This one's short, but then, a lot of them are. Chapter 5 is one of my favourites, so reviewing will definitely grant you a reward. :3
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Chapter 4: Gothic Cosplay
Kaoru was jittery for the majority of the day. Several times, Haruhi stopped him on the way to their next class to question his erratic behavior, but Hikaru's approach always made him quicken his pace and brush her off. It bothered him that she was concerned. It bothered him more that Hikaru didn't seem to be.
He was incredibly grateful when club hours began.
Hikaru changed dramatically when the Host Club went into action. For the theme, instead of an elegant cosplay, Tamaki had selected a faux punk act. The twins and Haruhi entered and began to change into chained jeans, spiked wristbands, and torn T-Shirts. The look suited Mori and Hikaru oddly well, but Hunny looked out of place. He'd smudged charcoal under Usa-chan's eyes. The rabbit looked demonic.
Kaoru's torn black shirt had "Zetsubou" written on it in silver kanji. Chains dangled from baggy jeans, and a cross swung precariously from around his neck. Hikaru's outfit was similar, though the kanji on his shirt translated to "Korosu," and he'd spiked his hair. He was almost beaming; instead of a cross, his headphones were draped around his neck, resting on his shoulders. Kaoru could hear hard rock blasting from across the room.
"What, pray tell, gave you this idea?" Kyouya said musingly, turning slightly to glance down at the sides of his dark jeans, where leather straps wrapped around each of his legs. His shirt's sleeves were cut short and stopped just above his elbows. The shirt was dark red, save for the screaming raven rising from the hem and covering his left ribcage. "It's not exactly a look that screams "beautiful and romantic rich men," is it?"
"This style is oddly popular in America right now," Tamaki shrugged, smiling brightly. His violet eyes glinted in stark contrast against the dark make-up around his eyes. His pants bore chains, not leather straps, and his navy-blue T-shirt was completely sleeveless, leaving room for spiked wristbands. Kaoru took note of Haruhi's disability to take her eyes from him. Her outfit was a simple but elegant gown. Dark purple was edging near black, the darkest stopping at her almost nonexistent breast, to make room for a blood-red corset that would have accentuated any curves she may have had. Luckily, she didn't. She looked feminine, but not much more than usual. Hunny, his outfit nearly identical to Kyouya and Mori's except for a spiked collar at his throat, was bouncing around her and squealing.
"Americans are weird," Hikaru muttered, tugging at the chains on his legs. Mori nodded once in agreement before his eyes began to seek out Kaoru's gaze. Orange met black and both lowered their heads slightly.
Nekozawa, Mori mouthed. Kaoru's gaze flicked back to Haruhi and Tamaki, who were avoiding eye contact with each other while Kyouya watched in obvious amusement, and then to Hikaru, who was watching Hunny bounce around. Mori's mouth moved again, carefully. Be subtle.
Kaoru nodded. His mind worked fast. Then:
"Have you guys seen Nekozawa-senpai today?"
He caught a twitch under Mori's left eye, which made him fight a grin. Tamaki nodded.
"Yeah, I saw him heading to the chorus room, down the hall."
Ignoring Mori's desperate glance and Hunny's slow moving and cautious watching, Kaoru smiled. "Think it'd be a good idea to get him to come look over our outfits before we greet the girls?" He sensed the seniors relax. "It seems to be his area of expertise."
"Might prove to be useful," Kyouya said. "Go on."
"Want company?" Hikaru offered, stepping forward and smiling affectionately at his younger brother. Mori and Hunny both winced on the periphery of Kaoru's vision. He felt hurt and loneliness rising in his chest, and with it, an ache. With intense difficulty that invoked a sob to catch in his throat, he shook his head and turned his back to the others. Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes.
"I'm fine. I'll be right back."
