BALANCE OF POWER

A Hana Yori Dango fan-fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Hana Yori Dango. I do however; own many of the other characters that appear throughout the story.

Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. Your opinions and ideas mean a lot to me! I apologize for things moving so slowly at first. I'm trying to make sure everyone gets used to the characters before things start getting complicated.

Hope you enjoy this next chapter!


CHAPTER 2

ONE WAY OR THE HIGHWAY

It had taken all of her strength to drag herself out of bed, get dressed, and head to school. Kanojo had told her mother about everything that was going on, and even though her mother had given her permission to stay home until everything blew over, the disappointment on her mother's face had further motivated Kanojo to get up and go. She was weak and shy, but not a disappointment to her mother. She sighed a little, turning the corner.

A week. A week had gone by and unfortunately, she was still a target, and even worse, she hadn't seen Oji even once. They had talked on the phone a few times though, which Kanojo found even odder. She had never given him her number.

"Tsuyoi-chan! Chotto!" A short shaggy haired boy no older than eleven or twelve ran up to Kanojo, grabbing her arm to stop her. "I've been calling you for a block!"

"Aa, sumimasen…" Kanojo replied sheepishly, looking down at Yowai's younger brother, Okuda. "Daijoubu ka? Yowai-chan?"

Okuda waved his hand and smiled brightly, "Things are going well! I don't have your number and don't know where you live so I couldn't tell you anything."

"Tell me what?"

"Onee-chan woke up yesterday! She just…opened her eyes. Yeah, cool, I know!" The boy couldn't stop smiling. He stepped back and adjusted his bag strap. "You should come by the hospital when you have a chance okay?" He nodded at her and waved, "I have to go. I'm late and my school is the opposite way. Ja ne!"

Kanojo nodded slowly, watching the boy walk away. Slowly, she smiled. Yowai had woken up. It was a good sign. Maybe the rest of the day would be good.

She continued on to school, an extra beat to her step.

"Na…….ni?" Kanojo stopped, reaching the school gates, eyes widening as she stared at the large banner hanging from over Eitoku. There was an enlarged picture on it, of her and Hanazawa Rui. Oji had been cut out of the image. Across the banner, someone had scribbled: Tsuyoi Kanojo Class 3-C traitor to Eitoku.

Since Domyouji Tsukasa had declared war on the new F4, being caught with one of the old F4 was considered a mortal sin…and Kanojo had been caught in the act. "But I wasn't with….He was just walking by." She told herself.

Washii, Saseru and Iradachi waited by the large doors. They glared at her and gave her an evil grin, dragging a finger-nail across their necks.

Good Day? Maybe not.


Kio watched Kanojo come out of the bathroom, wiping her arms down with a paper towel. Her uniform was covered in white powder, hair a mess, but her eyes were normal. Every day, from his seat on the top bleachers, he watched her run in to the gym bathroom and run out, somewhat clean and eyes red as paint from crying. But today, her eyes were normal. She hadn't cried. She was getting stronger...or getting used to it.

He slid off his headphones and sat up.

"You can do this." He heard her say, "You can make it." She brushed her uniform off again, "Those...stupid boys...can't keep it up forever...I'm...I'm a boring person anyway! Yeah, that's..it! I'm boring. They won't have their attention on me for too long...right? Right!" She nodded in response to herself.

Kio raised a brow and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Y-yeah! I'm boring and I'll make it!" She exclaimed. "Yeah!"

Kio was surprised at how loud the girl could be when she was on her own, but so shy when she was around others. She was like two different people.

"Oi." He inturrupted, standing up.

Kanojo turned around, eyes wide and surprised. Her mouth hung open as though she was about to say something..but nothing came out.

"Is it true? You're boring?" He asked.

"Uh...yeah..I...think so?"

"You were so noisy a second ago. I heard you over my headphones. What you said was...anything but boring." He came down from the bleachers.

Kanojo blinked.

"I'm boring and I'll make it.What is that?" Kio repeated.

