*Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club, and never will.

Back In Our World

Chapter 17 Coming to light.


Kaoru's POV

A few hours earlier …on the east coast

Seeing the sleek, black car roll up under a street light. I quickly push through the glass doors I had been impatiently waiting by. Quickly leaving them swinging, behind me. With my hands tucked in my pockets and my dark messenger bag hanging off my shoulder. I slowly make my way along the extended strip of crimson carpet. My exhausted body ducks down to enter the lighted back of the car. With a heavy sigh released through my lips my tired shoulders fall against the soft, black leather. The door gently closes next to me as I extend a hand to loosen a few buttons from my collar with a breath of relief. A long, stressful workday had finally come to a close.

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Leaning over I swiftly extend a hand to wrap my fingers around the long neck of a crystal cut decanter, filled with my preferred golden liquid. The decanter's golf ball sized topper wildly sparkled with the help of the overhead light. My hand quickly pulled the top with a loud "POP"…..Tilting the glass container to allow splashes of golden liquid to pour into my glass. Deciding with the rather prolonged strenuous day I just went through I needed to pour a double, adding a few more splashes into my glass. With an extremely long drive to the estate ahead of me, I reason with myself.

Why the hell not?

Once the decanter was back in place I lazily flopped my tired shoulders into the soothing cushions of the black leather seat. Being careful not to spill the square tumbler gracefully held between my fingers. I lifted the glass to my lips to encourage the smooth liquid to slowly trickle down my throat. Closing my eyes as I embrace the small pleasure the liquid has afforded me. Tension releases from my shoulders with the sounds of nothing, but an occasional car passing by. A far cry from today …or this morning.

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Haunting echoes of Haru's last words from this morning replayed in my head, the entire day…..it was a wonder I was able to get any work done.

"Kaoru, I don't know what to believe …your world has caused so much pain …..So many lies."

Her words violently tore at my very soul causing me to jerk my head back, takeing in more of the golden liquid, to numb the pain the memory caused. I could honestly say it was actually worst then her just up and disappearing on that awful day.

….but I refused to let go. Not if someone of a higher power actually listened to my miserable pleading heart. Granting me a second chance, my entire being begged for. She suddenly dropped from the heavens to land smack dab in the middle of my life's path. A blinding beam of light almost encompassing darkness. In a way like she arrived the first time, back at school.

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Now, the question is ….was I delivered the angel for me…. or for her…. or for mixture of the two? Even though the desired thought of the mixture of the two caused my chest to be engulf in raging flames. I knew I couldn't possibly deserve her loving me. My depressed, defeated eyes fall to my glass held in my hands.

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No….. I will always believe I was blessed with this enlighten creature from my past, for her and only her, to mend her broken wings. Allowing a long breath to gradually blow from my moistened mouth. Tilting the glass to my lips to push the rushing liquid down my throat, helping numb the pain.

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My golden eyes open to look down to a medium sized crimson paper bag, carefully perched next to me. White lotus blossoms were printed on the front of the insulated bag. With a small smile my hand comes down to bring it closer to myself. I just needed one tiny, successful step forward, before earning another, another. …..To slowly earn her trust…..I needed to earn her trust.


Two hours later…..

With my fingers tightly wound around the crimson bag's handle. I hurriedly walk through the brightly lit foyer to immediately climb the ascending mahogany stairs. Stopping by a member of the estate's expertly trained staff to quickly hand the bag over. With detailed instructions of how the bag's contents should be treated. I begin to walk once more before I abruptly stop in mid step to call back to the maid. Requesting Jake, my new driver to come to my room. After that, I impatiently make my way down a rather lengthy hallway to my private suite. Once walking through my door I cast off my suit jacket and toss it on the massive king sized bed.

A little while later…

Stretching out layers of sore, tightly wound strips of powerful tissue, beneath soaked taut skin. My dripping wet fingers spread wide against the smooth, marbled black slab of the open, rocked shower. Holding up my exhausted naked body amongst the torrent of heated water gushing from a multi-head shower. Large drops of water rain down on my dropped head, creating micro streams of torrid liquid to run against my face. Drips of water trickle across my sealed lips and closed eyes.

