~The Sea's Secrets~
"Ooooh Rai-chan!~"
When your eyes snapped open, they met two sets of gold ones.
. . .
"-ACK, " You jumped, kicking your legs under the sheets.
"Personal space, Hitachiins!" you barked, slapping their faces away by reflex, shutting your eyes again.
They chuckled, looking at you.
You growled and arched your brows.
"WHAT?!" you seethed, a dark aura surrounding the room.
They shrank down and chuckled nervously, sweatdropping.
"It's 10o' clock in the morning already Rai-chan." they explained meekly, rubbing their cheeks with their palms.
Your face stayed blank as you stared at them.
"I'm not done sleeping." you said calmly... a bit.. too calmly for comfort.
They shivered, speed walking out the door, peeking in on their way out.
"Sleep tight Rai-chan!~ Ehehe.."
You flopped your head back down on the pillow a moment later, landing beside your twin.
Your eyes shifted over to him for a moment.
He was sleeping soundly.. breathing steadily with his brows furrowed just the slightest bit.
You yawned and smiled softly, drifting off one more time...
Today was going to be a long day..
-Ren's POV-
... An Hour Later ...
My eyes fluttered open slowly, and I let out a long drawn out yawn, stretching out my long arms.
Glancing to my left, I saw my little sister still drooling away on the pillow.
Rubbing my head looking the expensive alarm clock beside me, I checked the time.
-11:15... already?-
My eyebrows perked up.
It was about time to wake her up...
Cautiously placing a hand on her shoulder, I shook it gently, looking down at her.
...Bracing for the h-hand!
Leaning back quickly I dodged the slap I knew was coming.
She had a tendency of violence when someone woke her up without her.. consent.
-Who am I kidding.. I'm the same way.. -
According to the Hitachiins and Suoh, it was her blood type.
Well, our blood type...: AB?
-I wonder where they got that from?-
Catching her hand, I watched her eyes open.
"Morning sis." I greeted, grinning down at her.
She rolled over a little, looking back up at me with a small smile.
"Morning brother."
All of a sudden the doors swung open.
"-WOAH, TWINCEST!"
Both of us froze in place, shifting our gazes over to the doorway; with the other two twins standing in it.
"WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING BAKA!?" Raiden snapped, sitting up.
"And we thought it was just an act like us!" they mocked, gasping falsely, while linking arms, and sticking their chins in the air.
Raiden's face twitched.
"Idiots..." I murmured lowering my head, and rolling over to the edge of the bed.
"What? We are just witnesses to the forbidden act~"
"Now we will never be able to erase it from our minds." they said playfully, grinning with their eyes shut tight, arms still linked.
Raiden glared at them, especially since she had nearly just woken up.
She could be a force to be dealt with in the mornings..
"Get out so we can change." she ordered.
"Ooooh! So you two change together too?" the twins teased, not knowing what was coming to them.
-I'm sure YOU two do for sure..- I thought aimlessly.
"OUT." Raiden seethed, rolling up the short sleeves of her sleep shirt.
The twins quickly stepped out of the room, smirking and intertwining their arms again.
"Alright! Just be sure to wear your bikini!~" they chimed unisonically, sticking out their tongues.
I twitched.
-Always talking about bikinis... Perverts.-
"OUT. NOW."
"Okay!" the boys screeched, getting pushed out violently by my sister.
"Just remember we're going to the beach today!"
Raiden paused.
"What?"
They turned back to us both with blank expressions, sweatdropping.
"Don't you remember your promise...?"
-Your POV-
...FLASHBACK...
"Mhn.. No!"
"Don't..! J-just wait a second I'm not prepared yet..!"
You shifted onto your side, the bed sheets ruffling.
"..Ren-!"
Your brother scooted closer to you, the warmth flooding around you he wrapped an arm around your waist, nuzzling into you.
"Sis! W-Wait for me..! Please! I don't want to miss out again!"
. . .
"-Rai-chan~!"
"AHH~! NO! I CAN'T BE LATE AGAIN, HURRY UP AND GET READY!"
You shot up out of the indent left in the pillow, gripping onto the first things right in front of you.
...Those things, that happened to be the hair of the Hitachiins, groggily hovering over you with shocked eyes.
They winced at your tight grip, but looked down at you nonetheless, your panting form twitching slightly.
You blinked and came back to reality.
..A dream again..?
"Are you okay, Rai-chan..? We heard commotion in here from our room.."
You zoned out and stifled back a yawn that was building up, looking to the right and seeing your brother hadn't move much.. only scooted a bit closer to where you had been.
-No wonder I felt warmer just now... -
As your eyes travelled about quickly, you caught sight of the two that were in front of you again, eyes tracing along their... torso.
Shirtless torso..?
. . .
You stared at their bare upper bodies strangely for a moment, obviously boggled.. but felt your cheeks toasting.
Immediately letting go of their heads you shoved them back as you scooted away.
"Grh... I'm fine! It was just an old dream. Can't hurt. " you hissed, looking down and noticing you were clenching onto the sheets covering your legs rather tightly.. hearing the cloth stretch under your panicked grip.
They blinked, not even getting the point that they had came into your- their- this room without being decent!
You'd seen the entire club shirtless at the resort.. but it wasn't in a dark room, at night, practically alone since the other's slept like rocks.
The idiots...
You rubbed your eyes, feeling urge to just sleep that instant.
Or punch something.
"Well~ Since you're awake, Rai-chan..." Their eyes sparked, the golden hue seemingly growing brighter in the dim, moonlit room.
"...What."
"We were wondering if you wanted to go to the beach with us~!" Their voices held the same enthusiasm as per usual, strangely toned down to a whisper; however, that didn't hold back the grin creeping across their faces.
You deadpanned at that little face they were making... begging like little children, coaxing like the hosts they were, and even though you were immune to their "charms",
You were half asleep.
"If I agree will you be forcing me to do things?"
"We won't have to force ya to do anything if you go and wear a swimsuit without struggle~!"
"Noooo..." you said tiredly, head leaning back as you propped yourself on your elbows.
