J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sneaked into the back garden of the Haninozuka grounds and headed for the dojo. If I don't do something, I'm going to explode. The dojo was dark and forbidding as I approached it. I slid the door open soundlessly and left it that way. No lights. I don't want to disturb anyone in the house. I opened a few windows and the other large sliding door to let in the moonlight. I didn't care to change into my gi, but I did out of respect for what Hani had taught me.

Fluid, sliding motions with my feet. 1, 2, 3, 4. Now, swipe down. Again. I lost myself to the rhythm of the set in the silence of the dojo. I must have been here for an hour. I felt calmer, like the sweat of my labor had washed all the anger away. I knelt in the center of the hard floor and allowed my heart rate to slow. Perhaps Kyoya really didn't mean to do that. Perhaps Hotta is right?

I rose from my position and gathered my things to go home.

"Where are you going?"

Hani? I turned to see the blonde man's silhouette highlighted by the moon. He looks so much more imposing when you can't see his face…or those weird floating flowers, I snorted to myself.

"I'm sorry to intrude, especially so late. I'm going home now."

I started to walk toward the entrance where he was standing. As I was about to pass him, Hani's hand lightly stopped me as he said, "Before you go, would you like a quick match?"

I looked at him a bit confused, but I nodded anyway. I did burgle my way into his home. I certainly owe him the satisfaction of beating me.

We took our stances. In the half-light of the dojo, it was hard to see his eyes, hard to read his face; but his rigid stance was outlined in the dark. Is he angry with me? Just as that thought crossed my mind, Hani advanced with a war cry. I feinted to the left and blocked him just in time. I diverted the force of his blow, but it took quite a bit of my concentration to do so. I wasn't ready for his next assault. He swept my legs, and I fell. He put his heel to my neck to establish his win, and I found my opening.

"A bit cocky aren't you, Hani?" I grabbed his ankle with my opposing hand and went for his knee with my other. As he tumbled into a defensive position away from me, I rolled into an attack and charged him head on.

"Aaaaaaaaaah!"

He deflected me easily and again swept my legs. This time Hani took a knee beside me and held his hands ready for a downward strike to my neck. I didn't have the expertise to defend against it, and he knew it.

As he stared at me, I saw his face soften from battle to concern. He put his hands on the floor, knelt over me, and whispered, "Judy, what did Kyoya do?"

I broke into tears at the gentle question and bawled like I should have five years ago. Waves of sorrow swept over my heart. Why would Kyoya do that? I thought…I thought… I'm still afraid. I let the sobs wrack my body as Hani gathered me in his arms and rocked me in the silent dojo. What a sad pair we made huddled in a sea of moonlight.

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When we pulled up to the estate, I jumped out of the vehicle and headed straight for the front door.

"Ohtori-sama. Miss Mooreson isn't here that I know of, but the master is in the dojo." The housekeeper motioned me out the back door, and I walked to the blackened building.

The doors and windows are open. Perhaps Hani is doing sensory awareness training in the dark. I stepped on the porch and peeked inside the room. There, in the center of the wood floor, Hani cradled a weeping Judith.

"Why? Why?" She sucked in a shaky breath. "Wh-h-h-yy?" As her tears began to ebb, I walked into the room.

"Judy," I asked tentatively.

"What are you doing here, Ohtori?" Hani was in protection mode. I'd never been on this side of his ire, and I was keen to avoid an altercation for both mine and Judy's sakes.

"I wanted to make sure you were safe, Judy." I bowed from my waist and kept my eyes averted as I addressed her directly. "I want you to know I think of you as the most important thing in the world. What I did was not my intent. Yes, I knew about Jackson. Yes, I knew the details, but I went to your house to ask you directly about it. When I realized you weren't going to willingly tell me, I thought I could make you feel the need to speak on your own." I lowered myself to floor and groveled, pride forgotten in my desperation. "What I did was despicable. Please, forgive me. I don't expect you to come back with me. I just want your forgiveness."

Hani firmly answered my plea for forgiveness with, "Get up, Kyoya." I raised my head slightly and saw concern for both Judy and me in his eyes, but I didn't move from my hunched position. "You can't do any more tonight, and I won't allow you to bother her."

"Judy, I beg you." I put my forehead to the ground. "Please."

I heard soft footfalls approach me and felt a presence standing in front of me. Whether it was Hani or Judy, I wasn't sure. Both of them are trained to move silently. A light touch caressed my hair and drew my face upward. Judy. I looked into the stormy green-blue eyes that were wavering in indecision. "You really didn't intend to hurt me." She stared at me and through me; and for the first time since I was a boy, I felt real fear. I was afraid to truly lose her, even though I'd never had her. Have I really been so incognizant of my feelings that I let this slip by me? I was in love. She's afraid, impulsive, and brash; but I love her. She's intelligent, witty, talented, beautiful, loyal, courageous, and so much more. Her probing gaze bore a hole through my heart, and I felt she could see everything I hadn't realized was there until just now. I love you, Judith Mooreson.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stared at Kyoya long and deep. His prostrate position below me struck me as powerful. I never would have imagined the great Ohtori Kyoya bowing before anyone, let alone a woman. It was that thought that opened my eyes to all that Kyoya was conveying in his words and this gesture. He is truly sorry. He really did just make a mistake, albeit a big one. My eyes widened at the next revelation. He l-l-loves me. I don't know how I knew, but the knowledge was overwhelming. Ohtori Kyoya loves me, Judith Mooreson, I thought as I stroked his hair. It's a strange thing, love.

"Kyoya, I-" But, I wasn't to say those words to him that night. "SATO!"

I've said this before, but I really think this story will be wrapping up in the next ten chapters. I know, I know. That's still a lot. LOL. But, I've finally finished the outline, so :(. Anywho, I'd really appreciate y'all's help. If you find a mistake in my timeline or continuity, please let me know. Drop me a note if chapters don't add up correctly. THANKS!