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A young girl stood at the counter while water ran from the kitchen tap, soaking the dirty dishes. Soft lilac eyes glanced at the clock, worry setting in as her parents still had yet to come home and it was almost time for her to leave for the ballet studio for morning practice.
The sun had not yet risen but she could see the mixes of blue starting to appear in the sky if she craned her head enough out the small window.
She had already eaten breakfast alone and wondered what to do with the extra portions she had prepared since she had been certain that her parents would have been home by now, unless-
"BETAA." The apartment door burst open with a loud cry that had the middle schooler nearly dropping a dish but managed to catch it before it fell to the ground.
"Hun, shh, people are still sleeping." A deep voice followed after, closing the apartment door after the clearly inebriated woman.
"Fuck I care? Damn neighbors stealing our amazon packages, I swear I'm gonna shove my foot right up a-"
"Maybe it's a little early to be threatening the neighbors." Yuto interrupted and Chandra waved him off before launching herself at the young girl.
"You agree with me right beta? That old man sucks."
"He's not that bad... actually made the bus wait for me the other day." Marley mentioned, remembering when she was running for the bus and was surprised that it wa still there because the old Chinese gentleman was keeping the door open with his cane as he told the the bus driver 'see, strange dancing girl always take this bus.'
"Booooo, why is no one on my side." She whined as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, nearly bringing her down but Chandra's husband quick to grab the two.
"How much as she had?" Marley asked as she watched her mother sway and giggle about nothing.
"Her and Gabriella were practically drowning in whiskey sours after their shift." Yuto admitted. He knew he probably should have stepped in earlier but he was a sucker who could not tell his wife 'no.'
"Has she eaten anything yet?" Marley was wondering is her mother would be able to stomach some breakfast.
"A HOT GUY BOUGHT ME CHICKEN BURGER!" Chandra cheered and Yuto laughed, pointing out that he was the one that bought her food.
He also mentioned that she had eaten his own chicken burger as well but Chandra denied.
"Yeah, that's what I said...a hot guy bought me food."
"How about some water Mama..." Marley struggled to walk to the fridge as her mother hung on to her legs but she got it done, handing the glass of cold water to the woman.
"You take such good care of meeeee, is she beautiful and amazing and the best person to ever walk the earth?" Chandra gushed after she took a giant gulp of water and asking for more.
"Mhmmm the best thing I ever made." Her mother nodded and began to talk to herself as she enjoyed another glass of water.
"How was work?" Marley asked as she patted her mother's head.
"It was fine, your mother was having a fun night and the crowd was really riling her up...I blame the flamingo get up." Yuto had worked the bar from the night and enjoyed his wife's show when he wasn't making cocktails.
"Marley, Marley, Marley." Her mother sang as she tugged on Marley's sweater.
"Yes Mama?"
"Can you make some cinnamon rolls? PLEASE!"
"I..don't think we have the right ingredients...and I really should get going or the instructors going to be mad." Marley could already see the wrinkles on her ballet teacher's face getting worse as she glared at Marley for being late to morning class.
"OH MARLEY! Gabi said you should wear the blue leotard for your fancy audition, but I think you should wear the dark green one." Chandra shook her daughter and Marley had to hold on to the counter to keep herself up right.
The 'audition' was for upcoming parts in the ballet sleeping beauty and Marley would feel lucky to receive any part as the school she was with was full of very talented and competitive dancers.
"...I don't think I get to choose; they want us to wear black." Marley didn't even have a blue leotard so she wasn't sure what Gabriel was talking about.
"Psh, fine. BUT I know you're gonna get it! You work so hard baby, I'M GGONNA BE-BE FRONT ROW AT EVERY SHOW!" Chandra yelled and Marley could already imagine the complaints from their neighbors.
"YOUR GONNA HAVE THE BEST FLOWERS THAT DADDY CAN BUY!" Chandra pointed to her husband and his entire face went bright red.
"Maybe...maybe don't call me that..." Yuto was trying not to blush over his drunk wife but she was making it very difficult.
He only hoped that Marley wouldn't judge them.
"TAKE ME TO BED DADDY!" Chandra jumped up into her husband's arms and Marley wished she had left already.
"Oh my god, Mama please." Marley's face was so red as she can't believe she had to sit through this kind of talk...again.
"DON'T KINK SHAME ME!"
Chandra was never a shy person but drunk Chandra was a different beast and Marley wondered if her mother was ever embarrassed about anything.
"Now you!" Chandra pointed a finger at Marley.
"Yes Mama?"
"You go to school and get good grades! And don't talk to strangers!"
"Unless it's like a super handsome stranger...well wear protection."
"MAMA!"
"Okay, I think you've scared Marley enough, off to bed with you."
"MARLEYYY SAVE ME! A STRANGER IS TAKING ME AWAY!"
"I'm your husband..."
"Have a good day Hun, come home safely." Yuto would have patted Marley's head but his arms were full with his drunk wife.
"Have a good sleep, I replaced the bed sheets and you have fresh clothes folded in the hamper. I'll bring up grocer-"
"LETS DO CINNAMON ROLLS!" Her mother called out as she disappeared. Marley giggled as she packed away everything and zipped up her bag, jotting down in her phone to pick up ingredients for cinnamon rolls.
It would be a long day but it would be nice to come to her family and then they would be able to enjoy a meal.
Together.
The gentle light of morning poured over the walls of Marley's bedroom, a large cat rested on the window sill, eying the chirping birds as his fluffy tail swished back and forth. Brushing up against the nose of Marley who had fallen asleep at her desk that was covered in different books about easter fairytales and scribbles of notes everywhere and the dream completely forgotten.
Where am I?
Gimli let out a stranger chattering noise with his mouth as bird hopped around on a branch and his owner properly raised her head from the desk, her neck hurting from the strange position so she swayed it from side to side.
Her hand reached out to pat the soft fur on the cat's back and Gimli gladly leaned into it, purring as
"Don't even think about it mister, you proved you're a good hunter, I don't need any more proof." Marley scolded as she pushed away his tail from her nose.
The cat meowed at her before standing, going into a big stretch and walking over Marley's desk and choosing to lay down all over her notes.
"Gimliiiii" Marley whined but the large cat hardly cared, putting a bit more swish in his walk.
"Marley! Come down here please!" The deep voice of her grandfather called out and Marley nearly, tripped over trying to rush down, wondering what she was needed for.
Her grandfather was sitting at the kitchen table, his assistant standing by, talking fast on the cellphone.
"Oi, what are you doing still standing there? Get the car ready?" Her grandfather barked and the young assistant nearly jumped dropped his phone while muttering apologies and bowing as he walked backwards out the door.
"Dadaji, I'm sure there was a better way to ask."
"Let an old man bully the kids around a little, it builds character." He simply chuckled and Marley just let out a large sigh, saying a silent prayer to the assistant and wishing him good luck. Her eyes wandered to Tetsuo's plate and noticed the lone bowl of rice with nothing accompanying it.
"Oh BREAKFAST! Dadaji I completely forgot; I am so sorry. What would you like?" Marley pulled up her hair as she went into a rush to the fridge but Tetsuo's voice stopped her.
"It's fine, I know you're busy and I would rather you focus on studies then worry about me. I'll grab something at the airport." He finished up his cup of green tea
"Airport?"
"I need to head to Hong Kong for a building development, should be painless but I'm not looking forward to all those ass-kissers that are going to be all over me the moment my plane touches down." He sighed; the creases of his forehead were looking extra thick today.
Marley tried to think if he had mentioned the trip before but her brain felt like it was filled to the brim and couldn't recall anything about a Hong Kong business trip.
