Cheez unavailable at the present.


Chapter 8

The Good Old Hockey Game

Kimber –

I paced back and forth, my alarm clock blaring "The Good Old Hockey Game" in the background, not at all helping my grave, serious state. Sabrina set the four popcorn bowls on a little table behind our couch and a rented loveseat. (Isn't that crazy!? Did you know you could rent loveseats!? I mean, why would one want to rent a loveseat anyway?)

I waltzed around our kitchen while Sabrina sat on the couch, staring at the Nintendo Wii menu unblinkingly. Creepy girl, she is.

Then, suddenly, I heard a roar, and a girlish shriek.

"The host club," I muttered under my breath.

"It's…cute," I heard another voice say nervously, as if they were afraid to answer. I ran outside as fast as I could, throwing my arms into the air excitedly.

"His name's Tucker!" I screamed. I looked directly ahead to see the entire host club. Kyouya, Tamaki, The twins, Haruhi, Hunny, and Mori, all in a line. They all stared at me blankly, like I was some sort of maniac. I laughed nervously as I watched Tamaki saunter over to Tucker, petting the green dinosaur affectionately, like they shared some kind of secret bond.

"Is this some sort of Canadian decoration? Do you know where I could get one?"

I laughed, starting to walk back inside. "The internet, my friend, the internet." They scurried along behind me like stray dogs who want to mooch food off of you. Tamaki went to explore the house, Kyouya went god knows where, and I think Hunny, Mori, and Haruhi went… actually, I'm not sure, whatever. And the twins went to the living room, where Sabrina would most likely be sleeping. I slowly followed them, cautiously. Kaoru turned around the corner, almost running into me. He pointed backward with his thumb.

"She's asleep, what do we do?"

"Just give her a good slap across the face," I advised them knowledgably. Kaoru walked in there skeptically, and I watched from the doorway. He walked up to her, and…he poked her. I knew he couldn't do it. Sissy.

Pfft. "I woulda done it," I said, realizing that Hikaru had muttered the same thing. I glanced at him sourly, but then I smiled. Sometimes I think we're too alike for our own good.

When I looked back to Sabrina and Kaoru, they were eyeing Hikaru and I suspiciously. I raised my eyebrow, blushing, and I rushed out of the room.

"Where are the stairs!?" I heard.

"What!? Only one floor!?"

"Where's the master bathroom?"

"ALRIGHT! WHO POKED ME!?"

I rolled my eyes and walked back into the living room, reaching from behind the couch to grab the Wii remote and going quickly to the internet channel. I threw it to Sabrina. "Find the website," I commanded before walking to the kitchen. I stood in the kitchen for a few moments, wondering why I had gone there.

"EVERYONE!" I screamed. "TO THE LIVING ROOM!" I heard running footsteps and a crash, but I ignored it and went to the living room, jumping over the couch and onto the seat beside Kyouya. Ugh. I didn't want to sit by him, but there was nothing else. The couch had Me, Kyouya, Hunny and Sabrina (sitting on the arm-thing), and on the loveseat sat Tamaki and Haruhi. Mori stood behind us, not seeming to mind it at all, and the twins sat on the floor. They sat perfectly diagonal from each other in the same poses.

"Throw me to Wiimote," I commanded with a blank stare. Sabrina tossed it to me and I stretched my arm out to grab it. I quickly pressed play on the live Twisters internet feed. I made the image full screen. I had beautiful resolution. The game was just starting, and someone was singing O'Canada. I smiled.

"That's my mom…" I whispered.

"Your mom has an excellent singing voice," Haruhi said blankly.

"Thank you."

Sabrina squinted at the screen. She pointed to it. "Amy, Riley, Carly, Dylan, Marshall, Tristan, Alison, Corey, Keenan, Kaelan…" She started. I smiled.

"I miss them."

"Me too."

Everyone else stared at us weird as we reminisced. I smiled and the hockey game started. Everyone watched intently, shoving popcorn down their throats when needed. The game was intense, and we all watched in awe.

"Aren't we glad I'm not over there? I mean, the drunken hockey players would want o like, talk to me and stuff because I'd only be a few years younger than them!" I shuddered.

Sabrina shrugged, pursing her lips. "I personally like drunken hockey players."

I nodded understandingly, turning my attention back to the game. Then, it happened, the Twister's scored their first goal.

"Oh. My. God! WOOHOOO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Everyone took that as an invitation to cheer as well. I smiled at them all, glancing around. It was then the end-of-period break, and we got to do whatever we wanted. I marched around the house with a sparkly baton singing Micky Mouse March. Eveyrone else talked and laughed and threw things. Then, I glanced at the T.V.

