age difference and honestly wanted to keep Uo far away from whoever this person was.

"Umm... Gabi thinks that maybe the age difference is... A little much." Marley tried to translate as politely as she could, and Uo just huffed a little, but Tohru tried to help.

"My Dad was 8 years older than my Mom. But I hear they were crazy about each other." Tohru added, trying to support Uo, but she could still see the look of doubt on Gabi and Marley's face.

"You don't find it... creepy that this guy in his mid-twenties is hanging around high school girls? Why can't he find a girl his own age? Somethings very wrong there." Gabi shook her head in disgust.

Marley was suspicious, her own birth father had been a few years older than her Mother. He had gotten her pregnant and practically fled the scene, leaving Chandra alone and pregnant with Marley at 16.

"Fuck, if I was your guys' age and found out my friend was with some perv nearly 10 years older... that would not be pretty", Gabi muttered before taking another long sip of cold beer.

"But. It's not like you guys have done anything... right?" Marley asked, really hoping that that two hadn't gone any further than lunch.

"NO! Look, it was just lunch... nothing happened." Uo insisted, and Marley couldn't help feel a little relief as she didn't want her friend to get tangled up with some creep who could take advantage.

Uo was undoubtedly tough, but she was still a girl in love, and Marley's Mother warned her that love could make someone blind to everything else. Marley was sure that if she went to her Mama and said that she was interested in an older man... her Mama would immediately find that man and most likely beat him within an inch of his life.

"Just... be careful." Marley stared at Uo with her large amethyst eyes, and Uo could only nod, seeing that Marley was truly just worried. Megumi was the one to break the tension as he tapped Marley on the shoulder.

"How do you feel about a 4-year difference, Marley-Chan," Megumi asked with a straight face as he pointed at himself and Marley tried to hold back a giggle.

"Damn, your brother knows what he wants," Gabi smirked at Hana, who only took another bite of her dinner.

"Still. Just the idea that one of my best friends might fall in love makes me feel a little lonely." Tohru admitted, now that everyone had seemed to calm down a bit, and the air was a little lighter.

"What the hell are ya talkin' about?! You'll get a boyfriend one of these days. And he'll want you all to himself. Fat chance of that, though! We're gonna crash her first date! Right? Hanajima, Marley?!"

"That goes without saying." Hana agreed without a thought.

"Maybe we shouldn't." Marley tried to suggest as she couldn't imagine the pressure of being on a date and then Hanajima and Uo watching their every move.

"Ah, to be young again and braving the wide world of dating." Gabi sighed before finishing up her beer and already getting the waitress's attention to order another one.

"... haven't you been with Diana since high school." Marley raised her brow, and Gabi stuck her tongue out at the girl.

"Are you married, Flores-San?" Tohru asked with excitement, curious to hear more.

"Aww, call me Gabi, please. And yep, married for 2 years now. Here." Gabi pulled out her phone and showed off a photo from her wedding. Gabi herself was in a strapless gown, and a beautiful blonde woman that was a bit taller wore an intricate lace crème gown.

"Oh, wow! You look gorgeous – and your... Partner is beautiful." Tohru got nervous as she wasn't sure what to say, and Gabi just smiled, proud to show off the love of her life.

"I feel so lucky to by her side for the rest of our days. Even when we're apart like this... I still feel her in my heart." Gabi spoke in English, but the entire table could feel the sincerity in her voice when she talked about her wife.

The phone was passed around, and Uo ended up scrolling through the photos, completely shameless.

"Marley, you were there?!" Uo stopped on a photo of Marley dancing with Yuuto on the dancefloor. She was wearing a long dark green skirt and a matching silk cropped blouse.

"Yep, Mama was the maid of honour," Marley explained, and when Uo scrolled to the next picture, she let out a whistle.

"You're Mom's such a fox." Uo looked at the photo of Marley's Mother is a burgundy gown with the deep vee cut, and it showed off her hourglass figure, and her long dark hair was slightly curled.

"Yeah, Chandra sure knew how to command a room. Made for a damn Maid of honour too. She made sure everything got done and took no prisoners." Gabi laughed, and Marley nodded, remembering that nothing could get in her way when her Mother had a mission.

"You must have been close," Hana stated.

"Well, we met when I first started working at the club," Gabi explained, and Tohru tilted her head in curiosity.

"Club?"

"Do they know?" Gabi asked Marley, and she only smiled and nodded.

"Oh, yeah, I told them Mama was a burlesque dancer. They even saw a clip!" Marley said proudly.

"So you're a dancer too, Gabi-Chan-San." Tohru clapped her hands together as she looked at the older woman in wonder.

"Yep. That's actually why I'm in town. I got paid to feature at a burlesque club in the city for a few weeks, and I'm teaching workshops on heels choreography, and then I did a hip-hop one this morning." Gabi smiled, proud of what she did

"Wahhh! That's so cool!"

"You wanna come to check it out?" Gabi asked as if it was nothing, and the girls looked a little shocked. Except for Hana, who barely blinked at the offer.

"The burlesque show?" Uo asked, and Gabi nodded.

"Uh, I don't know if we can, we're just minors." Tohru waved her hands, and Gabi just shrugged.

"Please, I can get you in. It's just like dinner show except with a bit more feathers... but it's pretty classy. This one grew up watching burlesque dances, and she's fine." Gabrielle threw her arm around Marley's shoulder, and the white-blonde nodded, fondly remembering the many nights she spent in the large vanity room in the back as a child.

"Are we sure she's fine." Uo teased, and Marley let out a fake gasp and put a hand over her heart as if Uo had dealt her a hard blow.

"Can I go?" Megumi asked Gabi as he looked up at her with his large dark eyes, but Gabi could only laugh.

"Maybe in ten years or so, chico.." Gabi laughed as she sort of ruffled the boy's hair.

"But seriously, you girls should catch a show. There are some really cool acts, and I'll probably be able to get you the VIP treatment." Gabi sold the idea, and it was starting to sound very exciting and fun.

"It does sound cool."

"I imagine that includes some food." Hana voiced, and Gabi said that there a few good things on the menu.

"I would love to see.." Tohru shyly admitted as it did sound fascinating.

"Alright. I'll see what I can do." Gabi gave the thumbs up and was already thinking of a way to butter up the owner.

"May I try some of yours, Marley-San?" Megumi asked as he looked at Marley's portion of monjayaki being cooked in a separate pile on the hot grill.

"Of course, Megumi, it's delicious. Help yourself." Marley smiled, and he thanked her as he partook in her vegetarian meal, mentioning it was quite good.

"Aw, man. This is really pissing me off!" Up groaned as she looked down at her phone, glaring at a message.

"Is it the predator?" Gabi asked, and Uo's jaw dropped.

"What?! No! He's not- No! It, I need to get Kyoko's bike fixed, somethings messed up with the motor, but every asshole wants to charge me an arm and a leg." Uo complained, frustrated that with everything else she was dealing with, there was now a problem with Kyoko's bike.