"Have a good week at school, I'll have Hatori checking in on you, home by 11 at the latest. And maybe invite a few friends over for a sleepover or something, they can order whatever they want from the kitchens." Tetsuo hated leaving her alone but something couldn't be avoided.
"And remember what I told you? A mechanical pencil works as a good weapon if you encounter any creeps while wearing your uniform." The old man smirked, quite proud of himself for teaching the girl a few self-defense techniques.
Marley had a look of horror as she remembers her Dadaji's lesson about self-protection.
"Alright, get to school safely and no going to the main house while I'm gone." Her grandfather instructed and Marley nodded, confident that she could follow those rules.
The two stood in front of another in the kitchen, his dark eyes looked down at and she simply stared back up, wondering what was going through that brain of his.
He looked pretty tense and Marley wondered what he was nervous about. Suddenly she was pulled into his chest and into an awkward hug.
OH! He was trying to figure out how to hug goodbye.
Marley tried not to giggle as she wrapped her around his back. She was reminded of the way her Bapu use to hug her, a little rigid and nervous about breaking her, always leaving lots of space so Marley always had to be the one to close in.
"Have a safe trip Dadaji, I'll miss you." Marley smiled into his suit, enjoying the full embrace that wouldn't end in smoke.
"Sir, the car's read-" The assistance poked his head back in and catching the rare soft moment of the intimidating Sohma Elder
"THEN STAY IN THERE!" Tetsuo yelled, embarrassed at being caught in the vulnerable moment and the assistant nearly jumped out of his skin and disappeared while asking for forgiveness.
"Honestly..." Tetsuo grumbled as he pulled away, a blush on his cheeks.
"Be nice, you just make everyone so nervous." Marley giggled, finding the situation funny.
"Alright, be good, try to lay off the red meat, fruits are not your enemies. And try not to bite anyone's head off." Marley teased and Tetsuo chucked, patting her head.
She walked with him out the door and into the early morning chilled air, Marley watched as he got into the black sedan, rolling down his window to give one last goodbye.
"I'm off!" He nodded
"Come home safe." Marley waved as the car drove down the road and waited till it was gone before returning to the warmth of her home.
"Oh...but what about parent teacher meetings?" Marley asked herself into the empty kitchen, only receiving the meow of Gimli who rubbed up against her legs.
"Sorry baby, I don't think Mayu-Sensei won't be convinced that you're my guardian." Marley joked around but Gimli seemed unimpressed as he walked away and stood by his food bowl, placing his paw in, reminding her about the priorities.
"Oh! Sorry, breakfast, right!" Marley rushed to feed him before she got started on getting ready for the school day.
Maybe I'll make cinnamon rolls when I get home, really craving them for some reason.
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Kyo had entered the classroom and was quickly bombarded by the two knuckleheads who insisted on befriending him.
"KYON-KYON!" They called out in unison as they practically hung off him, desperate looks in their eyes but Kyo was hardly worried since these two tended to be dramatic.
"Would you idiots back off, it's too early for this." He groaned as he shoved them away so he could sit at his desk in peace.
"Oh, so you don't know?" His friend smirked and Kyo doubted he wanted to know whatever was going but he took a look around his class and some classmates just seemed a little...different. Some boys were huddled in a corner, looking like they were up to no good and those girls that were obsessed over Yuki seemed to be seething.
"Oi, what the hell's going on?" Kyo asked Tohru who was playing a game of cards with Uo and Hana.
"Marley-Chan's wearing a mini-skirt and it's caused the population to let their hormones go wild." Hanajima acted as if she was telling Kyo the weather as she casually placed down a card. Kyo looked around but she was nowhere to be seen. Uo watched his reaction and could not wait to have fun with him.
"She's looks pretty hot and the thigh-highs.. " Uo whistled as she hid her smirk behind her cards. The orange haired teen made the mistake of letting his mind wander, not realizing his entire face had gone red.
For Uo, this was just too easy.
"Wow Kyon-Kyon, just wait till I tell Marley you were having a lewd fantasy." Uo was almost giddy, excited to milk every chance she got to annoy her orange haired friend.
"I-! I- I WAS NOT!" Kyo argued, his cheeks going from red to bright vermillion.
"I don't blame you to be honest. I couldn't take my eyes away either." Uo shrugged before she rested her chin on her hand. Before the two could continue going back and forth, the door slid open and Kyo could here Marley's excited voice as she spoke with come people in the hall before telling them goodbye and sliding the door closed again.
"Here, she comes, act cool." The two idiotic boys went to their desks and started whistling and if Kyo had been able to string together words he would have called them idiots but his brain was not properly functioning.
Marley's hair was flowed down in waves to her waist, her hair kept out of her face by a few golden pins. The sway of her short skirt brushed against the top of her thighs and Kyo eyes finally met with Marley's gentle purple eyes that were lined in black.
Crap
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit
She looks way too cute
How is that allowed?
"Good morning Kyo! How was your weekend?" Marley greeted as she stepped towards him and Kyo mutters something that Marley couldn't understand so she tilted her head and asked if he could repeat but the action just made her even cuter and Kyo felt like his life was truly cursed.
Well...more cursed than it already was.
"Oh, Marley-Chan, can I ask a favor?" The ex-gangster called out to her and Kyo could feel that it was about to get worse. He felt that he should leave, in fear of transforming since he was feeling stressed but he also couldn't find it in himself to leave.
"Oh sure, how can I help?" Marley got in front of Uo, her eyes fleeting towards Kyo before she got an evil look in her eyes.
"What brand are these? They look pretty comfy, can I feel?" Uo pointed towards Marley's dark blue thigh socks and she just nodded and explained where she got them as Uo felt the top of the socks. Feeling where the material ended and Marley's brown skin began.
Uo made a point of looking at Kyo as she did so and the boy looked ready to blow a gasket.
"Stop being a pervert you damn gangsta!" The boy hissed, his hair standing on end as he tried to stop himself from going full karate kid on Uo.
"I'm just asking about her sock's carrot top! Calm down, you're the one who's being a perv." The blonde smirked.
"Does it look bad? I do keep getting a lot of stares...is it too short?" Marley had made sure to measure it a few times and she wore short shorts in case there was a mishap or anything.
"It's cause you look good! We all got used to you and that long skirt, now we finally got blessed with some skin." With that Uo slapped Marley's thigh making the foreign girl let out a small squeal.
"I never knew you were a sucker for thighs Uo." Marley giggled as she slid her finger under her thigh highs and adjusted them, fixing them so they say a little higher.
"Only yours, babe." Uo winked and the two girls laughed, their playful flirtations driving the boys of the class insane.
"Your old man didn't try to stop from leaving the house?" Uo asked, imagining the grumpy grandfather standing guard at the door as Marley tried to leave for school.
"No, but he did try to teach me 10 different ways to hurt someone with a sharpened pencil but I tuned out at technique number 4." Marley shrugged, not understanding why everyone was making a big fuss. She just really liked how other girls pulled off the miniskirt look and wanted to try it herself.
"I thought it really cute... but maybe I should just go back to my old skirt-"
"NO!" A few voices chorused through the classroom and when Marley turned to see who had yelled out, all the students acted as if they hadn't objected and tried to act nonchalant. Uo laughed at the look of shock on Marley's face, she was glad she had decided to not skip today.
"You look really nice Marley-Chan, the mini-skirt is really cute on you." Tohru complimented and Hanajima nodded her head in agreement.
"I can already sense that there will be a rise in love letters from admirers." The wave-reader warned, and Marley let out a nervous giggle as she tucked a bit of loose hair behind her ear.
"Your gonna have to start taking tips from the Prince on how to deal with all the popularity." Uo teased and decided to turn her attention back to Kyo who had been abnormally quiet.
