"You wanted to see me mother?" Kaoru enquired.

"Help me with this," she answered, eyes not once leaving a red material.

Quickly understanding, he sat down near her and began to do so. Time quickly sped by in the studio. The large room was incredibly quiet. The mother and son duo didn't share a word. Nothing that odd though with them both completely concentrated on the garment. They weren't surprised that when they looked over at the clock, more than an hour had passed. The young boy was about to take a look at the completed article, however his mother took it from him before he could. Curiously he watched her as she brought it to the other side of the room.

"Kaoru," her voice calmly spoke her son's name.

"Yes?" he responded.

"Celeste stopped by here earlier today."

"..."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"..."

Mrs. Hitachiin turned around, seeing Kaoru was no longer there. She couldn't say that she was surprised. After what Celeste told her, she was surprised she wasn't willing to do nothing but defend him. It was evident weeks ago when they came back from Honey's that something bad happened. She had attempted to get answers out of her elder son but he was just as tight lipped. It wasn't too strange for them to not always be talkative anyway. But, when a certain female is no longer around them it would only take a fool to not follow what was happening. The only thing she didn't know is what brought about the separation. She couldn't put fault in the young girl, even though her son was hurting. In seeing her just a little while ago, she could tell that she wasn't exactly happy either. In fact, she seemed downright miserable. She would answer questions either. She was there strictly in need for a new outfit for an upcoming competition.

"What was she doing here?" an exasperated Kaoru asked.

His mother looked over at the doorway, seeing him holding onto the frame. His breath was heavy and his back was hunched, obvious signs of him having just ran though his entire home. He looked for anything that Celeste might have left behind for him. None were to be found. Quietly, his mother walked right by him to leave. He curiously watched her as she walked away. His eyes widened when he took notice to folded paper between her index and middle finger. Right as he caught up to her, he questioned about it instantly. All she did was continue walking. Feeling completely desperate, he stood in front of her. His mother looked at him with a look that he knew instantly. If he wouldn't talk, she wouldn't either. With a deep sigh he gave in.

"A couple weeks back when we were all at Honey-sempai's place, Hikaru... he did something that he really shouldn't have done. I was with Celeste that night so I didn't know until the next day. He was really upset. He- he asked me to br-"

With a slap across his face, his mother silenced him. He stood there completely shocked before looking back at her. She spoke to him without a single stutter, "if you want her back, you have to change your priorities."

"Mother..."

"You hear me?"

"Y-yeah..."

"Excuse me?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Okay then."

He glanced down at the paper in her hand just as she turned away from him. He tailed her as she made her way back to the studio. He stayed at the entrance, watching her. She picked up the garment the two made and walked back over to him. She handed it over, explaining that it was the reason Celeste was over. Carefully, he took it from her. His eyes never once left the paper in her hand though. Making him have eye contact with her again, she warned him one last time of his chances to get her back. When she knew he understood and put enough of urgency in him, she placed the letter on the outfit. Right after he got what he wanted, he walked away in haste. He went straight to his room and sat down on the bed. He was incredibly nervous of what she had written, but curiosity got him to open it up. In the process of unfolding, he took notice that there were a few pieces of paper. After taking in a deep breath, he began reading.

Kaoru,

I want to say this first. Truly I love you with all my heart. I know that you aren't simply faking the emotion with me. But, what happened today... I'm completely amazed that you haven't found out why I reacted as I did. I know you're not stupid in the least. But this, you're acting like a complete idiot. I get it, I truly do. You have a strong bond with Hikaru that will never break, and it shouldn't. But if you're willing to break up with me just because he's upset then screw you. It really hurts to even consider saying that to you but if you're willing to drop me, you can fall.

"Kaoru?" Hikaru questioned softly.

The elder twin had been looking for his brother since he saw his mother doing he own thing. Now here he was, sitting on their bed. His eyes were glued onto the folded paper that was tight in his grasp. Stray tears slipped down his pale cheeks. Hikaru sat next to him and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"I hurt her..." Kaoru whispered the only words he could muster.

"... What are those other pages?" Hikaru spoke softly.

