Be Kiku ==

You are now Kiku, about five hours after all that.

You are looting one of the spare rooms above the sanctuary for useful items, and stuffing them neatly into a bag. You are inspecting a piggy bank for money when the door opens behind you and you drop the poor pig in surprise and turn to face the intruder.

It's Heracles.

"Pillaging now, hmm?" he asks quietly, kneeling to pick up the pieces of ceramic on the floor. "I must say, you really are high-strung like a cat. What are you up to?"

"I'm running off before Yao can guilt me into staying." you say, picking up a dustpan and a broom to sweep up the pork fragments.

"Because you don't like him, or because you're scared of losing your independence?" Heracles asks.

"Because we can never truly be brothers again." you say. "I don't care if blood is thicker than water; I can't stay here."

Heracles watches you pack for a bit before speaking up again.

"Are you going to leave a note?" he asks.

"We shall see." you say. You don't even know what you would write... "I'm running away. Sorry, but I never really cared for you. -Kiku"? That would be tactless!

"What about your other brothers?" Heracles asks.

"They'll understand." you tell him. "Excuse me, but do you not have better things to do right now? Get in touch with long-lost family, if you're so big on it." normally, you wouldn't say such harsh things, but you're in a bit of a hurry and the Grecian man is being very distracting, standing there all sexy-like.

"I'm an orphan and an only child."

"Oh. My apologies." you say. "You're not missing out on much, though."

"That doesn't mean I don't have a family." Heracles says. "I believe a true family is not who you're born with, but who you choose to die with. Abyssinia is my family."

You're quiet for a moment, marveling at how deep and philosophical Heracles can be at times.

"I think it is better if I remain independent." you say. "I do not socialize well."

Heracles shrugs as you zip up your bag and make a cursory glance around the room to make sure you have everything you might need from it.

"I just need some provisions..." you say quietly in order to fill the slightly oppressive silence.

Heracles holds up a backpack which had escaped your notice.

"This should have enough for a week or so." he says, handing it to you.

You are slightly taken aback.

Say thank you ==

Don't accept the gift ==

"You... how did you..." you stammer, looking up at him.

"I could tell you didn't intend to stay from the moment they let us out of the dungeon." Heracles says. "Something about your expression, I think, and the way you avoided making any contact with Yao."

"I... I don't know what to say." you tell him.

"Maybe 'thank you'?" he asks.

"Domo arigato, Heracles-san." you say, bowing respectfully. "I don't know how I can repay the favor..."

"Don't worry about it." he says.

There is another silence, this one slightly more bearable. Finally, you sigh and hike the backpack over one shoulder.

"Sayonara..." you tell the werewolf. Before you can change your mind, you lean forward on your toes and press a chaste kiss to his lips. Heracles draws a sharp intake of breath. You pull away quickly and make for the door, more than a little aghast at yourself.

And then you feel his hand on your shoulder.

"Do you think I'm letting you leave without me?" he asks. "Especially after that?"

You turn to gape at him slightly.

"Ano..."

He produces another backpack.

"We're in this together." he tells you firmly, putting his other hand on your shoulder so you can't turn away... not that you'd want to, anyway. "Whatever the future throws at you, it throws at me."

"Heracles-san..."

"And you can't tell me you don't want me to come along, because I know you wouldn't kiss someone unless you cared very much for them. We can go anywhere you want, Kiku, and take on the world together."

You never knew that this man could be so passionate about anything.

Deny his request ==

Allow him to accompany you ==

It's really hard to suppress the smile that's creeping up onto your face.

"It could be dangerous." you say.

"All the more reason for me to come with you." he says.

"We might not ever return."

"That's fine be my." he tells you.

"You might not see the rest of Abyssinia again."

"They'll understand." he replies.

Finally, you allow yourself to smile.

"Welcome aboard." you tell him. "Let's get out of here."


Sakura Kiss is the opening theme from Ouran High School Host Club.

Did anyone else notice when Kiku switched from calling Feli "Feliciano-kun" to "Feliciano-san"? It means he gained more respect for him!

Ano still means er/um...