"Well Kyon-Kyon, what do you think? Are you done staring holes into Marley's thighs." The blonde could do this all day and wish she could make a career out of tormenting the short-fused boy.
"Wha-! I! I WAS NOT!" The boy yelled, his face red as he denied, trying to convince himself that he wasn't enjoying the look and hating the fact that he felt like that perverted Dog he shared a roof with.
"You weren't done staring holes?"
"I MEANT I WASN'T STARING AT ALL!"
"One shouldn't lie Kyon-Kyon. It's a terrible trait for a boyfriend." Uo tsked as she shook her head.
"Wha? I'm not lying?! And I'm not anybody's boyfriend." Kyo glared as he crossed his arms.
"Pfft, yeah, we know that your still single. Plus, its pretty shitty trait for anybody to have." Uo pointed out.
The friends goofed around as more and more shifted into the classroom, many wishing Marley a good morning and she replied with a smile and would engage in excited small talk.
"Oh, I know it's a school night but it's basically just parent-teacher interviews today and tomorrow so I figured we could have a sleepover? Dadaji's away on a business trip." Marley pointed out. Her grandfather had put the idea of a sleepover in her head. Marley was sure he just didn't want her to feel lonely while he was gone.
"The old man skipped town for the week of parent-teacher conferences?" Uo raised a brow and Marley scratched her cheek with a small nervous laugh.
"Well, something important seemed to come up and I completely forgot to remind him about the student-teacher meeting..." She tried to play it off, she had already asked Hatori if it was okay for him to step in.
"I'm sure he didn't forget Marley-Chan, Tetsuo-San is very reliable." Tohru smiled at her and Marley nodded but still felt a little doubt. Her grandfather was such an important with bigger matters to deal with, it felt selfish to call him up just to nag him about the parent-teacher conference.
"I'm down for a sleepover though, feels like it's been a while and the giant bath you have at your place makes me feel like I'm at some fancy resort." Uo agreed to come over along with Hana and Tohru.
"Great! I have cultural lessons right after school but feel free to come by after 5." Marley hoped that Naomi Sohma, her cultural coach, would be in a good mood and wouldn't be too nitpicky about her flower arranging skills.
"Settle down! Everyone to their seats." Mayu called out as she entered the room and Marley hurried over to the other side of the class where her desk was, leaving her friends and wishing a good morning to the students who sat around her.
When the class finally settled, Kyo peeked over to Marley's desk because he just couldn't seem to be able to concentrate on his work but as he peeked over, his orange eyes met with purple and his heart skipped a beat. Both teens immediately turned away, embarrassed a being caught looking.
Unknown to them, Uo had caught the little interaction and couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself.
Idiots..
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"I swear the cat gets bigger every time I see it. What do you feed that thing." Uo asked and as Gimli draped himself across Marley's lap, purring loudly as he received a head massage.
"Uo doesn't mean anything bad, baby boy, big is beautiful." Marley babied her precious kitty and he meowed in exchange, as if to agree.
"Man, I can't wait for this week to be over, all this talk about the future has got me feeling anxious." Uo complained as she laid down on the tatami mats.
"It must be kind of nice having it all figured out." Uo looked at Marley who pointed to herself with a questioning look, her head slightly tilted to the side.
"I mean, your basically as heiress right, everything's all set up for you." Uo didn't mean it a malicious or taunting way, it just was the way it was. It was still a difficult road though, there would be a lot of people who wouldn't accept her and she had a lot to prove.
"Well..it's a little more complicated, I think. I still need to prove to a lot of people that I'm committed and I have to understand the language like the back of my hand. Dadaji say's I need to learn how to...bend people to my will?" Marley wasn't quite sure if she could ever accomplish something like that.
"You got people bending to your will all the time, I'm not too worried." Uo smirked and Marley tilted her head with her brows slightly furrowed, trying to understand what Uo meant.
"Just today, the boys needed another player to even out the teams for soccer. And Kyo wouldn't budge." Hanajima explained and Marley thought back to their gym class today. The class was pretty much unsupervised and Marley ended up doing some yoga with a few classmates while the boys started up a soccer game.
"Then all you had to say was 'You should play! It looks like a beautiful day for a game.' and he stomped over and joined." Uo smirked when she saw an opportunity to fluster the girl.
"And you practically had your eyes glued to him the whole game." Uo wished she could take a picture the moment Marley realized she had been called out as she shook her hands wildly and her cheeks flushed pink.
"I- I-"
"Yeah, yeah. Look, just date already. It's getting hard to watch." It came off harsher than Uo and Marley didn't have anything to say. Tohru looked back and forth between the two, it seemed like the teasing was gone and Uo was showing real signs of displeasure while Marley looked almost sad over the topic.
Uo just didn't understand the complications of the Sohma family, Tohru was sure if things were simpler, then maybe Marley and Kyo would be dating.
But things weren't simple. The Sohma family was more complicated than most.
"I'm...gonna check on the cinnamon rolls." Marley smiled at the girls as she got up and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Arisa, perhaps don't place your own frustration about your romantic life at Marley. It's not her fault Kyo is not ready for a relationship." Hanajima interjected, standing by that Kyo's 'waves' were too chaotic to be in a healthy relationship. Uo clenched her teeth, embarrassed and still hurting over her broken heart.
"So you still haven't seen him around?"Hanajima asked Uo and Tohru could only look at friend, clearly still in a lot of pain over the love that touched her heart for such a short moment.
"...No. I had to quit my job at the convenience store to try and get some peace but now I just hope he's gonna show up everywhere and I can...just." Uo clenched her fist as a hurtful rage washed over her.
"Kick. His. Ass." Uo got a deadly glint in her eyes and Tohru could only wish there was something she could do to help but she had no expertise on the subject of romantic love and these were problems that even her mother had yet to talk to her about.
Her gentle brown eyes looked into the kitchen and watched Marley's back as she moved about in the kitchen. Tohru was about to make a move to go and check on her but Uo beat her to it. The ex-gang member headed in with her shoulders slouched and head facing towards the floor, looking like a child who had been caught lying about breaking a vase.
"Look, it's really not that hard to watch. Kind of fun in some ways..."Uo started as she stood in the kitchen.
"I think it's no secret that Kyo is one of your favorite toys." Marley tried to joke as she filled a bag with icing so she could have a little more control when icing the cinnamon buns.
"Oh god...it sounds so gross when you put it like that." Uo groaned while Marley let out a weak laugh.
"I know stuff for you is...kind of crazy and dating might not be top of your list. But I guess I'm just frustrated cause he's ...he's right there. You two are so close and I feel like I would give just about anything to see..." Uo didn't need to finish, she knew how Marley felt about the older guy that Uo had fallen for.
Marley believed that the age difference was too much and thought that the guy was creep. But even with all that, Marley had still met up with Uo when she was upset over being heartbroken and picked up ice cream so they could eat and watch Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Marley had become a shoulder to cry on during her heartbreak and frustration. Even if she didn't approve of the guy, Marley had never been condescending and just wanted Uo to be happy and safe.
"I guess...to me the answer seems so obvious. He's right there and you two like eachother-"
"Kyo likes me?" Marley had clutched her piping bag so tightly that all the icing popped out and splattered all over the girls.
The white icing was now all over Marley's hands, the front of her apron and splattered over Uo's grey Tshirt. Neither made a move as the two stood in shock of the mess.
"I think I saw a scene like this once on an over 18 site.." Marley broke the silence and the two girls burst into laughter as the fell to the ground, tears coming from their eyes as their stomach began to hurt. Even when Tohru and Hana came in to check on them, they couldn't stop.
Once Marley and Uo had come down from whatever high they had been on, the girls cleaned up the mess in the kitchen together and finished icing the cinnamon rolls.