There she was. In the flesh.

My 6-yeard-old sister, Martine.

I squealed with glee and ran to the television, hugging it.

"What's wrong Kimber?" Sabrina asked from the doorway.

"It's Martine! It's really her, it's-" Then, without warning, I burst into hot, depressed tears and I ran to the kitchen for fear of being seen. I sobbed into the table.

I had missed her so much. She's like my best friend, and I hadn't even called her!

Or Marshall! He was like, my best friend too!

I'd have to call them both as soon as possible.

But then, halfway to the phone, I stopped. It was a live hockey game and they were both there, so why would they be at home.

I sighed in irritation, sitting back down in the kitchen.

"You okay?" A soothing voice asked from the door.

"Yeah I'm fine go watch the game," I told the person, waving my hand away. I waited for footsteps but I heard none. Then, I heard some, but they were coming closer.

I felt someone pat my head. I looked up, and Mori was there, towering over me. Did I ever say how much I love Mori, because seriously I could marry him, you know, if my heart wasn't promised to the owner of Ouran Academy.

When I looked back up, Mori was gone. I sighed. What a wonderful man.

I then trudged off to the bathroom. I left the door open, walking to the mirror. I took a cloth and dabbed it at my eyes to reduce the redness.

I looked into the mirror, and I saw Hikaru standing behind me.

"You okay?" He asked, his arms crossed. I kept the cloth across my eyes, looking up so it wouldn't slip, crossing my arms and scrunching up my nose in annoyance.

"Just peachy," I hissed. Hikaru made a bemused little chuckle.

"Your sister?" He asked in a soft motherly voice.

"She… I haven't even… I just miss her." I took the cloth off of my face and flung it across the bathroom. "I miss everyone."

"Oh."

He seemed like he had only come in there because he was forced. I smirked.

"Let's go."


"Bye everyone!" I called to the mass of people who were leaving, closing the front door hastily. I sauntered into the living room to clean up, seeing Hikaru. He was sitting on the couch all alone, squinting at the television, which was turned off.

I gasped in mock-shock. "The Hitachiin twins, apart!? I don't believe it!"

"Kaoru's in the bathroom," Hikaru said icily, not taking his gaze off the T.V. They must have been having a staring contest, and, if so, the T.V. was kicking Hikaru's ass.

"Is someone…coming to pick you up?" I asked nervously.

"We haven't called anyone yet. Is it all right if we stay a bit longer?"

"Yes. Of course. I was just about to clean up-"

"Want to play guitar hero?"

"Hell yeah."

So we sat down, each with one perfectly beautiful, 2 week-old guitar hero axe.

"What difficulty do you play on?" I asked Hikaru.

"Hard."

"I play on medium."

"Hmph." He sounded almost triumphant.

"What song?"

The atmosphere felt so tense it bothered me. There was something going on with Hikaru, and I was determined to find out what.

"How about… Raining Blood," He suggested like it would be a challenge. Come on, I had played Raining Blood a million times.

"Excellent choice," I complimented, choosing that song happily.

When we were finished I stared at him closely until he looked at me, laughing.

"I butchered that song!" I yelled in exasperation.

"Ah, you didn't suck that bad. Now, me on the other hand…"

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "We both did great, how about that."

"Okay. I can live with that."

As soon as he put the guitar down his eyes looked glazed over and lifeless again. Depressed, if you will.

"Hikaru… is something… wrong?"

"No," He told me, turning to me with a fake-looking smile. "Why do you ask?"

"You just don't... look okay."

"Oh well I'm fine."

"You sure?" I grabbed his arm thoughtfully.

"Yes, I'm sure." There was a twinge of anger in his eyes as he pulled away. He waved his hand. "Let's go, Kaoru." Kaoru got up from the kitchen table, where he was sitting with Sabrina. He turned around to face us both, bowing.

"Thank you for having us," he said with a grateful smile, taking his leave.

I wondered what was up with Hikaru, why was he being so distant? Why wouldn't he tell me?

"What did you do?" Sabrina's voice startled me out of my thoughts, and I shook my head.

"When did I do what now?" I asked her, confused.

"Why was Hikaru so mad?"

"Mad! Ahahahaha! Not mad! Glad, really! In fact, he was as happy as a clam!"

"Hikaru was mad."

"If he was, I sure didn't notice, and I sure as hell didn't pester him about it, that's not the kind of duckling I am!" I laughed nervously again.

Sabrina sighed. "I'm going to bed."

"Yeaaaaah me too."


I awoke the next morning happily, listening to the joyful song "Suicide Notes And Butterfly Kisses". It really perked me up. I threw on my uniform, making some breakfast for Sabrina and I. I was in the mood for omelet's, (even though I hate them), so I made them.

