Tohru took possibly the fastest shower of her life, she was so excited to get back to Kyo and start finding people. Tohru had always been one who found joy in the joys of others; she loved to hear good news, and she loved to share good news. Right now, she felt like she was sitting on the world's biggest possible piece of good news, and there were so many people who needed to hear it! People like Master Kazuma, she thought with eager anticipation. She knew he liked her, and knew he was probably expecting this, but she still couldn't wait to see his reaction, or Kyo's when he got to tell him!
"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Tohru hurried back into their room and found Kyo exactly where she'd left him, doing some calming breathing exercises. Somehow, she found the sight of Kyo trying to settle his nerves adorable and ran up to kiss his cheek. "You'll be fine, Kyo. He's going to be so, so happy, I know it!"
Kyo exhaled, then chuckled at Tohru. "I know it, I know. I just want to try to act like I'm in control of myself and not just get all sappy or start blurting things out!"
Personally, Tohru thought it would be sweet if he did start blurting things out, but she could understand why the idea would make Kyo uncomfortable. Kyo had told her he wanted to let her do that actual talking for most of their 'announcements;' she was the one who got the most out of sharing things, and she was the one who would tell it better, anyway.
But he had wanted to tell Kazuma, and she could tell just by looking at him that he was incredibly excited.
"Well, I bet Master Kazuma will be happy to hear it even if you just blurted it out. I think we're just about set to go find him; how do I look?"
Every time Tohru asked him that question, he had the same answer. "You look beautiful, Tohru." And he took her hand and kissed it. "My beautiful fiancée."
Fiancée...what a wonderful word.
Even though it was barely past eight, the morning was already feeling uncharacteristically long for Kazuma. He'd been on tenterhooks ever since his conversation with Kyo the previous day, filled with a sense of excited anticipation that was quite unusual for him. His training had stood him well; he had no worries that his face or voice would betray anything to anyone. But the waiting had been very, very difficult, especially during dinner when he'd had to sit and watch them, smiling and laughing; seeing Kyo's face and knowing what had to be running through his mind.
Kazuma had always gotten up early, but today he'd been awake even earlier than usual. And it had been difficult to stay focused on his normal routine, especially since he wanted to make sure to avoid Kyo until Tohru was awake. Even performing his katas failed to hold his attention, and he'd been doing them for years!
But as the minutes dragged on, Kazuma knew that it was going to be worth it. He could only imagine how happy they both must be, and that happiness would be written on their face and echoing in their voices. And he couldn't wait to add his joy to theirs.
Normally, Kazuma would frown on lurking. He was a firm believer in giving people space, and letting them use that space to decide for themselves what to do or say. But this morning, he'd tossed those principles right out the window, and by the time it was eight he'd planted himself on a very obvious bench in the dojo courtyard. From that vantage point, he'd seen Tohru run off, then run back to their room after having obviously showered. She hadn't seen him, but he doubted she'd been looking around, either!
But he was now watching their door, and was shortly rewarded with a sight that made his heart soar: Tohru and Kyo stepping out together, hand in hand, and exchanging one of the happiest smiles he'd ever seen on Kyo's face.
Kazuma stood up, but he really didn't have to do anything to draw attention to himself. They were looking for him the moment they left their room, and he saw Tohru point at him from across the courtyard. Then the two of them were hurrying over, so fast they were almost running, and Tohru was laughing.
It was such a sweet sound, her laugh.
As they came up to him, Kazuma swept his gaze over both of them. Each of them looked exhilarated, and so very, very happy. After all this time, there was nothing better he could have wanted for either of them than each other, and nothing better for himself than getting to see them like this, happy and in love.
"Well," Kazuma said, looking from Tohru's smile to Kyo's, "Good morning to both of you. A very good morning, I might even say."
Kyo laughed at that, the greatest understatement of the year so far. "Yeah, it's a good morning. A very good morning." He looked at Tohru, and she beamed back, nodding her head encouragingly. Then Kyo looked back at Kazuma and burst out "She said yes! I asked her, and she said yes!" He'd meant to say something a bit more 'formal,' but in the moment all that he felt was excitement. And it was that excitement that was talking, the same excitement that lit up his face and animated his body. "Dad, we're gonna get married!"
Kazuma's placid expression was gone, replaced by a smile almost as joyous as theirs. "I'm so, so happy to hear that, Kyo." He hugged Kyo against him, and then Tohru too, practically crushing the pair in his strong arms. But they didn't care, either of them; they were all too happy. "And I'm so happy for you too, my dear Tohru," as he let them both go. "I've been blessed with so many good things in my life, but I feel that this news is one of the greatest. Now I'll have my son," as he took one of Kyo's hands, "and my daughter" as he took one of Tohru's, "and see you truly together. One family, and one name."