Well, Tohru had to ice because Marley and Uo would breakout into giggles and told Tohru that they couldn't share because they didn't want to taint the pure girl's soul with their somewhat perverse minds.
Finally, the kitchen was clean and the girls sat around, bellies full of warm fresh cinnamon buns, the topic turned back to plans about the future.
"How about we make a little graduation goal of our own." Marley suggested, hoping she wasn't being too forward.
"Hmm?"
"Let's take a trip, the 4 of us girls." Marley offered up and after a moment of silence, the girls put on smiles and agreed.
"That sounds so exciting!" Tohru had stars in her eyes as excitement flowed through her body, ecstatic so take something as extravagant as a trip with some of the most important people in her life.
"I'm in." Uo nodded, already imagining a trip a hot spring resort.
"That does seem like a pleasant idea." Hanajima was wondering which place would be best for trying a variety of cuisines.
"There, now we have post-graduation plans." Marley nodded and the cheered with their cups of tea.
The rest of the evening went by quickly and soon all the girls were settled on their futons in the living room, a sort of make shift fort of pillows and blankets had taken over the room.
Marley mentioned the fort she had made with her parents and Tohru looked so excited over trying to make one, the girls had done their best to create the biggest one they could.
It certainly wasn't the best blanket fort but it had been fun to make. Marley appreciated that her friends had been able to have a sleepover since it helped take her mind off the stress of the parent-teacher meetings this week.
Marley couldn't help but think about Uo's words as she laid on the futon, staring at the ceiling, a small spark of romantic hope flickered in her heart, the thought of her orange haired friend immediately making her giddy and she finally fell asleep with the gentle smile.
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Mayu wondered who she had been cursed by in the last life because she had already had to deal with Shigure this week and now she sat across from the very man Shigure teased the highschool teacher about.
Hatori.
"Your grandfather couldn't make it?" Mayu asked the young woman sitting across from her and Marley apologized for the last-minute change.
Marley would be lying if she said she wasn't disappointed that her grandfather hadn't made it back in time and felt awful for Hatori in this position but he hadn't made a big deal about it. He simply asked when he would need to be at the school.
"No, he's away on business but Hatori offered to step in." Marley was going to introduce the two but it seemed they already knew each other and her purple eyes went back and forth between the two. Hatori even smiled at Mayu, it was small, hard to catch, but Marley saw it and started to wonder.
What's going on here?
"You did leave the space open on your sheet." Mayu-Sensei got the meeting going and Marley almost forgot why she was there in the first place, too curious about Hatori and her teacher's relationship.
"Ah yes, I guess I really wasn't sure what to put..."
It's not like I could put 'destroy centuries old family curse', that seems like a one-way trip into a padded room.
"As in you don't know what you want to do or?" Her teacher was curious as to what the girl had going on her mind.
Marley Sohma was a cheerful and optimistic student, she got along with most of her classmates and teachers. Her grades were steady, even if they weren't the best, Mayu could tell that Marley was putting in the work and was trying.
The sun kissed girl hadn't joined any clubs but Mayu knew that she was kept busy with other extra curriculars while also taking a huge part in family life.
When Hatori visited her parents book store over the summer, he had asked Mayu how Marley was doing in school and she got a little more insight to the adopted Sohma's life and even into Hatori's heart. The encounter had only made her feelings for the Doctor deepen.
Her own heart melted a bit over the kind look in Hatori's eyes when he spoke of Marley as he picked up a book and mentioned that Marley had recommended it to him. She hadn't meant to pry but couldn't help but ask about Marley and her relation to the doctor. It turned out that Marley and Hatori were quite close since the doctor had been close friends with Marley's step-father. He had been one of the first Sohma members to become introduced to Marley and wanted to support her as much as he could.
Hatori only briefly mentioned about Mayu's heart trouble as well as the passing of her parents but he barely needed to say a word since the pain in Hatori's eyes gave all the details she needed.
Mayu would have never guessed all the girl had been put through in the last few years alone, strength certainty came in very forms.
"Marley?" Hatori looked down at her, eyes filled with concern and Marley apologized as she let go of the locket.
"Sorry, I just. I guess I'm just worried if it's even possible or not..." Marley confessed, and the two adults wondered what Marley thought she couldn't accomplish.
Hatori was concerned since he knew Marley was the type to who was glass half-full, always believing and pushing forwards against the odds.
What could possible feel futile to someone who had come back from the brink of death?
The adults shared a look before turning to look at Marley who was staring at the table, clearly thinking hard about something as her eyebrows scrunched together.
She felt bad for Hatori who had been brought in since her grandfather was still away. She felt guilty over not having the answers that she felt she should know.
Marley started to become more anxious.
Maybe it was good her grandfather couldn't make it.
She knew what her grandfather wanted from her; Marley just hoped that she could figure out how to do it.
And not fall flat on my face...
The door to the classroom slid open violently, causing Marley to let out a small squeak as she jumped in her seat. Mayu was about to yell but her student called out first.
"Dadaji!" Marley jumped from her seat and rushed over her grandfather who was decked out in a sharp charcoal grey suit, a black dress shirt and a deep burgundy tie.
"I'm sorry about this, I work with incompetent people who shouldn't be allowed to even operate a rice maker. I hope I'm not too late." Tetsuo Sohma certainly had a way with words and she hoped that he wasn't too harsh on whoever he was doing business with overseas.
"No, no your just in time! Thank you Dadaji, it means a lot." Marley smiled up at Tetsuo as she tried not to cry, feeling a little less alone with her grandfather by her side. Even though his granddaughter said that it was fine, he knew that it wasn't and reminded himself to try and do better as her grandfather and guardian.
"Um, shall we continue then?" The high school teacher thought that this maybe the strangest meeting she had this year and her class was full of interesting students.
"I'll grab another chair!" Marley pulled up a chair for her grandfather. Mayu was certainly not expecting this and turned to Hatori as if looking for help. He shook his head and apologized for the hassle.
Mayu looked over at the smartly dressed elder but couldn't help but feel intimidated by his presence. Tetsuo Sohma simply exuded power, Mayu was reminded of the portraits of powerful shoguns in the way that Tetsuo held himself.
His white-grey hair was slicked back, nearly touching his shoulders, his almost black eyes seem to be staring right through her.
She had recalled Hatori spoke about the man who practically ran the Sohma family, how he used to look after Hatori, Shigure and Ayame since they were close to his son. How he slipped away and grew cold when his son moved away.
"My granddaughter speaks well of you." Even his voice was deep, gruff almost. Marley nodded her head and went on how she found Mayu to be a reliable teacher and enjoyed the classroom environment that Mayu helped create.
"I've been to a few different schools back in the States, the education system is..."
"Atrocious." Tetsuo simply put and Marley panicked as she struggled to find something good to say.
"It's not the teachers' fault or anything though, I am sure they were trying but government didn't really care. Funding of the education system is practically nonexistent." Marley still had very few fond memories of school back in America, she had Miguel to thank for helping her survive high school.
"I'll admit I was worried when you first entered the school. It's sometimes hard for foreigner students to adjust. We don't even have an English student exchange program…" Mayu thought of when the tall young woman entered her classroom, walking with grace and smile on her face. Marley Sohma certainly stuck out like a nail among her classmates and even after the excitement of an American transfer student wore off, she remained in the spotlight just due to becoming popular among her peers.
"Your writing and comprehension skills have improved greatly, even better than some of the other kids. It's clear you put a lot of work in, you should be proud." The praise her teacher gave fell over Marley like a wave and she was engulfed in a feeling of relief and joy, all her hours practicing and time with the tutor seemed to pay off.
