Notes: I still only own Mi-chan. Oh, and Kishi-sama, can't forget her. :)
Thanks for reading!
Tali
Chapter 5 – Helping Tohru
Hatsuharu huffed irritably as he looked around and realized he honestly didn't have any idea where he was. He absently reached up to tug his favorite necklace while he considered which way he should go. Not that it mattered. For all he knew he wasn't even in the same town as when he left. He heard a car backfire on the next street over and decided he may as well go that way as any. He stared at his feet as he walked and let his mind wander.
He started when a warm hand reached out and twined with his. He looked down to see Michiko smiling up at him. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Taking a walk with a handsome guy I know." she replied cheekily as she steered him to the left.
"Where are we going?" he asked curiously.
"Back into the main part of town. You have that baffled look about you so I thought I'd help you find your way back to civilization again." she offered.
He huffed in irritation. "I'm not an idiot."
"I know."
"Then why are you acting like I am?"
"I'm not. I saw you walking and you were staring at your shoes. Since you're in the warehouse district I could only imagine you had spent so much time studying those monstrous boots of yours that you took a wrong turn while following your feet." she supplied easily, knowing he wasn't upset with her so much as the situation.
"What are you doing in the warehouse district? You could get hurt wandering down here alone."
"So could you." she responded as a group of voices called a greeting to them. They sounded less than sober to her well-trained ear. "Crap."
Haru looked around then smiled, "Don't worry. I know these Yankees."
She looked up at him in surprise. "You know these people?"
He shrugged, "Sure. I had to learn lock picking from someone."
As they got closer her eyes widened. They looked American to her.
"Hey, Haru. Who's this you brought down to see us?" a heavily muscled red-head asked.
"This is Mi. Mi, this is Joey. How you guys doing?" he asked happily as he shook hands with all his friends.
"Good, good. How's the hip?" a bald man with an extremely shiny head asked.
Haru colored slightly. "It's fine, Nate." He wrapped his arm around Michiko's shoulders as they fell into step with the gang.
"She the kitten?" a rowdy looking man with slicked back black hair asked. A strangled sound was Haru's only response. Michiko looked curiously from him to the other man.
"Steve." he said with a firm shake of her hand. "I'll leave it to him to explain, Kitten."
She looked back at Haru, "So they know both sides of you?"
"Sure we do." Joey said. "It's a funny story. Ya see, we met last year and spent some time getting to know him. Teaching him some useful skills to get by, you know? Then one night, not too long ago, we ran into this guy when he was drunk as they come and just looking for a fight. Guess someone back home really pissed him off, ya know? Anyways, after tussling with all of us for a bit – gotta give this guy credit, even piss drunk he's got stamina, lucky you by the way – anyway, we got to talking about women and he told us about this beautiful kitten he had back at home. She was just the most amazing thing and he wished he could have her with him all the time. So me and the boys suggested-" was as far as he got before Haru had his mouth covered tightly and started dragging him away.
"Never mind. It's not important." Haru said hurriedly to Michiko before murmuring to Joey, "She doesn't know."
Joey's eyes got wide, "But I thought you-"
"Not yet." Haru said before releasing him with a chagrined expression.
"We'll say no more." Joey replied before giving the rest of the laughing men a look that told them to keep it to themselves. That made them laugh all the harder while Michiko just stood there looking perplexed.
Steve stepped over and took her arm, "Have a drink with us. Maybe some dinner."
Haru glanced at Michiko who shrugged and smiled. "All right. Where to?"
They settled on a dive not too far away and Michiko was reintroduced to the underbelly of Tokyo. Haru leaned close to whisper, "Are you all right? They won't hurt you."
She grinned at him, "I know. I like them."
"Mi? Is that you?" a gruff voice asked. It belonged to a blond man in his mid to late twenties, who was staring at her like he was seeing a ghost.
She looked up in confusion before a smile bloomed over her face. "Kai? Is that you?" She hurried out of her seat and reached out to hug him. His shock was evident to everyone but her, since she still had her face buried in his chest. "How have you been?" she demanded as she pulled away.
