IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Eight

Ryu and Kyo needed to have a serious conversation, but they couldn't do so in their current environment. They agreed to find a private location where they could discuss their issues without interruption and, if necessary, resolve them through physical means.

Ryu arrived at a secluded clearing in the forest, donning attire appropriate for sparring. She was well aware that the conversation with Kyo would not be casual, anticipating that anger might lead to blows being exchanged.

Ryu's memories wandered to a time when they had faced each other in a particularly intense sparring session. She recalled the way their bodies had moved in unison, muscles tense and eyes focused. They had pushed themselves to the limit, testing each other's strength and skill. The fight had been fierce, neither one willing to give in or show weakness. The memory fueled her determination to face the upcoming confrontation with Kyo head-on.

...

Ryu entered her home after enduring a long day at school. The physical marks of her skirmishes with other girls who taunted her appearance and attire stood out on her battered body. Her short-cropped hair and stained uniform served as a testament to the countless fights she had engaged in.

Despite not fitting the definition of what Ryu did not consider being bullied, Ryu was a constant target for others' wrath. However, she took a perverse pleasure in the attention, embracing the danger of her combative nature. With her ability to erase memories, she took the risk, knowing she could wipe clean any knowledge of her secret.

Ryu had a hard time adjusting to the sudden addition of a sibling in her life. When Kazuma announced that he was adopting a distant relative, Ryu felt jealous and fearful of losing her place in Kazuma's heart. In an attempt to keep his attention solely on her, she acted out more than usual, knowing it was a selfish move but unable to shake off the uneasiness every time she saw the young child being showered with love by Kazuma.

Her constant taunting of the young child led Ryu to underestimate her, believing she would never retaliate. However, one day, as Ryu returned from school, unguarded and oblivious to the impending attack, she was caught off guard when she was suddenly tackled to the deck.

Ryu's face slammed painfully into the grass, and her schoolbag's contents were strewn about the yard. Caught entirely off guard, she was momentarily stunned, frozen in place until a mocking laugh reached her ears from behind.

Upon realizing the situation, Ryu shot up, but before she could even utter a word in response, another kick sent her stumbling backward. She managed to keep her footing, but only just. In no time, she found herself locked in a fierce spar with Kyo, trading blows until the point where Kazuma had to intervene and put an end to their tumultuous fight.

The heated battle had ended with both Ryu and Kyo facing consequences for their aggressive behavior. As a form of punishment, they were left to sit in the dojo until they settled their differences. However, both being known for their stubbornness, they were left sitting with numbed legs, facing each other in a silent challenge to see who would give in first.

Recognizing the futility of making the two sit in the dojo until they settled their differences, Kazuma had to modify their punishment. Instead, he decreed that Ryu and Kyo were not allowed to attend any further lessons at the dojo until they resolved their issues and made amends.

The gradual process of Ryu and Kyo's reconciliation and acceptance of each other's challenges was far from immediate. As their bond grew stronger, Kazuma couldn't help but worry about the potential for them to become an unstoppable duo, capable of causing more mischief and chaos together than they ever could separately.

...

Ryu instinctively raised her arm, narrowly blocking the unexpected kick that had come her way. Caught off guard, she stumbled backward, but managed to maintain her balance, uttering as she did so, "Caught me when I was reminiscing, huh?"

Kyo's voice echoed through the clearing as he shouted, "Only a fool lets their guard down when they know what's coming." He unleashed another kick, only to have it deftly deflected by Ryu's swift counterpunch.

Ryu managed to block the incoming kick, her voice tinged with a mix of exertion and slight frustration as she retorted, "Sorry, I'm getting older, and it's nice to look back in memories every now and then."

Kyo winced as the kick barely missed his blocked arm, his irritation evident in his voice. "Hilarious," he retorted, returning the blow with a kick of his own to Ryu's side. "Are you trying to remember the past? The one you spent years trying to escape from?"

Ryu's voice rang out, her determination clear as she taunted, "Don't hold back on me, Kyo! Keep the attacks coming! Be as honest as you can be!"

Kyo drove a powerful punch that sent Ryu crashing to the ground, his voice carrying a hint of frustration as he continued, "Yeah, I'll be honest, but can you do the same?" He straddled her, pinning her to the ground as he spoke.

"I will, Kyo! I will!" Ryu's voice held a slight pain from Kyo's tight grip on her shirt, but her resolve was unwavering. "I'll explain why I left and I don't expect you to forgive me. But I just want you to know that I didn't leave because of you. I didn't leave because of what I saw." There was a moment of tension before Kyo released his grip and threw himself down onto the grass beside her, frustration etched on his face.

"That time when I puked and called you disgusting, it wasn't the sick that hurt me." Kyo's voice was muffled as he covered his eyes with his arms, his voice tinged with pain. "What hurt me the most was your apologies..."

"Kyo—

Kyo interrupted Ryu's attempt to speak up, his voice cutting through her words. "Shut up, I'm not done yet," he snapped. "I know what I look like, and while I didn't accept it because of the pain it caused my mother, I've learned to deal with the fact that I'm repulsive and ugly. But what I needed, what I truly needed, was for you not to look at me with pity in your eyes."

"It still scares me," Ryu confessed, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and guilt. "That form, and I can still remember the smell to the point that it makes me sick," Kyo's eyes widened slightly as he turned his head to face Ryu, fully expecting to see tears streaming down her face. Instead, he saw a warm smile, her words filled with love and affection. "But then I remember that, despite the horrific form you take, you are still Kyo. My unruly and stubborn little brother who I love so deeply."

Kyo sat in silence for a few moments, digesting Ryu's words. Then, with a small but amused smirk, he reached out and flicked her forehead. "That's all I ever needed to hear from you, Ryu...thanks," he said, the annoyance from earlier fading away.

Ryu smiled warmly as she took Kyo's hand in hers, the other delicately touching his beads. With a determined look in her eyes, she continued, "Kyo, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Kyo grumbled and maintained his defiant demeanor, but Ryu could see through his act. "I guess I can consider it," he replied, the hint of excitement in his voice betraying his true feelings.

"First, let's both take a proper shower," Ryu agreed, wrinkling her nose at their shared body odor. "We stink enough to scare off every wild animal within a mile." Kyo couldn't help but snort at her words, then turned and extended his hand, helping her up.

Kyo and Ryu headed back to their homes, their bodies still sticky with perspiration from the strenuous sparring session. The tension between them had significantly eased since their heartfelt conversation in the clearing, and the playful banter and teasing returned as they walked together before departing ways.