-I just want to sleep...-
"..Yes."
"No."
"Rai-chaaaan..."
"Let me sleep..."
"Not until you agree to go..~!"
You buried your face into your pillow, arm extending out and reflexively clinging to your brother.
"Fine! I promise..!" You yelled, quietly, as you furrowed your brows.
The twins raised their hands, one leg bending upward as they clapped without a sound, rejoicing in their victory.
You shot them a deadly glance over your shoulder, cuddling your own twin like some sort of teddy bear.
Your constantly light blue eyes swirled a darker shade, the shine long gone from it as you watched them back out, singing their heads off...
"Swim suit~! Swim suit~!"
"Stupid sack of potatoes.." you mumbled to your steadily snoring brother, eyes shutting.
...END FLASHBACK...
Your nostrils flared at the vague memory that flooded your brain.
"Swim suit and the beach~!" they sang in a cocky tone, waving their pointers fingers in circles and escorting themselves out of the room the rest of the way.
Backing away from the door you turned to your brother, face reading you were grieving on the inside, without the tears on the outside.
How troubling this was...
As long as nothing... 'bad' happens with the beach~! Or the water.
-It'll be okay...right?-
"It'll be fine, Raiden. "
You flickered your eyes to your brother.
"-That won't ever happen again..."
The two of you nodded and cracked a slight smile, before splitting up to get ready and change back into normal clothing.
It was still leave time, and school hadn't started again, so you wouldn't be returning for another day.
Dressing in uniform was something you had no worries about.
You had just noticed...
Haruhi had already left the room.
-Is she downstairs already...?-
The thought forced your eyes to the other end of the room, seeing the perfectly fixed bed there.
She had been up early like usual, surely...
As soon as you two left your room wearing your casual, yet expensive designer attire, you were immediately greeted by Kyoya as he passed the room to head downstairs.
"Good evening, " he bid, passing and pushing up the frames of his glasses.
"Well good evening to you too, darling." Sarcasm rolled off your tongue as he ignored your reply, stepping down the marble with notebook at hand.
Following after him, all the others had already assembled.
*CLACK*
"Good morning, Rai-chan~!"
Hunny dropped whatever it was he had been holding in his arms, turning around and hugging you around the shoulders.
"Good morning, my dear daughter~!" Tamaki squealed,
You helped Hunny climb off of you as you glanced up at the other blond.
"Mornin' Blondie." you made a face and huffed- lips tweaking into a small smirk.
His indigo eyes sparked, the shine shaking in glee when he received the - minimally - positive response from you.
"Hn." Mori placed a hand on your head, nodding slightly.
You chuckled, turning away from Tamaki as he squealed and held his hands up to his cheeks.
"My dear daughter Raiden smiled at me~!"
Mori let out a small breath through his nose, looking back at Hunny as the shota appeared on his shoulders.
A vivid splash of red met your eyes.
"-You should wear this one, Rai-chan!"
Your cerulean eyes traveled along the slick fabric.
N-no...
Just no.
It was some sort of one piece... large flowers trailing down the entire chest to the end... cute, little white flowers making up the straps.
So much frills.. so much...-
"-Ai~! Hunny-sempai... you really don't get it, do ya~?"
The twins snatched the article from his hands, which was dangling from the arms that were locked around Mori's shoulders.
Hunny's smile fell and he pouted, with a furrow of brow.
"A one piece type suit like that would cover too much skin~!"
They clicked their tongues on the roofs of their mouths.
"O-Oi!" Ren's lip twitched, his eyes flaming.
The twins had some sort of cold, blunt shield protecting their petty little heads that were always screwed on too tight.
Smirking, they each held a hand up at their side.
"-You see, with a color like that, it would only match with her hair color~!"
"Ehhh?"
The blond shota was confused, standing by the mannequin he'd dropped, which held a blue swim suit, adorned with a white collar and dark blue bow.
..Most likely meant for Haruhi.
"You wouldn't want our dear Rai-chan to look like she's merely covering herself with something as little as that now would you~?" They said lowly, lips stretching into a prominent sneer.
Your face dropped to the floor, eyes drooping closed as you mushroom sighed.
"But~! Thats why we carefully chose a separate type swimsuit~!"
They jerked their hands in the direction of a kindly placed model figure of plastic, like the others, stepping back with a bow.
"This suit does a well job of covering everything required, to avoid any abstract sun lines that could appear on Rai-chan's fair skin~!"
Your eyebrow moved, arching in annoyance and impatience for their games.
They cracked a last snicker.
"It does a fine job showing off Rai-chan's girlish side as well~!"
In time being, your troubled ocean blues stared at the flamboyant swimsuit.
The top of the separate type suit was the same creamy orange color as the bottoms, lined with autumn silk along the sweet heart neckline and straight waistline of the pieces.
It was clean and simple. But surely expensive.
Ren had already picked up one of the mannequins, holding it as if... either staring at the coconut bra or.. deliberating whether to use the model as a defensive tool against the bluntly, perverted twins.
"I'm not wearing that."
"Yes you are~"
They prodded closer, smiling as innocently as they could muster.
"It's part of the deal~!"
You raised your shoulders.
"WHAT DEAL?" Tamaki outburst, shoving his body between yours and the twins: like an idiotic blond wall.
"Just a little something we had Rai-chan promise last night." they admitted, noses raised.
"What were you doing with her last night!?"
"-We were in her bedroom."
"HN?! I WILL NOT HAVE HARASSMENT DONE TO MY DAUGHTER IN THE NIGHT, YOU DEVILS!"
They rose their hands up, blocking Tamaki's heavy voice from their faces.
"We heard a commotion~! It's only natural we came to her aid, Milord."
He trembled, arms flailing uncontrollably with uneasing protectiveness.
"What commotion? I heard nothing of the sort...!" he squealed, pouting kiddishly.
"You really wouldn't be a good father, Boss..."
"AHHHH! A-At least I wouldn't touch her in bed!" He pointed an accusing finger, face white with shock.
A mannequin flew past your head, hitting all three boys and sending them flying into oblivion... disappearing like a star in the distance.
