Chapter 8: Brother Can Open Up

Drums, guitars, loud ear-racking singing filled my dreams. Ren doing a solo and never lost the feeling. Bo rapping as Psychs brake dance to it. I could hear laughter next to me, and Takahiro was then humming a few bars. Back stage and just being them, high from they're win. This dream was a collage to what I recall of that night. The name Lucky was called out. It was to me; that was my name. That was what I was to them. I didn't mind it.

"Kaoru . . . " I hear a voice call my real name, I don't see anyone but the band having fun. "Kaoru . . . " Everything starts to fade and I felt sad. "Kaoru . . . answer the phone." It was Hikaru, and the sound of the cell-phone was going off. It was King's ring-tone. What does he want? Summer just started.

"No it's that baka king. You answer it."

"What does he want . . . we're only in two weeks of summer break." He answers it after taking awhile to do so, and I just wanted to go back to sleep. "Yes, Tono, what do you want?" I could only hear a little. "What? Haruhi and Takahiro are missing?" Now I'm up.

Missing, I know that after the Battle of the Bands was over, Takahiro was going to help out Haruhi with something. He was keeping it simple and then soared out of the drive way. Was he really running away? No, maybe it's just the flash backs getting to me. Yeah that's it.

"Tono, I don't really think they would run off together."..."Bankrupt would be pretty bad." No duh, dear brother, it really is. "Well, where could they have gone?"..."Karuizawa? Why would they be all the way over there?"

We all got the next helicopter to Karuizawa. The view was very nice up here. I could see the tip of where Tokyo was. I sat near the window with my brother next to me and the others took whatever seat was open after that.

Through this ride; I had this feeling that if the Fujiokas were gone and didn't tell us. I think there was a reason then. We come close to where we find out where they were staying. A very nice, bright pension came into view. Very nice, in a commoner's point of aspects. Within rang. We see someone folding sheets.

Tamaki, having eyes as a hawk, knows right a way who it is. And she didn't look that please to see us. Takahiro was no where insight. He must have been inside or out shopping for food and what not. And then we met a very loud, happy, cross-dresser named Isao by male, but by female; "she" was called Misuzu. The owner of the very pension we stood in. Telling us why they were here. And just hollered out.

"Takahiro!" No response was heard. "Oh, where is that boy?" And started for the kitchen.

"On break, but he's in there." Haruhi said, as she gave us a table. "He might have his headphones on."

"Oh, honestly." And enter the kitchen. The moves were swift of; talking, to music on full blast to silence, next were orders being bark at. Then the cooking came to play.

Misuzu came out, smiling happily as if nothing happens. "Haruhi, you're too easy on him."

She gave no reply.

"He can cook?" Hikaru asked, his face showing horror to whatever Takahiro was making.

Tamaki moved in fast on that. "Well, with what having a job, you have your strong points and there are some things . . . " He was cut off by a hit to the head. "Ow! What was that for, little brother?"

"Not sure if that was going to be a complement or rudeness." Takahiro said, holding a heavy tray with one hand as it was weightless. His clothes were close to what Haruhi was wearing, but a white short-sleeve shirt and pants with matching shoes, instead of the dress-like she was wearing. Black hair pulled back by a bandana like Haruhi's. A matching set for boys and girls.

"Here." Placing the plates down where colorful food of all kinds and rainbows of flavors enter everyone's noses at once. "Not sure, what you guys would like, but give these a shot." And left back for the kitchen.

"Again, lazy, but knows how to get things done." Misuzu said, but with no gloom. "So what do you think?" "She" asked us the moment we took a bite of food. I think I died and went to heaven.

"Takahiro! You have a gift!" Hunny called out, after trying some plum sauce angel vanilla cake.

He waved his hand through the open window that faced the dining room as he cooked some more.

I wanted to say the same thing, when I tried some Bebinca cake with a blueberry filling, but Hikaru said it was quite off. The anger he saying, was mostly putting a bitter taste to it, then what the cooking really tasted like. Saying along the lines "that if it's this crappy, he shouldn't cook at all." I had no idea why he was in such a bad mood. I shook it off and went eating the cake that Hikaru refused to touch.

