Ikita sighed and stared at herself in the mirror. She had messed up big time, bigger than ever before, and she had no idea how she was supposed to fix it. She peered around at the pristine walls and tiles of the girl's bathroom at Ouran High School. It was nice, and smelled like flowery soap.

Ikita remembered the other day with a jarring wince. She had made Hunny cry; she was sure, she had seen the tears. He had cried, and why? She hardly wanted to admit it. Hell, she hardly believed it herself! She had never been in a situation like this. And why had Kyoya had to do that? She was sure that he knew what Mitsukuni's feelings were, and yet he just went ahead and did what he did. It upset her to know that she also leaned in, she enjoyed it, even if for a moment. The… the kiss. It was insane to think such things, to be thinking that after all of this - maybe only a month, but a long month - Hunny liked her more than a friend. Maybe not the same as a girlfriend or anything more, maybe a lot less. But more than a friend.

She had been so confused at first, had sat in her new apartment and stared at the blank wall for a long time, her thoughts running wild. She wanted to apologize for what she had done.

And, in her stomach she felt something weird. Maybe she liked him back? She had thought for a long time, thinking about all the things she knew about Hunny, and she didn't know a lot. She knew some things, like where his family came from and other things, but what else? Not much. Nothing about Hunny very personally besides the fact that he liked sweet things. It was sad in a way, and she wished she would have bothered to pay more attention, to ask questions.

Ikita sighed and stepped out of the bathroom. The school day had finished several minuets ago, and she was expected at the Host club now. She didn't know what she was supposed to do. She didn't know how the hell she would handle it if Kyoya and Hunny were there, and she knew without a doubt that they would be there.

She would skip. She frowned, she didn't really want to. She would go, she decided, and tell Hunny she was worry, and then she would leave, tell Tamaki that she had way to much homework to be working that night, and that she deserved a day off. That is, if things didn't get better between Hunny and her, and if Kyoya didn't stare like she knew he would. It would be impossible.

As she walked down the hall she tried to compose what she would say, but she didn't know. She hardly knew what she had done, or even if it was her fault! But it was, she knew that, because she had kissed Kyoya back when he kissed her.

Ikita bit her lip and opened the door to the third music room. She wondered where Kikura was when she needed someone to be blunt and to help her just get this over with. The Host club was there, every one of them. Kyoya was sitting at his table as usual, typing away on his lap-top, but he didn't look up when the door opened. He didn't even bother to see her. It was the expected, he was just seeing.

And there was Hunny, sitting at his own table across the room. He wasn't smiling, he was just sitting there, looking down at his lap where he clutched Usa the stuffed rabbit. Takashi stood beside him, and when the door opened he looked up, like the rest of the Host club, and he stared. Ikita offered a small smile, but Takashi didn't smile back. She wondered if he was angry with her for hurting Hunny. But she hoped that it would all be fixed now, when she talked to him. She wanted it all to be fixed.

It seemed to take forever as she walked to him. Everyone was silent, everyone's breath was held. They were all wondering what would happen next in this carefully constructed drama laid out before them. Ikita was wondering the same exact thing. She hoped and pleaded for one turn-out, but she was sure for another. It was almost like a game for other's amusement; she had to remind herself that it was real, it was all real, and this was all really happening. This is how it would be, and she had to make sure that it was going to be ok between her and the short blond that she now stood only feet behind.

"Hunny-sempei?"

Her voice was quiet, but it seemed a lot louder than she had wanted it to. If Mitsukuni heard, he didn't show that he did. Ikita took a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to calm her beating heart.

"Hunny-sempei, I… I'm sorry." Ikita struggled to remember what else she wanted to say, but the blood in her ears made it hard to remember. She would remember this moment as loud, much louder than anything else in the world. The others would remember it as very quiet; deathly so, and more dangerous than a rabid dog, because this was two hearts at play, and that was the most dangerous you could get. "I didn't know. I didn't know that you felt that way. I guess I still don't know, b-because you never told me anything about your feelings." Ikita bit her lip a little harder. "It's my fault, I know that, because I wasn't paying attention before now, and I just didn't think.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I just wanted to tell you I was sorry, and that I wish it could have turned out a bit better, ok?" Ikita put on a sad smile, and got ready to turn and leave. She didn't want to be here anymore, it just was a bit to much.