Completely forget what you have just read. I was just being petty. Kaoru, I am so scared right now. Yes, that Masaru is finally in jail. What's happening now though is making him look like a freaking saint. That monster, he's like this for a reason. He has two brothers just like him, and worse. But the ringleader is none other than their father. It's sickening to think this but Masaru was like a shield separating me from the rest of his messed up family. Believe this or not, this is being written as you sit behind me. It's the only time I have to do anything undetected. Sorry if it's sloppy but I'm not looking at the paper as I write. I know you have noticed the item on my neck. Kaoru, it's a damned collar. I'm nothing but a mutt to them. If I don't do exactly as they instruct, they will heat it up with a remote they have. It's like anything else metal. As metal gets hotter, it turns red. That's why I need the outfit to be red. And it's not even just that. There is a camera on the front of this thing. They are constantly watching what I'm doing, which is why I can't look at these words. Skating is the only thing right now keeping me from completely losing my sanity. In just a couple days I'm going to a competition that they don't want me to attend to. I know the idea scares you but I just have to go. They are going to burn my neck, but that is all it is. It will hurt yes, but it won't damage me more than that. But after is what I'm truly truly afraid of. They're going to realize the collar isn't enough anymore. They will just probably kill me. I have no idea how to get out of this. I'm begging for help here. They told me right from the beginning that they would hurt, if not kill, all my loved ones. Karou, they know everyone's names and where they live. They know about Ageha. After what Masaru did to that other child I'm terrified of what these freaks would do. I'm used to be treated like a completely worthless piece of trash so I don't mind. I will not let anyone else get hurt because of this family. I'm only to the stage of begging because if they get to the point of wanting to kill me they will succeed and then go after everyone else.

Dead silence filled the room. Hikaru raised his head from his brother's to look at their friends. They all held a pale complexion, similar to Kaoru. Honey was on the brink of tears, Haruhi looked like she was ready to puke, and Kyoya, Tamaki, and Mori were in deep thought. Kaoru, he was a mix of all three plus. Hikaru doesn't dare let go of him in fear that he would look for her the very moment he does and get hurt in the process. Currently they were in the room Tamaki had lent Celeste. They knew that it was completely secure and that they could talk in there without any difficulty. Problem is though, after reading the second letter, not a single word has been exchanged. They all watched the young boy out of the corners of their eyes. He was on the brink of tears. In seeing her in school, he had to grasp his desk with all he had to stop himself from stopping Celeste from leaving. He was able to give her the outfit without any problems. It just killed him though. Just seeing her acting as she normally would when she was at his side scared him. He was completely ignorant about everything before reading her words. He just couldn't fathom how she was able to be so calm.

"Well, first things first," Kyoya broke the silence. "Have to get tickets for the competition."

"Here..." Kaoru barely got himself to whisper.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out enough tickets for all of them. They all took one and studied it. They were surprised to find out that the competition was the following day. They tried to come up with a plan. With the allotted time, they simply couldn't come up with one though. Even so, they would go. Some felt that there was a small sliver of hope that by just going, something was sure to happen. Kaoru didn't see that at all. He was currently in a new depth of depression. He could sense that she didn't want him to do anything and it hurt. He can't imagine what those freaks are doing to her this very moment. He could sense terror in every word she wrote, even if she didn't show it. He just wanted to find her and when he did hold her and never let go.

"DAMN IT!" Kaoru exclaimed, startling everyone.

He jumped out of bed and made his way over to the door. Right as it opened, it shut. He looked behind him seeing Mori. After making eye contact, the taller closed his eyes and shook his head. Completely frustrated, Kaoru couldn't hold back his fist that collided with the hard wood door. Everyone watched sadly as he sat down on the floor. Not even Hikaru approached him. He felt incredibly guilt ridden. He felt at complete fault for causing this chaos. He was told on multiple occasions by his brother that it wasn't his fault but that didn't change how he felt, not with how pained he was. When a smile crossed his brother's lips though, he couldn't help but be confused.

"I get it now..." Kaoru whispered light heartedly, looking at his quickly swelling hand. "That's why she punches everything..."

"Kao-chan..." Honey whispered as he whispered as he approached the wounded boy. "We'll get her back Kao-chan, okay?"

"I'm not worried about that..."

"Kao-chan?"

Clutching his throbbing hand, he punched the wooden floor as hard as he punched the door. Keeping his fist on the floor he questioned in disgust, "what do you think they're doing to her this very moment?" After a moment of complete silence he continued, "I witnessed what Masaru has done to her... I will never be able to get that image out of my brain... Now she sees him as a saint... What the hell are they doing to her..?"

The more he talked, the more obvious to everyone he was at his breaking point. His voice began to crack, his eyes became red. He rested his forehead on his knee. With his good hand, he grasped tightly onto his hair.

"Is there nothing we can do right now Kyoya?" Tamaki asked.

"Nothing," he answered.

"I need fresh air..." Kaoru forced himself to whisper and he rose back up to his feet.