He pulled his expression together before she could see his surprise. "Just fine, young lady. You seem to be doing well." he responded. "Are you still off the streets?"
She nodded, "Yes. I'm still working for the same company. New boss, but same job."
"Wonderful. I was hoping that was the case since I hadn't seen you around."
Haru watched them in confusion. His girl had lived on the streets? When? Why? For how long? Who was this guy to her?
She took Kai's hand and led him over to the end of the table Haru was sitting at. "This is Haru. My friend." She blushed prettily, "Well, more than my friend, really."
Kai held a hand out in pleasure, "It's nice to meet you, Haru. I'm glad she's finally making friends."
Haru shook the man's hand and frowned, "You two aren't friends?"
Kai glanced at Michiko, "We met at a time when making friends wasn't her strong suit."
"You'll have to tell me about that sometime." he murmured.
"She will when she's ready." Kai replied as he pulled a seat to the table. Everyone appeared to know him already, and they all sat around talking and drinking until it was past Haru's curfew yet again. He spent much of the evening wondering about Michiko's past and what Kai had meant when he said making friends hadn't been her strong suit.
When he stopped outside her door that night he clasped her hands as he asked, "Will you tell me about your past soon?"
She glanced away before looking up into his eyes, "Soon. I'm not quite ready yet."
He gave her a soft smile before brushing a kiss across her cheek, "I'll be here when you're ready."
He made sure she was safely inside with the door locked before he headed for home. He glanced down as his cell phone rang. Hatori was looking for him again.
----------
Kishi stopped by Michiko's cubicle. "Go home, Michiko-chan."
Michiko glanced at her watch and saw it was almost eleven. That's enough work for one night, time to pack up and get out of here. "I didn't realize it was so late. Let me clean up. You should head home too Kishi-sama."
"I will. I was going to shoo you out the door hours ago but I got distracted by my own project." Kishi replied.
"I'll be gone in less than five minutes." Michiko said as she started clearing her desk.
"Be sure that you are. I'm heading out then. See you tomorrow." Kishi smiled before leaning back and closing the door.
Michiko finished clearing her desk and neatly stacked the books she had been looking through. She hated coming into work to a messy desk. She gave a last look around and decided to apparate a little further from home tonight to give herself a chance to stretch her legs and clear her head. She had been stuck inside for more than fifteen hours that day and a walk was just what she needed to relax. She concentrated and a moment later stepped out an alley several blocks from her apartment building.
She started walking at an easy pace and glanced up to see the stars then around to make sure no one was nearby. The streets were fairly safe but every now and again some idiot would get to thinking they were tough and want to cause trouble. Michiko continued walking for several minutes before the sound of taunting voices carried to her ears. She was prepared to ignore them until she heard what sounded like Tohru's voice. Better check on that.
Walking cautiously, she neared the voices until she could see who they were talking to. Three boys had Tohru surrounded and were trying to get her to go somewhere with them. From the way they were closing in, Michiko doubted they were willing to take no for an answer.
She walked over to the other girl, "Tohru-san, I've been looking all over for you."
The group looked over at the sound of her voice. Tohru looked a little flustered but the boys just sneered. They had bottles wrapped in paper bags in their hands. Great, probably just drunk enough to be stupid.
"She was just saying that she wants to spend some time with us tonight. Maybe you'd like to come too?" said the tallest one.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but we have plans we're already late for." Michiko said politely.
The boys laughed before the leader spoke again, "We insist."
"No. Now please go on about your business and we'll do the same."
They circled closer and Michiko sighed. "Tohru, please hold still." She knew how clumsy the other girl could be and did not want to accidentally harm her.
She shifted into position and gave the boys a predatory smile, "Last chance to walk away."
They laughed again, "What do you think you're going to do against the three of us?"
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Li." he responded.
"Very well, Li, come here and find out." she invited, looking forward to good fight.