Suddenly, Mitsukuni stood. He was looking down, the shadows were covering his eyes. He was sad, he was very, very sad, and he wished it could have turned out better, too. But she couldn't help himself when he turned on her, his eyes angry, his face animated. Ikita's smile fell and she bit her lip again.

"You can't say that, Ikita," Hunny growled and the red-head seemed to shrink, but Hunny wasn't done. "You can't say you didn't know, because I know you did!" Ikita froze, her body stiffening as she heard Hunny's voice raise to a yell. His eyes were simply vivid, he glared with such an insane intensity in his eyes. "You can't say that! And it is your fault; it's all your fault! You… You're an idiot! You didn't think about anyone but yourself, because you are a selfish idiot! You knew all along, and all you wanted to do was make me cry, because you're mean! You only came here to show off to your stupid friends, and be with us because of our money! You're not my friend! Leave! Don't come back, ever! I wish I never met you!"

Ikita didn't notice the way the room seemed to suddenly take a deep breath, she didn't notice how everyone else's eyes were flickering back and forth between them. She didn't notice the fact that they were all thinking about what had just happened and wondering what the hell had happened. She only noticed that Hunny was glaring at her, and that… he was right. Partially right, at least. Somewhere deep in herself she knew that some of the things he said were so un-true it wasn't funny; it was a down-right lie. But she couldn't help but doubt herself, just a bit.

She felt numb. She didn't realize she slowly nodded and closed her eyes until after it happened, didn't understand that she turned around and began walking away until she turned on her heel and started to leave. Her foot-steps echoed around the room as she came back to her senses, her mind whirling with the thoughts of what had just happened, replaying his words, trying to comprehend. She was so confused, but she couldn't force herself to stop thinking until she was less emotion, when she could make more sense of it all.

She stepped out of the third music room and closed the door, stared down at her feet in thought. She stood there for several long moments, trying to put herself back together. Her apology had obviously gone down the drain. She didn't know what she was going to do. She didn't want to have to go back in there ever again. It was too much for her to even just be standing there.

She ran.

Her feet tapped hard against the ground, echoing through the corridors. She didn't know why she ran because she knew that no one would be fallowing her. Maybe it was because she suddenly felt a horrible sense of panic, the need to get away as fast as possible. Maybe she wanted to make sure the tears she felt on the verge of her cheeks didn't come in a torrent right in the middle of the hallway. Whatever it was she raced away, her chest heaving, her breaths coming out choked and broken, water dripping off her cheeks.

Later she would feel ridiculous for crying. She would feel dumb and stupid and like an idiot, like Hunny said. But she wouldn't think about it much anymore after that, because it was too much for her. She didn't like feeling weak, she didn't like being controlled by the little things in life, and this was definitely one of the little things.

Of course, wasn't everything?

Keito noticed. He noticed that she was looking a little worse for wear, and that she came home a lot earlier than usual. At first he just pushed it off as her wanting to come and help put things away in her new home and make sure that she knew the route and not have to walk half-way home in the dark, especially since it was starting to get colder and colder.

But then she smiled sadly and retired early to her room, and didn't come out for dinner until it was long past time to eat. She seemed shocked by the fact, but numbly so, her hair a mess like she had just woken up, which she had. She smiled and ate her dinner cold, without talking while Keito sat in the small living room, taking quick glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking. She never looked back. Instead she stared out into the cosmo's, eating slowly.

Before she went back to her room for the night she stopped by the side of the couch and stared at the t.v. for a moment, as if collecting her thoughts. Keito had remembered that she didn't like the television much and thought it was pointless to have one in their new apartment if they were never going to use it, but her older brother had insisted, saying that he wanted to try and watch some of the shows and have something to talk about with his co-workers. Ikita had still thought it was stupid.

"I'm stopping by our old apartment tomorrow, to pick up the rest of the boxes," she said slowly, then after a moment turned and walked away. Keito turned to watch her go before sighing, deciding that whatever was wrong she could solve on her own if she wasn't going to tell him about it, even though he worried. He figured he'd give it a couple days first, then see what was going on. He couldn't stop himself from wondering, however, and so he wondered.


