ღLast time on Shatteredღ
"How much money?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. He reached forwards, cupping my face and leaning forwards.
"You wouldn't be able to pay it, so you can pay it off with your body," he whispered, pushing me against the counter. My eyes widened as he leaned down. He pressed his lips against mine. It was almost cautious at first, as if waiting for me to hurt him. My brain was working, too shocked to move. He kissed more firmly, and I was finally able to react. I shoved him away and he bumped into the table. Catching himself.
"I don't think so," I glared, pushing away from the counter. He straightened, and looked at me smirking. "What?"
"I sent a text to Takashi telling you I had located you," Kyouya spoke up, raising his cell phone. I frowned at him before crossing my arms. "Either you can stay here with me, and you can explain to him everything. Or you can run and I'll tell him."
"What if I chose to run and keep it a secret?" I asked looking at him darkly. He adjusted his shirt and shook his head.
"I have a my guards outside waiting for me," he spoke, "If I call for them, they'll come and help me." I narrowed my eyes and thought. I didn't want to face Takashi, but I didn't want to keep hiding from my past. I leaned against the counter and lifted my teacup. Kyouya smiled at me. "Good, now. Let's keep this entire conversation a secret," he spoke, looking at me. "I won't divulge any of your secrets to Takashi, and you won't tell him about that kiss."
"Agreed," I replied reluctantly, holding my hand out towards him. He took it.
ღNowღ
I sat, rather awkwardly, with Kyouya in my apartment. I took the time it took Takashi to arriver to think. What would happen? Would I be threatened by him and told to never be seen by him again? No, he wouldn't have been searching for me if he wanted to tell me that. Maybe he blamed me for Mitsukuni's near death. I finished my tea and offered Kyouya a cup, realizing I was being a bad hostess.
He accepted and I poured him a cup and brought it to him. I sat down. Would I go back with them? Would I drop my life here and become a Morinozuka again? Would they even accept me back? I feared they wouldn't, why would they? I ran a hand through my hair and let out a disgruntled noise. Kyouya didn't even react to it, instead lifting the tea to his mouth and taking a drink.
Soon I heard the sound of footsteps in front of my door and then a soft tap as someone knocked. I froze, staring at my hands. Wondering if I should get the door or not. Kyouya was the one who stood up and answered the door when I didn't. It was an awfully experience as Takashi entered the room. He surveyed it before his eyes landed on me. It took him a moment, but he walked over and stood beside me. Neither of us knowing how to react to this. I didn't look up to meet his look, fearing what I would see there.
Kyouya excused himself and closed the door, heading down the steps. I took a deep breath, staring at the tea that he didn't finish. I reached forwards and took it, I stood up and poured it down the sink. Takashi still stood staring at me, and I finally turned to look at him.
"Haruhi..." he started, and I raised my eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. When he didn't, I swallowed thickly. Staring into his eyes finally. I saw the pure emotion that was in there, and had to look away. Sadness, confusion and anger.
"Why are you here?" I asked quietly, then looked at him, "Why couldn't you just let me go?"
He remained stoic as always. He didn't say anything, and I let out a sigh. "Takashi," I started, stepping forwards and shaking my head. "Drop the silent act, if you want to say something. Say it."
"Why did you leave?" he asked finally, staying completely still. I crossed my arms and shook my head.
"You know...I couldn't hurt you guys anymore," I replied simply, "With Rai no longer in jail, he'll come looking for me and-"
"You'll need people to help keep you safe," Takashi interrupted, looking serious. I frowned at him, and opened my mouth to interject, but I closed it after a second. He walked forwards and placed his hands on my shoulder. "You don't have to run away from him anymore," he murmured quietly, staring at me. I frowned, not understanding what he meant by that.
"I'm not," I replied gently smiling blankly at the space between us. I looked up at him, my smile fading. "I want him to find me." Takashi's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head. Not understanding what I meant by that. "I don't need people to care for me," I explained looking at him. "I know that eventually, either he'll kill me, or I'll kill him."
Takashi frowned and shook his head slightly. "No," he muttered looking at me. He pulled me closer and hugged me tightly. It took me a moment to react, and I clutched at the back of his shirt and rested my head on his shoulder. "Don't leave me," he whispered, barely audible. I didn't even know if I heard it correctly.
"I won't..." I replied just as quietly.
The door to my room opened and Takashi walked in. He looked around, and I could tell he was wondering where I was. His eyes connected with feet that poked out from the other side of the bed. I could clearly see his worry as he walked over. When he turned the corner, I saw the pure sadness and devastation that crossed his face. Rage exploded in his face. I had never seen them that angry.
