Writer's block sucks. But I managed to make my way through it and, although it's a bit mushy, I had a fun time writing this chapter ^^ Next up there will be a bit more...action I guess. So please review! Maybe I'll update faster.

(Ryu's POV)

Why am I running?…Kaoru, would you understand?…Would you be able to accept me?…Save me?

I had run all across the zoo. I didn't recognize any of my surroundings as they blurred from the tears gathering in my eyes. I was scared, I admit it. To me, I had always been protected by the cloths I wear, the way I act. Everyday, I played the part of a strong younger brother. Everyday, I faked who I was supposed to be. But what do I do now? I'm being protected by others instead of protecting them. Kaoru. Is he still going to love me if I change? If I'm not strong like everyone believed?

It was the truth. I wasn't as strong as everyone thought. At least, I didn't think so. I had long forgotten who I truly was before I began following the invisible script I had made up. Worse of all, I felt guilty. Guilty for lying to everyone and for lying to Kaoru.

My pace slowed and I stood, gasping for air next to the petting zoo. I walked in and sat on the floor, staring at the sky while hoping to find some answers as to why I ran and who I really was. A few of the children were pointing their little fingers at me, but I could care less until a large black headed sheep stood face-to-face with me. We had a staring contest of sorts and I felt like it understood the pain I was going through. It walked to my side and lied down next to me, placing it's head on my lap.

"Heh…You're an odd fellow…But I suppose it's better to have someone to listen than no one at all."

(Yuuki's POV)

It was starting to get later into the day and yet no one even looked tired, except Kyoya. We were running out of places to go to though.

"Hey, guys? We should check out the gift store and then head back. It's getting a bit late don't you think?"

"Aw~"

Sure, they won't be happy now, but they'll all thank me tomorrow when they wake up less sore than they could've been. I managed to gather them all up and headed to the store, when I spotted a rather frantic looking head of orange hair.

"Ne, isn't that Kao-chan?"

"Ah."

Well, Mori had a better view thanks to his height, but if that was Kaoru, where was Ryu? I quickly headed over, the rest of the guys following behind me, as I got Kaoru's attention.

"Kaoru! What's wrong? Where's Ryu?"

"I-I don't know! We were looking at the maned wolves and then she overheard some people talking and ran off. I've been looking all over the place, but I haven't seen her anywhere!"

"Oh no! Ryu-chan's missing?"

"This isn't good. I've never been in this kind of situation, so I wouldn't know where she'd go. What were those people talking about?"

The look on his face scared me. Hikaru must've been right when he was talking about how she dressed and those stupid people probably brought it up. Ryu…

"I-I'm sorry, Yuuki. I should've-"

"There was nothing you could've done, Kaoru. I'm not angry at you or anything. Besides, our first priority should be to find her. Let's split up and if anyone sees her, call the other's cell phone, but don't approach her. I don't know how she would react, so it would be better if Kaoru or I were the ones who did anything…Okay?"

"Yes, sir!"

And so, our search begins.

(Kaoru's POV)

It had been 20 minutes since we'd split up and still no sign of Ryu. I felt bad for causing her to be so uncomfortable around me and had quickly gotten her something from the gift shop during my search, hoping to somehow make it up to her. I had just run past the maned wolf enclosure for the third time when I spotted a little boy talking to his mother nearby about something odd.

"But mom! It's true! There was this onii-san in the petting zoo and all the animals stayed with him! He's like…an animal hero!"

"Now dear, I'm sure you were just imagining things."

"Um, excuse me!"

I had to ask the mother at least if she'd seen Ryu, and maybe the boy had too. Something about what he'd said had me curious.

"Have you seen a um…boy about my age wearing a black cat beanie, camouflage pants and boots?"

"No, I'm sorry."

"Wait, momma! That's the onii-san I was telling you about! He had a kitty hat. I saw it when I was in the petting zoo."

"Thank you!"

I quickly called up the guys and explained where she was. Hikaru was the closest and promised to keep an eye on her until the rest of the host club and I arrived. When I did, everyone was standing there shocked at the scene before them.

Ryu was sitting on the ground and every animal in the petting zoo was laying or standing around her. A particular sheep actually had it's head on her lap as she pet it, talking to them about something that I couldn't hear.

"Wow, Ryu-chan's really good with animals, huh Yuuki?"

"Yeah. I always saw her getting along with the ones used on shoots before, but this is ridiculous. I see why she thought about becoming a vet once."

"I'm going to go talk to her. Just…just wait for us here."

Ah, what am I going to say though? I'm still not quite clear as to why she ran off other than the fact that she's upset about what those people said. Maybe she'll tell me if I calm her down a bit…Although, those animals are doing a pretty good job of that already.

"Um, hey Ryu."

She looked up at me and I could clearly see all the sadness and pain behind her eyes. Whatever she was upset about, it must be really bad. I got closer and scooted over a goat that was standing next to her so I could sit down. She hadn't moved and was just sitting there petting the large sheep next to her.

"Look, Ryu. I don't exactly know what's upsetting you so much, but I want you to know that I don't care about what people think of us. I love you for who you are and nothing's going to change that."

"I'm not who you say I am."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not strong Kaoru. I'm not a tough outgoing person like you've seen. I'm just a fake. An act. Nothing I've done is truly me…I don't even remember who I really am anymore."

What is she saying?

"Ryu. I don't know what's going on in your head right now, but I want to tell you that I've always seen the real you. You may not think you're strong, but no one can just act out you protecting your brother. You can't act the feelings you have towards him or your father or acting. You're a great person and I love you for that. I want to help you in every way that I can and the only way I can do that is if you understand just how much I love the Ryu that contradicts everyone's view of her. The Ryu that is strong inside and out. My Ryu."

I wiped her tears and kissed her gently on the lips as her silent crying turned to sobs. She had gone through so much in her life all by herself, and I needed to be the one she could finally rely on.

"Come one Ryu. Everyone's worried."

She nodded and we both stood up, giving the sheep one last goodbye before joining the group. Tamaki and Honey bawled their eyes out when they saw she was okay, while Hikaru and Yuuki just smiled and gave me thumbs up. Even Mori seemed relieved as he put his hand on her head.

"Ah, Ryu! Here!"

I pulled out the stuffed animal and handed it to her. It was a arm sized reddish-orange maned wolf and I don't think I could ever forget the look on her face as she smiled widely before grabbing me and kissing me; despite the giggles and wolf whistles behind her.

"Thank you, Kaoru. For saving me."

I wanted to ask 'for what?' but I think I understood. I had saved her from herself and that was the only thing holding back the hidden Ryu I loved.