She ran down the sidewalk, black locks sticking to her face like glue. Footsteps sounded behind her and her adrenaline picked up, pumping her heart fast against her chest. 'No, please, don't let him catch me!' She thought desperately, tears stinging her eyes. She looked back over her shoulder, trying to peer through the pouring rain. She couldn't see anything, but she could hear him gaining on her fast. It was then that she tripped over something. A slice of pain shot through her hand as she tried to catch herself. She went sprawling onto the cold, wet cement. She cried out in pain as a fist knotted in her hair, jerking her to her feet. She was slammed up against the iron fence, the cold bars freezing her skin through her sopping clothing.
"You think you can run from me?" A voice growled in her ear. She couldn't form words, they escaped her as fear clawed down her throat. "Answer me, you little bitch!" He yelled, shaking her. "N-n-no, sir." She replied in a small, unsteady voice. "Don't you lie to me!" He roared, wrapping his thick hands around her throat, cutting off her air supply. Her tiny fingers grabbed at his, trying to pry them off her, but to no avail, he was just too strong. "D-d-da-" Was all she managed to choke out before the darkness swallowed her whole.
Slowly, her eyes shined open. Sitting up, she realized she was back in her room, underneath her familiar warm blankets. 'Perhaps it was a dream?' Was the first thought she had, then as the burning in her throat registered, she knew that it had been reality. She sighed heavily, an overwhelming depression wrapping it's ugly claws around her. She swallowed back her tears, wincing at the pain she felt. She would not cry over him, she would never let herself cry over him. "He's not worth it." She whispered to herself as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
She hopped into the shower, washing away the black memories from last night, and dressed in her hideous yellow uniform. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair cascaded down around her face in black rivulets, contrasting heavily with her pale skin. Her dark eyes were always drowned in sorrow that no one ever saw. A deep, dark purple bruise encircled her slender neck in the form of two hands. 'I can't go to school looking like this.' She thought to herself as she began to dig through her drawers.
After a few minutes of looking, she found a thick, white ribbon that matched her outfit. "Yamashita-san, you're going to be late!" The voice of one of the maids called. "I'm coming!" She yelled back, quickly tying the ribbon around her neck. She grabbed her school bag and ran out of her room, through the vast halls with the marble floors and cathedral ceilings.
When she reached the grand staircase she spotted a maid at the bottom, holding her lunch. She quickly descended and grabbed her lunch as she passed. "Arigatou!" She called over her shoulder as the door was opened for her and she quickly skipped out. A butler opened the door to the limo for her and she slid in. As the sleek, black vehicle pulled away from her grand estate, she realized she hadn't had time to eat breakfast. She wouldn't think of the reason why though, she wanted to get through this day without any complications.
When she arrived in front of Ouran academy she thanked the driver and let herself out. She took a deep breath, putting on her daily façade, ready to face the world behind her lie. The day went by smoothly as planned, until lunch period came around. She sat down by herself, seeing as she didn't spot any of her odd friends yet. For that, she was a little thankful, she wanted to be alone today before they bombarded her after school, when she would have club activities. She was about to begin eating when a voice stopped her.
"Hey, Tsukiko-san, what happened to your hand?" For a moment she didn't know what she was talking about. "Oh, that. It's nothing, I just tripped and scraped it, Yumi-san." She answered, hiding her shame and sorrow behind her usual mask of indifference. "Oh, alright." Yumi said, turning back to her friends.
Tsukiko stared down at her food, she suddenly didn't feel so hungry, and she had been salivating only minutes before. Sighing heavily, she got up and threw her lunch away. As she was turning, she bumped into someone. "Sorry." She mumbled and looked up to be met by a pair of emotionless obsidian eyes. "Oh, Mori-senpai, Hunny-senpai." She greeted. "Hi, Tsu-chan!" Hunny said in his usual cheerful, childish voice. She was about to open her mouth to say something when someone brushed forcefully by her, causing her to fall into the duo. A snicker came as the girl began to walk away. "I'm really sorry." Tsukiko said as Mori steadied her. "Hey, that wasn't very nice!" Hunny said. The girl turned and smirked. "Sorry, I guess I didn't see her there." She said snidely. That stung a bit. Even though Tsukiko didn't mind being alone, in fact, she loved it, that was just another reminder that she was the black sheep of the school.
The girl's eyes shifted towards the taller one of the pair, and she scurried away at the glare he sent her. "Are you alright?" Hunny asked her. "Yea, I'm fine, thanks. You really didn't have to do that." she told them. "Of course we did, she wasn't being nice. I told you, as long as we're around, we won't let anyone push you around." He reminded her. "Thanks, guys." She said, the shadow of a smile on her lips. "Come sit with us." Hunny said, dragging her over to their table by the hand.
She sat across from them, quiet as usual. "Why aren't you eating, Tsu-chan?" Hunny asked between bites. "Well, I just…wasn't hungry." She answered. "Do you want some of my food?" He asked, holding out a forkful to her. "No thanks, Hunny-senpai." She gently refused. "Alright." He said and stuffed the food in his mouth. She sat quietly like she always did, her head resting in her injured hand, thinking no one would notice it then, but Hunny did.
"What happened to your hand, Tsu-chan?" He asked curiously. She tucked it under the table, caressing the wound with the fingers of the same hand. "Nothing to worry about, Hunny-senpai. It's just a scrape." She assured him. "It doesn't hurt?" He asked. She shook her head. At this he smiled and went back to eating. She could feel Mori's stare on her at the vague answered she had given, but she ignored it.
