Whoohoo, chapter three! I'm so happy that I have reached this point of a story. Unfortunately, I've been debating on whether I should finish Left Behind after two years of not touching it. I've been contacted twice now to continue, but I keep thinking about my dad and his homophobic tendencies. Well, I have about half of Chapter 19 finished, but I'll have to get the writing mojo back. Whenever I look at my old stories, I get a large writer's block. Gah, I've scarred my mind!
Last Time: She's asked the questions and she's got her answers, but for Haruhi, it isn't enough. Kaoru is a lone parent in need of life to go back to normal, but will Haruhi be able to bring everything back to the way things were before she left for the United States?
Disclaimer: I do not and have never owned OHSHC. I wish I did, but then I wouldn't be here if that was the case.
Title: It Takes Two to Play the Game
Author: Yuzume Mikien (Whoo I'm back)
Pairings: I don't have a straight line up yet, but… TamakixHaruhi, hinted HikaruxHaruhi, HikaruxOC, HoneyxOC, MorixOC, KaoruxOC, KaoruxHaruhi, hopefully other pairings will form after a while.
Rating: Pg-13 to M, just to be safe.
Warnings: Language, and suggestive themes, but for now, keeping the content at a safe PG-13.
Genre: Drama, Anguish
PLEASE REVIEW I love reviews and what you guys think. If you have any ideas for the storyline I'm always open for more. Oh… please don't flame. Constructively criticize, but don't flame.
You've reach this far in the story, so I won't have need to remind you Thoughts and English. Remember to enjoy!
On with Chapter Three!
Chapter Three: The Game Truly Begins
Kyouya POV
According to popular belief, Patience is a virtue. The ability to tolerate certain behaviors, especially imbecilic ones, is, at times, seen as an honorable trait to have. A trait to be idolized and given adulation. An attribute that deserves a proud pat on the back and warrants mass acceptance. Patience with the other human beings of this world is continuously required in this life. If one thinks otherwise, well, he is worthy of all the consequences that accompany that mindset. Argument said, it brings me to acknowledge this same quality within myself.
Simply put, I've always had tolerance. I've always held onto patience as is necessary for the youngest son and last heir to the Ohtori name. It is rare that I lose such patience, but alas, even the notorious Shadow King has experienced his… limits.
Peculiarly, I've never found my lack of complaint a problem around my father or brothers. After a few years of self-observation, I've come to realize that my patience is immortal to the words of immediate family, but for the actions of my associates, personal or otherwise, that same tolerance is swiftly used up.
I've lost my temper only a small number of times. One that remains of high significance is the time I broke in front of a certain foolish blonde with fictitious views of life. After I lost my patience with Tamaki, I've always reminded myself to allow some breathing room between those around me and my own problems. Due to his stupidity and carefree nature, admirable, yes, but not completely intelligent, my tolerance has strengthened considerably. For some time afterwards, I was sure that my patience and façade of interest would be nearly indestructible.
Unfortunately, as 'Patience is a virtue,' popular knowledge adds that, 'Nothing can last forever'. Sadly, such a statement includes my tolerance.
I once believed that my patience would keep me sane through every word and action I would come to experience. This belief has changed over the years.
After high school, I came to realize that I would be very much mistaken. I came to know that I still had a limit and that my tolerance's indestructibility does include family members.
I can thank 'her' for the knowledge. And when I say 'her', I mean Maria, a cousin who I had really no patience for. Of course, I regret not having any for her…now.
Things were noticeably different nearly five years ago.
"Get out!" Five years ago, before the boys were born and before Kaoru was disowned by his family, I had been sitting at the same desk Haruhi had seen me in when she had entered my office to greet me after seven years. My words were much colder during the occurrence of five years previous, but that was all due to the topic of discussion. Before the boys were born, their existence had been considered nothing more than a nuisance by most of the Hitachiin and Ohtori families, I, remorsefully, held that same popular view. Maybe that same view contributed to my lack of tolerance for my nineteen-year-old cousin holding the children of a fellow host of the Host Club I had helped found. "I don't have time to hear excuses, just get out!"
I had been speaking with the girl and the younger Hitachiin twin no more than ten minutes before I had lost my temper. I don't understand as to why I was so indignant by the mere words, "I'm pregnant." Yet hearing my illegitimate cousin having the illegitimate children of a friend of mine made me quickly blow. "I know you never did learn Japanese and if I really do have to make myself clear, GET OUT!"
My voice echoed out into my large office. I had been only twenty-one at the time and had spent no more than six months in that office, but I was already kicking people out. I could feel myself hiss dangerously, hands coming to an abrupt stop over my computer's keyboard. My gaze flew from Maria's to the twin who had accompanied her. I was not sure as to which boy had come, but either way I was still irritated. What's more, even after telling them twice, they had yet to leave.
I gave a deep sigh and reached for the phone, "Fine, if it is really that difficult then I'll get security." I growled harshly. My hand took hold of the phone, but a darker arm took hold of it, hand over my own, and held it down against its cradle.
"Kyouya! Please, listen to me. I beg of you!" Simple, yet emotional words flooded out from my American cousin's mouth. I was unfazed by the tears that threatened to fall from her dark eyes that mirrored my own. She shook her head, black curls swaying, "I promise you, I won't bother you again. Just please help us!"
Pulling away from her hold and the phone, I leaned back, as far away from her as I could manage. "Why? What will I gain from helping you?" I was cruelly blunt, but I didn't care. Maria had made a foolish decision and I was pissed off enough to let her experience the consequences without the support from any of her family. I was the first and only person she ever did tell about the pregnancy within our family. "You've already been warned not to blemish the family name. Now look what has happened. Why should I help correct your own faults?"
"Um…" She straightened and suddenly avoided my eyes. "But… but… th-that's the point. You're the only family I have now, so…"
I interrupted her, "So what?! Just because I'm family doesn't mean I have the obligation to help you. You're not a child." My gaze moved passed her and fell upon the twin, standing mutely by the door. "You don't seem to comprehend the consequences of your actions. The Ohtori family can't accept the full blame for this… Unless, you were the one who led him to bed."
Maria followed my look and glanced at the unnamed twin. My words slowly began to sink in and she turned on me again, "No! I didn't do such a thing! I wouldn't do such a thing. H-Hikaru and I made the decision to sleep together! I didn't lead him to anything! Kyouya, please, I beg you to help us. There's no way his family will accept this news!" Her voice cracked when she uttered the Hitachiin's name.
"And what stupid assumption brought you to that damned notion? Oh, did you forget that your own family would react the same way!" I snapped and she stepped back, but didn't fully back down, clearly an American trait.
"But Kyouya! I-"
I slammed my hands hard unto my desk, making it rattle loudly and violently, "The hell with it Maria, use the damned respectful suffixes!! I'm not your friend, I'm your older cousin! Get that through your thick head!" My outburst finally brought the unshed tears to roll down her cheeks and a reaction from the Hitachiin who had remained motionless through the whole conversation. The twin, I now had a feeling was an unusually subdued Hikaru, walked a few steps forward. His hands were clenched white at his sides, but he stopped short of inserting himself into the verbal exchange between family members.
Not even tears could suppress the obstinate girl, who wiped her face before continuing. "I don't give a care! You get this into your stubborn head! Family members look out for each other! They don't just sit and watch each other fight for survival! I don't know how the hell you were raised Kyouya, but the more I come to know you, the more I know why my father left this family in the first place!"