The boys accepted the invitation and were shortly laid out flat on their backs, out cold for the next little while. Michiko sighed, "That was pathetic. They should know better than to drink and fight."
Tohru was still staring around in surprise. "You really know how to fight, don't you Michiko-san?"
She smiled over at the other girl, "A girl on her own needs to know how to take care of herself. I can teach you how to defend yourself if you would like. Kyou and Yuki would also be willing I imagine. Come on, I'll walk you home."
The two girls started walking and Michiko kept a close eye on their surroundings. "Tohru-san, was that the first time those boys had bothered you?"
"No. They've been talking to me after work for a week now."
"Talking to you?" Michiko replied, disbelief coloring her voice.
"Like they were tonight. Asking me to go out with them and things like that." Tohru replied.
Michiko stared at the girl. "You are totally clueless to what they were after, aren't you?"
Tohru shrugged, "My company. It's very nice of them, but it's late and I'm always too tired when they ask."
Clueless doesn't even begin to describe it. "Would you do me a huge favor, Tohru-san?"
"Of course, Michiko-san." she replied cheerfully.
"Please do not speak to strangers after the sun's gone down and go for help if any try to speak to you."
"I don't want to put anyone out." she replied.
"You're not. Please, Tohru-san?" Michiko said pleadingly. "I only want what's best for you."
"Well, okay. I really don't think-" she began.
"Please?"
"Okay."
They walked along and talked about school and friends and before she knew it they were walking up to Shigure's house. Michiko noted Kyou was on the roof and decided to have a word before she left.
"See you later, Tohru-san. Take care, okay?"
"You too, Michiko-san." Tohru smiled and waved before she closed the door behind her.
Michiko walked around the house until she spotted a ladder and climbed up. She walked over to where Kyou was sitting and gingerly took a seat. He had been looking at the stars but turned to stare at her when she invaded his territory.
"What do you want?" he asked irritably.
"I need your help." she told him.
"With what?"
"Please don't tell her I said anything, but I'm worried about Tohru." she began.
"What do you mean worried? What's wrong with her?" he made to leap down but Michiko grabbed his wrist and restrained him. He narrowed his crimson eyes but sat back down and glared at her.
"Some boys have been bothering her after work. From what she said it's been going on for a week or so. I kicked their butts, but they might try again since they know she usually walks home alone. It was only by chance that I was even walking by in the first place. Can the three of us work something out so that she doesn't walk home alone any more? I'm very worried about her." Michiko explained. "She doesn't really understand what they're after and I don't want her to find out the hard way."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"They keep trying to get her to go off with them alone and late at night."
Kyou's eyes widened as he realized some possible implications of that and he leapt off the roof before Michiko could do anything to stop him. She listened to him slam into the house and start yelling at Tohru that she needed to be more careful. Michiko sighed and climbed down the ladder. Why doesn't talking with him ever get the results I expect? She walked into the house in time to see Shigure and Yuki ask what he was yelling about. Kyou continued yelling while she went over to them and quickly explained.
"Why didn't you tell us they were bothering you?" Kyou yelled at Tohru.
"I-it wasn't so bad. They just wanted to talk to me is all." she stuttered.
"Are you crazy? That's it. We're walking you home every night from now on."
"I'm sorry, Kyou-kun. I don't want to put anyone out of their way. I'm fine, really." she replied tearfully.
"Don't leave the building unless one of us is there waiting for you, got it?" he growled at her.
"Miss Honda," Yuki broke in, "It's no trouble for us to walk you home from work. We've been worried about you walking alone so late at night and now we won't have to because we'll be there with you."
"Are you sure?" she asked timidly.
Kyou opened his mouth and Yuki shut him up with a look, "We're sure. I was going to ask you if you minded the company on the way home when you got back tonight anyway." he lied smoothly.
"But, Yuki-kun, you already walk me home a couple nights a week. I couldn't ask you to do more than that." she tried to argue.
