The prime minister's handshake was firm and reassuring. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Mr. Kasuga. I think the U.N. will be receptive to our proposal."
Kyon smiled. "They should be. Organized crime is an issue that effects us all, across borders. The other delegates cannot argue with the facts."
"No, indeed. I will see you, then, next session. You get to return to Japan for a few weeks in the meantime, if I'm not mistaken?"
"Yes..." Kyon sighed. "I have a daughter that is left alone too often...because of the nature of our work."
The prime minister smiled sympathetically. "I know that look. You're feeling guilty about the price your family pays while you go off trying to save the world, is that it?"
Kyon nodded. "It's not fair to her. Not to mention all the press lately...I want to make sure she's okay."
"I'm sure it bothers her. It bothered me, when I was young."
The bluntness of that statement caught Kyon off-guard. "I...I'll...buy her...something..." he trailed off, knowing how weak that sounded.
"I think you know that's not enough." The prime minister sighed. "It's an unfortunate side effect of the job, I'm afraid. Just...make sure she knows how important she is to you. Say it often. Take time off work once in awhile. Maybe right after this next voting session would be a good time."
"Yes..." Kyon's shoulders relaxed a little. He hadn't realized they'd been so tense lately. A little time off might not be a bad idea, once this was all over with. "Yes, I think that's a good idea."
"Kyon!" Kasuga Anna greeted her husband at the door of their private suite with a smile, and a tight hug. "How did it go? Is the proposal ready?"
"Yes...I think it is. Finally." He sighed, running his hand over her hair. The soft sensation always comforted him. "Anna, do you think I'm a poor father?"
"What?" Anna broke the hug just enough to look up into his eyes. "What's this, all of a sudden?"
"For leaving Kana alone so often. For being so busy with my work. I feel I've neglected my family."
"...I don't feel neglected."
"...But Kana probably does. And frankly, she'd be right."
Anna was silent for a few moments, and leaned into her husband's shoulder, thinking. "I'm equally as guilty. I should stay home with her more often when you travel."
"...Then I'd just be neglecting both of you."
"If you spent all your time at home, you'd be wasting your talent, and so much of the good you do, would never be done!" She sighed, smiling a little. "It's true we can't be perfect at balancing everything. But I think we're doing the best we can. And I think Kana knows that, too. Still...maybe we should talk with her about it when we get back. Ask her what she thinks."
Kyon chucked ruefully. "Aha, that's an excellent idea. Ask someone about their feelings instead of guessing at them. Sorry, my dear, but that's a new concept for someone overflowing with masculinity such as my-oof!" He gasped in mock pain as Anna punched him playfully in the stomach.
"Well, Mr. Masculinity, perhaps we should be making preparations to-"
Ringledingleringledingleringle...
"...to answer your phone, apparently." Grinning, she reached into Kyon's pocket and pulled the device out for him.
Ringledingleringledingleringle...
Kyon grinned back. "Yes, boss!" He was still smiling when he answered the phone in his best "I'm-an-important-Japanese-dignitary" voice, but that smile faded as he listened to the news from the head of his family's security on the other line.
Kana couldn't get Mori's voice out of her head.
"I'm so sorry..."
The rest of the day was a blur, but Kana could remember Mori's hug, his expression, and his apology to the last detail. It kept running through her mind, even as the paramedics arrived to take her to the hospital for an exam. He'd tried to ride in the ambulance with her, but they said he'd only be in the way, that he could be of more help by giving the police a detailed account of what happened. The yakuza were taken away in handcuffs.
All the flashing lights and strangers prodding at her only made her more disoriented.
"...sorry..."
I never got to apologize to him...why did he apologize to me? She wondered idly on the way to the hospital. I was the stupid one...
Then she remembered, though it seemed like such a long time ago, now: Mori shifted, reaching across the table and touched his fingers gently but firmly to her lips. "No, you aren't," he said, with unexpected severity. "Don't say that."
