Kyo held Tohru's balled fist in his raised hand and shook his head.
"Can you be any more dense? That wouldn't hurt anybody."
Tohru blushed and pulled back her hand. "Oh, I'm sorry. I..I didn't mean to do it wrong. I just never actually tried to hit anyone before."
"Never?"
"No," Tohru said quietly. She wrung her hands and looked to the ground. "And, I don't mean to insult you. I know that martial arts is very important to you and you care for your master very much, which is why you train so hard. It's not just for yourself, it's to make him proud."
Kyo shifted and folded his arms. "Yeah whatever. You don't need to apologize, but if you're gonna stay here with us. - you gotta at least learn how to punch correctly. What are you gonna do if someone tries to attack you? Knowing you, you'd apologize and then invite 'em over to dinner."
"I don't know if I'd do that,' Tohru said with a frown. "I'd probably call the police."
"Come here," Kyo said, grabbing her around the waist. He leapt from the roof, keeping Tohru close even when they landed on the ground. She shook in his arms, clearly terrified by the leap.
"We..you…ohhhh.."
"Hey! Don't faint! We're on the ground!"
"Sorry," Tohru said, pulling away. "I'm fine now. I was just…startled is all."
"Girls," Kyo said with a roll of his eyes. "Now, get into a stance like me." He shook his head at Tohru's effort. "Don't just stand there, be strong. Tighten your muscles." He pushed at her and she almost fell over. "You see that? Your stance isn't strong. Spread your legs; balance your weight, like this." He positioned her and pushed her again.
"I stayed up!"
Kyo chuckled. "See? That's how you stand. Now raise your fists." He demonstrated and she followed. "Ball 'em up and strike out!"
Tohru gulped at Kyo's punch. He was fast. "Okay." She made a punch and met silence. "What?"
"No no, not like that," Kyo said. "The punch is one motion. It's not punch, stop, pull back. It's punch, pull back all in one quick movement. If you stop, someone will grab your arm. And keep your other fist up, with your arm raised. That way you can block."
"Okay," Tohu said with determination.
"Punch right here," Kyo said, holding up his palm.
Tohru punched and did the action in one swift movement. "I did it!" She jumped up and down, thrusting her fist into the air with a peace sign. "Look Mom! I can punch!" She looked to the house and waved, "Oh! Hi Shigure, hi Yuki – did you see me?"
Kyo shoved his hands in his pockets and walked away, embarrassed that the Rat and Shigure were watching.
"You did very well, Miss Honda," Yuki said with a smile.
"Our little Tohru is growing up," Shigure said, wiping at his eyes. "She's blossoming into a young woman like a beautiful flower."
"Will you stuff it," Yuki muttered.
Tohru turned to smile to Kyo and noticed that he was walking away. "Thank you, Kyo! I'll be sure to practice!"
"Whatever," Kyo said as he leapt into the trees. He settled into the branches and let loose a smile.
She did it…she actually did it…and he was able to help her. He was able to teach someone.
Master would be proud.
Author's Note: Initially written for a challenge community.