"Nonsense, Miss Honda. We enjoy walking with you and would like to do it every night."
Michiko watched Kyou keep shooting Tohru worried looks and Tohru giving them apologetic glances. "Tohru-chan, why don't you go up and get some rest? Tomorrow is a school day and you need your sleep."
Tohru glanced between the males before smiling at Michiko and nodding. "Good night everyone." She left the room and the others turned towards Michiko.
"Thank you for keeping an eye out for her." Yuki said quietly.
"It's my pleasure. I don't know how well it would work, but maybe the pair of you could teach her a little self defense?"
"We can try . . ." Kyou responded doubtfully.
"We'll keep an eye on her, don't worry." Yuki assured her.
"Let me know if you need any help. My hours are flexible and it's a short trip home if you need me." She glanced at her watch and saw it was after midnight. "I better get home. I need to work tomorrow."
"I'll walk you." Kyou told her.
"Thank you, but that's not necessary. You need your rest as well."
"We don't need another girl wandering around alone in the middle of the night. I'm walking you." he argued.
"I'll walk with you as well." Yuki stated.
Michiko looked ready to argue but saw the stubborn look on their faces, "Very well. Thank you both for keeping an eye on me."
"Haru would be upset if something happened to you that we could have prevented." Yuki said.
"Let's go." Kyou said and led them out the door.
Michiko looked thoughtfully at the two teens walking with her. "Yuki-san, you are very close to Haru, aren't you?"
He smiled at her, "Yes. We've been close friends since we were young."
"And does his Black side bother you?" she asked curiously.
"Sometimes, Sato-san. It's part of him. He is often difficult to deal with, but I've learned how to handle him."
Kyou snorted. "Yeah. Let him hold onto your shirt and he's fine."
"That's enough, Kyou." Yuki replied evenly.
"Come on, Yuki. The reason you don't have any trouble with him is because he's in love with you."
Michiko looked between the pair with eyebrows raised, "In love with you?" she ask curiously.
Yuki blushed, "It's not like that. Kyou's just causing trouble."
"He always says Yuki was his first love. Whenever he's around him, he's always grabbing his shirt and talking about how much he loves him."
"I haven't noticed anything like that when I've seen them together." Michiko said.
Yuki tilted his head thoughtfully. "You're right. He has barely done it at all for the last couple months."
Kyou laughed, "You've been replaced! Has it broken your heart, kuso nezumi?"
Yuki gave him a dirty look, "Shut up, baka neko."
"Kyou-san, when are you going to spar with me?" Michiko asked, changing the subject.
He scratched the back of his head, "Tomorrow after class?"
"Great! I can't wait." she replied cheerfully.
"Would you mind terribly if I watched, Sato-san?" Yuki asked.
Michiko shrugged. "I don't mind. Kyou-san?"
"Whatever."
She looked up and saw her building, "This is me. Thank you for making sure I made it safely."
"Yeah. See you tomorrow." Kyou said.
"You're welcome, Sato-san. I'm looking forward to seeing you spar tomorrow."
"You can spar too." She invited before turning and heading up the stairs. She saw a note stuck to her door and pulled it down curiously.
M,
I was thinking of you and decided to stop by. I hope they aren't working you too hard. Are we still on for tomorrow? I plugged in my phone before I left so you can send me a message if you don't get this until late.
Yours,
H
Michiko smiled at the note and pulled out her phone as she walked through the door. She flicked her wand and lit some of the lamps. She fiddled with the phone for a minute before remembering where the message menu was, then sent him an update on the change in plans and asked him if it was all right.
----------
A sign caught her eye as she was walking down the sidewalk and Michiko decided to wander in and check it out. She checked her watch and saw she had a few minutes to spare. She stepped into the shop and saw a man with very long silver white hair and bright green eyes critically inspecting an array of fabric swatches. She smiled as she recognized Ayame.
He stood as he heard the bell over the door and smiled brightly at her. "Blossom?" he asked enthusiastically. "You naughty girl, are you looking for something to make poor Haru your slave forever?"
