Disclaimer *I do not own Ouran Host Club.
Kaoru's POV.
Hikaru's doodles
Chapter 3. A call to mother.
"Well, then…. make the call…I'm not going to lose her to anyone …any longer."
"I smile at him and nod and flip out my orange phone."
Ring …Ring…Ring.
"Hello, how may I help you?" A man answers in a business like tone
"Hey, James can mom talk?"
"Oh Hello, Kaoru, it is you right?"
"Yes? How did you know James… how could you tell?"
"Your mum's cell has caller id for your cell phone. So, sweetie what are you and you're adorable, naughty brother up to, today?'
"Ah... Well were hoping mom might have some ideas for us ….for a personal issue."
Oo" how delicious … which one of you has the problem? "
'James is nice and all and I know mom loves him to death but would it kill him to let me, just once talk to mom directly? The man is like my mom's age, Every time, I talk to my mother I need to take a shower to wash the sleazy feeling away. The feelings I get from all the dirty flirting that James throws my direction, when I call my mother. Since its right before talking to mom, it messes with my head. What boy wants to admit to himself after every phone call with your mother you end up in the shower? I know Hikaru doesn't like it at all .Maybe that's why I get the job of calling mom while Hika gets the job of calling dad .I never really thought about it ,hmm ."
Clearing my throat. "James were hoping, we can talk to our mother .Can she talk?" firmly speaking.
"Aw… she's wrapping things up, she will be ready in a minute or two. ….I'm dying to know… your mother, she won't be able to keep it to herself for long …so spill."
"Its Hikaru ….it's kind of a delicate matter."
"Koa, who are you talking to." With a raised eyebrow.
"I mouthed the words James to my brother."
Hikaru rolled his eyes and went to sit on our bed, to wait.
"Ooo, those are the best kind, male or female?"
Rubbing my temple to ward off my headache "Female." The word just falls out of my mouth I'm just drained by this point in the conversation. 'After all, James is right on one thing, I learned when we talk to our mom it goes in her ear and out her mouth to her little gaggle of associates, she travels around with.
"Oh poo, I was hoping he would be playing on my team, we are always in need for another good, tight end. Well, their always my sweet Kaoru, I've noticed your little tight end. His words were dripping with sexual tones.
A shiver runs down my spine. 'Hika you so owe me for this one.' Clearing my throat a bit. "Sorry James, but your old enough be my father." Speaking firmly.
Hika, casually laying on our bed, pretending to be reading a manga. Starts to laugh while shaking his head at my half of the conversation .I shot my brother a hard glare. 'Oh, I'm so going to pay you back, Hika.'
"Ooo, Kaoru my sweet, do you have a daddy complex, because I would be happy to take you over my knee and discipline you .My little naughty boy."
Shaking my head trying to shake the image that just oozed into my thoughts .At the sight of my reaction, Hika just burst out in more laugher. 'Oh that's it! , Dad's secretary is getting an enormous order of roses sent to her desk with my brother's best regards sent. How should I sign the card? I'll worry about that later.' I smile with an evil grin with the thought of the approaching torment, I was about to unleash on my brother. I try to use my emotional restraint that I'm known for by the other club members. I straighten my shoulders. 'Just get it over with, your almost there, I have to do this .We need mom's help.' "Can you just get my mother …Please?" Asking with a firm tone with a small dash of annoyance that I was unable to completely cover.
"Oh, very well. "With a heavy sigh.
"Thank you, James" Relieved that at least, it's over.
"Yuzuha-sama you have a phone call from one of your boys, its Kaoru. He said he needs some help with a girl? Handing her the cellphone."
"Tsk, Tsk... James stop with the pouting. We have talked about this, my boys are off limits to you."
"Kaoru, how's mommy's little pumpkin? Speaking with a squeal of delight.
"Ahhh, mom not the pumpkin thing now. I've already been hit on several times by James, by the way, he took for freaking ever to pass along your cell phone."
"Sweetie, I was right next him in the car, he just wanted to have a little fun with you, that's all."
I slapped a hand to my forehead at the thought of my mother letting one of her lackeys torment me for fun. "Mom, do you have time to talk to Hika and myself? We need some help."