Kanojo suddenly took off, embarrassed.

Kio watcher her run off before climbing back up the bleachers, sitting back down and putting his headphones on. Slowly, he lay back, wondering where the boring girl would go next.


Three classes, over a dozen showers of wet paper balls, and eight bruises, Kanojo found herself sitting alone in the dining hall at the farthest table. "Well, at least today there weren't any eggs thrown at—"

"Kawaii Ojo-chan!" A familiar voice greeted.

"Kiken-sa-" Kanojo stopped, blinking slightly as she felt something crack against the top of her head and leak down in to her hair and on to her forehead. She sniffed a little and lowered her head. She took a handkerchief from her bag and wiped her forehead and hair. She felt sticky with her hair sticking to her face.

"Oh, don't give that look. I told you I'd be the death of you." Oji replied, sitting on the table. He leaned over and flicked her forehead. "I'm surprised you're still around."

"You…weren't in the picture but you were…the one who talked to him." She sighed a little.

"I know! I'm glad whoever did it cut me out or I'd be in a hell of a lot of trouble." Oji whistled slightly and rocked himself a bit. When Kanojo said nothing, he continued, "This is the first time in history Eitoku Academy has ever been at war with Eitoku University."

"You aren't one of the F4."

"Hmm?"

"Who are you?" Kanojo looked at him through the corners of her eyes.

Oji slid off the table and shook his head, giving her another flick on the head, "I think what you should be thinking is: 'where have you been all week, Oji-kun!?"

"…….Where have you been all week?"

"Oji-kun."

"…..Excuse me?"

"Oji-kun. Where have you been all week, OJI-KUN."

She stared at him for a moment and he stared back before sighing, stretching and sitting back on the table. "I've been at home."

"Kiken-sama!!!" Washii called from across the dining hall, waving a hand in the air. "Come sit with us! We're so much better than that ugly girl. Besides! It's dangerous to talk to her! Even for you!"

"Wazura, Did you put any effort in to your appearance today? You look horrible."

Washii gasped and puffed up her cheeks, "Kiken-sama! You're so cruel!"

"…..Of course I am." He replied simply and turned his attention back to Kanojo. "Wear your best clothing tomorrow. Get rid of this uniform ok?" He stood up and prepared to walk away.

"Kiken-sama." Kanojo stood up quickly. "Why were you…"

"What?"

Kanojo paused and looked at him, then shook his head. Oji stepped back over, looming over her with a grin, "What?"

"Why were you….at home…a whole week?"

He stepped back and chuckled, shaking his head. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know."

"I thought….you were going to kill me?" She asked.

He rubbed his chin and nodded, grabbing her hand and dragging her out of the dinning hall.


"Ibari-kun, Oji-kun is at it again." Furin reported, looking over his shoulder to the leader. "I thought you were going to handle him?"

"Don't rush me, damn it!" Ibari snapped, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "I've been busy!"

"Busy with her?" It was now Hazu who spoke up, smirking as he did so. "You've been watching her like a hawk. Why did you give her a red notice, anyway?"

"She's a threat." Ibari received only blank stares in reply, "Feh! I don't have to explain myself to the likes of you!

"Ibari-kun." Kio's gentle voice butted in, "Is it because of…Hanazawa Rui?"

"Sou desu! Her father works for Hanazawa's company, doesn't he?" Hazu asked.

"But a lot of people work for companies run by the former F4." Furin filled in, rubbing his cheek, "So that can't be all, can it?"

"Well, her family is pretty up there. Let's put it this way: If something were to suddenly happen to the Hanazawa family, her family would take over." Hazu reminded and Furin nodded.

"She doesn't….look that wealthy, does she?" Kio asked, tilting his head slightly.

Furin and Hazu laughed, "Not at all!"

Hazu continued, "You'd think that Kio-kun would be the one who has a problem with her, working for the Hanazawa company and all. Isn't that your rival company Kio?"

Saseru and Iradachi ran to the steps of the F4 private space. "Chirasu-sama! Please do something about that….girl! She's still here! No one's ever lasted this long!"