. . . Sigh.
You stepped forward, grabbing the mannequin that held your doom, nonetheless.
"..Thanks Ren."
...Later: At The Beach...
"Hoi~! Take it easy, Hikaru!"
"Sorry! I'll get it!"
Sinking your toes into the warm, light sand, you walked leisurely along the beach; the twins passed you, running after each other to give chase to a beach ball.
You glanced at them, smiles plastered on falsely as they called each other's names.. those customers swooning over the cute scene.
Oh yeah, the customers.
This trip to the beach ended up being just another 'Host Club Day on the road'.
Well.
Okinawa Private Beach.
"This is demeaning..." you mumbled, tugging at the collar of the blue, short sleeved 'Hawaiian' shirt draped over your frame.
You left it open, fixing the collar of it and rolling up the sleeves.
Underneath it, you may have guessed, was the orange two piece the Hitachiin's so kindly picked out for you to sport.
You continued on, but upon glancing up, you nearly ran into Mori...
...Eh?
-What are they.. doing?-
Your mouth hung open as you lifted your arms.
Your body paled with confusion as you bent your knees and waddled through the small crowd of girls.
"W-what type of dance is this Hunny-sempai?" You whispered, eyes narrowed and shifting left to right as you awkwardly danced your way through.
Mori just shrugged, bending his arms up and down.
"Dunno~!" Hunny rang, face content with a wide grin as he led the rest of the girl's in their.. eh.. 'routine'.
A bead of sweat rolled down your temple as you straightened up.
"Why did they have to bring those girls along...?" you rambled quietly.
"I allowed you and your brother to come here with us for free only for the sake of the customer's liking to you."
"Che... I'd thank you if I was grateful..." You made an indifferent expression, furrowing your brows and simmering down under the umbrella Kyoya was sitting.
"They practically think of you as part of the club, you know." His glasses reflected, seeing as he let a small hint of a smirk grace his pale lips.
Your lips parted, in time with your perked eyebrows.
"They wha -"
*BOINK*
"He really fooled us, neh~?" Kaoru chuckled, lifting the beach ball from your head.
"I'll say," You ruffled your hair with your hand, turning to him.
Hikaru's head popped out from aside his twin, nudging him with his elbow playfully.
"Well, at least Rai-chan got to wear her swim suit~! "
They both let out a rather audible 'ku ku ku' type laugh, Kaoru shifting the ball under his arm.
You grabbed the hem of your shirt, pulling both ends together and covering yourself as your eye twitched.
"Don't make me-"
"-Senpai~! We caught a big haul for tonight's supper!"
You blinked, glancing over your shoulder.
"Eh?"
"You did, you did, my little girl~?" Tamaki beamed, rubbing his cheeks and beginning to skip past you four.
-I really should clothesline that idiot one day...-
{In wrestling a clothesline is when someone virtually runs directly into the opponents outstretched arm- cutting them off.}
Instead, you loosened your fists, letting go of your shirt and looked away from the twins: face vacant.
Haruhi was brimming with happiness... odd as that looked and sounded.
"Hahhh? What was that?" They peered around you.
╰（"￣ ▽￣ ）╯ "..Haruhi..."
Padding over there, just about everyone on the beach heard her small little rant...
...and uncommon it was.
An awkward smile creeped over your features, thrown by the unnatural amount of hellfish her and Hunny had gathered in such a short period.
-Hellfish... right?
Tamaki bent down and picked up what was about the biggest crab you'd ever seen...
...Found on the surface of a beach that is.
"What do you think, Haruhi," his eyes glinted as he put a forefinger to his chin.
"Do you find this large crab to be... Crab-tivating?"
You held a palm over your head.
"Dear lord..."
Haruhi turned her head, smiling brightly and lowering her shovel.
Though you were expecting another 'obnoxious' remark on his question... what you got was unexpected.
"Yes~!" She nodded firmly, smiling even brighter, cheeks flush with glee.
. . .
"Kawaiiiiiii...~~!"
"Ehhh.." you scratched your head, face blank as a board.
A scream from one of the girls behind you suddenly rang in your ear- but it was no fan girl scream.
"CEN-"
"TI-"
"-PEDE!"
"Ahahahaha~!"
The entire league of females dispatched in a series of directions, followed by a laughing pair of Hitachiins, and Hunny.
-Only then you had noticed Ren was nowhere to be seen.
But.. you'd seen him go to the ocean to go swimming... where was he now?
You blinked several times, turning your head to the side at the slow, calm ocean swaying over the sand.
"...Ren..?" you uttered, back straightening as you turned your head to and fro frantically.
You looked in front of you in time to see Haruhi pinching a bug between her two fingers casually- about to throw it to the rocks.
"Ah-!"
You gasped, darting to her side and catching the bug in the air, quick-like, but gentle.
Opening your palm you stared down at the black centipede intently, watching as it crawled slowly across your skin.
"AH~!" Your eyes lit up and you gaped at it in awe, sparkles circling around your figure.
Every other person present tilted their head to the side in perfect unison, in confusion as to why you were... so...
"Uwah..." you mumbled, poking it childishly as your eyes sparkled, staring at it like a puppy dog.
Weird as it sounds... you actually didn't mind bugs.
-Your mother was much too against them and you just were interested in seeing them.
And aside from the fact you had a different view point on them then most girls, and heck, most boys did, you also had this weird shaky feeling when you were away from your twin for too long without knowing he was actually close.
And you were on the beach... and he went in the water-
What if he-
Where did he-
"-RAI-CHAN~!"
A large splash of water hit your face, causing you to throw the bug in the air to avoid it's contact with the water.
"Eh- AH~!"
Ren swiped his wet bangs back from in front of his face, slicking it back and throwing his snorkeling mouth piece at your hand, knocking the bug from it.
"Don't touch that! It might be poisonous!" he scolded, standing in the shallow part of the ocean where the dip of sand began.
"Ren~!" In such relief, you ignored the fact your entire vendetta in saving the bug was virtually demolished.