Kana startled herself with the vivid memory. It seemed like all her memories with him were vivid; the colors were brighter, all her senses more acute. Like she had memorized every detail without thinking about it. Mori wouldn't want me thinking like that. Kana shook her head, wincing at how it hurt. I'll thank him instead. And I'll keep lying still like this nice paramedic is telling me to, because movement is...painful.
"...No, no. There's no need to thank me, Kasuga-kakka. It was an honor to be in a position to assist your daughter when she was in need. She is a pleasure to have as a guest at our club, and I could not abide any misfortune befalling her. Yes...yes, I insist. It is not a service we normally offer, but I think we can make an exception...for a friend. Thank you, sir. I look forward to meeting you in person soon. Sayonara." Kyouya ended the call with Kana's father, smiling with eerie satisfaction.
The six hosts sat lounging in the front office of the police station while they waited for Mori to finish giving his account to the chief.
"Ehhhh, Kyouya? What service did you offer him, exactly?" Hikaru arched a suspicious eyebrow at the shadow-king.
"A small detail of the Ootori's own private police force for Kasuga-chan's protection. Since I attend school with her, there is the added benefit of their employer being able to monitor their job performance regularly, ensuring quality service." He bowed his head with questionable humility.
"Ah. I see..." said Kaoru flatly. "You're securing political favors."
"Hmph." Kyouya frowned. "I am simply looking out for Kasuga-chan's best interests. If I happen to make some powerful political allies along the way, does it really matter?"
He's totally doing it for political favor... Haruhi, Hikaru, Kaoru, and Hunny thought together, sweatdropping.
Tamaki, as usual, was not paying much attention to the subtle undertones of the conversation. "Another princess rescued..." he mused, smiling in satisfaction. "We've brought happiness to yet another maiden, my friends." He eyed them all warmly, for all the world like a proud father. "Ah!" He jumped up as Mori emerged from the office. "Well done, Mori-sempai! Just what I would expect of our wild-type. The hero, jumping in to save the damsel at the climactic moment, without a thought for his own safety, just charging in without a-"
"Enough."
The firm command was enough to get everyone's attention. Tamaki was stunned to silence.
But Mori didn't look at them. He didn't even raise his eyes. "Don't...call me a hero. I'm not."
He didn't move. His hand still gripped the doorknob behind him, long after he'd pushed the door closed. His knuckles were white.
Hunny took a step forward. "Takashi..."
"No." Mori held up his hand. "Sorry, Mitsukuni. I'm going home."
"Ehhh?!" Tamaki cried, suddenly broken from the spell of silence. He gripped Mori's shoulder as the taller host began walking. "Wait a minute! You're not going with us to see Kana-hime at the hospital? We were all going to go together-"
Mori brushed his hand away. "I'm not going."
Without another word, he strode out the front door, shutting it firmly behind him.
Tamaki stood, hand still outstretched, looking confused and deflated. "Why...Mori-sempai?" he murmured quietly.
Kyon rubbed the back of his neck as he ended the call with Kyouya Ootori. In truth, he was relieved somewhat after talking to the boy. Kyouya clearly had a calm, cool head and good control of his resources. Still...the last two hours of phone calls with the Kasuga family security team, international police, the hospital, and finally the youngest son of the family that owned said hospital, was very draining. All he really wanted was to see for himself that his daughter was all right. The doctors said she was still sleeping, and not yet ready to talk.
Anna stood by, occasionally rubbing her husband's back while making a few phone calls of her own. It was she that suggested calling the Ootori boy. Now that was done, and they were suddenly left with nothing to do. Her grip tightened on Kyon's shoulder. "I want to go home. Right now," she said, her voice under tight control.
Kyon nodded, and prepared to make one last call.
Kana's eyes fluttered open, alighting on a nurse standing at the side of her bed, nodding and making notes on a clipboard. For a disorienting moment, she thought it was Kyouya. But that peppy smile and pink lip gloss the nurse was wearing would not have looked right on him. She banished the thought.
"Well, waking up, are we? You've had quite an adventure."
Kana nodded cautiously. It did not seem to hurt to move her head, but the numb, tingly feeling told her that was only because pain medicine was doing its work.
