Chapter 6

Haru's P.O.V

Before I knew it, it was already Friday…. And Friday meant… sleepover. I was in Art, staring into nothing. I already drew half a girl's face with detail and had to finish the other, but I couldn't concentrate. I was worried and wondered what I should do to keep everyone entertained. I kept on staring into blank space until I heard a female voice yell

"SOUGE*! That look's so realistic! Hurry up and finish the other half!" I turned my head to find a girl my age with 2 low light-brown pony tails and hello kitty nerd glasses (*s-ou-g-e meaning cool, awesome etc.) I looked at her with shocked eyes, she caught me off guard and for the first time in a long time I was scared for a split second.

"Gomen*, I saw your drawing and it looks soo cool! My name is Mitsuko Kuroshi, yoroshiku*" She said with a sweet smile (Gomen= not formal way of saying sorry, yoroshiku = Nice to meet you)

"Daijobudesu*, My name's Haru Sosiki, yoroshiku." I said with a smile. (Daijobudesu = formal way of saying it's okay.)

"Wow Haru-chan, you really have talent in realism art! I can't even draw manga." She said with a tint of admiration in her eyes.

"Arigato*." I said with a smile (arigato = thank you.)

"Did you take lessons?" Mitsuko said while pulling out the empty seat next to me and propped her elbow on the table and resting her head on her palm.

"No I didn't, I watched online and learned myself." I said

"Wow! That's even more impressive!"

"Not really." I said with half a chuckle

"How old are you Haru-chan?"

"I'm 15, how about you?"

"Same! But when were you born?"

"8th of September "

"Really?! Wow, you must be the youngest in the class. I'm born the 4th of April"

"Oh that's nice." I said slowly drifting back into space.

"Is your hair naturally like that?" Her question snapped me back to reality

'Wow, this one asks a lot of questions.' I thought to myself

"Like what?"

"Like wavy and an ombre."

"Oh that? Yes, how about yours?"

"No, don't you see my roots are growing out!" She said pointing at the top of her head and tilting her head down so I can see better.

"I want to grow it out into an ombre!"

"That's nice." I answered plainly.

"So wasn't it awkward when you were born? Like first auburn coloured hair then jet black?"

'damn this girl…'

"Well I my dad was in for a surprise."

"Yeah! How about your mom? Wasn't she surprised too?"

"My mom…. Well she wasn't here to be surprised."

"What do you mean? " She said slightly laughing.

"She's dead that's what I mean." I said and picked up my HB pencil and started to draw.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

'Are you really sorry?' I thought

"Oh, you're drawing again, that's good. I'm going to watch you draw, if that's okay."

"Do whatever you like." I said and started to draw the rest of the girl. I ignored her presents completely, finding her presents only a nuisance. For the while that I was drawing, I pondered of how was I going to entertain them. The bell rang and I was snapped out of my train of thought. Art was the last subject of the day and I packed up my sketch book.

"Haru-chan matte*!" I heard a voice yell, I turned around and saw Mitsuko grabbing her pecils and stuffing it in her bag. I strongly disapproved of that method to hurry up. Things that connect to art should be handled in care and organization, not throwing things in a bag. (mat-te= wait non formal)

"I forgot to ask for your number!" She said running towards me.

"You want my number?"

"Yea! " She said reaching out her phone and typing something and handed it towards me. I punched in cmy number and handed it back.

"I'm in a hurry, so just text me and I'll get your number" I said. I turned around and started to walk.

"Alright, thank you! See you tomorrow." She yelled before walking towards her own direction. I walked to my locker and changed my shoes. I walked out of the building knowing that Shouhai was out there waiting for me. I hate making people wait for me, and I vice-versa. I hurried towards the car, girls looked in admiration, some jealousy and the guys just stared.

"People, it's already been a few days, get over yourself." I murmured under my breath. I just heard Shouhai chuckle and opened the back seat's door for me.

