A.N/ Merry Christmas! Sorry for the late update. It was because of mock exams but they are finally over! I struggled with chapter so please tell me if my writing can be improve in any way. Thank you to Shiloh374 for your review! It really kept me motivated! Hope you all have a great Christmas, Happy NewYear and a great holiday! On with the story.
Chapter 9
Ever since that moment, I feel as if my head is up in the night I could barely sleep, let alone think straight. By the time it was morning, dark circles ringed around my eyes displaying my sleepiness. Once I had arrived at the dining room for breakfast, there was a lot of commotion surrounding the long table. hey were busy talking about the events last night involving a certain host and their dark secret.
" Kyoya you were too harsh when talking to Hazel. Our daughter would never reveal her sister's secret." Tamaki lectured.
" I was only taking a precaution. Otherwise how will Haruhi pay of her debt if the whole school know she is a girl from and one little slip up we didn't take into consideration." Kyoya defended himself.
" It doesn't matter Senpai. I don't mind if someone else knows my gender. Hazel doesn't judge people and I don't think she is the kind of person to spread any secrets or rumours around." Haruhi joined in.
After that, I decided to open the door and take a seat at the table.
" Good morning, Haz-chan!" Honey beamed brightly like the morning sun.
" Morning, Honey-senpai." I murmured wearily in contrast to his cheerful mood.
" Wow, look at her eyes!" Kaoru exclaimed.
" Someone didn't get a good night's sleep. What were you doing if you're that tired?" His twin added.
" Just thinking about things." As I spoke I yawned loudly.
" Were you thinking about anyone in particular?" Kaoru teased.
" I wasn't thinking about you if thats's what you're thinking!" Quickly, I burst out in my flustered state.
At first, he was taken back but then he soon smiled that devilish smile of his. " I never said anything about that. You were the one who said it first." He teased.
Annoyed, I huffed an angry sigh. Do I really like that guy in that way? He's always teasing me and he's so frustrating; but he can be nice and he is incredibly good looking. What on earth am I thinking?
A slam echoed through out the room as I slammed my head on the table. The cutlery and plates rattled as the tremors ran across the table.
" I hate to interrupt what ever flirting that you are doing but I would appreciate that you don't take it out on the table." Kyoya stated firmly with a superior tone.
" I'm sorry about that. Wait what makes you think I would flirt with him?!"
" Well, one look of your face is already enough evidence." He explained stoically.
" Well..." Why don't I have a comeback? Something smart or witty and then I wouldn't seem so silly.
" Let's get on with the meal." He interrupts.
The clanking of cutlery clashing against plates echoed through out the room. The hosts were all quietly making conversation as I silently sat consuming the meal happily as it wasn't often that I got to taste such a fancy dish like this. Soon after breakfast, the hosts began to get ready to leave the Ootari's estate. Misaki gave me back my bag and school uniform which had been freshly wash and ironed by her. When I was about to thank her she stopped me by saying that it's the least she could do after I helped her out with the cook.
I'm glad to I have met Misaki; she's a new friend who I can relate to. She waited with me outside the grand doors of the manor as we waited for the hosts to arrive. Not long after we stepped outside, they all arrived.
" Hazel how are you supposed to be getting home?" Tamaki asked.
" I was going to work at the manor today to try and make up for lost time."
" You can't work yet! You're still recovering! Mama tell her!"
Right on cue, Kyoya spoke," He's right and when we called the Tokinawas they gave you the whole day off today to recover."
I nodded in response. At least I am spared today. Once I go back to the manor I will probably be scolded by the family head for being so careless and missing the important visitor we were having yesterday.
" Alright, I will be going home then. I better get walking. It takes a while to reach my place. Bye everyone and thank you, Kyoya-senpai I am grateful that you helped me this weekend, I hope I wasn't a bother."
" It's fine and you're welcome."
" Wait a moment! You're walking home!" The loud king of the host club interrupted.
" Yeah. I have no other way of getting home."
"I can't let my daughter walk all that way! What if something happened to you? What if you were lost and had no where to go?" He said dramatically.
" I can find my way home. I'm sure it isn't too far."
" Why don't you ride with us Haz-chan?" Honey smiled as he clung to Mori's back.
" I don't want you to go out of your way."
" If you're that bothered why don't you ride with us? We're dropping off Haruhi along the way anyway." Hikaru spoke.
