Tamaki's grandmother comes back in this one XP

Hey, if anyone knows her name, please fill me in. Because right now I'm just calling her "the woman" or "her."

The story starts to head more into the "angst" category in the next couple chapters.

There's some Hunny and Neko fluff here (: If you squint reeeeeallllly hard, you can almost see some light naughtiness (even though Hunny's really too cute to be naughty). He also tries to be mean. And fails adorably (at least I think it's adorable, but then again, I wrote it).

And I'm sorry if my notes were a little abrupt in the last chapter; I was really sick when I uploaded it and didn't feel like thinking of stuff to put.

This chapter's song is I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues by Sir Elton John (The site says "Blue" instead of "Blues" because the "s" wouldn't fit).

Ouran still isn't mine. And never will be. Unfortunately.

Anyway. On with the story!

XxXxXxXxXxX

Hunny sighed as he followed Umehito into the Nekozawa mansion after school that day, nearly throwing his phone at the wall when it rang halfway to Umehito's bedroom.

"Shut your face, Takashi," he muttered, mashing the "ignore" button with much more force than necessary.

"You'll break your phone," Umehito cautioned him, ushering Hunny into the room.

"I don't care," Hunny huffed. He drew a deep breath as he sat down on the bed, next to Umehito. "I'm sorry," he added. "About Takashi, earlier today."

Umehito waved away his apology with a smile. "Don't worry about it."

"I don't know why he doesn't like you," Hunny nearly whimpered.

"I can think of a few explanations," Umehito reasoned. He brandished the cloak as he removed it, as if using it as "exhibit A". "I'm not exactly the kind of guy people want to see with someone they care about."

"Not at first glance maybe. Give yourself some credit, Ume-chan," Hunny chastised. "And if Takashi would take two seconds he'd see that."

"Mitzkuni-" Umehito began.

"He gave Kyo-chan a chance, and you're not nearly as scary as him."

"Mitzkuni," he repeated, more firmly this time. And with that one word, the Prince of Darkness wrapped his arms around Hunny, gently, lovingly, and pulled the smaller boy against his chest. "Mori's only trying to protect you. And I don't exactly blame him. He might come around, but if he doesn't that's okay. I still love you."

"You said the L word," Hunny pointed out, crossing his arms. "I thought we agreed. The L word shall not be used out loud until we're both ready."

Umehito rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious," Hunny said. "I don't feel right saying it until you and Takashi get along. I can't have my boyfriend and my best friend hating each other, and it will be fixed. As soon as Takashi stops being a buttface."

Umehito raised an eyebrow. "Buttface?" he repeated. "You're so cute."

Hunny smiled as Umehito's bedroom door opened again.

"Kirimi," Umehito admonished gently, letting go of Hunny and walking over to his sister. "Knock first."

"Sorry Big Brother," Kirimi said. "I heard Mitzkuni and I wanted to come see him, because he never comes over anymore."

She gave a pointed pout in Hunny's direction as she said the last bit, and Hunny sighed.

"I've missed you too, Kirimi-chan," he said apologetically. "I've wanted to come over, trust me."

"Well you're here now," Kirimi said, running toward him. Hunny smiled at the little girl as she climbed onto her brother's bed and flung herself into his arms. He submitted to her tickle attack while her brother stood by the door, watching with a smirk. Hunny gave a yelp of surprise as he lost balance, he and Kirimi toppling over and rolling off the bed, onto the floor, where Kirimi continued her assault.

"Okay, Kirimi-chan," Hunny panted between bursts of laughter. "I give, white flag!"

Kirimi simply giggled.

"Ume-chan, help!" Hunny called, breathless.

With a cat-like luxurious slowness, Umehito sauntered over and plucked his sister off of Hunny, holding her securely in one arm while he held his other hand out to help Hunny up.

"Mitzkuni Honinozuka," he said. "Took out the entire Ootori private police force without breaking a sweat, but gets his ass kicked by a three year old girl."

Hunny rolled his eyes, but smiled, taking Kirimi from Umehito's arms and hugging her tightly.