Ikita was tired the next day at school. She almost fell asleep in most of her classes, and was thinking of the best way to get out of the school as fast as possible as soon as the day was over. She sighed, though, when she figured she would probably have to talk to Kyoya first. He would be wanting to know what was going on, and he would need to know. She wasn't exactly sure she wanted to talk to him, either, after what had happened.

She took a deep breath as she watched the clock, urgent for it to hurry up so she could do what she was planning before she chickened out. Time seemed to suddenly be on her side as the bell rung and the lecture her teacher was going to attempt to finish was interrupted. Ikita stood and grabbed her books, quickly escaping the stifling class room and bolting down the hall.

She barley remembered what Kyoya's last class was. It wasn't something she figured she would ever worry about, but now she was hurrying to get to where she knew their path's would normally meet on the way to the third music room. She panted as she stopped, leaning against the wall and hoping that she hadn't already missed him. The other students churned around her, past her, and she kept a careful eye out for the dark haired boy she new so well, and yet hardly at all. In that moment, as she stared into the throng of so many people, all with matching outfits, she cursed the dress code.

"Ikita."

The red head spun around to find Kyoya standing directly behind her. She gasped, jumping backwards, and then blushed when she realized that she had over-reacted. She gave the boy a pink cheeked, and sheepish smile.

"Hi, Ootori-san. I was looking for you."

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

Ikita let out a deep breath and stared down at her hands, folded in front of her nervously.

"I'm not feeling to well, and I was going to go home. I thought I should tell you."

She peeked back up at his face after he didn't speak for several moments. The crowd of students was starting to thin out now, and she was getting nervous at the thought of standing in a deserted hall-way with the alleged Shadow-King, as she was told of the nick-name by the twins a short time ago.

"Alright."

Ikita was shocked that he had believed her, but sent him a thankful smile and hurried to skirt around him. She wasn't so close to freedom, only a couple steps away when Kyoya called her name. She stopped, though, feeling like she was suddenly trapped. She bit her lip and turned slowly, finding that Kyoya was only half-facing her, turned side-ways, looking half over his shoulder.

"You can't avoid him forever."

She knew immediately who he was talking about. She looked down, blushing still. She heard Kyoya sigh, and she was surprised when she saw his shoes come into view. She looked up, now that he had come back to her, and was looking down at her through the slight glare in his glasses. The reflecting light was gone a moment later.

"I'm sorry for acting so rash the other day. It was wrong with me, and I do realize that it is mostly my fault for causing such a horrible fight between you and Hunny-san." Kyoya looked down at her, feeling regretful. He figured he could have waited until Hunny left, until the blond couldn't be with her anymore and then he could have taken her for himself. He could have made sure that she was loved when the boy was gone, if even just for a little while. He found himself staring at her cheeks, watching her blush and feeling like it would be the last time he would really be able to see her cheeks so pink, her eyes so wide with wonder. "I'm sorry."

He knew she wasn't doubting his first words, but he felt like he needed to make sure she knew. He wanted to add that she could come to him instead, if she wanted to. But he wouldn't because he knew that she had already picked Hunny over him, and he wanted her to be happy, no matter how selfish he was feeling about it.

Ikita smiled slowly, softly up at him, and Kyoya felt the urge to kiss her again, but he didn't. He had learned from the last time what had happened.

"Thank you, Kyoya."

It was the first time she said his name.

She turned and walked away, leaving him speechless. He stared after her, his eyes wide, wondering. When she disappeared around the corner he stood there for a couple more moments, stunned, before he gave himself a tight smile, and turned, walked to the Host club, still thinking about her smile, and the plan he had in his mind to try and make things better. Of course, he was pretty sure that it would all work out with just a couple quick words. Things had been working this way on her own, and it was time he gave it a gentle push.

Ikita stepped off the bus, her mind settling, finally, on the fact. Hunny hated her, for the time being, because she had broke his heart because she was stupid enough to not pay attention while she was holding it. She didn't even realize she had grabbed it, because she wasn't paying attention! She really hated herself, too. She could understand where Hunny was going with his words.

