'Just so you're aware, Kazuma and I decided it would be best to refrain from mentioning your relationship for the time being. Assuming you keep up as you started today, no one will have any reason to doubt you for long, but the concern is still there. I hope you understand.'

It had made sense, at the time. Kyo was eighteen, and green; he would have enough prejudices to face and overcome without anyone else knowing his father and his old dojo master were one and the same. There would be time enough for his friends and coworkers to learn the truth...later.

'On behalf of the Sohma Dojo, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, hachidan and Master at the Matsuda Dojo in Hibe, in Aomori prefecture. With Master Matsuda, we are also welcoming several of the dans from the Matsuda Dojo, including, as I'm sure you all know, my son, Kyo. Is there anything you'd like to add, Master Matsuda?'

'On behalf of the Matsuda Dojo, I thank Master Sohma, and you all, for allowing us to join you today. Kyo Sohma has been nothing but an asset to our dojo since he arrived, and it's an honor to be able to see first-hand where he trained.'

It had taken two years, but the truth came out, eventually.

'My son? My son?'

'Seriously, Sohma, what gives? You never thought to share that detail?'

'When were you planning to tell us?'

It hadn't been intentional, waiting so long. But the timing had never seemed right, before, and he'd been worried that to say something would sound...conceited. And even though he had more than proved himself to his coworkers, he still worried, deep down, that they'd think he hadn't properly earned his place.

He never should have feared.

Nothing changed, after that, in any significant way. But suddenly, everyone knew. And perhaps, the progression from there was inevitable.

"So, Sohma...if your dad's the master, that probably means you'll be taking over the Sohma Dojo later on, right?'

Right...that had always been the plan. For Kyo to work and train somewhere else, to learn from another master. Possibly multiple masters. He and Tohru had talked about it early on, before they'd even moved to Hibe; the possibility was always there, for them to move again before returning to Tokyo.

But they hadn't wanted to. Instead, Kyo had taken advantage of training sabbaticals, travelling across Japan to train under different masters for a few months before ultimately returning to Hibe, and to Sensei Kenichi. He liked where he was. They liked where he was, he and Tohru both. He was well-liked, well-respected, and well-established. And he felt confident he'd continue to be all those things, even if there were changes along the way.


'Congratulate me, guys; it's officially official, so now you'd all better get used to calling me 'Matsuda.'

Kyo had been at the dojo for eighteen years, the day his coworker Haruto Maeda was formally adopted by Sensei Kenichi. It was something they'd all known was coming; Sensei had wanted to be sure there were no issues among the staff, and had given them plenty of notice so that if anyone objected, they would have time to seek out a new position elsewhere.

No one had.

If anything, everyone was happy for them. Though Sensei Kenichi had three grown daughters, none of them had picked up karate, and none of his sons-in-law practiced, either. His oldest grandson did, but Daichi was still a teenager; even if he wanted it, the Matsuda Dojo was large, and preparing to take it over was a process that would take years.

As it turned out, he did want it...but there was a solution.

Haruto Maeda had worked at the dojo since he was twenty-two; his wife, Kanako, worked there as well, as a member of the kitchen staff. They had always been integrated into the dojo, and always lived within its walls. He knew the dojo, he knew the life...and he knew the Matsuda family.

Haruto Maeda became Haruto Matsuda, with the understanding that he would take over the dojo upon Sensei Kenichi's retirement. Haruto wouldn't be the youngest by then himself, and he'd have maybe twenty years in him, assuming Sensei retired in his late seventies as he intended and Haruto did the same. But by that time, Sensei Kenichi's grandson, Daichi, would be in his mid-thirties, and more than ready to lead.

Everything had gone according to plan. Haruto had been adopted; four years later, Sensei Kenichi retired, though he and his wife Ayako continued to live on the dojo grounds and he still regularly attended classes. There had only been one unexpected development, but it was an admittedly happy one: Haruto and Kanako's only child, their daughter Hanae, had ended up at the same university as Daichi, and the two of them had met and ended up bonding over their shared connection to the dojo. A mere seven months before Kazuma's accident, Tohru and Kyo had attended their wedding, and witnessed Hanae Matsuda and Daichi Nakamura becoming...the Matsudas.