"Come now, no need to say such things." The owner said, and I quietly agreed. Misuzu then headed near the door of the kitchen. "Takahiro, I'll take over. Go do the weeds, please."

"Yes, ma'am." Stepping out of the kitchen, removing and handing the apron to Misuzu, taking the back door to where the gardening tools must have been.

"Hikaru, that wasn't nice."

"Is it my fault that guy can't make a simple dish?"

I didn't like where this was going. I excused myself to use the bathroom. As I enter the restroom, it was very lovely indeed. A small window went outside. I open it to get some air, leaning against the framing as I stared out to the backyard of the small inn. A heaven view was blessed to my eyes, I don't feel as tense as I did before.

"Nice, huh?" A voice broke me out my of thoughts, I turn down to the ground where the sound came from, to see Takahiro working on a flower stretch-patch below the window I lean against.

"Yeah, it's really nice." I started out with, then added. "I'm sorry about my brother."

"No harm done. Did you like it?" His arms ably rested on the edge of the windowsill without much effort.

"It was really good." I stated. "So, Takahiro's case file: commons' life, has lots of money that shows up out of nowhere, plays music of all kinds, loves to garden, clean and cooks a simple thing to a wonderful dish. Is there anything you can't do?"

He just smiles at me for a moment, before finally giving a rely, a strange at that.

"I learned in lots of ways; that if someone doesn't tone perfection in certain traits, you'll likely be shun from those you love. Can't have that, not in the way I grew up. If I am interested in it, I best learn it now, before the worst comes. Even if comes off as pointless and never get a wife or husband, what's the point really?"

"Who taught you that?"

"I wish I knew . . . but it's something that runs deep in some families. Luckily, not all."

From that, just now, I end recall knowing for a fact that not just me, but everyone in the club has been keeping tabs on him. And yet he never's tells us to buzz off. He's not scared to what we may find out about him. But maybe this will, even if it was small one.

"You know, getting a job without the school's say is against the rules, right?"

"I already know that, Haruhi's the one who brought me here. I'm innocence."

"Oh, this is going to be fun." And I started to leave, until I hear.

"Don't do anything stupid."

Well it seems that he knows nothing about me or my brother then. Kyoya found out about the rule also, and how could anyone pass up a chance like that. Keep a secret for a room to be near Haruhi. And to just piss-off Takahiro all at the same time. Hikaru had the plan already, all we had to do, was play our cards right.

Points were just going up and down. I'm thinking for a moment that we might be not winning. But no way are we going to lose that easily. Hikaru and I help around to get guests to come in and help find them a room.

Working is really hard on the bones. I just found that out and it sucks.

But hearing Tamaki in pain while fixing a fence is something like music to others ears.

Mori was close to winning, but if Hunny left, so would he. Then Kyoya, not playing at all, just watching for the fun of it. Bastard. A man who never's has to lift a finger and just milking it as he watches us have our battle.

Then just one time, he does something. To help Tamaki try to win. The piano. We were so going to lose.

"Kaoru, you finish this up, I'll go get more trash-bags."

"All right."

Haruhi soon came over to water some plants. "Where's Hikaru?"

"Went to get some trash bags."

"You guys are always together, huh?"

"Well we were, always, even at birth. I can't think of a moment if we ever came apart." Somewhat of a lie, but I wouldn't tell her that. Seeing as she was the cause of it. "But if there was anyone we could rely on. It's each other." I just smile at the thought. But again, it's a lie, with brother seeing Haruhi and being able to tell us apart. She became one of us. Takahiro had also become a part of our group as well. Without Hikaru's knowing, and that is how, it was going to stay that way.

"Oh, what pret . . . " Then a scream. I looked up to see a window coming down on me and Haruhi. I panicked, and just grabbed Haruhi. I think my back was going to be cut up after this. But I felt hands push me and Haruhi out-of-the-way. There was a small pain on my face . . . but that was it.

