Chapter 2

Disclaimer- I own nothing!

Tamaki walked down the main road taking in how everything looked at night. He had never snuck out of the house before; Kyouya always came to him when they wanted to get together at night. As nice as it all looked he hoped to get where he needed to be soon, it was freezing. His coat could only do so much in this bitterly cold weather. The only plus side was that it was a clear night so he had no elements to fight against but still, a warm place would be nice. Finally seeing the bank he walked a little quicker and pulled out his wallet for his debit card so he could get in after hours. Stepping in he could tell he buildings heat was off but it was still warmer than outside. Going to the ATM he noticed he would have to do multiple transactions and keep it safe until he got to France to convert into Euro. He could probably do it at the airport here now that he thought about it. Reaching into his pocket for his cell phone to do a simple conversion to make sure he took the right amount out he remembered he didn't bring it. He left all his major electronics in his room, laptop, cell phone, anything anyone could use to find him he left behind. Taking a pen the bank supplied and a deposit slip he did the math himself.
"Good thing I did well in math." Reaching his answer he got started. Getting the first set of bills and a receipt he was surprised by the numbers on it.
"Woah, Kyouya must have been adding a lot of money recently because it wasn't this high before."
Worrying Kyouya would put two and two together he thought about changing how he was going to get the money but he really couldn't use his main account so this had to stay. It wouldn't tell him anything if he investigated into it so he should be safe. Counting what he took out twice to make sure he was right he stored it in his bag and walked outside to get a bus to the airport. He had enough cash on him for that and wouldn't have to dip into what he took out. Standing at the bus stop he hugged himself trying to stay warm. Hopefully the bus wasn't behind schedule. Under other circumstances he would have been excited to be using public transportation for the first time ever but knowing why didn't allow him to get as excited.

Settling into the seat he relaxed a little as he stared out the window. This trip would take a while so he had time to relax. The thought of what he was doing still surprised him, he was actually leaving home. He was leaving the country with no intention of ever coming back, he was now all alone in the world with no one to turn to, he had to rely on himself. Trying not to freak himself out anymore he didn't think about the fact that he would have a baby that would be dependent on him in the coming months. One step at a time, he had to take this all one step at a time. As the street lights passed him he could feel himself dozing off. It was close to midnight already and he hadn't been sleeping well for the past two days. As good as a nap sounded right about now he wanted to wait until he was on the plane. Seeing the airport in view he started to sweat and become jumpy.
"I can do this, I can do this, I can do this." Stepping off the bus he walked into the airport, he was older and taller than the first time he was here but this time he felt so small. Before he felt overwhelmed he started walking. It took him a minute to find his carrier to see if he could even get a flight out. He couldn't really look online before he left, he didn't want to leave a trail if someone accessed his computer. He didn't need it coming up in his page history.
"The earliest flight I have seating for is the two-thirty to Paris in coach."
"That's fine, I'll take it."
This would be the first time he ever flew coach, he couldn't help smiling over the fact that he was going to experience another commoner thing. Getting the total for the flight surprised him; it was so much cheaper than business or first class. No wonder commoners used it much more. Seeing the time he realized he still had some time, security would be a pain but it wouldn't take two hours.
"But then I won't have to deal with it." Plus he had no real reason to wait. The line to get through was longer than he expected for it being late but it wasn't terrible. By one he was past it and now just waiting for his flight to be called. Now he really started to shake and had to continually remind him to breath. Since he had time he grabbed a bottle of water from one of the many stores the airport held. He started to regret his decision to drink with his nerves so bad. Luckily for him there was a bathroom nearby, allowing him to run in there and not get sick in a garbage can. Sitting against the stall wall he forced himself not to cry, even as a few tears escaped he wiped them away and took deep breathes he stopped himself. When he wasn't scared that he would get sick again he left the stall. Staring at himself in the mirror he saw how horrible he looked. A twelve hour flight would do him wonders in the sleep department.
"Flight 275 to Paris, France is now boarding at terminal 1. Flight 275 to Paris, France is now boarding at terminal 1."
Splashing water on his face he forced himself to turn and walk out the door.