It still made her sad. She was thinking about him, his sweetness, his sourness. She liked it all, loved it even. It was all very great. The thought that she made him sour made her feel sour. She wished she hadn't made him so upset.

Ikita bit her lip. She had never heard him yell like that. It was ridiculous how much she messed up.

Ikita released her lip as she opened the door to her apartment. She stepped inside and looked around. Everything was so empty looking, so barren. She had lived here all her life, and she was leaving it. It was her home, even if it was crappy. The cupboard doors were loose, the window on the far wall had a crack in it, and was endlessly dirty, but it was home. She loved it here, she always had. Even with the always switching out neighbors. Her brother and Ikita had always seen people in and out, besides their ever constant neighbor and crush.

She wished that she didn't have to move, that it didn't have to be more convenient somewhere else, somewhere nicer. Her new apartment was nice, but it wasn't what she was used to. She was used to slight disarray, not the nice-ness they lived in now.

It was weird, to be perfectly blunt. Especially after not seeing the place for so much time. The last boxes were in the living room. They were just there, saying that they were waiting for her, maybe mocking her, maybe feeling just as sad as she was. It was ridiculous, really, considering boxes don't have feelings and can't really think.

Ikita sighed and stepped inside, quickly picking them up. She found herself, without even realizing it, walking into the kitchen and setting the boxes on the counter, pushing open the window. It was hard because often times it stuck, but when she finally got it opened the very empty kitchen suddenly brightened. She smiled at her work, turning around. She though, maybe one day, when she became a famous scientist (like she wanted) or an author (which was also a dream of hers) she would donate money to fix up this tiny apartment building and make it fantastic.

She smiled a little bit more at that thought. Maybe then she would come back and live in the apartment.

She caught herself then, annoyed with herself for being so dramatic. She shut the window again, so she could leave, watching the kitchen dim. In a way, it represented her life at the very moment. Things had seemed great for a little while, her brother got a job, they were getting out of the gutter, she had great friends. But then it turned out she would never see her home again, her newest and greatest friend would mostly hate her, and she was left in the dim kitchen once again.

It wasn't as horrible as she wanted to think it was, she realized. She had gotten into a fight, sure. But then again, there was no excuse for breaking someone's heart. Hunny could hate her forever, because that's just what happens when you hurt someone.

Ikita scooped up the last boxes needed to be carried away, her mind focusing on what was inside. Pictures, hundreds and hundreds of pictures. They didn't want to let the movers take the boxes, and when they brought the few things they wanted to bring with them right away over to their new apartment the picture box's had been forgotten. It was a good thing they located them. It would be sad to have missed them all.

She swept a strand of red hair out of her eyes and walked slowly back through the apartment, taking a moment to peek into her room one last time and then stepping out, back into the living room, in the door-way. She set the boxes just outside the door and turned around, taking out the key, the key she would have to give back once she was done.

"Ki-chan?"

Ikita froze. There was only one person she knew that called her that. She bit her lip, her mind whirring with thoughts. She wanted to just dash through the door and slam it shut behind her, hide from the boy that currently hated her. She could turn around and ask him what he wanted, but she wasn't even sure she wanted to do that. She wasn't sure she wanted to see him again.

Then again, she wondered why he was even here. What could he possible want to say, what else could there be to say. She hoped desperately that he was going to forgive her, and sourly hoped he would apologize. But then again it didn't exactly matter to her, because she could easily forgive him without him saying sorry. She just wanted him to stop being so angry with her.

Slowly Ikita found herself turning around, her eyes flickering over and downwards to look at him. Hunny-sempei stood there, looking up at her with his bright blue eyes. His bright, sad eyes, shimmering with tears. Ikita bit her lip, stared at him, and then looked away. She suddenly felt a lot colder than before, she hugged herself. She found herself wanting to be mean to him, to tell him to go away. She didn't understand why, she wanted to be friends with him again, to have him not be so angry with her anymore.

Her thoughts went to the day before, when she apologized and he spat at her. She had been so horribly upset, her stomach had twisted into a million knots and she had wanted to run away and cry. She did, she did run away and cry. But still her eyes became hard as she tried to hold back tears, the tears identical to the one's about to spill across Hunny's cheeks. He didn't bother to try and hide them.