Everyone watched sadly as he departed from the room. Hikaru, who couldn't bear seeing his brother in such a state, quickly followed him. The others knew that at this current moment that there was nothing else that they could do and so they each went their separate ways.

Celeste awoke to an annoyance beep that wouldn't cease. The fluorescent light directly above her made it difficult for her to open her eyes. She attempted to raise her arm to cover her eyes but it wouldn't budge. Panic quickly took over her senses and she remained absolutely still. When her eyes were finally adjusted to the light, she looked around frantically to see the hell she was in for. When her gaze landed on the resting Kaoru, her adrenaline vanished. Tears rapidly began to form. Reality wasn't too far away for her however. She was able to force her arm out of his grasp and she grabbed her neck. Her heart began to pace one more when she couldn't feel the collar on her. Despite the boy clinging to her, she sat straight up in alarm. While looking around frantically, she took note that she was in the hospital. However, that didn't matter to her at all. Her body began to shake when she didn't see her imprisonment anywhere. After forcing the arms off of her, she jumped out of bed. That was as far as she could go. When an intense pain shot through her dominant leg, she couldn't help but let out a cry. Not two seconds passed, Kaoru was right at her side. He picked her up and laid back down on the bed. Instantly, she began to fight against him. It was to no avail however. His arms and legs were around her with a vice grip.

"Please!" she begged.

"I'm not letting you go," Kaoru spoke strongly.

"You don't get it! As long as I did what I was told and the collar stayed on me they wouldn't hurt anyone! I have to go so that-"

"So that they'll kill you?!" he shouted at her.

"... What..?"

He tightened his grasp on her and buried his face in her hair. He could feel his throat tightening but he spoke anyway, "after your performance you passed out... Right on the ice... It wasn't long you were on a stretcher... I was already outside by the time you were brought out... Just before you were lifted into the ambulance, those bastards appeared... They had got a hold of you... If it wasn't for Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai... I don't want to think about it..."

"Kaoru..."

After sniffing he continued, "the police arrested them... They found countless weapons on them... The key was on them too... For that damned device..."

"How many guys did they catch?"

"..."

"Kaoru!" she spoke alarmed.

"Two..."

"Where's Ageha?"

"Outside in the waiting room with Hikaru and your family."

"Shit..."

"Kyoya's family police force is going to keep a close eye on everything until he's found. It will be okay." With a shaky breath, she rubbed her pale face with her trembling hands. He let go of her with one arm and grabbed her chin so she'd look at him. Once their eyes made contact he spoke softly, "you were beautiful out there."

"Screwed up my leg..." she muttered, lowering her gaze.

"Hey... It'll be okay. The doctor said that with what you had done, you should be a lot worse off than you are. It'll take some time to heal but you'll be able to continue skating." When she didn't respond he wrapped his arm back around her and said, "cry."

"Wh-"

"There's no need to continue holding back Celeste. It's just the two of us here. You can stop hiding your fear and sadness. Just let it out."

"..."

Gently, he ran his fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head. Not two seconds later her defenses were completely shattered. Clutching tightly onto his shirt, she simply cried her eyes out. The two stayed like that until she fell asleep.

"How is she doing?"

Kaoru recognized Ritsu's voice. He didn't bother looking at him. He wanted to keep his eyes on the weak girl. Even so, he did explain everything to him. Her brother had to take a seat. Kaoru, he kept her family in the dark of what was going on. He didn't want them to worry more than they already were. Let alone the chance that they would do something to piss off Masaru's family and put her life at risk. But now, there was no reason to hide. They were going to find out the truth sooner or later. Ritsu forced himself to his feet and he approached the bed. Right when he sat on the edge of it, Kaoru sat up. He handed the resting girl to him just before getting up. He let him know that he'd get their parents just before leaving the room. In the waiting room he took notice to her parents instantly. They looked anxious. He walked over to them and let them know that it was okay to go see their daughter. They left the room quickly. From there, Kaoru saw Hikaru and Ageha on the other side. They were leaning against each other. They were both sound asleep. A small smile crossed his lips as he made his way over to them. Gently, he shook his brother awake.

"Hey, let's go home," Kaoru told him.

"Huh? Why? What about Celeste?" Hikaru questioned tiredly.

"She's sleeping again. Anyway, she's with her family now. Let's just go home and get to bed."

"Please..."

"Cel..." Ageha mumbled.

The brothers looked at their sister, seeing that she was still sleeping. They knew that she wanted to see her but now wasn't the time. Because of this, Kaoru carefully picked her up. Once Hikaru was ready, the three left. Outside, they could see the sun beginning to rise. Simply relieved that they didn't have to go to school, they went straight home and crashed.