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Tilting my slicked back ginger head to force a stream of heated water to slide between my aching shoulders. Down the long, sunken trail along my spine of my tight, muscled back. The jets of heated massaged water drilling into my rigidly, hard muscles felt amazing, after the rather stressful day.

A throat suddenly being cleared breaks my solitude.

Turning my head, I see my uncomfortable driver around the corner, nervously staring at the ceiling. "Oh, hey Jake, how's it going?" Chuckling to myself under the water.

"You wished to see me sir." Still paying close attention to the ceiling.

"You know Jake, if you're uncomfortable you could have waited outside the door, I'm almost done…..However I must admit I'm enjoying your rather ambitious attitude." Speaking with a teasing tone. Lifting my hands to slick my water drenched hair back .Forcing streams of heated liquid on to my relaxed shoulders.

Speaks out with an annoyed tone as he stares up at the ceiling with his bright blue eyes. "Boss?!"

Takeing in a deep breath, before nervously asking. "How is she?"

"Nothing has really changed, she won't talk to anyone and returns the serving trays untouched." He speaks in a worried tone.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I was rather hoping she might have become more reasonable in my absence. Giving her some time to think this through." My head falls under the water once more in a saddened state.

Shaking his light brown head. "Boss, maybe you lost this one. Maybe, you should just let her go."

Reaching up to once again slick back my ginger hair. "Don't worry, didn't I tell you the woman is stubborn, and I'm afraid this is just the beginning."

Extending a hand out to the moisture covered silver knob, to turn off the water. I find a fluffy white towel roughly hurled at my chest, from my uncomfortable driver, whose eyes are cemented to the ceiling. "So, what do you think my next move should be?" Asking Jake with a raised eyebrow.

"Me, why are you asking me, sir? "

Taking pity on my driver I swiftly wrap the towel around my naked waist.

"Ouch, dude that looks like it hurts." His wide blue eyes catch sight of my chest.

Glancing down to my bruise torso covered in dark purple and yellow splotches. "What? Oh this, it's just a little present her father gave me to encourage me to move on."

"Damn boss, you're the one that's stubborn, maybe you should have taken the hint."

My fingers reach out to grab another towel from the stack, allowing it to fall open. "Anyway, from what I noticed from the other night you tend to be able to think on your feet …..And I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on the matter." Shrugging my water speckled shoulders, while leisurely strolling out of the bathroom.

Poking at his suit jacket as I casually walk by him. "Besides, it's part of your job description."

"As your driver, really sir?" Asking in an overly skeptical voice.

Rubbing a towel against my ginger head as I teasingly shake my head at the man. "Oh, Jake…Jake…. Jake it's just the tip of the iceberg, and you haven't even met Hikaru yet." My golden eyes shine with a mischievous spirit. I'm beginning to like my new driver, probably more than I've allowed myself to in a longtime. I'm not even close to trusting him, but a very small part of him reminds me of my twin, and it was a bit comforting.

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"Hikaru?" My driver gives out a confused look on his face.

"He's my brother, we like to share everything. If you think I'm demanding, wait till you drive him around." Keeping the little fact out that Hikaru is my identical twin for latter amusing, future fun.

My surfer looking driver begrudgingly accepts my request. "Fine, if it was me, I'd get her out of that room for at least awhile." Watching my unusually mannered driver flop down on the edge of my bed, while I make my way to the closet.

"Yeah, that runs along the same line of thought, I've been having too." Calling out from my closet, untucking the damp towel, allowing it to slowly slide off my firm, creamy cheeks.

"But, I wouldn't make it overly obvious …No, excessively formal dining rooms. You'll only make her more uncomfortable with your presence, and piss her off, even more." I chuckled at my driver's acutely observant words as I laced my legs into a freshly pair of worn jeans. With my fingers curling around the waistband I give it one good hard yank. Sliding the faded, denim fabric to slide over the silky material of my orange boxers. Allowing them to slowly slip down to ride low off my hips.

