Chapter 9

I wiped a spot on the fogged mirror with a white towel before taking it rubbing my hair, trying to dry it. Grabbing a hair drier I turned it on and dried my hair enough that it wasn't dripping on the floor. I wrapped myself in a black Japanese robe with red and white flowers that fell to my knees, before reaching for my red toothbrush, wetting the bristles and then covered it with toothpaste. Turning around so that my back was facing the mirror I slowly brushed my teeth while scanning the room.

The black marble counter behind me was long and spanned most of the wall. In it was two sinks on either end each with its own different scented soap dispensers, separate toothbrushes and toothpaste. Hanging above the counter was a long mirror with lights built into the dark brown wood frame around it. At the end of the room was a large bathtub with a shower head over it. Surrounding it was a large window covered with a black curtain, which was identical to the curtain that hid the tub from view. Across from me was a single toilet with two doors beside it.

Having finished brushing my teeth I turned around and spat out the minty substance. Quickly rinsing the brush I set it down and headed for one of the doors beside the toilet. As I opened the door a light flickered on and revealed a giant room filled with dressers and female clothing hanging on the right side and male clothing on the other. Just as I was about to walk in I could hear a scratching sound at the bathroom door, along with the sound of whimpering.

I turned around and walked over to the door, before opening it. My gaze immediately landed on Scrapper who lay on the floor whimpering. I fell into a crouch and ran my hand over his head.

"What's wrong buddy?" I whispered as he shook slightly. He whimpered in response before looking over at the bed. Standing I stepped over the animal and glanced at the bed. Laying on it, covering in sweat without a shirt or covers over his body was Hotaru. He lay there thrashing his head back and forth; his left hand was clenched over his chest where a thick scar was stretched across his collar bone. I rushed to his side and sat next to him, my feet hanging over the edge. Grabbing his shoulder I nudged him slightly as my other hand wiped his bangs that were sticking to his sweaty forehead.

"Hel... Fuy… blood… Mom… Dad." He choked out as his head thrashed from my grip, tears running down his face. His hand flew up and I quickly caught it right before it hit me in the face.

"Hotaru please wake up. You're dreaming." I yelled, panicking as he freaked out more and more. Suddenly he lurched forward and I jumped back to avoid our heads colliding. His legs bent up and he rested his elbows on them before grabbing his head, panting. I quickly moved to sit on my knees in front of him. "Hotaru." I mumbled as I touched his shoulder and he flinched. Hotaru's arms sprang forward and he pulled me to him, cradling me with his legs as he hugged me. He buried his face in my hair and whimpered.

"You're okay. You're okay." I mumbled, holding his head and gripping the hair at the nape of his neck. "We're not there anymore. We're safe and together I promise."

Hotaru let out a little laugh and squeezed me tighter before releasing. I fell back on to my legs and then grabbed his face. "You okay?" I asked, brushing hair from his forehead.

"Fine. I just… I just keep seeing it over and over." He said furiously wiping the tears from his face. I grabbed his hands away from his face and his eyes softened as he looked at me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" I mumbled. He suddenly reached up tucked my long hair behind my ear before cupping my cheek.

"You're crying." He said as he wiped a tear from my face. My eyes widened and I slowly reached up and touched just under my other eye. When my hand came away it was wet. I hadn't even realized I had started crying. Hotaru grabbed my hand and pulled it away before cupping my other cheek and pressing his forehead against mine. "You don't have to be strong all the time sis." With a sigh I closed my eyes and rolled my head away from his forehead, letting it land on his shoulder. We sat there in silence as I wrapped my arms around his neck and hid my face in his skin while he just put his arms around my back and held me close in comfort.

"I thought you had learned long ago that you don't need to be the strongest. That you have us, your family to share your pain with." Hotaru whispered. My eyes opened and I stared at his neck before pulling back.

"I need to get dressed." I mumbled keeping my head down. As I stood up and walked back to the bathroom both Hotaru and I keep our hands linked until we couldn't hold on anymore. When I opened the bathroom door I could hear Hotaru fall back onto the bed.