Neat, tidy, and perfect. And everyone involved...had been happy.


For now, Daichi and Hanae were living elsewhere, and Daichi himself was working at another dojo. But all of the Matsuda dans knew it wouldn't be for much longer; Haruto Matsuda was in his early sixties, now, so it was about time for Daichi to come and start learning the ropes of managing the admittedly daunting Matsuda Dojo. But all of them were confident that he would do well; just like his grandfather, Daichi was a talented karateka, as well as a very earnest young man. Provided he stayed focused and worked hard, he was sure to do well.

Kyo was happy for them; for all of them. Haruto was a natural leader, and an excellent teacher. It had been surprisingly easy, settling into having him for a master, and the friendship they'd already had had never faded.

It would have been so much easier leaving, if things had been different.


Everybody knew that the Sohma Dojo was in Kyo's future, but it was very rarely asked about. His coworker Hiroshi Yamada had teased him, in one of its rare mentions, that they all kept hoping he'd just forgotten about it.

Not gonna lie, Sohma, it's gonna be tough to lose you. I'm supposed to be the one who leaves next, not any of you kids.'

It would be tough to leave.

Sensei Matsuda, the current one, had asked him shortly after taking over if he knew what his plan was. Kyo knew it was purely from a business standpoint, but he'd been unable to resist teasing him about it.

'What, trying to kick me out, Sensei? This your subtle way of telling me I'm underperforming?'

Sensei had snorted about that.

'Hardly, Sohma. I've got years in me here, and if I can keep you that whole time, you know I will. But I know Master Sohma's only got five years on me, give or take, so...'

It had been a valid question, and Kyo had told him the truth: they hadn't discussed it fully, but he and Tohru hoped to stay in Hibe until all of their kids were done with school, at least locally. Sachiko had only been eleven at the time; even if she decided to go somewhere else for high school, that still gave them at least four years...and Sensei had accepted that.

'Don't worry, Sensei. I'll be sure to let you know, as soon as there's something to actually know.'

'Thanks, Sohma. It's gonna be tough to replace you...but I'll appreciate the head's up.'


Being the dojo master meant so much more than just teaching, Kyo knew. He'd always known it. It meant teaching, but also managing; even if the master had staff to handle the business side of things, they still had to manage the staff. He'd asked Kazuma, once, why he did the accounts himself and didn't just hire someone to do it; Kazuma had explained that he'd need to be familiar with the accounts regardless, so he might as well just do them himself and have the best understanding possible.

It meant managing students, and employees; the buildings themselves, and the dojo's relationship with the community. It meant having authority, but also responsibility; having confidence in one's self and one's ability to make decisions.

Kyo could do all those things, he knew. He was more than capable, and more than prepared. He had seen enough, and learned enough, over the course of his life that he knew he could handle it; if he needed to step into leadership of the Sohma Dojo right this second, he could.

But he didn't want to.

He didn't want that, not any of it. Not to manage staff, not to worry about roof repairs. Not to have to make hard decisions about cutting classes, or justifying new hires. He was passionate about karate, and always had been; he didn't need the word 'Master' in front of his name, not when he'd always been proud of the word 'Sensei.' He was a good teacher; arguably even a great one. And he wanted to keep doing that, and focusing on that...right where he'd been, where he and Tohru had been so happy, for almost thirty years.

He wished it were that simple. But it wasn't, and it never had been. He was Kazuma's son, after all; Kazuma's only child, and only heir. He had responsibilities to his father...

And not to Kazuma alone.


"So I'm for sure gonna be going with Sochin, but I'm not sure yet on the other. I really wanna do Enpi, but I did that one for my shodan test, too, and even though it's been a few years, I feel like I oughtta maybe go with something else. What do you think, Daddy?"