"Um, well, depending on what it is... maybe Miguel could help." Marley thought out loud as she thought of the friend that she still had yet to talk to since yesterday.

"Miguel-San?" Tohru seemed to sit up straighter as his name was mentioned.

"Ya, he's amazing when it comes to the mechanics of cars and motors. Right, Gabi?" Marley smiled as she looked over at Gabi for confirmation.

"I need to make him useful for something. He's such a grumpy baby these days. Some work will do him good." Gabriella shrugged.

"Oh! And there's a garage on the Sohma Estate, and I'm sure we could use, and Miguel would have access to tools and everything. We could pack up what he needs a bring it over to you." Marley was already making plans in her head as she knew of the bike's importance and knew that Miguel would take great care of the bike.

Though... I don't imagine I'll be able to ask him, I'm sure Gabi will be able to convince him.

"I can bring him by tomorrow if that works. Marley, you in?" Gabi asked, and Marley shook her head as she already had plans that she did not want to change.

"Well, um, I'm actually going to lunch tomorrow," Marley revealed with a soft smile as she played with the rings on her fingers.

"Oh? With who?"

"Kyo's father invited me over lunch." Marley smiled, and immediately Uo got a smirk on her face.

"Oh, so a 'date'? Meeting the in-law?" Uo teased, and Marley blushed as she denied that it was a date of any kind, but Uo gave her a cheeky smile and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Do I have something to worry about?" Megumi as his sister, and she simply shook her head.

"That boy is not ready; you still have time to win her over," Hana told him, and the young boy nodded, not feeling threatened by what could be his rival in love.

"Aww! You are growing up. I kind of want you to go back to that awkward skinny girl who just wanted to dance in the Swan Lake and watch Disney movies all night." Gabriella teased as she pulled on Marley's head under her arm and gave her a noogie.

"She's really growing up. One day you're gonna get married. And then you'll have like 5 kids." The older woman was already fantasizing what the rest of Marley's life would like, and all Marley could think of was the pain on the top of her head.

"Uh Gabi-Chan-San, I think Marley-San is in pain." Tohru fretted.

"Oh, whoops!" Gabi finally let go of Marley's head, and she let out a cry of relief, thanking Tohru for saving her.

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It wasn't even mid-day, but the Japanese summer sun was beating down. Two foreigners slightly sweated, suffering through the humidity. Miguel honestly thought he was going to melt and cursed his sister for making him leave the air-conditioned apartment to go and do some girl a favour. The siblings walked up the Sohma Estate main gate, where Marley was already waiting. She hardly seemed bothered by the heat as she waved and smiled at the two, her summer dress lightly swaying in a rare breeze.

Her long hair flowed freely, white barrettes keeping the hair out of her face. She wore a long yellow dress with small white polka dots that was well fitted and had a crew neck, but there was a slit that went to the thigh.

"You look so cute, you sure it's not a date?" Gabriella teased as she wiggled her eyebrows.

"It's not a date. I'm having lunch with Kyo and his father." Marley insisted, but Miguel caught the light blush on Marley's cheeks, and he felt a sharp cold feeling wash over him.

"Well, you look gorgeous. This was one of Chandra's, right?" Gabi asked, and Marley nodded, proud to wear one of her Mother's old dresses. Marley didn't let them know that she had tried on 4 different outfits before finally picking this one.

Marley was slightly embarrassed over the extra time she took to get ready this morning. Even her Dadaji had asked what was going on.

The adopted Sohma then led them to the garage, and she explained to the man working what was going, and he quickly helped her out and started piling a few toolboxes and other things into a car for everything they would need; Miguel pointed out a few things as well.

Even though Miguel spoke very little Japanese, he still recognized all the tools he would need.

"Alright, I gave the driver the address, and I texted Uo to let you know that you guys are on your way. Thanks again for helping Miguel." Marley smiled at him, genuinely grateful even though things were a bit awkward between the two.

The boy shrugged but didn't say much, and Gabi could sense the tension in the air, but she figured it was just Miguel in one of his morning moods.

"Alright. Um. Bye!" Marley closed the car door and waved as they drove off.

"Why are you coming along anyway," Miguel asked his sister.

"Just curious to see how you work." She said as she looked through her emails on her phone.

"You've been such a grump these past few days. Lighten up, you're on vacation." Gabi sighed as she answered a few messages.

The rest of the ride was quiet, and Miguel just closed his eyes and pretended to sleep in hopes he wouldn't be questioned anymore.

When they arrived, Uo was waiting in the street along with Tohru and Hana.

"So you are Miguel?" Uo asked as she looked up at the tall man, her arms crossed and sizing him up. He was certainly very handsome, but he also looked like the kind of guy who would play a gang member in one of those Hollywood action movies.

"Sup." Miguel nodded before letting out a large yawn.

"It's good to see you again, Miguel-Kun." Tohru stepped forward and smiled brightly up at the boy.

"Good to see you too, Tohru," Miguel replied, a small smile on his lips.

"So, where's the bike?" Gabi asked as she looked around, and Up told them to follow her. They walked down an ally and then into a parking structure, and the group was led to a decently sized red motorcycle.

"Shit. She's beautiful." Miguel immediately approached and walked all around the bike, appraising it.

"How did you afford this? This bike's a classic. This detailing..." Miguel whistled.

The two looked at each other, slightly confused as Uo could barely understand English, and Miguel's Japanese skills were kind of limited. So, Gabi had to come over and slightly translate as she had a somewhat decent grasp of the language.

"It actually belonged to Tohru's Mom, Kyoko," Gabi explained with a sad look, and Miguel felt a new respect for the bike and Tohru. He hadn't realized that Tohru had lost her Mother.

The two got into talking about the bike, and Uo had Gabi try and translate what was wrong with the bike, and she knew a bit more Japanese than Miguel.

Tohru walked up to the bike and slid her hands along its sleek body, remembering when her Mother used to ride.

"I'll take care of her," Miguel promised as he stared down in Tohru's brown eyes, a genuine look of sincerity flowing through and Tohru couldn't look away.

"The bike. Don't worry. I've been taught pretty well, and I'm sure my mentor would kill me if I don't do a good job." Miguel smiled down at the girl, and Tohru felt flushed and stepped away to give him room.

"We should leave him to work. How about we escape to some air-con?" Gabi said as the girls just seemed to be standing around watching Miguel work.

"Is it really okay to leave -" Tohru started, but Gabriella wrapped her arm around Tohru and tugged her along.

"Trust me, he won't finish till he's done. He's in the zone and the bikes in the best care it could be in." She comforted the girl.

"He certainly seems to lift a bit when he started working," Hana mentioned.

"Lift?" Gabi asked as they made their way into Uo's apartment and relaxed around the table.

"His waves, they seemed to calm down immensely," Hana explained.

