After the three had finished breakfast Shishou and Kyou headed over to the dojo. "Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself?" Kyou asked, worried about Tohru.
Tohru gave him a big grin. "I'll be fine. I'm sure I can find all kinds of things to keep myself occupied."
"Come on Kyou, we need to get going." Kazuma urged his son.
"Okay, I'm coming." Kyou sighed, a bit reluctant. He leaned over and gave Tohru a quick peck on the cheek. "We'll be back around lunch time. I love you."
"I love you, too." Tohru said as she gave Kyou a qucik kiss. Then she watched as father and son walked away. Tohru walked into the kitchen and opened up the fridge. "Oh my goodness." She said aloud. "First thing I have to do is buy some more food."
Tohru found pen and pad of paper. She made out a grocery list and headed to the store. She easily found everything she needed...which was pretty much everything. Once she was done shopping she headed home. She put everything away and then inspected the house. "This place definately needs cleaned." She spoke to herself.
Tohru tied her hair back and with a look of determination cleaned the house from top to bottom. She did laundry, dishes, and scrubbed and mopped until the house was spotless. When she was done she looked around and examined her work. With a satisfied smile on her face she headed to the kitchen to make lunch. She decided to make a rather large spread, wanting to make sure Kazuma knew she was willing to help out around the house.
Tohru had just finished setting the table when she heard, "Oh my! I don't think I have ever had the house this clean! It sparkles!"
"That's Tohru for you." Kyou said.
Tohru walked in and giggled. "I told you I could find plenty to do."
Kyou walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her forehead. "I should have known you would clean the entire house."
"And I made lunch." Tohru said.
The three of them then walked in the dining room. Kazuma sat at the table and took in the delicious spread. "Did I have all of this food in my refridgerator?"
"I had to go grocery shopping." Tohru admitted.
Kazuma gave Tohru a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry about that. I'll pay you back for the groceries."
"No, it wasn't any trouble. Besides I'm living here and eating the food too. It was the least I could do." Tohru said.
"But I insist."
"I just couldn't."
"You worked hard for that money. Let Shishou pay you back." Kyou butted in.
"It would be too much though." Tohru said.
Kyou and Kazuma both let out exaperated sighs. They gave up trying to argue with Tohru. Maybe I'll just buy something for her. Kazuma thought. And not tell her.
They soon dug in and consumed the meal Tohru had made. "I'm glad that I work out at the dojo otherwise I could get fat from eating this wonderful food. I really think I could eat like this all day." Kazuma said.
"I'm glad you like it." Tohru said smiling warmly.
"Speaking of the dojo, we had better be getting back, Kyou."
Kyou nodded. "Okay." He leaned over and kissed Tohru's cheek. Then he and Kazuma left. Once again Tohru was left alone in the house. She cleaned up the dishes and then tried to think of what she would do.
"I know! I'll go visit Mom and then go to the park!" She exclaimed aloud. She went to her and Kyou's room and changed into the blue sundress Aya had given her. She walked to the flower shop and picked up a bouquet of white roses, they had been Kyoko's favorite. She soon arrived at the grave yard.
"Hey Mom." She greeted the headstone brightly. She sat down by the grave and placed the flowers on the headstone. "I have so much to tell you about. You know that Kyou and I are a couple now, but we moved out of Shigure's house. We are living with Kazuma Sohma, Kyou's father. Well he isn't actually Kyou's dad. He adopted Kyou, but yeah. I promise that I am still in school. I'm going to finish for you Mom." Tohru went on talking aloud.
Soon the sun began to set. "Well Mom, I should probably be going. I'll come back and visit. I love you, Mom." Tohru said as she stood and walked away.
Now Tohru stood at the entrance to the park. She was hesitant to enter. She hadn't been there since the night those guys had attacked her and Jin. I can do this. She thought. She then sucked in a breath and walked in the park. She headed to the swings and sat down. She looked up at the sky. The sun had set and the moon and stars were out.
Tohru pulled herself back in the swing and then started to swing. She closed her eyes as the air blew through her hair and across her face. She smiled and enjoyed the sensation of the night wind around her and the moonlight on her skin.
"Well, well look who came back boys and this time she's one short." came an all too familiar voice.
Tohru stopped swinging and opened her eyes. She looked up terror evident on her face as she stared at the boys that had almost blinded her sister.
"Awe, you remember us. That's good." The leader said as he walked closer. "It looks like your protectors aren't here either...even better." An evil smile came across the young man's face. He walked even closer to her. "And your wearing an adorable dress. Makes things easier for me."
Tohru sat in the swing, frozen where she was.
The boy kept walking closer. "I just wish the other girl were here. I would love to get revenge on her for breaking my nose, but you'll have to do." He now stood just inches in front of Tohru. He reached out a hand and stroked her cheek.
Tohru shrank back from his touch. This made the man smile. Then without warning he had pulled her from the swing and flung her to the ground. He moved his hand to her shoulder and started to pull at her dress.
