Chapter Fourteen

Kana

It was now Friday. I hadn't spoken to Kyoya since Monday. I had certainly seen him around campus, just always out of reach for me to catch him. He seemed to always be somewhere near me, as though he were observing me from a cautious distance. He hadn't called or texted me either.

I couldn't say as much for Hikaru and Kaoru, however. It didn't take long for the both of them to start texting me through the day. I had somehow wound up in a group text with the both of them. They were constantly sending me memes and videos they found amusing, while occasionally asking me about how my day was going. I usually only responded once every few hours. Didn't want to encourage them too much.

That didn't stop them from inviting me to my first official college party. They insisted I came with them tonight to take a break from studying just before midterms started. After getting close to fifty messages about the subject I finally agreed to let them take me out for the night.

We had met just after 10 pm at a venue I had never heard of in downtown Tokyo. I rarely ventured into the city-I hadn't had much reason to before. I found myself at what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse that was teeming with people who all appeared to be around our age, some a bit older. The three of us entered, and I quickly found myself overwhelmed with what I had been thrown into.

It was dark inside; the only light came from a series of multi-colored strobe lights that had been set up overhead. Once my eyes had adjusted I was able to see solid blue and purple lighting that served as a bit of a backdrop to the flashing lights. There were people everywhere, dancing and mingling to the heavy, pulsing music. There was just enough space to keep everyone from being on top of each other, giving room to move around. At the far end of the warehouse I could see a DJ set up, his tables lofted above the crowd.

"Guys…" My eyes were wide as I looked around. It was almost too much. I forced myself not to run back outside, into the clean air.

"Come on." Hikaru's lips were in my hair. They had insisted on picking out my attire for the night, which included requiring my hair to be left down in its natural, wildly curly state. They had sent over a short, form-fitting sequined black dress that glinted with the flashing lights. My shoulders were left bare, a fact I was sure to be grateful for given the warmer temperature at the party. The outfit was completed with a pair of strappy magenta heels that brought me close to being the twins' height. Kaoru had sweetly offered to keep my cigarettes in his shirt pocket, in case I wound up wanting them through the night, as my attire didn't exactly offer any storage space.

Kaoru took my hand and led me through the crowd, moving slower than his usual pace to prevent me from twisting my ankles. He brought me to a makeshift bar that had been set up at the edge of the building. It was occupied by three bartenders, all female, and all exceptionally gorgeous.

"Hey cuties." One of the women approached us and leaned over the bar, her cleavage threatening to spill out of her skin-tight top. "You two are here early."

"Breaking in the foreigner." Hikaru nodded his head towards me. "She's on our tab tonight."

"You're a doll. Name's Mika." The bartender winked at me before turning from us briefly to grab three shot glasses. WIth an expert hand, she filled each one with a clear liquid before sliding them over to us. "Cupcake vodka. Can't stand the shit, but these two love it."

"I'm Kana." I had the distinct feeling that formalities weren't something Mika would appreciate. I reached for one of the shot glasses and sniffed it, my nose curling at the smell.

"Do you drink, Kana-chan? I guess we should've asked." Kaoru downed his shot quickly, making a face as he did so. Hikaru followed suit, downing the liquid without the same reaction his twin had.

"It's been a minute, but yeah." By drinking, I meant that I used to sneak my dad's whiskey whenever he was gone on long trips. I took the shot quickly, stifling a cough as the alcohol burned my throat.

"Too sweet, isn't it?" Mika giggled.

"Do you have anything that isn't?" I couldn't help but grin back at her.

"You wanna get fucked up?" She leaned forward again, her attention focused on me. "I love a drunk American. You're at least half, right?"

"Exactly half." I felt a surge of confidence race through me.

"We're getting fucked up tonight." Hikaru was pressed to my side. I felt his arm settle around my waist in a comfortable fashion.

"I'll take good care of you, Kana." Mika winked at me again.

Three more shots and a dark beer each later the three of us were in the midst of the dance floor, moving as though the music were controlling us. The alcohol surged through me, easing my nerves just enough so that I was finally able to enjoy my surroundings.

