Ouran Fanfic – My Hope

Chapter one: My Request

(Kaoru's POV)

The sounds of my feet clipping along the ground were the only echoing sound around me. The huge halls of Ouran Academy climbed high; the sweet tune I whistled silently reverberated around them. Hands in my pockets; I carried on walking towards my destination whilst observing the petit yet beautiful gardens next to my selected path.

I lowered my gaze in thought 'I wonder if the art room's still free at this hour,' I carried on walking, but stopped humming my spontaneous melody in concentration 'My final exam's coming up and I need to do work on my piece.' I round the corner of the long path to head further inside the building 'Plus… It's been three months since we've all come back from America. Hikaru's gone with Mom to Kyoto with an apprenticeship to learn how to become a game designer. We decided to start a business together, that's why I stayed here – to learn fashion and design. But it's going to take forever; for the both of us.'

I take a hand out of my pocket to rub the back of my neck as I chuckle slightly "He is happier though" I say quietly aloud, remembering the grin plastered on his face when he told me over a webcam chat about designing his own game and developing the demo himself. We still talked over webcam every week.

My hand drops though, and I stop for a moment as I think 'But… I'm still lonely.'

Sighing softly, I place both hands behind my head and round the corner of the huge building – pink walls turning, interlocking and continuing onwards. "Ah," I say as I spot the black, gold encrusted sign hanging above the door "There it is; Art room 2."

I walk with more confident strides towards the doors and peer through the glass slates. Something quickly grabs my attention; or should I have said someone. Standing at the far end of the room was a girl with her back turned, facing a huge painted canvas. Her hair was light brown and fell to the bottom of her shoulder blades in ringlets. Her head was tilted slightly and in her right hand was a paint pallet; her left, a paint brush. The canvas she was painting was incredible. The colours and textures blended perfectly to display something that appeared to be a beautiful garden with different assorts of flowers – bursting with colour and flare. The sky was so blue and the clouds seemed touchable. It was stunning; nothing like I had ever seen before (even better than some of the paintings hung in the Academy).

My hand brushed against the golden door handle 'I wonder if she'll mind…' I thought. Very carefully, I clicked the door open. Immediately, the sound of classical piano music swam into my ears; a slow yet beautiful trickling melody, musing quietly from a pair of speakers tucked away behind a bag – most likely hers. Placing my steps carefully, I slide into the room 'technically speaking,' I thought 'I am an art student, so I could come in here even if she didn't want me to…' and with that, I fully stepped into the room.

It was then I could smell the potent scent of acrylic paint and oil pastels. As I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent, I quietly closed the door. I then moved forwards to stand a few meters away from her; admiring her painting at a closer distance. I watched her as she reached to clean her paint brush in a cup of water, and then scoop up some blue paint to make the blue sky even bluer. I tried to breathe silently in fear of disturbing her – there was just something so calming about watching her paint; and yet, I felt so nervous. 'Should I say something?' she reached back to the water, and this time scooped up a deep purple to dye a pansy with. I took a small step backwards 'Maybe I should just go. I can come back some other time I guess.'

"Need a different brush," the girl suddenly huffed. She sighed dramatically and span round quickly. I then panicked as she caught my gaze. Gasping slightly, she widened her eyes – her blue eyes.

All of a sudden, she let out a little yelp as she started to stumble. I then noticed her foot placed on the tip of a paint bottle; and just as I did, she fell abruptly towards me. I closed my eyes in the impact, but then felt a cold liquid splash all over my face, hair and shoulders. In a clash, I fell onto the floor and waited as I heard her stumble close after, and other various items falling to the ground. As I clutched my head in pain, I managed to open an eye to see different colours splayed on the floor in splashes, and the girl with both hands atop her head, sat between my legs.

Instantly I opened both eyes and asked "Hey, are you okay?"

I heard her whimper slightly as she peered up, also covered in assorted colours of paint "I…" she started, weak and small "I'm so sorry!" she then blurted out with a hint of tears in her eyes and a small blush dusted over her cheeks.

I smiled positively and laughed "It's alright, don't worry about it."

She then looked up to me, confused slightly by my reaction and tilted her head – like she had at her canvas "But your uniform, it's ruined."

"I'll just buy a new one," I shrugged.

"But… your hair," she frowned in worry as she observed my normally auburn hair, now turned bright green, purple and blue.

"It's acrylic, right?" she nodded "Then it'll wash out fine. Here," I stood up with a hand placed on my knee and then reached down for her hand. She clasped it firmly and I pulled her up, helping to steady her with my other hand and she blatantly wobbled from side to side at first.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"Don't mention it," I smiled and shrugged at the same time. I then took a step to the side with a hand in my pocket. I looked to her to see the extent of the paint damage. She had yellow paint dripped up her arms and a mixture of white, green and red paint on her face and a streak of blue in her hair. I chuckled once and suggested "Why don't we go to the host club to get cleaned up – you look like a mess."

She frowned and looked to me in question "The host club? Why there?" innocence licked her tone.

I put on the most charming smile I could, putting my host training to use and grinned "Hitachiin Kaoru, It's a pleasure to meet you miss."