"Haruhi! Kaoru!" Tamaki shouts, then coming Hikaru and the others. I turn to see the window shatter. Glass covered the patio. But we were, both seem fine. Takahiro stood just outside of the rim of the glass. He must have pushed me and Haruhi. I saw blood on his hand. He was hurt, but showed no sign of pain.

"Kaoru!" I see my brother run up in front of me, holding me close. I just hugged him back. The fear finally caught up with me, and I almost broke into tears but I held strongly until we . . . finally . . . won . . . the . . . room!

Got to love it when a plan comes together. Well . . . more like a half-bake plan.

As we enter our room for the night. Hikaru just held my hand as his whole body just shook in pure terror. I try hard to relax him, telling him we won and didn't have to fall for the other plan. He nods when he knows that was true. Then there was a knock at the door. I called for whoever it was to come in. It was Takahiro holding a small tray with a bottle, cotton balls, and a box of band-Aids. He set in on the table near the bed. His right hand was wrapped up. Good, so he was fine.

"Hikaru, just add some of this on his face and banded it up." He told my brother, who just softly glared at him. "Be glad it was just a scratch. Goodnight."

"Could . . . " Hikaru, please be nice. "Could you bring up some of that cake from this morning? I lied. It was pretty good." Thank you, brother.

"Sure, be back in a moment." And he shut the door.

"What happen to his hand?"

"It must have gotten cut up when he pushed me and Haruhi out-of-the-way."

"He's not that bad, right?"

"No." I started out with. "He's more of a book with a bad cover, but the tale is worth a look in."

"It's not too late, is it?"

"In the morning, let's hang out with the gang and just have fun."

"All right, I think I can do that."

We then ended the Nox with some wonderful cake and called it a night. But half pass midnight. I heard sounds coming from outside of the window. I carefully left the bed and tiptoed over to the cool glass to peek out of it. I see Takahiro outside, doing something. I quietly left the room, glided down the stairs without a sound, and opened the backdoor. Not sure why I was doing this, but then again, I love how this book is going.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Same to you." I answer back, as I took a seat next to him on a faded-painted bench. He was woodcarving. Again, something I didn't know he could do.

"If your going to ask; I'm making a new window fame. Seeing as the other one can't be used anymore."

"I'm really sorry."

"And I told you not to do anything stupid."

"That window wasn't part of our plan. The hinges must have been old."

"No, they were setup." He stops what he was doing and look me right in the eye. "Which one of you did it?"

"I swear that it wasn't me. Hikaru was going to get some trash bags." I had to prove to him it wasn't us. "What do I have to do, that what I am saying is the truth?"

He was in deep thought. The silent night made the wheels of thinking alive and clear. Takahiro then smiled. Finishing the frame and started to move, to put it away. Following after to know what his plan was. As the shed was locked up. Turning to me. "Coming tomorrow, your brother will learn to grow up for a change." And he left, after he said goodnight.

Takahiro had it in for my brother. I didn't like it, yet, at the same time I was thinking the same thing. Hikaru really might have done it, given by his ways, but why would he have gone that far? That was something in my doubts, if my brother really did it. I didn't know what to think, but one thing was clear, brother was in big trouble. But with what?

I never knew what he meant by that. Until morning came and I found myself on the floor, very upset to the outcome of how that happens. As I walked down the stairs in a new change of clothes, so glad too so. Seeing Haruhi and Takahiro working away. Instead of taking a table with the others, I took a seat near the kitchen, Takahiro coming out for a moment to fill me up a drink I asked for, and to give an order I wanted for breakfast. I want to keep a good eye on what he was up too.

Hikaru soon takes a table that was close by. The day was going great until Tamaki came out of nowhere, again; bothering Haruhi. How the hell he get here so fast. I think on that, and I was about to start eating, only to have my plate taken away. Takahiro saying fast it was something King made when he got here early this morning, and brought me a new plate. I smiled a "thank you" to him.

I think he just saved my life.

