Typical Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran High School Host Club

Chapter Forty-Four: Who's This?

It was Friday now and a couple of days had gone by since Alexi started staying at Kyouya's house. All was finally back to normal, well at school at least. None of the students were bothering the female host about her current living conditions and Lexi was truly appreciative of how much support she was receiving from the hosts in regards to her constant visits to see how Fr. Kichi was recovering. They seemed to genuinely care about his health as well and she could've sworn she overheard Hunny telling Mori that Kyouya was personally covering all of his medical finances. Even though she knew the shadow king was capable of "random" acts of kindness, she was still too livid with him to begin to acknowledge any such action. So, the female host completely ignored that rumor and left it as such.

It was almost the end of club hours and the grey eyed boy couldn't wait for the close of the day to come. 'I'm tired of being around this ungrateful, snippy girl! Ever since I met her, she's been nothing but a pain in my side! I thought that finding out her secret would be the end of my frustrations with her, but all discovering the truth gave me, was more questions, more work on my part, to get her out of my hair, and more aggravation because now she has Kaoru teamed up against me. Don't they know who I am? Don't they realize that if they piss me off enough I can send them somewhere where not even the Witness Protection Program, or whoever sent her here, can find them?' Kyouya fumed to himself as he recalled how Kaoru came over the night before to help thoroughly examine the crime scene photos that the Ootori son somehow got a hold of. 'The thing I regret the most, besides opening my home to her, was making the suggestion of calling in Kaoru. He's gotten almost territorial about Alexi now and it's fraying my last nerve,' the boy thought as he removed his glasses to rub his aching temples.

Looking up from his hands, Kyouya noticed that the club was finally free of all customers, meaning that the day was over. While he did need to wait for Alexi to finish cleaning up, it still meant he could go home soon. 'If only going home meant getting away from the frustration that she brings,' he thought before a loud knock appeared at the door. "What now?" he grumbled to himself as he watched Hunny skipping towards the door.

"Can I help you?" the little blonde happily chirped, but as soon as he saw the scary man who was standing at the threshold, he recoiled behind his statue-like cousin. The man had shoulder length maroon hair and a scowl that seemed to permeate his features. It was clear by his gruff facial expression, and the fact that he wasn't wearing the full Ouran uniform, that he was some sort of thug. His eyes radiated an icy glare as he stepped aside to allow a kinder and more joyful looking boy to step out of his shadow. This boy looked to be the same age as the one in front of him, but his facial features were gentler and he had striking long, flowing silver hair that was held back in a single, high ponytail.

"Is a girl named Michelle here?" the silver haired boy asked, dispelling the silence that followed him after he closed the door.

Tamaki was skeptical of the boys who just entered the room because he recognized the redhead as Ritsu Kasanoda, the son of the third chief of the Kasanoda family, which was the most powerful clan in the Kanto region. The host king said in an over polite manner, hoping not to offend the boys standing in front of him, "I'm sorry, but club hours are over now, so if you'd like to come ba-" he managed to say before Kaoru cut him off.

"What d'you want with her?" the younger twin barked defensively as he stood to stand closer to Lexi.

Immediately and to everyone's surprise, even Ritsu's, the silver haired boy fell down to his knees and bowed deeply to the floor, respectfully putting his arms to his side. "My name is Tetsuya Sendo," the boy began, "and I have come to profess my sincerest gratitude to Michelle Warner for saving my brother Kurama."

At that comment, all tension of the room lifted and Lexi walked right up to the grateful boy. She knelt in front of him as she gently put her hand on his shoulder. "I had no idea Kurama had a brother. It's so nice to meet you," she said in her well practiced host voice. She didn't truly mean the words she was saying, because she was in full maternal mode and her mind was arguing, 'if he's Kurama's brother and is really grateful that I saved him, why didn't he stop the abuse earlier?'

