Chapter 25: It Will Be Over Soon

Reiko

I was dismayed to hear about the attack upon Haruhi and Kyoya. Although I do believe my curse of protection held strong. Haruhi came from the incident without much of a scratch. Her spirits were unaffected and she maintains that she is well.

Regardless of the troubles and fears the incident caused the collective group, Kyoya has finally been able to place a culprit on our predicament. Although we still have our suspicions of Tonnere being the source of the trouble, we have yet to find definitive proof.

Alas, this is not my expertise. I only practice the arts of magick and divination. Visions come and go but nothing as drastic as those of our missing girls. I do hope this means our saga is coming to a close in the near future.

Kimiko has awakened due to my care in brining her soul back from the brink. We nearly lost the dear girl who was as innocent of all wrong doings. Sadly her innocence was the key to making her the target for the wrath of the devils who nearly took her life. Her companion Momoka also recovered from her minor assault. Today I shall pay them both a visit but for now...

"Look, Reiko. I'm fine. The doctors checked everything." Haruhi attempted to placate my concerns but I wouldn't dream of setting her free before I did all I could.

"Hush," I commanded and lit some incense with my burning candle. "You are under my protection. Umihito would do so but as he is currently dealing with the affairs of the group I am charged to test your curse."

"Test?" She looked startled.

"I shall not harm you," I smirked at her misjudgment. "I only mean to feel the aura of the spell. Now sit back Haruhi. Let me examine the toll that has been taken on the spell. That is.." I smiled sweetly at her, ".. unless you wish Umihito and I to recast."

Her blush was furious. "No, no. That's.. uh.. that will be fine. You don't need too."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her embarrassment. After all it was such a beautiful moment. I have no qualms of sharing my body with that of a woman. I would glady to do again. Female energy is powerful and add the tension of sexual release, it is proven that those spells are potent.

Moments passed as I examined her aura feeling for even the slightest ripple or disruption. As luck would have it there were none. My task was completed without further disruption. Her aura held positive and the curse was permanently set. No harm shall come to her.

I lay my hand on her belly feeling the energy of the child.

"Little one, we await your presence for you are the first." My voice said as I slipped into a vision. This boy was indeed only the first.

Haruhi furrowed her brow taking my words to heart. She knew me well enough at this point to trust my visions. "She will join you soon," I continued to talk to the child. "Then your family will be complete." The last was to Haruhi.

Kyoya

Paperwork everywhere. My desk is covered with folders and photographs. Reports of from the private police force along with the updates from our lawyers. I never will never understand how far we have fallen. How we could have gone from such a respected collaboration of work force executives to a public farce.

However, our current situation is not impossible to overcome.

With most of our group paring off and others seeking new outside ventures we are able to maintain the front that we are first and foremost a network. The girls have all but given up their roles as courtesans. With the exception of Haruhi, they all seem to be choosing to maintain the appearance of monogamy.

Haruhi... I feel a headache start to build when I think about that girl. She is impossible. So stubborn and so headstrong. How can she, of all the girls, not see what is in front of her. That woman has so many who, for some unknown reason, want to make her happy. The twins for example are willing to share her even when they themselves are so besotted that they would rather keep her for themselves.

Even I... No. I won't dwell on this. She is who she is and at the moment there are more pressing matters.

The reports from the accident for one. We have located Haruhi's appointment book in the back seat of our pursuers. It's evident that they are the culprits who attacked the girls but we have still yet to link Tonnerre to our epidemic of bad luck.

Our only course of action is to take on Komitsuzawa since he is the only link we have. I am certain Tonnerre will reveal herself soon.

The phone on my desk rang and I answered it without bothering to confirm the identity. "This had better be important." I said calmly into the receiver.

"Mr. Otori, Yuko Kosaka speaking." Ah yes, the lawyer.

"Ms. Kosaka. Have you received the reports?"

"Yes, Sir. We are moving into serving Komitsuzawa the paperwork as we speak. He should be attending court on the tentative date I emailed you this morning. With the added allegations we have solidified our argument. The Komitsuzawa corporation will nothing more than a memory."

"Hmm." I flipped open my laptop and searched my emails to find the one in question. True to her word the date was set. This should be over within a month. "Thank for your assistance, Ms. Kosaka."

"You're welcome, sir." She paused on the line before continuing, "Forgive my curiosity but it seems as though you have put Ms. Fujioka on the list of attorneys who will assist with the prosecution."

"I have."

"I was under the impression that her current state would prevent her from participating any further."

"You are under false impression. Ms. Fujioka has not only complied most of the paperwork for the case, she herself is a witness and victim of the harassment. Her testimony alone will help us. As for her current state." I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose. "Do you not think a jury will be more in favor of a woman who not only stood first hand against allegations but is also near to childbirth."

I could practically hear the woman's thought process and predicted what she would say before the words would come from her mouth.

"She is also well aware of the paternity of her child and has had a relationship with the father for longer than the Ouran Circle had her under employment. Her state will not interfere with our cause."

Again another pause.

"I will send you the final reports by the end of the week."

"Very well, Thank you for your hard work Ms. Kosaka. Should I need your assistance I will call you. Until then please inform those who will be in attendance of our court date."

Yuko made a sound that hinted at her exhaustion. "Very well."

I hung up the phone and went back to work on not only maintaining the Ouran Circle but I am in the middle of the next Otori group venture.

Kaoru

Haruhi was fine. The baby is fine. That's really all that matters but I can't seem to beat that into Hikaru's stupid dumb ass head. The moron is driving her crazy with all the pampering. Twice already she has kicked him out of the house on an unimportant errand. Four times already, She has used the term 'obnoxious asshat'. Where she learned that one from I don't even know.