"Hurry I need to take a shower before the others get here."

"Yeah. Yeah." I said.

After Hotaru finished having a shower and getting dressed we both headed downstairs, my arm wrapped around his. I wore skinny jeans and a tight red tank top while Hotaru was in a black t-shirt, jeans and a leather jacket. Around Hotaru's neck was a black choker with a buckle on it which was identical to the tight bracelet around my wrist. We were about to head towards the door leading to the dining room before the front door burst open and Shimura came rolling in on roller blades.

"Shimura what are you doing rollerblading so early in the morning?" Hotaru asked, as she rolled right up to us.

"My roller derby game got pushed up to tonight." Shimura said, her voice almost a whisper as she rolled her feet back and forth and stared down at our feet. After she was finished talking her head lifted back up and she looked us in the eye. Shimura had a habit that when she talked to people it was in a whisper and no matter what she couldn't look a person in the eye while talking. Her eyes shot back down and she started to speak but was cut off by a scream.

"Somebody help me." A voice shrieked. "Damn you Shimura." We all looked towards the door only to see Ibi coming through. She too was on roller blades but was having a much harder time on them. Where Shimura was perfectly balanced and came in gracefully, Ibi looked like a new born fawn standing up its legs for the first time. Her legs were visibly shaking as she tried to stay standing.

"Ibi what are you doing?" I laughed. Hotaru covered his mouth trying to not let his own laughter escape. He stopped instantly however when Ibi glared at him. I continued to laugh, "You know you're horrible with balance."

"Help me." She screamed as she started rolling forward. Her legs flew all over the place as she tried to stop. As she came flying forward Shimura rolled back quickly and I un-wrapped my arm from Hotaru's. He then moved forward and grabbed Ibi right as she lunged forward, about to fall on her face. She held onto Hotaru for dear life, grabbing his shoulders and squeezing him as tightly as possible while he flushed a bright red. He gulped nervously and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her closer.

"Shimura why is Ibi wearing your new roller skates?" I asked.

"I thought I would have till tomorrow to break them in but now that the game is pushed to tonight they need to be broken today so I can use them tonight." Shimura explained, rolling forward to grab Ibi. Both Hotaru and Shimura now held Ibi up by linking arms with her and lifting her up.

"Why couldn't you wear them?" Hotaru asked.

"I can't hurt my feet before tonight." Shimura whispered.

"So I'm guessing you guys are here for breakfast." I said with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course. We're here every morning Daichi cooks." Ibi smiled.

"So every morning." Hotaru and I said in unison.

Ibi blinked at us before replying, "Yeah pretty much."

Actually you two come over whenever Daichi cooks. Don't you guys have food at home?" I asked in annoyance.

"...Dad got fired from another job so there's not a lot of food at home." Ibi mumbled looking at the floor. Hotaru and I glanced at each other out of the corner of our eyes.

"Ibs... do you need some money? Because you know our family and Shimura's would be more than willing to..."

"No!" Ibi shouted, looking up suddenly. "You guys no I'm just whining. Besides you've done enough. I mean come on I may be poor but I don't need you guys paying for everything. After all you already bought me new school uniforms at the beginning of the semester and Shimura paid for our apartment's rent last month. You guys do too much as it is."

"Ibi you know it's not a problem." Hotaru said with admiration in his eyes. Admiration because besides the fact that we offer her anything when she needs help she turns us down a lot of the time. I admired her too, the same way I admire Haruhi, because despite being born into less than wealthy families they both managed to get scholarships to two of the richest and prestigious academies.

"I know. Now enough pitying the poor girl and let's go eat." Ibi perked up before stepping forward. She seemed to forget that she was on roller skates, her body lurched forward, and Hotaru and Shimura's grips loosened on her. With a thud our heads slammed together as I grabbed her.

"Ow!" We both yelled in pain.