Trying to maintain a good front as she wanted to question the silver haired boy, Alexi sweetly encouraged Tetsuya to stand and join her on a nearby sofa. Also kicking into host mode, Tamaki grandly readdressed the two visitors to the host club and asked them if they would like any refreshments. Recoiling slightly when Ritsu less than graciously asked for a cup of tea, the host club king was happy to rush off and get the desired beverages instead of staying in the room with such a scary individual. 'How is it that the fair maiden Michelle doesn't seem scared by such an intimidating person and is actually able to not focus on him?' Tamaki thought as he retreated to the tea caddy.

Protectively standing to the left of Lexi, who was sitting on the sofa next to Tetsuya, Kaoru spoke up saying what he knew his best friend was thinking, "If you're Kurama's brother, then how can we know to trust you? I mean, have you seen the condition that he's in?" he said as he was unknowingly getting emotionally angry at the thought of a brother who didn't protect his sibling.

Giving her best friend a smile for saving her from having to find a way to politely ask the same question, Lexi turned to Tetsuya and said in her host voice, "While Kaoru could have said that in a kinder manner, he has a point. What type of brother doesn't protect their little brother from the abuse we've all witnessed?"

At that comment, the silver haired boy broke down. He bent over and began to weep into his hands saying, "I didn't know my father would hurt Kurama when I left the family, I just knew I needed to get out of the Sendo clan. When I ran into the young master Kasanoda one day after an argument with my father, I knew then and there that I had to leave my past behind. My resolve in that moment was so final, that I didn't hesitate to think of the repercussions. I know what type of a monster my father is, I should've known that he would've taken his anger out on little 'Rama. I am a selfish human being and have truly failed as a brother," the boy managed to say in between his sobs.

At his explanation, all distrust faded away from the strawberry blonde host and she gingerly placed her right hand onto Tetsuya's back as she began to rub it in a comforting way. As she did this, she signaled one of the hosts to get her a box of tissues. Instinctually knowing what Lexi wanted, even though he didn't really want to leave her side, Kaoru ran off to get the desired box of tissues. Always being one to hate it when someone cries around him, Hunny bounded off of Mori's shoulders and sat next to the silver haired boy, on the opposite side of Alexi, and tried to offer Usa-Chan as a pick me up. Waving away the pink bunny, but gladly accepting the tissues, Tetsuya sat back up and looked Alexi in the eyes as he began to say, "And I don't know what is worse, the fact that I left my brother in the hands of that monster, or the fact that my father took his rage out on you as well Michelle."

At that phrase, all eyes in the room were intensely focused on the crying boy. "What do you mean by that?" Tamaki instantly materialized at that comment and bravely demanded his question. His mind flashed through a hundred different scenarios in which 'Michelle' was tortured, killed, kidnapped, and the victim of some other grave misfortune. His 'fatherly' instinct was kicking in, in high drive.

"How has your father taken out his rage on her?" the twins also jumped in, their voices brimming with defensiveness as well.

Truly intimidated by the angry eyes that seemed to radiate from everyone, except for his master and the female host, Tetsuya gulped before he squeaked out, "it was my father who burnt down the church that 'Rama used to visit Michelle in".

Hearing those words caused Lexi to inwardly spiral into a feeling of self-hatred and worry. 'I knew it was my fault that Fr. Kichi was hurt! Nothing I do comes without permanent and damaging effects... I need to just shut myself away from everyone in order to protect them. I can't believe I caused such a disaster this time. I'm nothing but trouble to anyone who knows me. It's all my fault...' the girl lamented as she turned away from Tetsuya's face.

Seeing that his best friend was intensely lost in her thoughts, Kaoru was about to reach out to comfort her when the silver haired boy started again. "I cannot apologize enough for my father's actions, but I assure you that through the generous support of my young master Kasanoda, we will provide all the funds needed to rebuild the church and the rectory. And, I can assure you that I will make sure my father pays for this crime. As for Kurama, I've discussed it with my young master and Ootori here. I'd like to take him with me and into a permanent and safe environment away from my father."