Once I ate one though, they were great. By then it was 7:00 AM, so I stalked over to Sabrina's room surreptitiously, and I extended my hand to knock on the door, but I changed my mind, swinging it open rapidly.

"COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!" I screamed with my best imitation of a rooster. Sabrina sat upright immediately.

"Go," She sighed. "Away."

"But I made you an omelet." I frowned, what a letdown. Sabrina sighed angrily, leaving the room, her hair disheveled and unkempt.

"Sa-" I started. She gave me the finger gracefully, running into the wall and stumbling toward the kitchen. I walked over to the door, grabbing my backpack.

"I'm leaving early," I called. I had to find out what was going on with Hikaru, and it could take a while. I started to walk outside, and, much to my surprise, a pointy rose went flying past me and landed right beside Tucker. I sauntered over to it, picking it up carefully and admiring it in the light. There was a small note on it.

"Ho bisogno del vostro consiglio, il vostro amico sono chi amo" From what I could see, it was Italian, but those were just my instincts speaking.

"Who the fuck writes a note in Italian?" I muttered to myself. "Oi! How am I supposed to read it!?"

"Babelfish translator is great." A male voice advised from nowhere. I raised my eyebrow, deciding to ignore it, and I started my trek to school.

One I got there, I quickly rushed to the computer lab, pushing some kid off the closest computer, and I went to AltaVista Babelfish Translator. I typed in the contents of the letter quickly, and then clicked "Italian to English".

"I have need of your council, your friend are who I love," I read aloud from the screen. So, an Italian guy liked my friend. Which friend? Sabrina I'm guessing.

Who do I know that's Italia- Oh god. Demetrio.

I trudged into the math classroom, spotting the twins immediately. But, instead of walking toward them, I detoured toward the greasy-haired teacher.

"Sensei…" I muttered silently.

"Yes?"

He knew that look I was giving him. He out stretched his hand stealthily. I slipped a large sum of money into his palm.

"What do you need?" He asked.

"Partner work? Hikaru Hitachiin?"

"I'm afraid this wouldn't be enough money."

"What!?"

"He's the hardest one."

"Fine. Just partners, I'll get him to go with me."

"Hell if I care, but for your own sake, good luck." He patted me on the shoulder and I smiled warmly, sitting at my desk. I dared a glance at Hikaru, who was staring absently out the window. It was the perfect opportunity.

"Hikaru…"

He didn't reply.

"Hey Hikaaaaaruuuu," I sang.

No reply once more.

"Hey, dumbass!"

He turned his attention to me, and then looked back out the window like I never said anything.

"Hey Hikaru we're doing partner work today want to be my partner?"

He mumbled something inaudible.

I paused, and then raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Sure. Whatever."

"Even the flying monkeys?"

"Yup."

I knew he wasn't listening. But whatever, I got a yes.


"What do you do for question seven?" I asked Hikaru, reaching over the desk to his paper and pointing to it.

"Kimber. You're done the math."

My mouth became a little "o" as I realized that he was right.

"Why did you want to be my partner?" He sounded cold and distant. Like whatever was happening was my fault. Which, I mean, it could be, but I highly doubt that.

"I wanted to know why you were being so cold and distant last night Hikaru…" I whispered. My eyes lit up like a child's.

"Well it doesn't matter."

"But I'm concerned Hikaru."

"I don't want to worry you-"

"Hikaru, I'm probably more worried about you now then I will be if you tell me."

"How so?"

"I've already come up with a like a million possibilities and until you tell me I'll be stressing over each one. I'll get frown lines and stress lines and then I'll have to get plastic surgery!" I gripped my face in agony.

"I'll…" He looked around at the members of our class. Sabrina had gone with prissy-blonde-girl and Kaoru with Haruhi. "I'll tell you in art."

And so the day began. After that, it was all a blur. I just waited for art class, when I'd get to know what was wrong with Hikaru. I genuinely was worried. But, with him, it could be something little that he's being a drama queen about, or something huge.

The one part of the day where I forgot everything else was physics.

I sat calmly beside Demetrio, passing him a note I had been writing and re-writing all day until I had finally settled on the wording.

"Do you have a crush on Sabrina?" It read. I passed it to him with the utmost skill.

"Yes." Was his reply.

"And what are you gonna do about that?" I quickly scribbled down, making an attempt at listening to the teacher's lecture.

"I need you to help me. What does she like?"

"Off the top of my head… food, video games, harmless weapons, harmful weapons, and… politics?"

"Politics?"