Ibari sneered and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Hazu asked.

"To find Oji."

Hazu watched Ibari leave and sighed a little, "How did he end up as leader again? Did we vo-oh, Kio-kun, where are you running off to now?"


"So, he really can't do much to me, even if they wanted to."

"So it's because of this…." Kanojo spoke softly, turning the page of a delicately laminated book.

Oji pointed to a particular spot on the new page. "Yeah, cool eh?" He asked, smiling a little as he leaned over her shoulder to take a look as well. In front of him, Kanojo blushed at how close they were. If he shifted a little more and un-bent his other leg, she'd easily be resting in between his legs with him close against her back. "I don't like bragging about it though. No one likes a bragger, ne?"

She nodded slightly and smiled a bit, "Well, it is cool…"

"I knew you'd think so, Kawaii Ojo-chan." Oji answered, standing up and stretching his arms out, going to the railing and looking over.

"Really?"

He chuckled, "You're behavior hasn't changed at all. You think it's cool, but you really don't care, do you?"

Kanojo shook her head and he laughed a bit.

The door at the top of the stair well opened and Ibari came down. Kanojo quickly backed up, leaning against the wall. Oji turned partially and opened his mouth to speak, only to have Ibari suddenly punch him across the face. Oji looked a little stunned as he rubbed the corner of his mouth, "What the hell?"

"Didn't we already have a discussion about this? We decided you'd stay out of the way!" Ibari snapped. He grabbed Oji by the collar of his coat, "What the hell are you doing here, and with her? It's against the rules!"

"Says who?"

"Says me! The king! The ruler! The leader! Me!" Ibari snapped, shaking Oji again. He released the boy and shoved him once, then again. "I gave her a red notice! Me! I have that power!" Again, he shoved.

Kanojo watched, watching her breath silently. She felt herself tense with each shove. She could picture Oji going over the railing just as Yowai had. "S-stop!" She forced herself in between Oji and Ibari. "You're going to hurt him!"

Ibari looked confused by her sudden outburst. No one had ever dared to order him before.

"Please." Kanojo continued, "Not here. Just…not here. I-it's dangerous!" Just the look in his eyes was enough to make her feel so much more fear.

Ibari glared and grabbed her by the sleeve, shoving her aside. Kanojo gasped and landed on her hands and knees. Ibari sneered and pointed a finger at Oji, "I mean it. Stay the hell out of the way. Don't cross the line!" He gave Oji a final shove. He then looked at Kanojo and glared once more, "I'll have you wishing you never came to Japan." With that, he left.

Oji rubbed the bruise on his face then went to help Kanojo up. He saw the look in her eyes, "Hey, don't worry," He gave her an assuring grin.

"What….was that?" She asked lightly.

"Oh, just call it….sibling rivalry at it's best."


When school ended, Kanojo found a surprise waiting for her at the gate. It was Kio, hands in his pockets as he turned towards her. There wasn't any real emotion to his expression as he approached. He stood in front of her for the longest time before finally saying, "I'll walk you home."

"Oji-kun was supposed…"

"He went home." Kio informed, to which she simply replied "Oh." They walked along in silence before Kio finally asked, "Do you know who I am?"

"Hikuyo Kio" She answered with a nod, glancing at him carefully. "Why…do you want to talk to me? I'm..."

"Boring. But...you'll make it."

Kanojo smiled a bit nervously.

"You should leave the school." He said abruptly.

"I…can't do that. "

"Why not?" He watched her blush and look down at her shoes.

He took a wild guess, "It's Oji, ne?"

Kanojo blushed a little more.

Oji frowned a little bit, "He's a playboy….but, you've fallen for him anyway?" She lowered her head and he bent over a little to look at her face. "Hmm?"

"I…just….can't." Kanojo replied with a deeper blush. "I…blew my allowance."

Kio raised a brow. Working for Hanazawa's company, Kio knew that Kanojo's family would have a lot of money. But, he'd play her game anyway, "You can't afford it."

