To a Different Drum

Summary:

A military brat, through and through, the 'American Rebel' is used to rolling with the punches. Some hits just land harder than others.

Author's Note:

Aurora, or Rory, is an original female character. Unlike Haruhi, who is a female-pretending-to-be-a-male, Rory has been forced to be the 'son-her-father-never-had'. Rory suffers from gender-confusion and identity-issues. In order to make it easy to follow the switch of genders, Rory will have the pronoun 'he' and Aurora will be 'she'. I want to explore the mind-set of someone going through these problems. This story will most-likely end up a Hikaru/Rory/Kaoru trio-romance (not a love triangle). Chapter Titles will be named after song titles, and expect gratuitous use of movie/show/game references (she is American, after all.).

Reader's Keys:

'Hello' = English
'Hello" = French
'Hello' = Japanese


Chapter Four
"If You Want Blood (You Got It)"

Blood on the streets

Blood on the rocks

Blood in the gutter

Every last drop


"Kaoru?" At the sound of his name, the red-haired teen raises his gaze from the sketch he had been working on to come face-to-face with one identical to his own. "What are you doing?"

Glancing back to the various styles drawn across a few pages, Kaoru shrugs a shoulder, "I figured we could work on some outfits for Rory-san. Tamaki keeps complaining about Rory-san not dressing in the clothes we pick out, so I figured if we made some that leans more toward his tastes, he'd be more willing to...join in the fun."

"Why do you even care?" Hikaru asks, not entirely unkindly. "He barely talks to anyone aside from Haruhi and that blonde idiot. I don't even know why he made that kid a Host. He barely talks to any girls."

Kaoru nods, "True, but...we weren't the nicest people when Tamaki asked us to join his club. Tamaki obviously sees something in the kid."

Whatever Hikaru is about to say is cut off by a familiar laugh. Both twins look up to see a laughing Haruhi entering the classroom, Rory following the cross-dressing brunette at a more sedated pace. The dark-haired teen had forgone his usual blazer jacket and opted for a long-sleeved white thermal worn underneath a bold, sunset-orange military-styled vest. His dark-purple skinny jeans were decorated with a collection of silver chains that cling musically as they brush against each other with each step. One of Rory's hands is shoved into one the front pockets of his jeans, the other currently releasing the door he had held open for Haruhi. Kaoru had realized the entire time, Rory had never treated Haruhi like a boy, even before the Hosts figured it out.

Waving Haruhi off, Rory drops into his chair and his forehead immediately rests on the desk. Curious, Kaoru asks after the boy's state of being earning a small giggle from Haruhi.

"He apparently ran out of coffee. Something about a late night," she states, shrugging, "The poor guy tripped up the front steps this morning and dropped the coffee he had bought on the way here. He said it was a sign from the Gods that his day was going to be horrible."

Glancing back over at the teen, Kaoru raises an eyebrow as a petite, slightly-familiar blonde takes a seat next to him. Rory raises his head and glares at the girl, though it seems to not have any affect as the blonde giggles at his expense. Dropping his gaze back to the sketches, Kaoru tilts his head. Rory had a fascination with clashing bold, bright colors with dark undertones and often wore multiple layers. He also seemed to have a taste for contrasting colors and making them work with his outfit. As inspiration hits the red-head, Kaoru grins.

He always did enjoy a challenge.


"Hungover from last night, Rory-kun?"

Blinking tiredly, Rory lifts his forehead off the desk and glares at the petite blonde standing next to his desk, "Ugh, how are you so damn perky this morning? You drank as much as I did."

Akino Rei shrugs her shoulders, giggling at the expression on his face, "I drank a lot of water before going to bed this morning. Anyway, I never did thank you for taking me out last night. It...was nice to get my mind off of him."

Rory's glare fades into a soft, gentle smile; though the weariness in his gaze only makes him look like a child, "It was my pleasure, Rei-chan. I told you, going out and spending a night on the town is the best way to get over an asshole."

Rei nods her head in agreement, "You Americans are very funny in that manner. Do you speak from experience?"

Rory snorts, "I don't have relationships, Sugar. I freelance my services," His wink earns another giggle, before he shrugs, "No. There are times where I just...needed to escape for awhile and going somewhere where the music plays to loud to hear myself think and a stranger is willing to dance is a great way to do it."

Rei smiles softly and pats his hand, "Thank you, Rory-kun. You're a good friend."