Call it what you will.. Twin telepathy, over attachment, conservative... but it wasn't just the fact you were twins.
It was just that . . .
"-KYAAA~! SO CUTE!"
-. . . that one incident.-
You looked up at Ren, seeing him open his mouth as if to add something else- but in place of a words, he pointed your direction.
...Behind you at least.
"Oi -"
"Rai-chan, We gotta show ya something!"
Two, much too reoccurring voices chorused, dragging you by your shoulders.
Oh joy.
... In the Cave of The Low Tide …
The twins had mercilessly dragged you along to somewhere else on the island, and a few girls tagged along.
You sighed, pulling your wrist away and following reluctantly.
All of you came to an ominous-looking cave, standing a few kilometers away from the ocean.
"This place,"
Kaoru and Hikaru walked ahead, touching their chins.
"It's said to be a paranormal spot, which not even the locals will come to very often."
"It's a cave that only shows itself at low tide."
-Low tide...? Meaning, the tide could come in here..? Anytime?-
You shivered at the suddenly chilling atmosphere.
"Ano... the tide wouldn't be coming in, anytime soon, right?"
Eyes rolled around the perimeter of rock and sand, looking for any signs of earth movement, symbolizing waves near by.
The twins blinked back at you, feigning innocence- in what, was now obviously a game of courage, or something.
"They say that up till now, plenty people have drowned here."
Kaoru set up blatantly, while Hikaru shined a flashlight ahead of us.
You tensed.
"They say that their lingering resentment drags passers-by into the dark..."
And then you relaxed.
-Is this some sort of cheesy ghost story now?-
"Whats that?!"
All too soon, Hikaru flicked the light toward the sides, pointing with a glint in his eye.
By reflex, your gaze landed on a shadowy figure, red eyes shining, and long bony fingers wiggling about.
Oh, and a demonic laugh.
"Hmn..."
"HYAAA!" {-The Customers}
A slender hand landed firmly on your shoulder.
Now, with all this stupid make-believe paranormal stuff happening, your entire mind set was: amused.
Grabbing a hold of the monster's arm, you pulled hard, as if to flip whomever was dressed up down on their back; instead, it just came clean off, and you now held a limp, plastic, skeletal limb.
"Ah?"
Now you hadn't seen that one coming...
Twisting around sharply, Hikaru shrunk down, backing up slightly when you gave him a blank stare.
"What is this, Hikaru?"
"-A ghost!"
"Yah, right."
Then, you promptly shoved the plastic appendage into his face, causing him to teeter backwards.
"Aren't you afraid of ghosts? You were looking a lot paler when we first came in here..."
Kaoru clicked the teeth of the other ghost puppet from before, using a lever at it's back as he spoke.
You frowned and shrugged.
"You were talking about drowning. Thats much scarier to think about rather than some unbelievable ghosts..."
And boy, you meant that.
"And here I was thinking it could be because of the dark..."
Hikaru murmured disappointedly.
And boy, that was wrong.
{{And so... The "Paranormal Line of Attack" had failed...}}
Next thing ya knew, Hunny was bellowing you over from far outside the cave- luckily you could hear from this distance.
"Well, I'm leaving. Ja~"
Waving once, you trotted outside, wincing softly when the bright sun greeted you once more.
When you reached Hunny, it turned out to be inside the back of one of Kyoya's military trucks... a giant, black truck, with foot soldiers creating a pathway to it's back storage unit.
"Rai-chan, Rai-chan, come in here~!"
You raised both your brows, noting one of the soldiers bowing his head in respect just as Hunny helped you onto the truck.
{It was the same guy from the Ootori Resort... the other one}
"Is something like this really okay on the beach, Hunny-senpai?"
Hunny waved his hands both dismissively, and to the force waiting their mark.
"Hai hai! Private Police People, close the gates~!"
"Ah-?"
-I should've seen this coming.-
Then, the metal door slid shut with a bang, closing just the two of you inside the darkness.
Joy.
"Neh... Hunny-senpai. Is this some sort of game the Hitachiins put you up to-"
"-Its dark, confined, and scary! Its dark, confined, and scary!"
"...The game?"
All of a sudden the shota was clinging desperately to your waist, flailing about a little in panic.
"Dark, confined, and scary!"
Oh... he's just scared.
Since it didn't seem he really would do something like this on his own, that confirmed it must be the Hitachiins. Definitely wasn't Mori.
After hearing Hunny's rant for quite awhile, the doors finally swung open and let you guys out, and the soldiers bowed deeply.
...and speaking of Mori...
Why was he pointing a sharp... harpoon at your face?
"Don't they call these... 'Mori's'... Mori-senpai?"
You lightly poked the sharp point of the harpoon with your index finger, careful not to break skin.
The tall male simply sweatdropped, giving up on what... you assumed to be an effort to scare you?
"Ahhh... this is getting really repetitive."
Rubbing your neck as you walked around the third year, you warily looked down as a small layer of ocean water tickled your toes as the tide touched the shore.
You stepped away from it.
"Mhn..."
"Sis~! Ya seen what's been going on over here?"
Ren came running to your side, holding two, full buckets of hellfish.
"Haruhi and Hunny found a huge bunch of shellfish over by the rocks-!"
"Hellfish."
"What?"
"It's hellfish, right?"
"Ah... sure, sis."
Ren smiled gingerly, placing one of the buckets on the sand to pull one of them out.
"Look at this one, its shell is all red. Reminds me a little of mom's hair that one time she decided-"
"-To get a bee-hive?" You chuckled fondly and held out a hand to have the particular abomination.
"Yeah... it was pretty bad, neh, Ren?"
The red haired boy nodded, picking up the buckets to bring them back to where we'd all set up.
Parting ways with him for a few minutes, you let your feet take you to the other end of the beach, wondering if Haruhi needed any help getting the last of the haul back.
But where was she?
The sand under your feet was a bit jagged, since so many critters had been there not long ago. It certainly was odd that hellfish would gather so extremely at a private beach...
You ran a hand through your hair, and-
*plink *
A small pebble hit your forehead, and you took a look up at where it hailed from.
