Tuesday the 9th

It was the next day and Hikaru was determined to begin his plans for setting everything the way it should be. He raced his way to school early- a half an hour early, was he out of his mind?

Although his eyes were drooping as he walked the quiet, vacant halls, he wore a smile. He rounded the corner and came to the abandoned music room, the one used for the Host Club. Swiftly, he opened the door and slipped inside; knowing Kyoya would be there early.

Kyoya was sitting at his desk near the door, tapping his pencil against the rim of his glasses while staring at the pile of paperwork on his desk. How Kyoya even had that much work to do, Hikaru would never know. His lips were pressed in a thin line as his eyebrow twitched annoyance while a certain someone blabbed on and on about who-knows-what.

Tamaki was leaning casually against the edge of Kyoya's desk with head thrown back, eyes closed as he talked. He had his arms crossed over his perfectly pressed blazer.

When Hikaru entered the room, both looked up in surprise. Kyoya straightened his glasses. "Why are you here Hikaru? I assumed you would be at the hospital for the rest of the week."

Hikaru looked away, tugging on his the right sleeve of his blazer. "Well, actually… they aren't allowing Kaoru to see anyone for a while he goes through recovery and therapy. The next time I get to see him is the twenty-third of this month… So about two weeks." Hikaru grimaced. "It will be good for him."

Tamaki jumped off the desk, paced up to the young red-head and threw him to a tight hug. No words were exchanged; the hug was enough. When Tamaki pulled away, Hikaru smiled sheepishly at the older blonde who smiled brightly back.

"Sorry to interrupt, but what exactly are you doing here?" Kyoya inquired from his seat, resting his head heavily on his hand, regarding the Hitachiin with a bored expression.

"Well, I need help finding some people," Hikaru said, walking over to the brooding boy and slumping into a chair nearby.

"You've been asking a lot of me lately," Kyoya said with knowing smile.

"Shut up, I know!" Hikaru snapped. He turned his head to glare at the older boy.

Tamaki leaned in between the two, oblivious to their exchange. "Who are you trying to find?"

Hikaru turned his gaze away from Kyoya. It irritated him that he owed Kyoya so much already, but he knew that it would be all worth it later. He tilted his head at Tamaki. "Arisa's family—it's really important," he said, glancing between the two.

"Well, that shouldn't be too hard," Kyoya responded immediately.

"Easier than finding Kaoru? Because it sure as hell better be; I don't think I could handle another round of all that waiting."

"No, it should be easy if the family is already looking for her. Or, if not, DNA can tell a lot about a person." Kyoya set down his pen, thinking.

Hikaru nodded, accepting Kyoya's words. He stood. "Maybe I should get my things ready for class." Hikaru didn't actually want to go to class, but he needed a little time to himself.

"Actually, one more thing Hikaru," Kyoya called before Hikaru could walk away. Tamaki went back to his original position and leaned against Kyoya's desk.

"What is it?" Hikaru asked slowly.

"My police force has investigated further on the child-traffickers… we have tracked down one other accomplice. She is now in jail with the one that took Kaoru. We freed about six kids. We are just looking for the last one and after that, we are placing the rest in the Ouran Police's jurisdiction."

Hikaru's eyes widened. "You did all of that in 24 hours?"

"Don't doubt the Ootari name," Kyoya said evenly, picking up his pen again.

Hikaru was speechless. So he decided now was the perfect time to walk away.


Kaoru rubbed his fingers together nervously as he sat up painfully in his bed. He flinched as his chest bent against the wound but disregarded it; he's been through worse. Besides, according to the doctors in this dreadful place, the wound wasn't so bad. The bullet had hit his right side and bounced off a rib, cracking it but not doing too much damage. The guy must've had a week gun, or had poor aim, is how Kaoru reasoned it.

No, nothing about these wounds bothered him. The only things that did bother him were the nightmares, the memory loss, the way he jumped at the slightest noise.

He glanced down and found his arms shaking in fear. Kaoru crossed them, forcing them to be still, as he glanced at the heart monitor that was picking up in pace. A shadow passed over the corner of Kaoru's eyes. He spun, breathing hard, but found nothing. It was just an open chair.

"Oh, God," Kaoru moaned to himself, scrunching his eyes shut.

The door opened and Kaoru jumped with a yelp. He opened his eyes slowly, but breathed out in relief at the sight of Dr. Uzumo. But nonetheless, he tightened his grip on his arms. Kaoru still wasn't sure who to trust, who to believe.

"Hello Kaoru," the doctor called as he entered the room with his chart. He glanced up, meeting Kaoru's eyes with a smile. "You really should let yourself relax." He gestured pointedly at Kaoru's still shaking arms.

"Y-yeah," Kaoru said vaguely, clutching his arms to his chest a little harder.

The doctor crossed the room and started checking the monitor and other things that Kaoru didn't recognize. Kaoru dug his nails into his arms and glanced up at the ceiling, counting the seconds. Having Uzumo so near him was so nerve-wracking.

"Kaoru?"

"YES!" Kaoru all but shouted, startled.

Dr. Uzumo smiled gently. Kaoru's face heated in embarrassment but he remained silent. Uzumo straightened and explained, "Tomorrow, we will be starting a… little therapy session."

"I don't need therapy."

"Do you have nightmares, or perhaps unusual anxiety or fear? Or maybe even hallucinations?"

Kaoru looked away, defeated. He had all of the above.

"Good, we understand each other," Uzumo said not waiting for an answer. "Well, I'm all done here. A nurse will be by shortly with dinner."

After Uzumo left the room, Kaoru found himself more on edge than ever. He breathed deeply, attempting to calm himself. And it worked. That is, until the shadows began to move again on the edge of his vision. His heart picked up in fear. Quickly, he shoved himself back down on the bed, pulling the covers over his head and squeezed his eyes shut.


I don't know what to write here today... so yeah.