At this she made a loud 'eh' sound in shock and frantically looked for something to say. She then frowned as she looked at me – her blue eyes penetrating me "But I was told you-"

"Were in America?" I finished her sentence "We came back at the beginning of last term."

I looked to her puzzled face. She looked like she was holding back what she had wanted to say – wincing. She clutched her arm and fidgeted slightly "Actually…" she started, sounding timid "I was told you had a twin; that you always walked in pairs virtually."

Hearing the word 'twin' instantly made me think of Hikaru, and a solemn façade overcame me. Memories of us just walking – like she said – made me miss him more and more. I tried a small smile "Ah yes, my other half," I laughed lightly "He's in Kyoto, with my mother studying graphic design."

"Oh I see," she said in an understanding tone.

I sighed in a defeatist mood "Come on, let's go." And with that I led the way out the door.

We walked in silence for the majority of the journey, listening only to the sound of our footsteps and slight breathing. I walked ahead of her, leading the way to the illusive host club; where handsome young men with too much time on their hands, entertain young ladies who also have way too much time on their hands. However this time, it was the illusive host club; where handsome young men with paint all over their clothes clean up ladies who also have a lot of paint all over their clothes. I smirked at my inside joke (and at how bad it was) and continued walking with a lighter step.

Finally arriving at the huge double doors of the Host Club, I placed a hand on the door handle and opened it for her to step through first. As she stepped through, clutching her hands to her chest in nervousness, Kyoya was the first to step forward from the table in the centre of the room, covered in sweets, cakes and beautiful tea sets.

"Pardon me Mademoiselle, but the Host Club is not open at this hour," he smiled curtly, trying not to stare at the dreadful mess covering her.

"It's alright Kyoya-sempai, she's with me," I said, clicking the door shut behind me as I walked up and stood next to the girl "There was a little accident," I laughed as I rubbed the back of my neck – covered in dried up paint that cracked painfully in my little movement.

Tamaki then appeared from behind Kyoya with a shocked expression on his face. He took her hand gently and said softly "Princess I am terribly sorry for this; we shall get you cleaned right away."

The girl opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Tamaki "Kaoru, how could you be so careless? And have you apologised?" he asked with a hand placed on his hip.

I frowned slightly "Tono, I didn't-"

"Ah!" he over dramatically called, sweeping a hand up to his forehead "How do you even call yourself a host!" he shouted slightly at me. I frowned at him as he continued to complain at me "You covered this poor girl in paint and don't even apologise. This is a terrible crime indeed."

"Tono…" I said through grinded teeth, my irritation starting to show.

Placing a pointed finger to his chin, he paced a few steps and then snapped his index finger and thumb together "I've got it," he beamed with a grin; he then span round on one polished shoe and raised an arm to point at my face directly "Kaoru, in payment for your un-hostly manner, you must look after this girl for one month, and no less. You must show her kindness and politeness like a true host should."

At this, the girl blushed a bright red and waved her hands frantically "Please, it was just an accident, he doesn't have to. Besides, it was my fau-"

But before she could finish, Tamaki took hold of the tip of her chin and looked her in the eyes with just a glimmer of perfection "Please princess; as a host, it is our duty to make every customer happy."

The girl creased her brows in concern, but then dropped her gaze and her hands in defeat and replied in a small voice "Alright."

He smiled and let her go gently and then turned to me "Kaoru, she is your responsibility now. Oh, that reminds me," he then once more turned to the girl and questioned "May you tell us your name, pretty lady?"

The girl looked away from him and blushed ever so slightly. She stuttered at first "Sh… Shimazawa Yumi."

"So you're the art scholar?" Kyoya asked whilst tilting his forever slipping glasses to the bridge of his nose.

Yumi looked to Kyoya and nodded "Yes."

"No wonder…" I smiled small, remembering the fresh memory of her beautiful painting in the art room. It already seemed miles away from that small piece of tranquillity I had experienced just a few minutes ago in that very same art room; just watching her paint with the music around me.

"Ah that's so cool Yu-chan!" Huni cooed from the table, his bubbly energy virtually bouncing off of the walls "And Kao-chan's doing art too, so you two have something in common!" he laughed.

Yumi smiled anxiously in thanks for his uplifting comment "Well, I hate to be rude but, I really must go. I didn't actually plan to stay this long after school," she laughed "But thank you for your hospitality."

"But what about your clothes?" I said worriedly. It was only now I had noticed that she wasn't wearing the typical girl's uniform. She was in cheap black jeans and a white and pale blue stripes t-shirt that hung loosely at her back in large knot.

But she simply waved her hand and smiled "I have other clothes, and like you said earlier; the paint is acrylic, so it'll wash out fine. Plus I only wear these for when I do my artwork; so it's fine if they get messy."

