Chapter 22: Not Fade Away
I like to move it, move it
I like to move it, move it
I like to move it, move it
You like to...move it!
I like to move it, move it
I like to move it, move it
I like to move it, move it
You like to...move it!
Hikaru and Kaoru roared with laughter as the Capo twins danced to the song in short mini-dresses, their now matching strawberry blonde hair in ponytails. From their email, the Italian Cavalry had gone to Aruba for half of their two month vacation from school, and it seemed they all had fun. The twins' had sent Tamaki several videos of the girls in candid moments and stupid ones just for laughs. So, he called up the Host Club and they met at his house to watch the girls having fun.
Haruhi fidgeted in her seat. "This is weird. Watching them on video. It's like they're just acting."
"Look, Riiko's next!" shouted Hikaru, coughing.
Her chestnut hair longer than it had been a few months ago, Riiko bounce around the screen on a ball, having the time of her life. She wore a huge smile on her face along with the cute white sailor's dress and matching bow.
Alright everybody
Now here we go
It's a brand new version
Of the do-si-do
Just tap your feet
And clap your hands
Come on everybody
It's the hamster dance
Bounce in time to the beat
Hey!
You don't even have to move your feet
Just shake your thing
I wanna see you move
Now spin around
And feel the groove
"Riiko-chan's so cute!" cried Honey, drooling over the keyboard. Mori gently pulled him away.
"Alexia is on next, Mitsukuni."
The video switched over to Alexia dancing in a studio, donning jean shorts and a huge black T-shirt, her auburn hair pulled into a bun with ridiculous music playing as her background as well.
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bangI told the witch doctor I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor
He told me what to do
He told me
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Tamaki put his head on his arms, howling with mirth. "It's too funny! Sora and Cera better have done this!!" He pounded the table. "Next one! NEXT ONE!"
Kyoya switched over to the next video, a ghost of a smile on his handsome features. "I cannot wait to see...oh." The entire smirk appeared. "Here she is." Cera and Sora were doing a music video of some sorts, in clubs and dance halls, and the BG music went well with their body movements. Both goddesses were dressed in snug-fitting T-shirts and jeans.
I'm bringing sexy back
Them other boys don't know
How to act
I think you're special
What's behind your back?
So turn around and
I'll pick up the slack
Take 'em to the bridge
Dirty babe
You see these shackles
Baby, I'm your slave
I let you whip me
If I misbehave
It's just that no one
Makes me feel this way
Take 'em to the chorus
Throughout the music video, shots of them in bikinis popped up. During the bridges, they were against walls, shackles binding them. Suddenly, the video cut to an actual video. Sora was sitting by a small pond, creating ripples in the water, a snow-white gown flowing with the gentle breeze.
Don't lose your way
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing, dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story, faith hope and glory
Hold to the truth in your heart
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
Souls in the wind must
Learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on till the end
Valley, mountain, there is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Worlds are swaying, someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I
"This is new," muttered Haruhi, wiping the tears from Tamaki's overjoyed face. "I've seen a lot of her videos, and she never told me about this one."
"Maybe she just made it," suggested Hikaru."Look, they sent us a message."
"OMG YOU GUYS IT'S THE MEN!!"-Born2write784(Natalia)
"Natalia aint lying, it's the guys!"-Born2act71(Elaina)
"HOLY CRAP, HOW R U RICH BASTARDS? HAVE KYO & MORI GONE 2 WAR YET?! HAS TAMAKI FINALLY SNAPPED?!"Sexyback909 (Cera)
"Shut up, Cera. Hey, u guys. How r things?"-CrAdLe2ThEgRaVe56 (Alexia)
"IS MITSUKUNI THERE?! HI HI HI!"-pawpaw92(Riiko)
"Have you finally graduated? Oh wait, ur watching the vids. Keep going and we'll H/O."-songstress32319(Sora)
"Let's go back to the funnies. Her hair looks so pretty," Honey commented, pointing to the screen. "In a bun, and her side bangs make it better. Look, now she's taking it down. Hey...doesn't it look a little longer?"
"It does," Mori grunted. "It never reached past her shoulders. Now it almost reaches her mid-upper back."
Tamaki snuffed. "Sora (sniff) is the best niece (sniff) this proud uncle (sniff) can ever have." He blew into his handkerchief.
Kyoya patted his shoulders. "She would be honored if she knew." Secretly, he wanted to rip her from anyone's arms into his, where she belonged. "Well, she added another comment."
"Kyoya, what is this I hear about you getting me a houseā in Tokyo?! Is it true, or am I gonna have to pummel the living daylights out of Tamaki??"-songstress32319
"OOH TAMA-CHAN U IN TROUBLE..."-pawpaw92
Tamaki fidgeted as Kyoya turned his deadly gaze onto him. "Now, Mother, don't be alarmed...we can easily set up a new house for just the two of you..."
Suddenly, he was on the floor, face flattened on the marble. "Mmph."
Kyoya pushed his glasses up his nose and rubbed his knuckles. "Don't give her false hope," he snapped. "It is very rude. And thoughtless, and...how could you do that? To Sora, no less?"
Mori set a hand on his shoulder. "Kyoya."
He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Tamaki. Forgive me. But why?"
"Because she belongs here," he mumbled into the floor. "She needs to come home."
