I have returned! Sort of. I apologize greatly to everyone who has waited this long, and I would grovel at your feet if I was there to do so. But instead...here's the newest chapter to "The Ouran Farm."

Now-an explanation as to my disappearance...

I had MAJOR writer's block and I was so busy with school. I couldn't write a sentence correctly, let alone an entire chapter without having so many wholes and glitches in it. I was determined to get this right! Even though it took me a year.

All morning spent with Omocha and I actually had to admit that I was enjoying myself greatly. Even if my twin didn't approve of my terms of fun-picking on and teasing the maid, he was all for a game of "Who can ask the commoner the most questions before she snaps?" It was especially entertaining when a person threw in all of the commoner rides and games-it provided a lot of things to ask about.

Though once again, the toy had stormed off somewhere and it took both Kaoru and myself to drag her back from her hiding spot in the House of Mirrors-with a little help from security. She started rambling things like "a nightmare come true" when she seen our many reflections surrounding her.

I think she'd finally lost her mind. Of course, that would be saying that she had a mind to lose in the first place, which I also doubted.

The girl now stood between my brother and I, the two of us preventing her from going anywhere. We had been on nearly every ride in the amusement park, and we were walking down the main walkway along rows of games and stands.

"Omocha, what's that?" I asked pointing to a young, pig-tailed girl who was holding some kind of candy on a stick.

She groaned quietly behind me, rubbing her temple. "You really have lived an ignorant life, haven't you?" she muttered sarcastically to herself. I snorted at the comment, of course I wouldn't pay any attention to commoner things.

"It's a caramel apple-you know, one of the best ways to combine something healthy with a something that can rot your teeth out. People think they balance each other out, so no harm done," she gave a casual shrug. "You can get it with nuts, but I personally prefer without," the commoner added casually, looking away at something else.

She didn't like nuts, hm? I would have to shove some down her throat, then.

Caramel was like syrup, so I was interested in getting a "caramel apple" to try. I didn't see anyone nearby selling them, though, so with a huff from me we continued on our way.

After a few minutes of silence (and probably allowing Omocha more time to think of an escape plan), I noticed a vendor selling cotton candy. Of course I knew what that was-Tamaki had brought some into the club one day to share with the customers-but the maid didn't know that, so I resumed my probing. "Omocha, what's that?" I seemingly wondered, staring at the sugary sweet.

"It's cotton candy, baka," she spoke, her answer short and detached. She only glanced her eyes in the direction I was pointing, biting her lip in an amused manner.

I frowned and crossed my arms, feigning ignorance that the girl seemed to see through. It really irritated me how she did that-I couldn't have any fun that way! "That doesn't sound very good. Who wants to eat cotton? You commoners are weird," I stated, giving her a look.

Omocha rolled her eyes and casually waved the finger at me. I blinked somewhat surprised, not really expecting that response. "Don't be a wise guy, it's extremely unattractive," she replied blandly, shoving her hands in her vest pockets. I felt my face heat up in frustration as I glared at her and she looked away with a smug grin. I never really knew her to be so devious-it was interesting.

The silence reigned control once again, and I allowed it for time to mope. I happily did so, too, trying to think of some kind of revenge plan.

I paused in my step, looking over my shoulder to realize that the maid and Kaoru had stopped. She was holding her hand out to him in an asking manner, her eyes fixed on something at one of the stands. What could it be…? I wondered slyly, following the two as they walked to a particular booth.

Omocha handed a couple hundred yen to the man running the stall, bouncing up and down happily as she was handed ping-pong balls. I stared at them, wondering what kind of idiotic game the girl was playing.

I came to stand behind her as she aimed the ball in her hand and threw it towards a ridiculously small fish bowl. I sniggered as she missed only to be nudged by Kaoru, his elbow digging into my ribs rather painfully. I remained quiet as she missed the next throw, too, but the two following landed in the bowl with light clinks. They bounced around a few times before settling at the bottom.

The girl was especially quiet and focused on the last ping-pong ball as she reached back to make the toss. She must really want a prize, I thought with a wry grin. Just as she released it, I hit her arm causing it to jerk and she came just short of her target.