Rolling my eyes, "Correction: My uncle never left due to family ties. He left because of you, and like him you've ruined your life as well! The Ohtori family disowned him once and we can surely do it again with his illegitimate daughter who doesn't seem to learn from her stupid parents' mistakes! Like mother like daughter- or is it like father like daughter?"
"Shut up!" Maria was so upset that she was speaking in her first language completely. Japanese had been learned in the year she had been living with us, but at that moment she was too frustrated to care just as much as I was too frustrated to listen reasonably. "You don't know my father! You don't and never will! Mom and dad loved each other. That's why dad left this crazy family!"
I began to laugh cruelly at her explanation. I felt my eyes look to Hikaru again who met my gaze and guiltily looked away. It was very unlike him to avoid conflict like this. Was it not Kaoru who was the recessive twin? I placed my elbows on my desk and laced my fingers, "If that's the case, then why don't you just do the same? Run away from this 'Crazy Family'. It'll do everyone a favor." I wasn't aware of how malicious my statements were and how much I would regret them years later, "Oh wait- will that option still work? Do you and Hikaru… LOVE each other? Mind you, at our age lust is often misinterpreted for love. Are you sure you two just didn't have one or two, too many drinks?"
My glare drilled into Hikaru still quite a distance away. If he wasn't going to say anything, there was no way I'd let my stupid cousin destroy his life. Also, I knew it was he who had led her away with drinks. Kaoru and I had watched him very closely during the Hitachiin twin's birthday celebration. After a second of no reaction, I looked back at Maria, whose tears had created wet streaks down her face. Even she didn't say anything against my final query.
"My, my… you don't know, do you? Did you at least ask him if he wanted to be a father? Or at least, questioned if he had - what was it- a fiancée or something of that sort?" I continued to hurt the teen with my words. I felt unusually proud of finally being able to shut her up and cease any further argument. Hikaru had stiffened and suddenly ran a hand through his hair uncomfortably.
Staring at him for a long moment, I narrowed my eyes. Something was wrong with the twin; this wasn't normal. I kept staring as Maria attempted to speak, but was too upset to actually mean anything. "I-I… He-He… I told him… and he didn't say… I mean… He never de-denied…"
"If you're going say anything worth listening to, will you go ahead and spit it out already?" I muttered while I continued to watch Hikaru. He took a furtive glance in my direction and then turned away. Finally contemplation brought results, and I straightened as the conclusions began to register. I took my glasses off and rubbed my eyes for good measure, having the abrupt idea that the boy was not who I had first thought he was.
It was during that instant that I heard Maria whisper something in her second language, Spanish, "Hikaru no sabe…p-p-pero Kaoru… Queremos el bebe." Her face was wet with fallen tears. When I heard the name of the younger twin, everything fell into place. The Hitachiin who stood at the other end of the room had his hair parted to the left. This twin was not the father of the child, so why was he choosing to be here.
Rude as it was, I pointed abruptly in the twin's direction. "Come here!" I ordered severely and the boy looked up, obeyed, and came closer. He would not look at me and was holding the mother of 'his' child at a distance. I turned to Maria once more, "What about Kaoru?"
Maria pulled back farther, "What?" She glanced at the man beside her and the Hitachiin clenched his fists. "What are you talking about?"
"What were YOU talking about? I heard the name Kaoru. You didn't sleep with him too, did you?" There was a pause that was a bit too long for me to take seriously, "Did you?!"
"NO!" Her voice cracked as she answered.
"Don't lie to me!"
"I'm not lying!"
"Then who the hell is that!?" I moved my head in the Hitachiin's direction. "God forbid what my father will do to you once he finds out that you were sleeping with both the Hitachiin sons!"
Shaking her head, Maria was too swift to plead, "No! No please!!! Kyouya, I beg of you! Don't tell Uncle! It's not what it looks like-!"
"Then it's true then. You were lying to me!!"
Her curls flying as she desperately tried to get me to understand. "NO!! Kyouya! I'm telling you, I ne-"
"Who did you sleep with then and who the hell is this?!"
"NO!!!" My cousin had become suddenly pale and was shaking. Tears were raining in torrents and she was swiftly breaking down. The unidentified twin was looking at her now, his eyes filled with unrestrained worry, but his arms were still limp at his sides.
I narrowed my eyes and chuckled incredulously, "You're really not going to answer, are you? Well, what do you expect me to do? Should I just tell my father that Maria decided to spend a night with both Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin like some useless whore?!"
"ENOUGH!!" The mute twin let out a cry.
Before I knew it Maria's arm was up and swinging towards my face, I braced myself, but a millisecond later I did not feel the familiar sting of a slap in the face. I blinked and looked up, finding the unnamed Hitachiin with her arm in hand. Staring at the scene, I was filled with disbelief at how gentle the firm motion appeared. The red head pulled her arm down slowly and tenderly. Unlike myself, he held no malice or anger, and took my cousin in his arms. Feeling the hold, she broke down and collapsed into his embrace, muttering desperately, "I'm not… I'm not… I'm not…lying…"
"Shhh. That's enough; don't listen to him anymore, Maria-chan. Shhh. This stress isn't healthy for the baby." Gaze widening I rapidly recognized the voice of the younger twin, Kaoru, escape the boy's lips. He held her with no remorse. He held her as is he didn't care what he was doing and that he didn't care that he would disowned for his decision to support the Ohtori family's illegitimate daughter.
Opening my mouth, it took me a second or two to finally regain my bearings. The first ten minutes of the conversation, before my patience had worn off, Maria had clearly said that she had slept with Hikaru, but now I looking at Hikaru's twin holding the sobbing girl. "Kaoru-"
His hand was faster than my words as the normally recessive brother grabbed me roughly by the front of the shirt. I was sitting and he was standing so he was able to pull me forward towards him. I was more surprised by the sudden personality change. "Don't… Don't you ever call her that ever again! I don't care if you're not going to help her, but I swear I'll kill you if you keep saying half the shit you're saying!!" Shock filled me, as I numbly nodded, "She never slept with me, but I don't really give a damn! I want to be with her, I want to protect her, I even want to father my brother's baby. Hikaru doesn't know a thing… but…but we don't care!!"
Seconds came and went, "Don't be a fool…" I found myself uttering pitifully.
"No, Kyouya-san, don't be such an ass." Shoving me back, Kaoru finished with a growl, "We don't need your damn help! We can do this on our own. Come on, Maria"
The twenty-year-old man, walked towards the door of my office, pulling Maria gently after him. Before exiting, Kaoru warned me as my eyes fell on my cousin's pained face (for a second I began to feel the regret that would plague me for years to come), "Keep your mouth shut about this Kyouya. If you really don't want to help Maria and I then don't waste your breath telling anybody about any of this. Forget and keep being an apathetic ass, that's what you're good at." And with this they left.
That was last time I saw my cousin and the last time I saw Kaoru, who I didn't meet again until seven months later. For years afterward I was filled with guilt for my actions that day and I never did feel as confident again. Maybe it was due to the extent of Kaoru's sacrifice that shook me to the core, but guilt became a large feeling that fueled me through each passing year as I helped Kaoru and his sons get back on their feet. At times I feel responsible for Maria's suffering… for if I had only said yes to her pleas and had given her the health care she needed, maybe she wouldn't have died.