On the plane he happily settled into his eat, now he could relax. He noticed a difference in coach then first class but it certainly wasn't horrible. As the flight got underway he got comfortable. He had a twelve hour and twenty minute flight in front of him. At least eight hours of it would be bed time. Curling up the best he could he tried to shut his eyes. Okay now he found a major difference, seats that don't recline. It should have been a standard feature for a flight this long but he would manage. Having the ability to fall asleep anyplace in any position definitely had its perks. Just getting comfortable enough to close his eyes he jumped up and out of the chair, it was a good thing the bathroom was right behind him. Deep down he got the feeling this would go on for a while, which wasn't at all what he needed. He had a twelve hour flight, the last thing he wanted to do was spend it in the bathroom.

After four hours of constantly running back and forth he was finally able to settle down. The person next to him kept staring at him which drove him nuts. If they wanted to ask they should just do it. The whole staring thing was really getting to him.
*Just close your eyes and sleep for a little bit. You'll feel better when you do.* Getting comfortable again he shut his eyes and allowed himself to drift off. His dreams were filled with memories of Kyouya, all the times they spent together, how they made each other happy.
*What am I doing?*
His eyes snapped open to see the cabin dark. The memories gave him a horrible case of homesickness; he began to doubt this whole thing. What was he doing leaving Japan like this, leaving Kyouya like this? They were in love; they would have found a way to make it all work out for them. Kyouya should have known that he was going to be a father, they should have raised the baby together.
"God I am so stupid."
Hugging his knees to his chest he rested his head on them. He couldn't cry anymore, his eyes were too dry and he was exhausted.
"I can't go back now; I've come too far to just turn back. Besides I left for Kyouya's sake, for his future."
Closing his eyes he fell back asleep as he was. This time there were no dreams, no memories, no thoughts about the future, finally his mind could rest for a little while.

Stepping out of the terminal he couldn't help but look around, he was really back in France. Seeing that it was after five pm he tightened his grip on his duffel bag and started walking out of the airport. He couldn't waste time, he needed a place to stay before it got too dark and he needed to eat something. The last thing he really ate was dinner in Japan, which his body decided not to keep in him and the meals on the plane he barely touched. Getting a paper with apartment rentals in it he searched for cheaper places in the area. He wasn't looking for fancy, fancy would cost more. Circling a few he asked for basic directions to the closest one to start with. If he couldn't rent out something tonight because if paperwork he could go to some cheap motel, that wasn't something he wanted to do at all but it beat living on the streets for the night.

Arriving at the first apartment complex he was happily surprised to see the super still on duty. Keeping his confidence high he walked over to him at his office.
"Can I help you with something kid?
"Yes, actually you can. I would like to inquire about the rooms your renting out here."
He could tell the man was looking over him from head to toe.
"How old are you?"
"I'm sixteen sir."
"Forget it. I don't rent to minors."
"But I…"
"I said forget it; now beat it before I throw you out by force!"
Walking out he stopped down the street at the corner for the second address he could look into. At least he was a lot closer to it now since he walked half way already.