"Do you not believe me!? She's always aspired to be the Prime Minister of-" I tried to think of something "Great Britain."

"Hmmm…"

"I know, she's an odd little duckling."

He smirked at me, crumpling up the paper as the teacher came past. I then did my schoolwork.


I sat in art class expectantly, glancing around the room. I fiddled with my hands nervously, craning my neck. Where was he? I frowned. He wasn't coming. I knew it. I knew he'd avoid it.

I banged my head down on the table, closing my eyes and keeping it there.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'd definitely prefer you look at things in art class, it might just benefit you." His voice cut through my thinking like a knife. He seemed cheerful. Why was he cheerful!?

I looked up at him with a faint smile on my face as he sat down on my left.

"Okay Hikaru, lets talk," I said, folding my hands and crossing my legs like a talk show host.

"What, the hell, has been up with you lately?" I whispered into an imaginary microphone. I then held out my invisible microphone to Hikaru.

"It's Kaoru…" He muttered. I then made a motion that seemed like throwing the microphone away and I leaned in closer. He sounded really troubled by it.

"He… he's being followed. Someone keeps sending him angry mail, and throwing pointy roses at our house…" I bit my lip, remembering this morning.

"I started to walk outside, and, much to my surprise, a pointy rose went flying past me and landed right beside Tucker. I sauntered over to it, picking it up carefully and admiring it in the light."

I gulped. Maybe it does have something to do with me. Or. Demetrio!

"What do the letters say?"

"No clue. They're all in Italian."

"Tell you what; you're coming to my house today."

"I am?"

"Yes, and you're bringing those letters, and we're going to translate them. Because, believe it or not, I think I know who your culprit is and what his motive is, and it isn't as serious as you may think, my dear friend."

"Can you tell me?"

"No! That's classified information."

"But-"

I put my hand up to stop him from speaking. "Any further questions, comments, or concerns can be solved by my assistant."

"Your assistant?" He echoed.

"Yes. Grape Juice Boy, down the street."

"…Grape Juice Boy?"

"Chya. He could kick your ass in Guitar Hero any day."

"Wanna bet?" He sounded genuinely excited, and I was so glad he was in a good mood again.

"5:00, my house, tonight." I stuck my hand out to shake hands and he shook it daintily.

"Shall I tell Kaoru?"

"Better not. I assume you had a little row about it all?" (Hahaha. A little row. I love my British-ness)

"Yes."

"Wherein he told you not to worry."

"Yes. How do you know these things?"

"I pick things up easily. I want to be a teen psychiatrist when I'm older."

"Hmm."

I raised an eyebrow. "hmm?"

"Hm."

"Hmmmmmmmmm?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Mmmm."

Then we stopped.

I fiddled with my hair. "That was really stupid."

"Yeah it was."


I looked across the table at Hikaru, my eyes sparkling with happiness. The letters were scattered across the table and my laptop was sitting on top of them.

I had gotten Sabrina out of the house for a while, sending her off to some anime store downtown. She'd be a few hours.

"So far we've translated 5 letters, and they all talk about a girl."

"Here's the next one;" Hikaru said, passing me the letter. When he did so, his arm brushed up against mine. I shivered, his touch was cold.

"Ci è una ragazza che amo. Ma ama un altro. Esca della sua vita," I read from the paper. I quickly typed it in on the translator.

"There is a girl that I love. But it loves another. Decoy of its life," Hikaru read with a puzzled expression.

"A girl… loves another… decoy… So, most likely, it's 'get out of her life' or something."

"Many girls love Kaoru."

"Well, who is closest to Kaoru, besides the Fangirls?"

"You, Haruhi, Sabrin- Sabrina!"

"But she doesn't love Kaoru…"

"That's what you think."

"No, she doesn't. I mean sure, she my think he's a sexy beast, but I think that's as far as it goes."

"Sure. Whatever you say."

"I'm serious! She doesn't! She may, you know, talk to him a bit and stuff, so it might appear that way…"

He pointed his finger up in a way that reminded me of Tamaki. "Exactly!"

"We've done it!" I screamed. Hikaru jumped up, twirled me around, and hugged me close. I raised my eyebrow at this sudden burst of emotion.

He then pulled away, clearing his throat nervously. "How about that Guitar Hero Battle…?" I smirked deviously, running to go get Kai. I knocked loudly on the door three times. His mother answered the door.

"Why hello Kimber, what brings you here?"

"I was wondering if Kai wanted to play some Guitar Hero."

"Well, he's practicing for his club right now…"

Just then, behind her, I saw Grape Juice Boy. He was wearing a black cloak and carrying a puppet.