"Yes, were headed to airport. Of course I can talk with you, put my Baby blu on the speaker. "
I nod over to my brother signaling for him to come over." Hey Hika, mom can talk …she wants her Baby blu on speaker turning my head, chucking.
Hikaru walks over and rolls his eyes. "Kaoru this is hard enough, as is." hissing at me.
'Obviously, he has no idea what I just went through.' I push my phone's speaker on to talk "Go, ahead mom."
"Oh, is this my sweet Baby blu?"
Chuckling at Hikaru rolling his eyes at his baby name our mother always calls him. "Yeah mom, I'm here with your little pumpkin." Chuckling towards me.
I stop chuckling, shot a glare towards my brother.
"So what can mommy do for her boys? "
"Well as I told James, we need your help with a plan …for a personal matter ….ah, well… I think maybe Hika, should talk to you first."
"Ok, Hikaru do you need to speak with me alone?"
"No, Koa knows everything as usual."
"Ok, Baby Blu I'm all ears what's this about?"
Clearing his throat. "Well you see, about an hour ago Kaoru confronted me about ….my feelings. I mean, I already knew about them, but I didn't think I could act upon them …that's when Koa, convinced me that I might have a chance."
"Oh sweetie are you finally telling me you are going to get off your lazy duff and try to take Haruhi's hand ….I been simply waiting ages for you to take that lovely little china doll's hand …I must say you waited long enough." Speaking excitedly
Hika's eyes went wide, astonished at his mother's words. I couldn't help start to laugh at my brother's response to mother's reply.
Throwing his hands around him until he slaps a hand to his head. "Wait... what... you know?"
"Well of course I know, I do have eyes. You know… it's all over your designs. From what I have noticed… Sweetie, I think you have far more than just a mere chance to take her hand."
"Hey Hika, isn't that what I told you."
With irritation painted on his face. "Yeah ,yeah I know it seems everybody noticed ….but go ahead by all means, rub it in you two. Wait it's on my designs… how?"
"It's not actually on your designs, but I have noticed that lot of your designs are made to compliment a cetin girl. I've also noticed scribbles on the sides of the paper your designs are sketched on .That you turn over to me it's not very professional… but it is adorable." Hika just sat there stunned letting our mother's words run over him. "It wasn't just school …It was for the company too. How long have I been scribbling my feelings out on paper, all over the place? "Speaking to himself.
Glancing over at my brother, once more I decide he's in no shape to continue with the conversation. "Well, mom as you had previously stated Hikaru has decided to get off his lazy duff and take Haruhi's hand."
Leaping from our bed with his cheeks going red, glaring at me. "Wait, wait I'm not even out of high school! The only thing I want to win is Haruhi's heart. No one said anything about hand." Hikaru speaks In a panicked voice.
"Click."… A flash goes off as I take a picture with Hika's phone. I quickly send a text and the picture.
"Hand …heart what is the difference? It's all going to end the same. You just have to lay a little ground work. Sweetie I do recall just talking to you about taking her hand." Our mother talking a little firm at the end.
"You should see your face Hika." At this point I'm laughing, pointing at Hikaru's blue phone, with a picture of my red faced brother panicked on the screen.
"Oh, Kaoru that's adorable!" Our mom laughs. "James, look, look at my little Baby Blu. Thanks Pumpkin.
"Wait you sent her the picture?" I could tell he was annoyed with me, while I was laughing like a hyena.
"Ahhh, Baby Blu it's so sweet." My mother talking with affection.
"Mother …don't call me that …err… oh, never mind this is pointless, sorry for bothering you. "His voice once flamed with Irritation melts into defeat.
"Wait, wait sweetie, I 'm sorry …do you know what I see in that picture? I see my little boy. All grown up and in love with a girl that I believe was made just for you …..So I'm immensely happy for you, sweetie …and the family of course" In a calm comforting voice.
Sighing with disbelief and irritation with our mother's words. How can you see all that? What do you mean you're happy for the family?"