"Iie. Uhm….I have to go… Bye." Kanojo quickly said, waving slightly and rushing off.

Kio watched her go and shoved his hands back in to his pockets, watching her grow smaller and smaller in to the distance. 'I'll have to help you out then…' he thought with a sigh, taking out his cellphone.


"Honey! Your piano lessons for next week will be only on the last three days! Your instructor's wife has gotten ill and I've given him time off!"

"Alright mom! Thanks!" Kanojo called, opening her closet.

"I'll wait for you at the gate to make sure no one bothers you when you go in. I promise, Kawaii Ojo-chan, just make sure you look your best."

Sorting through all of her clothes made the troubles of the day seem to fade away. She had so many nice things she rarely got to wear. 'What are you doing?' she asked herself. For some reason, she had found herself wondering what Oji would think of each outfit. She took out a blouse and held it against herself.

A knock at the door interrupted her—one of the house keepers. Kanojo raised a brow. The only time one of the house keepers came to her was if someone had important had arrived. Normally, her parents had no problems acting immature and shouting from down the hall. "Hai?" she asked, opening the door.

"Sudden visitor, miss. He requested to see you. It's Hanazawa-san."

"Hanazawa-san?"

"Hanazawa Rui. He's in the guest room."

Kanojo blinked and the banner at the doors of Eitoku flashed through her mind. "Why?" She shook her head, realizing the hired help would know why. "Hai. Arigatou."

The woman bowed and left.

Kanojo made sure she looked presentable before heading down the hall and in to the guest room. "Konbanwa…"

Hanazawa Rui turned to look at her, hands in his pocket and gave her a gentle smile. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you at Eitoku."

"You? Oh…no, it's…my fault I…"

He rested against the desk. "….We can send your family back to New York."

"Excuse me?"

"My father is giving your father the option of returning to New York to spare you the trouble."

"A..ah!" Kanojo gasped. "Hanazawa Rui! I…saw you in New York…on….when…I went with my father…to work…!" She bowed, "It hadn't occurred to me by the last names that you two were…gomen! I've…had a lot on my mind…" Kanojo had never really paid attention to her father's business matters and he never really brought his work to the home.

"You were younger then. A little louder too."

Kanojo blushed.

"Do you want to go to New York?" When Kanojo failed to reply, Rui looked up at the light fixture, "They're vicious aren't they?"

Kanojo looked at him, nodding slightly.

"Hikuyo Kio came to speak to me." Rui informed.

"Why…would he help me? My father works for you…aren't…we rivals..in a sense?"

"Mm." Rui nodded, "But if something like what happened to your friend were to happen to you and it managed to reach papers…." He looked at her, waiting for her to piece it together.

"His father's company would somehow be tied in…"

"Hai."

They talked a little longer before Hanazawa Rui left, leaving Kanojo on her own in the room, staring down at a one way ticket to New York.


"Chisaru-san, why did you decide to take this case for free?"

"The percentage of violent acts commited in schools is increasing on a monthly basis. The statistics are heart shattering. As responsible adults, it is our job to stand up and try to fix this. What took place at Eitoku Academy was a horrible act of bullying which should not be tolerated. Action must be taken to show students that things will change." Chisaru Kenryoku spoke directly in to the camera. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure my client recieves compensation."

The camera shifted over to a tired looking girl laying in a hospital bed.

"Kodomo Yowai, how does it feel to have the most powerful lawyer in all of Japan handle your case?" a reporter asked.

Yowai sat up slowly, her mother holding her shoulders as she sat up. "I..." she began slowly, "Feel horrible that this happened...and...I hate to make it worse but..." Yowai paused for a long time.

"Do you know who did this to you?" The reporter continued.

Yowai glanced over to Chisaru Kenryoku and nodded, "Tsuyoi Kanojo."

Ibari Chisaru muted the TV and sat back on the plush couch, tapping the remote control against the arm of the couch and pressing his tongue against the side of his cheek.