The morning of graduation started like almost any other morning for Kyo: early. Just like every other morning he got out of bed, doing his best not to disturb Tohru; just like every other morning, he went for a run. He took his shower.

But when he got back up to his room, instead of putting on his uniform he put back on his pajamas. Tohru had wanted to iron all of their uniforms that last morning, apologizing profusely for the inconvenience but earnestly wanting them all to look their best, and neither Yuki nor Kyo had had any argument. Besides, while none of them were in the habit of spilling food on themselves, it was best to err on the side of caution on a day when looking nice was so very important.

Kyo felt a little strange pulling on the worn old t-shirt he'd always used as a pajama shirt. Before moving to Shigure's house, he'd always slept bare-chested; he tended to run warm in his sleep, ever since puberty, and while he liked to be under blankets, there was only so much warmth he could take. But when he'd found out he'd be living in a house right across the hall from a girl, it hadn't seemed appropriate any more, and he'd accordingly brought back the shirt.

That had lasted until after the Curse broke, when an off-handed comment by Kyo about his shirt had made Tohru, blushing the entire time, ask him why he kept wearing it, now that they were together. After all, she definitely didn't mind seeing him without it, and she doubted she ever would.

After that, the shirt had been relegated to a drawer in his room, kept with other things that he technically owned but never wore.

He wasn't going to be cooking or eating without a shirt, though, especially not around Yuki.

And the shirt wasn't the only thing he took from that drawer, either. He had to psyche himself up to it; he knew it technically wasn't required, not really. Not exactly. He hadn't been told he had to, explicitly. But he knew it would be preferred, by a lot of people...and it would probably make Tohru really happy.

So he grabbed the rolled-up necktie from the drawer, intending to bring it downstairs along with his towel. Tohru had all of their uniforms in her room, and he knew she planned to do the ironing sometime after she woke up. He'd have her take a look at the tie, too, and make sure it was in acceptable condition; after all, it had been rolled up in a drawer for two-and-a-half years.

He was in for a surprise when he stepped out into the hall.

"Tohru?" He asked, the question reflexive as she came out of her room at almost the same time as him. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

She shook her head, smiling at him over her armful of uniforms. "No, you didn't; I just...woke up early today."

It was a relief to hear that. The gathering last night had lasted much longer than Kyo would have preferred, and he had always needed less sleep than Tohru; he'd been worried that she'd be exhausted the next day, after staying up so late. But he could understand anticipation being a powerful motivator, and it was a relief to see Tohru awake and looking so cheerful.

He was going to enjoy it while he could.

"Here, lemme take those for you," he said, taking the stack of uniforms. "You need the bathroom probably, yeah?"

"Yes," Tohru admitted, blushing.

"Well, you do all your morning stuff; I'll take this stuff downstairs for you, and get started on breakfast. You've got a lot of time," he said, smiling at her, "so don't feel like you gotta rush."

"I won't," she agreed, leaning up and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Kyo."


Kyo was grinning as he headed down the stairs, uniforms in one hand, his damp towel tucked under the other. Soon the towel was hung in the bathroom and the uniforms, along with his tie, were sitting on the living room table. Kyo was busily at work with breakfast prep when Tohru came downstairs herself, her hair neatly brushed and pulled back into a ponytail.

"I just realized I never said good morning, Kyo!" she said, walking up to him with a smile. "So...good morning!"

"Good morning," he responded, giving her a look almost overflowing with affection at how cute she was being. "You actually got a good night's rest, then?"

"I did," she agreed. "I was worried I'd have trouble sleeping with feelings about...today..." she said, swallowing hard before looking at him with increased determination, "but I think us being up so late actually helped. I was so tired that I passed right out!"

"Yeah, I kinda noticed," Kyo said with a grin. "You were like a log. A cute log," he quickly amended, "but a log."

"Well, I'm a very well-rested log," she said, giggling at him as she reached for the cutting board full of chopped vegetables. But Kyo held it back.

"Hey, did you just wanna do your ironing now, Tohru, and let me get everything going? There's no rush or anything, but this way we can just get dressed right after breakfast and maybe even head out a little early, if we want."

Tohru looked at him for a moment, then broke into a big smile. "You don't mind?"

He gave her an amused look. "Do I ever mind?"

"No, but that doesn't mean you might not mind sometime!" Tohru protested, and Kyo chuckled.

