4 4 - Kyo's Decision

Kyo glanced up at the clock sitting on the beige painted walls. It read four-thirty in the afternoon. The Sohma dojo training hall was now closed. He began gathering up the training equipment to return to the storeroom when he caught sight of his foster father Kazuma walking out of Kureno's office. He had changed out of his black-dyed training gi and had smarted himself up with a pair of dark blue jeans and a crisp black shirt.

"Sensei," the ginger-haired man called. The older man looked up from locking the office door.

"Everything okay, son?" he asked curiously, taking a step towards the cat.

"Mind if I talk to you about something?" Kyo asked, taking to his feet as he finished stacking the crash mats to the west side. Kazuma nodded waiting for him to continue, "It's about Tohru."

"I'm all ears. What's on your mind?" the older man queried, smoothing the creases of his jacket as he hooked it onto his arm.

"I think she might want to try for a child," he had lowered his voice, not believing the words that were escaping from his lips, "I think I do too. I just...ugh." He started to explain his thoughts but instead began to get annoyed with himself for not having the right words to say. He ran his left hand through his ginger hair, calming himself down a little.

"It's been playing on my mind for a while now," Kyo continued to share his soul, "I'm ready to take my relationship with Kyo to the next step." He looked up at his foster father. The older man looked slightly lost and confused. The cat held up a single finger, gesturing to Kazuma to give him a second. He dashed into the changing rooms, rummaging in his locket for something. The older man waiting, hearing his colleague banging around in the other room.

"Everything okay?" Kazuma called to his foster son. He heard grunting in reply followed by more banging and choose to accept that as he was okay. Kyo returned to the training hall a few minutes later, changed out of his training gi and into his regular clothes, with his rucksack on his back and a small black box in his hand.

"I think it's time I gave her this," he thrusted his hand out towards his foster father. The older man took the small in his hand, turning it over a few times before opening it.

Inside sat a beautiful princess-cut diamond on a silver band, securely wedged in a black velvet cushion. Kazuma's jaw hit the floor, unable to find the words to say.

"Why have you waited this long, Kyon?" His father managed to ask, taking another look at the ring. The diamond sparkled in the dojo's light. He was curious to discover why his foster son had decided, after twelve years together, he would ask Tohru for her hand.

"Something in my gut didn't sit right. I wanted to keep it traditional, ask her father for her hand," Kyo spoke in a quieter tone, taking a moment to recompose himself, "But I forgot he passed away, and it began to put me off a little." While he had not met her father, the cat had remembered meeting her mother Kyoko in his younger years, keeping her promise still.

"While that is true son, she does still have her grandfather?" Kazuma suggested, returning the ring box to its owner.

Kyo considered his father's suggestion, when Kureno appeared from his office, buttoning the top button of his shirt. He raised an eyebrow at the pair sitting about the place. He was just in time to witness Kyo receive the velvet box and despite how dense he was it didn't take him long to put two and two together.

"You're going to ask for Tohru's hand?" he asked. The cat turned around to nod at his cousin.

"That's the plan," Kyo said with a sigh. Kureno hoovered around the pair, intrigued to hear the rest of the conversation.

"I say ask her grandfather, that is if you still want to ask her traditionally?" Kazuma replied patting his son on the arm.

"That's an idea, but I can't remember the last time we visited," Kyo said, taking a second to recall his memory, "I don't think he was too fond of me last time." A puzzled look appeared on his face, his emotions continuing to conflict.

Kureno took a moment to think himself, perhaps Arisa might have an idea, he thought. His mind was interrupted by his mobile beeping loudly from his pocket. Kureno dug into his trousers and fished out his phone. He peaked at the name on the screen, an awkward smile appeared on his face. She's physic, he thought, reading his wife's name off the screen.

"Just a moment, Kyo, Arisa is calling," Kureno took a step away from his son, towards the west of the dojo, "Hello beautiful," he answered with a softer tone. Kyo rolled his tree-bunk dyed eyes, laughing to himself, knowing full well he also used a different voice when around his partner Tohru. His cousin caught his outburst in the corner of his eye, he frowned, waving at his colleague to stop.

"Yeah, I am still at the dojo. Yes, Kyo is still here," Kureno replied to his wife's questions on the other end of the phone. He shot Kyo a look, letting him know she was asking about him. The cat nodded in reply, waiting till after the call to hear why he was mentioned, "Okay will we see you there. Love you and Kyoko too." Kyo couldn't help but smile, he knew how much it meant to Tohru, her best friend naming her first daughter after her mother. It was no secret how much Arisa had idolized her. It was a fitting tribute, with Tohru and himself being made Godparents.