" None of you are going to let me walk home are you?" I sighed. Simultaneously they all shook their heads. " So who's taking me home?"
Much to my surprise, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and drag me over into a limo. Before I knew it, Haruhi landed in the limo with a thump followed by both of the troublemakers.
Quickly, the limo sped off leaving behind a very shocked Tamaki. The twins burst out into laughter.
" Did you see the look on the Boss's face?!" Hikaru spoke with a strained voice from laughing too much.
" I know! It was priceless!" Kaoru chuckled holding his sides tightly.
" If you wanted me to go with you that badly just say next time and don't scare the hell out of me!" I shouted at them.
" How else are we supposed to get you to come with us? If you had the chance you would have probably gone with Tamaki or Honey." Hikaru stated.
" That's true because I don't want you to see where I live!"
" That's a little harsh!" Kaoru whined.
" Can you blame me? After all you will be able to enter the house anytime you want to! Who knows what kinds of things you will do!"
" What kind of people do you think we are? It's not like we are perverts." Hikaru said bluntly with a bored expression on his face.
" I know you're not but I won't have any privacy anymore!"
" Even if you didn't come with us we would have Kyoya-senpai tell us where you live." He continued.
" Why does this have to happen to me?" I said in a pathetic tone.
" I'm sure it won't be too bad. It's not like they would wreak your house on purpose." Haruhi joined in.
" Thanks Haruhi. I will cope somehow."
Quietly for the rest of the journey, me and Haruhi chatted about the club members. Haruhi told me on how she originally became apart of the club and told me all kinds of things which happened since she joined. Haruhi confirmed for me that the host club even though they are really strange people, they have good intentions on helping people. The peaceful atmosphere was short lived as we arrived at Haruhi's place and she had to leave.
Mentally I started to panic as I was going to be left alone with those tricksters. A few silence moments passed by as I started to fiddle with the orange rose in my hand.
" Hazel." Their voices struck me by surprise and I began to fear for my wellbeing as I could here a slight slyness in their voices. " Are you thinking about us again?"
The question caught me off guard. Hesitantly I spoke, unsure of the words I used. " So what if I am?"
They smirked. " Aww, do you love us that much?"
Suddenly, my face turned a blazing shade of red. " No! Can't you stop teasing me for five minutes?"
" Aww. But we want to play. After all, you're our toy."
For the second time that day I huffed in frustration. I looked down, hiding my face behind my hair as I played with the rose.
" What happened during the power cut yesterday anyway?" Hikaru causally asked.
" Why would anything happen during the power cut?" I spoke too quickly. I knew this as they raised their eyebrows skeptically.
" Because you were blushing after the light came back on. " Kaoru said.
Glaring at them, I began to speak, " I swear if you two had any part..."
" We don't know what you're talking about." They spoke in an innocent tone.
By their body language it didn't seem like they were teasing me or lying. I wonder if I will ever find out. The rest of the journey was in silence as I was buried deep in my thoughts. A soft shake on my shoulder woke me from my trance. I look at Kaoru wide eyed. His hand was so warm. I found myself unable to look away from his golden eyes.
" I'm not interrupting anything am I?" A mischievous voice spoke.
" Of course not. I will always have time for you, Hikaru." Kaoru smiled, breaking the awkward atmosphere. Slowly, Hikaru reached out to his brother's face with his right hand.
" I don't want you getting distracted by other people, Kaoru. I don't want other people to have you." He spoke smoothly.
Kaoru leaned into Hikaru's hand staring at him with his glistening, amber orbs filled with desire and warmth. " Don't worry. I will always be yours and yours only, Hikaru."
For a moment, I was mesmerised by their displays of affection but I quickly realised what they were doing.
" I'm not going to have a nose bleed so stop while you're ahead! I should be going! Bye!" Quickly, I unlatched the door and successfully escape.
" Hey! You're no fun!" They complained through the window.
" Bye!" I grin at my victory as I sprint up the stairs to my flat at the end of the second floor. I glance over my shoulder to see that their limo is still there. Damn, they stayed to find out which flat I live in. No need to worry, after this month I will be able to pay the rent and change the locks another time.
Immediately, I crash on the sofa closing my eyes. At least I have kind of had some fun for the past few days. Tomorrow will be tough in comparison. After all that occasion will finally arrive.
Next day... ( At the host club)
During the day, the business at the host club continued at a normal pace until...