I got in and seat belted. Shouhai started the car and drove.

"How was your day Haru-sama?"

"It was well." I was half there, still wondering what to do in the sleepover tonight, I never had anything big like this, I never had friends come over to her house. I grew up isolated, realizing the only one you should trust is yourself.

"Have you made any new friends at school yet?"

"A girl spoke to me today, and she seemed friendly."

"That's good." He said smiling.

"Haru-sama, you seemed troubled, perhaps from the planning of the sleepover tonight?" He said.

"Would you like to buy anything?" He added.

"Can we stop by the grocery market?"

"As you wish." He said, he made a left turn and went straight down the street and turned into "Ichiban Grocery Market" (ichiban = number one). When we drove in the parking lot, he found a parking space and got out of the car and opened my door. I stepped out and walked towards the grocery market. I was in a daze, flustered still with the sleepover, and also with that girl, wondering if she would actually contact me. I guess I wasn't paying attention because I felt a large amount of strength holding me and falling towards the car, with a loud car-horning noise. I snapped out of it and looked around. I saw Shouhai rapping himself around me, a large amount of people gathered around us.

"Are you alright Haru-sama? Any scrapes and scares?" He said with a worried tone and scared.

"I'm fine, are you alright?! I'm sorry, I must be more careful." I said with a tone of regret.

"You should be more careful." He said while getting up and picking me up. Murmurs formed all around us. A lady walked up to us.

"Are you 2 alright? Young man, that was quite a nasty fall, you sure do love your girlfriend." She said with a chuckle.

"Oh, she's not my girlfriend, she's actually my master. Thank you for your concern in my master's health and mine." He said bowing and smiling at her.

"Master, I didn't know that masters and butlers existed in these days anymore, and for this lady that's so young." She said looking at me.

"Are you alright young lady?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern." I said. For some reason, when Shouhai said that I was just his master, it hurt. My heart… ached. I forced myself to brush it off. I felt a swell in my throat, it took me a while for me to realize it, but I was fighting off tears. I bowed to the lady and didn't know what to do with this emotion, so I just walked towards the grocery market. I was never a crier, I sealed out that emotion long ago, along with trust, love and facial emotions. I sniffled a bit and I heard Shouhai catching up behind me.

"Are you alright Haru-sama?" Shouhai asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." I said forcing out a smile.

"Are you okay? That lady was right; you did take a nasty fall."

"You don't need to worry about me, I have a strong regeneration of cells, and so if I get hurt, it will heal quickly."He said with a smile.

"Is that so… Well what do you think we should get for the sleepover?"

"That is your decision." He said smiling.

"Come on, you're a guy right? What do guys like to eat?" I asked looking up to him with a smile. He stared at me for a split second with a sorrowful expression and changed it in a flash. He thought for a long time.

"I think, they would enjoy chips and pop." He said.

"Very well, do you think we should have dinner at my room?"

"If you'd like." He said.

"Very well, I guess we'll have o-nabe."

"Are you sure you're alright Haru-sama?"

"I'm better than ever." I said forcing yet again another smile. We went down the aisles and grabbed a lot of chips and soda bottles. We then shopped for the ingredients for "o-nabe". I paid and we left towards the mansion (o-nabe= Japanese hot pot).

"He dropped me off and escorted me to the dining hall. He went back for the car and the groceries.

"OI! Haru-chan! You're back! Where have you been?" Daisuke yelled. The twins and Gakuro looked up. Daisuke and the twins were playing cards, while Gakuro was reading a book (Lord of the rings). I guess he was practicing his English.

"I've been at the grocery market with Shouhai, by the way, don't eat dinner, I'm making o-nabe." I said

"O-Nabe?! I love that!" Mitskato yelled.

"Me too!" Kaito yelled.

"I'm glad." I said smiling. My emotions about what he said before, was wearing off, but his words still echoed in my sub-conscience. I brushed it off.