"No, I don't mind," he said, stooping to give her a kiss. "If I minded, I wouldn't've suggested it, so go ahead. I'll get everything started," he repeated, "and if you wanna take over when you're done, you can."

Tohru nodded, crossing the kitchen to the cabinet where the iron and little ironing board were kept and then carrying them out the living room. Quickly she set up the ironing board and plugged in the iron, then turned to unfold the uniforms and get them ready for pressing.

She frowned at the sight of the coiled tie sitting on top of the stack. "Did you drop Yuki's tie, Kyo?" She'd stacked all of their graduation uniforms herself after bringing in the laundry the other day, and Yuki's tie had just been lying loose, neither folded, coiled, or arranged any other way besides 'flat.'

Kyo frowned too as he glanced back over his shoulder. "Don't think so, why?"

"Because it's wrapped up," she said, picking up the tie and uncoiling it.

"Oh, that's not Yuki's," Kyo said, suddenly realizing and blushing in spite of his attempt to be nonchalant. "That one's mine."

Tohru's eyes got huge. "Yours?" she repeated, swiveling around to stare at him, and Kyo's blush intensified.

"Yeah, that's right. Sensei Shiraki said to make sure we were all looking our best and had our uniforms all on right and stuff, so I just thought...maybe...I oughtta wear it," he said, feeling awkward under the intensity of her stare and the sudden thought that maybe it was actually a little silly, to wear a tie at this point when he hadn't worn one a single day prior. Not on his first day, not on any closing or opening ceremony days, not for the Culture Fest or on their class trip; never, not once, on any occasion, had that tie been worn.

By the end of his little speech, Tohru was positively beaming. "Well, I think you'll look very handsome, Kyo," she said, and Kyo gave her a little smile in response.

"Yeah?"

"Yes," she agreed, blushing slightly herself. "I mean, you always look handsome-"

"Good morning," came a dry, slightly pained voice from the kitchen doorway, and Kyo and Tohru both flushed as Yuki walked in.

"Morning," Kyo said tersely, immediately turning his attention back to the stove. Apparently everyone was waking up early today which, honestly, he probably should have expected.

"Yuki, good morning!" Tohru said, smiling up at him as he walked into the living room and surveyed her ironing operation. "You're up early, did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you Miss Honda," Yuki said, looking at her affectionately before glancing from the kitchen to the laundry. "Is there anything I can do to help either of you?"

Tohru shook her head as she held her hand in front of the iron to check the heat. "Not me, no! But this shouldn't take me long, either."

"Not with the cooking, no," Kyo said after a moment, looking back at Yuki. "But knock yourself out if you wanna make some tea for you guys, or get out the dishes for when everything's done."

"Of course," Yuki said, promptly setting to the two tasks.

As they all went about their work, Tohru couldn't help but smile as she listened to the quiet sounds of Yuki asking Kyo about the dishes and Kyo's responses. It had taken a long time to get to this point; to where the three of them could all just be around each other with no fighting, and no unpleasantness. She had wished, her very first New Year's with the Sohmas, that Kyo and Yuki would get along; it might not have actually happened that year, but late was definitely better than never.

Tohru smiled as she ran the iron over each piece of their uniforms, smoothing out collars and pleats and ties. How many times had she done this, over the past couple years? How many times had she washed and pressed their uniforms, making sure that all of them were properly dressed and ready to face each new school day?

Her smile faltered as she folded Yuki's uniform shirt and laid it with his trousers, looking at it besides Kyo's. Almost every day they'd worn those familiar blue and white uniforms, Yuki's always as neat as a pin, Kyo's with the top unbuttoned and never any tie.

Her lip trembled as she laid out her own uniform and ran the iron carefully over the wide sailor collar. After today...she'd never wear it again. Even though she could, it would only be cosplay; she'd never be that schoolgirl, wearing her high school uniform, ever again.

"Would you like some tea, Miss Honda?"

Yuki's kind voice once more broke in on her thoughts, and Tohru rapidly blinked her eyes before smiling up at him. "I would, thank you! I'm almost done with the ironing, though, so I'll finish this first, if that's ok?"

"Of course," Yuki said, setting down the teapot and two tea cups. "Take your time," he continued, looking at the ironing board. "It was very considerate of you to want to iron everything this morning!"