"Yeah...maybe enough adventure for one day." She smiled ruefully. "How long have I been out?"
The nurse continued making notes, checking Kana's vital numbers as they continually updated on a bright screen. "Only a few hours. The sedative your kidnappers gave you works quickly, but it also leaves the body quickly. Your most recent bloodwork shows that it's completely out of your system, now." She smiled in satisfaction as she recorded the final number, and tucked her pen neatly behind her ear. "All you should have to show for it when you leave here today are a few bruises and a sprained ankle. Really, miss, you were very lucky to have good friends looking out for you."
Kana swallowed and nodded. I really am lucky they were there. And that they were paying enough attention to come looking for me...She blinked, remembering Mori's face. And were worrying about me.
"Y-yes, ma'am." She smiled back at the nurse.
"So. Feeling up to having visitors? I promised I would let them know when you woke up, but I won't send them in until you're ready."
"Wh-what?"
The nurse arched an amused eyebrow. "Well, young Kyouya-dono may think he can do whatever he wants, since his family owns the hospital, but I wasn't about to let six young men barge in on you without your consent."
"Ah..." Kana blushed, clutching the covers a little more closely to herself, but nodded. "Yes, please send them in. I need to thank them."
Five hugs and one handshake from Kyouya later, Kana beamed up at her friends, her expression a mixture of sheepishness and gratitude. After a few moments, though, her smile faded. Just a little.
"Where...is Mori-sempai?" she asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
The response was instantaneous. Tamaki's eyes watered. The twins began laughing with forced loudness, sweat-dropping. Hunny waved his arms frantically. Everyone started talking at once.
"I-I'm really sorry, Kana-hime-!"
"What, Mori? Ahaha! He's, uh...he wasn't feeling well!"
"...He had something to do!"
"Kana-chan, he really would have liked to see you..."
Kana blinked. A tight feeling formed in her chest. "He's...he's not hurt, is he?" In all her thoughts and worries about what happened, it never occurred to her that he might have been hurt without her noticing. Sure, she had been in a half-drugged stupor at the time, but...God, tell me he wasn't-
"No! No, he's not hurt, Kana-chan." Haruhi stepped close to the bed, giving the boys a sideways glare. "Guys, you're making it worse!"
Kyouya, who had never reacted in the first place, tapped a pen irritably against his ever-present clipboard. "Indeed..."
Kana sighed in relief. "Well...then where is he?" She looked expectantly at the door, as if he might suddenly appear there. He had a way of doing that.
No one answered her right away. The twins shifted uncomfortably, sharing a look. Kana's brows furrowed in confusion. "I just...I want to thank him especially." She fidgeted with her blanket. "And apologize. He warned me...not to go off on my own."
Still no one spoke. They looked at each other helplessly. No one could think of a good way to say Mori had just stormed off and refused to come. Slowly, painfully, Kana came to her own conclusions. She swallowed. "...I-I guess I really do need to apologize to him. Um. Hunny-sempai, please tell him I'm sorry." She turned her head from them and laughed ruefully, but there was a slight hitch in her voice.
She felt a tug on her sleeve, and quickly rubbed at her face before turning. Hunny looked up at her, smiling reassuringly. "You should apologize, Kana-chan. But you shouldn't be upset at yourself. None of us are upset with you."
Kyouya huffed slightly and looked out the window, but did not protest. Haruhi and Tamaki smiled at her warmly, and the twins each gave her a wink and a thumbs-up.
"...And I don't think Takashi is upset with you, either."
Kana smiled, but shook her head ruefully. "Then why...? And why are you all tip-toeing around it? What happened?"
Tamaki knelt beside her bed, and took her hand in his. "He was upset, Kana-hime. But Hunny-sempai is right, I don't think he's upset with you."
Hikaru broke in, looking irritated, "He didn't really give us an explanation, so we don't know how to give you one."
Hunny frowned, thoughtful little flowers dancing around his head. "The person Takashi is probably the most upset with, is himself."
"What?! Why?!" Kana protested, more loudly than she'd intended.