But it was too late to do the same with my brother. But I think he had it coming. But what came to a surprise to everyone was a middle school friend of the Fujiokas. Haruhi on her brake to talk to her friend, Arai.

Takahiro, avoided him like the plague.

What did he do make Takahiro hate him so much? And cue Hikaru open his mouth and let his childishness get the best of him. Earning a slap from Haruhi and finding out that the boy did have a crush on her. But she had no idea when he told her.

He said when she entering for Ouran and she just brushed it off as something else.

Oh, is that why Takahiro was mad? I found it a pretty funny. Even after I follow my brother up the stairs. I finally know what Takahiro's plan was to do. Hikaru had to grow up and act out like a teenager should, not an overgrown child.

Well until a storm hit. And got a call from Hikaru. All hell broke loses.

Takahiro starts to get his coat. Ready to head out in that storm, for Haruhi, I bet.

"Takahiro, just wait, it's not safe . . . " Misuzu started out with. "Wait until the weather lights up."

Misuzu pleading felled to a deaf ear. He tugs his coat sleeve away and finishes putting it on. Moving toward to the door. Determination clear on his face.

"I got two people out there. I'm going to look for them." He cared for Hikaru, even after what he did. "I'll call when I find them." And out he went.

Three people who I held dear to my heart, are now lost in this storm. Hikaru, you big moron, if I ever get my hands on you.

Dampness slips down my face. I'm worry just like everyone else. This was support to teach Hikaru to respect others. Not turn out like this. My phone is in a death grip in my palm.

Ring, damn it, ring!

Anything, give me closure of some kind. Something.

Hunny and Mori stay more quiet then before and that is saying a lot about Hunny, who always haves a voice to say something. Kyoya looks calm but I know that's a lie. Tamaki's worry is loud and clear to my shaking and silent tears. I wonder how anyone can deal with all this waiting.

"That boy, hardheaded as ever." Misuzu said, handing me a cup of tea. It's Jasmine, my favorite. "Always doing without thinking."

"Like my brother."

"Oh, no, your brother, I say is an angel to what Takahiro is. I remember when he was little. One time jumped into a fight and was almost put in a long coma afterwards." The owner's head shaking. "All because of something so small. He never thinks and I worry for him."

"Why do you say that?" I hear Kyoya say behind us, thinking he had to add his voice to this.

"His parents, took a heavy toll on him and he never was the same." Taking a seat, rethinking of that, with how his face was becoming painted with sorrow. "Even more, Haruhi's mother's death. To him, he's lost enough people as it is. But he's got to know that others don't always need help. That people can do things on their own. It shows that he doesn't trust others better judgments. And for that; he acts outs and does things like this." Pointing to the very door he walked out of.

"What's going to happen if this goes on?" Tamaki asked, fear plain as daylight.

"He might get himself kill and I know Haruhi would be heartbroken if that happens."

I never thought of that. Hiro was like that too, at the party. He acted out before thinking it through and got into that fight. Never asked for help. Just did what he thought was right. Keeping me and my brother safe.

Takahiro, you're an idiot!

My rant was stopped when someone's phone ranged. It was mine. Quickly I answer it. It was the person I was just about to scar for life. The moment I saw him again. He said they were at a church, about two miles from us. Both Haruhi and Hikaru were fine. They were asleep when he found them.

When the storm lightened up, we headed out. Finding them staying warm with candles that Takahiro was lighting when we arrived. In the white work clothes; I thought I was seeing an angel watching over my best friend and big brother.

"Haruhi!" King yelled out and lopped her into a hug, I could see a small snarl on my brother's face. The plan work, but Hikaru, is maybe too slow to what that feeling is.

"Kaoru." I turn to see Takahiro smile behind me, a very smug look, too. His plan work, and I could tell in his eyes he was pretty damn proud of it.

"Yeah, I know."

"He's still stupid though."

Kyoya said the same thing when we got back. Is my brother really that easy to read?

I only nodded at that fact, but I was sure he would find out soon. But would I, be all right being a single one and not two? Will I be able to say goodbye to my brother, if he finally started to reach for others, that are not me? Could I?