Disclaimer - Character's are not mine.

Chapter Three – Master's Gratitude

It had been five weeks since Kyo had been lucky enough to land the job of a waiter at Fruits Basket Café – Bookstore. Kazuma had been relieved when Kyo had received the phone call to say that the job was his if he wanted it. He was also slightly surprised that Kyo had managed to hold onto it for so long.

While his adopted son had a big heart and just wanted what was best for people, he was seriously lacking in the social skills department. It was a pity, as when he was calm and relaxed he was so enjoyable to be around. It took a lot of patience and persistence to see through the tough exterior that Kyo had erected around himself as a result of his harsh childhood.

Kazuma could still remember the day he had opened the door to his house after the doorbell had rung, only to find a small orange haired child standing there with a brave expression on his face. He could still hear the blunt words of the child, simply stating that his father had finally dumped him somewhere and did he know what he should do now.

It had only taken a few dozen phone calls and four days for Kazuma to understand what had happened. Apparently Kyo's mother had died when Kyo was just five and his father hadn't taken the death very well, lashing out at Kyo as he was a convenient and defenceless target. That was part of the reason why, after he had made the commitment to take Kyo in, he had began teaching him how to defend himself. So that if anyone ever tried to hurt him again, they wouldn't be able to without Kyo fighting back.

Looking at Kyo now, thirteen years after that first day on his doorstep, Kazuma thought he had done a pretty good job of raising him. Many people had claimed that he was too young to raise a child, even if said child was already half grown. Kazume has scoffed at them; he was twenty and that was old enough as far as he was concerned. Sure, Kyo had been a handful in the beginning, his temper unpredictable and his manners erratic at best. But underneath all of it was a hurt little boy who just wanted someone to love him and his faults.

So, Kazuma had taken him in and based the rest of his life around the small boy who had now grown into a strong, if still mouthy, adult.

Still, despite his belief that he had done a good job with Kyo, despite all the many problems going on around them, Kazuma did find himself in odd moments wondering if Kyo would have been calmer if there had been a woman in the picture. Maybe a woman's gentle touch could have calmed some of the hurt and anger that Kyo always seemed to be holding inside…

The sound of quiet laughter broke through his thoughts and he looked over to the side of the dojo to see the object of his thoughts with his new friend. Kyo could rarely be seen in the dojo without Hastuharu, or Haru as he had told everyone to call him. The new boy was almost completely opposite from Kyo, with his calm demeanour and softly spoken words; it was often difficult to tell what he was really thinking behind those mysterious grey eyes. Whereas Kyo was loud, he was quick to anger and often said things he didn't mean, his crimson coloured eyes silently expressing his feelings that he couldn't put into words.

Watching silently, Kazuma allowed a small smile to lift the corners of his lips at the sight of Kyo sending Haru a side-ways glance, cheeks slightly pink as he quickly looked away when Haru caught him. While he was looking away he missed the small smile that lifted Haru's lips before he looked away as well, as if nothing had happened.

'I wonder who will act on their feelings first?' Kazuma wondered idly to himself as the two boys approached him.

"Afternoon boys." He greeted them as they both bowed slightly to him in a sign of respect.

"Afternoon Master." They said in union.

"How are you both today?" He asked while suppressing a smile as Kyo's eyes once again strayed to his friend.

"Good, thank you Master. Yourself?" Haru spoke quietly, small smile in place.

"I am well, Haru."

Turning to Kyo, Kazuma raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I thought you had work today." Dread filled him with the thought that maybe that job at the café – bookstore was over with now, like so many before it.

"Nah, it was a slow day so Tohru said we could all go home early." Kyo shrugged his shoulders good-naturedly.

Kazuma was slightly surprised to hear a faint hint of affection in Kyo's voice at the mention of his boss. Clearly this young woman was having a good influence on his volatile son. Maybe she was the reason Kyo hadn't been snapping at the younger students so much lately, even when they screwed up something he perceived to be simple.