" Where's my daughter? She hasn't been here all day!" Moaned the host club's king.
All the faces of the host club turned onto the sight of their king in dismay.
Hikaru and Kaoru shrugged as they simultaneously spoke, " We don't know. She wasn't in class today."
" She could still have a cold." Haruhi stated.
" Aww and I saved a special piece of strawberry cake for Haz-chan. I know if we find her I can give her a cake and she would feel better!" Honey smiled and Mori grunted in agreement.
" Come on men! We have to go and find Hazel! Do anything possible! Make posters, print photos, ask anyone!" Shouted Tamaki.
" That's a bit much even for you." The twins spoke with deadpan expressions.
" If you're that bothered why don't you ask Nanami Tokinawa? After all she is her employer." Kyoya spoke. Then, the raven haired teenager continued to write in his all important notebook.
" Do you know where she will be Haruhi?" Tamaki spoke in an urgent tone.
" She should be at a school council meeting. She's part of the council."
" Alright men! To the council's meeting room!"
Swiftly, they ran to the room on the other side of the building.
" Nanami Tokinawa!" Tamaki called noisily. All of the council turned to look in the host club's direction with baffled expressions painted on their faces. " She's not in here." He continued in a weak tone.
" If you're looking at Tokinawa-san, she went to the library." A quiet voice spoke up.
" Alright men! To the library!" Tamaki began to sprint away.
" Wait, senpai! The school has four libraries!" Haruhi called after him but he was too far away to hear her.
" For someone who has the highest grades in his year, he can sometimes be an idiot." Hikaru stated bluntly. The rest of the club nodded in agreement.
" We should split up as that way we can go to each of the libraries faster." Haruhi suggested.
" That's a very good point. Hikaru and Kaoru, you go to the library in the north part of the building. Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai, you go to the south library. Haruhi, you go to the east and I will go and catch up with Tamaki. Then head to the west library. We all head back to the club if we don't get any information or find her. Are we all clear?" Kyoya instructed.
" Yes Sir!" They declared and head off for their destinations.
One hour later...
In music room three, all the host had gathered except for Kyoya and Tamaki. They hadn't found out any information so they all eagerly awaited for the missing hosts' return. One click of the door, they turn their heads in the door's direction to find an annoyed Kyoya and a depressed Tamaki.
" Is everything alright, Kyo-chan?" Honey asked.
" Everything is far from alright." Kyoya said darkly as an demonic aura emitted from him scaring the younger hosts. " This idiot, despite knowing that libraries are quiet places, shouts as loud as he possibly could and we got chucked out! Then he overheard a conversation that Nanami had gone to the faculty office on a teacher request and he bursts with his loud mouth asking for Nanami and I had to suffer a very long lecture off a teacher saying that they expect better of us and I don't have any information what so ever!"
" I already said I was sorry!" Tamaki whined. The shadow king's glare then fixed onto the anxious blond.
" Anyway... Why don't we try 1-A's classroom? She could still be in their after all." Haruhi suggested trying to change the topic.
" What a great idea Haruhi! Let's go!" Tamaki announced trying to avoid the Shadow King's deadly wrath.
Once they arrived at the classroom,they saw Nanami Tokinawa seated at her desk diligently working on piles of paperwork. Her golden hair was pinned back into a loose bun, with thin stands hanging delicately out of it, and her azure eyes were clearly focus on her task. However, Tamaki didn't pay attention to the fact the girl was working hard and decided to disrupt the girl's concentration.
" Nanami, have you seen Hazel?" He shouted shocking the girl. Clearly she didn't notice his presence as she nearly dropped the pen which rested comfortably in her slender hand.
" Why would you want to know where she is anyway?" Nanami replied in an annoyed tone as she wanted to get on with the task at hand.
" We don't mean to cause you any trouble, Tokinawa-san and we won't take much of your time. All we want to know is where Hazel Marvel is." Kyoya spoke in a polite tone before Tamaki could speak.
" Oh, you're Kyoya Ootari aren't you?" She spoke with a sudden change in her voice which made her sound more cheerful and welcoming.
" Yes I am. We took Hazel in at the estate as she recovered from her cold." He replied with a fake smile painted across his face.
" I remember. Thank you for taking her in. If there is anything the Tokinawas can do please tell me and we will see what we can do." She spoke in a modest tone.