"Right," Kureno called, snapping the cat out of his daydream, "Arisu and Kyoko are with Tohru at your house, they asked us home for dinner."

Kyo laughed, "She really does love an excuse to cook," he replied, continuing to smile. It was one of the many reasons he had fallen in love with her; her selflessness, her caring nature towards others and the delicious food she could cook for armies.

Once the Sohma men had gathered all their personal belongings, they bid farewell to Kazuma exited the dojo hall. The pair took a leisurely stroll back towards Kyo's residence. The cat unlocked the garden gate, ushering his cousin inside. Kureno had begun walking up the stone path when the front door flew open, with a chubby toddler running towards him.

Kyoko clung tight to his legs, like a koala bear to a tree, "Daddy," she squealed at the top of her lungs, beaming up the auburn-haired man. He couldn't help but laugh, smiling back at her. Behind him Kyo had also begun chuckling, he couldn't deny how cute his goddaughter was.

She noticed her father's companion and gave him a wave, "Hi Uncle Kyo." The ginger-haired man waved back at her, walking towards his home.

"Hello, my little princess," he replied, picking her up into his arms and giving her a squeeze.

"Come on Daddy, Auntie Tohru bought cake," the auburn-haired toddler squeaked at her father. She pointed towards the house, indicating where she wanted him to carry her. The men exchanged looks, knowing full well that she had purchased another delicious cake from her own bakery.

"Well then," Kureno began to speak, bending to his daughter's demands, "We best not keep the ladies waiting." Kyo laughed at his cousin, he enjoyed watching the older man make himself look like a fool, all for the love of his daughter. He hoped one day he would experience the same kind of pleasure.

The three of them walked into the residence and into the living room. Arisa and Tohru were perched on the leather sofa, both with colourful mugs cupped in their hands. Kureno carefully put Kyoko onto the carpet, allowing her to toddle off back to her toys.

"Hello ladies," the older man said with a charming tone, walking over to his wife. He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a little squeeze before planting a soft cheek on her cheek.

"Good day?" Arisa asked, raising an eyebrow at his behaviour. Her husband nodded in reply and ventured over to their daughter to watch her play, joining in with her tea party.

"Hi Onigiri," Kyo said softly approaching his partner's side, placing a kiss on her cheek. Tohru felt her cheek warm with a pinkish hue.

"Kyo-Kun, how was work?" Tohru asked getting up from the sofa. She turned to address her guests, "Could I get anyone like a drink?" The grown-ups asked politely for a cup of tea, while Kyoko had asked for some fruit juice. They had all passed her their mugs ready to be refilled. The brunette was about to walk out and into the kitchen when she was stopped by her partner.

Kyo took the cups from her hands, "Sit down, I've got this," he replied, disappearing from the room. She nodded, taking her seat again next to her best friend, as ordered. He returned a few minutes later with a tray of hot drinks, and the cup of juice for Kyoko, with an assortment of biscuits on a side plate, "I hope it was okay to put these out?" the cat asked his partner, unsure of when she had planned dinner.

Tohru nodded once more, "Of course it is. Help yourselves, everyone," she replied, smiling at the group. Nothing filled her with joy more than being surrounded by her favourite people. The brunette enjoyed having a full house and the company of her loved ones. She hoped one day, every day could be like this moment right now. Inside she was yearning with broodiness, an emotion she felt whenever Kyoko come over. While she was happy for her best friend Arisa, deep down she slightly envied her. She had everything Tohru wanted, but one day she assured herself, she would be just like her.

"Tohru," she was snapped back to reality by her partner's voice, "Do you need any help with dinner preparations?" he asked taking a sip of his hot tea.

"Oh!" Tohru hadn't even begun to think about making a start on dinner. She felt like a bit of a scatterbrain, now that he asked, but laughed off her embarrassment, "Actually, that would be lovely."

♡ ♡ ♡

An hour later Tohru had made her way into the kitchen and had begun preparing the dinner, assisted by her partner Kyo. He was making himself busy peeling the vegetables before handing them to his companion to be cut into smaller chunks. The brunette didn't mind doing this chore herself but found her hand ached after a while, the pain was bearable when cooking for just the two of them but not for anymore. The couple had decided on making a simple rice dish with a vegetable medley and chicken. It was a quick and filling dish, perfect for their guests. Tohru had decided to use the rice cooker, a home-warming gift given to the couple by their guests a few years ago, to make sticky fluffy rice.

