A/N: Hi patient readers. Bet you all thought I forgot about this story huh? I most certainly did not. Bad news is that I have to get ready for school. Classes start at the end of this month. Good news, I am going to finish these chapters before that...well try to anyway. I have finished the outline and I want to finish this really soon. I have been bitten by the creative bug and I want to get this story going before the swelling goes down. Thank you so much for waiting. I really am humbled by your patience. I hope you enjoy.
The browned haired girl was on her knees and gasped as she gazed into crystal orb. She didn't really bother worrying about the massive hole in the ground blocked by the orb or how they were going to pay it off. Here concern was for the fat woman who's hand was currently in Nekozawa's chest.
"That grotesque creature is violating him," Ranmaru spokes softly, "I understand wanting to keep a man's attention, but this is clearly crossing several lines."
Takenaga rolled his eyes, "You think?" he sighed and kept his eyes on the scene, "What can we do to help them. We are all the way over here."
Haruhi was forced to look away when she heard soft sobbing behind her, "Senpai."
"It is a shame to see something so tragic," the blond didn't bother wiping his eyes as the salty tears ran down his cheeks and he threw himself onto the crystal ball, "Oh how I wish I could help. Those two are clearly met for each other but to have an obese woman block the way is no way to go. We must do something. We have to protect them!" He leaned back and rested on his knees. With eyes closed he slowly turned his hand into a fist, "As king of this host club I will find a way to make sure that those two are safely out and never have to endure such a thing ever again!"
Honey squeezed his pink bunny to his chest, "But how are we supposed to do that?"
"I can help with that."
The voice made Haruhi jumped and she dropped the cell from her hand, "Shit, I forgot I was holding that damn thing." After gaining back her normal pulse she picked up the phone, "H-hello? Miss Suliman?"
"It's madam but now is not the time for fancy titles," the spoke urgently through the receiver, "Do you wish for the well being of this young man? If so then I may know a good way to help."
Tamaki snatched the cell from Haruhi's hand, "What is the sea without the help of the wind? What good is a king without his loyal subject!?"
The room went dark and Tamaki had a spotlight all his own. Pink petals fell from the sky as an orchestra of violins began to play in the background.
Noi looked around and whispered, "Where are the petals coming from?"
"My question is who is working the spotlight?," Ranmaru spoke softly back, "I could really use that impress a few kittens here and there."
"We as a host club are duly sworn to help," Tamaki continued and flicked his blond hair to send a stream sparkles, "We work hard to help others to make sure they live happily each day. As such we much fulfill our duty with smiles, gracefulness, and sincerity."
Ranmaru, Takenaga, and Noi could only give him a perplexed look as they tried to decipher what he just said.
"That's the long way of him saying he'll help," Honey said matter of factly with a childish grin.
Suliman held back a scoff, "A simple yes would have suffice, but now is not the time to worry about that. If someone would be so kind as to answer the door."
Despite the warning, they all jumped at the sudden knock at the entrance door. For a moment they were all as still as stone.
"W-why are the doors closed," Ranmaru whispered.
Takenaga shrugged, "M-maybe one of the girls closed it on their way out or while we were cleaning up?"
They all jumped again when there was yet another knock on the door.
"Hello? Can someone please answer the door?" the elderly voice called through the receiver.
"W-Well I am the closest to the door. So I guess I can answer it," Noi nervously slid her fingers through her hair before sliding a few strands behind her her hear. Her assumption was if she kept her hands busy before opening the door, it would put her at ease. In fact, it didn't Her hand was still trembling as she reached over and slowly opened the door.
Noi glanced down to see a boy, no older than 14 or 15. He had deep orange hair in an odd long bowl cut shape and he was wearing the most peculiar clothing she had ever seen. He was wearing a puffy collared light brown shirt, as well as a white ascot around his neck, the outfit was completed with white pants, and long pointed brown shoes. In his upraised hands was a pillow and resting on the silk white pillow was a medium sized long wooden box.
"Would you like to come in?"
He waited until she stepped to the side and went straight to Tamaki. Silently, he raised the pillow toward him.
"Huh?" Tamaki leaned forward and looked curiously at the wooden box, "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Well picking it up and opening it would be most helpful." Suliman couldn't help but chuckle this time, "I swear young people today are afraid of their own shadow."
