Kyo woke up the next morning. Tohru was still clinging to his shirt. Her tears had stopped flowing and his shirt was dry. He looked down at her. Her face was framed with the sunlight coming in from his window. Tohru looked like an angel. His angel.
Tohru stirred. She opened her eyes and looked up at Kyo. He looked down at her.
"Good morning", He said.
"It is, isn't it?" Tohru asked snuggling closer to him.
"Yep." Kyo agreed.
"The morning sun is beautiful." Tohru said shielding her eyes to look out the window.
"I guess. But I can think of something more beautiful than all the morning suns." Kyo said. Tohru blushed, but decided to play dumb.
"What would that be Kyo? The flowers on the Cherry Blossom trees in spring? A rainbow after a storm? The trees in the fall with the red, gold, orange, and yellow leaves?" Tohru asked.
"None of those. They're pretty, yes, but I'm thinking of something better." Kyo said.
"What?"
"You, Tohru. Can't you tell? You are the most beautiful thing in my life."
"Oh, Kyo." She said. She hugged him and he kissed her. She returned the kiss.
"I love you." Kyo said when they pulled apart.
"I know. I love you to Kyo." Tohru said.
"I want you to stay with me." Kyo said.
"I'm not going anywhere." Tohru said.
"No. I want you to stay here, with me, forever." Kyo said.
"I can't. I have to go make breakfast and clean. I'm sure you can't stay in your room forever either." Tohru said.
Kyo slapped his forehead. How could she have missed that? I want her here, next to me, for the rest of our lives at least. Maybe I have to do this proper. With a diamond ring in a black velvet box. With me in a suit and her in a dress. I should be down on one knee in a dimly lit restaurant.
"Kyo? Are you okay?" Tohru asked.
"Fine. Just fine." Kyo said.
"Oh. Okay."
"Tohru, I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?" Kyo asked.
"Um. Whatever you want I guess. Shigure and Akito took the kids out today. Then, you have to get to Shishou's. I'll probably clean." Tohru said.
"How about some fish?" Kyo asked.
"For breakfast?" Tohru asked.
"Sure. I've got to have strength to go to Shishou's." Kyo said.
"Okay." Tohru said. She got up and went over to the door. He followed her and closed the door behind them.
They walked down stairs. Tohru went into the kitchen and started the fish. Kyo had requested Salmon, as always.
"Smells good." Kyo said.
"I know. It isn't done though." Tohru said.
"How much longer?"
"About twenty minutes." She said putting it in the oven.
"Okay." Kyo said. He was sitting in one of the kitchen chairs. He was reclining making the front legs of the chair go off the floor.
"Kyo, you're going to fall sitting like that." Tohru warned.
"So?"
"You'll get hurt." She said walking over to the table.
"Fine." He said as he stopped reclining.
Tohru sat there in silence. Kyo had gone out for the remainder of the minutes to exercise. Tohru could see him through the window. He wasn't sweating yet, but his muscles were rippling under his black t-shirt. His hair was still unruly, which was just the way Tohru liked it.
The timer buzzed. Tohru went over to the oven and took the fish out. Kyo heard the timer and went in for breakfast.
He took his seat again and Tohru put a plate of fish and glass of milk in front of him.
"Thanks." He said. He waited until she had her food to start eating.
He finished quickly. Tohru was still eating.
"I'm calling in sick." He said as he put his dishes in the sink.
"What?" Tohru asked.
"I'm calling Shishou and telling him I'm sick." Kyo said.
"Was it the fish? Are you okay?" Tohru asked worriedly.
"The fish was great. I just don't feel like going to 'class' today."
"You have a test, don't you?" Tohru asked knowingly.
"No. I don't. I just want to stay here. I haven't missed a day yet. I deserve a break."
"But it is still school. What if Shishou won't let you take over the dojo because you miss a day?" Tohru asked.
"Who else would he give it to? I'm the only person he's ever entrusted with anything."