After lunch, they parted and headed to their classes. After classes were over, she was changing in the back room of the dance room. She put on her black leotard and tights and as she was walking out the door, she slipped on her black ballet slippers, which her teacher regarded her sternly for. She was supposed to wear pink ones, but she despised the color. Looking around at the classroom, she realized just how many girls were in this class. She sighed heavily, she wanted to dance alone today. As her teacher was distracted with another student, she slipped out of the room, clutching her bag tightly to her side.
She made her way through the vast halls. 'Wow, this place looks deserted.' She thought to herself. She was sure the drop of a pin would echo down through the halls like a gunshot. Finally, she reached the door that she had been looking for. It had a sign above it that read 'Music Room 3'. She rested her fingers on the cool knob and turned. As she opened the door, the scent of flowers caressed her and rose petals flitted about her face.
"Welcome." 7 young men chorused. "Hi, guys." She said as she closed the door behind her. "Tsu-chan!" Honey exclaimed as he jumped on her back, hugging her. "What brings you here?" Tamaki asked, looking at her outfit. "Well, I was gonna attend ballet today, but I decided against it." She said. "I see, well, if you want to change, you're welcome to use the back room." Kyoya said, adjusting his glasses. "Thanks." She said. "But we like you this way." The twins said in unison. "Thank you, but it's not very comfortable." She said, barely escaping their clutches as Hunny jumped off her. "You guys, are you bothering Tuskiko-chan again?" Haruhi asked, crossing her arms. "We're just having some fun." Hikaru answered. "Come on, Tsukiko-chan, I'll take you." She said. "Thanks, Haruhi-chan." She said, stepping around the two devils.
The two walked to the back room together. Haruhi guarded the door while she changed into her usual black frilly gothic dress. As she stepped out, Haruhi smiled. "I've always admired your boldness." She commented. "Thanks, Haruhi-chan." She replied, a semblance of a smile on her face.
They went back into the main room, and she sat with Haruhi, chatting a bit about her day before the guests began to arrive. Then, Tsukiko took her usual seat by the windowsill, staring out into the deep, clear blue sky. She sighed heavily as a bird flew by the window. She wished she could just sprout wings and glide through the air, free to go where she wanted and see who she wanted. 'Free…' She laughed inwardly. 'Yea right.'
He looked over at her, staring out the window again. She always looked so sad to him, no one else saw it, but he did. There was heavy sorrow swimming in her black night eyes. Her hair cascaded down her neck in black waves, heavily contrasting against her alabaster skin. Her black dress hugged her curves perfectly, flowing down her legs in elegant ruffles. There was something off about her outfit today though, around her neck was a thick, silk white ribbon. His eyes traveled back to onyx orbs, she seemed to be deep in thought. He wanted to know what she was thinking about.
After a few hours, Haruhi invited Tsukiko to have tea with her. She did, sipping it slowly, quiet as usual. In ways, she was quite similar to Mori, though the two never seemed to be attracted to each other in any way.
She seemed to go from host to host, sharing cake with Hunny and Mori, sitting quietly with Kyoya and even dealing with Tamaki's crazy antics, but she hadn't come to see him yet. A swell of annoyance tinged by a bit of jealousy struck him.
"Tsukiko-chan." A familiar, dark voice hissed. He sighed. 'And that dude, he's been after her since the beginning, but she's never even showed any hint of interest for him.' Again, he thought they'd be perfect for each other. "What is it now, Nekozawa-san?" She asked dully, not even bothering to look at him. "I've brought you something." He crooned. Sighing, she set her tea cup down and walked over to the now dark, foreboding door surrounded by black roses. He held out a black lace choker to her, smiling. Jealousy bubbled up in his heart.
"I'm sorry, Nekozawa-san, but I can't accept this." She told him, for the millionth time. Crushed, he retreated back into the darkness, the door creaking shut. "Why don't you ever give him a chance? You two seem like you would be perfect for each other." Hunny pointed out. "Maybe she thinks she's too good for him." Hikaru said. Surprised, Tuskiko turned to look at him. He wouldn't meet her gaze. "Hikaru, that wasn't very nice." Haruhi said. He said nothing, just huffed and crossed his arms. "Do you have a problem with me, Hikaru?" Tsukiko asked, walking right up to him. He could feel her eyes on him, but he couldn't bring himself to look at her, because he knew what he would see there. Black fire.
"Tsukiko-chan…" Kaoru cautioned. "What?" She asked, turning her burning gaze on him. "Maybe you should-" "No, it's alright, Kaoru. She's actually speaking for once instead of just sitting there like a statue." He said. At this, Tsukiko's rage boiled beneath her skin. He was supposed to be her friend, and he was insulting her just like the rest of them? How could he? She opened her mouth to say something nasty but stopped herself. She took a deep breath to calm herself, she would not get into an argument with him over this.
"Obviously you're not who I thought you were." With that, she turned and walked into the back room. "That was really cruel, Hikaru." Haruhi said as she too walked into the back room. "Yea, Hika-chan. You know the way the other kids treat her." Hunny pointed out. "Well it's true, you know. She acts like we're not good enough for her. She barely talks to anyone." He said snidely.
Footsteps walked up to him. He looked over to see none other than Tsukiko herself. He hadn't even heard her come out of the back room. A resounding smack echoed off the high ceilings. Shocked, all he could do was hold his cheek. The last he saw of her was the burning flames that radiated through her obsidian eyes.