As he spoke, he brought their hands back together and just held them. The day the Curse had broken had been one of the best days of Kazuma's life, because it meant Kyo was able to live and be free. But one of the beauties of that freedom was that it opened the door for days like this one; days where Kyo, unfettered by darkness, could celebrate living.
It was enough to bring a tear to Kazuma's eye, and he wiped it away as he looked at them. "I'm so very happy," he repeated happily.
"You're so kind, Master Kazuma, thank you! Thank you so much."
Kyo had tears in his eyes, too, but Tohru was practically sobbing, she was so overwhelmed with emotion. Kyo looked at her and laughed, wiping at his eyes with the back of his wrist. "Damn, are we all gonna start crying now?"
Tohru took the handkerchief Kazuma offered her and wiped her own eyes. "Tears are a healthy part of expressing emotion, Kyo!"
"Well, no one's gonna argue we aren't healthy, then." They all laughed at that, the levity helping take a little of the emotional charge out of the air. But the three of them were all still smiling, and Kazuma looked happily at Tohru.
"That's right, Tohru. And there's nothing wrong with shedding some tears over something this joyous." Kazuma patted her hand again, then smiled. "I hope you continue to teach him over the course of your lives together, so that he can continue to grow and mature and feel without any sense of shame. I certainly don't have shame about this," he added as he affectionately ruffled Kyo's hair. "So I hope you don't, either."
Kyo laughed and ducked away from Kazuma's hand. "Nah, it's not shame. Maybe it would have been, once. I just don't want to make anyone think I'm anything but the happiest guy around." He shot a loving look at Tohru, and she smiled and squeezed his hand. "Not that I wasn't already, but now I really, truly am. There's no way I'm not, not now."
"I doubt a few well-earned tears would change anyone's perception there, Kyo; it certainly won't change mine. I just have to look at you both to know how happy you are, and that's more than enough for me." Kazuma glanced around the dojo courtyard, then smiled. "But I think you may want to share your good news with your friend, Tohru; I wouldn't want to feel you'd kept her waiting on my part. But thank you, both of you, for coming to tell me." With that, Kazuma gave them one last hug and walked away, ceding his place to the newly arrived Hanajima.
"Hana-chan, good morning!" Tohru waved as Hanajima made her way across the courtyard towards them, so excited that she was practically dancing. Tohru was glad that Hanajima was one of the first people they'd get to tell; she was one of Tohru's oldest friends, after all! And they'd also already seen her since getting into town, so they didn't have to do the little juggling act of 'when in the conversation to slip this exciting new news!' Hanajima had heard most of Tohru's other news yesterday, so there wasn't really anything to stop Tohru from just blurting it out herself.
Other than the fact that Hanajima was just not really the sort of person to inspire 'blurting,' no matter what the subject.
"Good morning, dear Tohru. Kyo. I hope that the morning finds you both in good health and good spirits." Hanajima was smiling as she walked up to the two of them; if they could have seen her wave radar, then both of them would have laughed. But even without their waves telling her of their great joy, Hanajima would have suspected something was up; they looked far more 'in love' than they usually did, especially this early in the morning.
Hanajima stopped and looked from Tohru to Kyo expectantly, and Kyo gave Tohru a nudge. He personally doubted they needed to actually tell Hanajima, either; knowing her and her hocus-pocus she probably already knew. But he wasn't about to let Tohru be cheated out of the chance to talk to her friends about it, even one as strange as Hanajima.
As he thought that, Hanajima had turned back to Kyo and fixed him in a rather pointed stare. He smiled apologetically and looked away, but felt that right there more than a little proved his point!
"My dear Tohru, you seem all aquiver today. Is there something you'd maybe like to tell me?"
Tohru hadn't been quite sure how to start, but Hanajima's encouragement was all she needed. "Yes, yes there is!" Glancing sideways at Kyo, Tohru held out her hand to show Hanajima her ring. "Kyo and I are engaged, Hana-chan! He proposed to me last night, and now we're engaged!"
"Oh, what wonderful news, Tohru! I'm so happy for you, really." Hanajima folded Tohru into a hug, and the two women embraced tightly. "I know you've been looking forward to this day, and I'm so glad for you that it's finally arrived. I do hope you'll be happy."
"Oh, there's no worries there, Hana-chan! Kyo has already done so much to make me happy, I don't think it's even possible for him to do more!"
Kyo was beaming at the praise, feeling buoyed by Tohru's obvious confidence in him. But he'd never doubted her confidence; she'd always believed in him, from the very beginning. He was the one who hadn't trusted he could do it, he was the one who had needed more time. He had strongly suspected if he'd asked Tohru to elope with him rather than just move away with him, she would have; she had never doubted him, whatever he'd felt himself.
It made him so happy to justify her faith, and to know that she'd been right.
Hanajima might not be willing to give him as much credit as Tohru, but there was no one who could. "Perhaps, I'm sure that he'll do his best to try. Won't you, Kyo?"