"But, don't you need to go? Don't you need to keep up on the work and everything?"
"I'll be fine. Shishou won't give the dojo to anyone but me. I'm his next in line anyway. He won't get mad." Kyo said. He went over to the phone in the living room and dialed Shishou's number.
"Hello?" Shishou asked.
"Hey. It's Kyo."
"You sound awful. What happened?"
"I barely said anything. I think I'm sick." Kyo fake coughed.
"Uh huh. And this cold just happened to show up on this day?"
"What is 'this day'?" Kyo asked. He had actually forgotten.
"The day you were supposed to teach your first student."
"Oh, right." Kyo coughed again.
"Look, the poor kid is already down here." Shishou said.
"But I'm sick." Kyo protested.
"Sure. You know. When we were in the mountains, I got a cold. It verged on the flu. I still got up everyday and taught you. A master is supposed to be tough. Are you trying to tell me you can't handle this kind of pressure?"
"No. That's not what I'm saying at all. I just have something I have to do today. I'm sorry, all right? I'll be there early tomorrow. Promise."
"Fine. I want you here really, really early, Kyo. You have run out of chances. See you in the morning." Shishou hung up. Kyo placed the phone back on its base.
"Was he mad?" Tohru asked. Kyo turned around.
"No. He understands." Kyo said.
"That's good. What are you going to do today?" Tohru asked.
"I'm going out." Kyo said.
"Oh. Have fun." Tohru said. She turned to walk into the kitchen.
"You're coming with me." Kyo said as he grabbed her wrist.
"What?" Tohru asked.
"Go get changed first. Something nice. I'll be ready in a minute." Kyo said. He bounded up the stairs and went into his room.
Tohru stood frozen for a minute, and then she too went up and into her room.
Kyo was in his room. He was throwing clothes out of his closet. Nothing was right. He had black shirt after black shirt on the floor. He was desperately trying to find a suit jacket or something. No, no, NO! Why don't I have anything! This sucks!
The same thing was happening in Tohru's room. She was pulling out dress after dress. He said nice. As in dressy nice or walking around town nice? Tohru had a pile of sundresses on her bed. She also had two laundry bags with two fancier dresses in them.
Back in Kyo's room, things weren't much better. "That's it!" He said to himself. He was frustrated. He threw the clothes off his bed. He tossed them into the closet and closed the closet door. He went over to his dresser and opened the bottom drawer. There was the suit Shishou had given him. It belonged to Kyo's biological grandfather. Kyo only met his grandfather once. At which time he blamed him for his curse. Kyo's grandfather still put money in a bank account for him, which Shishou now had control of.
The suit was in a black box. Kyo had never opened it. Shishou had given it to him and he stuck it in his dresser drawer. I hope this fits. Kyo prayed as he took the box out and set it on his bed.
Kyo took the lid off the box. In side was a simple black suit. Kyo took the top out and held it up. He looked in the mirror. Well, here goes nothing. Kyo thought. He slipped on the jacket. It fit. Thank God. He then went for the pants. They fit.
He checked himself one more time in the mirror. Black shirt, black suit jacket, black suit pants, black socks, and shinny black shoes. I wish I could scuff these up a little. Kyo thought looking at his shoes. He rubbed them back and forth a couple times on the carpet.
Tohru looked at her dresses. She had no idea which way to go with. Formal or casual? She decided to look and see what Kyo was wearing.
Tohru peeked out her door. Kyo was in the hall by his door. He was wearing the black suit. Tohru closed her door and went back to her bed. She went over to her bed. She put her sundresses back in her closet and looked at her fancier dresses. There was a red one and a blue one. She looked at both of them. The blue one was definitely more showy. The V-neck, spaghetti strap, and slit skirt didn't leave much to the imagination. It was her mom's and Tohru thought she should hold onto it.
However, the red dress had a scooped neck, hardly any back, and short, off the shoulder sleeves.