"Oh, right, you have like superpowers." Gabi nodded and looked at Hana in slight wonder.

"Not exactly."

"What did his waves say anyway?" Gabi asked.

"He seems... like he felt guilty of something, confused,...but also frustrated." Hana tried to explain.

"Hmm... I can kind of guess then... I think he and Marley might have had a fight of some sort." Gabi said as she crossed her arms and let out a sigh. The girls just watched, waiting to see if they would get more information.

Although, knowing Marley and Miguel. Gabi knew it less like a fight and more like her baby brother losing his temper on the girl who had most likely already forgiven him for his misstep.

"I guess... Miguel's still trying to get used to the fact that he's no longer the closest to Marley." The woman said softly and slowly. Her little brother could sometimes be a headache, but he was a wonderful person, just a bit lost at the moment.

"Marley was always busy. She studied hard and basically took care of all the cooking and cleaning. And... she looked different, and kids seem to be kind of stay away from her... or would even tease her." Gabi remembered how much Chandra worried for her daughter because she knew that Marley felt out of place, but the young girl still tried her best and never let the world get her down.

"And everyone seemed to be terrified of Miguel He just... Gave off a bad vibe back then. From what I heard... Miguel got inro some sort of confrontation, and Marley, who barely knew him at the time... stuck up for him. He used to run around with... a tough crew, but then he stopped when he and Marley got close." Gabi remembered that change she saw him. He calmed down and just became a little happier bit by bit, and his grades improved along with being more bearable to be around.

"Miguel had a huge crush on her too... but... and I don't know this for sure or anything, but I don't think Marley ever returned those feelings. But I know that she still loved him dearly, but as a friend." Gabi couldn't help but feel a little bad for the lovestruck boy. It wasn't anyone's fault, but she did wish that Marley had felt the same way.

"Maybe it's hard for Miguel to accept... that Marley is able to make friends and live...without him." Hana offered.

"I guess... I can kind of see where he's coming from." Uo put in, and Tohru asked what she meant, curious about what her friend had to say.

"Well... it was like when you started hanging out with the Sohma's... I felt like... that maybe I had failed as a friend or something." Uo admitted as she slightly hung her head, and the girl in question looked over in shock.

"What?! NO!" Tohru denied, hating that she ever made her friends feel that way.

"I knew you would say something like that." Uo slightly smirked but continued on.

"But now I know... that it's actually a great thing for you. And they seem to take good care of you, and that's all that matters." Uo admitted.

Gabriella had no idea what was going on as the three girls all of a sudden started hugging, but she just shrugged and looked through her phone and looked at a photo of Marley and Miguel from one of Marley's performances. Both had smiles on their faces, and they looked like kids to Gabi. Kids that were just trying to find their way in the world.

Gabriella knew that Miguel would move on and fall in love with a girl who could return his feelings. He was a good man who just needed to figure out a few things. Gabi had caught the small look of 'discomfort' when they had met up this morning, and Marley had slightly blushed when she spoke a particular name.

"Um... so when ya guys are done..."

The three girls stopped and looked at Gabi, wondering what she would ask.

"What can you tell me about this 'Kyo' dude?" Gabi asked, and the three girls seemed to answer in unison but completely different statements.

"Kyo-Kun is a wonderful person."

"Carrot top is fun to tease."

"His emotions are in chaos."

Gabi blinked and looked at three girls, feeling more confused than before.

Who was this 'Kyo'? And who was he to Marley? Should I be worried?

.

.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

.

.

"Achoo." A loud sneeze suddenly left the orange-haired boy, and it surprised Marley so much that she jumped a little as they walked side by side through the outer part of the Sohma Estate.

"Bless you," Marley said as soon as the sneeze left Kyo and asked if he felt okay. The boy waved off her concern and insisted it was nothing and told her not to worry.

"What is that?" Kyo finally asked and nodded to the package that Marley had been carrying.

"I made a Lemon Meringue pie." Kyo titled his head as he had never had such a thing and couldn't imagine lemon being great in a desert.

Marlet looked down at the package in her hands and hoped that it was good enough. This was actually the third one she had made as the first one hadn't worked out, and then the second one Hiro and Kisa had dug into when Marley wasn't paying attention. It wasn't their fault; they had come over, and Marley was busy doing something, and they asked if they could have some, and in response, Marley had quickly said 'of course.'

Next thing she knew, she was out of a Lemon Meringue pie, but Hiro and Kisa didn't need to know that they had dug into a desert meant for Kazuma and Kyo. Marley just made sure to set her alarm in the morning to make another.

Plus, Hiro and Kisa eating it meant that it at least tasted good, so it worked out for the best.

"You made a pie? Why?" Kyo asked as he slightly tilted his head at the girl.

"I didn't want to show up emptyhanded... It's just a small thank you for inviting me." A small blush appeared on her cheeks as she smiled over at Kyo. The boy felt his heart hammer in his chest as he looked at her face and felt the need to walk faster so she couldn't catch his own blush.

"Don't expect too much, okay? Shishou just wants to have lunch and talk a bit. It'll probably be pretty boring." Kyo stuffed his hands into his pockets as he marched forward, but Marley easily kept up with her long legs.

"No! I'm sure it will be lots of fun. I'm so excited that he invited me. Plus, I want to see him with short hair! I'm still shocked he would cut it." Marley was already trying to imagine what the Karate teacher looked like. She suspected he still looked handsome but still had trouble picturing him without the long locks.

A small smile graced Kyo's lips as he shook his head, wondering how Marley could get excited over the smallest of things.

They arrived at a well-sized traditional looking house. Marley kind of recognized it from the first time she had been there, and she ran around this area a lot in her runs.

Kyo slid open the front door and started taking off his shoes in the large genkan and then took the pie from Marley so she could slip off her white sandals.

"Shishou! We're here!" Kyo yelled.

"Hello! Thank you for- uh...Is something burning?" Marley asked as she smelt a strange odour. The statement made Kyo freeze.

"Shit!" He cursed and shoved the pie back into Marley's hands before bolting down the hall, and Marley panicked and quickly followed.

"SHISHOU! WHAT ARE YOU BURNING THIS TIME!?" Kyo screamed as he rushed into the kitchen and saw his karate master just standing in Infront of the stove ash smoke filled the kitchen. Kazuma seemed unbothered and just smiled and greeted his son. Kyo hurried in and grabbed the pan that was on the stove and rushed it into the sink.

Marley rushed in and let out a small breath of relief as everything seemed somewhat fine.

"Ah, so you burning things is quite the regular, huh?" Marley giggled from the kitchen door as she watched the chaos. Kyo was utterly out of the loop as he looked back and forth between the two.

"Ah, yes. I guess I've never been good in the kitchen. I'm still a little embarrassed about the last time..." Kazuma revealed, and Marley just shook her head and insisted it was fine.

"Wait? What are you guys talking about?" Kyo felt completely lost.