"Marley-San also helps some of the others with their English, class scores have gone up. She is a major help." Mayu nodded as she noticed huge difference in scores in her class versus other classes. Marley's cheeks went red with the praise as she tried to deny doing much of anything, insisting she was just happy to help where she could and remembered when she herself had to learn English.
"That only makes sense, Marley is a hardworking young lady and only wants to see those around her succeed and thrive as well. It's a trait that is certainly worthy of praise." Tetsuo said it so seriously and in this gruff tone but his smell smile betrayed his tone and intimidating dark eyes.
Her grandfather's words struck a chord, these past few days she had been worried that maybe her grandfather wasn't proud of her but maybe that just been her own insecurities pounding her into the ground.
"What are your plans for the future." Mayu asked again, wanting to get back to the point of these meetings in the first place. Marley looked at her grandfather, his eyes meeting her's and he nodded slightly, pushing her forward to answer the question.
"I'm hoping to help aid in management of the Sohma property and my family, along with my looking after the family's finances as well as upkeeping good faith in the Sohma name. I'll be training under Dadaji and other trusted tutors." Marley hoped that explanation would be good enough, she had been practically trying to rehearse that little speech all week.
"Is that so? Seems like a very big responsibility but it certainly doesn't seem like an impossibility, will you be attending college?"
"It's been mentioned that I would apply for a few local universities but nothing had been decided." A lot was still in the air but she was looking forward to exploring her options, even if it seemed daunting.
"Though I hope that even with all that, I hope to still study dance on the side." Marley really couldn't even imagine herself in a world where she wouldn't be able to dance, even if it's just a hobby.
While Mayu was certain that Marley would work hard and excel at whatever task she was given, she thought of a conversation she had with Hatori about Marley and her background.
"I hear you're a wonderful dancer and even an aerial artist? Why not pursue it?" Mayu asked, thinking about a photograph she had been shown of Marley in a ballerina costume looking like something out of a fairytale.
"I..I just have different priorities. I still love dance and would like to keep dancing but more so as a hobby. I barely train anymore, I'm very behind compared to others in my field." Marley explained. Mayu could tell it was something she still thought about, Marley's indecisive smile was a giveaway.
"I can't imagine how much you danced before then, it still feels like you're at some sort of dance class 4 times a week at least." Tetsuo teased her and Marley seemed a little shocked.
"Do I?"
"And you also help Kisa with her ballet training." Hatori pointed out.
"I don't know if I could call it help to be fair, she'll be better than me in no time." Marley just enjoying the little ballet exercises she got to do with Kisa and it was fun watching her growth.
At the thought of Kisa, she was reminded of her true wish for the future.
"Dance for me...it was a freedom, it felt like I could really express myself with it. There are important people to me who don't have that freedom..." Marley's voice wavered as the faces of the Zodiac members flooded her brain. She caught Hiro's sad eyes once when his mother had embraced Marley the other night.
The tears across Kisa's cheeks when she was forbidden from properly being able to try out for a ballet performance in fear that she would transform on stage.
The strained smile that Momiji had when he spoke of his mother while she could tell he was falling apart on the inside.
The pain in Kyo's whimpers when she had come across his true form on that terrible night.
The way Marley could still feel his embrace when he turned back to his human form, his gentle warm embrace before it was taken away. Unable to hold her due to the curse and his cat form lying in her lap.
The dark look in Akito's eyes when she had snapped on her, when Marley had tried to confront Akito about the treatment of the Zodiac members.
How Marley had stood up to 'God' and received a brand.
Her hands lightly traced the scarred kanji on her arm.
As if that would scare her away.
I have to find a way to end it
"That's really the only goal on my mind right now. I'm not sure how I'm going to do but that's what I want for my future...I want to help others find their freedom." Marley's eyes were filled to the brim with determination and while it was a mystery to Mayu what Marley was talking about, she could not bring herself to look away from the intense violet eyes.
Marley was still focused on figuring out the Sohma curse, her room was littered with Eastern fairytale books, books about astrology, the Chinese zodiac. Notes and translations littered her desk but she still had no idea what to do with the information and needed to dig more, she just wasn't sure where.
"It won't be easy but...There isn't any other option. I don't know how I'm going to do it; I just know that there can be no true happiness until I break it."
It was a look she saw in the eyes of protagonist when declaring war, a look that pierces through right through and send shivers in. Marley's goal was a mystery but Mayu felt compelled to help.
Hatori felt his heart drop and he felt the need to put a stop to whatever was going through Marley's head. The Zodiac member doesn't even know if its voice that screaming 'STOP INTERFERRING' in his head but he hears it, and it feels familiar.
It's not his own. But it's something that's been there since the moment he took his first breath in this world.
He didn't even notice he had moved his hand towards Marley till he felt a grip on his wrist and he met the Tetsuo's dark eyes glaring at him, as if challenging him.
Challenging the Dragon.
Marley wasn't even aware of the adults in the room anymore, her mind completely wrapped and entangled with her wish for her family.
The girl had her own wants and dreams of course and she had a lifetime to reach those dreams but there was no way on this earth she would be able to go forward and enjoy her life when she knew that the people, she held dear to her were suffering.
"While I'm not completely sure what you're talking about...I pity whatever force dares to try and stop you." Mayu laughed, easing the tension in the room and causing Marley to blush as her grandfather patted her head.
"Yes, her mother liked to liken her with that of butterflies but I think a stubborn mule would suit Marley better." Tetsuo jested and Marley couldn't help but laugh at the comparison.
"Marley the mule? Has a ring to it doesn't it." She played along.
Mayu could see that Marley had become an important part of her community, not only at school but at her residence as well.
"Well it looks like you have lots of hard work ahead of you Marley-San, but remember to enjoy your high school years, they'll be gone before you know it." Mayu advised and Marley nodded her head, mentioning she was very much looking forward to the class trip next month and couldn't wait to see the beauty Kyoto and its temples with her friends.
"I only have one request of you Mayu-San." Tetsuo reached into his pocket, pulling out a card and handing it over to the woman.
"This is my private number, now that my granddaughter is running around baring her legs in a school full of horny toads, I expect to be called if they cause her any trouble. I have my own 'lessons' I'd like to give to those who lay hands on my granddaughter." The old man stared Mayu sensei down and the teacher could only raise a brow, wondering if she heard correctly as she held the card in her hand.
"DADAJI!?" Marley's face went bright red and Hatori hardly looked shocked.
Mayu was almost tempted to tell him about the boys in school who left Marley love letters and 'admired' from afar but she fears for the boys' lives with the dark look that was in Tetsuo Sohma's eyes. She almost felt bad for the boy that might one day grow the balls to confess.
Good luck carrot top, you're gonna need it.
"Oh, and have Tori-Kun take you out on a date already, this grumpy guy needs a lady to remind him to take some time for himself every now and then. He is worked much too hard." Tetsuo announced and Mayu's jaw dropped, her own face going red as she started sputter incoherent words.
Marley couldn't believe that her grandfather could cause so much chaos after only being here for 2 minutes.
But she couldn't help but burst out laughing at the looks on both Hatori and her teachers faces. She had no clue of her teacher's relationship to Hatori before but now was starting to see things click and her heart was full of excitement for them.
I am happy for you Hatori. I'll be cheering you on!
Hatori couldn't read minds but Marley was easy enough to read at times like these and it only made him feel more embarrassed.
A small memory made its way into Marley's mind and she decided to throw out a suggestion.
"I have a tip, Mayu-Sensei, ask Hatori to take you to the aquarium." Marley suggested and her grandfather chuckled.
"The aquarium?" Mayu had never actually been to an aquarium and had never wanted to go but now that the idea had been planted, she couldn't help but wonder what a trip to the aquarium would be like.