"Alright! Now, show up at my room at 6, is that alright? It's 4:45, so I'm going to be back at my room and prepare. Also, Gakuro, if you want to come you can too." Gakuro just made a noise of approval and flipped the page.

"Aren't you excited and happy about this." Daisuke said with a little chuckle.

"I guess so." I said. To tell you the truth, I don't know how to react when I'm sad. When I was little I always thought cry, that would make you feel better. But then I realized, when I cry, the only thing that changes is that people pity you, nothing else. Tears just make your eyes swell, makes you lethargic and people around you sad. So I just try and be happy, no matter the situation, if I'm happy, the people around me are happy. The last thing I want to do is attract attention on me. So the only time I'd cry is when I was alone when I first realized that, now, it rarely happens.

I forgot the Shouhai was getting the groceries, because after a while, I heard a knock on the door and found Shouhai standing there with the groceries. I took some out of his hands even though he insisted that it was alright, but I saw him struggle taking off his loafers. I put them on the kitchen table. I took out the food.

"Would you like any help Haru-sama?" He said.

"It's okay, I used to cook with my maid when I was living with my… family." I said blankly. He ignored my refusal and started to take the vegetables and washing them. I took the carrots and started to peel them. The water stopped, and he wiped his hands. I felt his arms rap around my hips. He held me close. Resting his head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Haru-sama if this is out of line, but I don't like seeing you sad. If I did something to hurt you, I'm sorry, you can do anything to me for my punishment. Just please, don't hurt yourself inside. It's… killing me." He said holding me tighter. He dug his head deeper into my shoulder. I felt hot, my heart was beating non-stop. I also felt the feeling of sorrow coming back. I was fighting back tears, but I was losing.

"This is stupid." I said with a weak voice. I felt him loosen up, like he was hurt. I took the gap he did and turned around and hugged him tight.

"Why are emotions affecting me? I sealed the, away long ago." I said digging my head in his chest. Tears started to flow before I knew it. I don't know why, but his words. They hurt me deeply. It's like these tears, were the mix of all the emotions that was kept in from the years. Frustration, pain, hate, regret, neglected, ostracized. All those emotions flowed. He held me tight, making me feel protected, safe. This is the second time I have felt this way. The first time, was when this boy I met when I was little, He had Red hair, Sabaku no Gaara red. He was the first one that stood up for me. He was the only one that beat up the guys that were throwing rocks at me. He was 2 year older than me. He hung out at the park a lot. I forgot his name, but I always called him coco, from his pretty coloured eyes. He even denied me calling him that because he said it sounded like a pet's name. Every time I saw him, he was alone. If not, he was in fights. He was always beaten up, but never lost a fight. He had quite a temper, worse than Gakuro's. I would take out my first aid kit from my school bag and treat his wounds. The last time I saw him was when he was in a fight against this bully that was kicking a weak cat, and I was treating his wounds, and a maid saw me. She took me home immediately and never again let me go to the park. I was 10 and he was 12. Whenever I was with him, I felt the sense of security, warmth and mostly, I felt like I was welcomed, like I wasn't hated. I loved to see him again. I only remember his red hair.

I finished crying. I looked up and I didn't see pity in his eyes, it was a look like, I know how you feel. I was already 5:OO and I had to be ready in an hour.

"Thank you Shouhai." I said before releasing myself.

"I dirtied your shirt, I'm sorry." I said wiping tears from my eye, and the other was wiped away by Shouhai's thumb.

"The sleepover starts in an hour, We just need to cut the vegetables and make the broth. I'll make the broth, so can you please cut the vegetables?" I asked.

"It would be my pleasure." He said.

"Also, Haru-sama, please, don't hesitate to talk to me anytime you'd like." He said with a sincere smile. He took the knife and started to cut rapidly, like a professional cook. I watched in amazement for a while, then took out a pot and started filling it with water. After a while, the broth was complete. I turned off the fire.

"Shouhai, would you like to go take a shower? It's a sleepover after all."