"Fuyoko!" Hotaru shouted. Suddenly he was beside me, pulling Ibi off and holding her up with one arm, while his other hand came reached up to my head to inspect it. "Are you okay? You're not bleeding are you? Oh god do you have a concussion?" He yelled frantically. Reaching up I grabbed his hand and held it.

"I'm fine bro." I stated soothingly. He let out a breath of relief that caught in his throat when Ibi said.

"I'm fine too, except your hand is on a place it shouldn't be." Everyone looked down at this and saw that when Hotaru grabbed Ibi his hand came all the way around, under her arm and cupped her breast. I faced palmed and started to laugh, while Shimura's eyes widened and she blushed. The best reaction was Hotaru. His entire body turned red and heated up just before he practically threw her at Shimura and me all the while screaming sorry over and over.

As soon as she righted herself out Ibi quickly turned around with our help and shouted over Hotaru. "Hotaru it's fine don't worry."

Despite the fact that Ibi seemed completely unfazed I couldn't help but notice the small blush on her cheeks, as she shuffled forward to place a hand on Hotaru to try and calm him down a voice rang out across the room.

"Master Daichi says breakfast is ready." Cho said from the dining room door.

"Cool breakfast. Yum." Ibi yelled as she stepped forward again. Shimura and Hotaru grabbed her before she could slip again and smash her face into the ground.

"Yeah how about we take off the skates first." I said as she was lead to the stairs and pushed down to sit on one of the steps. "You guys go ahead I'll help her. You're probably hungry I can smell the food from here."

Hotaru and Shimura looked at each other as they finally smelt the freshly cooked food as Cho opened the kitchen door. Running as fast as they could the two dashed forward and ran through the kitchen, leaving behind a dazed Cho. Shaking her head Cho let out a little laugh and followed them into the kitchen.

"Those two." Ibi mumbled looking after them fondly.

"So you like my brother, huh?" I said unlacing the first roller skate.

"W-w-what!. N-n-n-n-NO! I couldn't. I wouldn't... how did you! I might but... I haven't!" Ibi started to screech panicked.

"Whoa. Hey, calm down Ibs." I murmured placing two hands on her shoulders. She looked at me panting with all her might, her red face scrunched up in embarrassment and her body as stiff as a board. After I let out a small smile she relaxed and sighed. "It doesn't really matter to me if you like Hotaru."

"...I wish it did." Ibi said looking down at her feet as I pulled the roller skate off her foot ad started working on the other.

"Why?" I asked keeping my gaze focused on the difficult knot.

"Because it could absolutely ruin our friendship that's why!" Ibi yelled throwing her arms into the air. "If I like Hotaru and tell him it could ruin our friendship when he rejects me. When he rejects me I can't hang out with him because it'll be awkward having him know that I'm hung up on him. I won't be able to come over here and there's really no other place I can see you, because my apartment is too small and I can't stand Shimura's witch of an aunt so her house is out of the question. If I don't see you, the two of us will slowly drift apart and Shimura's a third year so at school the two of us can only have lunch together and if we all can't hang out after school I'll be all alone and you guys will all be together. I don't have any other really close friends so I'll be all alone and then I'll spiral into full blown depression! Fuyoko are you even listening to me!" She screeched.

"Not particularity, no. Aha! Got it." I smirked, finally getting the knot undone. Ibi fell against the stairs, her body and foot limp when I pulled the skate off of her foot.

"How could you be so mean." Ibi moaned.

"I'm not being mean. Me leaving you to be alone is impossible. You have been my friend since elementary school, both you and Shimura are were my first friends outside of this house. You're also two of the only friends I've had that haven't had something to gain from being close to me. Ibi you have been and always will be like a sister to me and right now that fear is just you coming up with excuses to never tell my brother your feelings. If, not when, my brother rejects you, nothing will stop me from being your friend." I said, not looking up as I retied the skates and hid the laces inside. Suddenly I was pushed back and landed on the ground hard with Ibi's arms latched tightly around my waist and her head buried in my hair. Letting out a little chuckle I leaned back on one of my hands and used the other to pat Ibi softly on the head. As she let out a little sniff I let my head fall back and I stared at the ceiling.