"He's very popular with the seahorses." Tetsuo nodded his head, agreeing that an aquarium date would be a wonderful idea.
"OH yes, it's so cute, they all gather at the glass." Marley gushed, remembering all the sweet little creatures practically following Hatori.
"We're leaving. Please ignore them." Hatori stood up, buttoning up his suit jacket.
"Oh hush, we're helping you push your love life along." Hatori looked like he wanted to die and Mayu's face was bright red. Tetsuo knew he was embarrassing Hatori but he couldn't help it, it was hard to get under Hatori's skin and he couldn't help but revel in finding a soft spot.
Other than Marley but Marley was Tetsuo's soft spot as well so he couldn't tease Hatori for it.
Marley showed her phone to Mayu and there was the picture of Hatori standing next to the seahorses at the aquarium, all of them gathered at the glass in front of him.
"...cute." Mayu muttered and Marley giggled, in full agreement with her teacher. Marley's phone was taken away from her by the hands of Hatori and he left the room, apologizing for his family's shenanigans.
Marley chased after him to get her phone and Mayu was left with Tetsuo Sohma.
"There was actually something else I wished to discuss with you in private, if you don't mind." The Sohma elder wasn't done with this meeting and while Mayu was hardly ever intimidated she couldn't help but be a little nervous sitting alone with the powerful man who clearly would do anything for his granddaughter.
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The computer room is relatively empty, Tohru Honda sits at a computer in the third row, awkwardly typing and double checking everything. Her friends where there talking amongst themselves.
While her oral skill in English had improved a lot over the course of the summer, typing it was another challenge. Normally she would have Marley close by as support if Tohru had any questions, but she had to leave to attend her parent teacher conference.
I wonder what Miguel's plans are after school? Does he have parent-teacher conferences?
His last email he mentioned how he had moved back to California; he had been able to reconnect with his parents who had been eager to have him back home. Miguel had been nervous, but he had thanked Tohru for cheering him on.
The thought of being even the littlest bit helpful to him made her feel strangely giddy and bashful, she doubted she had made much of a difference but felt excited all the same.
The door to the computer room slid open with a quick jolt and a flurry of long platinum blonde hair rushed in and yelled out something in a language that no one in the room understood.
"Japanese please, Marley-Chan." Hana spoke and Marley blushed, admitting she hadn't even noticed because she was so excited.
"You look pretty happy for a person who just had to have a parent-teacher meeting?" Uo said as she looked up from her phone.
"Oh, it was really good actually! But enough of that, I have brought very tasty gossip." Marley announced, practically shaking with whatever news she had.
"Mayu-Sensei totally has the hots for Hatori!" She was so excited about the news, her eyes bright and excitement just oozing out from her very aura.
"Whaaa?! That solemn looking dude?" Uo vaguely remembered who Hatori was but had never really talked to the guy.
"And he totally has the hots for her. I don't think I ever saw Hatori blush! I wish I had taken a picture." Marley felt a small amount of guilt for maybe embarrassing Hatori but she really was just excited and could see the two together and wanted Hatori to be happy.
Her goal was only made more important with this new reveal because if Marley could break the curse, then Hatori would be truly free to love Mayu.
"You're a bit of a menace, aren't you?" Uo smirked, enjoying when Marley shared the gossip.
"Maybe a lil bit.. I should probably apologize to Hatori later... right after I text Ayame." Marley already had her phone out and was texting the tailor to let him know how her parent-teacher meeting had went.
"Oh, Marley-Chan, Miguel-Kun says hello." Tohru let the girl who was reading a book beside by the window and Marley smiled and asked her to tell Miguel and that she say's 'hello' back.
Hanajima peeked out the window that looked down on the school courtyard and spotted a familiar face along with someone new.
"Oh, Kyo and ...who's that?" Hana asked as her dark eyes took in the stranger in traditional clothing.
"Oh that's Kazuma! He's Kyo's dad." Marley told her and she opened up the window, half her body hanging out and Uo even grabbed onto her waist, just in case.
"Kazuma, hello! Welcome to Kaibara high!" Marley called out as she waved at the two, her voice catching their attention and making Kyo jump nearly a foot in the air at the surprise.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? YOU'RE GONNA FALL! GET BACK INSIDE!" Kyo yelled back at her and then Uo chimed in, stating that she was keeping Marley safe and the two got into an argument and Kazuma just smiled up at Marley.
"Afternoon Marley-Chan, you're looking well." Kazuma called out, happy to see the white-blonde girl again as it had been a while.
"Not you too. Come on, let's get this over with." Kyo pushed Kazuma away, his ears red and Marley couldn't help but think how cute he looked when he was little embarrassed. Uo dragged her back through the window, complaining that it was too cold.
"That's seriously his dad? I figured any parent of his would also be a carrot top." Uo threw her hands behind her head as she leaned against the windowsill.
"Well, actually-" Tohru was about to point out that Kazuma was actually his foster father but Hana interrupted, still looking out the window where Kazuma and Kyo had been.
"He doesn't look very much like Kyo but he is very...Handsome, isn't he?" The dark-haired girl said nonchalantly and the three girls froze to look at her.
"Oh, what's wrong?"
Before Marley could question what Hana meant by it, her phone alarm went off and she apologized that she had to go, gathering her things and wishing the girls goodbye before she disappeared out the door.
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"My future? I have to decide that right now?" Kyo asked as he slumped in his chair, wishing he didn't have to waste his time in this meeting.
"You don't have to, but have you given it any thought?" Mayu asked, there was something about her orange-haired student that changed whenever talk of the future was mentioned.
It was like he disappeared into himself and the teacher couldn't help but worry a little. This meeting couldn't be any different from the meeting she just came from.
Marley's determination towards the future and very energy had Mayu pumped up to go for a run while Kyo's energy just seeming to disappear with the very mention of the future, almost sucking life out of the room.
Mayu wasn't used to seeing the teenager looking so solemn, he normally had some spark to him. But now he just seemed to be in slump, Kyo looked he didn't have the slightest interest in discussing future plans, his eyes staring at the wood of the table.
Thought... of the future.
"I would have loved to have you by my side."
An echo of bright laughter entered his mind, the faint smell of coconut taunting him.
"Kyo!" Marley called to him as she took his hand in hers and pulled him along, to where he wasn't sure but he was happy to be guided along to where ever she was heading.
"...I can't really picture him as a college student or full-time office worker." Kazuma chuckled, bringing Kyo out from wherever his mind had drifted off to.
"Wha?"
"I know what you mean, pfft." Mayu agreed, making Kyo feel like they were making fun of him.
"What the hell.."He groaned, wondering when this torture would end and he could get out of here.
The meeting was quick and soon Kazuma and Kyo were back in the hallway, walking towards the exit.
"You ain't gonna say anything?" Kyo asked as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, his feet dragging along.
"Adults...don't have the right to deprive children of their free will." Kazuma stated as they walked along.
"Although I do believe we have the right to worry. Think about it, you can take all the time you need. I want to hear the answer that you decide on." Kazuma smiled down at his son before parting ways, mentioning he had to go back to the dojo and would see Kyo later for training.
The cursed teenager felt lucky to have Kazuma, not many kids got parents who were so patient and understanding. But he didn't know if he could tell Kazuma that when he thought of what he wanted for the future, he couldn't see one.
Kyo just wanted to treasure what time he had left on the outside, enjoy and soak up every bit of sunlight before he disappeared from the world.
"There isn't much time left...to spend with her." Time was constantly moving; seasons had changed, and all this talk of graduation only reminded him that time was running out.
Time was practically slipping through his fingers.
Thoughts about the future...I wanna be with her.
"That's all I can think of."