Michiko shrugged, "Hello Ayame-san. I was just walking by and saw your sign." She glanced around curiously, "Is this a handicraft store?"
"We make men's fantasies come true here. Would you like to see our catalog? Perhaps you have something in mind for Haru already?" he asked happily.
"Oh, I don't know. We've only been dating for a few months." was as far as she got before he cut her off.
"Mine! My cousin's kitten is here and she needs something to make him hers forever." he called.
A woman in the most elaborate maid's outfit Michiko had ever seen came bustling out of the back and made a beeline for her.
"She is just lovely! He calls her kitten? I know the perfect thing for her." Mine grabbed Michiko's hand and dragged her into the back to start taking measurements.
Michiko was too surprised to argue and soon Mine had her quietly following her instructions. She just stood and did as she was told for about half an hour as her measurements were taken and different fabric swatches were brought over and compared to her skin tone. Finally the crazy woman in maid's clothing smiled and announced she had everything she needed and she could pay Ayame half on the way out and it would be ready in a few weeks.
She nodded mutely and handed over her bank card without even hearing the amount he was charging to it. Once the receipt was signed he ushered her out the door.
"See you later, Blossom."
"Bye, Ayame-san." she replied as she shook of her surprise and started walking towards the dojo. She had enough time to walk there and she could tell she needed it. She had never been so politely steamrollered before. She didn't know what they were making, but from the looks of Mine's outfit it was bound to be interesting. Maybe Haru would like to see it sometime . . .
She was walking past the middle school and glanced over curiously as she heard a chorus of jeers. There was a crowd of students standing around a little girl with hair the same yellow gold of a tiger's coat. There was one boy standing outside the circle watching with an odd expression on his face. She looked back at the girl and could see tears in her eyes and changed direction. Once she was nearby she made a couple minor adjustments to her appearance.
"Get away from her, you little brats." she growled fiercely.
The children looked over and saw a woman with glowing eyes and a dark glare and decided to play elsewhere. She noted the boy stopped several feet away and watched them closely. She looked him in the eye and gave him her darkest glare. He moved back a step before holding his ground. Michiko shook her hair to hide her face before changing her appearance back to normal and approaching the little girl who was still looking down and blinking back tears.
She knelt beside her and reached out to raise her chin. "Are you all right?" she asked gently as she looked into brown eyes that reinforced her impression of a tiger.
The girl looked up with her eyes swimming in tears but didn't say anything.
"I'm Michiko. What's your name?" she asked.
Still no answer from the girl. Michiko smiled at her, "Not a big talker, huh? That's all right. If it's all right with you, I'll just call you Kat until you want to tell me your name. Why don't we sit over here until you're feeling better?" She took the girl's hand and led her over to a nearby bench. She sat next to her and kept an eye on the lone boy that hadn't left. She glanced over at the girl, "Do you know him?"
Kat looked over at the straggler in surprise before looking back at Michiko.
"That looks like a yes so I won't scare him further away." she replied. They sat together quietly for a time before a kindly older woman walked over to them.
"It's time for you to come back to class. Who is your friend, dear?" she asked.
Michiko stood up and bowed. "Sato Michiko. I was just keeping Kat here company until she felt better." She turned towards the girl and smiled at her, "I'll see you later, sweetie."
Kat gave her a small smile before following her teacher back to class. Michiko saw the boy was still standing in the same place and raised a brow at him. He glared back before turning to follow the teacher back to class. Michiko watched them enter the classroom then headed for the dojo and her sparring dates.
----------
Kyou looked up as Michiko entered the back room. He, Haru, and Yuki were already stretching.
"Hi guys. Sorry I'm late. The boss had a new project for me and I had to gather the materials to bring home for the weekend, then I stopped at your cousin's shop."
Haru gave her a narrow look, "You're working all weekend again?"
"Not all weekend." she replied as she fell in with the stretching. "And she said I could work from home next week."