"Marley-San happened to be on a jog and stopped by in time to save the kitchen from burning down." Kazuma's assistant and student popped into the kitchen.

"Kunimitsu, how are you?" Marley greeted and slightly bowed her head, and he politely greeted her.

"Good, thank you. How about I clean this up, though." He offered as he looked at the state of the kitchen.

"Oh, are you sure?! I can help." Marley tried to help, but Kyo was already leading her out of the kitchen before she went looking for cleaning supplies and helped.

"You're the guest! Get out, come on." Kyo ushered Marley out the kitchen, and Kazuma only chucked before apologizing to Kunimitsu for the inconvenience. The easy-going assistant insisted it was fine and told the karate teacher to go be with his guests.

"I guess I got caught up in reading and couldn't put it down. It Shigure's new novel." Kazuma mentioned as he sat down at the low table in the living room and put down the book on the table.

"Oh, how is it?" Marley asked as she peeked at the cover.

"It's quite enjoyable, I could always lend it to you afterwards." Kazuma offered, and Kyo immediately stepped in.

"No, you won't! BURN IT!" He yelled as he didn't want Marley reading anything done by the dog of the Zodiac. Marley only blinked owlishly while Kazuma chucked at his son's behaviour.

"It's been a while, Marley-San. How have you been?" Kazuma asked as everyone settled in.

"Fine, thank you. I've been enjoying the summer sun a bit. And I'm glad to see you looking well. Thought to see you without your long hair is a bit of a shock." Marley admitted as she now had time to get a good look at the Karate Master's new look.

"Yes, I just chopped it all off." He simply said, and Marley's hands wandered to her own hair to protect it from being 'chopped off' as well.

"I do apologize for that awful scene in the kitchen." He slightly bowed his head, and Marley waved her hands, insisting that it was not as bad as he was making it out to be.

"At least you tried?" Marley tried to cheer him, and he was grateful for her positive attitude. He even thought about maybe giving it another go. Perhaps not today, but sometime soon.

"Sheesh, I don't even know why you attempted cooking when you suck so bad at it." Kyo shook his head in disbelief how his Shishou could be so terrible at the simple task.

"I had a good feeling about today." Kazuma simply stated, but Kyo wasn't having it.

"If a 'feeling' could turn you into a good cook, Kunimitsu wouldn't be trying to air out the kitchen right now... just stick with the dojo." The orange-haired boy seemed exhausted, but Marley lightly giggled, finding Kyo's worry to be endearing.

"Hmm, but this is a bit of a predicament. It's almost noon, and we don't have any food." Kazuma pondered.

"Um, well. If you don't mind me using the kitchen, I could make something. Once the smoke has cleared." Marley offered, hoping that she would be able to make something that everyone could enjoy.

"What?! No way! A guest shouldn't-" Kyo was about to try and stop her, but Kazuma was quick to give the go-ahead.

"I'll happily leave it to you."

Before Kyo could protest, Marley was already in the kitchen that was now clear and opened up the fridge where there was...

"Nothing..." Marley softly muttered as she looked into the large white fridge.

"Completely empty." Kyo shook his head as he stood behind her. Marley continued opening cupboards, and there was nothing. She even opened the fridge again in hopes that something had changed.

"HOW?!" Marley was completely beside herself, and Kyo was shaking his head.

"You can't cook when you ain't got no food!" Kyo scolded his master

"I suppose." Kazuma seemed unbothered.

"Um..." Marley continued looking around, refusing to believe there was absolutely nothing and was rewarded with a small box.

"OH!" Marley reached to the back of a cupboard and pulled out some sort of 'curry.'

She had seen commercials for these boxes of curry but had never made it before. Japanese curry was so different from the curry that she was used to. Not that it was bad or anything, it just wasn't what Marley expected.

She read the box and then noticed a box of potatoes in the kitchen and decided that she wasn't going to question why he had so many.

"I could make this? I've never made it before, though..." Marley offered though she was uncertain if this would be enough. She was regretting not bringing more.

"Oh, curry would be lovely. I'll help-" Kazuma's offer was quickly cut off by Kyo, who didn't want the man anyway near the stove.

"She doesn't need your help!" Kyo stopped him, but Kazuma kept pushing, certain that he could be of assistance.

"This time, I really feel that I can, and maybe Marley-San can teach-"

"JUST FORGET IT! Enough with that already!" Kyo started shoving him out of the kitchen, and the man barely put up a fight, slightly chucking as he was showed the way out.

"I'll help her! So, you just watch from over there!" Kyo ordered as he pointed to the living room.

"You are? Thank you, Kyo!" Marley had a bright smile on her face, and one would have thought that Kyo just offered her a trip to a theme park or something.

"I get to see more of Kyo's cooking skills." Marley smiled, and Kazuma locked onto the statement.

"More?"

"Mhhm, Kyo made me a delicious grilled cheese sandwich," Marley revealed, remembering just a few months ago where Marley slipped and couldn't walk, so Kyo had gone to the store and then made her the American comfort food.

"He... what?" Kazuma tilted his head, wondering if he heard that right.

"Kyo cooked for me; it was delicious. He even bought me chocolate milk to go with it. It was the best combination!" Marley complimented, and Kyo's face was redder than his T-shirt.

"I see..." A small smile made its way to Kazuma's face as he felt a feeling of pride swell within him.

"IN FACT, SHISHOU, GET THE HELL OUT! GO READ A BOOK OR SOMETHING!" Kyo was set on getting him out as he couldn't take much more.

"Okay, okay." Kazuma laughed as he was finally out in the hall and promised not to interfere anymore.

"Right, let's get this over with!" Kyo said as he went back to Marley's side, and she showed him the box.

"Ah, right, have you made one of these before?" Marley asked as he took the box and looked over the instructions.

"Sorry about this, I should have seen this coming. Shishou is awful in the kitchen." Kyo let out a frustrated sigh, still slightly embarrassed.

"No, don't be sorry. It was actually kind of funny. Reminded me of Mama." Marley laughed as she looked through cupboards and brought out the cooking utensils.

"Mama... She was... um... well, she claimed she had a cooking curse." Marley laughed as she remembered every time something went wrong when her Mother tried to cook.

"That bad, huh?" Kyo smirked, and Marley just laughed and mentioned that her Mama was a pro when it came to the milk and cereal ratio, which made Kyo shake his head in disbelief, but a small smile was still on his lips.

Kazuma just watched from the hall, sighing softly.

"Oh? Did Kyo and Marley-San leave?

"No, I was chased out..." He pointed to the two in the kitchen.

"Oh-ho?" Kunimitsu wiggled his brows and peaked into the kitchen, hoping to catch something juicy.

"Now, now. It isn't nice to spy, Kunimitsu." But he was already peeking into the kitchen to see what was happening. Marley was taking off all her rings, and Kyo held them for her.