"Y-yes, of course," he quickly picked up the box. The young man gave a quick bow before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Honey briskly walked over to Tamaki and climbed up his back so she could look over his shoulder, "Well, what is it?"
"I-I'm not sure," Tamaki slowly sank to his knees and merely looked at it.
Haruhi stood there for a few more minutes but when it appeared he wasn't going ot move any time soon she finally spoke up.
"Senpai..open it."
"I can't."
"Why not!"
"What if it's cursed…"
"Not this again," she groaned and hid her face in the palm of her hand, "Madame Suliman gave this to us, not Nekozawa senpai."
"It could still be cursed. All this stuff about witches and magic… This box has to be cursed."
That snapped the last of her patience, "Why would the woman who is helping us…curse us!?" not giving him a chance to respond she snatched it from his hands, "I'll open it!"
Haruhi snapped open the box to see two piles of string. One pile was pitch black while the other was a dusty blond color, "What…."
"Braid them please," Suliman ordered sweetly.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes. Even the old rick ones are annoying.
"You gonna tell me why?"
"All in good time dear. Just know that it does have to do with Nakahara and Nekozawa."
"Fine," Haruhi gave a long as she grabbed the two piles and grumbled underneath her breath, "Damn rich people."
"Wait," Tamaki crawled closer and watched as she twisted the threads together, "My little girl know how to braid?"
He was practically wigging with excitement, "it's so rare to see my little girl act like…a little girl."
She chose to ignore the little girl comment. No matter how many times she denied him, he always had to claim to be her father figure in one way or the other.
"Yes, I remember braiding our neighbors hair when I was little, but I only have two piles of string so this is more twisting than actual braiding. I'm sure it will work just as well."
"Uh guys… we have movement," Takenaga announced as he kept his gaze on the ball of glass.
"What's going on?" Tamaki joined the others at the orb, leaving Haruhi alone to her own project.
"Whatever it is, it's not looking good."
While she recovered Nakahara released a loud inhuman growl as she ripped the ropes free of Umhito, and then gently slid him out of the chair to place him softly on the cool floor.
The first place she inspected was his chest, but to her surprise there was no blood and not even a single thread out of place. Still the longer she looked at him the more she felt that something was wrong, so her eyes wandered up to his face. His skin was more pale than usual. She reached a hand up to touch his cheek and quickly retracted it back.
It's cold. It's almost like he's a cadaver.
Normally she would be ecstatic to see the real thing. It was the equivalent of holding a freshly polished skull…well it's supposed to. But seeing him laying there with eyes closed and barely breathing, it made her chest hurt like no pain she had ever felt before.
"Please," she whispered and sank her face into his chest. The tears instantly soaked into his black cloak, "Please. I'll give anything to keep you because the truth is. I don't want to leave. I wanted to stay here…with you."
She was brought out of her weary thoughts when she glanced up to see the laughing fat witch.
The witch of the waste gazed at her teary red eyes and laughed even harder, "Please don't go," she mocked with a grin, "Let's stay together forever." She put a hand to her chest and her laugher soon died to a soft chuckle, "Let me guess. Next you will tell me rubbish like you wish to take his place instead. Now that would be plucky."
"You sick creature!" She snarled, "I'll-I'll…" she stopped when she saw something in the witches other hand. It didn't look solid at all, but it resembled a bright wisp of air. It was in the shape of a hard and had a gold glow to it, as though it were plucked straight from the sun. It was odd. She would ordinarily feel like she was melting. On the contrary, it made Sunako feel warm like when she looked in his eyes.
The witch followed the direction of her eyes and raised an eyebrow, "Did you figure it out yet?"
"W-what did you do?"
"You know there are so many sayings for it. The eyes are the window to the soul, which flows through the blood, and is harbored in the heart."
"So you took his soul!" she snarled. It wasn't a question.
"There are so many names for it. Essence. Spirit, soul. Being. Life. This goes on."
"Why?" she looked away to touch his gold white cheeks with her fingertips before looking back the woman, "He has done nothing to you."
"Now that is true darling, but he is the means to fulfill my needs, "She walked to the other side of the room to squat down and sit on a stool. The old wood groaned at the weight but still managed stand against the weight.