" Would you please be so kind to tell us Hazel Marvel's whereabouts?" His voice contained a sense of formality in it.
" Oh right. She hasn't been in school due to personal circumstances." Nanami spoke in a melancholic tone which shocked the hosts.
" Why what's happened?" Kaoru said worried.
" She wouldn't want me to say but I can tell you that she should still be at her house."
" Thank you for telling us! Alright men let's go to her house!" Tamaki said excitedly.
" I'm glad I could help." Nanami smiled a sweet, angelic smile as she turned back to her work.
The host club wandered out of the building into the limo to take them to Hazel's place. The luxurious limo stopped outside the practical looking building. There were two floors with a basic rectangular layout.
Each of the hosts step out of the car to find a crowd of people surrounding the limo in awe of its presence.
" Why are their so many people around the car?" Tamaki asked cluelessly.
" Senpai, it's not normal for a fancy car to be in the neighborhood." Haruhi stated in a spiritless tone.
Kyoya clapped his notebook together, then strolled away at a causal pace in the opposite direction to the house and said, " I'll tell the driver to go and park the limo somewhere else."
As the limo drove off into the distance, the hosts climbed the stairs to see a familiar figure stepping out of the flat at the end of the landing. Her chestnut, wavy hair was draped behind her ear to reveal her jade coloured eyes which lightly glistened with clear tears which failed to fall from her eyes.
" Hey Haz-ch..." Honey began to speak. Mori quickly acted by shoving his hand to cover the blond boy's mouth and bolted down the stairs.
In fear of being seen, the rest of hosts swiftly followed Mori's steps and ran down the stairs with Tamaki tumbling down the stair way, crashing with brute force into Mori's back. Before Tamaki could do anything which could reveal their location the twins shoved him to the bushes and hid themselves while they were at it. All the hosts hid the bushes, with their hearts racing in fear of being spotted. Hazel headed down the stairs,oblivious to the fact the host club were merely meters away from her. She continued down the street out of the hosts' sight.
" That was close." Mori stated calmly. The hosts nodded. With a sharp rustle of the leaves the hosts pop out of their hiding place to see Kyoya gazing in their direction stoically.
" What are you hiding for? She has already gone down the street." He asked.
" We were nearly spotted." The twins answered.
" I only wanted to ask if she was alright. Haz-chan look really upset." Honey spoke with a sad tone.
" We better follow her. Who knows what could be wrong? It will be like a spy mission! We need code names!" Tamaki said.
" Don't you think that's going a bit too far?" Haruhi asked.
" Nonsense. I will assign you code names. Naturally I will be called King. Kyoya will be Shadow King. Mori-senpai will be Silence. Honey-senpai will be Strawberry. Haruhi will be Princess and finally, Hikaru and Kaoru will be called Double Act. Any questions?" Tamaki waited for a response.
" Alright let's start operation follow post it girl!"
In a short amount of time, the club managed to catch up to Hazel. People across the street stared at the strange men hiding behind thin lamp posts and trees.
" The target has been sighted directly ahead wondering into the flower shop." Mori and Honey spoke simultaneously.
" Good work, Silence and Strawberry. Let's move out men!" Tamaki praised.
While Hazel was busy contemplating which flowers to buy, the host clubs took different positions across the store and watched her actions from afar. Finally, she chose an exotic flowers which were a vivid shade of yellow. Before the hosts exited the store, they ended up buying roses to hide behind.
" I wonder why she brought flowers." Honey spoke thoughtfully.
" It looks like we will find out why." Haruhi spoke in a serious tone as the host club saw the girl wander into the graveyard.
...
It was that time of year. It was supposed to be a celebration where I could congratulate my mum and dad for being one year older. If she were still alive she would protest that she would still be 30 years old even though she would be turning 36, then my dad would be happy to say they would be turning old together. It's funny how their birthdays were on the same.
I lay the flowers in front of my parents' grave and gave a small smile as I whispered, " Happy Birthday."
Shyly, I began to talk, " It's kind of hard to believe you're not here physically right now. I remember how we were going to have a party just the three of us with all the treats we could want. We were going to buy that hot chocolate fudge cake with the double whipped cream, despite mum being on another one of her crazy diets."