"What are you doing?" I asked him with a warm smile. He turned to me, his eyes widening, and he ran off. Then, behind him came another guy in a cloak, his hood off. His hair was a dark black and it fell in his eyes as he walked. I couldn't see much because of the cloak, but he was carrying a puppet too. I raised my eyebrow. What exactly were they "practicing"? Then, for a second, the black-haired one turned to me. I almost melted, or died…or something. He was so hot. More than… than a Hikaru-Kaoru-Tamaki sandwich.

"Your friend can come too!" I called after Kai in desperation. "Come anytime!"

I then ran off, across the lawn to my house, making Tucker roar. Hikaru was waiting for me, lying on the floor and staring at the ceiling. I lay down beside him.

"Hey," I muttered, my breath was still ragged.

"Hey, what's up with you?"

"I just met the hottest guy alive."

He raised his eyebrow. "Really now?" There was a bit of resentment in his voice, but I ignored it.

"He might be coming here with Kai, AKA Grape Juice Boy."

"Oh. Okay."

"So you two can have your little guitar hero battle and I'll talk to hot black-haired kid."

"Black hair?"

"Yes. Do you know him?"

"Did he have a puppet?"

"By George he did!"

"That's Nekozawa, leader of the black magic club."

"He's in a cult? That's hot."

"A club."

"Sounds like a cult to me."

"Well, think of it what you will, it's a club." I scrunched up my nose, jumping up when I heard a loud knock at the door. I ran to the door, opened it up, and almost screamed. There they were. Kai in normal clothes now, Nekoz- whateverhisnameis still in his cloak.

"Are you sure it's okay if Nekozawa comes too?"

"Well of course, come right in." Kai and Nekozawa removed their shoes. Nekozawa looked to be one or two years older than me, AKA still in my league. I chuckled evilly and he raised his eyebrow at me.

"Okay Kai, I have someone here who has challenged you in Guitar Hero. You will play on hard, the song of his choice." Kai cracked his knuckles, which made me shudder, I hate that.

"One. You're on."

"ooooh. One," I said like it was something huge. I elbowed Hikaru lightly. "Good luck."

So they started up the wii and got to playing, but I paid no attention. Where was Nekozawa?

Just after that thought, as if reading my mind, he appeared behind me, his puppet in hand. I assumed he was trying to be scary, but I was used to stuff like that.

"Does your puppet have a name?" I asked him with a pleasant smile.

"Beelzenef. Cat's are the symbol of the darkness in our family."

"Really? That's cool."

He seemed taken aback by the fact that I wasn't scared by him.

"Can I… touch it?" I murmured to Nekozawa.

"…sure?" I slowly extended my finger, poking the puppet.

"Ohmigod I love it!"

"…Could you possibly turn the lights off?"

I nodded. "Well of course." With that, I merely dimmed the lights to the point where you could still see.

"So… Nekozawa, what does this cu- club-" I had caught myself, thank god. "Of yours do?"

"Black magic. We get together and perform curses and such." For some reason, I was enthralled by this. I felt a rush of adrenaline.

"Sounds like fun!"

"I guess you could call it that."

"Could I possibly come the next time you get together?"

"Tomorrow after school, in a room that branches off from the third music room, the Host Club."

Just then, I noticed a tuft of blonde hair stick out from under the black. Whatthehell? I leaned toward him, taking the hood off. I was so close to his face that it hurt. I released my hands from the hood, pulling back.

"Is that a wig?" I asked with interest.

"Yeah. I'm naturally a blonde."

"Why do you wear the wig?"

"I think I look better with black hair."

I took the wig off, straightening out his hair. "Well I think you look better blonde." I smiled warmly at him.

All of a sudden, I heard someone clear their throat. It was Hikaru.

"I should get going," He said with an angry expression.

"Uhm… okay. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See ya."

"Nekozawa and I should be on our way…" Kai whispered.

"Hey! Who won!?" I asked him excitedly.

"I did. Kicked his ass I did."

"Nice!" I exclaimed, high-fiving Kai.

"See you… tomorrow…" Nekozawa murmured, putting his hood back on. Kai and Nekozawa left.

Sabrina stumbled in, carrying bag upon bag of anime merchandise.

"Who was that sexy emo kid?" She asked me curiously, pointing behind her with her thumb. I smirked, not saying a word.


ACK! Hello! SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! I had a major writers block problem and, and... oh I'm just so sorry. SALMON FOR EVERYONE! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

And so, Nekozawa appears! (lol he's my favourite character)

Hope you like the chapter, because I enjoyed writing it. (hahaha I put off school work to write it. Speaking of which, maybe I should go DO my homework)

SEEEEYAAAAAAH

- - PICKLEZ