Kaoru's Barriers
Hikaru was very relieved to have Haruhi beside him, helping with Kaoru's return to Ouran. She was gentle and kind towards Kaoru, getting him to actually respond to questions through written notes. Sure, he was a little jealous, that his twin responded more to Haruhi than himself, but he let it go. Kaoru needed patience and compassion, there wasn't going to be any room for petty emotions like jealousy.
Hikaru had listened in to Haruhi offering to accompany Kaoru on his next physical therapy outing. Hikaru had tried participating with Kaoru during the dolphin experience, and his twin hadn't seemed overly happy to have him along. Then again, nothing lately brought a smile to Kaoru's face. Maybe Haruhi could really break through Kaoru's wall and get his brother back to the way he use to be.
After school, two separate limos came to pick the twins up, one to take Kaoru into a routine check up, while the other would take Hikaru home. He had asked Haruhi to tag along, needing the company since his twin had become so distant. The couple rode in silence, holding each others hand as they quietly thought about their day. Kaoru was not the same person any more, Haruhi had an easier time accepting him as he was. While Hikaru still clung to the memory of how he had once been, holding onto the memory so tightly that it was difficult for Hikaru to acknowledge Kaoru's different personality.
The mansion was empty, his parents busy with work still, giving the couple opportunity to relax and openly show affection. Haruhi was draped over Hika's body as they lounged on a long plush couch in front of a enormous television. Watching an old black and white film involving mobsters and detectives. The screen was on for mostly background noise, their attention paid more to one another's embrace as the silly old film played on.
Hikaru was gently stroking Haruhi's short locks when she asked him how things had been going around his home life, if his parents had stopped arguing as much.
"They've cooled down a bit. I don't know if that's a good sign or bad, but at least Kaoru and I don't have to listen to it for now. Did you know that he's been sleeping in his own separate bedroom since the accident? Even when he was through with surgery, Kaoru wouldn't...he wouldn't." Hikaru paused, his body going stiff as Haruhi turned to look at him. His face was filled with hurt, eyes glassy as he tried not to cry.
"Hika..." Haruhi sighed, cupping his cheek with one hand.
"He won't sleep with me. Every time I even start to ask, he walks away from me, Haruhi! He just walks away..." Here he let out his tears, pulling his girl in close as he wept into her hair.
Haruhi held him back, rubbing his shoulders as she tried to think of something reassuring to say. Kaoru had gone through a lot, it was going to take time for him to cope with the way things currently were. It seemed that sleeping in the same bed as his twin was one of those things that just was going to take patience and time.
"I'll talk to him, next time he goes to physical therapy, when I'm with him I'll try to see what's going on inside his head." She promised her boyfriend, kissing his forehead sweetly.
"Haruhi...he's refused to go anymore. I don't know how you'll be able to talk to him." Hika sighed, but Haruhi kept a determined look on her face.
"Did your parents agree with his decision?" She curiously asked.
"Well no, but how can you force him to go when he doesn't want to?" He asked her.
"Let me do some research, maybe I can find something that will change his mind, catch his interest." She was serious, her promise to help with Kaoru making Hika's sad heart lighten.
"If anyone can do it, it'd be you Haruhi." Hika smiled at her warmly, bending down to kiss her soft lips. With Haruhi's help, they could figure out Kaoru's true feelings and maybe get him back to the way he once was.
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Haruhi was an avid movie watcher, (when she wasn't studying), secretly enjoying movies that started out tragic but ended happily. Her physical therapy idea for Kaoru to try, came from watching a movie she had seen when she was a fair bit younger. It had been about a young girl and her horse, they had an accident together injuring both of them, physically and mentally traumatizing the pair. Long story short, the girl was able to work through her physical and mental disabilities by using horseback riding as a form of therapy.
Now, movies weren't always an accurate source of information, so Haruhi went online and researched real life facilities in Japan that catered to persons with disabilities. What she found intrigued her, the practice of using horses as a way of therapy was fairly new to their country, but studies showed that it was actually quite beneficial.
There were three main aspects in riding for people with disabilities; "Hippo-Therapy" which helped participants recover physical functions. "Therapy-riding" which brought physical, educational, and mental through learning riding skills as well as taking actual care for the horses at the facility. The final aspect was "Recreational Riding" which was the act of riding for the simple pleasure of it. All in all, the idea sounded inviting and intriguing.
Haruhi had the twins mothers contact information, and decided to send her a quick email about possibly setting Kaoru up for a day at the facility. Adding that she would willingly come along and make sure the stubborn boy actually tried participating. It was worth a shot at this point, attempting therapy was better than abandoning it completely. Hopefully between his mother and herself, Kaoru could be convinced to travel down the right path towards a slow but steady recovery.
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Disclaimer: Ouran Highschool Host Club doesn't belong to me.
A/N: My work schedule has been super busy! I will try to keep updating often, but I'm so gosh darn tired after work! :( Anyway, I hope you all like where this is going! As for the movie Haruhi had seen, can anyone guess which one I'm referencing?