It was at that moment, something clicked inside of Tohru. Without even realizing what she was doing she balled her hand up into a fist and hit the guy in the nose with all of her strength. The boy stumbled backwards and fell flat on his butt.
"You are going to pay for that!" He shouted as he started to get up.
Tohru stood and started to run away, when one of the other boys grabbed her by the arm. Once again, instinct took over Tohru's body and she lifted her leg and kicked the young man in the shins. The leader had picked himself up and was running after Tohru. He grabbed the hem of Tohru's dress. "I've got you now." He said.
Tohru tugged at her dress until she felt the fabric rip and she was free. She took off as fast as she could. Still the boys reached and grabbed at her, pulling her hair and ripping her dress. She let instinct take over and hit and kicked and bit each and every one of the boys. She was finally able to escape and run from the park.
As she exited the park one of her shoes fell off, but she didn't pause to get it. She just left it and kept running. She ran until she was safe at home.
Meanwhile...
Kyou and Kazuma arrived home to find Tohru gone. A note was left on the dining table. Kyou picked it up and read it carefully. "Tohru went to visit her mother." Kyou told Shishou.
A look of confusion krept across the man's face. "I thought her mother was dead."
"She is. It means Tohru went to her grave." Kyou replied. "Tohru said she left stew for us in the fridge." Kyou started to walk in the kitchen when he heard the door open and then quickly close. Then he heard the sound of Tohru breathing heavily.
He and Shishou quickly rushed to the door and found Tohru on the floor by the entrance. She was breathing heavy and covered in dirt. Her dress was ripped in several places and one sleeve was completely missing along with one of her shoes. Kyou raced to her and knelt beside her. "What happened? Are you alright?"
Tohru looked up at Kyou and then flung herself into his arms as tears streamed down her face. "I went to that park...and...those guys...were there." Tohru answered between sobs.
Anger swept through Kyou's body. "What did they do to you?" Kyou asked barely keeping the anger from his voice.
"They pushed me on the ground...and...and...the leader started pu...pulling at my...dr...dress." Tohru answered.
A look of pure disgust at the act of what those boys had done, crossed Kazuma's face. "That is horribe." He uttered as his hand came over his mouth.
A low growl rumbled from somewhere deep inside Kyou. It was a menacing sound. "I'm gonna kill those bastards."
Tohru's sobs eased and she could speak more clearly. "They didn't get a chance...to hurt me." Tohru said. "I don't know what came over me, but...I punched him in the nose."
Kyou look down at Tohru, confusion evident on his face.
Tohru went on to explain how she had fought her way out of the park and gotten away from those boys. "I'm not sure how I did it."
Kyou pulled Tohru closer to him. "I'm not sure how either, but I'm glad you did." He then pulled back and started examining Tohru. He noticed a few minor cuts and bruises, but other than that she seemed okay. Then he pulled her close once again and held her for an incredibly long moment.
After a while Tohru pulled away and looked up at Kyou. "I'm gonna go and take a hot bath."
"Okay." Kyou replied as he stood up and then held his hand out to Tohru. He helped her up.
Tohru now sat in the bath tub. Bubbles, from a therapeutic bubble bath mix, surrounded her. She breathed in the scent of Lavender and allowed the hot water to calm and relax her tense muscles. She suddenly felt exhausted, the adrenaline rush she had expierienced in fighting for her life had worn off.
When her bath was over, Tohru stepped out of the tub and dried off. She pulled on her clothes and brushed out her hair. Then she walked down the hall and to the living room. She found Kazuma setting on the couch reading. Just a few feet away, Kyou was pacing the floor. His face held a look that was a mixture of anger and worry.
Tohru walked over to him and reached her hand to hold his. Kyou stopped his pacing and turned around. He pulled Tohru into his arms and held her. He kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Fine." She answered. Then she pulled back and looked up at him and smiled. "I'm just a little tired. So I think I'm going to bed."
"Okay. I'll be in in a minute." Kyou told her. Then he kissed her cheek and hugged her once more.
"Good night Tohru. Sleep well." Kazuma said.
"Thank you. Good night." Tohru replied then she headed to bed.
"You sleep well too Kyou. I think Tohru is going to be fine." Shishou said.
"Okay. Night Shishou." Kyou said before heading to bed. Kyou walked in the bedroom and climbed in next to Tohru. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Tohru."
"I love you, Kyou." Tohru breathed and soon she was asleep, a smile on her face.
Kyou watched her as she slept for a while. I guess she is gonna be okay. Kyou thought as he let out a small sigh of relief. Then he too, soon fell asleep.
A/N: I want to put it on the record that Kazuma's house wasn't as messy as Shigure's, but it did need cleaning lol. Plus that just seemed like something Tohru would do. I hope you all enjoyed. Please read and review. Thanks to all of you who have reviewed! I love you guys!