Tohru tried on both anyway. The red dress was the better choice. She kept it on and went over to her bed. Under the bed was a make up kit she never used. She pulled it out and applied a little blush, some eyeliner, and mascara. She checked herself one more time in the mirror. She wasn't wearing much make up, but she thought she looked okay. She grabbed a simple red clutch and put her ID, wallet, and extra make up in it.
She headed out the door. Kyo was still standing by his door.
"Are you ready, Kyo?" She asked. He'd been starring at his shoes. He looked up when she'd asked that.
"Yeah." Was all he managed to say.
"You look nice Kyo." Tohru said looking him over.
"Thanks. You look, wow." Tohru blushed.
"Thank you." She said. He took a deep breath, took her hand in his and they went down stairs and out side.
"Are we walking?" Tohru asked.
"Course not." Kyo watched as the car that would be driving them pulled up. Of all the people to step out, Hiro did.
"Hiro?" Tohru asked.
"Isn't my choice to be here. Hatori called me and asked if I would drive you. He said Kyo would pay me."
"Fine. Just drive us to the place Hatori mentioned." Kyo growled.
"Of course." Hiro said. He climbed back into the driver's seat while Kyo and Tohru got in the back.
Hiro drove off to the restaurant. When they arrived, Kyo told them to pick them up in an hour. Hiro waved his hand and drove off.
"Come." Kyo said leading Tohru to the restaurant. He opened the door and led her over to the podium where a waiter was standing.
"Table for two." Kyo said.
"Do you have a reservation?" The waiter asked.
"Sohma." Kyo said. Tohru was looking around. This was the first time she'd been to a restaurant this fancy.
"Right this way", the guy said ushering Kyo to follow him. Kyo pulled Tohru out of her trance. She followed him down to a private room.
"There you are." The waiter said when they'd taken their seats. He placed the menus in front of them and left.
The room was private. A separate diner room with candles, china plates, curtains, etc.
"See anything you like?" Kyo asked.
"Yes." Tohru sounded unsure.
"Are you sure? We can go some where else, if you don't like it here." Kyo said.
"It's just the price." Tohru said.
"Never mind the price. I'm paying. Get whatever you want." Kyo said.
"O-okay." Tohru looked back at the menu.
The waiter came back in. He'd brought a selection of wines with him and asked for their orders. They told them what they wanted and Kyo took a bottle of red wine. The waiter said it would be ready in a few minutes.
Once the waiter was gone Kyo put a black velvet box on the table.
"Open it." He told Tohru.
"Okay." She took the box. She held it in her hand and slowly opened it. Inside was a small sapphire ring.
"That was my great grandmother's, my grandfather's mother. I never knew her, and I only met my grandfather once. He was an only child, I was his only grandchild, that's why I have it now, or you have it. I know it isn't a diamond or anything, not yet at least. It's a promise ring, not an engagement ring. I haven't found the right one of those yet. Anyway. Tohru, I promise to be with you forever. To watch over you and care for you. I promise to do my best. I promise to be a person you deserve and one worthy of your love. I promise." Kyo said. Tohru hadn't taken the ring out of the box.
"Oh, Kyo. It's beautiful." Tohru whispered. Kyo reached over and took the ring out of the box. He held it up to Tohru. She looked at it. He slipped it on her right hand ring finger.
"Promise to stay with me?" He asked.
"Of course." Tohru said. He leaned across the table for a quick kiss. Then the waiter came in with the food. He placed the plates in front of them and headed back out.
They finished their meal. Kyo helped Tohru out of her seat. They walked up to the front counter to pay the bill. Tohru heard the amount and told Kyo it was too much. He denied it and paid. They left hand in hand. Kyo was fingering the ring on Tohru's finger.
Hiro was outside waiting to pick them up.
"What took you guys so long?" Hiro asked. Then he noticed the ring on Tohru's finger. "Never mind, then."
Kyo and Tohru climbed into the back seat. Hiro drove them home in a comfortable silence.