"You may not know this but I was stripped of my powers from that idiot Suliman. For several years I lived the life of a simple old woman. Like a grandmother without annoying children coming to visit me. It was absolutely horrid. I would wake up, get dressed, eat something, read something, and stare at something random. From a fluffy cloud or a tall tree. The same thing over and over again. Can you imagine such a life? Well to keep my sanity and switch things up I decided to do a bit of cleaning in my little library and do you know what I found? Books. More specifically, my magic books disguised as classical literature. With a few custom spells I made, I was able to get back my power and my youth. It took a few days but as they say 'beauty isn't easy'. Especially when you have to lure attractive young men to a swamp."
Sunako tightened the grip to Nekozawa and continued to glare, "So he isn't the first one you lured here." Another statement.
"Heaven's no," she smirked, "But thank goodness for adventurous and courageous young men. Made my job a lot simpler, that's for sure. Oh my," she wagged a finger at Sunako and tsked, "But we are digressing from the story aren't we.
"After regaining a youthful look I went into my old town and it looked so different. The roads are smoother. The buildings are bigger and the clothing is so…skin tight. I swear they might as well be naked because they left nothing to the imagination. However I was in town for only a few minutes and it pissed me off how everything changed. The phones changed. The cars changed. The trains changed. EVERYTHING CHANGED." She stood suddenly, picked up the stool, and threw it into the nearest wall where it shattered on impact.
Sunako flinched a little from the sound and instinctively hugged the limp body even closer to her chest. Feeling a bit helpless her brain went into a panic and started to ask questions. Where are the others? Did they escape? Are they listening in? Although tempted she was to look out the window and see for herself she knew it would only bring attention to them. The boy..Mori had the right idea. It was best to listen to the opponent. So she forced herself to focus and pay attention to the witch.
The witch herself took a deep breath. She pulled a make up mirror from the pocket of her black dress and efficiently smoothed her brown hair back into a bun.
"Still," she continued after putting the mirror away, "I tried very hard to show them the error of their ways and I promised that my magic would give them anything they desired. Power. Riches. Anything their little hearts desired. But those fools…" she spat out the last word and started to pace back and forth, "They would rather go to some woman with cards and a damned crystal ball. Don't get me wrong. The use of a crystal ball can be powerful when you use actual magic, but the fact that she used mere parlor tricks is what sickens me. What made it worse is that they actually believed it. They would rather go to a woman who guesses instead of coming to me. I was furious and sickened at the same time.
"So I had no other choice but to go back to my home back in the swamp. Nevertheless, on that trip home I did a bit of thinking. It appeared they didn't believe me because magic users have been gone for so long. That town-the world needed to be reminded that witches, sorcerers, and the dark arts are still around. But I had to find a few users first. If I could find at least one it would help me to get my plan into motion.
"I am not a big fan of the world wide web, so I used an incantation on the mirror in my room to help search. That's where he comes in. Umhito Nekozawa. Oh he is a rare one and I caught him at just the right time. However, I needed to give him a reason to come to me and after years of being alone you tend to get a bit bored. What's a better way for a witch to entertain herself and get what she wants than to sabotage a few things?"
Sunako growled and here eyes posses and mad, evil glow, "You mean this could have been over with long ago?"
"Perhaps," She shrugged, "Who's to say?" She smiled and slowly put her pacing to a halt, "Would you like to hear what I did? I bet you do. Let's see the first was the maid. That house was so busy; it was easy to move a few things around to make sure she couldn't bring the watch in time. The one after that I actually had to use a bit of magic. I even used one of my most 'terrifying voices," she cleared her throat and took a deep breath, " 'Foolish child…you are yet to control the dark art. And so I shall correct the balance again.'" The witch could barely finish the last phrase without laughing as though she heard the funniest joke in the world, "The look on his face was priceless. He actually believes that balance rubbish. Those who truly know dark art know that there is very little balance to begin with. He's such an innocent little worm."
The humor quickly left her face and she started to glower at Sunako, "I was happy when I could finally get him here. But what I didn't expect was the twerp following him here. And since a woman's essence is disgustingly sweet I have no choice but to get rid of you."
When the witch lifter her hand Sunako closed her eyes tightly shut and practically smothered the unconscious body into hers. She knew she could have ran or maybe even tried to punch but she couldn't bring herself to tear away from Nekozawa. She knew it was foolish, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.