My bedroom door slowly closed, when it clicked, his body twisted to look at it. I stood beside it, one hand on the door and the other hanging beside me. A knife was clutched in my hand, blood slowly dripping down it. He knew it was his brothers and conflicting emotions flashed across it. He launched towards me and his hands wrapped around my throat.
I raised the knife and stabbed him in the chest, he shouted out in pain and fell away from me. He fell to the side and I stood above him "Goodbye," I whispered, bending down and placing my hand on the handle of the knife, I pulled it out and he shouted again. I pressed my lips to his before raising the knife again.
"Why?" he questioned before the blade plunged into his heart.
I gasped and sat up, a cold sweat made my hair stick to my face. My heart pounded loudly into my ears, a small hand curled tightly around mine. Glancing up wards, I found the source of the hand, Mitsukuni. His usual happy face, was replaced by a serious, concerned look mixed with confusion. He jumped forward, wrapping his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. "Haru-chan!" he whispered excitedly into my ears. I raised my eyebrow at him, questioning as to why the usually bouncy senior was whispering. My eyes swept the room once, taking in the features of my room.
"Mitsukuni, I'm sorry." I mumbled, hugging him back. He pulled away and smiled at me.
"It's okay, Haru-chan, I understand. Takashi told me," he replied with a smile, "Don't worry, you won't hurt us."
After he jumped off my bed, I found why he had whispered, Takashi was sprawled out on the couch at by the door. Mitsukuni whispered excitedly back to me about everything I missed while I was gone. I smiled sadly at him. He let go of me, jumping away from the bed and went over to wake up Takashi.
I stretched my arms, hearing a quiet pop before dropping them. The sun flooded the room suddenly as a maid forced open the blinds and tied them back with hand-woven white silk ropes. I blinked quickly, trying to get use to the newfound light, in small doses. Motoko walked over and ushered me out of bed, explaining that Sakura-san wanted to see me last night, but when I returned I was sleeping. Nodding, my feet automatically stepped around objects to get to the closet. Once there, she pulled out a orange and pink Yukata, she closed the door. I was pulled into it and my hair was pulled into a more suitable style. I would get it cut later, if I decided to stay.
A loud yawn emitted from the room and Mitsukuni's quick explanation or rather 'Haruhi's is awake now so you should go and get dressed.'. I chuckled softly to myself as Motoko finished getting me into my Yukata and bowed. She left and I entered the bedroom. Takashi was leaving, and Mitsukuni following him. The smaller of the two waved to me, as the taller hadn't noticed my presence.
I headed down the stairs and went directly to the tearoom. I opened it and bowed towards the woman inside. After entering, I closed the screen door and walked over. I bowed again before sitting down in front of her. She was silent for a moment. I poured myself and her another cup of tea. "You are not hurting us," Sakura spoke up finally, I looked at her with a frown. She lifted the cup gracefully and took a sip. When she lowered the cup, she looked at me. "We are Morinozuka's, if we couldn't handle a gangster, we would not be fit for the respect we get."
"It's not only you four I am protecting," I explained. Sakura laughed gently and then shook her head, lowering her cup. It didn't make a sound as she placed it back onto the saucer.
"I know," she replied smiling at me, "However, all your friends are capable of taking care of themselves, and they have powerful friends. Just as you do. You shouldn't fear them being hurt, because superficial wounds mean nothing. They won't be killed, the Morinozuka's, Haninozuka's and the Ootori's wouldn't allow that," she explained staring at me. I wondered why she was telling me this, and not Akira. This sort of speech would've normally come from him instead of his wife. She reached up and took out the emerald barrette from her graying hair."I want to give this to you," she said, taking my hand and placing the small barrette into my hands.
"I couldn't," I whispered, looking at the beauty of the small object.
"I've always wanted a daughter, and you are the closest I could ever have," she whispered, closing my hands around the barrette. "It's an old heir loom, and it's been passed through my family to all the women in my family." Sakura leaned back sitting straight. I nodded understanding, I was given a few things from my mom when she passed away.
"Thank you Sakura-san, I will keep this safe," I vowed bowing my head slightly, and clipped my bangs back with the barrette. She smiled softly, patting my hand before rising.
"You are my daughter, call me, Mother. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go with Akira about business." she said calmly, before sliding out of the room and leaving me sitting down at the table.
A sigh escaped my lips. Mother in heaven, why do people keep adding guilt onto my shoulders?
Updated: December 11th 2012