Kyo smiled, watching his daughter's animated face on the other side of the video chat. It was early March, and the following Saturday, Sachiko would be testing for the rank of sandan, third degree black-belt.

It was admittedly hard for him to keep smiling, and her as well. This would be her first dan test Kyo wouldn't be present for, the first time someone other than him would adjust her belt to reflect her new rank. They had both known that day would come sometime, but both of them had it expected it to come with her next promotion, not this one. This one...was supposed to be theirs. His chance to promote her, for one final time before she was graduated and gone, on to university and the next chapter of her life.

Neither one of them had acknowledged it, but he knew that both of them were thinking it. He knew his daughter far too well not to hear the tremble behind her casual bravado, and knew she was struggling every bit as much as he was.

But he did his best to stay smiling, to consider the question of kata as thoughtfully as he would if they were sitting together at the Sohmas' kitchen counter instead of separated by over five hundred miles.

"You wanna do Enpi 'cause of the jump, I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, that's right. You know jumps've always been one of my strengths!"

"Yeah, that's true. Some of the guys could take a lesson from you, you've always been able to pull off some pretty impressive height."

"So you think I oughtta do Enpi?"

"I think you oughtta pick one you're most confident in and comfortable with. If that's Enpi, then the fact you did it for shodan won't count against you. It's been three years and you've come a long way since then, I'm sure. I hope, anyway," he teased, and Sachiko giggled.

"As if you haven't watched me to know!"

"True," he admitted, grinning. "That's why I know you're gonna get that bar, no problem...and I'm so proud of you, Sachi," he said, his smile softening. "You've worked hard, you're gonna kick ass, and-"

He broke off, the lump in his throat too big for him to continue. And Sachiko suddenly sniffled, as well.

"I wish you could be there, Daddy."

"I know, kiddo, and I do to. You're gonna have to make sure you tell me all about it, afterwards; every single detail, about you and the others, too."

She nodded, and Kyo took a deep breath, trying to bring himself back to normal. "Takashi chosen his katas yet?" he asked, referring to Sachiko's boyfriend of the past five months and a fellow sandan candidate. That was enough to cheer Sachiko, and she grinned at Kyo through slightly teary eyes.

"I think so, but he's being a jerk and won't say what. Apparently," she said with a dramatic sigh, "he thinks I might copy him if I knew, in an attempt to show him up."

"I mean...is he wrong?" Kyo asked, grinning, and Sachiko jutted out her chin.

"So? It's not like he's never done the same thing, and a little healthy competition never hurt anyone, anyway."

Kyo chuckled once more, mostly at the idea of Sachiko and Takashi having 'a little' competition. The two of them had been together in karate since they were five; this was their third dan test together, and though their romantic relationship was relatively new, their rivalry was deeply seated and of long standing. The day the two of them stopped competing with each other was the day one of them died.

"Let's not worry about Takashi, then. Like I said, go with what you most wanna do, Sachi, but if I was you...honestly, I'd probably go with Enpi," he said, smiling at her.

Sachiko smiled back. "Then I guess I'll go with Enpi!"

They both looked at each other for a moment, then Kyo exhaled again before asking, "So...you and your mom got anything special planned for Wednesday?"

Once more, Sachiko had to fight to keep her smile. "Yeah, we do. Taka's gonna come over for dinner after karate; Mom's making katsudon, and picking up a cheesecake from the bakery. And then later that night, I figured we'd have a family group chat!"

"Like any of us'd forget," Kyo said, giving her an affectionate look. "Pretty sure we've never missed one, once, not since Hajime first moved out."

It was a Sohma family tradition: no matter how far apart they'd been, and even if it had only been able to last a few minutes, they always had a family group call on everyone's birthday. It was a silly little tradition, he knew; birthdays weren't really that big a deal, or shouldn't be, when there were no little kids involved. But the year Hajime had started high school and moved to Tokyo had been hard, especially for Tohru; when Katsuro had celebrated his twelfth birthday that June, Tohru had been so low about the prospect of Hajime not being there that Hajime had promised her months ahead of time that he'd be sure to call. And he'd called on Tohru's birthday, too, and later on Kyo's...