There was a girl up utop the rock hill, looking like she'd seen a ghost or something, but then, a forceful set of arms entangled her waist, and pulled her back from the edge.
Whats going on?-
Apparently the girl had spotted you there though, and called your name.
"Raiden! C-Call for help- mmf!"
-Call for help my ass!-
Dropping all sensible thoughts, you sprinted up the hill to come to their aid, quickly reaching the peak.
In the short time you took the tables had definitely changed to something unexpected.
Haruhi must've come first, and she was being held ruthlessly over the very edge of the cliff by another male.
Disgusting bastard!
"Don't go trying to act tough when you're such a sissy boy!"
You gritted your teeth and scanned the area, seeing as there were two other's holding the girl from before, and another pair of squirming captives.
"Let them go you sickos!"
Heading for the first, you punched him right in the nose, not caring if he stayed on or off the rock platform as you snatched one of the girls from his grasp. (as not to let her fall as well)
"Raiden! It's dangerous-!"
You vaguely heard Haruhi's voice in the back of your brain as you kicked the second guy's ass to free the last two girls.
You could hear your heart beating deafeningly in your ears.
"Haru...hi...!"
Your vision became blurred as you stomped over to the last man standing, while the ocean waves seemed to cloud your sights suddenly. It's just adrenaline, right...?
"Che, you little pest! Go fish for your boy in the ocean!"
Ocean...?
You froze, with one arm outstretched, body suddenly locking up.
. . .
. . .
"We're going fishing...!"
Thats right...
"Rai-chan! Don't stand so close to the edge!"
But... the ocean was so pretty...
"RAI-CHAN!"
But it was so dark... when I...
"Mommy! Daddy! S-Sis fell in..!
Don't worry... about me, Ren... okay?
. . .
. . .
Your eyes snapped back into awareness, and you clenched your outstretched hand.
"Don't worry about me, okay...?" You whispered, and pounced forward, grabbing onto the guy's shoulder tightly to get him away from Haruhi.
"Oi! Let go, you-"
"Rai-chan! Its too close to the edge...!"
You held onto Haruhi's arm and held it tight.
"-You can't take my family away from me, bastard!"
You yelled, and finally managed to get Haruhi from him, just as you stumbled forward to punch the man right in the cheekbone.
He teetered on the edge for a good second before falling backward...
But he grabbed your shirt by reflexive action...
..And gravity was just hating you today, wasn't it?
"RAIDEN!"
With a sharp intake of breath, the last thing you heard was cloth tearing, and sound of your own shrill scream as you stared down at the approaching abyss of blue water.
Fear enveloped your heart as the cold, slicing water closed in around all around you, and all you could see was an all too familiar, black blanket.
"Rai... den..!"
"Rai...han..!"
. . .
. . .
Bubbles were floating up toward the light at the surface of the ocean...
It was no fair, that those bubbles could just, float... while all you were doing... was going down.
At least Haruhi's okay...
Right...?
Your eyes started burning a little when they stayed wide open, terror swirling in the blue that seemed to melt into the color of the ocean.
Even though it's cold in here... why could I still feel warmth flowing from my eyes?
Tears... maybe.
The water hugging your body rippled, and for some reason... you felt like you could see two figures approaching you, swimming towards you, now...
-Thats not a shark... or anything...-
Ah... my imagination is finally at work... huh?
A pair of oddly shaded eyes met yours, and their owner's arms tangled securely around your shoulders, hugging your head to their chest as they began swimming upwards.
Your eyes were slipping closed as the salty water nagged at them to shut.
And they did, but your body was still shaking, arms clutching to the person's back weakly, but desperately in their own way.
. . .
What felt like an eternity was really not long, but finally, you emerged from the depths of the waters safely.
You were safe now, but right now, when you'd usually have recovered from anything else, you were still scared.
You buried your head into the boy's chest, not even caring who it was, even when, deep inside you already knew.
Your nails had an urge to dig into their skin to silently tell them to hold you closer, but before you had chance, they were already doing so.
Their slender arms held your lithe frame even tighter- not aggressively – but in such a protective manner you could feel it.
"H...ika..ru..."
"Shut up."
Bringing you to the shore, the ginger haired boy set you down on the warm sand, kneeling down before you to gaze at you blankly.
He brushed a strand of hair that was sticking to your cheek over your ear.
"Raiiii-chan~!"
"Raiden...!"
"Sister...!"
The others rushed over and gathered around you all, Ren clutching a large towel in his arms.
Another splash was heard, and Kaoru popped out of the water as well.
One of his arms was being held behind him slightly as he marched onto the sand.
He was dragging the guy that pulled you in by the collar of his shirt.
Your trembling cerulean eyes wandered to the younger twin, and he looked back worriedly, before clenching his jaw and throwing his 'prisoner' onto the beach.
Hikaru's hand then shot up and held your shoulder, leaning forward.
His face held much more emotion now, contorted in anger, while his eyes were glossy and glinting off the light emitting from the orange sunset.
"Are you some sort of idiot?! How could you do something so recklessly! I thought you said you were some so-called-pro!"
His voice roared, and it felt shaky as he locked eyes with you.
"Reckless...? You two were the ones... who just... dove into that storm.."
Hikaru's head turned sharply to look over the ocean. And as he'd thought- it was calm.
"Storm?"
"-I dove in because of you!"
Kaoru's voice joined Hikaru's as they scolded you in unison.
The calm ocean waters were steadily moving, and a small tide washed upon the beach once more- grazing your toes.
You jumped up before falling down again, dragging yourself as far as you could muster in your temporarily frail state.
You didn't want to look at it anymore, so you turned away, breathing harshly.
"Ha...ha... m-made you look. I could've gotten out... by myself... you hardheaded Hitachiin-"
"-Like hell! You would've drowned! Do you even see yourself right now...?"
"Obviously not..." You muttered in feigned annoyance, trying, as you always did, to put up a strong front by smirking just a tad.
Kaoru stared from where he stood, beside the man who'd actually been the cause of all this trouble.