Sadly, even actions fueled by guilt have their limits, such as my patience that day. There is only so much I can do, but not even I can return life to the way things were before this mess-even for Kaoru's sake.
That argument had happened five years ago, but nothing of the past has been put to rest. Maybe… just maybe, Haruhi can help change that.
"Kyouya… are you all right?" Her voice still holds the same simple tone. She is the only one who can help bring back normalcy.
"Yes, Haruhi?" My voice is distant. "I apologize, I was… merely reminiscing."
"Those things you and Kaoru told me earlier; they can't be true, can they? I mean in seven years… how-?"
"You'll learn more about fact and fiction later Haruhi… be patient."
Hmph… Patience… When has that helped anyone?
Haruhi POV
An hour and a half after Kaoru and Kyouya began their recollection of the events that had happened the past five years, I found myself sitting quietly in the passenger seat of Kyouya's black Ferrari, heading to Kaoru's home for dinner. It was peculiar that the whole time they had spoken, their words did not include anything previous to the near five years that had passed since the Hitachiin twin's twentieth birthday. Either way, I was getting most of the answers I wanted, so I had no right to complain. I would find more about the final two years of my absence another day.
I glanced at Kyouya who drove silently, his face boasting deep contemplation. He had uttered something about patience a few moments before and now was deathly still. I watched him for a moment, continuing in my attempts to grasp the whole hour and a half long story that he and Kaoru had just given me. To put it simply, I now knew that due to Kaoru's huge sacrifice, he was now the father of his twin brother's illegitimate sons. Not only this, but little Kohaku and Keisuke were of Ohtori descent as well, meaning Kyouya had the full right to assist Kaoru in the raising the children in Hikaru's place. Maria Angelina Del Rosario Ohtori might have been Kyouya's distant cousin, but strangely, Kyouya seemed close to Kaoru while the man's own twin brother was in Paris and called only once a month. The bond between the Hitachiins was weak now and it was frustrating to think that I had missed the whole occurrence and maybe could have kept it from happening. Maybe if I had not left, things would have happened differently.
"You know…" I began, thinking deeply about the story I had been given, "Why would Kaoru be so obliged to take full responsibility of the boys. I mean, I know how he is the more level headed twin than Hiikaru, but doesn't that mean Kaoru knew the consequences of his actions?"
There was a few seconds of continued silence as Kyouya mentally registered my question. We were now at the edges of the city, heading into the suburbs full of middle class and higher homes. I took a moment to gaze out the window and watched the scenery go by. The neighborhoods we were heading into were did not look like areas I would find previous Ouran Academy, Class A students to be living in. Finally Kyouya answered, "He knew the consequences… very well in fact… That's why he made the decision in the first place."
I looked at the raven-haired boy, perplexed. I noticed how his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he spoke calmly, but through his teeth. His fists were whitening. There was something more beneath Kaoru's actions and such a fact wasn't vexing to comprehend to myself alone, but the Ohtori as well. I couldn't help but note that Kyouya and Kaoru's relationship had deepened considerably over the passed seven years. I had never taken Kyouya as the emotionally caring type, but as we continued on our way to Kaoru's house, the young CEO was revealing a side of him I had never seen before. Kaoru and Kyouya had been at a mutual understanding in high school, but this understanding had grown into an emotional and mental dependence. The question was who was depending on whom? Were the twins, Kohaku and Keisuke, the reason behind this strengthened bond between very different yet similar members of the host club?
"Guilt." Once again the Shadow King was one step ahead of my thoughts. "You're wondering why it is so apparent that talking about Kaoru and the events of the previous half decade have such an effect on me, is that correct?"
The only thing I could do was mimic his first word, "Guilt?" Abruptly, Kyouya began to slow and parked silently on the curb of some random street. He took out his cell phone and held it to his ear without dialing. I stared in further confusion when suddenly out of nowhere, a dark blue Mini Cooper came to a stop beside us from behind. We had been driving through the city for about half an hour and I had overlooked the fact that we had passed by the Hitachiin whose house we were traveling to. Kaoru paused by the Ferrari and rolled down the window, a gentle smile on his face.
"Is there a problem, Kyouya?" He asked simply. I came to look into his golden eyes and he gave me a friendly wink. I rolled down my own window so he could be heard well. The Hitachiin waited for a reply and I heard Kyouya begin on some random monologue.
The Ohtori spoke on the phone as if he had been speaking with some employee for the last ten minutes. He had not called anyone and I swiftly knew the reasons for his unusual actions, "…I don't need to know this right now. I told you to inform me on any probable problems that might occur over the next twenty-four hours BEFORE I left for the day… Yes… No… I'm not going to think for you…" His black gaze finally registered the young twin and he motioned with his hand for Kaoru to go ahead. My stare fell from one man to the other as Kaoru reacted to this action by sighing, his smile faltering. Kyouya turned his face as if more interested in the imaginary worker on the phone and I caught Kaoru shake his head uselessly, the weak smile still plastered on his face.
Kaoru readjusted his seatbelt and glanced at me, "Damn workaholic." He muttered audibly for me to hear and inaudibly for Kyouya-if the man had been on the phone. The older man did not react even when Kaoru revved his engine, "I guess I'll go on ahead, would you like to transfer cars, Haruhi?"
"Absolutely not!" Kyouya snapped into the phone and I shook my own head in reply to the red head's question.
Nodding, Kaoru went to roll up his window again, "Ok, I'll see you at home." He spoke before driving off and out of sight.
At the moment the twin disappeared, Kyouya 'hung up'. I glared at him and he gazed back at me nonchalantly. For a moment, we looked at each other before the man suddenly fell right into our previous conversation. "Yes, guilt."
I frowned and rolled by eyes, "Kyouya-sempai, what in the world was that about?" I questioned, "What was the gain behind lying to Kaoru?"
"Simple, I was able to gain more time to speak with you." The Ohtori readjusted his glasses and placed his cell phone in his breast pocket. "Not only that, but you saw how he reacted to my… slight distraction, did you not?"
I hated the knowledge that I was getting even more lost in this talk, "Yeah, but-"
"I became his 'Hikaru' due to guilt." Pulling back, I felt the question marks swim around in my head at Kyouya's explanation. You couldn't just name yourself as a replacement 'Hikaru' so easily, could you? "I made a terrible mistake five years ago that caused Kaoru and my nephews to suffer, and in retrospect I'm repenting for that mistake. Guilt is what brought me to openly be part of his broken family and guilt is what keeps me close. I love Kaoru and the twins as an extension of my family because of this guilt, just as Kaoru took the blame for impregnating Maria due to his own guilt, understand?"
Blinking, I made sure my expression continued to boast one of puzzlement. Kyouya sighed and rubbed his forehead, trying to think of a way to explain his 'love' for his cousin's children and 'partner' in a tone of cool indifference. I could see it was difficult for him to find the right words, but his actions were a lot louder than any statement he could make. "You're close to Kaoru and the twins because you're guilty for not supporting your cousin from the beginning. I guess you must have treated her pretty harshly then, didn't you?