Kyoya nudged Hikaru aside to write back to his love. "Sora, always take anything that baka says with a pinch of salt. He's lying, but his heart's in the right place. Forgive him. How is the rest of your school year going?"-kyoyaootori
"Oh, it's awesome! And u really need 2 learn IM talk. Ur hrrble."-songstress32319
"Excuse me for being proper."-kyoyaootori
"No, just...mke ur sntces & wrds shorter, like so."-songstress32319
"What is that saying that Cera says? That's retarded."-kyoyaootori
"W/e. Where is everyone else?"-songstress32319
"HI SORA-CHAN!!"-kyoyaootori
"Hello, Sora."-kyoyaootori
"What is up..."-kyoyaootori
"...Sora, milady?"-kyoyaootori
"MY DARLING NIECE! UNCLE WILL BUY A HOUSE FOR YOU AND MOTHER IF HE MUST DIE FOR IT!!"-kyoyaootori
"Hey, Sora! :P"-kyoyaootori
"HIYA!! Ooh, g2g. The people of Genova await me. L8rs. Oh, but b4 I leave...keep this quote from one of my favorite games, Final Fantasy VIII.
"'...I'll be here...'
"'Why?'
"'I'll be waiting here...'
"'For what?'
"'I'll be waiting here...for you...
"'So...if you come...you'll find me...
"'I promise.'"-songstress32319
Haruhi leaned away from Kyoya's chair. "Okay, sounds like she's fine. Kyoya, you said you would help with my winter job forms."
He rose. "I did. Tamaki, remember our appointment tomorrow." He helped Haruhi out to his car, where a new driver awaited.
Mori stretched on the couch. "Mitsukuni, let's leave. We can email her tomorrow."
Honey bounced up. "Okay. Bye, Hika-chan. Bye, Kao-chan!" He grabbed Bun-Bun and headed out the door, Mori a few steps behind him.
Tamaki snored on the floor.
"He must have fallen asleep earlier," whispered Hikaru, careful not to spill hot cocoa on the King's back. "Come on, Kaoru. Mother has that meeting tonight, so we can't be too late."
"Right," said Kaoru, stepping over Tamaki. "Bye, Tono."
"ZZZZZZZZ..."
Kyoya turned over in bed, not truly listening to the music issuing from the speakers in his room. "She's doing great," he kept telling himself. "School's going good, and she'll be entering her senior year as top student in Genova. So what am I worried about?"
You're scared she'll find someone better than you.
No. She wouldn't do that to me.
But what if she does? Then what? You move on? I don't think so. Drag her back here if you have to. Kyoya Ootori does not give up so easily.
That's true. I'll ask her tomorrow, after Tamaki and I look for a new estate. I know he really wants her back. Then after we meet with our fathers but before we look for the house. Great. Now my own mind is all jumbled up...here I am, sitting by myself, talking to myself...that's a serious chaos theory...
"Kyoya-niichan?" Fuyumi leaned against the frame of his door. "What's eating you?"
"Do you remember that girl Father wanted to speak with during Christmas?"
"You slept together. How can I forget?"
"Of course you would know."
"The maids know everything."
"Well, she's in Italy, and I need her here. Three and a half months is too long."
"What will you do about it?" She took a seat on the edge of his bed.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I'll figure out a plan."
"She won't come back if you don't have a good reason."
"I love her. Isn't that good enough?"
"Good enough isn't good enough, as you say, oniichan."
"So...what shall I do?"
"Just ask her, and see what she says."
"Thank you, Fuyumi-neesan. Give my regards to your husband."
"Father was just testing you, you know. How hard she held on to you, how much you admired her. And you both passed. He'll be delighted to know another elite will be joining our family soon."
The vase shattered as the baseball hit it hard. Glass flew across the room, forcing the twins to duck in fear. "Hey, quit it!" The Italian cavalry had gathered at the Palazzo dei Mikage for the weekend, and several windows had already been broken by Sora and Riiko outside.
Alexia set the bat down. "Sorry, guys. But this new role has me playing ball, and I need to practice."
"Not indoors," Cera said from behind Rolling Stone. "Go outside or something, Lexi. You'll kill us all if you don't."
"HEADS UP!" Another ball came through a broken window, hit the wall, ricocheted, and broke the east window. Sora and Riiko came racing into the grand hall. "Sorry!" Riiko bowed in apology. "That was unintentional."
Sora smoothed her hair back. "We're doing target practice on the deer! Wanna join us?"
Natalia flattened her skirt and glared at the young royal. "Sora! If you kill anything..."
"I won't. Lexi, come on!" She ran back out again.
Riiko picked up the ball. "Let's go!" She followed Sora.
Alexia shrugged and walked out with her gear.
Elaina sighed in relief. "Thank God. I was about to get murdered."
Natalia crossed her arms. "She's not getting better, Cera."
Cera looked from behind her magazine again. "I know," she muttered, "but she's trying." Just then, her cell phone rang. "Hello? Oh. Mori." Her eyes lit up. "How early is it over there?"
The twins rushed over to listen in on speaker. Mori's deep voice echoed into the hall.
"Just after eight. Mitsukuni and I are leaving for the park in an hour. Where is Sora?"
She pouted, but sent the twins scrambling out the doors. "She's in the fields. I just had Elaina and Naty go after her. Is everything okay?" she added, concerned.
"No. I'm afraid there is something seriously wrong with Kyoya. Even though he hides behind that composed mask of his, I know the signs. He's engrossed in college applications, and Tamaki has been shunned from his estate several times a day. I need her to talk some sense into him."
"Um, she's busy..." Cera said slowly when the twins returned empty-handed. "But I will pass the message on, okay?"
"Thank you, Cera."
"Wait, Mori. Tell him..." She looked over her shoulder, making sure the twins had gone back outside. "That everything isn't so great as she said. She's cool, but not the best she's been."
"...I see. I'll be sure to tell Kyoya."
Cera hung up the phone, leaning back and letting out a groan.