The younger twin took a moment to look back at the guy, as he tried squirming away to make some dull escape.
In the midst of the madness, Ren scurried to your side, wrapping your shoulders in the thick towel he had at hand; rubbing your arms with it to try and get some warmth back into you.
Your brother glowered up at the other 'older twin', being very displeased with the tone he'd been taking... even though, inside, Ren was feeling the same way.
You could feel his uneasy hands through the fabric, showing just how panicked, and maybe even angry at himself, he was for leaving your side for 'too long'.
"Thats enough, Hikaru. Raiden just gets stupid when she's shaken up."
You flinched and jabbed him with your elbow.
Then, all at once, a prompt, smacking sound resounded through the air, catching everyone's attention.
Kaoru stood over the male he'd dragged out previously, hand clenched in a knuckle-whitening fist.
The male that was now flat on the ground, groaning as he held his face, in more pain now than before- when you'd punched him in the nose.
"This is your fault..."
Then again, Kaoru dropped down and planted a knee firmly in the sand to seize the male's shirt and yank him forward, clashing his forehead with his, and sending the other male back into the ground.
You winced softly, shocked at this entire situation.
You never could've pictured Kaoru losing his temper like that and actually witnessing it was... well, a sight to see.
Usually... you'd probably find that hilarious.
But, after just two blows, Kaoru seemed to have realized himself how irrational he was being, letting go slowly before standing straight and situating himself.
Hikaru took a hesitant step back after gaping at his twin, and simmering down from being cut short by Ren.
Both of the usually frisky Hitachiins became quiet, with heads slightly downcast.
Kyoya went to the nearly unconscious man, and bent down to reach into his shirt pocket; briskly snatching his ID card.
"I'll be keeping this along with the others. Now I shall politely ask you to leave,"
The guy stumbled onto his feet before blitzing off and away, joining his other delinquent buddies.
"Let's head back to the villa, everyone. I think we've had enough excitement for the day."
The other's just nodded, and even Tamaki, had silenced his inner "Daddy Mode" due to how things had planned out.
...That Evening: Back At The Villa...
"Ta-Da~! The crabs are all cooked and ready~!"
Kyoya walked up to the dining room table, that which was adorned with a silken table cloth, and some simple - yet regal – flower bouquets.
"I apologize to you, senpai. We don't have any maids here right now."
Hunny exuberantly waved his hand once he set down the two large trays of crab.
"Ano, we're the ones who just barged into your villa~! Hahh... Takashi, could you go call Haru-chan?"
"Okay."
"Wait, Mori-senpai," You stood from your seat, walking behind him.
"I'll get Haruhi..!"
Mori stopped and patted your head before you passed, and you chuckled lightly.
Ren called to you right before you shut the doors to the next hallway.
"-Don't get lost,"
Your hand stayed on the rim of the door, and you sputtered. He'd been mute the entire way back here, and up until just then he was staring out the windows: eying the dark clouds.
"I'm good with directions, brother!"
With that, you shut the door, jogging down the dim hallways to the nearest bedroom in which Haruhi was said to be freshening up.
You peeked in and knocked lightly on the wood.
"Haruhi, dinner's ready,"
She twisted around and blinked, patting the wrinkles out of her night gown.
Night gown... dress?
"Alright. Let's go,"
"Ah... Haru, whats with the dress?"
She looked down at herself and pulled at the flowy, pink linen.
"My dad..."
"Oh..."
Anyway, you opened up the door wider and let her out, and she sent you a gentle smile.
"Are you really okay, Raiden?"
You slammed the door unintentionally, looking surprised.
You didn't really like being consoled, since you took it as a sign you weren't able to take care of yourself, but since it was Haruhi, you were fine with accepting it... at the moment.
"Yeah... try not to worry too much... I'm alright. Totally alright."
Haruhi placed a hand on your shoulder and walked next to you as the both of you reached the double doors.
"Mm, well, you know I'm here for you. You've done a lot for me in the past too,"
"I told ya not to worry, right?"
You chuckled and clicked open the doors, the jaunty chandelier lights poking at your eyes.
"Ahh~ Haruhi, so cute~!"
Tamaki sprung up from his chair (nearly knocking it over) and appeared beside Haruhi, followed by Hunny, and a calm Mori.
"Kawaii~ Neh, Haruhi, did you buy that yourself?"
The twins leaned forward by propping their chins on their palms.
Haruhi just deadpanned.
"It seems my father re-packed my things,"
"It's a good thing my mother isn't at home right now. She probably would've pulled something funny too..."
You eyed Haruhi's attire before shuddering and advancing toward the table.
It wasn't like Haruhi looked terrible, it was just... your dress rules.
First rule, don't wear them.
Rule two, always follow rule one.
Rule three, don't let your mother get her hands on you before any big occasion.
...If possible.
It'd probably be easier to force Ren into a dress than it'd be to get you to even consider it... Ah, no offense, brother.
The twins eyes followed you as you took the chair directly in front of them, and they crossed their arms to set their elbows on the furniture between you.
"Haruhi, you wouldn't happen to have a spare set of those would ya?"
They chorused, smirking light-heartedly.
Funny they should say...
Even when it was all too obvious they'd been acting off for awhile now.
When they finally uttered these words, Kaoru's eyes shot off to the side, and Hikaru's eyes shot down to the table, accompanied by a little, out of place chuckle.
"No, why...?" Haruhi finally sat down next to Ren, who was next to you.
Tamaki was on her other side while Kyoya, Mori, and Hunny took place on the twin's end.
"Rai-chan oughta look cute in something like that, right, Kaoru?"
"Right, Hikaru."
Seems they were still stuffy about the beach...
Just cause they saved you doesn't mean they get a seniority over your fashion choice.
"I'd surely kick you both if you tried getting me into a girly abomination like that... No offense to you, Haru-chan."
"Ah, like you kicked that guy on the beach?"
You tensed.
Hikaru's face fell, and it seemed he was at the breaking point of their little "game". His eyes were narrowed, and his mouth had become a straight line as he shifted to one elbow.