"Well Sweetie, as I said before, I'm not blind …it's in your eyes .I have been able to see it in your eyes from the beginning. Why else would I let my darling sons hang out with a commoner all this time, because I saw it in both of your eyes? It's the same look I've seen in your father's eyes. After I noticed that look …there would be no splitting you three apart , no matter what class of society you two are from .I just sat back and waited for you two to figure out, which one was going after her .That girl is strong and keeps you and your brother inline. So I know with her help, the future heirs to our family won't go trotting around the globe like playboys. Squandering the family's fortune on some blond bimbos. I realized long ago being friends with her has been good for you and good for the family." Speaking with affection.
Clears her throat "So, with that said. You both know what I expect …it maybe down the road a bit but that road is fast approaching… Hikaru are you ready for that?" Mom tone changed with a flick of a switch from being soft, affectionate to serious and business like. It sent chills down my spine.
I elbowed Hikaru. "See… What did I tell you, about mom?"
"Kaoru can you stick by your decision… to stand aside and help your brother? Take your time dear, once the decision is made there is no going back… I will not have this family torn apart."
Swallowing hard I thought deeply. 'I knew this day would come this was the point of no return, my heart burned. Can I really live with this burn all my life? It's been a long time, since I decided to give her up. It hasn't calmed down yet. …but I have a feeling, if I don't… it will quickly eat Hika alive. It's already started. He's less sure of himself, willing to give up to Tamaki and the others and not fight… that's not my brother's normal behavior and I know I could never live through watching him slowly disintegrate from the brother I have grown up with through the years .'
I Quickly pull on my mask and speak with a serious calm tone "Yes, mom as long as it's Hika and to no one else .I have already given her up long ago ….she's only going to be… a friend to me .My best friend besides, my brother ."As soon as word "friend" fell from my mouth my stomach turned violently but I stiffened my shoulders with my resolve. 'My brother loves her deeply and I love my brother… so I made my choice to live with the burn for my brother's and my best friend's happiness.'
"Well Hikaru, I know your young…but you heard your brother and I have a feeling you know how he feels, right now. He has strong feelings for Haruhi but he is willing to set them aside and live with those feeling. Possibly, the same feelings you have, for the rest of his life for your sake .I'm sorry but when it comes to this family… I'm afraid there is no half way with this particular girl. So I will ask again. Are you ready for this?"
Hikaru looked at me with glossy eyes. "Koa, I know I said I could live without her and was willing to give her up but my entire body burns...It been burning for years… since we met her. I don't think I could give her up. Is it the same for you? Do you feel like you're covered in flames …inside? I can't do that to you, your my baby brother .I'm supposed to look after you …not cause you unending pain. I'll let her go, somehow for you." He turned to walk away from me, defeated once more.
Throwing a comforting hand across my brother's shoulders. "Hika, I do burn inside a….little but I've know that your feelings are far stronger than mine, ever could be .That's why, I wouldn't let you walk away. Yeah sure, It hurts …but I have a feeling it would be far worse for both of us, it you walked away from her .I told you I would only give her up to you and that's the reason why, I can live with a little burning to protect us both ."
"Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry" I could tell my mother was almost in tears with my words which had me a little concerned my mother was never really an emotional women . "Well Hikaru, you heard what your brother is giving up for you. What's it going to be?
'There's that switch again from almost to tears to firm business woman. If I didn't know any better I could have sworn my mother was a bit bipolar. Maybe it's has something to do with being a mother of twins? No, that can't be it. She was never around us when we were growing up. Although my mom is right, we have grown closer with our parents these last couple of years, knowing Haruhi. They would always be popping around, when she was with us. I have no idea why though. Well maybe a little idea …but I'm not a pervert I can control myself.
I noticed my brother sweating and he swallowed hard 'I don't blame him… this is huge and for once I'm a little sad but relived, for standing aside. We both know once you give your word to our mother, that's it .It's family law from then on.' "I…I guess. No I know, I love her and I want to see this through… So, yes I agree there's no half way for me or the family." Hika speaks nervously but in the end firmly finishes and verbally signs an unbreakable contract with our mother.
I bring the blue phone to my face" Click "quickly sending another text. "Ah, this one I'm using for my laptop's wallpaper …I sent it to you mom it's on it way." 'I figured I would try and cut the tension from the conversation, giving my brother a much needed change of topic for the moment. It's not every day you agree to marry your future girlfriend while your still in high school but I do see my mom's point and I guess it's for the best .'