The second apartment wasn't any better; he reached the third one with a feeling it wasn't going to go any better. After being thrown out of there and laughed at for even thinking they would do it he walked to an ally way to sit. It was after seven already and completely dark. Logic told him to get a motel room for the night and try again tomorrow but at the same time he didn't think they would rent out a room to him either.
"Now what am I going to do?" He never thought his age would be a problem. If he couldn't get a place to stay then what would he do? If the government found out then they would take the child away from him once they were born. He didn't want that to happen. Not saying they wouldn't go to a loving family but he didn't want to lose or hand over his baby. Hugging his knees he tried to stay warm while he thought of something.
"Oh Kyouya…" Closing his eyes he didn't see the person come out of the building he leaning against.
"Are you lost? It's freezing out you should be indoors."
Hearing someone close to him he woke up and quickly stood with the help of the building.
"S…sorry I didn't mean to disturb your business; I'll just be on my way."
He didn't want to be yelled at again for loitering. Just because the woman was older didn't mean she was nice.
"What's your name child?"
"Su…. Tamaki Suoh, Madame."
"You shouldn't stay out here in this cold or you'll get sick. It may snow again tonight so you better hurry home."
"Oh okay, thank you for telling me."
Now he really had to find a place to stay the night, being stuck outdoors in a snow storm would not be good.
"Why not come inside for a little while and warm up. I just closed shop but everything should still be warm."
"Oh no thank you. I don't want to be a bother and I really don't have the money to pay you."
"It's on the house now come on, I insist."
Feeling he didn't have a choice he followed her into the side entrance and into the kitchen behind a small café.
"Go ahead and relax at the table, I'll get you some soup. It's onion, you can choose if you want the cheese or not, it will only take a second to melt over."
"You really don't have to, I'm fine really. I should really go." As he went to stand he heard his stomach growl. The woman gave him a look to sit back down and placed the soup in front of him
"Here you go, enjoy, I promise you its good."
Sitting back down, he took a bite, happily taking his spoon down for more he was eternally grateful.
"Where is home for you Tamaki? Do you live far from here?"
Looking up he debated what to say. He could say Japan and make it seem like he was in France for vacation but this woman was being so kind, lying didn't sit right with him.
"At the moment, I'm not sure yet."
"You have no home to go to? Surely you must have some place."
For some reason he felt okay telling this stranger everything. He told her what he never told his father, or Kyouya, the two people that should have known.
"I never would have imagined that my age would mess up my plans this badly."
"How old are you dear?"
"I'm sixteen Madame."
"So you still have a while before you become legal. Oh silly me how could I forget, my daughter and son-in-law own a complex they rent out. Why don't I talk to them and see if they have a place for you."
"You would do that for me? You really don't have to, I don't want to inconvenience you."
"Nonsense it's fine. I can even offer you my guest bedroom for the night."
"You don't have to do that."
"I will not take no for an answer. Where will you go for the night? It's much too cold to spend it on the streets. You'll freeze to death out there."
"Thank you Madame. You're too kind, how can I ever repay you?"
"You can promise me you'll try your hardest to have a good life and make something out of it."
"I'll try my best Madame; that is the best I can do."
"Good to hear."
She placed more food in front of him and as none of it bothered him he dug in. Real French cooking, how he missed it. The chiefs he had at home, while they did a good job it really couldn't compare. Once he finished he helped her clean up, it was the least he could do to repay her for her kindness.

"Madame may I ask something? Why are you helping me? I am grateful but I don't know you do I? So why help a complete stranger?"
"Tamaki child, the world is full of people that turn their back on each other. They have forgotten that we all need each other to survive. Those of us that can, need to help those that are in need. One day the roles just may very well be reversed. I can tell your trying you're hardest to do what is right, you are only human and made a mistake but you're trying to make it all work out. I cannot ignore that fact the way many others do."
"Please know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart and please know that if I get the chance to give back I will."
"I hope you do get the chance as well but if you don't then always make sure you can take care of your child."
"I will, I know I can promise you that will happen."
"Very good. Now come I bet you want to relax, the bedroom has an attached bathroom you can use as you please."

Taking his bag he followed her upstairs to the room. It felt strange to be spending the night here when he didn't know her. Unless, he knew her from when he lived here with his mother? No she would have mentioned it earlier.
"Here you go dear, make yourself at home. This room used to be my daughters but since she moved out to live with her husband I converted it into a guest bedroom."
"Thank you again for this but you really don't have to."
"Enough of that. You will spend the night and tomorrow we will take to my daughter understand."
"Yes Madame."

After he showered he laid on the bed to try and fall asleep. Sleep seemed so far off as his mind questioned what he would do next if he couldn't find a place. He had enough for a flight back to Japan, he may have to do that if this failed.
"If that happens then I am truly sorry Kyouya."
The smell of breakfast woke him up followed by the wave of nausea. The sooner this ended the better; he really couldn't handle it anymore. When he made it downstairs he saw breakfast waiting for him.
"Good morning Tamaki. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes thank you. This smells…delicious." He didn't want to seem rude by not eating but he wasn't sure he could actually do it.
"If you're not feeling well you could just eat the pancakes. You need to eat something. Not doing so will only make it worse."
Taking her advice he grabbed a pancake to try and eat it to help combat the nausea. There really needed to be a medicine or something to help combat it. If there was a 'cure' for everything else then why not for this?
"Whenever you're done eating and ready to go we will. You're in no rush though. I don't need to be here for the café to open. My staff can manage without me."
Scared to eat too much he finished up and ran back upstairs, grabbing his bag and headed back down.
"I'm ready to go."
Zipping his coat up and allowing his body heat to keep him warm outside he tried to not worry about what could happen next. He had to have faith in this woman and how open her heart was; something so big had to have been passed to her daughter.

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I know I know slow moving. It should start to pick up next chapter so bare with me. Please review and leave any thoughts or ideas.
~Femalefighter~