He sighed again and chuckled pitifully, "It is peculiar how, the day you arrive, my energy runs out, Haruhi. I will not hide from you the information I can personally give you, but I don't have the right to tell you more than necessary. You saw how he reacted to my… 'obsession' to work. It was due to that obsession that I… I did not treat Maria as a family member, I treated her like… a whore." Kyouya leaned back in his seat and checked his watch; "She came to me for help, pregnant, and alone. The father of her children was nowhere in sight, but the idiot was there trying to stand in his brother's place. I could see the two were both screwed over and I knew quite well that things couldn't get worse, but instead of being the only person to help, I decided to do as everyone else did and refused to assist in every way, shape, or form. She asked me for help, knowing that no one else would. And I threw that trust right back in her face. Now, she's dead and my nephews don't have a mother or a father; just two foolish uncles trying to relinquish guilt by doing everything they can to raise them."
Kyouya shook his head, "I guess that talk earlier brought back difficult memories." The Ohtori started the engine of the car and turned into the road, "I apologize, Haruhi… I just revealed another unanswered part of this predicament to torture you with. I-I guess I needed you to know this before you truly returned. You're not going back to high school, Haruhi. We've all made mistakes and because of them, you may come to hate us and our attempts to make things right."
I regretted speaking up and I regretted reopening wounds in not just Kaoru's heart, but Kyouya's as well. As distant as the Ohtori had been raised towards his family, I knew how much it must have hurt the first time he realized that he had betrayed the only loved one that had depended on him and no one else. The years' events were becoming more complicated as I received one answer and had ten questions in return. "I'm sorry, Kyouya-sempai. I never meant to unearth passed grievances." I apologized.
Kyouya didn't answer verbally; he only shook his head.
After moments of travel in silence, I finally caught sight of the Tamaki's silver Volvo and Kaoru's dark blue Mini Cooper parked in the driveway of a lone building. I realized that we had driven passed the middle class homes and apartments and into a more secluded area. We had traveled up a hill and onto a gated off property that overlooked the previous blocks of houses. Kyouya drove up the driveway and parked beside Kaoru's Sudan. As we slowly exited the Ferrari, I took a look of my surroundings. My gaze fell upon Kaoru's home.
It wasn't alarming large or extremely small. I was surprised at how simple the home looked on the outside, compared to Kyouya's modern building complex of a residence and Tamaki's extravagant palace of a dwelling. It was a two-story home, about half the size of the apartment complex I had lived in for most of my young life. It had a red brick base and was built of dark brown wooden panels. The house boasted a natural western style, with a forest green shutters and roof. Kaoru's home looked as if it belonged in a middle of a large forest instead of a small hill where it stood, seen by the inhabitants of the standard Japanese housing styles below.
I glanced around and saw a large play set nearby, also made of dark brown wood with green accents. The playground was clearly for the twins' entertainment as I noticed that lying against the side of the play set was a pair of small tricycles. Turning, I moved my attention to Kyouya, who watched me patiently. I sighed and moved away from the car. I headed in direction of the home's entryway when Kyouya spoke, "Haruhi."
Stopping, I turned and looked back at the CEO, "What?"
The Ohtori placed his hands in his pockets and walked towards me, "Before we go, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure?"
His glasses glinted in the light of the sun already low in the horizon, his hand landing on my shoulder gently. "Help him will you? There is only so much I can do." I felt my gaze narrow as I looked up into his eyes. I wanted to question him again, but before I could he strolled ahead and up the long pathway to the front door. I followed him with my gaze before moving my body. By the time I was by his side again, he had entered another dialogue- this time with Kaoru, himself, who had been sitting right outside his front door waiting for no one else but the two of us.
My mind was at its limit and I didn't register the words that were shared from male to male. It wasn't until I overheard Kaoru call to me, "Hmm?" I blinked out of my thoughts and gained a chuckle in return.
"I said 'Welcome to my Home'." Kaoru addressed. He wore a large grin on his face, his emotion the exact opposite of the one he expressed during the stroll down memory lane in Kyouya's office. "It's a bit much, this home… but I had no choice in the matter per se. I wanted privacy and simplicity, but somehow I got this place instead." The twin laughed and scratched the back of his head.
'A bit much?' That was an interesting confession from a son of a rich family. I thought and glanced at the home again. Kaoru's life had gone down in class. He yearned for a simple life with his illegitimate children. I was beginning to pity the young Hitachiin. "Thank you, Kaoru."
The red head nodded and turned his back to me as he rang the doorbell. "I was waiting for you two to arrive." After a few seconds, the front door slowly creaked open and revealed a dark blonde girl behind it-most likely the maid. She had light brown eyes and looked up in recognition at Kaoru. The girl opened the door wider and further showed her form clad in a simple uniform. "I'm home, Rebekah."
The girl's face broke out into a smile and she bowed quickly, greeting the Hitachiin, "Master Kaoru, welcome home!" Abruptly, she straightened, rushed forward, and tackled Kaoru around the waist. He flew back, passed Kyouya, and me and onto the ground. "You have come home safely! It is time to celebrate of your safe return."
I stared in strange surprise, but Kyouya did not react. The blonde held the red head tightly, she was taller than me and under her dark green uniform I could see her arm muscles flexing as she hugged Kaoru. She was alarming strong. Kaoru laughed uncomfortably until he ran out of oxygen and began to cough, "Rebekah-chan… can't… breathe!"
Eyes widening, the girl released Kaoru and jumped up, dusting herself off. "Sorry, sir, but you know what they say, 'A hug never hurt anyone!'" She giggled and suddenly noticed Kyouya and my presences. Spinning to face us, she bowed, "Oh I apologize, greetings guests. Welcome to the Hitachiin residence."
Kyouya coolly readjusted his spectacles and nodded in acknowledgment. I looked at Rebekah's young face and then at Kaoru's rising form. He rubbed his back and stood up. I didn't know how to react. Kaoru came to my side and quickly introduced the girl to my lost expression. "Haruhi, this is Rebekah, my babysitter, house caretaker, umm… Rebekah-chan, meet my dear friend from high school, Haruhi Fujioka."
I opened my lips to speak, but the hyper blonde spoke first, "Hello, Fujioka-san, I'm Rebekah, the maid!" She was brightly smiling and I was overcome by her energy; this girl was not Japanese.
"Rebekah-chan, I told you not to call yourself that!" Kaoru declared quickly.
Rebekah glanced at the older man, "But I'm only saying what's true. I'm your maid; there's nothing wrong with that." Kaoru frowned modestly and I knew he was feeling bad for having a 'maid'. The said 'maid' was a rough girl, who knew what she wanted and had a hard head to boot. She reminded me of a number of Americans I had met in the United States. "I help clean the house, wash the dishes, do the laundry, and care for the boys, while you pay me with food, shelter, and high school tuition- oh plus my monthly recreation check. There's nothing negative about being your maid, you fragile Asian, you." Kaoru flinched as Rebekah punched his arm, 'playfully'.
"Rebekah-san." I muttered, "Nice to meet you." I tried to remain submissive in slight paranoia of the young blonde tackling me down herself. She was like a female version of Tamaki, except hyper and quite a bit stronger.
"HI!" She declared in return. Grinning widely, "Fujioka-san, can you tell me something? Was Kaoru-sama always so… puny?"
Kyouya openly laughed at this question and Kaoru went a bright red. He glared helplessly at Rebekah and I could see that their relationship was one similar to that of a older brother and younger sister- a very powerful younger sister. I was hesitant in my answer, "Well…" Kaoru gave me a desperate look, "Kaoru isn't very puny now… is he?"