"-Punched... actually." You corrected, meeting his hard gaze just as strong.
"Hikaru... don't."
Kaoru placed his hand on his twin's arm, furrowing his brows.
Hikaru huffed and sat back, breaking away from your eyes.
Kaoru wrapped his hand around the arm securely, turning to you in his stead.
"Raiden... we're just trying to say we wish you would reconsider the actions you took today..."
"What actions? I was just trying to help Haruhi and the girls... was I suppose to just let those guys get it in with them-?"
"No, thats not the issue..."
"Then what is? I know I could've taken all of those guys easy!"
The others at the table squirmed in their seats anxiously.
"-But you didn't is the truth of the matter... if you knew how afraid you were of the ocean, then why not call for us to assist you too?"
"Haruhi would've-"
"-You, who's so afraid of drowning did, Rai-chan. I just want you to think more about consequences. If you'd called us we still could've saved Haruhi, and also saved you from your fear-"
"I'm not afraid."
Hikaru growled to himself, and cut in. "Yes, you were!"
"It's okay now...I don't want all of you to get worked up over nothing-"
"Thats not right, Rai-chan," Hunny interupted, tugging on the table cloth.
"You should apologize for not letting us worry about you, neh?" He smiled warmly, keeping a caring eye on you.
You blushed ever so slightly at his statement, knitting your brows and frowning.
"Not letting you worry? Having too much of your time taken up by fretting over something somebody can get over just wastes time, right? It takes away from time that you have to do things that make you happy!"
"Raiden, you make us happy. Well, you make me happy, for sure." Ren uttered, letting a smile flicker onto his face as you refused to look directly at him (or anyone present).
"Shut up... you said I'm stupid, brother!"
A chiming of laugher filled your ears.
Two voices meshing together as the table cloth shifted quite a bit.
"Who doesn't find happiness by playing with their toys~?"
The Hitachiins smirked in a more than dashing way, planting one hand down on each of your own as they lay on the table surface. You blinked rapidly.
Your teeth pressed together as you pouted, looking away furiously as you slid away your hands and hurriedly snatched one of the full silver platters of hellfish.
"Ano, we should eat now! All the h-hellfish is gonna get cold soon!"
As your voice cracked, you split one of the crab legs in attempt to distract from your speech.
The twins eyes widened as they were promptly shot down, and replaced with... crustaceans.
You frantically began stealing pieces of crab from the plate, breaking each shell with bare hands as you munched on the meat, one after another.
You almost couldn't take all the attention that was being thrown your way, all the friendly and... caring mentions swirling in your head. Only thing you could do was pour all your own attention into these things for the time being! Natural... just being natural and eating at an eating table!
"These crabs... are real... S-Spe-crab-ular! *spectacular *"
-Oh god I sound like Blondie...-
Squinting your lids and shoveling another batch of seafood into your mouth, you didn't failed to take notice to the capacity of your stomach surpassing the limits.
Ren, who had only just gotten through half of one of the whole crabs, sweatdropped and nudged you with his napkin.
"R-Raiden... you're eating... a bit too much,"
"Nwuh-uh!" You shook your head and, not so gracefully, swallowed the last of what would be about... the equivalent of five entire crabs all together.
The twin's mouths formed 'o' shapes as they watched in great amusement how you were having at it at the poor, already cooked, crabs.
"Tch, Tch... If only you had taken down that last guy as swiftly as you're taking down those crabs..."
You glared at Hikaru and chucked an empty shell at his forehead.
Kaoru snickered as Hikaru's head dipped back.
"If she'd taken the guy out as "gracefully" as she ate... I think the outcome would've been much worse.~"
Just when the mood had flattened, a loud strike of thunder hit and shook the earth.
Crap.
Haruhi immediately stood up, the hairs standing on the back of her neck as she covered the lower portion of her face in panic.
"Haruh-"
"Excuse me, I... I just remembered something I had to do!"
With this, she scurried out of the room, not taking a second to shut the doors behind her. Even a small yelp evoked her before she could make it all the way out, when another thunder bolt struck down.
Tamaki reached out for her the moment she'd ran off, surprised.
"Haruhi!"
He bellowed softly, getting up hastily to give a quick chase. His feet moved with utmost certainty in wanting to follow after his... 'daughter'.
Ren was about to do the same, eyes rounded with awareness of the severity of the situation involving the weather conditions.
You really did know how he felt for Haruhi.
But, a stirring in your gut told you that, Tamaki on his own was enough this time.
Don't ask me why, but you just felt she'd be okay with somebody different than the two of you to help her through it.
Not like you hated the blond in the first place, you simply respected him, since Haruhi seemed to respect him, in means apart from him only being her "senpai".
"Ren, just trust the idiot King this once,"
You didn't fully trust your tongue, but you were gonna follow through with this. You gripped his hand and pulled downward, making so he would sit back in his chair...
...and after moments staring after where the other two had gone, he let you.
He chewed on his lower lip, closing his eyes before squeezing your palm.
"Maybe you're right..."
"Hell yeah I'm right!" You slammed your hands onto the counter and shot up, grinning.
All of a sudden the twins had sprung up as well, wiggling their fingers.
"You weren't right to eat so much crab, Rai-chan~" They cooed, waltzing around the end of the table.
"What? Why?"
"Because you'll get fat!" They sang, tackle hugging you – again – and they did indeed, show how much crab you are.
As soon as you fell, the sea food turned over your belly, and you swallowed thickly.
"You devils... are gonna pay..!" You squirmed, puffing out your cheeks as they put their weight onto you shamelessly.
*Click *Click*
Tilting your chin up towards the off noise... you flinched, seeing Kyoya from upside down, snapping photos of the three of you... in the current position.
"Kyoya!"
"-It had come to my attention I hadn't gotten a photo of just the three of you in one of the Club's Fan books... how amateurish of me."
You arched your brows and snapped back at the twins, as they continued to linger.
"You did this knowingly?!"
The way their eyes glinted confirmed it.