He sensed something flying at his head and quickly reached out to catch it, He turned to see Tohru, Uo and Hana heading his way, Uo missing a slipper and Tohru applauding over the one-handed catch.
"You little twerp, you weren't supposed to catch that! Kyon, know your place!" The ex-gangster cursed at him and he just threw her slipper at the ground in-front of her.
"Uotani, you were really tryna to hit me!" He really couldn't catch a break; the world was out to get him.
"Shut up! Let's go! We're heading to your house today!" Uo announced while Tohru nodded, excited
"Well then, I'm not gonna be there..." Kyo rolled his eyes, he wasn't in the mood.
Kyo looked around but she was nowhere in sight. Tohru immediately knew who Kyo was looking for.
"Ah Marley-Chan had to go home to attend some sort of lesson? Or maybe it was dance?" Tohru couldn't quiet remember since Marley had been in a bit of rush.
"Marley always seems to be running off." Hanajima sighed.
"She does seem to be pretty busy, I guess that's what happens when you have a future planned out for you. Rich families sure are different." Uo shrugged. Marley didn't really talk much about the training the Sohma family put her through, but she insisted she was doing fine and even enjoyed some of the lessons.
So instead of going to Shigure's house, he went to the dojo after school to get in some extra training, but his mind still thinking about his future as he went through his training routine.
Day started to turn to night and Kyo ended up at Marley's house because something happened at the dojo and he thought that Marley would want to hear about it, he had even tried to take pictures with his phone to show her but said girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Watch where your stepping!" Hiro snapped at him and there Marley was, curled up on the tatami mat with a blanket thrown over her, her long hair sprawled around and Kisa and Momiji napping next to her.
"What happened?"
"Momiji and Kisa picked her up from dance and she laid down right there and instantly fell asleep." Haru explained as he and Hiro turned back to playing the racing game.
"Where's the old man-" Kyo barely got a word out before he sensed danger and lifted his hand to grab a mushroom that had been on a path to his head.
The hell? Why are people throwing things at me today?
"Respect your elders." Tetsuo huffed as he stood in the doorframe, his tall form looking down on everyone.
"WHY I-"
"Shh!" Hiro shushed him as he motioned down to the sleeping figures and Kyo felt himself getting flustered over being scolded by the youngest zodiac member who was normally a brat in need of scolding.
Kyo gazed down at Marley and let out a sigh, impressed all three of them could sleep so soundly.
"Whatever..."
"Make yourself useful, come here, and bring that mushroom." Tetsuo gestured for Kyo to follow him into the kitchen and the boy decided he'd rather follow than hang out with Hiro and Haru.
"Marley mentioned you know your way around a kitchen, chop these."
"What's with the look?"
"Just...surprised I guess to see you cooking."
"Cooking is a basic skill, if you don't know how to make a simple meal then you're basically helpless."
Kyo couldn't help but chuckle as he thought about the males that he lived with you were practically useless and banned from the kitchen due to their lack of basic skills. The only reason Kyo learned his way around the kitchen was due Kazuma being particularity disastrous if left alone with a stove.
"I always just kind of figured you had servants or some shit do it for you." Kyo mentioned as he sliced up some mushrooms.
"Never liked having strangers in the house, unless you count the maid but she's a quiet as a mouse and I barely notice her presence."
"You've got a maid? I thought Marley did the housework." Kyo asked, wondering when that changed.
"She insisted on doing it for a while, but with her being so busy and I convinced her to have a maid do most of the cleaning but Marley still does the laundry. Not sure why she always wants to create more work for herself."
"..."
"I think she probably...doesn't like relying on others...I bet she really fought you for that, just so she could feel like she was still helping around the house. She mentioned to me once that her parents' kind of sucked at the house care stuff so it was just something she learned to do and became part of her routine." Kyo could already picture the stubborn look in her eyes, insisting that she could do it by herself.
Tetsuo cracked open some eggs as he listened to the Cat speak about Marley was certainly eye-opening, still surprised and wary about how close the two where and how well he knew her.
Marley had always been stubborn when it came to the housework, had been since she came home from the hospital. She had been quick to study the different Japanese cleaning products and learning the best way to take care of the house despite Tetsuo explaining that he could hire maids to take care of the house.
But still Marley persisted, saying that she was used to doing it herself and had smiled so wide and gave a huge sigh of relief when he had finally given in, rolling his eyes and just figured she was bored and wanted something to do.
The look in Marley's eyes had been heartbreaking when he brought up the house was looking slightly unkempt here and there so he was bringing in a maid and Marley was apologizing profusely, acting as if she had performed some unredeemable act.
After discussing the matter Tetsuo was able to agree that Marley would still do laundry and take care of most of the meals.
Even when the maid did come over, Marley was quick to befriend her and Tetsuo caught her helping the maid clean the bathroom and dragged her away so she could instead practice her calligraphy.
The rice cooker made a noise to signal that it had done its job.
"What are you making anyway?"
"Omurice." Tetsuo placed down his bowl of eggs to oil a pan and scooped out the cooked rice and placed it in the oiled pan.
"I've got it from here, go watch tv or whatever the kids are up to. Maybe wake up Marley if you can, she needs to eat before it gets too late." Tetsuo shooed him off and the boy simply shoved his hands into his pant pockets, not wanting to argue.
The Sohma elder continued on cooking, adding in various spices and the mushrooms, cooking up some fried rice. Normally he would have added some chicken or maybe ham but he had to keep Marley in mind.
Whisking up the eggs, he listened for the sounds coming from his living room. The low music from the video games they were playing and the small sounds of light conversation from the kids. His dark eyes closed for a moment as the smell of the fried rice brought him back to when his wife would make it for Yuto and himself and he hoped that this would taste even half as good.
The fried rice appeared to be done so he plated it and moved into to finishing up the eggs, barely taking a breath as he concentrated on folding the omelet and pouring more egg in as he continued to fold. He felt quite proud of himself when he finally placed the folded omelet overtop the plate of fried rice.
When walking back into the main area it looked Marley was just waking up from her nap but Momiji and Kisa still snoozed on either side of her. Tetsuo stood for a moment, just watching over the innocent scene.
Marley immediately started asking about Kyo's day and he mentioned there was a ceremony for some kids at the dojo to get their new belts. He even took out his phone to show Marley some pictures he took of Kazuma holding a board for the kids to break.
"OHHHH that's so precious." Marley cooed at the photos, her cheeks almost hurting from how much smiling she was doing today.
"I'm surprised you remembered how to take pictures on your phone." Marley wasn't even teasing as she was genuinely surprised since Kyo barely used his smartphone, normally just using it for texting and the odd phone call.
"Hey! I can figure out how to take a dumb picture!" Kyo's face flushed, not mentioning that it took him 10 minutes and one of the kids had to show him the app for it.
He had only taken the pictures because he figured Marley would find it cute or something.
Which she did so it was worth it to see her make that face. Another memory Kyo would keep safe.
"Kazuma seems like a great teacher."
"Mhmm. Shishou's the best." Kyo's smile was always so wide when he spoke of his father and Marley enjoyed getting to bask in it.
"That's what you want to be, right?"
"Huh."
"A teacher like Kazuma. Be a master and run the dojo?" Karate was Kyo's biggest passion so it made sense that would be his dream.
"Yeah..." That was something he wanted.
"I would love to see that, I think you would be amazing." Marley smiled at him, believing in him and his dreams, Kyo could feel her support in the way she looked at him and he almost felt like he would be letting her down when the dream wouldn't happen.
"Yeah well...don't hold your breath..." Kyo scoffed as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"He needs patience in order to be a teacher Marley-Chan." Haru pointed out and Kyo shot out his leg and kicked Haru to the side.
