A/N: Thank you for taking interest in my story! I will slowly update this as I go, but please enjoy what I have uploaded now. R&R if you want, as I greatly enjoy reading critique and comments. Once again, thank you and enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club, nor its characters.
She could feel the tension in the air, like she could cut it with the bamboo sword laying at her side. Her father's onyx eyes bore into her very soul and she steeled herself, taking in a small breath as her lips formed a thin line. Hiina didn't dare look away to her mother or grandmother, both anxiously waiting for her reply. Looking away would mean defeat.
"Dear," her mother cautiously spoke up, glancing between her husband and daughter. "We knew this day was coming… Is it really such a surprise?"
'A surprise? Please,' the young girl thought bitterly. 'A surprise is normally a good thing.'
"You will get to plan the whole ceremony, won't that be fun?"
Hiina flinched, thinking of the words her father spoke just moments ago after she was called from the yard, replaying over and over in her head: "You are to marry at the end of this school year." Suddenly, her legs began to ache, begging to be readjusted against the thin cushion which barely separated the hard tatami mats of their tea room from her knees. Hiina wanted to stretch and run far away, to never come back.
"Hiina, please. Nobu is a perfect match, and the Hirohashi family is known for their strong traditions. He will do this family well," Hiina listened to her grandmother quietly, gaze still locked with her father. "You must see that it is only for the good of the Kikugawa's!"
"Good?! What good is forcing marriage, baabaa?" Hiina snapped, whipping her head to face her grandmother, tawny eyes blazing in frustration. "What will this ancient tradition do for me, other than make me miserable?"
"That is enough," Hiina tensed at her father's strong voice, embarrassed her composure slipped so carelessly. She gave her grandmother an apologetic glance before straightening herself to face her father again, his expression carved from stone; hard and unreadable. The only visible expression was in his eyes, emotions of anger and disappointment swirling in the dark pools fixed on his eldest daughter. "I expected more from you. You are a Kikugawa, warrior blood flows within you. And a warrior holds themselves with dignity and honor." Hiina lowered her gaze from him, feeling heat creep up her neck as her lips tightened again. She bowed low, long hair swishing past her shoulders.
"Forgive me, father," she barely whispered, eyes prickling with tears. Hiina felt ashamed and truly wanted to run from the room like she was one of her younger sisters, or maybe even cry and yell at them, demanding that they call off the engagement. 'A true warrior would not stand for such treatment. They would fight.'
"You will marry Nobu Hirohashi, to continue this family line with respect, tradition, and honor. Do you understand?"
Hiina stared at the wet tatami mat inches from her nose, willing her voice to not waver as she opened her mouth to answer:
"Yes, father."