Years had passed. Katsuro had moved out, too, and scheduling had gotten harder, but they still did it. It had started for Tohru, but now...it was something for all of them. A way to all be together, to celebrate something admittedly small, but oh so very special.

And for the first time in seventeen years, Kyo wouldn't be there to give Sachiko a hug.

Her lip was trembling again at Kyo's comment about 'never missing,' and Kyo could feel himself getting a little emotional, too. It was silly, he knew...but he couldn't help it. None of this was the way it was supposed to be; even though he was glad to be here and help Kazuma, even though he'd do it all again in a heartbeat, he hated that it had to be at such a high cost. It was bad enough he had to be away from Tohru and Sachiko for over two months, but to have that time also include Sachi's birthday and belt test...

"So how's Grandpa doing?" Sachiko suddenly asked, and Kyo gratefully grabbed for the subject change.

"Pretty good! Complaining more and more every day about not getting to pick up any teaching yet-"

Sachiko giggled at that. "Doesn't he still have his cast on?"

"Sure does, and it's not coming off for another two weeks, so he's gonna have to deal with waiting for another two weeks. He's made it this far, he can be patient for a little longer."

Kunimitsu was honestly still even hesitant about the two weeks. Although Hatori was feeling cautiously optimistic about Kazuma's arm and hand, his collarbone was taking longer; it was looking more and more like the estimated twelve-week timeline for the collarbone was looking likely, if not longer. But Kazuma was adamant; he would be careful, and he would be cautious. He wouldn't be sparring, or doing any at-speed demonstrations. But once his cast was off, there was absolutely no reason he couldn't start easing his way back into the dojo.

'After all, we'll have Kyo with us for only another three weeks, at that point. Surely you can agree it's best for me to transition back into my role gradually, rather than all at once when he's gone?'

That comment had stuck with Kyo, long after Kazuma said it, and it popped up in his mind once more as Sachiko giggled in response to his words.

"Poor Grandpa; it's gotta be hard for him, going from being the boss to being bossed around all the time. Even though I'm sure he doesn't mind it as much, with it being you."

Kyo took a deep breath, then smiled. "Well, I'm doing my best. He's been a good sport for the most part, but he can be stubborn as hell when he wants to be, and the last thing any of us need is for him to hurt himself again. Luckily Hajime's coming up again this weekend, so hopefully he helps distract Dad for at least a couple days."

"Well, Grandpa's always had a soft spot for Hajime," Sachiko said laughingly, then her voice softened and became hesitant. "Does Grandpa...know yet, what's gonna happen after this, Daddy?"

Kyo shook his head, sighing heavily. "Nope. And I doubt he will, until more time's passed. Sparring of any kind's off the table for a while, though; Hatori said he oughtta give himself at least six months before he even considers any contact, and possibly longer." That hadn't exactly surprised any of them, but Kyo had been able to see Kazuma's disappointment, even through his calm resignation. "Healing gets tougher, the older you get, and even a kid like you would've struggled with injuries like your grandpa has."

Sachiko nodded, then gave Kyo another hesitant look. "Have you guys...talked...at all? About what Grandpa wants to do?"

It felt foreign, having Sachiko be so reserved, and sound so unsure. But he couldn't say he was surprised, given the circumstances, and he sighed once more.

"No, we haven't, not yet. But we probably will, soon. Everything Dad's said so far suggests he plans to pick back up with everything he can as soon as he's cleared, but who knows what he'll feel like when he actually starts trying. Yeah, he can teach perfectly fine without sparring, or without contact, but whether he'll still want to, after he's done it for a while..." Kyo shook his head. "I dunno, Sachi, but it's probably time for us to make a plan."

Sachiko was silent for a minute, then she looked at him. "Do you think we'll have to move, soon?"