"Why do you have so many," Kyo asked as he looked at the 5 rings and put them in his pocket to keep them safe.

"Because I think they're pretty." She giggled as she quickly took all her hair and promptly braided it and Kyo's jaw dropped at how quickly she was able to do it, Marley offered to try and braid his hair somehow, but he told her 'no' which in turn made her pout slightly.

"They seem to be having fun..." Kazuma whispered to Kunimitsu, not wanting to be caught and ruin the scene.

"You know... I never thought he would grow close to anyone but you, Kazuma-San. He's been a lot more open with me lately, too. It's been good." Kunimitsu softly said as he looked over the scene, a small, sincere smile on his face as he too realized that Kyo was growing.

The house phone began to ring, and Kunimitsu rushed off to get it as Kazuma just simply kept watching over the teens as if thinking that if he blinked, he would miss something.

He recalled that this time last year that Kyo wouldn't even look up, let alone smile. He had been filled with despair and had an aura of darkness akin to death.

The orange eyes that were once filled with hopelessness were now full of life and spark.

"Kazuma-San."

"Hmm? Oh... Who was that on the phone?" Kazuma asked as he saw the troubled look on Kunimitsu's face.

"Kyo's father."

Just like that, the happy mood felt like it had slipped away.

"All he said was that he wanted to talk to in person, and then he hung up," Kunimitsu explained, and Kazuma let out a heavy sigh.

"Of all days, he picks when Kyo is visiting... And what does he want to talk about after all this time?" The adult wondered, wishing he didn't have to go.

"... will you meet with him?" Kunimitsu asked Kazuma could only guess what he wanted to talk about, and it made him sick. Kazuma stepped back into the kitchen to at least let his guests know.

"I apologize. Something came up. I have to meet with someone."

"The hell?" Kyo asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Marley-San, I'm terribly sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can." Kazuma apologized and gave her a polite smile, but a look of concern crossed her amethyst eyes.

"Oh, don't worry about it... but. Is everything okay?" She asked, and he insisted that everything was alright and began walking down the hallway, but Kyo's voice stopped him.

"Shishou.. did something happen?" Kyo asked as he followed him down the hallway.

"There's nothing to worry about, I'll be right back. Wait here, like a good boy." Kazuma patted Kyo's head, and the teenager blushed and tried to shove the hand away.

"What the hell is that?!"

Marley peeked her head out of the kitchen and watched the two go back forth, much like the father and the son that they were. Maybe not by blood but by love.

Marley smiled and slightly leaned back at the door frame, happy that she got to catch a glimpse of the moment. She felt weird ridges under her fingers, and it distracted her from Kyo and Kazuma as she looked behind her to inspect.

There, scribbled into the wood of the door frame, was a line and kanji. She slid her fingers over it again as she read.

"Kyo... age 6." It was hard to picture him so small. And then about 5 inches above, Marley's height was Kazuma's name. Only, he didn't have an age next to it.

"Ah, you found the height chart."

"Oh Kunimitsu, sorry I didn't see you there. Am I in your way?" Marley asked as she moved from the wall, and the man shook his head and gestured back to the height chart.

"Ha-ha, poor Kyo was always afraid he would never be big and tall. Drank so much milk and when he wasn't getting any taller, he would cry-"

"Ku-Ni-Mi-Tsu..." Kyo sounded out his name, a syllable at a time, a fire in his eyes as he death glared at the man.

"YOU DIDN'T NEED TO TELL HER THAT! NOW GET LOST!" Kyo raged, and Kunimitsu threw up his hands in surrender but still had a teasing smile on his face.

"Okay, Okay. I'll let you two get back to it."

"What?!" Both Kyo and Marley responded in unison, and the two looked at each other, small blush on their faces, but Marley was the first to laugh it off and returned her attention to the wall. Tracing the notches, from Kyo at 6 to 12.'

"Why did you stop tracking your height?"

"Seemed childish..."

"What? No. I mean, everyone wants to get big and tall, right?" Kyo quickly walked, and Marley tilted her head as he walked back, but this time with a small knife in his hand.

"Alright. Let's see." Kyo stood up against the door frame, and Marley's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Ya, ya. Just get it over with already." Kyo hurried her along, and Marley carefully used her hand and pointed at the point on the wall where Kyo's height was and told him he was good to step away, and she let him put the notch.

"You've gotten so tall."

"Well, duh! The last time I did this, I was a kid." He scoffed with a small pout on his lips.

"You'll catch up to Kazuma soon, maybe you'll be even taller." Marley smiled at him and noticed that he really was a little bit taller than herself. She was sure that when they met back in March that she was taller.

"Do you-" Marley stopped as she noticed the thoughtful look on Kyo's face; he stepped closer, and his hand came up to the new notch on the door frame that was only an inch or two above her head, essentially caging her in but Marley didn't feel trapped. Merely curious as to what Kyo thought as she searched his orange eyes that reminded her of marigolds that grew around her grandmother's house.

Kyo's fingers brushed over the new notch, his body was so close to Marley, who stood between him and the wall that he could smell the mixture of lemon and coconut from her hair.

This was proof that he was getting taller, he was growing. He thought back to his Shishou's words all that time ago when Kyo was afraid that he would never grow. That he would never have the strength to fight the things he feared.

"Once you get bigger... in body... The strength will come to. Just give it time. There will be things to be afraid of, but you won't be afraid..."

Once I'm an adult... will I be able to overcome my fears?

"Kyo?" Marley asked, bringing Kyo back to earth.

"I'm taller than you now." Kyo proclaimed, slightly proud even if it was barely an inch.

"Really!? You've grown so much; I could have sworn when we met, you were like this big." Marley brought her hand to her shoulder, and Kyo rolled his eyes. Kyo knew that he had only been a little bit shorter than Marley, even though he didn't want to admit it.

It wasn't his fault that Marley had ridiculously long legs, but he was catching up.

"Try about here, Weirdo." Kyo flicked her in the middle of the forehead, and Marley let out a little surprised chirp sound that made Kyo laugh, and Marley's jaw dropped.

"That was a weird sound! That was embarrassing." Marley slightly blushed as she rubbed her forehead, where she had been lightly flicked.

"Wanna hear it again." Kyo teased ad Marley giggled and shook her head.

"No! I'm good." Marley quickly dodged Kyo's hand and ducked back into the kitchen, and the teenage boy took once last look at the notches in the wall. He looked at how small he was when he was a child and trailed up the wooden beam to his height was now. He was growing and getting stronger, but was that enough?

Will I be able... to change my future?

.

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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

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.

Classical music played from an old record player, the sound filling the house's stagnant air, and two men sat across from another. But it was not a friendly meeting.

"Your grandfather was the previous cat. So, you of all people should understand. The one possessed by the cat must be confined... that THING has been granted unprecedented freedom, but that will end once he graduates high school." A man with hollow cheeks and dark hair was nervously tapping his foot as he lit up a cigarette. Kazuma could only watch silently as he went on.