"Are you sure Haru-sama?"

"Yes, I'll go take a shower too." I said.

"As you wish." He said as he walked towards the door and slipped on his loafers. He opened the door and walked out.

It's 5:25, no pretty showers today." I said to myself. I walked towards my closet and pulled out my red baseball shirt, I had a lot of them, and my white shorts. I took my night boots with me. I went into the bathroom and undressed myself. I opened the water and started my shower. When I was done, I put on lotion and cream like always. I blow dried my hair and put it into a high side pony. I slipped on my boots and put my cloths in the laundry basket located in the closet of my bathroom. When I walked out I heard a knock. I walked towards my door and opened it to find Daisuke and the twins. They all had their toothbrushes and was already in their pjs. Daisuke was wearing a light purple shirt with white sweats while the Mitskato was wearing a green tank-tops and white sweats that was tight on the bottom, and Kaito was wearing a navy tank-top with also white sweats that were tight on the bottom. You could see their abs from the constant training they had to do.

"Konbanwa!" They all yelled.(Konbanwa= good evening) They yelled.

"Konbanwa." I said and gestured them in. They all walked in with a big smile.

"Wow Haru-chan! Your place it so neat! It's pretty too!" Daisuke said. I saw Kaito spot my collection of books and ran towards it.

"You have the series Gone?! I've been dying to read it, can I borrow it pleaassseeee?!" He pleaded.

"Only if you don't destroy it" I said coldly.

"Do you think I would hurt such beautiful things?" He said.

"Well your brother might." I said. Mitskato was staring at my manga collection. He took out Black Butler and started to read it.

"Put the manga back where you found it Mitsukato-kun." I said.

"Yea, yea, you're like a librarian."

"Librarian…?" I said. Another knock came from the door, I went to answer it. I found Gakuro and Shouhai. This is the first time I've seen him in dress down. He was wearing a grey shirt with black pants. He also had glasses. Gakuro wore a red tight t-shirt with black shorts. They both had their pillows and tooth brushes.

"Sorry Haru-sama, but I couldn't sleep with my contacts." He said.

"It's fine." I said. For some reason, my heat started to pound.

'Really! I really got to check that out, it might seriously be a heart problem…' I thought to myself

I gestured them inside.

"I see the twins and Daisuke is already here." Gakuro said.

"Yes they are."

"When are we eating Haru-chan? I'm starving!" Mitskato said.

"Be patient, know your manners." Kaito said.

"But I'm hungry brother…!"

"Shut up. We wait until she wants to…" He couldn't continue because his stomach started to growl.

"HA! I'm not the only one that's hungry! And to talk about manners brother!" Mitskato laughed. Kaito's face turned red.

"Sorry…" He said.

"No worries, o-nabe's done, we just need to heat up the broth." I said.

"Would you like me to help Haru-sama?" Shouhai asked.

"No need, it's a sleepover, that means you're the guest and im the host, you don't have to do anything."

"But Haru-sama, it's not good for the Master's SS to just stand there and not do anything."

"It's fine, just sit down, talk with the guys!"

"But…"

"That's my request. And doesn't the master's SS always have to obey their master's request?"

"Very well…"He said before he sat on the couch besides Gakuro and they started to talk.

I set up the table in the middle of the room. It was quite large. I set up extra food just in case we finish the ones in the pot. I opened the stove to start the boiling the broth.

"Ehhh! Smells good!" Kaito said.

I took out a little stove and popped in a gas can. I put it in the middle of the table, turned it on and placed the warm pot in the middle. I placed plates and chopsticks for everyone and put cushions. Soon enough it was time to eat.

"Okay guys, come on let's eat." I said. I didn't even say it that loud and it seemed everyone around my big room heard and rushed towards the table. We had a fun time eating, Daisuke was stuffing his face and got scolded at by Kaito, but in the end Kaito made the biggest burp. And now, we were telling stories of the past.