Grabbing his phone from my hand and tossing it in his pocket. "Ok, ok .Can we please forget about the pictures for now and concentrate with the matter at hand?" Sounding serious so unlike my brother.
"Of course sweetie, James was telling me that you needed my help with Haruhi. How can I help?'
"Hey, mom it's Kaoru, I have to agree with you, that she does have some kind of feelings for Hika but he's running out of time."
"Oh? You mean because the other members."
"You know that, too?" We both replied astonished.
"Well, it nothing I've seen daily but I could tell something was amiss with all of you. At the last culture fair, I attended. She is a very special girl… so it was expected."
"So mom, why didn't you help me convince Hikaru then?" Sounding a bit annoyed. Knowing that I would have had an accomplice, all this time. Which could had made this whole situation easier and faster.
"Sweetie, I already stated, I wasn't sure which one of you would step aside and it wouldn't be right helping one son over the other son."
Shaking at my head and slapping forehead with an annoyed voice the last five words melted into sadness. "Well mom, when I was finally, able to try and convince Hikaru, I found out he was stepping aside for me. We both almost walked away. "I could tell that both of us didn't much care for the last five words. You could hear the loss in my voice with those words falling right out of my mouth. It made both of us flinch.
"I wouldn't have allowed that. Even if I had to arrange something with her father. One of you ….would have been extending an invitation to her. To join the family. One way or another" Sounding business like once more.
At that moment, both I and my brother glance at each other with wide eyes. 'She had a plan all along and this proves what I've been taught, all these years by observing my family. Never stand in the way of what a Hitachiin wants especially when it comes to my mother and my dear brother.'
"I guess, I was right about mom." Sounding astonished.
"Yeah, I guess she did have a plan all this time." stunned.
"Hello? Boys….? Earth to boys …come in we have plans to make… Hello?"
"Oh, ah… we need time to get Haruhi's feeling to spark for Hika." Shaking out of my stunned state.
"So we thought for this winter break, we would take Haruhi out of the country." Hika finishing my thought.
"As I recall… you two have your own private jet since your last birthday what's the problem." Sounding confused.
"Well, one she doesn't have a passport." 'Hikaru sounding a little annoyed probably because he fell in love with a commoner with no passport. Something our mother probably attained for us, before the ink was even dry on our birth certificates.'
I clear my throat to speak "And number two… As you know, we have invited her quite a few times before. She never once accepted our invitations." Trying to follow my mother's business like attitude.
"Well James, can handle the passport… As for her accepting. I know you have kidnapped her before just do it on a grander scale." With mischief in my mother's voice. 'See, never stand in the way, of what my mother wants.'
"We have kidnapped her before… but it was for Tamaki and the club. So she would be upset with us, pissed at Tamaki. Since she still had a debt to pay, she would get over it with Kyoya's convincing her."
"Koa, more like threating her to add more to her debt." Sounding annoyed.
"I see… and you can't get Kyoya's help?" Letting Hika's words bounce right off her.
"No. One she worked off her debt and two, Kyoya is one of the reasons we need to act fast."
"Really, the more I hear about the girl, the more I simply adore her. What do need from me, besides the passport?"
"Haruhi, may grumble a lot and get pissed, but she is always willing to roll up her sleeves, help a friend. "Hikaru spoke with admiration.
I approached the topic a little nervously to mom. She always protected her business like a wild animal protecting her club "So mom, we thought maybe… you could figure something out. Where she was needed for a job with us."
"Ooo, I love that idea, Hmm well, I could always use her as one of our models, I need to take avenge of the season. How about I send you to a ski resort? The one you always like to go to."
Hika responded with caution and respect for mom's protective behavior for her company. "Mom, that sounds nice and all, but I think Mori and Honey-sempi, are planning to stay there for their break."
"Ok, how about you three meet me in Farce, to prepare for the spring runway show."
"Mom, Tamaki's from France. It he knew Haruhi was there, He would fly there at a drop of a hat. Just to say hi." At the thought of our Host King running around commandeering a military jet. Screaming like a mad man, directions to the pilot to go faster. With his body plastered to the back of the plane, like some cartoon from the GeForces pressing down on him making him flatter with every second.'