"So emotional." I thought fondly with a little sigh.
_

"Yor gowin whr?" Daichi said through a mouth full of food. We all turned from around the dining room table to look at him as he shoved another pancake in his mouth and opened his mouth to speak.

"Daichi don't talk with your mouth full." Kenji said from the head of the table. I turned to look at Kenji as he picked up a small piece of egg with a fork and took a bite. He looked at me from the corner of his eye and gave me a wink when he noticed me looking at him. I gave a smile at the small sign of affection my brother gave me. After the death of our parents Kenji took charge of the family. When it happened I saw Kenji cry only a couple times, and I always felt that he wanted to cry a lot more but he kept his feelings of pain in because be was the oldest. Just like I felt I had to be strong for Hotaru when the incident happened Kenji felt that he had to be strong for the entire family. I couldn't help but be grateful of him, he always wanted to travel the world before he took over dad's company and mom and dad always pushed him to do it. Unfortunately he never got the chance because when dad was gone Kenji had to step up and take over his position. He takes care of our family and makes sure we're happy and it makes me angry at times. He does so much for us and never takes time to indulge on his own desires, he never thinks of himself.

"Though I hope that will change soon." I thought as I watched Kenji let out a rare smile as Cho leaned over and refilled his coffee cup. The two exchanged a few words before Cho moved on towards the kitchen with Kenji smiling down into the cup. "My brothers are incapable of making moves on women they like. Dummies."

"So what were you trying to say Daichi?" I asked turning towards the end of the table.

"...I asked where you were going?" Daichi questioned before shoving yet another pancake into his mouth.

"I'm going over to the house of a girl in my class. Her name is Haruhi and we have a project that we need to work on together." I said before eating a piece of bacon.

"You can go as long as you have the car take you. I don't want you to go on your own have Takeo take you there and back." Kenji cut in. I turned back to him and the two of stared each other down before I sighed.

"Fine." I mumbled. I wanted to fight him on it but I know from personal experience that it was a battle I wouldn't win. "Bothersome protective brother."

"Can we come?!" Hotaru and Ibi shouted happily from across from me, both pulling out their best puppy dog faces. I was about to shout out a huge no, but I was always a sucker for puppy dog faces. They were smart, they made the faces before I could close my eyes and now I can't look away. As much as I wanted to I couldn't look away and just as I was about to relent a hand suddenly slammed over my eyes. Jumping I reached up and touched the cold hand over my eyes, naturally comforted by the familiar smell of soil and mint. Moving the hands away I leaned back to look up into the blue eyes of Kenta, who stood right behind me.

"Thanks Kenta." I mumbled smiling at him.

"You can't resist their puppy dog eyes. Close yours quicker next time." Kenta said before sitting in the chair next to Kenji and filling up his plate with eggs. Kenta flicked his long black bangs out of his eyes but they just fell back into his eyes. He has always been the quietest in the family but that's what I expect from a talented writer like himself. I couldn't help but smile at him as he sat there smothering his face with food.

"Well," I started standing up. "I'm going to get going." As I started to walk away Hotaru quickly got up and chased after me. The two of us made it into the front hall when he suddenly jumped on my back and wrapped his arms around me, trying to slow me down, his feet dragging on the ground.

"Bring me with you." He whined into my ear.

"I can't. Neither of us have school but you have band practice." I said pushing him off of me.

"Here's your bag Miss. Fuyoko." Both Hotaru and I turned to see Cho holding out my backpack. We both blinked at her before turning to each other thinking the same thing.

"Wasn't she just in the kitchen. Well, she's always been efficient." We both shrugged at each other before turning back to Cho, who stood there smiling pleasantly. I reached forward and grabbed the bag from her grip.

"Cho can you call Takeo and have him bring the ca..." I started.

"Already done miss. He's waiting outside." Cho cut in walking to open the door.