For several minutes she waited for whatever magic or slap may come her way. When she was sure nothing was happening she finally opened her eyes.
To her surprise the boy had finally made their grand entrance. Each doing their best to restrain the witch
Hikaru and Karou were each holding an arm in place. Kyohei had an arm wrapped around her 5 chinned neck. Mori wrapped his arms around her waist but unfortunately doing so made his face partially disappear in her bosom. Even Yuki tried his best by standing in front of Sunako with arms and legs wide open to take any attack she might manage to throw their way. She knew he was scared, that was obvious from how his body was trembling. Still she had to admire his courage for trying.
"If you men wanted my attention, you could have just asked. Or do the traditional chocolate and flowers. Though sweet that would be I am afraid you have to wait your turn," she mumbled something under her breath and all the boys trying to hold her were covered in an odd blue hue.
"What the hell?" the twins looked at each other in disbelief. After exchanging glances they grunted as they try to get away.
Mori and Kyohei tried to follow suit.
"The hell," Kyohei groaned as he tried even harder to get away, "I can't move!"
"That's the point. But if you need help then allow me," With the flick of a finger the boys were released from her only to be pinned against the wall by an unknown force.
It was at this point Yuki went from standing tall to hiding behind Sunako and crying, "She is so scary!"
The witch of the waste smirked at Nakahara, "Now to take out the rest of the trash." She took a step forward but was force to stumble back when another window shattered and a hole appeared in the wooden floor at her feet, "What now!"
"Do not move!" a voice called through the megaphone, "You are surrounded by the Ootori Police Academy." As he spoke a huge light was shining through several widows as well as the sound of helicopters overhead.
Hikaru and Karou cried in relief, "All hail the shadow king!"
"Let the hostages out," the voice continued, "then come out with your hands up."
"I have never been so happy to seen the police in my life," Yuki wept tears of joy as he crawled over to a window and waved happily, "Over here! Over here!" His smile only grew when he saw the sea of men and women in bulletproof vests, black pants, black helmets, and each carrying a gun of every type. From rifle, automatic, semi automatic, there was even a rocket launcher in the back, "Wow that a lot of weapons."
Mori grunted and gave a quick nod, "Yeah."
Hikaru puffed his chest as though he owned the police academy himself, "The Ootori only does the best of the best."
"Yeah," Karou smiled, "When they come. They come prepared for any situation."
While the others were glancing outside with relief, Kyohei was busy staring at the witch.
"Fools," the witch muttered something in latin and spun her index finger in a circle, "You think puny bullets will affect me? Pathetic."
Kyohei's eyes went wide at the side and he yelled out the broken glass, "Get out of here!"
"Kyohei!" Yuki shrieked, "Don't scare them away! They are going to help us!"
"No! they can't help us. Not against that." Although he couldn't move the rest of the body he could still move his eyes in the direction of the threat.
Although he did try to warn them it was too little to late. The orb of blue light that surrounded only the witch quickly expanded. It continued to grow pushing through the four walls of the house and finally moving the police further and further way. The men scream in confusion as they were forced back from their spots. Suddenly there was a large explosion followed by a low vibration of the ground.
"Chopper down!" the man yelled, "We have a chopper down. Report the incident and the ambulance here immediately!"
"A special barrier. I made it…to keep away…those I want away." She stumbled slowly toward Sunako and the others, "That is why t-thy are gone and you are..still…here…"
As the witch of the waste walked closer she noticed the woman was breathing harder than usual. She was also sweating profusely. The sweat was dropping down her face like water. And her skin.. It went from being tight youthful to being wrinkled and sagging low. She was starting to look like an ancient woman clinging to life.
"Whoa," exclaimed Karou, "You know even concealer can't fix that."
"Shut up!" Kyohei hissed.
"Concealer no.." Hikaru barely managed to raise an eyebrow, "I wouldn't suggest botox either. You would need too much."
"W-what?" the witch stuttered and pulled her compact mirror out again to look at herself, "Damn police made me use up too much magic. No matter," she tossed away the mirror and looked at the golden essence in her hand, "This will have to do and then I can get that cute little blond boy behind you."
Yuki gave a small yip and slide back to the wall, "M-Me?"
"No."