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"Hmm, sounds reasonable, give me a few minutes. Then bring her to my mother's studio."

Tugging a vintage t-shirt over my towel dried head. Strolling out of my closet into my dimly lit bedroom. To see my driver leaned against a far wall, with his hand tucked in his pockets. "Oh, and Jake, if you're still planning on leaving the country with us? Talk to the head of the estate's staff, so you're properly prepared by morning. We can't have you wearing the same suit every day." My toes sink down and scrunch into the soft woven material of the sprawling area rug. Flopping down on to my beige, silky bedspread to sit next to my nightstand.

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"Morning, what about it ?" Giving me a confused look.

"Have you decided to stay behind?"

"Ah no, I'm game. You're sort of a trip to work for. Well, except for the naked part." He nervously chuckles to himself.

He pulled his hands from his pockets to fold them at his chest. "It's just rather sudden, I thought you planned to be here for at least another week, for your work?"

My fingers dance across the chilled linked metal, clasping around my wrist. "Yes, I was scheduled to do so, but I've made arrangements for someone to finish fashion week in my stead. It rarely happens, but when I explained my reasoning, I was happily excused and replaced."

Inwardly rolling my eyes due to the fact I had to call my mother. Luckily, she was close to the states. Of course once she heard of my little discovery, she quickly agreed. Hell, after hearing it was about Haruhi she would have taken the concord from Antarctica, to help out.

"Reasoning, you mean the caged chicky, don't you sir?" The blue eyed driver rolled his eyes in my direction.

"Yes, as a matter fact it does. See, I told you about being able to think on your feet." Giving him a wide grin on my face.

My new driver shrugs his shoulders and proceeded to tease me. "It's not really a big deal, I've just seen how you act around the woman. Hell, bullets were zinging by our heads and you couldn't tear your eyes away from her. To even consider what kind of deadly situation we were in." Jake nervously chuckles to himself.

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Standing up to walk back to my bathroom to finish getting ready, turning my head to speak to my driver. "Yeah, well, it's a long story. Now, give me a few minutes, before you bring her to the office."


A little later …..

Extending a finger out to repeatedly strike a black key with frustration .My ginger strands fall into my clenching fingers, as the soft glow of my lap top radiates back across my vexed face. My eyes burned with a well-earned hatred for the rectangle boxes filled with numbers.

A throat is cleared to gain my attention. My golden eyes glance up from my numeral nightmare to see Jake, giving me a sarcastic look with a raised eyebrow. Mouthing the words "good luck" before leaving Haruhi alone in the doorway.

My heart suddenly stopped, as I watch the brunet woman, I've desperately searched for begrudgingly take a few steps into the room. My golden eyes travel over her body, until my attention is drawn to her hands resting on the curve of her hips. "You beckoned for me, oh, great kidnapper." Speaking in an annoyed tone.

Her tone breaks me from my hidden haze. My golden eyes look up at her in disbelief with my head still tilted in my clenched fingers. "Great kidnapper? Really Haruhi, we've been friends for years." Purposely rolling my eyes towards her, as I speak in an sarcastic tone.

"We were friends for just two years, until you were no longer there." She spoke with a blunt tone as she carelessly shrugged her shoulders. Being a master of keeping your feeling under wraps I could tell the end of her sentence caused her pain.

Straining her angry chocolate eyes in my direction. Crossing her arms at her chest. "Then, suddenly out of nowhere you kidnapped me off the street."

Her stubborn behavior causes me to toss myself back into my leathered seat, with frustration. Allowing an irritated breath to blow pass my lips. Slowly regaining my composure I lean forward once more to speak in an honest, pained voice. "I may not have been there for you when you needed me the most….And you have no idea, how much that tears at me. Just knowing I failed you, but I'll be damned if you question my loyalty as a friend. This entire time I've never stopped being your friend."

.

Reaching up to run a hand through my hair while I take another calming breath. A smile full of mischief emerges on my lips with a sudden counter argument. "Besides, if it was just two years as you suggest, I would think you would have to agree we were very close those two years. Were we not?"