"We're not gonna take you away before you graduate, Sachi," Kyo said, almost immediately. "Like I said, nothing's been sorted out yet, and who knows what those decisions'll actually be. But you've only got one year left, you're gonna get to spend it with your friends," he said firmly.

Sachiko smiled in relief, then frowned, straightening up and looking at him. "Daddy, I don't want you to wait on the dojo 'cause of me, ok? If you and Grandpa are both-"

"Don't worry about it, ok, Sachi? Like I said, right now Dad plans to jump back in himself, so there's no rush. You're not gonna stop either one of us from anything, ok? But whatever happens, if we need to, we'll figure things out so you can graduate with your class. That's a promise, understand?"

She was smiling again. "Understood."

"Anyway, I've gotta take off, kiddo. I'll talk to you soon, and you have a good week, ok?"

"Ok, Daddy. Love you!"

"Love you too, Sachi."


As Kyo closed the laptop, he let out another quiet sigh. He still hadn't talked to Kazuma about the dojo, but he'd been thinking about it extensively in the weeks since he'd first told Tohru his feelings. And the more he'd thought about it...the more he'd become convinced that he didn't want it. He didn't want that responsibility; he didn't want that life. He didn't want to leave Hibe, or to take Tohru away from Hibe, to return to the Sohmas and the stares and the hostility, to take on paperwork and managerial headaches, to start over and have to rebuild their community. He wanted to keep going as he was, where he was, until he was literally forced to stop.

But he owed a duty to Kazuma, and the dojo; a duty he'd always owed, even if that duty had once also been a dream. And he also owed a duty...to Sachiko.


From the moment he and Tohru had first agreed they wanted children, months before they'd even graduated high school, Kyo had imagined a future where those children followed in his footsteps in the dojo. Where he got to take Kazuma's place, kneeling as those small hands made fists and punched, for the very first time, into his palm. Where he got to see a smiling face, possibly with Tohru's brown hair, beaming up at him in youthful excitement across the tatami of the dojo.

Even in the womb, Hajime had been an active baby, and he'd grown into a boy who was excited and eager to start karate. His enthusiasm had filled Kyo's heart, and the day Hajime stepped into the dojo for the very first time was one of the happiest of Kyo's life. As Hajime had proved a natural, Kyo had tried not to let his hopes get too high; just because Hajime excelled as a child didn't mean anything long-term. But he had watched his son progress...and been happy.

Katsuro had wanted to try karate, too, but though he'd tried his best, it had admittedly been a disaster. Katsuro, for all he looked the most like Kyo, was Tohru's son through and through; clumsy and accident-prone, Katsuro had managed to hurt himself or someone else almost every single class before he finally, tearfully, asked Kyo if it would be ok if he quit. And Kyo had hugged his son, reassuring him that it was ok. It would always be ok...even if it stung.

None of them were him, and they never would be. Whatever they wanted...that was ok.


'Alright, Sachi, this is it. You ready?'

'Yes! "An' don't worry, Daddy; I'm gonna love karate!'

Since the first moment he saw her, Kyo knew the love he held for his daughter was special. He loved his boys, and always would; Sachiko's birth had never, and would never, change that. But to be a former Zodiac, to have spent so much of his life unable to hold a woman...it had made having a daughter terrifying, even years after the Curse had broken. But then he'd held her, without transforming...and realized that this, now, was actually real. It had been real, with Tohru; it still was, with Sachiko. And even though she hadn't been planned, even though it had taken time to get used to the idea...he was happy.

Beyond happy.

He had been delighted to finally have a child who looked like Tohru; it was fitting, that it was a little girl. He had gently run his hand over her silky hair when she was a baby, hoping it kept its beautiful brown color, wondering wistfully if she would take even more after her mother as she grew.

'Wow, Daddy, her eyes are really turning orange! Just like mine, an' yours!'

So much like Tohru, in so many ways. Tohru's hair, and Tohru's smile. Tohru's build, and Tohru's face. Even Tohru's eye shape...but Kyo's own eyes. The Cat's eyes, amber-red that changed into true cat-eyes when angry. His eyes, in Tohru's face...their daughter, made from both of them.