Kyouya covered his mouth with his lips as he restrained his laughter. I had not helped the situation. Rebekah stared at me interestingly, "Is that so?" She took the taller boy in a headlock, "I don't know what type of woman he can get with a body like this. Look, no muscles!"
"Stop it… Rebekah-chan!" Kaoru begged helplessly. He tried to excuse his 'maid's' actions, "Forgive her, she's a handful."
Giggling, Rebakah retorted lightly, "Handful!? I'd say I'm much more than that!" The girl gripped Kaoru's neck harder, "I'm here to make you tougher, stronger, and bolder, Kaoru-sama!"
Kaoru was turning blue.
"Hey!" I stepped forward, "I think you're-"
"Rebekah-chan, may I ask where Kohaku and Keisuke are?" I was interrupted by Kyouya, but it was predictable that the Ohtori knew exactly what to say to stop the nonsense going on.
And as if the magic words had just been spoken, the blonde gasped and dropped her employer unceremoniously, "Oh yes, I almost forgot! Suou-sama is still inside!" The girl rushed to the door and threw it open. "Please come in, come in!"
Kyouya nodded silently again and followed calmly. I stood back and helped pick up the forgotten Kaoru. He patted the dust off his clothes and shook his head tiredly. His face showed exhaustion, but his eyes were still filled with a gentle adoration. Kaoru beamed at me, "She isn't the most orthodox maid in the world, but I wouldn't have anyone else care for my boys."
We walked side by side into his home and came upon a long corridor. Kaoru shut the door behind him and the sound of a piano echoed loudly into the hall. I stared off into the distance; I recognized the gentle melody that was being played and I knew who was playing it too. Turning, I noticed Kaoru watching me, he motioned forward to the second door to the right and we continued our way down the wooden floored home into a large den. A grand piano sat at the center of the room and at the piano the Host King gracefully played.
The melody flowed throughout the house and filled me with ease. It brought back memories of times more than seven years ago. Kaoru and I stood silently at the doorway. Kyouya sat a few feet away in the shadow of the room and Rebekah listened from beside the window, where the last rays of light filtered through. Soon there wouldn't be enough to light for Tamaki to read any sheet music, but by then his memory would continue his mini concert long into the night. Minutes came and went, the room darkening enough that Rebekah had to turn on the lights. The first lamp illuminated the room and pulled Tamaki out of his world. The music stopped and he twisted his neck and torso around. He saw the four of us in the room, and his eyes fell on me.
The Suou smiled widely, but didn't move. He was in a docile state that he must have learned when I was living in the States. After a moment, I noticed that on the piano bench. on either side, slept the two raven-haired Hitachiin twins, using Tamaki's thighs as pillows. "Good evening, Haruhi." The blonde whispered.
Kaoru moved forward quickly, his voice whispering lowly, "Tamaki, you really didn't need to allow them to sleep on you like that." The young father gazed at Tamaki solemnly. "I'm sorry, they must've been quite hassle."
"Oh no, I enjoyed every minute of it, being with these two." Tamaki answered back, "Rebekah told me the boys were to sleep in their room, but I couldn't help it. You know how Kohaku loves listening to me play the piano." Kaoru released an intake of breath and gently worked on removing his sons from Tamaki's lap. He picked the first boy up and into his arms. The little one groggily opening his eyes and grabbing hold of his parent's neck, he nuzzled into the base Kaoru's throat where it was the warmest and shifted his gaze to each person in the room. The parting of his hair identified him as Keisuke.
The twenty-four year old Hitachiin, couldn't hold both toddlers without difficulty, so he shook the second boy tenderly, "Haku, wake up. Hijo, despierta por favor." Tamaki watched with quiet delight, "Kohaku, wake up, you don't want to miss dinner, do you?"
Kohaku sat up sluggishly, rubbing his eyes. He glanced around the room also and up at his dad. "Quiero cena, Papa."
"Tengo… hambre tambien, Papa." Keisuke added to his brother's Spanish reply.
Kaoru extended his hand and led the older twin off their Second Otou-san. Kohaku stumbled and leaned against his father's leg, yawning. I had to admit, the two were adorable when not accusing me for cheating. "Vale, vale. I want you two to change first." It was shocking yet satisfying to see the redhead change so dramatically when talking to his sons. It was as if I wasn't looking at a Hitachiin twin, but someone completely different. Strangely, such a thought also brought back the reason for the change behind Kaoru's persona. "Please, make yourselves at home. I'll be right with you. Ah- Rebekah, can you get dinner ready please?"
The order was simple, the hospitality straightforward, and with this, Kaoru left with Kohaku and Keisuke up an iron spiral staircase I hadn't noticed until the very moment Kaoru began ascending it at the corner of the room. Once he was out of sight, my attention returned to the quiet den. The spell was broken and out of the shadows, Kyouya 'materialized' and collapsed upon the long leather couch at one end of the room, facing the piano and television. He threw his feet up on the couch in clear comfort, and picked up a book off a nearby coffee table. I caught a glimpse of its title, A Tale of Two Cities.
With Kyouya reading and Rebekah off to fix dinner, Tamaki and I were left with nothing more to do. Strangely, I didn't receive a random flying hug or anything else for that matter. My gaze fell upon Tamaki, who sat quietly at the piano in a slight depressed slouch. I sighed, it was apparent that he was in one of those moping moods again, growing mushrooms or making hamster homes or something randomly spontaneous like that. Strolling over, I came up to his side and sat down on the piano stool, "Hey, what's the matter? Is something wrong?" I tried to sound comforting, but it was hard to comfort Tamaki as there were a number of things he needed comfort for. "Tamaki-sempai…"
I caught the sound of a page turning and Kyouya indifferently muttering something along the lines of, "Ignore him… he'll recover eventually."
"My…my…" Tamaki began, he stared listlessly at his hands that lay limply on his thighs.
"What's wrong? Tamaki-sempai, your what?" I continued. His bipolar personality was at a whole new level now and his sadness was believable beyond compare. "Hey, it's ok, I'm here. You don't need to look so down. What's the matter?" I reached for Tamaki's shoulder, but he spoke before I touched him.
"My…legs…they're asleep!" The Drama King took hold of both his thighs and squeezed, "Ooooh Haruhi, they tingle soooo much they huuuuurt!"
I felt my eyes widen and I had the sudden urge to strangle the blonde with every fiber of my being. Jumping up, I avoided his outstretched arms. I gave him the harshest glare I could manage that made him pull back indefinitely. I wanted to say something to show my irritation, but the Shadow King beat me to it, "I told you to ignore him."
"Haruhiiiii!" Tamaki called. He moved his legs, but grimaced at the extreme discomfort. "They hurt a lot!"
If one's head could really boil, my head was steaming. "Well what do you think!? Kaoru said it himself, you didn't need to have the twins sleep on your lap the whole time!" I rolled my eyes, "You haven't changed, Tamaki…"
"I doubt Tamaki can ever fully pull himself off the road of the obnoxiously imbecilic." Kyouya once again added for good measure.