"Yeah….. I guess you would be considered somewhat right. "Begrudgingly agreeing with my point .She unfolded her arms to wave them in the air with irritation. "Fine, why am I here Kaoru?"

A wide smile grows on my lips with her obvious irritation with my small win. "I thought we could eat while I work. If you don't mind?" Waving a hand to a table a few feet away from me. The polished, dark table normally meant for studying held a simple lime green placemat. Perched on the mat sat a white cardboard take out container, a tall, clear water bottle and a pair of wooden chopsticks, nothing more. Of course it's from one of the best Japanese restaurants in New York City, but I'm not about to tell her that.

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"Why would it matter, It's not like your keeping me here against my will." She speaks sarcastically as she flops her body into the offered chair.

Seeing her begrudgingly accept my offer my eyes fall back to the dreaded stacked rectangles filled with numbers. "Haruhi, I've already explained to you why I'm doing this."

My mask remained indifferent on my face. Peeking over my wide black laptop I could see her huff to herself and roughly opened the container. With irritation coloring her movements she abruptly slid the wooden chopsticks from the paper sleeve. Her much longer chestnut hair, tied up in a ponytail, slid across her alabaster neck as she rested her head in a propped up hand. I inwardly smiled to myself to see I could at least get her to eat, although begrudgingly.

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"Look, if this is about the lawyer thing for my mother don't trouble yourself, that dream died long ago." Her chocolate eyes fell to stare at the chopsticks in her hand. Her words were sharp but defeated.

"Oh, so what are your goals now?" My curious golden eyes reflecting the bright screen of my laptop made an obvious appearance over the wide screen.

Her sharp chocolate eyes snapped up to glare in mine. "Don't, you can't just act like nothing happened…like everything is fine, because it's not." Even though her eyes were angry with mine an all too familiar feeling begins to emerge.

Ignoring the small feeling my words come out a bit too sharp. "I know it's not, but I'm here trying never the less…Can you at least give me that?"

Her head angrily snapped back to her food to ignore what I had said. She roughly shifts her food around her plate before she brings a piece of salad roll to her naturally, glossed lips. The small feeling deep within me grows with the absolute alluring sight. Forcing my eyes back to my columns of numbers in front of me.

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Silent tension begins to fill the entire room. With only my irritated clicking of the keys to break through every few minutes. With my hands hovering over the keys my eyes glance over to my own dinner, sitting untouched next to me. The edges of my lips turned down at the sight, as I turned back to my screen. Just her being in the same room after so many years caused my stomach to twist in a sharp pain and my appetite to decrease. It was taking everything of my very being to stay glued in the leather bound chair. My body burned to leap over the desk, to just be close to her. The emerging feeling deep inside of me told my slowly shrinking rational side, of my brain that was the absolute worst thing for me to do.

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The sound of a frustrated sigh breaks the silence. "Fine, Kaoru." Her shoulders fall, while her head raises to catch sight of my eyes.

"Yes, Haruhi." My voice along with my features masked with indifference.

She begrudgingly speaks. "If you want to alleviate your conscious and set things right? Just help out with my tuition for school, and end this." I couldn't entirely believe what just came from her lips. The one thing all of the hosts knew was no matter the reason, no matter how small the amount… she would never ask nor accept any money.

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After hearing her request my features molded into my well-crafted face of a CEO of a large company. Leaning back into my high backed chair with my elbows comfortably resting on the chair's soft arms, fingers tented in front of my chest. "So you're asking me to just throw money at the problem? That doesn't sound like you."

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"People change …..Priorities change." Her head falls to her plate as defeated words slip from her gloomy lips. She pushes her food around to hide her face from me.

Her defeated attitude towards the situation wasn't lost on me …. It's worst then I first thought. Damn it! Kyoya could have at least left some of her self-pride intact.

"As you know, I could very easily do as you suggest, without another thought with as little as a phone call-"Waving a hand to my cell sitting next to me.