"'And rescue his little girl, from the "Hitachiin devil doppelgangers." Mom all the club members have the same resources, some more than even our family." It was nice to see Hika getting back to his old self, Blunt and honest.
"Practically scolding my brother. "Hikaru, I wouldn't say that….the family is flourishing, but it's true, they do have access to our normal getaways .Hmmm, it has to be out of the way… not the normal resorts. "
"Ok, no resorts… how about one of the vacation homes?" Hika adds
I'm Stunned for the second time today, that my brother came up with another brilliant idea .Of course he is quite a bit more devious than myself , when it comes to making plans and pulling tricks. I guess he has to be in the right mood. "That would work, but Kyoya is a bloodhound in tracing electronic footprints."
"I've got it. How, about a place that has no electronic foot print on the map." Mom speaks mischievously.
"How can a location, in this day in age, not have an electronic foot print for GPS?" 'Hikaru was skeptical and I had to admit, I was too.'
"Well, because of your father of course. Years ago, your father quite literally eased it off the map, and out of public and private records. my little hide away has an electronic bubble around it. You can see out but they can't see in. Hell it just looks like the middle of the ocean."
"You mean "Fire Red" that could work, but why there?"
"We could set up a modeling shoot with the three of you, and a couple of loyal employees."
"Yeah except, Haruhi wouldn't much care to be in front of the camera?" I was throwing cold water on our plan.
"Oh that girl, what a waste. With just a touch of what my normal models do, she could be a world renewed model." Sounding a little annoyed.
With a heavy sigh. "Yeah we know." Shaking our heads." Both of us spoke with a tired attitude.
"Ok, sweeties. How about designing some new custom patterned textiles."
"How is that going to help?"
"Well, let's just say… I needed some photos, of some of the rare plant life at the location, for some design ideas. Hikaru, you could take the pictures .While Kaoru, you could design the new fabrics."
My eyes lit up with my mother's words and spoke with an excited tone. "Oh mom, I've always wanted to try my hand at designing new textiles."
"Yeah that does sound like fun, but can Haruhi be involved?"
"She is going to keep you too on task, and since Kaoru will be spending most of his time in the design lab, Haruhi will need to be Hikaru's buddy, to be safe. While hiking to remote and might I add, a little romantic locations."
At my mother's words "hiking to romantic locations with Haruhi as his buddy" my brother's amber eyes shined brightly with a mischievous smile, emerging from his lips "That will work, I guess, I'll try and convince her dad ."Sounding extremely nervous with the last words spoken.
"Oh don't bother…What father would let two teenage boys take his daughter to undisclosed location for entire vacation alone. I can do that…Since you three have grown so close, Ranka and I talk all the time. Lucky for you. Your future father in-law is a drag queen with extremely good taste. Namely, Hitachiin designs. I'm pretty sure, I can get him to agree." With mischief pouring out of my mother tone.
"When have you been, talking to Ranka?" Both my brother and I asked rather astonished.
"Since I noticed that look in your eyes. It makes good sense to get to know your future family members. In fact James has developed quite the friendship with Ranka."
"Well James, likes a lot of people. Hey you hear that Hika, James could be your future mother in-law." With my mother's words it reminds me of a shower I'm going to have get too.
Hika doesn't reply to my last comment but makes an odd face, shivers. "Mom, we need to be completely off the radar .Please make sure Ranka keeps quiet, he will tell Kyoya everything." Hikaru warns his mother.
"Sweetie, it's not like it's my first scheme… I swear you forget sometimes, I was doing schemes before you were even a thought from your father's head. Boys, leave poor James alone. He's heartbroken because you're playing for the other team." 'Yep thanks, for the reminder mom.' I thought rolling my eyes as my mother is amused at my pain.
"Mom, do we even have those kind of flowers at the location." Hikaru asked with concern.
"Well, if we don't, all it take is phone call." Sounding bored.
You just work on getting Haruhi to the location. Let James know if you need anything prescribed, I'll work on the rest here .Oh, I will have your father ease your tracks, so your friends can't follow."
"Sounds good, thanks mom." We both thank our mother.