I danced, probably not that well, but I danced. At first just with Hikaru and Kaoru, their bodies pressed against mine, our hips swaying with the beats. I had the sensation of losing myself as I felt foreign hands touch my sides, my back, my shoulders. The music felt louder and louder as I found myself being absorbed by the crowd. It was freeing.

Hikaru left us briefly and returned with a bright green drink that tasted like sour melon. I drank as I danced, trying to push back the sense of impending doom I normally felt in social situations.

Another drink came, then another. More songs played. TIme felt both as slow as syrup and fast as lightning.

I needed to smoke.

Kaoru hadn't left my side the entire time, fortunately. I turned to him and poked the pack of cigarettes in his pocket. He took the hint and pulled me through the crowd and outside. The cool air smacked me in the face. My head spun.

"You're having fun." Kaoru's face was flushed. His shirt was unbuttoned halfway from the bottom up, exposing his taut abdomen. His jeans were hanging dangerously low on his hips.

"Surprisingly enough." I took my cigarettes from him, pulled one out of the pack and lit one up with the lighter I had shoved inside of the pack. I held the open pack out to him, and much to my surprise he accepted, taking one and flicking the lighter with a practiced hand.

We leaned against the building, quietly smoking together. My head was beginning to spin, as if the nicotine was only amplifying the buzz I had gotten from drinking.

"This is more of Hikaru's scene." Kaoru spoke after a moment. His cigarette hung almost delicately from his fingers.

"What's your scene?" I asked.

"Something a bit quieter." His voice sounded pained, almost sad.

"Why'd you drag me into it?" It was growing difficult to speak. My words kept wanting to come out in my native tongue.

"I wanted you to have a chance to see something besides Ouran." His amber-colored eyes met mine. "We know what it is like to be isolated, Kana-chan. Hika and I both want you to know there's more to life than being alone."

"Kao-chan…" I whispered, using the name I'd heard Hikaru refer to him as.

"He and I had each other, but you grew up without anyone, didn't you?" He dropped his cigarette and held my hand in his.

I was dizzy. I took another long drag before I could find the words to answer him. "I had my father. And there were tutors. A driver. The maids."

"You're letting us in though. Me and Hika and Mori and Kyoya." The sound of Kyoya's name made me flinch.

"I didn't have much of a choice."

"There's a girl. Haruhi Fujioka. Tamaki's fiance. When she's here, I want you to meet her, okay?"

"Tamaki has a fiance?" I slurred.

"She's special." Kaoru took the cigarette from between my fingers and tossed it away. I had nearly forgotten about it. "She helped me and Hika become our own people. We used to not be able to stand not being in the same room together, but now… Now I can stand out here with you, Kana-chan, and be okay."

"I can't imagine being that close to a person." I closed my eyes, trying to keep my head from spinning.

"I wish I would've met you before him." Kaoru said so quietly that I could hardly hear him. "But I hope Kyoya pulls his head out of his ass and realizes what he can have."

"Don't talk about him."

"Are things not-"

"Shush." Without thinking, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. I felt the heat rise to his face beneath my lips.

"What was that for?" Kaoru sputtered.

"Sorry… I think I'm drunk." The look on Kaoru's face was priceless. I couldn't hold back the laughter that fell from my lips.

"I think I am too." Kaoru half-smiled. "Forgive me, Kana."

"For what?"

Kaoru slowly cupped my face in his hands and kissed me gently. His lips were soft and pleasant against mine in a stark contrast from the one other that I had kissed in my lifetime. It was nice, kissing him. There wasn't any fear of facing his anger after, or being immediately left alone. There wasn't any urgency. I liked it.

I didn't have time to feel conflicted about what he was doing. In that moment, it felt right.

I let myself kiss him back. My fingers skirted along his exposed flesh, just above the waistband of his jeans. His tongue flicked against my lips. I instinctually opened my mouth, letting him enter. I let out a soft sigh as he explored me with his tongue. Everything about this was nice, sweet.

It was over too quickly. He pulled back first, his hands still holding my face as his eyes searched mine.

"Don't be sorry." I whispered.

A/N

Well, this chapter got away from me a bit. I've always had a soft spot for Kaoru and wanted to explore him as a possibility for our heroine.

Unintentional love triangle, here we come!