"And when Kaito was small, he used to be some rebel! Like he would go around class collecting food and everything." Daisuke said.

"Remember Shouhai?"

"Yes I do recall." He said with a smile.

"You knew them when you were small?"

"Oh yes, you can say we're childhood friends."

"Didn't you come to this mansion the day before I came?"

"Yes I did, but I knew them when I first moved here."

"Oh… is that the case."

"So Haru-chan, how was your childhood like?!" Daisuke asked, overly excited.

"huh…?"

"Yea! Tell us how you were like!" The twins stared at me with amusement.

"We won't tell anyone if it's embarrassing you know." Gakuro added.

"Well… I was born here, but when I was 6 my dad sent me to Montreal Canada to learn French and English, Then when I was 10, I moved back here, I made my first friend here. Since In Canada, maids and butlers would follow me, so no one really wanted to do anything with me. Then when I was 11 my father sent me to Hong Kong to learn Cantonese, and when I was 12 I was sent to China to Learn Mandarin, and I recently came back here, and after a few months, I was sent here to live." I said thinking about my childhood, and not wanting to say anything about my family.

"Oh wow Haru-chan! You've been everywhere!" Daisuke exclaimed.

"Well not really. Hehe." I said with a slight giggle.

"Tell us about your friend! I want to know more about your first friend!" Mitskato said.

"Well, I don't remember much, since I knew him only for a couple of weeks. I remembered he had red hair… Like Sabaku no Gaara from Nauto, kind of colour. He had, I think, a cinnamon or coco eye colour because I remembered always calling him coco, even though every time I called him that he would yell and ruffle my hair." I said with a chuckle.

"He would always get into fights, he never lost a fight, he was really courageous, and also he had quite a temper, almost as bad as gakuro's or even worse." I said

"What does that mean tiaga!"

"Stop calling me that!" I said.

"Shut up Gakuro I want to hear about her friend!" Kaito said with an unusually harsh tone. He was like the peace maker, never raising his tone and always breaking up fights.

"WELL…" Gakuro said.

"One day, when I was treating his wounds and one of the maids saw me, and she took me back to my house, she told my father and my step-mother, and I was band from going to the park again." I said.

"Aww that's sad." The twins said.

"It's okay, I hope I find him one day, he's a precious person to me." I said with a smile.

"So cute…" Daisuke said.

"WE WANT TO BE PRECIOUS PEOPLE TO YOU HARU-CHAN!" The twins yelled and hugged me from each end.

"DON'T FORGET ME!" Daisuke added and hugged me.

"You guys are all important people to me." I said smiling and hugging them back.

"It's 9:OOPM, we started eating at 7… Wow time really does fly…" Gakuro said.

"Yes, it sure does." Shouhai said with a smile. His smile was much more joyous than any other day.

"You seem to be happy." Gakuro said looking at him.

"Well, to hear Haru-sama's past is quite a treat, since she doesn't open up easily, and to see Haru-sama full of joy and everyone enjoying themselves id quite nice." He said

"Well it sure is." He said with a smile.

"It's nice to hear that a recluse like her had a childhood friend, even though it wasn't for long." He said with a sincere smile.

"Indeed, now it's much more joyful and lively with you and Daisuke-sama and Mitskato and Kaito-sama with her." He said.

"It sure is."

After I cleaned up, we watched movies till 3:OO AM. We decided to close the tv and finally get some shuteye.

"I want to sleep with Haru-chan!" Daisuke yelled.

"NO! We are sleeping with Haru-chan!" The twins yelled.

"NO WAY!"

"YES WAY NOW BEAT IT!" They yelled then ran towards me and hugged me and turned back to Daisuke and stuck their tongs out.

"Haaarruuuuuu!"

"Stop whining you three!" Gakuro yelled.

"She will sleep alone or whomever she wants to sleep with, also Daisuke, it's Haru-chan." He added.