There was a twitch of her hand, an unconscious reaction that happened when she was upset or irritated. And how do you know that? my conscience asked, mocking me in my own thoughts. I felt a slight pang when I realized she did it a lot around me, because of my tormenting her. But it's fun! I objected silently to myself.

I watched uneasily as her shoulders began to shake and her hands balled up into fists. Her bangs overshadowed her eyes so I couldn't see them, but the expression on her face was quite clear-she was infuriated.

With a light cry of frustration, she whirled around to face me. I wished that I was able look away from her eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to-for some reason. They were blazing and watery at the same time, the malice in them as clear as it was in her voice. "Just one day-one day!-I would like to go without you harassing me until I can't think straight. And before you say it-No! It's not because I'm head over heels for you or sought out for revenge or whatever kind of twisted idea is floating around in that deranged mind of yours."

I hadn't expected her to go off on me, and I stepped back to put distance between us. There was no way that I was going to let her talk to me like that, and I started to argue. Her eyes narrowed, daring me to say or do anything else, and I realized that maybe I had pushed her too far this time.

But it's only a stupid game… I protested to myself, though it only managed to bring up every other time that I had done or said something insulting to her.

Her fury only seemed to increase as she continued with her tirade. The only thing I could do was stand there and listen-I almost felt like I deserved it, almost. "All I have to say is that I'm fed up with you and the incessant manipulation you think you have over me. I'm not someone that likes to be toyed with, Hikaru-you can have your precious customers for that!" she cried out with a final, defeated gesture of her hands. Then she turned heel and took off running, disappearing into the sea of people.

I blinked dumbly for a minute, my eyes blind and ears deaf to what was going on around me.

A firm grip on my shoulder brought me out of my daze and I looked over at my brother blankly. The breath was practically knocked out of me at the intensity of Kaoru's glare. I had never seen his eyes so hard and unyielding before-at least, not towards me.

"You going to tell me off, too, Kaoru?" I sneered quietly, shrugging his hand off me. "Say 'I told you so' and go after Omocha to apologize?" I asked even softer, my voice gruff with hurt and anger. It was what I was expecting, and I knew he would because he had gotten attached to our plaything.

"No," Kaoru finally replied after a few seconds hesitation. I narrowed my eyes at him in disbelief-it had come to the point where I didn't believe my own brother-and he shook his head. "I won't…but you will," he replied bluntly, motioning his head in the direction of the commoner.

I looked down at the ground, my voice a hoarse whisper. "And what would make you think I would do something stupid like that?"

"Because you did something stupid in the first place by harassing Emi. I shouldn't have to say sorry for you, Hikaru-I won't be here by your side forever to do so. You and I both know that," he insisted, giving me an almost desperate look. He wanted me to go after the girl-to teach me a lesson or make it seem I actually tolerated her?

After a few minutes of silence between the two of us, I gave a consenting nod of my head and sighed unenthusiastically. "And how do you expect me to be able to apologize when she probably won't even let me within a five foot radius of her?" I asked, running a hand through my hair. Omocha is too much trouble for a toy, anyways, I thought with a slight shake of my head.

Kaoru gave an appreciative nod of his head and tugged on my arm to head back to the game booth where the girl had been playing at. "Get her a gift, girl's like it when guys get them something," he said in an all-knowing tone. I gave him a look that asked how he could possibly know something like that and he shrugged his shoulders. "Who doesn't like presents?" he asked, raising an eyebrow that dared to be questioned. That is true…

I remained silent, better to just let him continue if I wanted to get this over with. He handed the vendor some money and took the ping-pong balls. The first three went straight in the bowl and I stared in mild interest-How does he manage that? Practice?-I think not.

Without waiting for the man in the stall to ask him what he wanted, his brother reached up and snatched a large, stuffed dog from the top shelf and then walked off, pulling Hikaru with him. I gave him a doubtful look and he waved me off. "I'd seen Emi staring at this the entire time she was playing," he explained.

"So I just give this to her, say sorry, and everything will be fine, right?" I said, shoving my hands in my pocket as I gazed intently at my shoes.

My twin gave a frustrated grunt and rubbed his forehead in an impatient manner. "You have to actually mean it, Hikaru, or she isn't going to believe you. Emi's very perceptive-I know you haven't noticed," he told me, like it was the most important thing.