The blonde looked into my eyes and his face contorted into one of extreme familiarity I backed away cautiously. At twenty-five, the Host King's puppy-dog eyes still had its potency. He blinked back the tears and physically gave off the, 'Pity me' vibe with his facial expression. I backed off a bit more and instead of sitting there, Tamaki moved towards me on the piano stool. The blonde blinked again and I stepped farther away, my full attention on him. His body inched after me once more and I kept moving farther back. Moments flew by and we continued to this cycle, blink puppy dog eyes, move back, follow forward, blink puppy dog eyes, move back, follow forward, blink puppy dog eyes, move back, follow forward- until I had stepped back so far that I collided with one of the many decorative tables in the room. It's ironic how seven years later the same exact thing could happen to a person twice for as I turned, I saw-with extreme dread- a large framed picture slide off the mahogany table and fall straight to the floor. Whether it was a picture frame or an eight million yen vase, I was somehow cursed to forever break things whenever Tamaki was around.
CRASH!
The three of us in the room winced at the sound of broken glass. Kyouya sat up on the couch and closed the book. Tamaki's sleeping muscles miraculously healed and he got his feet. I froze in place, looking at the busted picture frame. We took a moment to exchange glances. Tamaki and my expressions were ones of extreme panic. What would Kaoru do if he found out? How would we explain the incident? Kyouya was as calm as ever and with a sigh, returned to his place in the Tale of Two Cities. Rapidly, I got to my knees carefully picked up the frame that was lying face down in the midst of the glass. Shaking off the sharp remnants, I flipped the picture over revealing the recorded image.
"Oh… my." I gasped, looking at the photo. The image was of Kaoru and the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. There had been many young women in Ouran, but the well-bred daughters of millionaires paled in comparison to the woman in the picture. The snapshot had been taken during what appeared to be winter, the background behind the couple showing a beautiful snowy landscape and the pair themselves wearing winter attire, the girl with a white cashmere trench coat over a cream colored turtleneck and cream scarf and Kaoru wearing a similar outfit, but in forest and dark green. The two were not looking at the camera, but were submerged in their own world, oblivious of the photo being taken. I gazed at Kaoru and the young woman, trying to register who the girl was, when the picture was taken, and where the two had been. The first question, who, was quickly answered when I noticed that the two were sitting at a snowy gray stone bench. The mystery woman and Kaoru's hands were lain gently on the girl's rounded stomach, which showed significantly through her trench coat. She was about seven months pregnant or more.
In the image, the woman who was clearly Kyouya's cousin, leaned contently against Kaoru, whose right arm held her close from around her shoulder and whose left hand lay tenderly on her belly. The girl was extremely pretty, her tan oval face surrounded by layers of thick curls that were not of Japanese origin, she also held black almond shaped eyes that were of the Japanese Ohtori family. Those eyes looked down at Kaoru's hand, her own small right hand beside his as she touched her middle as well. Their expressions were unforgettable and I covered my mouth to keep from becoming uncharacteristically emotional. They were both smiling, but their smiles showed more than just happiness. They beamed with awe, hope, and love- for not just the unborn infants, but for each other. Kaoru's grin was one hundred percent genuine and showed more hope and happiness than all the smiles he had showed me that day combined.
I opened the back of the frame and slid the photo out. On the back the date of the shot was dated almost five years, the Christmas Eve before the twins were born. I didn't know what to say or what to do. Aside from everything anyone had said to me about Kaoru taking his brother's mistake as his own due to guilt, I knew he did it because of something more. He loved Maria more than anything, it seemed, but now she was gone- Dead, according to Kyouya, but of what I have yet to know.
How did they feel that day? Coming home to celebrate Christmas for the first time with not their families- twin brothers and the like- but each other? How did Kaoru feel knowing that he was in love with the woman who had slept with his brother? Did Maria even know Hikaru didn't know anything?
I wasn't sure what to say or if I even had a right to comment on the picture before me. A hand fell onto my shoulder and I looked up to find Tamaki gazing at me in grave understanding. I wanted to say something, anything, but I was speechless. At first, I didn't want to choose sides in this misunderstanding between brothers, especially because it was predictable that Hikaru could have screwed up in such a way and that humans weren't normal. Unfortunately, staring at the image filled me with sadness and worry. Even when Kaoru had told me about Maria, I would have never guessed she had had such a large part of his heart. I had to take a side; I had to take Kaoru's side. How would you feel if you loved someone so much that you would care for her knowing full well that she was carrying your brother's baby that he didn't feel responsible for? "I guess you know now, don't you?" Tamaki muttered lightly. "Did he give you the answers to your questions?"
"Yeah…" I found my voice unusual quiet, "but with each answer I have a hundred more questions."
"Well… you'll get answers to each of them… eventually." The blonde straightened and placed his hands in his pockets, "I know that you'll find a way to get what you want. You always do."
Careful as not to step on the glass, I stood and placed the photo back on the table it had fallen from. I noticed that though the area was large enough for several family pictures, it had only held that single blissful winter image. Actually compared to the rest of the room, the table, the frame, and the wall behind them was simplistically empty, painted a dark creamy green like the rest of the space, but not covered in decorative pictures, objects, bookcases, or fireplaces. To the wall on the right, was the entryway to the hallway, and beside it were several large bookcases made of strong mahogany, filled with books- the first bookcase filled with books on different languages and the following cases filled with works written in as many different dialects. To my left was the wall the grand piano was against, two large bay windows on either side of the large instrument. Across from my location was the joining corner of the last two walls, the left wall was where the fireplace stood and plasma television hung, and the right wall, being partly obscured by the iron staircase, had a small work desk in its area as well as two large portraits of what appeared to be Kohaku and Keisuke in two professionally modeled shots, wearing designer clothing. The wall I had collided into had been a fifth wall that took the place of the corner between the wall with the piano and the wall with bookcases. From the entryway, the fifth wall/corner was hidden by the opening door so that no one would be able to see it until entering the room completely, and I could tell it had been placed there for the soul purpose of the family shrine. Unfortunately, no family meant no shrine, which explained why the lone photograph had been sitting in its place. If a room could tell something about a person, the den told almost everything about Kaoru- his life, his pain, and even his past.
I looked up at the wall above the single table and single photo, finding a single source of decoration. Four images hung in frames on the fifth wall. Each frame held a close up image of a face, one of Kohaku, one of Keisuke, one of Maria, and one of… I couldn't help but feel my eyes widen in surprise. There was the mother's picture and the children's pictures, but for the father… The last photo on the wall was of a Hitachiin, but it wasn't of Kaoru. The final image was a close up shot of Hikaru.
There were no signs of family pictures anywhere. There was the two model shots of the new Hitachiin twins, there had been the single photograph of Kaoru and Maria, and the only collaboration of shots that could have stood as a symbolic expression of the family were in four separate pieces and showed the wrong twin. Yes, Hikaru was the boys' legitimate father, but Kaoru had taken his place, which meant why didn't the last picture show Kaoru's face instead? With the untrained eye, one wouldn't have noticed this difference between identical men who could stand as each other perfectly, but I could see the mischievous eyes of the older twin looking back at me from his place among the faces of Maria and the children. My observations were registering.
Was this the twisted way that Kaoru kept himself from regretting?
Was this supposed to be a constant reminder that Kohaku and Keisuke weren't his children, which in turn kept Kaoru forever guilty for being a failure?
Why would Kaoru resort himself to so much emotional and mental anguish?
The reasons why Tamaki and Kyouya had been so insistent that I be nosy and find out as much as I could were dawning on me. Kaoru was sinking lower and lower into self-sacrifice that the two kings of the Host Club could no longer save him. Kaoru was hurting himself and because I had only been back in Japan for day I still didn't know the extent of the damage. It was my turn to pull Kaoru out and make him enjoy life again.