"Hmm…" Turning, Kazuma dismissed the two, thoughts already elsewhere.

'Maybe it would be a good idea to go and visit this Tohru Honda. After all, I should thank her for giving Kyo a chance where so many other's have refused.'

This thought in mind, Kazuma mentally made plans for the next day.

Kazuma purposely waited down the end of the street until Kyo left the shop for his lunchbreak before he ventured down. Kyo often felt embarrassed when Kazuma showed up at his work, so with any luck the boy wouldn't know about his visit until someone mentioned it, if at all.

While he had never been inside the Fruits Basket Café – Bookstore, Kazuma had passed by it before. He had seen it bustling with people, none appearing to leave displeased, so he assumed it was a good business.

Opening the front door, he heard a small chime sound above him. Looking around it appeared to be fairly quiet right now with only a few customers seated at tables, talking quietly to themselves. A light purple haired guy around Kyo's age was fiddling with something behind the counter and a dark haired man leaned against the counter talking to a small blond boy wearing a school uniform.

However, it was the brown haired young woman, coming out behind the counter from what he assumed was the cooking area, that caught his attention.

Walking over to her, she looked up at him and smiled warmly in welcome.

"Hello! Welcome to the Fruits Basket Café – Bookstore. How can I help you today?" While the words were generic, there was something about her that made him think she really meant them.

"Hello, are you Tohru Honder, by an chance?" He knew he was right the moment a slightly puzzled look crossed her face before she nodded slightly.

"Um, yes that would be me."

"My name's Kazuma Inoue, Kyo might have mentioned me." He trailed off as a practically enthusiastic look crossed her face.

"OH! You're Kyo's father, aren't you!" She exclaimed loudly, catching the attention of the others.

"Yes, I am. I was wondering if I could have a quick word to you, in private if you don't mind." He smiled pleasantly at her; inwardly wincing slightly at all the attention they were now receiving.

"Yes, yes of course." She nodded quickly and led him around the counter and into the kitchen area that was deserted for the moment. Once alone she turned to him and offered a still slightly confused smile.

"I wonder, have you heard about Kyo's past employment ventures?" He began slowly, wanting to know if she knew anything about it.

"Um, not really. Kyo hasn't said much about it before." She said hesitantly.

'Ah, so that may have had something to do with why she employed him… But I wonder just how she will react when she finds out?' He paused a moment, making a decisive decision before answering.

"Kyo has something of a reputation of being a bad business decision." Kazuma began slowly, watching her carefully for a reaction.

"Many potential employers see his name and immediately cross it off their list, so to speak. He's had a lot of problems with keeping jobs over the years and it is partly his fault. He doesn't have a very good handle on his temper and often times he lashes out for little things. This, naturally, doesn't inspire people to keep him on for very long."

Seeing her huge eyes and slightly open mouth he guesses she'd really had no idea at all.

"It's not that he's a bad kid, he's good and he tries hard. But due to his hard past, he often finds himself unable to express himself in anyway except through anger." Kazuma was prevented from saying anything else as Tohru shook her head, eyes downcast as she did so.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly, voice sounding slightly chocked up.

'Please tell me I didn't just get Kyo fired…'

"I'm so sorry that he had a hard past. It's not his fault that he can't control his temper, it not! I know he's trying his very best to get better at being nice around people. I can see his trying, so don't worry."

She suddenly looked up and Kazuma was slightly surprised at the sheer determination he could see in her eyes. It actually reminded him of a younger Kyo.

"He will get better, he is every single day! He can go a few days without yelling at Momiji now, whereas before he couldn't last a few hours. He's getting better and, I'm sure, he just wants to make you proud. There's nothing more a person wants then for their parents to be proud of them. I know he's trying really hard, so don't worry about him." A beautiful smile suddenly spread over her face as she looked at him, clear affection for his son in her eyes.