I mentally laughed, That isn't possible. "Well, I don't mean it, Kaoru, and no matter how much you guilt me into it I doubt that I ever will," I answered dully, kicking an empty can on the ground out of my way as I walked.

My brother seemed to take that into consideration, giving a thoughtful pause before speaking again. "I might not be able to, but do you really want Emi to tell Haruhi what you've been doing? Do you really want her on you for how much you've hurt her friend?" Kaoru asked me in a inquisitive manner.

I froze where I was, my brow furrowing at the thought of it. That would be very bad, was my decision. I shook my head in response and my twin seemed pleased. "Alright, then what you should do is take Emi somewhere secluded-just the two of you-where you give her the toy animal and say that you're sorry. Maybe even invite her to get lunch or…"

My eyes snapped up to looked at Kaoru's and I shifted my weight from one foot to another uneasily. "I'm not asking her on a date, Kaoru," I deadpanned, horrified at the thought.

He rolled his eyes and laughed, shaking his head in guarantee. "It wouldn't be a date, Hikaru-just something between friends. That is if you can actually mean your apology and be friends," he added with a crafty grin.

I groaned as I grabbed the stuffed dog from my brother and began walking away from him, currently determined to just get away.

"Oi, Hikaru…" Kaoru called from behind me and I glanced over my shoulder at him. "It might even help patch things up a little if you actually called Emi by her name," he added suggestively, and I rolled my eyes. Like that would ever happen, I thought wirily, but kept it to myself.

I nodded like I would consider the idea and went off to find the maid. Definitely too much trouble…

~x~

I could see her just standing there at the dock, staring down at the calm water with weary eyes. I had expected to find her bawling loudly right now like any other woman would when she's mad (with maybe the exception of Haruhi), or even screaming curses at me to herself. That was what I expected, but as usual she surprised me in an unanticipated way.

She heaved an exasperated sigh, her shoulders shaking despite her obvious effort to settle down. Her thin fingers gripped the railing tighter as she leaned over it a little more, and my eyes widened. She's not going to…jump…is she? I took a few cautioned steps towards Omocha, ready to run and go after her if necessary. Though with another groan, she rested her head on her arms.

I released the breath I never knew I was holding-I had been terrified by the thought that she was going to hurt herself. Because it's my job! I growled to myself, feeling a possessiveness over the role I had claimed in her life.

She was mine to play with, she was my toy, and her reactions were so much more interesting and different than any other girl who my brother and I messed around with. The customers just blushed profusely and stammered out false accusations of love to any of the hosts, Haruhi who had grown accustomed to our ways and ignored us…and Omocha who had a comeback for everything we said.

For some reason, I didn't like the idea of her not being around for me to pick on, she was too entertaining. There was a chance this time that I had finally driven her away for good, and it depressed me greatly for reasons I didn't want to think about-now or ever.

I took a few more strides forward, watching as she bit her lip until there was a deep mark left where her teeth had dug into her own skin. I almost winced, wondering if she was too out of it to feel pain or just plain dumb. Probably both, I thought crudely, then groaned as I realized this was going to be harder than I wanted.

I looked down at the toy dog with an intense glare, holding it in my hand with a constricting grip. I took a deep, raspy breath and walked up next to the maid. This better work, I growled to myself, not knowing whether to be more annoyed with Kaoru or at myself for getting into all of this.

Her head tilted to the side as if she had heard me and went to move, but my hand quickly reached out and snatched her arm to stop her.

She jumped and her head spun around to look up at me, her bangs hanging in her weary eyes. I averted by gaze somewhere else, she had no right to look at me like that! It wasn't my fault…not entirely… My head hung as shame began to weigh down on my shoulders.

Omocha fiddled with her shirt and began to say something, but I was afraid she would start shouting at me again. I turned slightly to better face her, though she stiffened and unconsciously leaned away from me. I knew she would do that before, but this time it hurt to see her so resentful.

I began fidgeting myself and having finally grown tired of the heavy silence, but when I tried to say something the words caught in my throat. Instead, I remembered the stuffed dog and shoved it into the girl's arms. She gave a small huff as she held onto it, staring down dumbly at the animal. Her eyes showed surprise but I could make out a trace of joy. She was happy I gave her something so corny and stupid?