At the moment he is heading out to the office. Not 'the office' that Haruhi used to give us a hard time for but the actual one where we work when Dad needs help. In the next few days we won't have much time to take care of Haru since we will be pulling the long haul. With Ageha, Mom really needed Dad to help out and that left a big hole to fill at the company. I already told Haruhi that morning and her mood was instantly sour. Hikaru, the big idiot didn't help. Which is why I made him leave earlier.

Since the last incident between Hika and Haru, she has taken to hiding out in her bedroom. Not that I can blame her. I've had to do that a few times in the past.

After a quick call to Haninozuka, I took a risk and went to her room. Knocking on the door before I opened it. "Hey Haruhi..." I poked my head in.

She was lying in bed reading a book on her side. Her bed head was kinda cute and I smirked at the sight. She was too adorable and even more so now that she was completely round. I don't care what she thinks of it, it suits her.

"What." She said in a flat tone.

"Just wanted to talk." I offered. I knew she didn't really need anything since she was still strong enough to do most things on her own. Something that Hika can't seem to get through his thick skull.

"Are you sure that's all." Haruhi sat up and closed her book giving me a very bland stare.

"It's what friends do, right?" I stepped in taking that as a sign she wasn't going to immediately throw me out. "We are still friends right?"

She sighed and chewed on her lower lip for a brief moment, probably considering how to respond. "Yeah. We are." Her eyes locked on to me, "I'm just not in the mood for all your games."

"My games?" I sat beside her on the bed. "You mean Hika's games."

"Yeah but you make them worse, encouraging him all the time."

"Haru, I haven't been encouraging anything. That's all him. He's trying to snap you out of your funk." I touched her hand. "He's just going about it the wrong way."

"And you have all the answers?" She was really snappy. This was going to take more work than I originally thought. I sighed.

"I don't know what to say, honestly. I just..." She looked pained and frustrated. Kyoya told me all the things I should be concerned about while she was in her third trimester but I didn't expect her mood swings to be this drastic. Or that she would be so out of character. This was just too much.

"Look Kaoru. This isn't something you need to worry about. I'm tired. That's all."

I decided that the space between us needed to be eliminated. Climbing up into bed beside her and rested my head on her pillow and held my arms open for her to join me. I wasn't to surprised when she did. I kissed the top of her head and kept silent. For now, this is all we needed.

"I'm sorry." She muttered into my shirt. Her fingers curled up into the fabric while she burrowed her face into my shoulder. "I'm really sorry."

"You don't' need to apologize. Couple more weeks and this will be over."

"He better get out soon or there will be two Hitachiin's in time out and I don't mean you." She mumbled.

I laughed and ruffled her hair a bit. "Good to know I'm not on the shit list."

"You're there, just at the lower end." I tilted my head down to look at her to see a fleeting smile.

"So you do have a sense of humor still."

"Shut up." She buried her face again but I knew she was hiding another smile.

Haruhi

I didn't kill them yet. I've been tempted to though and the twins know they are on thin ice with me. Which is why I was glad they were gone for a while to work with their dad. I just wanted to be alone. No one to talk to me. No one to bother, or harass me. No Hikaru. No Kaoru. No Circle members at all.

I will hand it to Kaoru. He was trying to be patient and he was trying to control that moron of a brother of his. Hika hasn't been able to that foot out of his fucking mouth in ages. Everyday it's something new with him and I swear, I am going to deck him.

Kaoru insisted that it's just the hormones setting me off but I'm pretty sure it's Hikaru.

The baby was giving me such a hard time too and I have on more than one occasion had the urge to call up the hospital and have them remove him from my body. Then I remember that I still have another couple months ahead of me. He's due in September.

Stretching out on my couch I let my head roll to the side and I yawned. Oh.. mistake. I felt a cramp in my leg and rolled off landing softly on my knees.

"Fuck." I muttered, trying to stand up. The cramp was relentless but I was able to stand and wobble to the bathroom. Shower. I needed a shower.

I stood in the bathroom for a moment struggling with the idea of using the bath tub. I sighed. I really missed my apartment. The shower was easy to get into. Even though I love this tub the idea of climbing into it wasn't as appealing.

Still the call of warm water was strong and I eventually gave in. I climbed carefully stepped into the bathtub and turned the shower on letting the water warm. I relaxed my body, happy that between the couch and the bathroom the cramp has lessened its intensity.

I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the moment while the water streamed down my back. My hands caressed the belly while the little one kicked against my skin. I sighed.

"Trouble." I muttered. "You Hitachiin's are always trouble."

The baby kicked me again as if in response to my accusation. I rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness of the thought. As if he understood what I said.

"Listen Kid. Your dad and uncle are a pain. They are experts in driving me up a wall" I smiled. "Especially your father."

I picked the soap up and started washing myself taking my time rubbing my belly and feeling for the soft movements. "Don't worry. I won't kill them just yet. Even if they make me question my sanity."

My hair was next and once that was done, I just stood there for a while until I was tired of standing. Getting out the tub was actually harder to do on my own but I managed. Once I did, I wrapped the towel around my body and stepped out of my bathroom heading to my bedroom when I heard the sound of someone walking around in my home.

My heart froze. Carefully I peaked down the hall again, checking to see who it was before preparing to run to my bedroom.

I saw a shadow cross the living room and I clenched my towel tight around my body. My breath hitched and I let out a startled cry when my home invader stepped into view.

A/N: Months. This chapter taunted me for months because it just wouldn't come out. I tried my best you guys to keep the story going without by passing the details and jumping to the end. This story has way to many characters to keep track of. We are almost there.