I laugh in spite of myself, " I bet I sound crazy right now. When you two told me the story of how you first got together, I always thought I would find love straight away like that but I think it's a lot different to how you described it. I know this guy who is incredibly irritating but sweet at the same time and every time I'm around him I get so... confused and frustrated! He tricks me most of the time and I argue with him quite a bit but for some reason I don't seem to mind it. It's kind of fun. If you met him, you would understand what I'm saying and I bet you would like him as well. How can I tell if I love him?"
" Everything is such a mess! School work, housework, my job, there's so much to handle! I just wish you were still here you would help me." My voice cracked as my sorrow began to overwhelm me. I clench my jaw to stop my sobs from being too loud. I haven't had much chance to grieve properly. There's hardly any time to. I won't cry. If I cry, I won't be able to stop.
Nearby, I hear someone clear their throat so I glance in the direction where the sound came from. I glance to see the very people I didn't want to see me like this.
" Why are you here?" I said defensively. I was supposed to sound angry but my voice was feeble and unusually fragile. Why do they have to be here when my guard is down?
" We are here to pay our respects." Tamaki said considerately. Each of them had a bouquet of roses in their hands.
" We just wanted to check you were ok, Haz-chan. We were worried about you because you were ill yesterday." Honey said in a caring tone.
" You were worried?" I said in disbelief.
" Of course we were." He smiled his usual light smile. " After all, it seems like you're almost part of the club that you're with us so much!"
Before I could react, I felt a part of arms wrap around me and a soft voice spoke to me, " You haven't properly mourned your parents have you?"
" K-Kaoru?" I felt my body tense in his arms as his warmth enveloped me, comforting me.
" It's ok to cry. You're not alone anymore. We'll all be here for you. Just let it out."
I remained frozen trying to function what he said. No one said something like this to me before. My eyes felt as if they were being prick by tears. My throat felt tight.
I tried to keep my voice steady, " What... What if I can't stop?"
" You have to let it out before you can get better. You don't have to be strong in front of us. It's ok to cry, it's natural when you have lost someone important."
" My parents... They told me to smile. And no matter how hard it gets just smile. I wouldn't be living by those words if I started to cry."
" That may be true. But everyone needs to grieve, it's all apart of life. They wouldn't want you to suffer."
" I'm afraid. If I let go, I won't be able to stop. I don't want to cry. I don't want to be weak."
" Don't be afraid. If you keep fighting, it will only get worse. Let go."
Hesitant, I ask, "...Can I really let go?"
Wordlessly, he confirms this by holding me wave of emotion finally hits me. I tangled my hands in the soft fabric of his blazer.I cling to his body with all my might. At first, the tears fell from my eyes, drop by drop. My vision was hazy. Then, the tears fully escaped as I began to sob my heart out. The solidness of his chest was the only thing supporting me. Trembling uncontrollably, my body shook in grief.
All I could think was, why? Why did this happen to me? Then again no one ever knows the answer.
All of a sudden, there were no more tears. I felt numb. Exhaustion seem to take over as my grip got weaker. All my weight shifted onto him.
" Your parents will rest in peace." He spoke trying to encourage me, unaware of how untrue it was.
" They're not at peace yet." I spoke in somber, hoarse tone. It was so unlike my normal voice, that I didn't even recognise myself.
" What do you mean?" Kaoru asked in a confused, low tone.
" I'll tell you something I haven't told anyone before. No one knows how the fire started. It might have been on purpose. It could have been accidental." I whispered into his ear.
As I pulled away, he looked shocked. I could tell he didn't know how to react to the news. I glance at the graves to see their flowers had been placed by my parents' graves.
" Thank you. Since you went to the trouble of all this, you might as well come round to my house and Honey-senpai, I have plenty of cake at home for you to have." I wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible. It seems all too much to handle at once.
His chocolate brown eyes lit up in happiness. He asked, " Do you have strawberry?"
" Of course. We should get going." I smiled weakly as I tried to get off the floor. Kaoru helped me for the floor as I stumbled slightly.
As the others set off ahead, Kaoru stayed at the back with me.
" I'm sure everything will work out eventually and whoever you have a crush on will look after you." Kaoru said encouragingly.
Immediately, I looked at the floor. I can't believe he heard what I said! Surely, he doesn't know it was him I was talking about. Slowly, he grabbed my hand squeezing it lightly. I didn't try to shake off his advance. I squeezed lightly back and for the rest of the walk we walked silently, neither one of us made eye contact with each other.