From his post by the window, Kyouya chuckled. "Because, in his mind, he failed to protect you. And Mori-sempai defines his worth on his ability to protect. Especially you, it seems."
Kaoru broke in dryly, "Also, he is surprisingly unreasonable about blaming himself for things. It's pretty irritating."
Kyouya shrugged, nodding.
Kana had gotten caught up in the "especially you" comment, and it took her a few moments to register the rest of what her friends were saying. "So he's...blaming himself?"
The others nodded. Hunny tugged on her sleeve again.
"Ne, Kana-chan, be patient with him, okay? He can be very stubborn."
Kana nodded, smiling softly. "I'll do my best. He was patient with me when I was being stubborn. And...so were the rest of you." She looked shyly around the room. "Thank you, all of you. And...I'm sorry I worried you. I'll be more careful from now on."
There was a moment's pause. The twins blinked in surprise at suddenly being included. Kyouya looked out the window, but the corner of his mouth twitched in what may have been a smile. Haruhi's eyes widened. Tamaki and Hunny just looked at her with warm smiles.
Then the room erupted in emotion.
"Kaaaaanaaa-chaaaann!" The boys, sans Kyouya, surrounded her in a group hug. Tamaki pulled Haruhi into the fray at the last moment, which she weakly protested even as she started laughing. Kyouya dodged his effort, stepping back hastily, then crossing one arm over his chest and putting one hand to his mouth. If the other hosts hadn't been completely obstructing her vision, Kana might have seen him trying valiantly not to laugh. She smiled, wrapped in their warmth, feeling more confident than ever.
As soon as I get back to school, I need to talk to Mori-sempai.
END OF CHAPTER.
Fan Mail:
SophieNewman: Anyway, question for... Well, you, awesome author. If you were to, say, somehow fall into the world of OHSHC, what would your reaction be to seeing... Tamaki? Yeah, I just said Tamaki. I asked this question because I just seriously admire Tamaki... I just really love him as a character and I can see why Haruhi respects him so.
Laleanen: I...wait, ME?! Gosh, if I just dropped into OHSHC and saw Tamaki...I dunno. I think I'd give him a hug. And I'd fangirl with him over kotatsu. And I'd ruffle his hair and tell him everything would be all right. (I have my own soft spot for Tamaki, you see.)
Nishikikouji: If you were trapped on a desert island, with absolutely NO WAY to contact anyone or transport yourself off an island (no wiggling out of this one, Kyouya my love), what are three things you'd want with you? (Tamaki and twins: they have to be OBJECTS, not people. Leave Haru-chan alone.)
Kyouya: Well, now, that's not a very fair question, is it? Because obviously the three things I would want with me would be items to allow me to either escape the island or call for help. Likely I would choose either a boat for myself, or a flare, satellite-operative radio, and several gallons of fresh water.
Kyouya: Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena are all fighting over who is the fairest, and have asked you to judge. Hera bribes you with complete power, Aphrodite with true love, and Athena with unstoppable conquest. Which do you choose? (All sworn on the Styx not to harm you if you choose the other.)
Laleanen: Wow. I think this pretty much deserves its own fanfiction. Volunteers from the audience?
Kyouya: This is not a simple question. My answer would require a great deal of careful thought, cunning...
Laleanen: A healthy sense of self-preservation...
Kyouya: And above all, you must remember, Nishi "my love", to never trust a goddess.
Blackhawk68: Somehow I can totally see the Host Club cosplaying the Avengers one day. Here's how I think it would go: Kyouya - Version of Fury because well, Shadow King (And we all want to see Kyouya with an eye patch) Tamaki - Thor or Steve because charisma and almost never understanding "commonerisms" (This coffee, I like it *throws cup* ANOTHER) Haruhi - Natasha or Tony because sass and intelligence but we all know she'd be Natasha because she's always being conned into dressing as the girl Kaoru - Clint or Tony because sass and trickery Hikaru - Tony or Clint because sass and trickery Mori - Bruce because strong but kind Hunny - Steve or Thor because charisma and perceived naivety by almost every other person. Thoughts?
