Kaoru

Father scolded me for my ignorance. 'Mother' stared with a disgusted expression. Ku-chan told on me, faking that tragic, wounded expression to win the sympathy of my 'parents'. And I was sent to Father's study, forced to kneel waiting by the door until he finished talking to Ku-chan about my recent behaviour.

And I knew that Ku-chan would say nothing good about me. He never reported anything good to Father, no matter how hard I tried to behave. Ku-chan hated me, I knew, most likely because I was the youngest, lowest-ranking son. And he was assigned to me, of all the other twelve intelligent, potential heirs. It was obvious that I would not inherit my Father's land and power, since I was too young – ten years younger than the twelfth son.

But all the others are snobs, sick people who would do anything for power. And that was Ku-chan included.

The door burst open violently, and Father strode in. He had that deep frown on his face, the one always etched on brow. He glared at me sternly, paced around the room, sighed, and finally sat down at his desk.

"Kaoru. Just because you're the youngest doesn't mean you can slack off like this."

"I didn't, Father." I murmured, head lowered.

Father ignored me, continuing his speech. "I understand that you're only ten, and that the loss of Hikaru really hurt you. Trust me, it really hurt me, too. We all feel the same way, but I've gotten over it. And you must get over it as well. I would be happy to give you a region to command – your own land – anything – but you must start studying." He said the last three words through gritted teeth, banging his fist on the table with each.

"I do, Father..." I said, still not moving my head. I dreaded the look he would give me if I met his eyes. Probably one of disapproval. Father was extremely disappointed in me, but I couldn't understand why. I did all the work teacher gave me, and worked really hard to study. So why would he...

"Kuze told me that you've had an extreme temper, especially this past year. That you're always flipping the table, storming out the door when you get a question wrong."

I froze. I never did any of that! How could Ku-chan say-

"And that you've even hit your teacher in the head with a scroll."

My eyes widened and my head snapped up to look at my father with a bewildered stare. "I didn't-"

"You are a disgrace to the Hitachiin name." Father bellowed, making me cringe. His face was beet red, and he was, indeed, glaring at me with a look of disapproval – and anger.

"I didn't do any of that! I've been trying my best to learn about everything!" I defended myself. I never expected Ku-chan to go so far with his lies.

"I highly doubt that."

"But I-"

"Then tell me about the people in my land."

I bit my lip. Father was testing me. And though I immediately recalled what I was taught, I wasn't sure if it was the right answer.

"Well?" Father was nearing the end of his patience. I had to try.

"They're disgusting, filthy creatures who deserve to vanish, Father." I murmured quietly quoting what I was told by my tutor.

But at this, Father exploded in rage. "You good for nothing brat! Kuze was right, you have no discipline whatsoever!" He yelled, banging the table with his fist and shooting up to a stand.

I cringed again. "T-That's what Teacher taught me..."

"So you're saying that your teacher is a traitor who would dare teach my own son such insolent things? That Kuze would just let it slide?"

I didn't answer. I wanted to say yes, but I couldn't trust Father to change Ku-chan with another caretaker. And if he didn't, Ku-chan would just cause trouble for me again.

"ANSWER ME!" Father yelled, completely losing his calm.

"I- I-" I didn't know what to do, and fell silent for a moment, thinking. Then I decided to just take the blame. "No, Father, I'm sorry. I promise to study hard from now on."

I heard him take a deep breath, then another, calming himself for several moments before he spoke again with barely suppressed rage. "Go. Get out of my sight." He said, pointing to the door, "I hereby banish you from returning to the main estate, not until Kuze reports that you've learned some respect."

I closed my eyes in compliance and bowed, before standing up and backing out of the doorway. It wasn't fair, I wanted to argue, Ku-chan really did lie. But I didn't, just left without a word.

By the time I got back to my own estate, it was already well into the night. The waning moon shone dimly from behind wisps of cloud, and the crickets chirped louder than I'd ever heard before, as if they were excited for something.

As I got off the carriage, I was immediately greeted by at least five servants. All bowing and chanting something like, "Welcome home." I didn't care. I just wanted to hurry up and get to the prison.

Haru-chan, our head main, greeted me at the door to my room, and followed me in. She was the only one who seemed even a bit humanly in this place, the only one who didn't treat me like some overly-pampered kitten.

"How was your day, Kaoru-bocchama?" she smiled warmly, walking away briefly to bring me a tray of food from another maid. "I hope Master wasn't too hard on you."

I took the tray from her before she could set it down on the table. "It was... okay..." I said, glancing at Ku-chan, by the door. "Thanks, Haru-chan." I gestured to the plate, starting to walk out the door with it.

But Ku-chan stuck out an arm, blocking my way. "Where are you going, Bocchama?"

I jerked to a stop, unwillingly jumping at his words. "N-Nowhere- I mean- I was just going to eat my dinner and-"

"Dinner?" Ku-chan asked, casting a repulsive glance at the food, then at Haru-chan standing behind me, then back at the food. Then he suddenly yelled, so harshly that it even made Haru-chan jump along with me. And she usually wasn't afraid of Ku-chan. "HARUHI! What time do you think it is? It's too late to be serving the young master food!"

Haru-chan glanced up at Ku-chan for a moment before looking down again. "I thought Bocchama would be hungry after all that travel."

"We take very good care of him. We wouldn't let him become hungry." Ku-chan spat, then looked back at me. "Give me that. And go to bed."

I jerked the food away from him when he reached out to take it. "No- I- I'm hungry." I stammered, stepping back a few paces.