Omocha looked up hesitantly, her turquoise eyes wide and unsure as she clutched the stuffed toy. She blinked slowly-once, twice-and she bit her lip harder until it looked like it could bleed. "Hikaru, I…" she started but couldn't seem to find the right words.

The girl looked so sad yet hopeful at the same time, and it seemed to strike out at me how small and frail she actually was despite her loud and commanding attitude. I looked down to realize that I was still holding her arm, to keep her from leaving. The contact didn't bother me like it did before and that bothered me slightly.

I waved her off interrupting her, releasing my grip on her. "I'd seen you looking at it when you were playing the game." Only a small lie for the chance of a truce. "Sorry I made you mess up-I hadn't known you wanted it so badly," I told her, and even bigger lie, but I was never one to tell the truth, now was I?

I ran a hand through my hair as I stared down at Omocha, hoping that she didn't see through the stretched fibs, though. She always had a way of surprising me, in both good ways and bad ones-though mostly bad..

The commoner looked down at the dog in her arms, her expression still weary yet at the same time regretful, pleased, and thoughtful. I was ready to continue, to prove to her that I was sorry when I couldn't convince myself, but she cuddled her new plush closer to her.

"It's okay," she muttered with a small smile on her face. I watched her with skepticism, but her bright greenish blue eyes told me what her words did. "I'm sorry that I went off like that. I really shouldn't have, it was immature of me and there was no reason for it," she spoke.

I bite my tongue, trying to keep from snapping at her "Dang right!" but I resisted the urge and let her continue so I could get this mess over with.

Omocha stood straighter before giving me a long, deep bow with her hair just a few inches from the deck. "Gomenasai, Hikaru." I rose an eyebrow at her and her position; I hadn't realized that it would be that easy, just giving her the stupid animal.

I sighed silently and looked over my shoulder to realize that people were giving us, or rather Omocha, funny looks. I turned away from them and sneered-they should mind their own freaking business. "Stand up straight, you look ridiculous," I told the girl, trying to keep the malice out of my voice. I don't think I wanted to ruin what moderate truce I had just established just yet. Kaoru would kill me, Haruhi would be upset, and the rest of the Host Club would have a fit-especially Tamaki.

A smile broke out across her face as she stood and I was caught off guard as she lunged at me with a hug, her arms wrapping themselves around me. I stood there awkwardly, not daring to wrap my arms around her in return, but not wanting to shove her away. "Thank you," she spoke into my chest, her words muffled.

Just as I was about to say something back, she pulled away, picked up the dog I had given her in her arms and squeeze it tightly. . "Come on, Hika-kun! I wanna' get on a few more rides!" she cheered and bounded off.

I rolled my eyes before stalking after her, shoving my hands in my pockets. "Idiot."

~x~

Sunday, Oct. 19

Dear Journal,

I had a lot of fun today with the Host Club…even if the older fox acted like he wanted to kill the poor, out of place mouse. I suppose he can't be entirely blamed, when the mouse was stupid enough to kiss him. I still can't believe Haruhi!

Though Hikaru can't hate me as much as he lets on, right? I mean…he bought me the cutest stuffed dog-Fluffy-sama. Haku's using it as a pillow right now, they look so adorable.

When we were at the park, I could have sworn I seen a certain snake from the Host Club slithering about. I must have been imagining things though, because no girl from Ouran other than Haruhi would dare step into a public amusement park. Tamaki and his crazy obsession with commoners.

I'm finding myself more at home with the Host Club and it's farm-like qualities. I just hope that other animals doesn't mind the mouse scurrying about.

Emi

I yawned loudly and closed by journal, stretching my arms over my head. For once I was looking forward to tomorrow and going to the Host Club. I just hoped that the unspoken treaty between myself and Hikaru was still in effect. I would hate for it to only be a onetime thing before we had a chance to really make friends. If that was possible.

Sighing I reached over and turned my lamp off, walking over to my bed and curling up next to Haku, who licked my hand as I pet his head.

I looked at Fluffy-sama with a small smile, closing my eyes and falling sound asleep.

~x~

Thanks you for reading! R&R please-suggestions, critiques, anything. I need help in the rest of the story, badly. I managed to squeeze this chapter out, which is why it was so short, I'm afraid.

Arigatou!

~Shiro