Laleanen: Oh. My. God. YES. THIS CROSSOVER. I LIKE IT. ANOTHER. Ahem. Sorry. Talk about the Avengers gets me a little...excited. Anyway. I absolutely agree that Kyoya must be Director Fury. And Tamaki, I think, would have to be Captain America, because I just want Hunny to be Thor. It's too perfect in too many ways. Haruhi would be Natasha. Hikaru would have to be Clint, because even though he's smart, Tony is far more...hmm...deceptive? Which means Kaoru must be Tony. I am absolutely open to hearing more thoughts on this subject.
Caijda: Question for Haruhi: if you had to spend the rest of your life with one host, who would it be? *winky face to Lale-chan*
Haruhi: *Turns uncharacteristically red* Wh-WHAT?! No...no way am I spending my entire life with one of these idiots! *She points frantically at the lot of them.*
Laleanen: *Winks back at Caijda* Ehh...she'll come around.
MU5IC-FRE4K: For the hosts, Kana -chan and Laleanen-chan, which music genre do you like best and what is your favourite color?
Laleanen: My favorite color is blue! All shades, but most especially turquoise and robin's egg blue. As for music genre...I listen to literally every genre. My favorites are probably Celtic (Blackmore's Night), symphonic rock (Within Temptation), and a capella. (A Capella like Pentatonix. I love them.) I kind of imagine the hosts' favorite colors to be the colors of their respective roses...
Hikaru: Like mine is orange. And I like punk rock. *Grins*
Kaoru: Light blue. I like classic rock.
Hunny: Pink! Pink! Pink! I love pink so much! [little pink flowers appear around his head] And my favorite music genre is Jpop!
Mori: Dark Blue. Traditional Japanese music...for meditation.
Tamaki: My favorite color is white...pure white. [He looks dreamily into the distance] I also quite enjoy classical music.
Kyouya: I don't entirely see the point of this question, but...[sighs] I like a cool, crisp, lavendar color. Also smooth jazz, when I'm in the mood for music.
Haruhi: Red is my favorite color...my mother used to wear it a lot. And...I like normal music, I guess. *She shrugs*
Kana: Green is actually my favorite color...as for music...Gosh, I don't know! I listen to different things. I...kinda grew fond of American music while I was living there.
Pinkblondpunkygurl211:1.(for author) if you could make a secound season of OHSHC , would it be based on this written fanfiction? I REALLY would like to know.
Laleanen: Waaahhh...If I could make a second season? Oh, it would be so tempting...yes, I would love to have Kana as a real character for Mori. But I would also like to see more elements of the manga incorporated into a second season of Ouran. If there was some way to combine those two things...I would be ecstatic.
2. ( For the hosts and kana) well, how can I ask this ... if you could go back into the future or past , where would you go ? Would you change it? and why?
Kana: Any time in the past or future? Wow...
Kyouya: You could go to the Meiji Era and perhaps get a better grade on your next quiz.
Kana: I-I...hey! My grades have nothing to do with this question!
Mori: I would return to the time of the samurai, and ask to be taken on as an apprentice.
Kyouya: ...I feel compelled to point out to you all, that time travel could have disastrous results, particularly if anything is changed, inadvertently or not.
And for the author ...( be honest) if you could be on a anime or other shows for a week .what would it be? And would it be like this anime?
Laleanen: Uh oh. What a good question. Unfortunately, most of my favorite shows (besides Ouran) involve some pretty dangerous worlds that I wouldn't neccesarily want to visit. Kinda like asking if I want to visit the world of The Hunger Games, or Game of Thrones. But not all of them...Right now, I think I'd pick Sword Art Online, just...after the first season. I would want to try playing Alfheim Online using an AmuSphere.
A Heroic Spork: Question for your husband: do you watch any anime?
Laleanen: Ohoho. Does he watch any anime? My husband kindly directs you to his anime-planet account, where he's listed pretty much every anime he's ever watched. His username on there is Lorielle. Mine is the same as on this site; we each only have about two friends, one of whom is each other, so it should be easy to see our anime lists on there!
Thank you for all your support, everyone! We're getting close!