Kyo passed the final carrot to his partner, she took it was a free hand and began to cut it into wafer-thin slices before adding them to the boiling water on the stove. She then moved to the frying pan sitting on another hob to check on her chicken pieces. They had begun to turn a beautiful colour, happy with this Tohru removed the pan from the heat and set it to one side to combine later when the other components of the meal had finished cooking.

The cat gathered the cutlery and crockery ready for serving, along with a few bamboo trays to carry the meal into the living room. In the other room Kureno and Arisa, offering to help, had been tasked with setting up the kotatsu in the centre. They had helped Kyoko tidy away the toys back into the wooden chest and set her up on the little table she had been playing tea party with.

♡ ♡ ♡

Kyo brought in the serving plates, piping hot with delicious food, and placed them on the kotatsu. Tohru followed him with another tray, a lemon printed jug filled with water and several glasses, cutlery for the meal and a special version of the meal for Kyoko. She laid the glasses on the wooden table, Arisu removed the jug from the tray and began filling everyone's cups while the brunette served the youngest member of the group.

"Thank you, Auntie Tohru," the toddler said giving the older woman a big smile, "I like my bowl. Look, Mummy, it's a kitty," she squeaked, getting excited over the orange cat-shaped bowl Tohru had given her. The brunette laughed, she had bought the animal-shape crockery for all the children who came to play at the house, so far it was only Kyoko, but Tohru liked to be prepared.

Arisa turned to look at her daughter, "How lovely," she smiled at her toddler before mouthing a quick thank you to her best friend. Once she had settled Kyoko, Tohru retired to the kotatsu, taking a seat on a pattern cushion next to her partner.

"May I?" Kureno asked, gesturing at the serving spoon. It was customary in Japanese culture for the youngest member of the dining party to serve the eldest member, Tohru would often be the one to serve the meal but she nodded allowing the guest to take over, but just this once.

Each guest was served a bowlful of egg rice topped with a sweet teriyaki chicken and a selection of boiled vegetables. They tucked into their meal, chatting in between their mouthfuls, enjoying each other's company. Kyoko was the last one to finish her bowl, eating the majority of the meal before complaining of a tummy ache, that was until Tohru produced the strawberry shortcake from the kitchen. The toddler had pleaded with her parents for a slice, but it was her auntie who finally caved, presenting her with a small piece.

"Tohru, dinner was delicious," Kureno was the first to speak after their dessert.

"Mhm," Arisa hummed, "Thank you Tohru," she spoke after finishing her cake.

"This cake is different, I quite like it," Kyo complimented his partner as he finished his piece. He took a quick sip of water before addressing his guests, "Could I get anyone a hot drink?" he asked. The guest shook their heads.

"Thank you Kyon, but it's getting late," his cousin replied, noticing his daughter begin to rub her tired eyes, "But we really should make a move and get Kyoko to bed."

Tohru nodded, "Of course. It's been lovely to have you over," she said getting to her feet.

"Please," Arisa replied, "Thank you for having us, kiddo." She pulled her best friend into a bear hug, before gathering her belongings along with Kyoko's lilac backpack. Kureno turned to Kyo and shook his hand warmly, thanking him for having the family.

He turned to his sleepy daughter, "Come on princess," he cooed, picking the little toddler up and cradling her in his arms. He planted a soft kiss on her pale forehead before following his wife to the front door.

"Thank you both for having us," the blonde yankee said, giving her best friend another hug.

Tohru waved her hand, "Please, you're more than welcome, anytime," she replied, opening the front door, "Don't be a stranger," she joked.

"Never," her best friend smiled, walking out beside her husband and waving goodbye to the couple. Kyo and his companion waved their guests goodbye until they had disappeared down the street. They closed the door quietly and set about tidying up the house. Tohru began washing up her cooking utensils while the cat was left in the living to gather the used crockery and cutlery.

Kyo set the china to one side of the kotatsu before rummaging in his trouser pocket. He pulled the black ring box out of the fabric folds and admired its contents for a brief moment. Tomorrow, I will ask her, he assured himself, tomorrow is the day I ask Tohru for her hand in marriage.