This seemed to fuel Ku-chan's temper. "I just fed you on the way back! How much does one ten-year-old have to eat?" He yelled, positively glaring at me with the intent to kill. "And to think you got banished from going to the main estate – I should starve you for a few days. Then you'll know the shame I feel." He sputtered, pointing a finger at me, shaking with rage. His face was so red, and he seemed to be losing control.

I shrunk back, cringing and preparing for the beating that was sure to come. Ku-chan often lost his temper around me, and when he did, he just started hitting me until he calmed down. Though, as the servant he technically was, he didn't have the right to touch me. But I never had to guts to tell Father.

Then a thought struck me, one I've never had before. I could just have all the other servants gain up on him – at least ten against one. No matter how strong Ku-chan was, he wouldn't be able to beat that many people.

It would be risky. Ku-chan would get mad, and tell Father. But I really needed to see this boy. I really needed to see Hikaru.

And besides, if Ku-chan was just going to make up things about me anyway, then I might as well stand up for myself.

I glanced at Haru-chan, a questioning glint in my eyes, silently asking her permission. I thought of her as my guardian more than Ku-chan could ever be.

She nodding slightly at me with an encouraging smile. There was a happy glint in her eyes, as if she had been expecting this.

Ku-chan made me jump again my shouting my name. "Kaoru! What are you plotting there with Haruhi? She's a bad influence, you hear me? I forbid you from talking to her!"

I turned a steely glare at him. "Be quiet, Ku-chan. Stop minding my business. I can do what I want, I'm the master of this house, not you, do you u-understand?" my voice quivered at the last moment, my will shattering from the murderous glare he threw me.

He advanced on me, face deep red and fist raised, ready to hit me. I flinched, squinting my eyes shut and turning my face away to avoid the blow. And waited. But the pain never came.

After a while, I cracked an eye open and looked up, to see why Ku-chan hadn't hit me yet. And was greeted by the sight of Haru-chan, doubled over, panting, and Ku-chan with a shocked expression on his face which was slowly distorting into more rage.

Haru-chan had taken the hit for me? Why?

She turned slightly to look at me, a small smile still on her lips. And though she was still trying to catch her breath, there was a confident spark in her eyes. She was trying to encourage me, and it worked. I found myself slowly gaining more and more confidence. If Haru-chan, a maid, had the guts to stand up to Ku-chan, then why should I?

Buy now, Ku-chan's anger seemed to have taken hold of his momentary calm, and he started shouting again. "HARUHI! YOU-" he shouted, breaking off into angeredsilence. He opened his mouth, drawing in a deep breath and prepared to shout again when I cut in.

"Kuze." I said, catching his attention immediately with my demanding tone. And the fact that I had used his actual name, probably. The breath he was taking seemed to die in his throat, and he look genuinely shocked for a moment. "Get out of my way before I become angry with you. And leave Haruhi alone."

The shocked expression remained on Ku-chan's face with my command, and his mouth dropped open even more than it already was. "W-What did you just say to me?" he asked, still stubbornly cross.

"I said get out of my way. Or I will become angry with you." I stared at him, not willing to look away first. Not this time.

"You little brat-"

"GUARDS!" I shouted, making the servants in the room jerk to life. I pointed a shaky finger at Ku-chan. "G-Get him. And take him to his room. Lock him in. Guard all the windows and doors." I said, swallowing and still refusing to look away from Ku-chan.

The man swung around to glare at the approaching guards, who immediately stopped in their tracks. "Who dares lay a hand on Kaoru-bocchama's caretaker?" he hissed, eyes narrowed.

This, surprisingly, boosted my confidence. I felt accomplished. For the first time, I wasn't the who looked away from Ku-chan. He was the one who looked away from me. "And you, the caretaker of me, dare hit me? You've beaten me many times before, Kuze. And this time, I'm not taking it anymore." I looked at the guards as well, meeting each of their eyes before going to the next pair. "Anyone who disobeys this order to seize Kuze will be punished, or possibly killed." I threatened, feeling horrible for even thinking about the words. I myself found it hard to believe they were coming out of my mouth. But I didn't know how else to follow through. If I learned anything from my caretaker, it was to rule with force.

At this threat, all the men rushed forward, ignoring further protests and shouts from Ku-chan. I watched, feeling a great weight lifted off my heart as my oppressor was dragged off, still cursing and screaming.

I turned toward the girl standing next to me with a big smile. "Thank you so much, Haru-chan... I wouldn't have been able to do it if you didn't take that hit for me." I reached a hand hesitantly up to her protruding stomach. "I- Is the baby alright? I'm so sorry..."

Haru-chan only returned my cheerful smile. "I'm just glad that you finally got rid of that jerk. I was wondering when you would do that." she said, "Why is it that you decided to do that today, Bocchama? Is it because of that boy who got here this morning?"

I nodded, all the urgency to see him returning. "I need to see him, now. Do you have the keys to the prison, Haru-chan?"

She smiled and nodded, taking the food tray from me. "I've had it since before you returned. I thought there was something weird about him since he came... he's the one, isn't he?"

"I'm not sure... his eyes are the same color as mine, but that's all I could tell." I followed her as she walked out to the main yard and headed for the prison. "You made the food for him, didn't you? So I could take it to him? Even though you knew that Ku-chan – I mean, Kuze – wouldn't like it?"

She glanced back at me kindly from the corner of her eye. "I thought you might need an excuse to talk to him. I guess it wasn't necessary, huh? And it won't be anymore."

I giggled. "Thank you so much, Haru-chan." I ran up and wrapped my arms around her waist.