"You're right," he said. "I don't come over here enough anymore."

"You don't come over at all anymore," she corrected him, whiney.

"I'm sorry, Kirimi-chan," he said sincerely. "I'll try to come over more."

"Good," Kirimi said with a smile, kissing Hunny lightly on the cheek and hugging him tighter before he set her down.

"Alright Kirimi," Umehito said. "Go play for a while, you can play with Mitzkuni later. We were busy."

"You're no fun, Umehito," Kirimi said, exiting the room.

The door closed, and Hunny back to Umehito, seated on the bed. Their lips met, and Hunny hoped the kiss would last forever. "Shows how much she knows," Hunny said when they drew apart a few minutes later. "You're plenty fun."

"Even if you won't say the L word."

"Not out loud. But I think we've confirmed that you can read minds."

Umehito smiled crookedly, wrapping his arms around Hunny again and tapping the "play" button on his iPod speaker. Their lips met again.

Oh, girl, we are the same. We are young and lost and so afraid. There's no cure for the pain, no shelter from the rain, all our prayers seem to fail. In joy and sorrow, my home's in your arms. In a world so hollow, it's breaking my heart Oh, girl, we are the same. We are strong and blessed and so brave, with souls to be saved, and faith regained. All our tears wipe away. In joy and sorrow, my home's in your arms. In a world so hollow, it's breaking my heart. In joy and sorrow, my home's in your arms. In a world so hollow, it's breaking my heart.

"Mitzkuni," Umehito said as they drew apart again. "I swear, I am going to find away to liquefy a kiss and keep it in a bottle on a necklace."

Hunny rolled his eyes again. "You do that, Ume-chan," he said as his phone buzzed, signaling a text message. "Go away, Takashi," he grumbled as he pulled out his phone. "Oh, not Takashi. Sorry Tama-chan."

Umehito smiled as Hunny read the text and began typing a reply. "Did you really just apologize to a text message?"

"Maybe," Hunny said, smiling as well.

"So what did Tamaki want?"

"To let me know how Kyo-chan's doing. He gets migraines, and he had a really bad one today," Hunny explained, seeing Umehito's look of confusion.

"How is he?" Umehito asked, suddenly concerned.

"He says he's feeling better but Tama-chan doesn't believe him. Tama-chan just dropped him off at home and asked his older sister to keep him posted. I hope he feels better soon." A brief pause. "I worry about Kyo-chan."

"Oh?"

"He works too hard," Hunny said, shifting slightly and laying back against Umehito's chest. "And he's getting too thin. I can't remember the last time I saw him eat anything, and I can tell he's not getting enough sleep. Some days he looks like he's just going to fall over. And he's so...in control all the time, I can't help but think there's something going on in his head, I don't know, some kind of storm we never see, and the fact that he's always in control is just his way of hiding that he's really a mess. And he never talks to anyone, about anything. I mean I'm pretty sure he talks to Tama-chan and I'm sure that helps him a lot, but I'm pretty sure there are things he doesn't even talk to Tama-chan about. There's something in his eyes, something that's really getting to him that he's keeping from us. And, contrary to popular belief, he's not some kind of cyborg, he really is human. As much as I'd like to believe that Kyo-chan can handle whatever life throws at him because I've never seen anything bother him, I know there's something really getting to him right now."

Umehito nodded slowly. "You really get him," he noted.

"He gives away more than he thinks he does," Hunny said sadly.

"And you notice more than most people think you do."

"Which is how I found you," Hunny said brightly. Umehito smiled radiantly, and Hunny couldn't help but smile back. "You should smile more," he said. "Real smiles. Like that. Not those creepy ones you give the Black Magic Club. Because this..." he trailed off, then reached up and caressed his lover's cheek gently. "This is Ume-chan," he said. "And it's beautiful."

XxXxX

"Tamaki stop with that senseless racket!"

Tamaki started and pulled his hands away from the piano as his grandmother entered the room. His father entered a second later and gave Tamaki a highly apologetic look. Tamaki smiled.