"Well of course I did, Yuki," Tohru giggled as she laid aside her uniform shirt and picked up her skirt. "We're graduating today," she said, trying to keep her voice from wobbling, "and I want us all to look our best!"

Yuki have her an understanding smile. "I'm sure we will, Miss Honda, especially with your hard-"

He broke off suddenly, his gaze suddenly arrested by the near-identical piles of clothing sitting on the floor beside Tohru. Each pile had a pair of blue trousers, a blue uniform shirt...and a light blue necktie.

Blinking, Yuki stared from one pile to the other, then looked in surprise and confusion at the kitchen. "Kyo...are you wearing a tie?"

Kyo was immediately defensive. "So what if I am?"

Yuki was admittedly stunned. "Have you ever worn one before?"

"Why the hell would've I worn one before?"

"But you're wearing one today," Yuki repeated, frowning slightly, and Kyo blushed.

"Yeah, well, we're graduating, aren't we? And Sensei said we all oughtta dress properly, so...shut up!" Kyo said, darkening as Yuki's expression became a grin.

"Do you even know how to tie a tie?"

"I can manage if I gotta," Kyo immediately growled, then flushed. "But actually, I was hoping..." his voice trailed off into a low mumble that neither Yuki or Tohru could actually hear.

"Sorry, I can't hear you when you're being that quiet, you stupid Cat. I guess my ears have gotten used to you yelling all the time, I can't even detect your voice when you're speaking at a civilized volume."

"I said I was hoping Tohru could help me with it, ok? I remember her helping you with yours back in the day, I figure if it's like riding a bike or whatever she'd still know how."

Tohru was beaming as she looked over at Kyo. "Of course I will, Kyo! I'd be very, very happy to help you," she said, unplugging the iron and setting her skirt with her uniform top. "I definitely still remember how to tie a necktie," she said, rising to her feet and joining Kyo in the kitchen. "But is there anything I can still help with for breakfast?"

Kyo glanced around the kitchen, then smiled at her. "Why don't you go have your tea, then you can come help finish up? I got it all under control, for now."

She gave him an affectionate smile, then walked back to sit down once more beside Yuki. "I'll take that tea now, if it's still available!"

"Of course," Yuki said, smiling at her as he began to pour.

"And I'll have some too, as long as you're offering!"

All three of them jumped as the door to Shigure's room slid open and the novelist emerged, rubbing his eyes as he looked around.

"My word, I never would have guessed it; not only Kyo, but dear Tohru and even Yuki, all awake and bright-eyed at this hour?"

'That's right, he's here,' all three of the graduates thought with varying degrees of surprise and/or annoyance. None of them had been prepared for him to appear the night before, smiling as he joined them and all their dinner guests for shabu-shabu.

"What, the man of the house can't sit down for one final supper with all of his youthful charges? Besides, seeing how there's a wild party happening in my house tonight I really ought to be here and make sure you're all behaving, don't you think?"

It had been a relief to everyone except one or two people when Shigure had simply retreated to his room after eating, smiling as he reminded them that most of them still had to go to school the next day and should make sure they went to bed on time. Tohru had been touched by him wanting to join them for one last dinner and breakfast, but Yuki and Kyo had both been of the opinion that things would have been infinitely preferable if he'd stayed as he'd been: at the main house.

But Shigure wasn't wrong. The previous night and current morning were the last chance for all four of them to be 'home' together. Yuki, Tohru and Kyo all had plans for lunch and supper on graduation day, and Yuki would be staying at Machi's that night and gone the following morning. Tohru and Kyo would be spending the day after graduation packing and cleaning, and they hoped to be on their way to the dojo by early afternoon.

This breakfast was their last chance to eat a meal together, just the four of them.

"Good morning, Shigure!" Tohru said, the only one genuinely smiling at the novelist's emergence. "Let me go get you a cup!"

As she stood up and hurried into the kitchen, Shigure settled down into his spot and smiled across the table at Yuki.

"Too excited to sleep today, Yuki?"

"Something like that," Yuki said dryly, raising his own cup and taking a sip as Tohru came scurrying back.

"Here you are, Shigure," she said, passing him the cup with a smile. "It's so nice of you to want to join us for breakfast!"

Yuki and Kyo were conspicuously silent at that, but Shigure gave Tohru a smile.