"I didn't mean it like that," I said turning my body to face her directly "I meant are you really going to go home looking like that?" I put blatantly. I examined her face; she was looking for excuses, anything that would avoid the subject – so she could just leave. I sighed as I tilted my head to the side and walked over to her with the best fake smile I could achieve in my foul mood; thanks to Tono "I'll drive you home. It can be my first job as your host-"

"No! No, no it's alright! No need to take me home!" she laughed loudly as she interrupted me. I looked to her in surprise at her interjection – why had she just so obviously interrupted me? "I really am okay, but I also really have to go, so if you'll excuse me…" and with that she ran away to the door, each step becoming longer and more hurried.

"Hey wait!" I called after her and stepped quickly to the door, but I peered out sharply, and she was already out of sight.

I huffed out a frustrated breath and turned back to face everyone. By this time, Haruhi had entered with a tray of chocolate biscuits imported from Belgium and some commoners coffee in a royal blue and pink Wedgewood tea set "Who was that?" she asked.

Just as I was about to answer, my phone started to ring in my pocket, playing the upbeat theme tune. I snapped it out my pocket like a gun in a cowboy film and flipped it open to receive the call, immediately knowing who the caller was "Hikaru!" I smiled, having not spoken to him in almost three days.

"Kaoru!" I could hear the smile in his voice from only his tone. Hearing his voice after so long was like some sort of release "I have great news!"

"Oh yeah?" I replied, still grinning.

"I can't be long because they're waiting for me, but these guys saw my game demo and thought it was great! So I'm gonna be out here a little longer but- oh, yeah? Sorry just a second Kaoru,"

"Hikaru? What do mean you'll be a bit longer? How much longer? Hikaru!" I called down the line in panic.

"Sorry about that," he laughed "But I have to go now, sorry it was short, tell the guys I said hi k'? Bye!"

"O-oh okay by-" but before I could finish even saying goodbye, he hung up the phone, leaving the monotone ringing of the cell phone in my ear. I just stood there, motionless; my own brother had hung up on me. I tried to pinch back a tear of anger, frustration and sadness.

"Kaoru…" Haruhi started softly "Are you okay?"

She reached for my arm, but I put on an insincere grin and laughed "I'm absolutely fine! And Hikaru's great too; he's getting his game developed by an actual company! He says hi too, but I've got to go – lots of homework to do, you know? I won't forget the payment to Yumi either Tono, starting tomorrow. Bye guys," and with that I walked away towards the door quickly and as soon as I was out of sight, I ran down the corridors; tears leaving a spotted trail behind me.

Everyone watched the spot where Kaoru had last been in the room with solemn eyes. An eerie silence rang in the room as they all looked to one another. Huni was the first to break the silence – though he still spoke quietly "Takeshi has a kendo match later, so I think we better go too." Mori added a silent 'mm' and with that and a polite wave from both, they left the room.

Haruhi spoke up after as well "Should I call Hikaru? Tell him to call back Kaoru? He seemed really upset."

"No," Tamaki said.

"But Tamaki-sempai…" she replied, drifting off as she looked out the window to see Kaoru running towards a long black limousine, that then briskly left as soon as the door slammed shut. Haruhi let out a sigh "Fine, but if he's still upset tomorrow I'm calling him no matter what; I hate seeing him like this – don't you?"

But Tamaki didn't reply. He just sat in his chair and quietly drank his coffee. So Haruhi then left the room as well after saying goodbye and taking one of the leftover biscuits for her dad, leaving Kyoya and Tamaki in the host club room alone.

Kyoya looked up after he heard the door clicked shut "Tamaki," he started, earning a glance from him "Earlier when you gave Kaoru that 'payment', to look after Miss Shimazawa; wasn't it obvious he didn't do it?" he said in monotone as he too sat down next to him "Or are you really that blunt?" he smirked.

Tamaki chuckled "Of course I knew."

Kyoya looked up in confusion – a rare sight from the genius boy "Then why set him the punishment if he didn't deserve it?"

Tamaki closed his eyes and simply smiled "Kyoya, can I ask, did you not see the smile on Kaoru's face before he entered the host club just now?" at his comment, Kyoya recalled the sincere and content smile on the said twin's face – all be it it was small, but he had seen it.

"Yes, I do."

"I hadn't seen him smile that peacefully since Hikaru left. Obviously that girl had something to do with it – and she seems lovely enough. I didn't give this to Kaoru as a punishment, but as a gift you might say. I want Kaoru to be happy – to go back to his old self; we all do. I hate seeing him this way, and I think that girl might just be the answer to our prayers. I think she will be the bridge that will take Kaoru's only happiness – Hikaru – and spread it into everything else he's ever known. So really, I'm doing this for him."

Kyoya stared at him – awestruck. He knew Tamaki always tried to make everybody happy, but to see him put so much effort into it just for Kaoru's sake… "Tamaki…" Kyoya mumbled.

Tamaki laughed and stood up "Come on Kyoya. I'm training Antoinette today to do some tricks! You wanna come and help? I'm sure she'd love to see you again!" Then Tamaki skipped along towards and out the big double doors of the pink-walled room, silently praying his plan really would work.


yay first chapter :D

please follow if you liked it! it's going to be quite a long story, WITH LOTS OF DRAMA?! sorry if anything's OOC "orz

thanks for reading! have a cookie ~