My head was swimming with ideas, theories, and contemplations on Kaoru's current mental and emotional state. Law school had taught me a few methods I could use to get into his mind and find the reason behind his unhealthy resurfacing guilt. I narrowed my eyes, nearly forgetting the two older men nearby. The single image of Kaoru and Maria showed his love and loyalty to her alone as a woman, not just responsibility. The four images represented either the loved ones he was protecting and tried to protect, or the people whose love he never deserved because he had taken his brother's place.
By the time I snapped out of my thoughts, there was a commotion already going on. Spinning around from the fifth wall, I expected to see Kaoru, but found Kyouya and Tamaki heading towards the front door. I followed them and we walked into the hallway to find Rebekah opening the door to another pair of familiar figures before heading back to work. Takashi Morinozuka and his cousin Mitsukuni Haninozuka had arrived. It was a reunion to behold, I had five host members down and one member…nowhere in sight.
The two were still polar opposites, though to my surprise, Honey had gotten about several inches taller. He was no longer sitting upon Mori's shoulders, but was still the boy lolita even in his mid twenties. His hair had grown longer, but he had cut the front short and had kept the back long, which he tied in a long ponytail. I guess it was masculine purposes. Aside from his hair, Honey still had the adorable eyes and cutesy pink flowers that seemed to come sprinkling off from his own being.
Mori was still as quiet and aloof as ever. He still towered over everyone, but he was still the same height. He had his let his hair grow out too, which was also pulled back in a ponytail. The hairstyle didn't fit with the dark blue(Mori) and gray(Honey) suits they were both wearing, but they didn't seem to mind. Mori glanced up from his and Honey's conversation with Rebekah and recognition filled his features. With Mori's attention I knew that in seconds I would hear-
"HARUUUUUU-CHAAAAAAAN!!" The blonde lolita squealed in delight and collided into me with full force. From 4'9'' to 5'1'' he was nearly my same height and grabbed me around the neck in a huge hug. The random pink flowers flew all over the place and I looked into Honey large hazel orbs sparkling with delight.
"Honey-Sempai, Mori-Sempai. It's been long time." I greeted them with a large smile.
Mori stepped after his cousin and spoke, "You're back." I had a feeling it would be the only two words of the evening.
The two beamed at me with welcome and happiness. Two minutes into the house and Honey jumped into a frenzy of questions and stories. "Haru-chan, when did you get back? Did you miss me? I missed you. Did you miss Takashi? He missed you too. Did you miss Japan? You know I miss Japan whenever I go on business trips. Why did you leave so suddenly? Why didn't you say good-bye to us before you left? Oh- did you miss Usu-chan? He missed you, I know that much, but don't worry he's not lonely anymore; he has Mimi-chan to give him company. OOOOH! Yeah, I didn't know how to contact you. You didn't go to my wedding. Did you know Takashi and I are married now? And we have kids now too! I love my wife. Her name is Lily and she's Canadian, and she knows kendo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Okinawan shotokan, Moa Tai, and a lot of other fighting styles! Did you know we have a baby girl? She's only two, but soon she'll be able to start eating cake! We named her Mimiru, but Mimi for short. And Takashi has a wife too. Her name is Aiko and she's the daughter of one of the last pure blood samurai families in Japan. She's quiet and tall like Takashi, but she's really pretty and Takashi loves her very much. Don't you, Takashi?"
"Hm." Mori nodded in reply.
Honey kept going, "Yeah and Takashi has a son, who's just a few months older than Mimi. His name is Takuya and the boy is a natural at kendo. Did you know Mimi and Takuya have both started going to the family dojos? I'm hoping that Mimi won't get too involved with the dojo; she's too small to fight. Oh, so what's been happening with you? How was America? I went to America once about three years ago with Takashi, but we didn't know where you were exactly so we couldn't contact you. We watched WFC there, but I don't think it's very interesting. Not much form. Did you make any new friends? Am I still your cutest friend? Did you meet any boys? Did you fall in love Haru-chan? Have you seen Kaoru yet? Oh, what about the Keisuke and Kohaku? Aren't they cute? I think they're cute. They look a lot like their mommy. Hey, you're a lawyer now just like your mother. Don't you feel accomplished? Do you have your first client yet?"
I listened as best as I could, but there was no way I could answer all his questions let alone remember them. I could only grin helplessly until Mori grabbed his cousin and effortlessly picked him up and moved him to the side to give me breathing room. I thanked him, "Still as hyper as ever, Honey-sempai. I can see you're still a man of many words, Mori-sempai."
The two continued to beam at me and Tamaki and Kyouya decided to jump into the conversation.
"How was Hong Kong? Anything new? I heard that you two were visiting your kendo branches there and keeping an eye out on investments. I've been uneasy with the consumer shift within the last year. The Ohtori doesn't want to fall into a financial hole again." Kyouya queried easily.
"Honey-san, Haruhi knows so many things about America and being a lawyer, now. I believe my father might be hiring her for a personal attorney." Tamaki declared placing both hands on my shoulders and oozing with pride.
I found Mori calmly step towards Kyouya and the two started a quiet conversation about stocks and the like. Honey merely returned to my side and the two blondes spoke over me and to me all at once. I was slightly overwhelmed by the sudden change in mood. Melancholy had turned into elation and I was stuck in the middle of it. I listened and slowly absorbed the atmosphere, finding myself telling Honey and Tamaki all about the United States and the people I had met. Time passed by and I nearly forgot about the picture and the broken glass.
"This is Molly. I met her in Boston the second year I was going to Harvard. She's obsessed with the 1980s, but she is a kind person and dear friend. Without her I don't think I could've learned English so quickly." I explained to Tamaki and Honey, who listened with the curiosity of children. Their eyes were sparkling as I showed them a picture of young girl wearing a complete eighties outfit, side ponytail, loose bright-colored tang top over a skin snug blouse, and abstract designed skirt. She was popping gum in the picture and was giving the camera a playfully seductive look. I rolled my eyes, remembering the last few years. I would have to tell the group about my American friend another time. "It's about 6:30 in the morning in New York. She's still asleep, but maybe one day I'll call her up and you guys can have a talk with her. Oh- don't think that this is normal American dress, ok? This is Molly's style and Molly's style only."
Abruptly, Tamaki tackled me from behind. "OOOOOOOH MYYYY SWEEEEEEEET DAUGHTER!!!!!! I AM SOOOOOO PROUUUUD THAT YOU HAVE A FEMALE COMPANIOOOOOOOOON!!!! FINALLY DADDY CAN REST AT EASE TO KNOW HIS LITTLE GIRL ISN'T HANGING AROUND WITH SNEAKY MEN!!"
Honey clapped his hands, "I want to meet her one day!"
"Well, she did tell me she'd come and visit me some time." I added. Honey's face lit up. The Host club was the same as ever, most of the members still loved meeting new people. "Tamaki I can't breathe again."
Tamaki released me, but his arm around my shoulder as well, emotionally saying, "Oh, Haruhi it's good to have the Host Club back together again."
"Most of the Host Club." Kyouya darkly added and the atmosphere collapsed slightly. Honey and Mori suddenly looked at me.
I hated how suddenly solemn the blonde lolita looked as he gazed at me, "Did they tell you about what's happened, Haru-chan? About Kao-chan and Hika-chan?"