"Thank you, Tohru, you're always so very kind. Surely you didn't think that I'd miss the chance to enjoy one final taste of your cooking, did you? Or Kyo's cooking, as it might turn out to be," he said, glancing towards the kitchen.

At that comment Tohru blushed and quickly downed her tea before hastening back to the kitchen. "I can help now, Kyo!"

Yuki sighed, then looked across the table at Shigure. "I'm surprised to see you're awake at this hour. I was honestly expecting you to take advantage of having the morning off to sleep in and simply roll into graduation right before it started."

Shigure pressed his hand to his heart. "And miss the chance to have breakfast with you all?"

Yuki was giving him a suspicious look, and after a moment Shigure sighed. "You're always so suspicious, Yuki, but if you must know, I'm actually keeping pretty regular hours these days. Being the assistant to the family head often means morning meetings, more's the pity," he said, shaking his head.

"It must be very difficult for you," Yuki said, his tone still dry, and Shigure let out another gusty sigh.

"It really is! And it's done terrible things for my creative output; I have one book left to finish out my contract with my publisher, and I just haven't had the inspiration to work on it in weeks, even on the rare occasions I've actually had the time. Fortunately, my publisher has been very understanding and told me to take as long as I need to finish, which is a very good thing; with so much time in between fits of inspiration, I sometimes have to go back and change my already submitted chapters-"

"You're just trying to make life harder for your editor, aren't you?" Yuki said, more of a statement than a question, and Shigure laughed as he took another sip of his tea.

"Always so very suspicious, Yuki," he repeated, shaking his head before smiling at him. "And yet somehow, I'm still going to miss you lecturing me. Is that strange?"

Yuki snorted into his tea. "Everything about you has always been strange, Shigure."

"He's not wrong," Kyo said, walking in and setting down dishes at his place at the table. "Food's ready and dished up, you guys can go get your own and bring it in yourselves."

Shigure sighed as he rose to his feet. "Really, making an old man get up and move so much so early in the morning?"

"You're not old," Kyo practically barked at Shigure as he walked back into the kitchen to help Tohru with her things. "And if it's hard for you to get up, then you oughtta actually try getting some exercise instead of just lying around all the time."

Shigure tsked as he followed him. "And somehow, I find myself actually thinking I'll miss you too, Kyo. Even Hatori is gentler when he lectures me; there are very few so totally unwilling to hold back their opinions towards me. A little honesty can be downright refreshing, once in a while."

Kyo rolled his eyes as he took some of Tohru's dishes from her, correctly interpreting the look on her face as he told her, "Don't carry any of his stuff, Tohru; he can bring in his own breakfast. He's not a goddamned invalid."

Shigure shook his head, then gave Tohru a smile. "As always, you are the lone flower in a bed of unpleasantness, dear Tohru, and I apologize for abandoning you to the scowls and growls of these two brutes lately," he said, earning simultaneous snorts from Kyo and Yuki. "Though I suppose you have always gotten a friendlier reception than I, from both of them."

"You say that like it's a surprise," Kyo grumbled, and Yuki agreed.

"It might shock you, Shigure, but people who aren't intentionally antagonistic do, usually, get better reception. Perhaps you should try it some time," Yuki said as they all sat down.

"Oh, I don't know," Shigure said, smiling mischievously. "Where would the fun be in that?"


In spite of Shigure's presence, breakfast still passed pleasantly. It had been weeks since Shigure had spent the night in the house, and subsequently had breakfast with them; while he was a big fan of popping in and out randomly in the afternoons and evenings, he'd been increasingly busy with assisting Akito. It had almost been a surprise when Shigure stopped Tohru in the hall a few weeks prior, wanting to confirm the date and time of graduation; although he was technically still her guardian, she'd been touched that he was still willing to take the time to attend the ceremony.

She admittedly didn't know he had additional incentive: one last chance to harass Mayuko on school property.

All Tohru knew was that he was turning up for her one last time, and she was deeply grateful for it. Things had never been quite 'normal' between herself and Shigure since that day, all those months ago, when Shigure had shattered her delusions about Kyo's position relative to the Zodiac and told her exactly what the rest of them thought about the Cat and his impending confinement. Even after the Curse had broken, it had been hard to forget Shigure's cold face as he'd told her 'thank God we're not like him.'