"From then on... for the rest of his lift. Until he dies, he will live in the compound in that dark room. He won't be allowed outside and like your grandfather... Kazuma-Dono... When the time comes, I want your cooperation. We can't let him get away..." The man's cold eyes widened a bit, a look of a man who feared something that wasn't there. A paranoia.

"Seems like you're getting a bit ahead of yourself. He won't graduate for another year-" Kazuma simply stated but didn't get to finish.

"I'M NERVOUS! When I think of that THING being allowed to continue living on the outside, I become a nervous wreck. He's a monster! He's a monster who as good as murdered his own Mother... my wife!" The man jumped to his feet, his voice filled with malice.

"I'll never forgive him... he killed... and yet he lives on... Without the slightest feeling of guilt. He killed my wife. Can you imagine how much pain I've had to live with?" He sneered as he glared at Kazuma, his cigarette burning and the ash falling to the ground.

"Why... WHY IS HE ALLOWED THIS FREEDOM?!" He screamed

The music on the record skipped and then seemed to get stuck on one part, playing like a broken record, repeating the same few notes repeatedly. Never moving forward.

"It's all that things fault. Everything was ruined thanks to him." The man crushed the half-used cigarette into the ashtray, so much hatred in the man's eyes, but Kazuma felt a weird sense of de ga vu.

These words rang familiar to Kazuma.

"You resemble him." Kazuma mused, and the man's eyes shot to him, not believing the words that left the karate master's lips.

"You resemble the old Kyo... just a little bit. He had more anxiety and fear then he could handle... so he would cover his ears, shut his eyes and project them on other people." Kazuma explained as he looked down at the wooden floor.

"But... he's changing. He's finally emerged from despair and has just begun walking down a new path. He starting to mature. Won't you change too?" Kazuma asked but knew he would get no answer. So, he tried again.

"Why is it that you blame everything on your son without searching your own conscience?" Kazuma brought his gaze to the man before him. This man was filled to the brim with hate.

"A-are you trying to say it's all my fault?" The man scoffed.

"I am merely wondering why you place all the blame on him." Kazuma remained calm, but on the inside, he felt a fire burning.

"Ha! You talk like you're his father... but we all know the truth. You only took him in for the money. Possessed by the cat or not, anyone who raises one of the Zodiac children is generously provided for." The man smirked as he lit up another cigarette and took a massive huff, filling the space with the ugly scent.

"Insult my integrity all you like. Seeing him grow up has been one of my life's true pleasures. There is no way I would help you imprison him." Kazuma stated, and that made the man freeze, the cigarette barely brushing against his lips.

"D-Don't be stupid! The head of the family won't stand for this!" The man pointed, unbelieving that Kazuma would dare even state such a thing.

"I don't care who it is. If need be, I will protect him with my life. You don't possess one iota of parental love, so I doubt you would understand that." Kazuma said so matter-of-factly.

"You, you think you will get away with this? You really think you'll get away with this...?" The man yelled while Kazuma walked away from the dark aura of that house. That grave and stagnant heart of Kyo's father seemed to only grow colder as the years pass. The troubled man was stuck and decaying into darkness.

Kyo himself probably realized the future that's being prepared for him... I don't want to make him go back there.

I don't want to make him stand in that darkness ever again.

He returned to the sound of laughter and the sight of Marley and Kyo sitting on the porch, resting in the sunshine. It looked like Marley had a small butterfly on her finger and moved it, so the orange butterfly was resting on Kyo's shoulder.

"You guys could be twins." Marley teased, and Kyo huffed and waved the butterfly away gently only to land on top of his head instead, and Marley laughed. Kazuma caught the warm smile on Kyo's face as he watched Marley, and there was no darkness to be found.

Kazuma was confident that the future was not set in stone. There was a chance as long as he fought. There was always a chance.

.

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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

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.

The afternoon glow was peeking through the parking garage's windows, but dark green eyes barely noticed as they concentrated on the task. Miguel wiped his brow of the sweat before he continued working on the bike. Feeling at peace as he was finally in his element. The smell of the oils and metal, the clicking and turning of gears. This stuff made sense to him. Everything just seemed to click.

He had never been great in school and always felt like he was a fuck-up. But in a garage was where he felt he could do something. Fixing the problems was easy when it came to auto-mechanics. He felt like his mind was clear.

"Alright. Let's take you for a quick test." Miguel hopped onto, turning the handle and revving up the engine, feeling the bike come to life beneath him. The sound making him smirk a little with pride.

"Alright, let's go." He revved himself up, his heart pounding.

Kicking off, he ripped out of the parking garage and out of the alleyway. The wind whipped past him, and he leaned into the corner and popped onto the city street. He forgot for a moment that Japan drove on the other side of the road, and, after one close call, he quickly learned.

Too busy paying attention to the road now and testing out the bike, he didn't notice the group of girls he zoomed past who had just finished lunch at a nearby soba restaurant.

"Was that-" Uo asked as she pointed in the direction the red motorbike had disappeared.

"Looks like he fixed the bike," Hana stated.

"Ah, but he wasn't wearing a helmet and -" Tohru started to fret.

"Yeah, I'll kill him for that later. Let's head back to the parking lot." Gabi insisted, and the girls continued on.

It only took another 10 minutes until Miguel came cruising back into the parking garage, where the women waited for his return.

"She's good to go. Rides like a dream." Miguel mentioned, and Gabi just told Uo that the bike was fixed.

"Thank you! You really saved my ass." Uo, let out a breath of relief. It would have taken her months to save up for the repairs, so Miguel really was a godsend.

Tohru had walked back to the bike. Seeing it drive past earlier had been so strange, it immediately filled her of thought of her beloved Mother. She could imagine the 'red butterfly' racing through the streets.

"Your mom's bike is something else." Miguel looked like he was cloud 9, the high from the motorcycle ride running through his veins.

"huh."

"Ever taken a ride?" Miguel gestured to the bike, and Tohru shook her head.

"Me? No, no, no. Never." Tohru flailed around, and Miguel thought that maybe they could fix that.

"Want to?" The boy simply asked, and Tohru's jaw dropped.

"I-.."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of you." Miguel promised as he held out his hand to her, he had a small smile on, but it wasn't one that seemed to tease. It was comforting, and Tohru found herself placing her hand in his, and they lightly shook hands. It felt like making a promise of some sort.

"Yes... I'd like to go."

Miguel's grin grew as he passed her the only helmet that belonged to Uo, a simple black motorcycle helmet, and she clumsily put it on as Miguel straddled the bike.

"Come on, Chica." Miguel gave a comforting smile, and Tohru took a gulp, her heart racing as she stepped closer to the bike.

Being careful of her yellow dress, she lifted her leg and settled into her seat, tucking her dress to make sure nothing went flying. Tohru was slightly shaking but took a breath to calm down, and she was enveloped with the smell of motor oil and sandalwood.