I couldn't do anything, but nod. Honey ran a small hand through his hair and I noticed his posture straighten into a more mature stance. He crossed his arms and frowned, "Life's both changed and not changed, Haru-chan. We have companies and responsibilities. We have families and business partners. If only things didn't have to change so much when you were gone." His cute act was slipping to reveal the 26-year-old underneath. His changing image just added more effect to his words.
"Look… I know what's going on and I want to tell you right now that I want to do something to make things better." The four members of the host club all stared at me, as the words suddenly broke out, with grateful understanding. "I've seen the twins fight only once before over some petty misunderstanding and even then I was irritated and had to do something to stop them. Now, I've been gone for too long and this misunderstanding is on a completely different level. I'm going to change things. I'm going to bring things back to a peaceful normal, not this artificial system that you've become content with. I'm going to take advantage of what I learned in the States and raise all hell if I have to, to get Hikaru and Kaoru back together like they used to be."
The Suou came towards me at the end of my declaration. I pulled back expecting a flying hug or squeal or something foolishly random, but instead Tamaki bowed graciously. He took my hand and gently brought it to his lips, kissing it politely. My face felt hot at the sudden action and I stared at him in surprise. The three behind him stood quietly observing, light smiles gracing their features. "My Princess, thank you, we'll support you every step of the way."
I fell uncomfortable having Tamaki gaze at me with the look he used to give all his clients in high school. I could feel the unified power of the ex-host's support. They were getting together again for the sole purpose of helping the Hitachiin twins. They were passing the baton to me. Each had tried and failed at fixing the broken bond between the twins and now it was my turn. With their help, would I be able to do what they could not?
"Careful! Kohaku, Keisuke, watch the glass please! Ah- I said careful, you're only wearing socks." Tamaki released the hold of my hand and moved away from me at the sound of Kaoru's voice. Kyouya's posture relaxed, Honey's face broke into an effortless smile, and Mori raised his head and opened up. I was brought back to the thought of the broken picture frame and was the only one who rushed to the entryway of the den. When I got there I nearly collided with the twins.
Kohaku and Keisuke came to a stop before me, wide-awake and aware of their surroundings now. They looked up at me, identical eyes registering who I was. They were wearing a matching pair of silk tunics, high collared in the Chinese style. Kohaku wore a deep crimson tunic with an embroidered image of a phoenix upon his chest. Keisuke wore a deep sapphire tunic, an embroidered dragon on his. The two wore adorable white socks under their silk trousers, their small toes wiggling within them. The younger twin greeted me politely, "Oba-chan, hello. Papa nos dijo que usted come con nosotros. Es verdad?"
I tried to decipher whatever the young boy said, but his brother, who was in a better mood translated, "Otou-san told us you are eating dinner with us. Is that right?" Kohaku looked into my eyes and looked down. "Hi."
Smiling, I lowered myself to their level, "Yeah, I am. Is that ok with you?" Over their heads, their father was nowhere in sight.
"Oba-chan?" Kohaku pulled me back to them. He moved his socked feet sheepishly and glanced at me, "I got to tell you something. I'm sorry for being mean to you. Otou-san told me that I was rude and a bad boy. I said sorry, am I still a bad boy?"
Keisuke was quick to add, "Haku, Papa said you got to mean it…when you…. Um… ap…apo… what's that word again, Oba-chan?"
"Apologize." I answered.
"Yeah that one!" Keisuke nodded and I grinned at him. I move to his brother and gave him and understanding look.
The older three year old watched me and I noticed his father reappear with a dust pan and begin cleaning the broken glass himself. Kaoru stopped and his eyes fell on me. Sighing, he gazed his sons devotedly and continued with his work. I returned to Kohaku and placed a hand on his head, "It's ok; I forgive you Kohaku-kun. We need to get used to each other more that's all." The boy's face lit up with happiness and relief, "I know I won your little game, but I used to play that game all the time a long time ago. I just had a lot of practice."
Exchanging looks of surprise, the twins smiled with curiosity. They began to giggle adorably. I don't think I had ever heard the cutest thing. With this, they abruptly came up to me and gave me a big hug. "Thank you Oba-chan." They spoke uniformly. "The three of us will be friends now." Kohaku and Keisuke giggled and finally noticed the rest of their Oji-san's. The giggles turned into squeals and with a blur of blue and red, the new Hitachiins were gone.
I stood from my place and found Kaoru nowhere in sight again. Looking around, I walked into the den. He wasn't by the piano or fireplace. It wasn't long before I moved the door to the den covering the fifth wall. The Hitachiin was there and I paused, seeing him gazing silently at the frameless image of himself and Maria. Silence engulfed us. He didn't notice me at first, a weak smile on his face. The only sounds came from the boys greeting their Mori Oji-san and Honey Oji-san out in the hallway.
"Kaoru." I started. The man flinched and swiftly placed the picture face down on the table beside him. He blinked and regained his composure. Before he could react I explained, "I wanted to apologize… about the picture. I was going to get Rebekah for a broom or something, but Honey-Sempai and Mori-Sempai walked i-"
"It's ok." The younger twin overcame me. "It's the past, nothing more." I didn't know if the latter part of his words were about the broken glass or the picture. He was trying to make both look like they weren't important. Kaoru stepped away from the wall and placed the photo in his pocket before walking passed me towards the entryway. I wanted to say words of remorse-anything, but something told me that now wasn't the time. I would learn more as time went on.
By the time we returned to the hallway, Rebekah had just entered from the door at the far end of the corridor. She grinned and bowed, "Dinner's ready." Kaoru was quick to thank her and the Hitachiins of the house led us to dinner. My gaze fell on Kaoru as he walked and talked with Honey at the same time. He wore the mask of happiness once more, hiding any emotions he had had in the den, especially from his sons who were enjoying themselves in Mori's towering hold.
Tamaki appeared by my side instantly and placed his arm around my shoulders again. "It's going to be ok. I know you'll be able to help him. You're my wonderful daughter, of course."
I sighed as we entered the dining room. By the look on Kaoru's home and face, I had a lot of work to do. My thoughts ran widely in my head, I hope so…
And so the game begins. Yep, that's it for now. I made it long for everyone's enjoyment. Yay! Hope you guys enjoyed just more drama.
Thanks for reading and remember:
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Oh and I want to wish a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CLOSE FRIEND MAT, who made sure to point out that I used the incorrect name for Honey. I know Honey is the English altered version of his name, but I can't help it!! I finished this Chapter for you man!
Next Time (In a Preview form): Haruhi understands her responsibility and knows her goal, but where to start?
"What do you mean, your father's in Karuizawa!!? Where are you going to live!?"
"Well, I don't really know."
"What!? You need to have a place to live! Haruhi!! Come home with me."
"No!"
"Why doesn't she stay here with Kaoru, the boys, and Rebekah? There's more than enough room for her and Kaoru can get some extra help with caring for the boys."
"What?"
"WHAT!!!?"
"No… she doesn't need to do that. I can't force that on her; she just came back."
"That's right!!"
"It's too late to call for a hotel, most are full by this time of the evening. Haruhi, why don't you stay for the night, at least?"
"Absolutely not!!"
"Sure."
"What? Wait, you don't have to… the boys might be bothersome."
"It's fine. I don't mind spending time with the twins a bit more."
"Uh…ok… if you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!! HARUHIIIIIIIIIII!"
----Stay Tuned!----