But even if things weren't 'normal,' even if the relationship she and Shigure had once had was gone forever, she was still grateful to him and always would be. Whatever his reasons, whatever his motivations, he'd been kind to her; he'd taken her in when she desperately needed a place, and given her not just a room but a home. Without Shigure, she never would have been allowed to stay in the Sohma house; never truly gotten to know Yuki, or Kyo.

She might never have even met Kyo, as depressing as that idea was to contemplate.

Shigure had done so much for her, over the years. He'd given her a home, and a room, decorated, for the first time in Tohru's memory, entirely to her own tastes and preferences. He'd given her advice, and care. He'd looked out for her, giving her free rein over his home and stepping up when she needed him, like during parent-teacher conferences, even if it was inconvenient.

Whatever else had happened, she would always be thankful for what he'd done for her.

And whatever Yuki and Kyo might feel, with their rolling eyes and scowls, Tohru was grateful to have Shigure here with them now. Grateful to look around the table and see the four of them, the way it had been for two long, happy years. As much as she looked forward to her new life with Kyo, and as eager as she was to have their own place...she would still miss this.

She would miss it very, very much.


"Are you sure this is ok?" Tohru asked, looking nervously up at Kyo. "It's not too tight, is it?"

Kyo took in a deep breath, then let it out, shaking his head. "Nah, it's fine. I mean, I'm not gonna run out and buy a lot more of 'em or anything, so don't get the idea we're gonna be doing this often," he said, giving her a grin, "but for just one day...yeah, it'll be fine," he said, looking at his reflection in the mirror.

It felt strange, seeing himself like this. Every button on his uniform was buttoned, and every crease was neatly pressed; his collar was sharp, and his tie, tied by Tohru's assured hands, was perfect. From the neck down, he could almost be Yuki; it was a strange feeling, seeing himself so...orderly.

He didn't like it, if he was honest. He'd never liked this sort of thing; tightly buttoned shirts, precise creases, neckties. He'd never been formal, never been the sort who liked 'dress up' occasions; even if he'd worn this same uniform for two and a half years, he'd never worn it like this, and he almost felt like he was wearing a costume.

But Tohru was smiling at him, and he'd deal with a whole lot worse to keep seeing that smile.

"It'll be fine," he repeated, smiling back at her. "Thanks for your help with the tie."

"You're very welcome, Kyo," she said, her eyes shining as she looked him over. "You do look very nice..." she said, her eyes returning to his face, but Kyo raised an eyebrow at the slight inflection in her voice.

"But?" he asked, and Tohru flushed red before giggling.

"Who says there's a 'but?'" she protested, and Kyo grinned.

"Me. Or you think I don't know you well enough by now to know when there's a 'but?'"

Tohru's face glowed as she looked up at him. "You do know," she admitted, and Kyo caught her hand and kissed it.

"'Course I do. Now, what is it?" he asked, looking at her. "Something I'm missing?"

Tohru shook her head, giving him a slightly sheepish look. "I think you look better without the tie," she admitted, and Kyo blinked, then laughed.

"Yeah...me too."

He smiled, watching as Tohru turned her attention to the mirror and carefully brushed her hair, then tied it back on either side with two neat pink ribbons. How many times had he seen her like this, in her uniform, with ribbons in her hair? The sweet, beautiful woman he'd fallen in love with...a schoolgirl for one final day.

As Tohru finished tying her ribbons, she studied herself in the mirror, then looked shyly up at Kyo. "What do you think?"

And Kyo smiled as he looked at her, bringing his hand to rest gently on her cheek. "You look perfect...and I'm the luckiest guy in the world, getting to be beside you."

On the way to school, during the procession. During the ceremony. After the ceremony. Long after the two of them left their school days behind. She would always be perfect, and he would always be in awe of her, amazed that out of everyone in the world, everyone she could possibly have chosen to be with, she'd chosen him.

Kissing her was inevitable, just like holding her. And he could have kept holding her, long after their lips had separated and they were left standing there, smiling at each other.

But there wasn't time.

A sharp knock on the door was quickly followed by Yuki's voice. "Are you two just about ready? We should get going."

Tohru and Kyo exchanged a smile, then both of them took a deep breath.

"Yes, we're ready, Yuki!"

"Yeah, yeah, we're coming."

The day they'd been waiting for was finally here.