"Good afternoon, Grandmother," he said politely.

His grandmother sneered. Sensing that Tamaki was upset, Antoinette put herself between Tamaki and his grandmother.

"Get that thing out of here, boy."

"I promise you, Antoinette is very well behaved," the chairman said. "I've never had any problem having her in the house."

"Antoinette," the woman repeated with distaste. "It's an animal. It doesn't need a name, let alone a French one, even if the boy is half French."

The chairman cleared his throat softly.

"This way," he said, gesturing toward the stairs.

"I don't know why you insisted on having this meeting here," his mother said. "With the boy here, and that creature."

"Why I chose Mansion#2 is irrelevant," Yuzuru said sharply. "And I'd appreciate if you'd not speak that way about my son. Now, if you please."

He continued toward the kitchen and his mother followed, pausing as she passed Tamaki, his father not noticing and going ahead.

"Filthy child," she said contemptuously, softly enough that Yuzuru would not hear. Then she smirked as a portion of the pain Tamaki felt came to show in his eyes. Once his grandmother left the room and followed Tamaki's father to the kitchen, Tamaki slunk out of the room and up the stairs, Antoinette following. He slipped into his bedroom and pulled the door shut silently behind him before moving to the bed and lying down, staring at the ceiling. Antoinette hopped up next to him, laying her head on his chest, knowing he was upset. He petted her absentmindedly. After a moment, he rolled onto his side and pulled open the drawer on his bedside table. Carefully, he withdrew the envelope he had hidden under the drawer's various contents. He extracted the letter and once again read over the words he had nearly memorized.

My dearest Tamaki,

It's been so long. Not a day has gone by that I have not missed you terribly. The house is far too quiet without you. Do you still play the piano? I hope so. I miss the lovely music with which you always filled the house. Perhaps I may hear it again someday?

What's it like, living with your father? Do they treat you well? I certainly hope so. What about that grandmother of yours? She didn't seem a particularly friendly woman when I met her the day she came to get you. I hear you've made friends with the Ootori boy, Kyoya I think his name is? The youngest one. What's he like? And what's this Host Club your father's told me about? He says you seem to enjoy it. I'm glad.

Your father tells me you have a girlfriend? What's her name? What is she like? Is she pretty? Where did you meet her? I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but there's so much I want to know. I wish you could tell me in person.

Only your father knows I've sent you this letter. I know I was never to contact you again, but I can't have that.

I miss you so much, Tamaki. I love you more than I can possibly express. Please write me back, dearest. It's the closest I'll get to hearing your voice for now.

The smile that had spread across Tamaki's face as he read vanished when he reached the last paragraph. I miss you so much, Tamaki...

"I miss you too, Mother," he whispered to himself, a single tear falling from his eye before he could stop it. He stood and walked out into the main part of his room, to his desk. He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and began to write.

Mother,

I can't possibly explain how happy your letter made me. It couldn't have come at a better time. I've missed you so much, Mother.

I still play the piano. Almost everyday, unless my grandmother is here. She doesn't like it, I'm not sure why. You're right; she's not the friendliest woman. She doesn't like me. Dad's really nice though. It's hard to imagine the two of them being related. He's a lot like you in some ways, but she's... I don't want to say "horrible," but I think it's the right word.

Kyoya. Oh, goodness. Kyoya is my best friend in the world. I can't explain it. He's the best friend I could ever ask for. Ever. He's always so good to me, and he's always the first one to know when I'm upset. And I know I have some crazy ideas sometimes, I'm sure you remember them. Kyoya always goes along with them, and I think sometimes he secretly enjoys them. And I think he secretly enjoys scaring me to death, because he does so on a regular basis. He's turned it into an art form, really, scaring the living hell out of me. But he's always five or six steps ahead of everyone; I think he's secretly psychic. God knows he always knows what I'M thinking. But then again, so does Haruhi (the girlfriend Dad told you about). And he's ridiculously intelligent, and insanely talented. He's good at everything. Everything. It's actually kind of scary. A lot of people think he's some kind of emotionless conniving jerk, and he always seems like he has some kind of secret plan or hidden agenda (which he usually does, actually) but he's actually really sweet. Sometimes. Deep down. REALLY deep down.