"What do you do, Sato-san?" Yuki asked.
"I'm in research. Ancient cultures were so creative. I'm actually going to get to put some of my ancient language schooling to work for a change."
"You speak other languages?" Haru asked with interest.
"More read than speak but yes. I'm very familiar with a few ancient languages, and have a passing knowledge of several more."
"Which ones do you use the most?" Yuki asked.
"Latin is the most common, but I also use a lot of Sumerian, ancient Egyptian, and even Atlantian now and then. I have to keep my books handy for anything but Latin and Sumerian, but I'm getting better." That statement was greeted with raised eyebrows from Yuki, a snort from Kyou, and a speculative look from Haru.
"Do any of you practice with weapons?" Michiko asked brightly. Haru and Yuki shook their heads immediately while Kyou nodded slightly. "Which one?"
"Short swords."
"Two?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Want to use them next week?" she demanded.
Haru and Yuki looked appalled but Kyou looked interested. "Against what?"
"My guan dao."
"Your what?" Haru asked while Kyou and Yuki goggled at her.
She grinned slyly, "Problem?"
"Where did you learn to use that and why?" the neko asked.
"My grandfather told me I was too small to learn so I had to prove him wrong."
Haru chuckled at her contrariness. "Are you any good?"
She quirked a brow at him, "I do all right. I haven't practiced since I finished school. It was part of the physical fitness program. We were all required to learn at least one weapon to help train us in discipline."
The three considered her for a long moment before they went back to stretching quietly. Once they were done they started doing katas together with Kyou leading. When they were loosened up Haru and Yuki stepped back and left Michiko and Kyou on the mat together.
"Ready?" she asked, bouncing a bit.
"Yeah." Kyou said a little uncertainly. They started circling and Michiko moved forward to attack when it looked like Kyou wasn't going to be able to bring himself to do so. He defended himself but did not make a move to strike her.
"Kyou-san, what's wrong?" Michiko asked.
"I can't hit a girl." he growled.
"You won't hurt me if you do land a hit." she cajoled.
"What are you tryin' to say?" he asked defensively.
"You can take it anyway you want if it'll get you to take a swing at me." she said mischievously.
He growled again and took a careful swing at her.
She frowned at him, "I know you can do better than that."
"I don't hit girls." he said.
Michiko studied him thoughtfully for a moment then smiled, "Maybe that's why you can't beat Yuki. You spend so much time calling him a girl that it's getting to you subconsciously."
He glared but made no response while Yuki rolled his eyes and Haru chuckled lightly.
She shrugged. "Fine. I'll just kick your ass and then you'll know I'm better than you. All that time training and you're going to get beat by a tiny . . . little . . . girl!" she said, appealing to his competitive streak. She suited actions to words and after knocking him down a couple of times and a few more well placed taunts he finally narrowed his eyes at her.
"Fine! You think you're a better fighter than me? I'll beat you!" he cried and finally started sparring properly.
Haru and Yuki looked at each other smilingly before settling down to chat while they watched the two spar to their heart's content. Kyou was stronger and faster than Michiko but she was small and agile. The pair moved as gracefully and surely as cats. From Kyou this was expected, from Michiko it was an interesting surprise.
"I can see why you spar with her so often. She's very good." Yuki observed.
"Yeah. I was surprised the first time we sparred. She was nicer to me, but I think that's because I wasn't afraid to hit her, I was just careful until I knew what she could take." Haru replied.
"I think Kyou's finally found someone that likes to fight as much as he does."
"Yeah. She really enjoys sparring. I think it's because she's stuck inside at a desk all day and this is the only thing that keeps her blood pumping. At least now, I won't be the only one that spars with her. She was starting to wear me out." Haru said ruefully.
"Can't keep up with her?"
"I enjoy sparring, but I think she would happily do it every day if she had someone to do it with."
"Well, between the three of us, we can probably keep her entertained. I get tired of fighting with Kyou and it would be nice to have someone new to spar with." Yuki replied.