"Kyo's a really good teacher though! He's a really good study partner and helped me memorize all the dates for Japanese history." Marley defended Kyo as she held up a finger as if she was making some grand point.
"Awww I wanna have study dates with Marley-Chan tooo!" Momiji whined, fully awake now as he started shaking Kyo's shoulder.
"Well whatever you chose to do, I'll be excited to see." Marley smiled, her sunshine seeming to chase away the dark shadow that seemed to make a home over the Cat of the Zodiac. The two appeared to be in their own world.
The other Zodiac members in the room could only stare.
They didn't speak about it but they knew what the Cat's future was and it didn't include taking over the dojo.
Kyo thought what Marley's future would look like. She would be well looked after and while he knew Marley was nervous about it, Kyo knew that she would excel at being a leader in the Sohma family. He could see her being set up with guy who came from a good background and was respectable.
She would have a bunch of kids and be an amazing mother, her home would forever be filled with light and joy.
Marley would be happy.
And's that's all that mattered. Even if Kyo couldn't be there for it, he would cheer her on.
Marley watched Kyo's eyes and saw tears start to form in his eyeline and was about to rush forward to ask what was wrong but was blocked by her grandfather who stood between her and Kyo and placed a a plated omelet in front of her.
"Eat."
"Oh but-" Her grandfather moved and Kyo was once again in front of her but whatever Marley had seen before was gone.
"Better eat it before Haru steals it." Kyo teased.
"Oh Dadaji, thank you it looks delicious!" Marley smiled and grabbed the spoon. Marley got to eat her dinner, sharing it with Momiji who wanted to be spoon-fed by her.
Haru wanted to be spoon-fed too but he got hit in the head by Kyo for even attempting to ask.
Kisa finally woke up ad helped Marley re-heat some cinnamon buns while the boys got into a competition over Mario Kart. Marley even challenged them to try and beat her grandfather's winning streak.
"Try it punks." Tetsuo glared over at Kyo, still steering his character to an easy win.
"What did you call me?" Kyo hissed back and was immediately pulled into the gaming, trying to remember what all the buttons did as Momiji tried to teach him to give him a chance.
Marley listened to her loved ones play, the best background music she could ask for as she reheated the oven, Kisa following her like the little ducking she was.
Those evenings were always the best, the smell of good food and the sound of life somehow made her nostalgic of her time in that tiny Vegas apartment with her parents. Even with all their busy schedules, the time they did get to spend together was made that more special because of it.
The smell of cinnamon quickly filled the kitchen as the rolls reheated in the oven and Marley readied some cream cheese icing.
"Are you okay Onee-chan?" Kisa asked as she watched Marley drift off a bit as she whisked a bowl.
"Hm, oh yeah, I guess the cinnamon rolls just bring me back. Mama loved anything with cinnamon but cinnamon rolls were a favorite." Marley smiled but Kisa could see the sadness behind it.
She had lost so much but simply get going. She kept smiling and
"HOW. ARE. YOU. CHEATING!?" Kyo yelled as he pointed at Momiji who had swiped 3rd place from him.
"I just know how to use the items Kyo, maybe it's time to learn how to actually play rather than mindlessly throwing shells." Momiji teased and it just irked Kyo even more.
"Pfft, screw this." Kyo stood up and tossed his controller and Haru caught it so he could play instead.
"Yo, tell them to quit cheating." Kyo asked as he walked into the kitchen and saw Marley plating a cinnamon roll and drizzling icing on it. Kisa whispered into Marley's ear and she nodded, placing the plate into her hands and Kisa disappeared from the room.
"Where's she going with that?" Kyo asked as it just seemed strange.
"Placing it on the alter, for Mama and Bapu." Marley smiled as she continued placing cinnamon rolls on plates for her family.
"You know...I might be able to give you some pointers? I've put some decent hours into that game and have even beat Dadaji a few times." Marley smiled proudly, choosing to withhold the fact that she had lost easily a hundred or more races.
Kisa came back into the kitchen and helped Marley carry plates into the main room as Kyo followed, carrying the plate of cinnamon rolls. Once settled in, Marley sat by Kyo and encouraged him to keep playing, fully believing in him to take a race from her Dadaji.
The cinnamon roll was delicious, but nothing tasted better than finally beating the old man. Marley had shown him how to 'build' his kart and also told him what each item was as he got them. It still took many races but both Kyo and Marley leapt up when Kyo's Bowser crossed the finish line before anyone else.
There was a large orange poof in the room due to Marley's excitement and an orange cat was in her arms.
"Woops, sorry." Marley apologized and Kyo groaned, trying to look annoyed but he was happy since Marley seemed to be having a good time and it was these small moments that would carry him to the finish line.
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Ayame was feeling pretty fulfilled today. He got to crash Yuki's parent-teacher meeting, successfully frustrating their mother. He got to meet Yuki's fellow student council members as well bump into Marley who was proudly sporting her new mini-skirt with pride.
Now he was back on Sohma property because he simply wished to hang out with some of his precious family members.
"Welcome back Ojii-San! Did Hatori pick you up from the airport? Bring back any souvenirs?" Ayame came through the door like a whirlwind and siting himself down on the tatami mat and pouring himself a drink from the bottle of whiskey that was sitting on the table.
"Yes and it took forever to get back because he wouldn't dare drive over the speed limit."Tetsuo complained and Hatori simply commented that there was nothing wrong with his driving.
"Marley-hime sent me a picture, her and Yuki went bowling." Ayame showed up the picture to Hatori and Tetsuo. Unfortunately, at least in Ayame's opinion, it wasn't a date. The two had been invited to go bowling with a bunch of classmates.
"Yuki is so cute! Every time Marley-hime is within a few feet, he gets all shy, that school boy crush is just adorable." Ayame gushed, thinking how he ran into Marley at the school today after he had the teacher meeting.
Marley looked worried about the meeting and was quick to ask how it had gone and once Yuki seemed to be okay, a bright smile that crossed her face and she congratulated Yuki on surviving the parent-teacher meeting, joking that her own felt like it had lasted hours when it had only been 15 minutes in reality.
How she had squeezed Yuki's hand in comfort and Ayame caught the breath his brother seemed to let out as his shoulders dropped.
How she mentioned that she was going bowling with some classmates and while Yuki looked uncertain, once she asked him to join her, he gave a quick yes.
"Do I need to start setting up rat traps around here." Tetsuo joked before taking a long sip of whiskey.
Hatori mentions how Ayame crashed the parent teacher meeting and Tetsuo laughs and mentions that Ayame is a good, meddling older brother.
"OH, WHAT DID I HEAR!?" Praise was not all that common in the Sohma family but Tetsuo seemed more than happy to give it out these days.
Or maybe it was all the golden whiskey making his softer side come out on this cool autumn evening.
"Yuto would be very proud." Tetsuo nodded his head; he knew that his son had been a huge influence on the three oldest Zodiacs when they had been growing up. A big brother figure that tried his best to be a good example to them and offered his support when he could.
Ayame tears up a little but laughs it off, his heart feeling so full. He would have loved to have Yuto here to see the man he was trying to become. But receiving such praise from the Sohma elder was enough and he couldn't stop the proud grin from stretching across his face.
"To the kids and their futures." Tetsuo raised his whiskey glass and the two young men joined.
"Kanpai!"
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Chapter 20 end
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WOOOOO! Hello, hello, hello! again sorry its been a while but haven't abandoned ship yet XD
I rewrote this chapter so many times and honestly I probably would have messed with it more but sometimes you just...gotta move on lol sorry about the long wait and am sorry if it looks really rough. I feel a little out of practice and my editing skills are still barely existent.
Please leave a review if you can, feedback is so helpful.