Moving on. The Host Club. Another one of my insane ideas, which would completely fall apart without Kyoya's careful supervision. It's my favorite part of the day. I know it sounds ridiculous, but...I can't even say it's not, because it is. But I love it. It's where I met Haruhi. We met by accident, actually. She was looking for a place to study and she found us instead. Quite the opposite. And I thought she was a boy at first (I wasn't the only one, most people outside the Host Club still do think she's a boy, seeing as she dresses like one). She's honestly one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Probably THE most wonderful, tied with Kyoya. And yes, she's pretty. Especially when we manage to get her in a dress. She's a little...aloof, I guess? Though I mean that in the most endearing way possible. She's wonderful. She's afraid of thunder, and I think it's adorable...actually, I think just about everything about Haruhi is adorable. Except for the fact that she could definitely kill me if I ever gave her a reason too. She's scary when she's mad. But other than that? Completely adorable. And she never thinks about herself. Ever. She constantly puts other people first, which is really sweet, but can get bothersome, because I want her to be happy too, and I feel like she's giving that up for us. She reminds me of you, Mom.

Anyway. I love you so much Mom. I miss you so much it hurts. I promise the two of us will be together again someday. I love you.

-Tamaki

Tamaki folded the paper in half and took it back to his bedside table, placing it gently in the drawer, planning to leave early the next morning and take it to the post office before school. He sighed and lay back down on his bed just in time for his phone to ring, announcing he had a new text message.

Kyoya: are you driving to school tomorrow?

Yeah, why? he texted back. He set the phone down next to him and stared up at the ceiling and petting Antoinette until the phone rang again barely a minute later.

"Damn you, Kyoya, you and your fast texting," Tamaki muttered to himself.

Kyoya: would you mind giving me a ride?

No problem Tamaki texted back. What time do you want me to come get you? Once the message sent, he texted Haruhi I'm giving Kyoya a ride too tomorrow. Just thought I'd let you know.

He placed his phone on the bed and pulled his book bag over, extracting his math homework and getting started on it. After a while, the phone rang again but he ignored it and continued working; he was almost finished now and he knew that if he got distracted he likely wouldn't come back to the last word problem. After reading through it three times, he still had no sense of what the problem was asking for. He sighed in frustration, tempted to call Kyoya and ask for help.

"Word problems," he muttered to himself. "The only place where you can buy 63 watermelons at one time and no one wonders why..."

He sighed as the phone rang once again and picked it up.

2 new messages

Kyoya: whenever you get here is fine. Thank you, Tamaki. I owe you.

Haruhi: alright :)

Tamaki smiled, texting Haruhi back, I love you before sending Kyoya, No problem. I'll call you when I'm on my way. He set the phone down and sighed, focusing again on his homework. After working through the problem six times, producing six different answers (none of which looked particularly promising), and erasing a hole in the paper, he picked up the phone and called Kyoya.

"Hello, Tamaki," Kyoya said upon answering.

"Hey, Kyoya," Tamaki huffed.

Tamaki could almost hear Kyoya's smirk as he said, "A bit frustrated, are we?"

"Yes," Tamaki said. "Have you finished the math homework yet?"

"The watermelon problem?" Kyoya suggested.

Tamaki groaned. "How the hell are you supposed to solve it? I've gotten six different answers so far."

"Try the third formula he gave us. I'm pretty sure I got the right answer with that one."

"I tried that," Tamaki said as he wrote the formula out again, trusting Kyoya's judgment. "I got an error in the calculator, some irrational number."

"You forgot to rationalize the denominator," Kyoya said patiently. "You can't divide by a square root.