The pair lapsed into silence while they watched Michiko and Kyou, who were still hurling insults at each other while they fought. They didn't appear to be getting tired either. The two on the floor watched for a while before deciding to go into the adjoining room to spar with each other. They knew they would not be missed.
An hour later they came back and Kyou and Michiko were still sparring and insulting each other. The only difference was that it was more good natured now.
"Are you two almost done?" Haru asked.
Michiko looked over and Kyou's punch landed on her right cheek, hard. She stumbled before righting herself and giving a little shake to clear her head. Haru looked over at Kyou and saw he was looking at her in horror.
"It's fine Kyou-kun. I won't even have a bruise tomorrow, I promise."
Haru walked over and inspected her face. It was red and already looked a little puffy. He knew it was going to hurt later. "You probably will, Michiko-chan. It's already starting to swell."
"I'll get an ice pack for you." Kyou said quietly, with a nervous look in his direction.
I'm not going to pound you because of an accident. Haru thought before Michiko turned to him in disappointment, "Now I'm gonna have to start all over getting him to spar with me. Dammit! I was having so much fun, too."
Kyou came back and wordlessly handed her the ice pack. Haru watched as she wrapped her hand around his wrist before he could get away. "I'm fine, Kyou-kun. It doesn't even hurt and there won't be a bruise there tomorrow. We can still spar again, right?"
He stared at her, "I punched you in the face. I'm surprised Haru hasn't done anything about it."
"Hey, I know my girl can kick you ass if she thinks you deserve it." Haru defended, pleased that Michiko and Kyou were on such good terms. Kyou needed a friend and it was difficult to find someone that would look past his prickly exterior. Heaven knew he couldn't do it for more than five minutes at a time.
"Kyou-kun, when I asked you to spar, I knew how good you were and accepted that I would probably take a few hits. That's part of sparring, and I'm fine." Michiko argued.
"I'm hungry. Do you guys want to grab some dinner with us?" He asked as he pulled the ice pack away from Michiko's face to check on her cheek. Her back was to Kyou so he didn't see it, but he saw a bruise was already starting to form.
"I could eat." Kyou said.
"That would be nice." Yuki replied.
"I need to make a quick stop. I'll be right back." Michiko said before heading to the ladies restroom.
She returned a few moments later with the ice pack still on her cheek and asked brightly, "Ready?"
"Let's go." Haru said and grabbed her hand.
They wandered around a bit trying to decide what they wanted so Michiko was able to leave the ice pack on for a while. They finally decided on his favorite noodle restaurant and placed their orders before finding a table.
"Let me see how it's doing." he asked.
She lifted the ice pack away from her face and the three boys studied her cheek in surprise. It was red but there was no sign of a bruise and the swelling was almost gone.
"What?" she asked.
"No bruise and the swelling is almost gone." Yuki told her. He turned to Kyou, "You must not have hit her as hard as you thought."
Kyou was still staring at her. "How is that possible?"
He reached across the table and turned her head this way and that with calloused fingers while the other two watched curiously. She allowed it and took a moment to wonder why his fingers were so callused. She and Haru had calluses but they were nothing compared to Kyou's.
She smiled at him, "I told you it wouldn't hurt me if you hit me. Now that you've seen it, can we spar again?"
Haru shook his head at her, "Is that all you ever think about?"
"No. I just really like it and I've never had so many skilled people to play with."
"Play?" Yuki asked.
"Yeah. It's fun and it's a game to see who can win or draw, right?" she replied.
"If you say so." he replied, clearly baffled by the girl. The waitress brought over their food and Kyou and Michiko dug in hungrily while the other two ate at a more sedate pace.
"Hungry?" Haru teased her.
"Hey! I just sparred for over an hour. I've earned it." she returned to her food.
"Well, she sure told you." Kyou said, laughing a bit.
"So, we can do this often?" she asked.
"That would be fine." Yuki said quietly.
"Yeah." Kyou replied between bites.