"That's the second time someone's told me that," At the quirked eyebrow, Rory grins, "Sora-chan was too scared to actually sing so I...may have slipped a recording into the sound system and turned off her microphone. The girl is a natural at performing, but I still need to break her out of that stage fright."

Rei giggles once again, tucking a blonde curl behind her head, "Well, I'm sure being friends with you is bound to break her out of her shell. Mizu-chan and I have tried, but she would never budge."

A flirtatious grin fits onto his face as he nods, "Perhaps she just needs the right touch."

"Oh, you are so bad!"

"I know!"

As the two share in their amusement the teacher enters the room and one glance between the two pulls their conversation to a close.


"Hey! Wait up!"

Kaoru catches the wrist of the petite blonde who turns her gaze on him, "Oh...um...is there something you need?"

"You're friends with Rory-san, yes?" The blonde nods so Kaoru falls in line with her as they walk to the refractory, "I wanted to ask your opinion. Tamaki-senpai made him a Host, but he doesn't really do much...Hosting."

"Rory-kun is a great guy," the blonde states, a fierce expression fitting to her face, "He genuinely cares about people. He mentioned the customers only seeing him for his 'image', but Rory is never comfortable with talking about himself." The blonde sees his raised eyebrow and shrugs a shoulder, "He always changes the subject when it revolves around himself. Maybe you should think about helping him feel more...comfortable. He's an easy flirt, but forcing him to do it takes away from his charm."

Kaoru blinks at the insight, nodding his head, "Huh. That makes sen-"

Kaoru is cut off when a large hand grips his shoulder and whirls him around, a tall, muscular ebony-haired guy glaring at him, "What the hell is this, Rei-chan? I thought I told you to stop hanging out with those privileged losers."

Rei glares at the boy, "Leave him alone. He was walking me to lunch and simply wanted to talk. Besides, we broke up, remember?"

The guy shoves Rei off of him and grabs Kaoru by the front of his collar, causing the red-head to mourn for the wrinkles in his expensive jacket, "You think you can just charm the pants off of any girl, don't you? You think the rest of us like hearing our girlfriend go on-and-on about that stupid club of yours."

"Maybe if you did your job as a boyfriend, they wouldn't come running to us for attention," Kaoru retorts out of habit, gasping when his air supply is slowly cut off by the restricting collar..

Kaoru wasn't a fighter. He joked and played pranks and teased, but physical fighting had never been his thing. So when the large teen's fist raises in the air, Kaoru jerks back and closes his eyes in anticipation. He doesn't expect a different hand to fall on his shoulder and yank him backwards. Stumbling, he lands on the floor and looks up just in time to see a familiar dark-haired Rebel taking the hit meant for him.

"Rory!" Rei's voice shrieks in surprise as the dark-haired teen stumbles back, his head whipped to the side.

Kaoru swallows thickly as the boy's posture straightens. A line of crimson coats the kid's lip, to which he wipes at it with the back of his knuckle. Sharp, darkened-green eyes flicks from the blood on his knuckle to the abuser.

"I really hope you pulled your punch. Because I know a seven-year-old girl that can hit harder than that."

The insult leaves Rory's lips flawlessly, "Stay out of this, freak."

"I would have been more than glad to, but you're taking your anger out on the wrong person," The grin on Rory's face shows far too many teeth for Kaoru to be comfortable with, "In fact, I should thank your dominate-male tendencies, because I would have never had the chance I had with Rei-chan last night."

Kaoru's eyes widen at the insinuation and the angry red flush that spreads on the other boy's face, "What. Did. You. Just. Say?"

"Well, Rei-chan was so upset that I decided to cheer her up with a night on the town. Having her put me to bed was the highlight of our night."

The angered teen lashes out. Rory ducks under the blow, his arm hooking with the extended arm above his head. Moving behind the larger teen, Rory keeps a grip on the extended arm as his boot-clad foot connects solidly with the back of the kid's knee. Brought down to his knees, Rory pulls the arm in an odd hold. Seeing the pained look, Kaoru figures the position his arm is in isn't comfortable.

"I'm going to give you a chance to apologize for harassing an innocent bystander and being a general douche bag. One," At the stubborn silence, Rory places more pressure on the arm lock, causing the teen to wince again.

"Two.."

"Fuck you, reject."

Kaoru watches as Rory's glare darkens, "As you wish."

A sickening pop sounds as Rory pushes the arm beyond its limits. A howl of pain follows and as the pained teen lashes out wildly, catching Rory in the gut with an elbow, the shorter dark-haired teen cocks back his arm and slams a fist into the kid's temple.

"I don't hear an apology."