It was quite lovely.

"Tohru?"

"Hold on to me," Miguel told her, and Tohru immediately wrapped her arms around Miguel's torso and with the loud roar of the engine, they were gone.

Uo's jaw dropped while Hana had a dark look on her face as they looked at the tire marks left from the bike.

"Wow, he straight-up kidnapped her." Gabi joked, slightly laughing at how tiny she looked on that bike compared to Gabi's tall and buff brother. Tohru's dear and protective friends didn't see anything to laugh at as they glared at the woman, and she threw her hands up.

"Trust me, she's in good hands." But that hardly made the two high school girls feel any better.

"... how about we hit up that fancy parfait place we passed by. My treat." Gabi tried to calm down the angry friends with the promise of food while also cursing Miguel in her mind for putting her int this situation.

.

.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

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.

Reds and purples filled the sky as the day finally came to an end.

Miguel couldn't get those large brown eyes out of his head, or the words of advice she had given him as they had taken a break from the bike on the riverbank just out of the city.

"I thought her friends where gonna kill you." Gabi had tried to scold him, but she was never any good at it. More often, she found his behaviour funny, and she knew he wasn't the same brat he was a few years ago, but she was sure he hid still had some troublesome habits.

"Huh?"

"When you took off with Tohru. They looked like they were going to plot your murder." Gabi laughed even though when it all happened, it wasn't that funny. Hanajima and Uotani looked like they could easily end Miguel's life is something happen to Tohru.

Miguel shrugged and kind of smirked. He could tell that her friends hadn't been happy with him, and Tohru had to calm them down. But he would have done it again.

"Tohru should at least get to ride her Mom's bike. And she laughed so hard and seemed like she was really having a lot of fun, it was nice." Miguel didn't regret it one bit.

"You're lucky you didn't get pulled over or anything. Where did you go, anyway?" Gabi asked as she leaned back into the seat and looked over at her brother.

"I just took her through a few streets, and we ended up by a small park by a riverbank." Miguel had been starving, and there was a small truck selling crepes, and he paid for him and Tohru, and they snacked on them while they watched the river flow by and... somehow Miguel ended up spilling his story to the girl he had only known for a short while.

Tohru listened to what Miguel had to say, waiting patiently for him to finish and seemed to think long and hard, a thoughtful look in her soft eyes.

"Marley-Chan, I believe she is struggling, but I imagine that puts on a very brave face... and her heart is so large and warm... I know it that even though you two are far away now. She has lots of room in it for you still." Tohru's English was slow, and there were bumps here and there, but Miguel could understand her perfectly.

"She clearly treasures you and your friendship...even if you two are far apart ... she just wishes that the people she loves are happy, and maybe... doesn't want to burden those around her." Tohru stated, and Miguel couldn't believe that he didn't see it.

"Damn... I feel like I just got told..." Miguel chuckled as he stared down at the grass. He truly had been an idiot, and he had the person that he claimed that he loved.

Marley was doing her best, and Miguel was whining like a child because now Marley had made other friendships.

How pathetic.

"'Ah! What? Um, is that a bad thing?" Tohru fretted, unsure of the English words he used, and Miguel only shook his head.

"Nah... I had to hear it, I guess... I've been selfish... I'm glad that she's doing well. I'm grateful she had a friend like you." He ran a hand through his hair to get it out his face and looked over the kind-hearted girl, thankful for this time and took her words to heart.

"Oh! No! I'm the one who is grateful to have a friend like Marley-Chan." Tohru got flustered and started waving her arms around. Miguel only laughed, finding her humble attitude completely endearing.

"Maybe the beach house won't be so bad... You'll be there, right?" Miguel asked and then watched as Tohru seems to go through several emotions.

First, she looked confused, and then something clicked, which led to her jumping to her feet as a look of surprise mixed with embarrassment crossed her face.

"I COMPLETELY FORGOT!"

Miguel learned that along with being a kind and caring girl, Tohru Honda was also a bit of a scatterbrain.

The car came to a stop, and Gabriella shoved the boy to bring him out of his thoughts. Miguel got out of the Sohma car that had brought them back to the estate and handed back all the tools.

"I have to get ready for a show. Are you going to hang out at the apartment?" Gabi asked as they left the Sohma Estate garage.

"Actually... I need to go talk to Marley really quick." Miguel had put it off long enough. He needed to properly apologize. Face to face.

Gabriella suddenly wrapped him in a tight hug, and Miguel asked her what was wrong. Slightly squirming in the random embrace.

"Whatever is it... I know you'll make it right." Gabriella tried to think of what she could say as she had a feeling that something had happened between the two but hadn't wanted to intervene unless asked.

"Don't worry... I think I understand a bit better now. Someone helped me see it all a little clearer." He told her, and Gabi nodded and told him to not stay out too late and that she would be out late at work.

Miguel walked through the Sohma Estate, knowing where he had to go. And as he walked, he thought of Marley and their time together.

All the lunches he spent in the school gym as she practiced a routine, only taking a few moments then and there to eat before going back to working on some sort of move that Miguel couldn't name to save his life.

Meeting her parents for the first time and how they welcomed him into their small home, no questions asked. Even going to the temple with the family on the weekends where the girls got dressed up in traditional Indian clothes, and Marley helped him tie a bandana over his head before entering the gurdwara.

The look of heartbreak in her eyes when he had once shown up to the apartment covered in bruises and blood from a fight he had gotten involved with for a bit of money. After all the tears, her large amethyst eyes cried as she tried to help bandage him up... he stopped fighting. It wasn't worth it.

Marley learning how to make his favourite empanada because he mentioned he was craving them. The first few tries had tasted a little strange, and she worked hard to get it right. Not content with herself until her empanadas were Gabriella and Miguel approved.

Miguel teaching her how to play baseball and leaning her hand-eye coordination when it came to sports was nothing to be desired. Swinging with everything she had and missing every pitch.

How easily she got drunk after a few coolers at a house party, he dragged her too. Miguel let out a laugh when he remembered how he found after he lost her. She had found the room in the house where the host was keeping her golden doodle dogs and was cuddling with them as she sang about how much she loved them, her face red from the alcohol.

Then there was the time he skipped out on his chance to see her perform. Marley had given him a ticket and had looked so excited for him to see her in the show. He had bought flowers and had planned to go. But- when he showed up and saw all the fancy looking people. Miguel grew self-conscious and threw the flowers he had boughten away and stormed off. When he saw Marley after, he lied and said he got caught up at work and just missed the show. She just smiled and said that it was fine. Her parents had worked that night, so she understood. Marley held a sizeable beautiful bouquet with her as she stood in the hallway, still dressed in her shoes and tutu. He didn't ask where the flowers came from. He was just happy that the girl got a beautiful bouquet.

