* Katie moves it to practice, nervousness more clearly showing now that she's away from the group. [By the time you change into gear, it's 3:30, and practice is about to start. Ryuji and Taro are both there.] * Katie takes a few deep breaths and enters. This would be her first practice, too. Great. [Taro looks towards Katie and smiles.] * Katie gives him a slight wave and manages to get herself to walk over to him. "We need to talk at some point," she says quietly. [He responds, "I've been trying too!" But doesn't have time for anything more, as practice begins. Ooog.] * Katie stops chatting and begins practice, then. This is different. [For the first half hour, the club stands in rows and columns, practicing forms.] * Katie tags along as best she can. She's never done this before, but she's a fast learner. [Ryuji is using his shinai with one hand to demonstrate, gripping his katana with the other. The others all use two hands as they go through the forms, but nobody brings this up.] * Katie makes a mental note to ask Ryuji about that katana sometime. Sure, he can get away with it, but this is almost silly. [30 minutes later, Ryuji calls for a break. Time: 3:30] * Katie sighs and wipes some sweat off her forehead. She glances around the room. [A bunch of people are going over to the walls to rest. A few head into the locker rooms for drinks. Ryuji stands up front talking with three people. He hasn't even broken a sweat.] [Taro comes over to you!] * Kibby is now known as Taro Hi Katie. I've been trying to call you all week! * Katie smiles nervously. "Yeah, about that. Um. Come on." She heads to an emptier section of the room. * Taro follows. "I couldn't talk to you during class, either. I was getting really worried." Well, I- * Katie stops and turns to look at Taro. "I... I've been avoiding you." * Taro frowns. "So it's true. I was hoping it wasn't, but... But why?" I'm sorry about hitting you. I really really didn't mean it. * Katie fidgets, but forces herself to keep eye contact. "It's not about that." Then why? * Katie pauses, then just decides to go with the truth. "You scare me." * Taro blinks. "Huh?" * Taro looks bewildered. "I... How?" * Katie glances back at the door, then looks to Taro again. She can do this. "You scare me. Because you attacked Ken when there was nothing wrong, and you were so angry you couldn't stop. And because you'd probably do it again, and you just- you scare me." I don't drink, don't do drugs... I'm sure not as messed up as Saki Morikawa! How could I...? I... I can't go out with someone if I'm scared of them, Taro. But... But that's not fair! I was just protecting you! * Katie winces. "I'm sorry." * Taro winces too. "I.. I just don't understand. You liked being with me, didn't you? You said you did!" Yes, I did! I wasn't lying. But something changed. You just... I mean, look at what you did! And you don't even think anything was wrong with it! What could have been? I did it for you! But there was *nothing* wrong! I gave Ken the chocolate as a joke, to see his reaction! If you *waited* for maybe five seconds, I would have pulled you away and told you, but instead you attacked him and we all got hurt! He didn't even deserve to be attacked. He wasn't doing anything wrong. But he... he looked like he might have. And he's always being mean to you. He's always being mean, but he never *hurt* me. Sure, he insults me, but I can insult him back. But it's not right. What? People who insult other people should be beat up? You don't deserve to be treated that way, so I let him know I won't stand for it. What's wrong with that? * Katie frowns. "I might not deserve it, but I can take care of myself in that case. And words don't need to be countered with fists. That's what's wrong with it." I'm not saying you can't! But I can't let him treat you that way either. Why not? Because it's not fair! That doesn't mean you should've attacked him, Taro! I couldn't just sit by and do nothing! * Katie 's eyes flash. "You could have done something else. Or waited for me to explain." I just did what I thought was best. Why are you sticking up for him, anyhow? Ken's a jerk! Everyone knows that. Yeah, so he's a jerk. That does *not* give you the right to attack him for no good reason, and that wasn't a good reason. If you can't understand that, then I hope you see why I need to break up with you. * Taro opens his mouth to respond, but then shuts it. "You're right. I'm sorry, Katie. It was wrong of me to act like that." * Katie opens her mouth, then snaps it shut. She blinks, snapped right out of her anger. "What?" [Ryuji calls the break to an end.] ( :P ) (You suck!) I... oh... We'll talk more later, ok? Maybe over dinner? * Katie looks over to Ryuji, then sighs. "Okay," she says, still dazed. "I have to think." [Everyone starts to line up. For the remaining time, mini-matches are held.] * Katie goes to watch. It beats having her ass handed to her, oh yes. [Taro tries to sit near Katie. Meanwhile, two people volunteer to fight. They're completely random and unimportant, so I won't describe them :P] * Katie doesn't seem to notice. Her eyes follow the match, but anyone watching closely can notice she's not paying much attention. [The match is incredible! It's like watching Lu Bu and Miyamoto Musashi fight! Everyone will be talking about it for centuries! But you missed it ;_;] [Just kidding. It's a quick match with nothing spectacular :P] [More people volunteer.] [Twenty minutes later, Ryuji declares the meeting over and people start dispersing.] * Taro smiles at Katie. "So... you need time to think, I understand that. Can we meet for dinner tonight?" * Katie stands, shaking her head. "Well, I... um. I guess. But it's not a date, okay?" * Taro lets his smile falter a bit, but says. "If that's what you want, sure." * Katie nods. "Where and when?" I know a place that makes a great bowl of Sukiyaki. How's six o'clock sound? ( SukiyakiGuy away! :P ) Sounds fine. (Joy! Sukiyaki Guy!) All right. I'll see you then. * Taro gives the best smile he can muster and mopes towards the lockers. * Katie nods again and waves, then heads to the girls' lockers. [Meanwhile, Haruko comes in. Most of the students have left by now, except one or two sticking around to talk with Ryuji.] * Haruko smiles at Ryuji as she enters, and glances about for Katie or Taro as she moves to join the group waiting to talk to Ryuji. * Haruko doesn't see Katie, so she proceeds to just wait patiently as the other students have their turns. * Ryuji notices Haruko and tells the rest of them to go away. Except he's really polite about it :P * Haruko waits until they are going and then grins. "Hi Ryuji, I've picked a Teriyaki place that comes well recommended." She hands over the sheet of directions, which is intentionally nicely written and a bit cute. ( I don't like you people. Go away. Except you, Haruko, 'cause you're cute. :P) ( Damn straight. ) ( And the GM is worn out ;_; ) * Ryuji smiles slightly, his voice calm as ever. "I'm sure it will be quite pleasant." * Haruko grins wider at the slight smile and actively works at looking cute. "Certainly. Nothings come up in my schedule, so any night this week is fine. Still no preference?" * Ryuji shakes his head. "None at all." * Haruko ponders for a moment. "Well, I don't want to wait too long... So, lets say Thursday at six P.M. I'll meet you there." * Ryuji nods. "I look forward to it." * Haruko smiles again and does a bow and then skips out of the room to rejoin the others. [And back she goes!]