There was a pause during which Tamaki scribbled down the numbers again and punched them into the calculator. "Ah," he said. "That's better. Thank you." Tamaki sighed, content, as he pushed the math book away and sprawled luxuriously across the bed. "So, Kyoya, seriously, what time tomorrow? I don't wanna show up before you're conscious, because you know, you might eat me or someth-"

Tamaki stopped talking abruptly as there was a loud bang on Kyoya's end, followed by a loud, angry voice shouting Kyoya's name. There was nothing more than chaotic noise for a moment; the only clearly identifiable sound was that of metal hitting a wall. "I-I'll talk to you later, Tamaki," said a voice that Tamaki knew was Kyoya's but sounded nothing like him; Tamaki had never known Kyoya's voice to tremble so, cracked with terror. Tamaki lowered the phone slowly, fear for his best friend's life clenching at his heart. Did he dare go over now and confirm his fear that the angry voice was that of Kyoya's father? It was late, approaching eleven o' clock. Tamaki rose from the bed and opened his bedroom door silently, slipping his car keys from his pocket as he headed toward the front door. A quick text message to his father would be all it would take to explain his late departure. Before he'd even reached the stairs, however, a voice jarringly different from his father's stopped him in his tracks.

"Just where do you think you're off to?"

Tamaki spun around in surprise. "Grandmother," he said, much more loudly than he'd intended, and the woman scowled.

"Well?" she said.

"There's something I need to take care of," Tamaki said with strained politeness. "And it's rather urgent, so if you'll excuse me-"

"You're not going anywhere, filthy child. For all I know, at this hour, you'd be heading off to meet up with some drug dealer or prostitute or the like."

Tamaki stared, his composure slipping. "I'm not that stupid," he said, and before he was even aware that he'd spoken aloud, he was met with a hard slap across the face. He gasped, more from shock than pain, and brought a hand to his cheek, staring at his grandmother.

"How dare you speak to me that way?" the woman nearly snarled.

"A friend of mine is in trouble," Tamaki nearly spat. "I'm going to help him."

"And what help could you possibly hope to offer? You're a worthless product of corruption, and wherever you step fallibility is sure to follow. Whatever predicament this friend of yours finds himself in, you probably had a hand in getting him there, and he'd be far better off if you let him find a way out on his own."

Tamaki stood rooted to the spot as she walked away. He bit his lip to keep it from trembling, sighing angrily and nearly punching the wall in frustration, before walking back into his bedroom. He set his alarm clock for five o' clock, earlier than he usually woke up, in order to accomplish all that he needed to the next morning, and then sat down on the bed, staring at the wall. Antoinette whined, nudging Tamaki's hand with her nose.

"It's alright, Antoinette," he said. "At least it will be. I hope."

Antoinette jumped up onto the bed again and Tamaki wrapped his arms around her, holding her for a few moments before getting up. He then changed quickly into his pajamas and lay down, willing sleep to come and make the night pass faster.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Yay, evil cliff of doom!

The liquefying a kiss thing came from LifelessStar; it's her goal in life to liquefy a hug and keep it in a necklace. And to learn how to fly. Yeah she's a little out there. But hey, if you don't dream big, what's the use in dreaming?

In all honesty, when I proofread this chapter before posting it, the shift from Hunny and Nekozawa to Tamaki made me laugh a little just because it's so abrupt.

The letters were one of the first few things I wrote for this story. They've also undergone more editing than the rest of the story combined, just about. And I still don't think they're quite right. But oh well, at some point the work has to be saved from the author.

I like this concept of the philosophical Hunny who knows more about his friends than they do. And Neko and Hunny are just adorable, I think. They're polar opposites, but they've got this weird cute factor. I thought LifelessStar was kinda crazy when she first mentioned it, but the more I think about it, the cuter it seems (: I love that girl and her strange mind.

Song: In Joy and Sorrow by His Infernal Majesty (HIM)

OH! And a quick note about disclaimers: THEY DO HAVE A PURPOSE, AND YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE ONE IN EVERY STORY. Even on FanFiction, and even though you're not getting paid for it, you are PUBLISHING work using someone else's characters and such, and must give credit to the people who created the characters you are using. It's really to cover your own ass (and that of the website owners) if somehow your work shows up somewhere else, so please don't think they're pointless.