"Hmm?" the witch asked as she lifted the essence closer to her lips.
"No!" Sunako yelled finally finding her suppressed courage, "I won't let you."
She jumped to her feet and ran as fast as she could toward the witch.
If I can just gain enough speed…if I can just get close enough then I can save him.
Although her intention was noble it was far too late. Within the blink of an eye the witch swallowed the golden light where it could be seen traveling down her throat and settling into her massive gut.
Sunako was mere inches away from reaching the witch before she was levitating off the ground.
The witch who had now completely gained back her youthful appearance chuckled at her, "Pathetic." She waved a hand that pushed Sunako away and slammed her head first into the ground by Nekozawa. As soon as her head hit the ground the world went black.
"Sunako!" Kyohei yelled, "Nakahara get up!"
"Hush boy," the witch styled her hair back into a bun, now that her tight skin was back there was no need to look like a pig. "You'll get your turn soon enough."
When glanced over to the unconscious bodies a gasp hung in the air as Nekozawa's arm was raised.
"What on earth?"
"Haruhi?" Tamaki managed to look away from the glass orb to see her lack of movement, "Why did you stop?"
Fujioka glanced away from the crystal ball and looked down at the string in her hand, "I figured it out…"
Haruhi attempted to unbraid the strings when a hand caught her wrist, "Wait stop!" Tamaki gave her a pleading look, "You have to keep going. We are counting on you to carry out the request by Madame Suliman. Besides..." he released her wrists and pokes his index fingers together, "…We'll get cursed if you don't."
She only had enough energy to give him a hard glare before going back to the task at hand. Haruhi didn't have time to deal with is 'little girl' this and cursed that.
Takenaga saw that his approach wasn't quite working so he thought that he might give it a shot, "Please don't kill me for saying this but he has a point. You are the only one who can braid and this is kind of your responsibility…"
Tamaki quickly grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around, "I just said that!"
"You did not!" the ebony haired boy yelled back.
"You are really starting to get under my skin, commoner!"
"What did you just all me? At least I don't have a golden enema in my ass!"
Honey walked past the arguing twosome and with a loud thud sat by Haruhi as his favorite pink rabbit perched on top of his head, "What are you doing?"
Haruhi could only sigh. When it came to honey she could never get mad or irritated at him. It was that adorable baby face of his. As much as she hated to admit it, but at certain times she found herself wanting to cuddle him, even if he is a senior. Still, there was no way in hell she would ever tell the host club that. The twins alone would never let her live it down.
"I figured something out," she whispered as the pulled the string apart. As she pulled out the dusty brown string there was an ominous glow around it, "This really confirms it."
"Confirm what?" Honey tilted his head to the side as pink question marks danced around his head.
"Okay follow me on this one," she pointed to the black pile of string, "That has to be Sunako and if that's the case," she held up the string in her hand, "Then this belong the Nekozawa senpai but you've seen his hair before. It is a bright blond so the color of this thread doesn't make sense. However if I do this." She yanked away of the string. And the more she pulled away the more the yellow started to show, "Don't you see. He's actually talking to it and it's talking to him back."
"Hm? I still don't get it."
"Let's see..Tamaki!" she called and seeing that he arguing too loudly to hear her Haruhi had to raise her voice, "Senpai!"
"Yes?" he instantly went from burning mad to blissfully happy from the fact that he had been summoned by his dear little girl, "She's calling for me." He sang as he skipped over to her, "If only Momma could see this moment. I know she would be so proud. Now tell me, how can daddy help?"
"Remember when Nekozawa was looking for his little sister, Kirimi-chan. What did the maid and butler say?"
"Oh, that Nekozawa family traces back to the Tokarev Dynasty?"
"No the other thing."
"Huh? Well after that Nekozawa said that the family worshipped…wait," his eyes went wide with realization, "You don't think that-"
"Uh guys!" Noi interrupted and waved for them to come over, "Something really funny is going on and not 'haha' funny. More like 'really creeping me out' funny."
Their mouths dropped when they peered into the glass ball.
"Damn it," Haruhi walked back over to the string and started to braid, "I hate it when I'm right."
A/N: Thank you all for waiting. Sorry if there are still grammatical errors here and there I was kinda up till 2 am typing this. I will go back and fix later but right now I'm focused on the next chapter.