They had taken a picture anyway with her still in her ballet outfit and stage makeup. He hated that photo because it felt like a lie. She hadn't been happy. She was just pretending to be, for his sake. Because he remembered after when they were riding the bus home, and Miguel caught Marley silently crying in the reflection of the window, and he was too ashamed of his actions to reach out and comfort her. He later promised to make her next show, but her next show never happened, and now, he wasn't sure if Marley would ever dance in a show again.

He was brought out of his memories when he could hear Marley's voice mixed with another's and the sound of the TV. They were speaking in Japanese, but Miguel could still recognize the voices. He walked around the corner and cut across the garden, unnoticed by the two as they seemed to be a conversation.

Marley was speaking fast and pointing to the TV, and Kyo seemed to be disagreeing and shaking his head, looking at her in bewilderment. Marley pouted and tried to practically take his jaw in her hands and face him towards the TV, trying to make him watch what was happening in whatever they were watching.

It was bittersweet to see. It hurt ...But... he could learn to be okay with it. Because she looked so god damn happy, and that's what everyone wanted for her.

"Hey." Miguel slightly knocked on the porch, and the two looked over, and the smiles dropped from both of their faces.

"Miguel. You're here.." Marley asked as she got up, and Kyo simply glared at the intruder while Marley looked concerned. Miguel was really feeling like an outsider now, but he had to try and mend it.

"Marley, can I just... I just want to talk, really." Miguel asked as waited for permission to enter the house, and the white-blonde closed her mouth and nodded, motioning him to come inside. Kyo stood and whispered something to Marley, and the two talked quickly in Japanese. Miguel could barely catch a word, but he could see Kyo getting heated up, but all Marley had to do was slightly squeeze his hand. Miguel watched as the boy seemed to calm down but turned to glare at Miguel before walking into the kitchen. Leaving Marley and Miguel in the living room.

Miguel assumed that was the only privacy he was going to get. Miguel might be taller than the orange-haired boy, but he felt like he was three inches tall right now. Kyo watched him like a hawk from the kitchen table, those orange eyes seemed to be screaming something like.

'Make her cry, and I'll kill you.'

The old Miguel would have thrown a punch at this guy for acting like Miguel was some sort of lousy villain that Marley had to be protected from. But these last few days, that's how Miguel felt. Like he was the bad guy. And he didn't want to feel that way anymore and hopefully, the first step to changing that. Was to truly apologize.

"First of all ... I was a huge asshole. And. I didn't mean any of that Shit that I said the other day." The words came out so quickly, and Marley went to say something but Miguel kept plowing through because he wanted to get through this

"I'm sorry. I know that you've probably just been trying to survive. I shouldn't try to judge how you grieve. I... I guess I was just upset that I couldn't be here for you when you really needed... a friend... and then I got... Jealous when I saw how you have these new 'friends'.." Miguel slightly clenched his fists and felt a knot in his throat.

"Miguel..." Marley said his name so warmly, and he missed that sound so much.

"I... I've been really thinking about that night. I wasn't... I was so caught up... And I really thought that there could be something. But now I see... you never saw me that like... but I know that you loved me."

"I still do! I'm sorry that I cou-"

"Don't apologize for that... you … you gave me so much and..." Miguel was still trying to find the words.

You saved me from completely fucking up my life

"I'm so happy that I have you in my life, whichever way that is. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you. I know now that. I'm sorry I put you in... such a shit position back then... you probably regret a lot of things when it comes to me." He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the pit of shame in his stomach and spreading up his throat.

"No!" Marley was looking up at with determined eyes, and Miguel couldn't look away. It was an intense look that he had only seen once or twice before.

"There are things I wish I had handled differently, but please don't think that I regret anything..." Marley tried to continue, but Miguel didn't want to hear anything else. This was enough.

"Okay, okay. Let's just never speak of it again...But now... I just want to be...someone you can be proud to call a friend." Miguel admitted, and Marley jumped forward, wrapping her arms around him, rubbing his back.

"I am proud to call you, my friend Miguel. I will always love you; you are family to me. I feel so lucky to have you as my friend." Marley comforted him, and Miguel felt an immense sense of relief flooding through him.

"I'll take it," Miguel said as he wrapped his arms around her, savouring in the warmth. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't help but look towards the kitchen, and the orange-haired boy had his arms crossed and was glaring so hard that Miguel could almost feel the sharp daggers.

Miguel finally let go, and Marley asked if he wanted to stay for tea or anything, but Miguel said he was beat from the long day. He wished her a good night and walked away from the porch, disappearing around the corner. Miguel leaned back against the stone pillar that was just outside Marley's back porch. His heart still in a bit of pain, but he also felt a little lighter, Miguel couldn't wait to move forward.

I'm happy for you.

.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

.

Kyo and Marley settled back into the movie, but the orange-haired boy hardly paid attention to the screen, watching Marley and curious to what was going on behind her large amethyst eyes.

"Is there something on my face?" Marley asked nervously as she finally noticed Kyo staring at her. She felt self-conscious all of a sudden as she felt around her face, worried if maybe a piece of food was stuck somewhere.

Kyo shook his head.

"Everything good?" The boy asked, wondering how she was doing after the talk with her old friend. He knew that she had been stressed about it, even if she tried to keep it to herself as best as she could.

Marley was the type to worry about everyone around her, and Kyo just wished she would take care of herself more.

"Oh... yes. I think so." The girl softly said as she smiled down at the table.

"Miguel, he really is a precious friend, and I feel like I'm starting to really get him back... And now I really can't wait for the beach trip. Going with everyone, playing on the beach, and smashing watermelons, we could even make a small bonfire on the beach. Making new memories... it's going to be so much fun!" Marley had a huge smile, and joy just seemed to seep from her aura.

"... what beach trip?" Kyo asked, and Marley froze, realization dawning on her. Momiji and her had written the invitations and sent them out, but now she realized that she hadn't double-checked with everyone to make sure who could make it.

"..."

"Marley." Kyo already knew he was about to be dragged into some sort of activity, and he doubted he would be able to say no.

"So-, how do you feel about taking a trip to the beach house down south for the week?" Marley tried to ask innocently, and Kyo scoffed and lightly reached out and tugged on a loose curl, not enough to hurt her. Just pulled it enough to let it bounce slightly.

"Fine. But don't expect me to go in the ocean." Kyo finally answered after leaving Marley in anticipation for a few moments, but the moment he consented to the trip, Marley wore a smile that could brighten up the darkest of rooms.

Kyo hoped that she wouldn't ask him to go swimming because he had a feeling that if Marley asked for it. He would do it with little resistance.

.

.

.

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Notes:

Song in the beginning - Mi Gente - , J. Balvin, Willy William, the Beyonce Remix.

Can't think of any other notes at the moment. I honestly am starting to doubt that people read past the chapter-ending LOL

So. Here we are. Things are turning around and moving ahead.

Thank you for the two that left reviews on the last chapter. It means a lot.

Hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe.

Til next time.