"Alright then. I'll see you later Hotaru." I said reaching up and kissing him on the cheek before heading to the door where Cho stood with a tall man. The man was Takeo who towered over Cho and I, he was dressed up in a generic driver uniform with a hat pulled low over his face. "Let's go Takeo, thank you for taking me."

"Your welcome mistress." Takeo bowed before turning and walking out the door to the short limo.
_

"So this is Haruhi's apartment building huh?" I mumbled looking at the building in front of me. "Now, what number did she say it was?"

"Would you like me to wait?" Takeo asked closing the car door behind me.

"No that's alright I can get home on my own." I smiled up at him.

"I can't let you do that mistress. Cho informed me that Master Kenji would like you to get a ride here and back."

"Argh, fine I'll text you when I'm done." I said sweat dropping as I thought about how annoying Cho and Kenji were.

"Alright mistress." Takeo grunted as I walked away and headed up the stairs. Haruhi said the second floor but I couldn't remember what number it was. I scanned the doors hoping that the doors had names on them like they did in Ibi's apartment building, but none of them did.

"May I help you?" A voice said from beside me. I turned to see a very beautiful woman standing their in a flowing skirt and shirt.

"Oh hello. Would you happen to know where the Fujioka family lives ma'am?" I asked with a pleasant smile.

"...Are you? White hair." She mumbled looking deep in thought. Suddenly she jumped at me and glomped me, holding me tight against her chest. I grabbed onto her in return so as not to fall when she picked me up and started spinning me in circles. "I'm so happy to meet youuuuuuu!" She screeched. "It's so nice to meet one of Haruhi's girlfriends!"

"Dad what are you doing?" A familiar voice suddenly asked after a door was heard opening.

When the woman stopped mid-spin I could see the face of Haruhi staring at the two of us.

"Dad?" I mumbled, if this is Haruhi's dad then I just cross-dressing runs in her family. "Haruhi help."

"Dad put her down." Haruhi deadpanned.

"I don't want toooooo! She smells really nice and her skin is so soft!" Haruhi's dad cooed.

"Oh great another Tamaki." I thought wanting to just go home and nap. "This guy is a nut job."

Haruhi groaned and the next thing I knew she was dragging me into her apartment as she locked the door on her father, who was on the ground holding his head and crying her name.

"Well that was fun." I mumbled.

"Sorry about that. Could you take your shoes off?" Haruhi asked as she took hers off. I quickly pulled my shoes off of my feet and then followed Haruhi into her living room.

"Haruhi! I don't have my key!" Her father yelled from outside the door.

"Go away." Haruhi stubbornly yelled back as the two of us sat crossed legged at the table.

"Your dad makes a really beautiful woman. Though he's kind of childish. I take it you get your personality from your mother." I said smirking at the door.

"Yeah I guess so."

"I'd love to meet her. She must be a pretty remarkable woman to put up with him."

"She was." Haruhi said nonchalantly as she grabbed her books that were set out on top of the table. It was at that point that I finally noticed the shrine in the corner with a picture of a brunette woman and I put two and two together. Looking back at Haruhi I made sure she wasn't looking and I put my hands together and bowed my head towards the picture. A habit I had from whenever I passed the shrine in our house for my parents.

"Your apartment is pretty nice." I mumbled looking around the small space.

"Really?" Haruhi asked.

"I may be rich Haruhi but I have been in places like this before. The six months that my family lived in Toronto in Canada we stayed at an apartment like this one. There was a lot of us so we were pretty cramped in, but I was pretty young at the time so I was pretty tiny and didn't take up much space."

"You lived in Canada?"

"Yeah my family had to move around for my dads business trips so every once in a while we would move to places across the world for a few months and then come back to Japan." I smiled remembering the few times that we would be cramped into tiny apartments or small houses just for the fun of it. As much as I like smaller houses I'll never get tired of living in our giant house here in Japan. "So should we get started Haruhi?"

"...yeah." Haruhi said looking at me focused.

"...What?"

"Oh nothing." She said turning to her books as I shrugged an then pulled mine out.