"We didn't have a set time frame... as long as we hugged you long enough for someone to see~"
Ren had had enough and finally pulled the two off of you, face blank as he looked between them.
You sat up angrily and also took a look at Kyoya.
"You Shadowy- what the..."
Odd.
Even odd for him, one of the miliaty policemen abruptly rained down from the ceiling, harnessed by a a thin metal wire, swooped down to take the camera from his 'master' before saluting and shooting back skyward.
What...
Now he had some weirdo ninja-soldiers?!
Well it was too late to steal THAT data away now... and you were forced yo accept your doom...
But that didn't mean you weren't entitle to question the hell out of the soulless ginger brothers.
"Now... why in the world did you pose for the camera?"
You seethed, glaring at them as they held up defensive hands.
They lowered themselves and chuckled, unorthodoxly fine with the fact you wanted to kick their sorry butts.
"What? –"
" – Just to go and show your ours, Rai-chan."
Deep red flushed your cheeks.
"I..."
You got to your feet and stood like a statue, paling.
"-AM NOT YOURS!"
Then you cupped a hand over your mouth as your eye twitched in frustration, embarrassment, and... illness. {?}
"- AndI'mgoingtobesick -"
Turns out those dumb twins had been right about something, after all...
You'd eaten too much crab.
Way too much.
"Run, Rai-chan!" Hunny cheered, while the twins held your shoulders from ether side and gave you a push toward the doors.
"You can make it to the washroom! The washroom~!"
...5 Minutes Later...
"Augh... that sucked..."
You turned on the sink and wiped your forehead, glowering at your reflection in the mirror as you patted your face with a damp hand towel.
"And it was my fault in the end..."
You sighed half-heartedly and washed up, then exited the room to head back to the dining area,
But, then again, Haruhi must've ran into the nearest room right?
Now that your stomach was empty, your guts had changed their minds, and now you were left with an unbearable need to check on her and the ditsy blond.
Leaving that pervert alone with her wasn't a good idea...
What were you thinking before?
Scratching your head as you walked casually, but with a purpose, you heard rather distant voices in one of the guest dwellings, after peeking into a few other empty rooms.
"Haruhi...?"
Just when your hand touched the golden door handle, another, raspy, and creepy tone tickled your eardrums.
"Rai – chaan~"
Your skin jumped, and your grip became fastened immensely upon being startled by the unexpected arrival.
Head turning a mere inch, and you nearly touched Hikaru's cheek, which caused you to turn the other way in an even greater severity, almost doing the exact same to Kaoru.
"GH- HITACHIINS!"
You slapped both of their heads, shoving their bodies away from yours.
Ren, Kyoya, Mori, and Hunny had also joined the two creeps.
Had you even taken that long?
"Where were you going just now?" Kaoru asked, cocking his head.
"To check on Tamaki and Haruhi!"
Ren deadpanned and slumped his shoulder once more at this.
"Ahh~!" The twins made a noise of understanding, flicking their hands in a motion to say 'go on'~! With childish grins.
You grunted and pushed open the doors, letting your eyes get used to the extremely dark room... that, if they were in it, shouldn't be so dark.
"Haru..?"
"-HI?!"
This old tramp...
"-See? Now you can't see it, and the ear plugs block out the noise~!" Tamaki consoled, patting her head after finishing the knot on the back of Haruhi's... blindfold.
"Oh, you're right~!"
Tamaki was so focused on this perverted act he hadn't even acknowledged you all!
"Blondie..." You snarled, making fake claws with your hands.
"-What sort of "play" is this, Milord?" the twins barked.
Tamaki turned slowly, hands frozen and hovering next to your dear, deceived friend Haruhi.
"NO! I-It's not like that!"
"...Sure it isn't, it's like this!" You yipped, raising your hands and advancing at him. Tamaki gulped and hopped away to try and escape another sort of hell.
All while Haruhi stayed sitting innocently at the center of the room, unaware of the horrible, horrible senpai.
...The Next Morning...
"Ah... it's such a nice day, neh?" You commented, carrying your single, carry-on type leather clothes bag to the limos.
Ren shielded his eyes by using his long hand, throwing his own suit case in the trunk to make room for yours too.
"Yeah... lets hope no perverts come and ruin it, too." He added calmly.
The Hitachiins leaned on the hood of the sleek, black vehicle, coldly looking at Tamaki as he left the villa dead last, hurrying with his things.
Nobody had woke him up this morning, after his, surely nightmare-filled, night of rest.
"Careful Haruhi, apparently Milord has an S&M fetish."
Them saying that made you shudder in detestation.
"I said its not like that!" Tamaki defended, shoulders hunched with teeth bared dramatically.
You slammed the car trunk viciously, causing the entire vehicle to dip backward for a split second.
"Lying is bad ya know, Blondie." You scolded, not even giving him the honor of a parting glance as you ducked into the limo following Ren.
"BUT, I'm not lying! I swear!"
The other boys got into the limo as well, and the windows rolled down.
"So long as you don't try a thing with our Rai-chan, Milord." The twins warned, locking the door closest to them before ordering the windows to close.
"Hai," Your eyes shot a deadly glare at the man in the moments before the tinted glass fully rolled up.
Tamaki practically turned to stone.
"So that's what S&M is... he made me do things without my knowing it..." Haruhi mumbled.
"Drive," Kyoya bid, triggering the escort to start up the engine.
The twins raised their chins up snarkily, sticking out a tongue to their "Boss", even when they knew he could no longer see them.
"Don't leave me behinnnd! Wait...!"
Finally eying the world beyond the window, you couldn't help laughing at how ridiculous the blond President looked running desperately after you guys... especially with that colorful man-purse that he called a luggage.
"So," Hikaru started, discreetly scooting closer to you as the limo drove off.
You blinked slowly.
"What...?"
Kaoru did much the same, both leaning forward like telling a secret, though speaking quite clearly.
Quiet, but loud enough for everyone, at such close quarters, to hear.
"Next sleep over at our house,"
"You should sleep in our room~!"
. . .
*BONK*
. . .
They rubbed their sore heads.
" – You two make me question who the real perverts are."