Hearing her antagonist's name being used, Alexi whipped her head around in shock to stare at the shadow king who had been visibly unmoved by this afternoon's whole ordeal. 'Wait, I knew he said that he'd find out more about Kurama's situation and find a safe place for him to live, but I didn't actually assume he did it. That's actually really...' the girl thought, but before her mind could form the word 'sweet', Kyouya spoke up for himself.

"I've just received word from Tachibana. He's informed me that he and Kurama will be here any moment," Kyouya said as he returned his phone to his pocket.

At that comment, Tetsuyu had a look on his face that somehow exhibited great joy, but great apprehension at the same time. "How can I expect him to forgive me for abandoning him with my father? How can I make him feel at ease? What will I do if he walks through that door and he hates me for what I've done?"

Shaking her pleasant thoughts about Kyouya from her mind, Lexi turned to face the silver haired boy and gently put her hand onto his clenched fists. "If you really left your family because you noticed your father had abusive traits, then it is not your fault what happened to Kurama, it's your father's. It's very important that you interact with him with kindness and patience, because he has been so physically and mentally abused by your father that he feels like he is worthless".

"But he is definitely not worthless!" Tetsuya screeched.

"I know that and you know that, but trust me on this. I've been caring for Kurama for the past few months and he's exhibiting the classic signs of self-deprecation and self loathing that people who have experienced severe trauma get. If you really want to help him and gain his trust and love," she started as the boy to her right furiously nodded his head, "then you need to treat him as the precious little child he is. Love him."

At those words, a loud set of knocks were heard on the music room door, causing everyone to slightly jump at the noise. Well, everyone except for Mori and Kyouya. Because Tachibana had only knocked as a formality, the tall escort opened the door and a timid little boy peered out from behind his legs. As he scanned the room to discover that he saw all the hosts, his new friends, Kurama took a side step from behind his hiding spot. However, he froze when he noticed two non-hosts in the room. Taking a minute to realize that the boy with the really long hair was his long lost brother, Kurama bolted to Tetsuya, with no hesitation, and leaped onto his lap with a huge bear hug.

"Brother!" the little boy squealed with delight. "I've missed you sooooooo much!" Kurama said as his brother started to cry again, this time with joy. The older brother nuzzled his face into the shoulder of his little sibling, soaking in the moment and the happiness of being reunited.

Giving the two the space they needed in order to get reacquainted, the hosts decided to take their leave, leaving Tachibana, Kasanoda, and the two brothers alone in the room. After the blue eyed host and the shadow king said their goodbyes to their friends and approached their own vehicle, she jokingly said, "You know Kyouya, if you keep doing such wonderful acts of kindness, people are going to think you do have a heart beneath all that winter snow." Seeing that the joke fell flat and she was angering the boy as they entered the cool limo, Lexi quickly added, "I'm sorry Kyouya, that was just a knee jerk reaction... Thank you for that."

"For what?" the grey eyed boy disinterestedly said as he waited for his escort to return to the car so he could drive them both home.

"Thank you so much for finding Kurama's brother. It really means a lot to me, not that it matters to you, but you really did a lot of good in that little boy's life."

"It's just good business," Kyouya coldly said in return.

"Fine, whatever, be a jerk about it," Alexi said as she plugged her ear buds into her ear to drown out any further retorts by her antagonist, "but still thank you for helping Kurama".

Unfortunately, since her ear buds were in and she was already blasting Disney music to avoid dwelling on the new information she received about the cause of the church fire, she didn't hear the whispered response of Kyouya.

"You're welcome, Alexi."

Hey there! I'm particularly proud of this chapter, since I like being able to delve into the world of Ouran and plug in some other, already known characters, to continue fleshing out the world. I hope you're enjoying the story as we continue to peel back some more layers of questions. Stay safe :) #CoronavirusGoAway