Kaoru's eyes widen at the sight of a switchblade appearing in Rory's hand. The injured teen's eyes widen with fear, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Rory shoves the boy away from him, "If I catch you near Rei-chan again, you will wish for today. Now beat it!" The sharp bark of orders is heeded as the other teen rushes to put distance between them.

A click sounds as Rory closes the switchblade and returns it to one of his several pockets. Kaoru can't help the lump in his throat as dark eyes turn on him, his body tensing when Rory takes a step toward him. The gleam in the boy's eyes flickers upon seeing Kaoru's tension and he freezes instantly.

Neither of the boys expect Hikaru's fist to crash into the side of Rory's face, "Get away from my brother."

Kaoru opens his mouth to assist Rory, who licks at his once-again red lips, the dark gleam back in his gaze. Giving Hikaru a mocking bow, Rory drawls a sarcastic, "As you wish."

"Wait!" Kaoru chokes out.

He doesn't. Rory stalks off with a worried blonde racing after him. Kaoru figures he'd get a chance to apologize later before Hosting start.

But Rory never shows up to Host.

Or the day following.

Kaoru forgets about the boy when it comes to everyone's attention that physical examinations will expose Haruhi's real gender.


"I wasn't aware that today was a day for your visit, Sir."

"I got a call from school. You want to explain it to me?"

"The asshole hit me first."

"And you getting home at midnight?"

"I was out of coffee."

Crack! "Don't sass me."

"Of course not, Sir."

Crack! "Show a little more respect to your superiors."

"When I find one, I'll let you know."


He really needed to watch his mouth.

Wincing as he rolls out of bed, Rory places a tentative hand to his side. Throwing on a black hooded sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants, Rory slips out of the silent, empty house and into the backyard. Carefully lowering himself to the grass, he lays back and stares at the cloudy skies. Feeling a familiar warmth at his side and a whine, Rory carefully curls up against Logan.

"You'll always love me, right boy?" Closing his eyes, Rory's lips twitch as a tongue laps at the corner of his eye, "Yeah. I love you too, Bub."


"What's with all the books, Haruhi?" Hikaru asks as he watches the brunette hoist a bag nearly bursting at the seam.

"Rory-san hasn't been in school," she deadpans, "Rei-san and I are going to his house to see if he's alright."

"Why should we care?"

"Seeing as though he was suspended for defending your brother?" Hikaru's eyes widen in surprise, "I figured you'd be a bit nicer about it. Apparently, that's too much to ask of you."

No. Rory had been standing over Kaoru with murder in his eyes. Glancing over at his brother, he blinks at the gleam of guilt in Kaoru's eyes.


Groaning at the doorbell ringing, Rory answers the door dressed in a long-sleeved thermal and a pair of red-and-black flannel lounge pants. Looking up into gold eyes, Rory curses when those eyes widen.

"You're a girl!"

"What do you want Hikaru?"

"Why do y- wait? How do you know I'm Hikaru?"

"Because you're setting off my asshole-meter."

Hikaru winces, but shakes away his guilt, "Why are you lying to everyone?"

"I never lie."

"Everyone thinks you're a guy."

Rory's usually light-green eyes darken and upon taking a closer look at his face, Hikaru notices the light yellow tinge along the apple of his cheek and the darkened bruise along his eyebrow where his piercing usually sat, "What happened to your face?"

"There was this fight a few days ago..."

Ignoring the mocking tone, Hikaru steps forward, shaking his head, eyes uncharacteristically stern, "No. I remember that day. Your piercing was still there. This," Hikaru's thumb brushes against the broken skin, "was ripped out."

A firm hand presses against his chest and he is pushed backwards, "I don't recall giving you permission to touch me. Now leave."

"Wait. I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what happened to your face."

"I fell down the stairs."

The door slams shut in his face.

Hikaru huffs with annoyance and walks back to the car waiting for him. Dropping into the back seat, Hikaru spares the house a second glance.

Single-level houses don't have stairs.


Author's Note:

Every five chapters, I give a special dedication to my reviewers/followers.

Bellz: Aww...I adored your review. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

To all of my followers: , Anlovi, ArcticIllustrator, Bellzanaph, Flutejrp, K.C.96, MISCharacter, Paridiselost

Thank you. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I won't ever go into graphic detail of domestic abuse because it is a sensitive topic. I would like to hear what you all think about the story and what you think should be improved upon. I really, really, don't want to retype the entire show, so there will be references of episodes in each chapter, but this is more about the in-between moments.