"Kyo really care's about people and he shows it in his own way just like everyone else does. He's a wonderful person who I'm so thankful for knowing."

Looking at the young woman before him, Kazuma was very thankful himself. Thankful that his son, who had been hurt so many times before by so many people, was finally in the hands of someone who really, truly cared about him.

"Well, thank you, Tohru Honda." He smiled back at her, causing her cheeks to flush and her to shake her head.

"No, no, no; thank you Kazuma! Thank you so much for letting Kyo work here. I don't know what we'd do without him."

'This girl was one of a kind. Too bad Kyo doesn't like girls.'

Smiling, Kazuma mentally shook of the previous conversation and stood up straighter.

"So, now that that's out of the way, how about one of your lovely sounding hot chocolate's, Kyo's mentioned to me how nice they are and I'd love to try them."

"Oh, yes, of course. Come right this way." With a bubbly smile she led him back through the kitchen and around the counter, politely ignoring the inquisitive looks from the three guys standing there, and to one of the tables near the back where a semblance of privacy was felt.

"So," she giggled slightly as she pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. " What can I get for you today, a hot chocolate?"

Smiling he played along and before he knew it she was off and placing his order, laughing and talking with the purple haired guy as he worked the coffee machine.

Kazuma watched and smiled at the interactions of the staff of Fruits Basket, how they all appeared to be friends with one another. However, he did wonder how his son fit into the dynamic.

He had just finished his drink and was about to stand up to leave when the door chimed again and when he looked up he saw Kyo and, only to his slight surprise, Haru entre the shop. Apparently Kyo's lunch break was over.

Sitting silently, he observed as the blond boy looked up at their arrival and said something, causing the black haired man and the purple haired man to laugh while Tohru had more of a nervous smile on her face. Kyo flushed slightly and for a moment Kazuma was sure that he would lash out at the younger boy, but he merely wacked him over the head harmlessly as Haru smiled next to him.

Kazuma watched in slight shock as his son interacted with the people here as if it was nothing more than second nature. It was then that he realised just what this job had given his son. Not only a place to work, but people who accepted him, who were his friends.

Kazuma smiled.

Standing up he walked over to the group of friends, causing Kyo's eyes to widen as they landed on him.

"Master?" The question was clear in his eyes as he looked at him, but Kazuma ignored it.

"I'll see you when you get home, Kyo." Nodding to Haru and sending Tohru a smile, Kazuma headed for the door. However, it opened before he could get to it, the door almost hitting him. Yet, he found his eyes drawn to the young woman who had just stepped inside. With long black hair that cascaded down her back and dark eyes, she was beautiful.

"Oh," she looked up at him in surprise for a moment before a pink blush began spreading over her delicate looking cheeks.

'What a cute blush.'

"Sorry about that, I wasn't looking at where I was going." Kazuma apologised with an easy smile.

"No, I was in a rush." She offered a small smile back to him.

He moved to go past her, only to feel a small hand rest on his upper arm as he reached for the door. Looking over, smile still in place, he saw her looking at the floor bashfully.

"I'm Saki by the way, Saki Hanajima." She looked up through her eyelashes as she finished her introduction.

Inwardly, Kazuma grinned stupidly. It had been a long time since he had felt any real attraction to a woman just on sight alone.

"I'm Kazuma, Kazuma Inoue." He replied, feeling slightly silly when a depressed feeling swiftly swept through him when she dropped her hand.

"It was nice to meet you, Kazuma." She said, shyly glancing at the ground again before turning away.

He stood still for a moment as she headed over to the group at the counter who had watched the whole thing. He ignored Kyo's odd look and the black haired man's particularly entertained look in favour of checking out Saki behind her back.

"The pleasure was all mine." He said softly, more to himself then anyone else, before he turned and left the store. Allowing a silly smile to cross his lips once he was out of sight of the windows and everyone staring, he made his way home with a skip to his step.

Kyo's new job really was a fantastic thing.