"Not a problem boys, glad to help." Making a quick kissing sound on the phone before ending the call.
I flip my phone closed and place it back in my pocket of my cargo shorts.
"Leave it to mom, I knew she could come up with something but this sounds amazing." Hika fell back on to our bed with his head completely obscured from view with the various fluffy pillows on our bed.
"Well from the sounds of it… mom was pretty willing to do anything to make Haruhi a Hitachiin."
Hika pulls a pillow over his face and sighs deeply. In muffled tone he speaks to me "Koa, this a lot to process .I went from boy with a crush to being a full grown man looking for a wife in a matter of..." Stick his arm under the pillow and glancing at his watch. "Two hours?" Grabbing at his chest. "I think I need to breathe."
Shaking my head at my brother talking to me from under a pillow. "Well if you want more air? Might I suggest you remove your head from under the pillows? Mr. Pillow… I know this is a lot to take but you are the first born heir and you know as well as I do. When mom wants something, it's best not to stand in front of the train. Besides were making up for lost time that we have squandered. You just said the trip sounds amazing, so get up, brother. Stop being Mr. Pillow and pull up your big boy pants, we have a lot to plan."
"Yeah, I have to admit your right. What is it three weeks? Making hand gestures from under the pillow.
"I think that's right, give or take."
"Three weeks... with Haruhi traveling around in the tropics, taking pictures." With a muffled dreamy tone under his pillow.
"Don't forget designing textiles, I've always wanted to try that. It will be a nice distraction" 'I knew why mom picked that particular project. It was going to be extremely difficult to watch the two get closer, and mend my broken heart alone. I've been bugging my mother for years to let me try that project. I can just dive into my work and ignore the rest . "
"I'll call our pilot and make arrangements." Hika reaches in his pocket to pull out his blue phone.
Pulling the pillow off my brother's head, I give him a wide smile. "Wait, just schedule time…don't give them a destination, just yet. The longer we keep it off the radar. The better chance Kyoya will be in the dark."
"Yeah you're probably right. "
"While, you're doing that... I'll start on everybody's wardrobe."
"Packing? Isn't that a little early?
"No, not packing. Everything needs to be prefect… I don't know if I'll be able to to design all new pieces… with only two weeks left… But I can use the Hitachiin lines to fill in a little here and there."
Holding up a finger "Just a minute and I'll help too."
"No thanks, I've got this." Shaking my head at Hikaru.
"Ahhh, No fair, I want to help design what's Haruhi going to wear." Giving me his world famous pout.
"Nope, knowing you… the majority of the time, you would have her in bikinis."
"Hey, I'm not a complete pervert… I've designed plenty for Haruhi." Crossing his arms annoyed at me .
"Yeah, but you how picky she is, with girly stuff. It would be better if she had somebody to blame, other than you. Besides I want this to be special for you as well. I want it to be a surprise, every time she walks down for breakfast all the way till sunset. Look, if it will make you feel better, give me your designs and I'll think about using a few. Ok? "
"Ok, sounds fair." I could tell my brother wasn't really happy with the idea, but at least he was going to accept it begrudgingly.
"Hey there is going to be plenty to do. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a prearranged date with a hot shower to get too."
With a heavy sigh. "Yeah, while you're trying to wash James out of your thoughts, I'll call our piolet. I glance at my brother with a smirk on his face.
I stick out my tongue over my shoulder and then turn to walk away but not before speaking a few words to my brother that I knew would throw him in to a tail spin. "Yeah, you should do that and afterwards you should call the little Wifey, I'm sure she's concerned about my health." I didn't need to look at my brother's response. I know him far too well. I'm sure he's flopped right back down on our bed and turned back into Mr. Pillow .I wonder how that's going to work calling the piolet... Maybe after my shower, I should call and double check. Making sure he understood Mr. Pillow's instructions. Yes, I think I will do that, right after I order the roses for Dad's secretary ….too pay back Hika for James. Ah, Revenge will be sweet.
Ok, I'm a day behind but it's done. Having two stories going on at the same time is becoming a little time consuming. I don't know how other writers do it? But like Kaoru said I need to pull up my big (girl) pants and get to planning or in this case writing. Please review and tell me your thoughts on the story. Alimackatjac