Ikita looked down at Hunny, not aware at how angry she looked. The shorter boy winced and looked down at his feet. He wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say. He could tell her he was sorry, but he felt like that wasn't exactly going to cut it. Where else was there to begin, otherwise? He felt stupid, that was for sure. He had let his feelings make him angry, and he ended up yelling at his poor, sweet Ki-chan.

His. His Ki-chan. That wasn't right, and it made him feel much sadder, much more deflated. She would never be his, because as he saw it she liked Kyoya, the much taller, much more refined Host member. Hunny had never before felt self-conscious about his size, but he found that now, every time she stared down at him he felt ever shorter. He wished that she could look up at him, instead. He would be able to hold her close to his chest, and she would look up at him with those wide, pretty eyes of hers, shocked. Then he would press his lips to hers, and she would sigh or moan…

He had to push away his boyish thoughts once again. He wondered what was wrong with him. Sure, of course he was a boy and he'd had thought's like that before, had dreams like that, but never so often. It was almost ridiculous, but then again, they were pleasing in a way. Never the less, he shouldn't be dishonoring Ikita like that, having such dreams and thoughts about her! The situation was both sweet and sour. It had two sides to it, like many other things in the world.

"Ki-chan," Hunny found himself repeating her name. He still looked down at his feet, trying to piece together his apology as he went. "I didn't mean to yell at you, I just… I was upset, because I like you Ki-chan."

Hunny's eyes flashed up to Ikita's shocked face, even though she wasn't really surprised by the news at all. She was more surprised that he had told her, surprised that now was when he decided to tell her. Hunny knew that, because there was no way he could have been more obvious before-hand.

"And when I saw you kissing Kyo-kun… I got very sad." Ikita nodded, because she had seen him crying. She found herself forgiving him already. "I was so mad because I know you like Kyo-kun a lot, because he likes you, too. And he doesn't like a lot of girl's at all, you know." Hunny sniffed, struggled to place a smile on his lips. "I just want to say that I am sorry for yelling at you, and calling you all those mean names. I promise, as long as I can, that I'll make it up to you, ok?"

Ikita blinked. She thought she would be mad, but she wasn't. Maybe she wanted to be mad, just a little bit, but she found as long as Hunny was being sweet, she couldn't help but be sweet, too. He made her so, because that was just the way he was. He was her Hunny-sempei, the oldest member of the Host club, and the shortest, and the cutest. Ikita smiled and closed her eyes, shook her head. She opened them only a bit, bent down, and placed a very soft kiss on his cheek. To be truthful, she didn't have to lean down too much. He wasn't that much shorter than she was.

When Hunny felt her oh-so soft lips press against his cheek, he couldn't help but feel a thousand times lighter, and a tad bit in pain somewhere much lower than his face. His cheeks heated up and he hoped desperately that she didn't see what conflicted him in this case. He wanted to fly; he felt that maybe, if he got a kiss that sweet every day he would never be able to eat another cake again. He'd be chalk full of sugar after that. He gazed at her pink cheeks, her embarrassment shining through her face, and his eyes flashed down to her pink lips. It was a gamble, but he was already addicted and he felt, if he didn't get more he would die. The world would explode, or he would. One way or another he wouldn't be able to live any more.

Ikita froze as suddenly she felt a pair of lips on hers, looked surprised as she saw Hunny's closed eyes, his blushing cheeks. He must have been on his tip-toes to be reaching her.

The red head found herself closing her eyes, leaning into his lips. Hunny smiled a tiny smile in the kiss and she just barley felt it. Her heart was going a mile an hor, at the same beat as Hunny's, her stomach tying itself into one hard knot. She had a feeling of euphoria, like she wasn't on this planet. Like she wasn't on any planet, just drifting slowly through outer space, maybe somewhere near the sun. She could feel warmth. Her knee's were feeling weak, and Hunny had to pull away before she collapsed on top of him.

He was blushing still, but not as hard as Ikita was. She pulled away, her face bright red and leaned against the wall, slowly slid to the ground. Hunny giggled, surprised at the effect he had on her. He felt it was good in a way, to know that he wasn't the only one who felt that amazing. He was addicted to her the second he saw her. She was the sweet-sour thing he wanted, needed maybe, somewhat like he was. He knew then that they were perfect for each other, that maybe he wouldn't tell her now, or for a long time yet but he would be with her forever.

