Honestly, I don't think this chapter turned out very good. I was hoping to squish more into this chapter, but that didn't happen. So, what was suppose to take to chapters is now taking 3. *sigh* Well, nothing I can really do. It was starting to get to long. One of the reasons I think this story is going downhill is because I'm working on two stories of entirely different genres and plot lines. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to put The Blackmail Games on hold while I work on this. So, once again, I apologize for this sucky chapter and say to look forward to next chapter in which, hopefully, more exciting things will happen. R&R and all that good stuff.


Haruhi's POV

I couldn't have been out for more than a few seconds, because when I woke up Hikaru was still driving, the tears still running down his face. I felt dizzy and dazed, far away, as though I was watching this on T.V.

"Are you okay?" Hikaru asked me, his voice shaking.

"I'm fine. It's me who should be asking you that." I said. My voice was quiet and weak. I was afraid he hadn't heard me until he responded.

"No, I don't think I am okay. Not yet, anyway. But maybe someday." He said, lifting one hand to wipe the tears from his cheeks. I couldn't quite comprehend the fact that I would never see him again. He was gone, and he wasn't coming back. There was no more Hikaru and Kaoru. Now it was Hikaru and the late Kaoru. I felt my face dampen with tears.

"H-how?" I heard myself ask. I was surprised I had asked, because I wasn't really sure I wanted to know. I had a bad feeling that I really didn't want to know what had happened to him.

"Do you really want to know?" He sighed. The horrible feeling in my gut got worse. "I didn't want to have to tell you. Honestly, I was hoping you wouldn't even think to ask me that." He took a deep breath and gripped the steering wheel harder.

"It was a car crash. Right after club activities. He drove home with Boss because he wanted to talk to him alone. It happened on the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. He died instantly." His voice cracked on the last sentence.

My heart almost stopped. I couldn't see, think, breathe. I felt myself fall back against the seat as the truth of the matter hit me. It was me. It was me. I did it, it was all my fault. I looked back at Hikaru and said the only thing I could get out of my mouth.

"No."

"Haruhi, it's okay, I don't—"

"No."

"—blame you, the detectives said –"

"No. I…"

"Are you listening to me?" Hikaru asked. His words were harsh, pulling me out of my trance.

"What?" I asked, confused. How was he talking to me so civilly like this? I killed his brother! How the hell could he just sit here and talk to me like this! I suddenly realized I was sobbing, but I didn't care. I just let them come.

"I said it wasn't you're fault." Hikaru said again. His calm demeanor was making me feel worse about myself. I wasn't quite absorbing what he was saying. My responses were all but automatic.

"Of course it w-was my f-fault. S-stop trying to m-make me feel better." I said between sobs. I doubted he could understand what I was saying. I surprised me when he actually responded.

"No, it wasn't. Listen to me."

"No!"

"Haruhi, just—"

"No! I won't! You shouldn't even want to talk to me right now. I killed your brother! Why are you being so nice to me!" I screamed at him. All this anger I hadn't even realized I had found its way out. It was so out of character for me I didn't realize I had done it at first. I didn't let him see that I had surprised even me though.

He looked stunned and sat there, just staring at me like an idiot. The frustration coursed through me, making it impossible for me to sit there in the same proximity with him a moment longer. I threw the car door open and stepped out. Shooting him one last glare, I slammed the door and stalked off. I started walking. I knew this area, as I passed through it frequently, and knew of a shopping complex not far off. There, I could call for a cab or something to take me home. Anything to stay away from Hikaru.

After a few strides, I heard Hikaru start the car and drive at a snail's pace next to me. He rolled down the window and called over.

"Haruhi, would you just give me one fucking second?" I stopped and turned to glare at him through the open window, my hands on my hips.

"Why should I? I killed your brother, the only person you've ever really been able to open up to, and here you are forgiving me?" He looked unfazed, almost amused.

"Haruhi, I keep trying to tell you, it wasn't you're fault." I stared, bewildered.

"What do you mean, it wasn't my fault? How could it not have been my fault? I was driving the other car, wasn't I? Unless you mean to tell me it was Kaoru who was driving and caused the crash?"

"That's just it, Kaoru wasn't driving. The Boss was. I told you, he was driving home with the Boss after club activities." I couldn't keep the shock from my face. I knew Sempai had been with him when he called me, so had he forgiven him for causing the crash? Or had he found out then?

"Wait, so it was Tamaki? I don't believe that." I said doubtingly. Sempai was an idiot, but he wouldn't be so carless to not pay attention while driving. I simply didn't believe it was him who caused the crash.

"Good, because that isn't what happened. Well, it wasn't only him."

"… I'm confused." I said. Hikaru wasn't making any sense.

He sighed. "Get in the car and let me explain." I complied grudgingly. I really just wanted him to tell me while I was standing there. I didn't have the patience to sit quietly and calmly right now. Once I had sat down, he started the story.