That sounded almost like a challenge, even when she said it all calmly like that. "Damn right; there's nothing more important to me than making sure you're taken care of, Tohru, and that means your happiness as much as anything else." He gave Hanajima a challenging look, and she simply smiled at him. She knew she'd always made him uneasy, but she didn't care; it was good to have a healthy caution of things one didn't fully understand.
"So, this is the ring? It looks very nice on you, Tohru."
"I know, didn't Kyo do a great job choosing it? I never would have thought of this stone myself, but it looks a lot like..." Tohru trailed off, her wide smiled fading into something a little softer and more wistful. How would her mom be feeling, if she'd been alive today? Tohru was sure she'd be happy, but how? Would she be hooting and cheering, bouncing off the walls? Would she be smiling silently, but hugging them hard enough to crack their backs? Would she be giving them heartfelt speeches of love? She'd never know, only be able to guess.
"Like dear Kyoko's hair, doesn't it?" Hanajima finished the thought for Tohru, running one finger along the side of the ring. She knew, without Tohru saying, just where her mind had gone, and she squeezed her hand. "She would have been so happy for you, too."
Kyo had known it would be a risk, picking that color. He had worried whether it would invite bad luck, to have the stone so obvious a link to Kyoko. But he'd chosen it, because he felt it was right. And there might be tears from time to time; he'd be surprised if there weren't, knowing Tohru. But Kyoko had been a link between them before he even knew Tohru; it seemed fitting, having a subtle nod to her in the physical symbol of their link now.
He wanted to give Tohru a hug, to echo Hanajima's words and tell her that it was going to be alright. But right now, it felt wrong to step in; Hanajima had known Kyoko with Tohru, and a lot better than Kyo. He could cede this one to her; he'd have a lifetime to be there for Tohru.
And it was enough for Tohru, for now.
She dabbed at her eyes and gave Hanajima a smile. "I know. She would have been so happy for us that she wouldn't have been able to stand it; I don't know if we'd have been able to tell anyone faster than she'd say it for us, she'd have been so excited."
Hanajima laughed, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "I do believe you're right. Kyoko always got so excited about good news, didn't she? And this is such very good news." She smiled and looked at them both. "You've done well, Kyo. It makes me feel better about trusting you all this time, to know you can be expected not to trip at the finish line."
"Thank you?" He wasn't sure if that was meant to be a compliment, but he was going to take it as one.
At least it wasn't outright criticism.
"And Tohru, you'll be telling dear Arisa before too long, correct? I will obviously keep your joyful news to myself until you say I can do otherwise, but I know she'll be most excited to hear this."
"I sure will! I plan to call her a bit later today. But I appreciate it; we're trying to tell as many people in person as we can before graduation!"
"Of course. Well, if you'll excuse me, I probably need to go and get breakfast started; I'm already behind. Fortunately, Master Kazuma is an understanding man," Hanajima slid her eyes over to Kyo for one last time, then glided away into the dojo.
Kyo turned to Tohru. "You know, even though I know that thing with her and Master was all made up, it still makes my hair stand on end when she says things like that." He sighed, but then took her hand.
"Hey, are you ok, Tohru? Really?" He rubbed his thumb along the side of the ring, and they both looked down at the sparkling gemstone. "Because I really didn't pick this to make you cry, or make you sad. I just thought it seemed right, to have a little symbol of her, you know? I looked at all kinds and colors of stones and they just didn't seem to fit. Like they were missing something. But as soon as I saw this one, I just..." He trailed off, then frowned. "But you don't have to keep it, if you'd rather have something else. I really meant that, when I said you could pick a different ring if you wanted. Any ring. I swear, I won't be upset or anything, I just want you to have something that you like. Something that makes you happy."
Tohru smiled and covered Kyo's hand with her other. That was so like him, to worry about her and her feelings. Considering how big her feelings could be, she didn't blame him! But he didn't need to worry, not about this. "It's ok, Kyo, I promise. I don't think I could have chosen a better ring for myself, not if I'd had years to decide. I can't promise I won't cry sometimes," she said with a giggle, "but you know that by now."
"Yeah, I'd be pretty stupid if I thought that was changing just because we're getting married."
"Yes," she said in agreement, her eyes lighting up at the way he said 'we're getting married.' "But tears can be a good thing. And reminders are a good thing. I'm glad you were thinking of Mom, and that she's able to share this with us. Even if she can't be here."
Kyo let out a relieved breath, then smiled. "Well, as long as you're happy. Because I meant that, too, Tohru," he said, taking her face in his hands. "Taking care of you, and making you happy; those are the things I want to do, more than anything else."
Tohru leaned her cheek into his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm against her skin. Warm; that was what Kyo was, and always had been. His touch, but also his heart; his voice; his love. Wrapping her up in a blanket of warmth, secure and safe.
"I love you, Tohru. So very much, always and forever. And I just want you to be happy."
"I know, Kyo, and I am. And I always will be, when I'm with you."