"Oh! Gomen Haru-chan"

"It's alright, you guys don't have to call me Haru-chan really… Just call me Haru." I said.

"Very well Haru, who do you want to sleep with, or do you rather sleep alone?"

"I'll just sleep with all three of them I guess…" I said, not wanting to hurt any of their feelings.

"My bed is quite big, so I think you'll all fit."

"YAY!" All 3 of them yelled.

"But go brush your teeth first." I said.

"Yes mame!" They all yelled and saluted.

"The bathroom's right there, I said pointing to the room a few feet away from my bed. The 3 of them ran towards the bathroom.

"I'll set up the futon's next to my bed, or would you guys like to sleep anywhere else?" I asked Gakuro and Shouhai.

"Anywhere's fine Haru-sama." Shouhai said with a smile.

"You're still going to stick with the "-sama" Shouhai?"

"Yes I am." He said with a smile.

"*sigh* Well I guess it can't be helped." I said.

"So where do you want to sleep Gakuro?"

"I'll just sleep anywhere." He said.

"Very well. I'm going to set up the futons next to my bed." I said before walking towards my closet and pulling out futons. The futons were already there when I just got here, so I guess they knew something would happen. I set them up and pulled out extra covers.

"All right Haru! We are done!" Daisuke, Mitskato and Kaito yelled.

"Okays, go to my bed, I'm going to go brush my teeth, you guys want to come?" I asked Gakuro and Shouhai.

"Sure." Gakuro said. Shouhai just smiled and walked with me. After we brushed out teeth, I walked to my bed to find the three of them arguing.

"What are you arguing about again?" I said.

"If you sleep in the middle, someone has to be more away from you and sleep next to someone else, it won't be fair!" Daisuke yelled.

"*sigh* Whatever, I'm tired so I'm just going to sleep in the middle."

'Guess no time for my diary….' I thought to myself.

I plopped down and pulled out my elastic from my hair, my hair fell down to my chest.

"Wow Haru…. You looked sexy." Daisuke said.

"WHAT THE HELL?! For that, Daisuke-kun go sleep next to Kaito-kun!"

"What?! Not fair! They were thinking it too!"

"Well they didn't say it so whatever!" I said.

"Ugh! Fine!" He said. He got up and walked over to Kaito. Shouhai turned off the lights and soon after, everyone was sleeping. Mitskato and Kaito hugged me tightly when they slept. It was quite uncomfortable, since I felt their abs on my hips and they were way to close. I managed to untangle myself from them and I took my pillow. I gave up and walked towards the couch.

"Where are you going Haru-sama?"

He almost scared me out of my wits.

"You're still up Shouhai?"

"Yes."

"Well I can't sleep since the twins are way too close to me, so I'm going to sleep on the couch." I said.

"No, come take my Futon, I'll sleep on the couch." He said getting up.

"No don't! It's uncomfortable." I said

"That is why you should take my Futon Haru-sama."

"No, I don't want to."

"Haru-sama please?"

"You know what, how about this, we just sleep in the futon together? Is that alright? It's rather large for some reason."

"It will be my pleasure." He said. I walked over to his futon, and he sat back down and scouted closer to the left. I placed my pillow next to his. It was close to November, and it started to get really cold. I pulled the covers up. Shouhai closed his eyes and slept. I looked at him, his hair covering half his eyes, peacefully sleeping there. I felt a blush form on my cheeks.

'Cute…What?! What am I thinking!' I thought to myself. I pushed the image away and closed my eyes, and slept.

-End of chapter-

Hope you enjoyed it! More Chapters coming soon!

Review answers:

KUPKAKES: I really hope this is what you meant, sorry for the confusion of the previous chapters, if you'd like to modify how I posted the translations, please let me know.

FancifulGhost: I actually based the twins of my story from Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin, I hope that doesn't upset you, they were my favorite characters in Ouran.

And to those that don't know what O-Nabe is, check out the link below:

download/1/Food/O_