But in so many different ways, she'd been all his.

'I'm gonna go to the dojo when I'm five too, right Daddy?'

'Daddy Daddy Daddy, it's my very first karate class today! I getta do karate now, just like you an' Hajime!'

'I look like a real karateka, don't I, Daddy?'

She'd been so eager, just like her brothers. Maybe even more eager, though not by much. And just like with her brothers, Kyo had beamed, and hugged her, and told her he would be proud. That he would always be proud.

No matter what.

'Sensei Sohma, are you really Sachi's dad?'

'Yeah, I am. But none of you guys gotta worry, she's not gonna get away with anything the rest of you wouldn't.'

She never had, either. Not Sachi, and not Hajime; when they were in his classes, they were the same as any other kids. But that hadn't changed his excitement, the days they first walked through his door. To teach them, himself; to see them learn and progress, under his watchful eye. It had been selfish, he knew, to be so excited. But he didn't care.

And neither had they.


'Congratulations, Hajime; I'm so, so proud of you.'

'Thanks, Dad! It means...a lot.'

Both of Kyo and Haime had been emotional that day, one month after Hajime's fourteenth birthday. The day Hajime had passed his test and been promoted to shodan, first-degree black belt. The culmination of years of hard work and effort, work that had started back when he was just an excited five-year-old and led to Kyo looking proudly at his eldest as he tied on Hajime's brand-new black belt. It had been a wonderful moment...and deeply bittersweet.

Kyo was proud of Hajime, immensely and justifiably so. He had worked hard, and earned his new rank. He deserved it, and the accomplishment would always be his.

But Kyo knew, even then, that things were changing. The passion that had driven Hajime when he was younger...had faded. He was still skilled; still dutifully attended classes. But Kyo knew his son, and he could see that karate's time in Hajime's life was starting to set.

The next spring, Hajime had moved to Tokyo to start high school, and he'd taken karate at the dojo with Kazuma only twice a week, even while living in Kazuma's own house. Then, by the time his second year was over, once a week. Then he graduated...and that was it.

They never talked about it; they didn't need to. Kyo knew Hajime still did kata regularly, as a form of exercise and meditation, but that was it. For six years now, Hajime hadn't set foot in a karate class; Kyo and Kazuma had long since stopped asking, on the occasions Hajime was visiting at the Sohma Dojo. Karate had had its time in Hajime's life...and that time was over.

It didn't matter, Kyo reminded himself. He had gotten to share karate with Hajime, for a time. Yes, that time had ended, but it didn't take away what they'd had. And it didn't take away from what he had with Sachiko, either. Even if Sachiko's enthusiasm eventually faded as well, Kyo would enjoy what they had, while they had it.


'Congratulations, Daddy, you're a real hachidan now! I can't believe you're the same rank as Grandpa!'

'Well, it happens to all of us, if we keep working hard and stick with it, Sachi! Give it time, and maybe you'll catch up someday, too.'

'Don't worry, Daddy. I'm gonna get there, but I'm gonna kick your butt waaaaaaay before I'm a hachidan!'

She'd always been so confident, and so self-assured. Kyo had suspected before she even officially entered the dojo that Sachiko would do well; she'd always been intensely focused, and she had reflexes and coordination that were almost on par with his own, even as a child. Those suspicions were proved right when she was finally old enough to start; his coworker who taught the introductory kid class had told him after the very first day she expected to see Sachiko advance as soon as she was eligible.

And Sachiko had.

Promotions had rapidly followed, one after the other. As soon as Sachiko hit the minimum time limit, she was ready and raring to test; without fail, she passed. And Kyo had watched her progress with undisguised pride, loving her drive, her energy, and her enthusiasm...while trying not to let what had happened with Hajime cloud his feelings. She wasn't Hajime. She'd never been Hajime, and she never would be. Even if she dropped out, they still had this time.

They would always have this time, to look back on together.