He sensed confusion and relief coming from different members. From Hikaru, he felt pain. He ignored his empathy and pressed on. Though he failed to catch the words, he heard Hunny's falsely enthusiastic voice successfully changing the subject. Hikaru's response was a low and incoherent murmur from Kaoru's place in the hallway, but his tense body eased at the sound of it.
Raising his fist hesitantly to knock at the door to the chorus room, Kaoru took in a breath. It came out as a startled yelp as it opened, just as his knuckled descended. Crystal blue eyes regarded him, and a pale hand was against the doorframe. Nekozawa watched him briefly, his hood down and his eyes exposed under dark bangs. After a moment, he pushed open the door and raised his right hand so Belzenev could make a welcoming gesture.
"Arigatou. Um, I need to ask you a rather…unusual favour, Nekozawa-sama."
A wry smile twisted the older boy's lips. His eyes were knowing.
"You have a cat problem."
Taken aback, Kaoru almost laughed. "Yeah. How did-"
"I'm in Haninozuka-san's class. I sat behind him today. His bag sneezed at me, and then a nose popped out of the bag, followed by a head. It stared at me. I pushed it back in so no one else noticed." He inclined his head thoughtfully, the little smirk turning into a far friendlier grin. "Didn't think he'd ever do that."
"I found three kittens thrown out yesterday, two orange ones and a black and white one, which Mori, Hunny, and I named Tsuki, Yuhi, and Akatsuki. We're a bit taken with them. Hunny adopted Yuhi, and didn't want to leave him alone."
"So, what? You want me to cat-sit during Black Magic Club hours?" Nekozawa's expression didn't change, but Belzenev crossed his arms and tapped a pointed hand as if impatient.
"Do you mind?" Kaoru said anxiously.
"Not in the least. I really do like cats, and it's almost All Hallow's Eve, so they won't be safe left without someone watching them. My club utilizes the empty classroom on the second floor…that old math room in the B Wing…and I head there between each class to gather myself. We could keep the kittens there. Maybe Hunny and Mori could come with me occasionally to check on them too." Belzenev was making suggestive motions. Kaoru had trouble meeting Nekozawa's eyes for that reason.
"I'd be grateful. May I ask you something though?"
"Of course."
"You knew Hunny and I were involved…but how did you know Mori was?"
"Are we talking about the same people?" Nekozawa asked, frowning slightly and cocking an eyebrow. Kaoru chuckled softly and Belzenev appeared to do a little dance on the puppeteer's hand. "Does anyone else know about the three kittens? Hunny claimed Yuhi, so I'm guessing Mori claimed one and you claimed the other?"
"The black and white one, Tsuki, is Mori's. Yuhi, as you saw, is orange with a brown ear. Akatsuki is the only female, and she's mine. None of the others know about the kittens…just Mori, Hunny, us, and Mori's younger brother."
"Not telling Hikaru?" Belzenev rubbed a nonexistent chin. Nekozawa's eyes were inquiring, but serious. Kaoru shook his head.
"He's not involved. And we're trying to keep it that way."
Belzenev saluted as the senior lowered his head in a nod. "Secret kittens. Got it. I'll be glad to help."
"Thanks so much," Kaoru sighed gratefully. Nekozawa and Belzenev both raised their left hands to wave him off.
"It's nothing. Now can I ask you one thing?"
"Mm?"
"Why are you dressed like an American faux "Goth" rocker?"
Kaoru grinned. "Cosplay. Which reminds me. You've got to look over our outfits, just for a second."
"Your excuse for coming here?"
"Un."
"Fine, then," he said, raising his hood over his hair and shaking his bangs into his eyes. Belzenev swayed menacingly on his hand and an eerie smirk crept over the senior's lips. In an instant, Kaoru's feelings of comfort and gratitude faded into a shudder of unease.
"Let's go," Nekozawa hissed softly, chuckling.
Shivering, Kaoru opened the door to lead him out, the quiet clacking of his chains an odd contrast to the swishing of Nekozawa's black cloak.