It was an awfully early time to be thinking like that. Especially since, currently, her being two years younger than him was a big deal. He would make it work, though, because he couldn't go too long without her. Ever since he saw her.

It had been too short of a time since he knew her, as well. She was a new friend of his, a new crush, a new girlfriend, perhaps. If he did it right. He felt they were close enough already, and the way she was blushing, panting, sitting on the ground and looking dazed, Hunny could tell that she felt close, too.

His eyes shifted, and he stared into her apartment. He was confused for a moment, wondering why it was so empty before becoming panicked. Had she been so angry with hi that she convinced her brother to let her and him move out of the city. He gasped, looking down at Ikita who was just recovering from their incident.

"Ki-chan!" Hunny launched himself into her lap, wrapping his arms around her neck and looking up at her with wide, teary eyes. "You can't be moving away!"

Ikita blushed hard and tried to focus. She blinked, looked down at the boxes set on the ground beside her and bit her lip.

"Well, I thought the same thing, but it is a better place-"

"You can't leave! We'd miss you at the host club!" Hunny wailed, burying his face in her chest. "I'd miss you too much, Ki-chan!"

Ikita blinked before realizing he'd misunderstood. She laughed a bit, and he looked up at her, his wide brown eyes confused and hurt looking. Ikita shook her head.

"I'm only moving further into the city. I'd be even closer to Ouran, and my brothe rhas a better job that's really close by. I'm not really leaving, Hunny-sempei." Ikita bit her lip and smiled. Hunny stared at her, confused, then smiled. He stood up and grabbed her hand, helping Ikita up. He picked up the boxes next and Ikita gave him a small smile, quickly locking the door.

As they were walking towards the stairs, laughing about one thing or another, Ikita glanced over her shoulder. She looked at the door, closed now, locked up for her. There was no reason to go back. It was it was her old life. Her new one was in Ouran Academy now, with her new friends. With Hunny, who she kissed. Hunny, who she liked much more than a friend, and who felt very much the same way. She wasn't going to be that poor girl living with just her brother anymore, struggling to get by. She was something new. She had gotten past her troubles, the troubles she had in the last month, that almost ripped her and her new friends apart.

She thought back to Moikoto. She was part of her old life that she was bringing with her. She was good to her, she had clung to her through everything lately, her and her troubles. Even when she called her on the payphone and told her about what had happened lately that night, she promised to stay with her.

But now, as Ikita looked up at the closed door, she felt that released feeling. Things had been rough, but they were better now. Sure, she was leaving the home she loved, but she was going to a new one. She had left all of her old friends at school, and got plenty of new ones. And one of her old friends even stayed with her along the way.

And there was Hunny, who smiled up at her with bright brown eyes, and bright white teeth. There was Hunny, who she hoped would stay next to her for a long time.

Everything had two sides, one sweet, one sour. Her life was like that, like everyone else's. She was ok with it, because the sweet was pretty good, and the sour even better at times. As long as she struggled through it, that is.

At this moment she realized sometimes it was ok to let the little things control you. It just meant you were human, and you could understand. Maybe leaving her old home was a little thing, and maybe she was silly to want to be upset over that, but that was good. Because then she could only be happy later about her new home. And maybe that kiss was a little thing, but she'd let it effect her like crazy, and she had loved her small moment of happiness, her extreme enjoyment of such a small thing.

Ikita decided then that she would enjoy all the little things as much as possible. Little things, of course, included Mitsukuni.

Ikita smiled. It felt like the end, and a beginning. She looked down at Mistukuni, who looked up at her with a grin, and suddenly grasped her hand. She was surprised, her smile melting away for only a second before coming back, this time accompanied with a blush. He was the best little thing out of all the little things there were.


This last chapter was really choppy and dramatic. I didn't like it to much. All together, though, I enjoyed writting this story. I hope you liked it, too. Thanls for reading to the end, and thanks all who commented as I worked on finishing this story. You know who you are. Maybe someday I will do a proper thank-you in a new chapter.

I do not own Ouran High School Host Club or any partaining places or characters.