Her irritated voice cuts me off. "Great, so we have an agreement and we can end this?" I could tell this agreement was bothering her as she attempted to hide her tone…but what stopped me in my tracks, what caused me to question her entire demeanor is her relieved expression on her face. Her carefully placed mask is slipping. …quite simply she was lying to me. She despised asking me for the money. So why was she ignoring her own feelings. Better question, why was she hiding her relief for ending this?" It wasn't like her.

Something Ranka had said to me on that rather memorable night echoed in my head.

"Although, I still have a feeling she is holding something back."

"But I won't." I simply replied.

She abruptly stood from her chair. Her chocolate eyes blazed with fury towards me. "What! Damn it, Kaoru! You said you wanted to help me! This is our perfect chance to end this, before anyone else gets hurt!"

And there it is. Her true intent fell before me. She wanted this to end quickly, before someone else was hurt. Someone else, not her.

I quickly stood from my chair. "Can't you hear it in your own voice…? Because, I sure the hell can."

"Hear what?" She snaps at me.

I quickly walk over to stand in front of her. Takeing a deep breath before speaking in a soft, honest tone. "Haru, it's not just because of schooling and you know it. It's in your voice."

I cautiously wrap my fingers around her shoulders. My emotional eyes burn down above her, to catch her eyes with mine. "Your broken, you've been broken for a considerable amount of time, Hell, Ranka even told me as much. I'm here to fix that." Speaking with a soft honest tone.

"You should just let it go." She turned her head away from me.

She is stubbornly turned away from me as I attempt to convince her. "Isn't that what friends do for one another? They help you up, when you're down? In fact isn't that what you said back at Ouran?"

"Ouran was a long time ago." Strangled whispers fell from her lips.

I begin to speak with a determined voice. "Well, I still remember…...and I'm here now. So I'm afraid just throwing money around, isn't a consideration for me. I'm here for all the pieces of the puzzle not just your schooling."

She shakes her turned head before slowly turning back to allow one of her chocolate eyes to peek at my determined expression. "So, you're really not going to let me go?"

I sharply shake my head, knowing she can see my face. "No, I'm not."

She didn't say anything, but I could see her peeking eye slowly travel over my features.

Still holding her arms I stubbornly shift my head to catch her entire face as I continue to speak. "If it was up to you, you would allow the matter to rest, and remain broken. I simply can't allow you to injure yourself in such away, any further."

"But, shouldn't that be my decision?" She angrily twisted her arms out of my grasp.

"Normally yes, it would be, but I believe since the incident you haven't been thinking clearly, you're obviously scared about something…..and judging by your father's behavior during our little conversation I'm not the only one that thinks so."

I timidly reach out a hand to pull her in closer. Slowly my arms enclose around her. "Haru, you've been hurt. Ignoring it, isn't going to fix things."

Just the simple feeling of Haruhi exhaling against my chest caused the familiar feeling inside me to grow in strength. My shrinking rational side of my brain was begging for me to go back to my desk. The growing powerful feeling wanted me to get even closer. I struggled against the feeling causing my hands to shake, and tighten around her for a short moment. No, even though, just a few minutes earlier she was angrily demanding me to end this, she slowly accepted my arms. She needs this, we both do.

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She didn't pull away as she spoke against my chest. "If you're thinking about me talking with a Psychologists my father beat you to it, years ago."

"No, not unless you're comfortable with it." Speaking softly with my cheek resting against the top of her head. Having her in my arms like this caused my entire body to release a tension from her disappearance, I've been carrying with me, for so long.

Softly speaking the words. "Besides, I think a more direct approach would be faster….I, myself, would like some answers."

"Wait, you don't mean?" Her head shot up to look at me.

"That's exactly what I mean." Giving her a small reassuring smile.

"To go back to Japan? No, I won't go, I simply won't go…I can't face them!" Her chocolate eyes turned horror stricken with tears streaming down her cheeks. Forcefully trying to push me away from her.

Shocked by her panicked outburst I wrapped my arms around her tightly. Jerking her tearstained face into my yellow t-shirt. "Okay, okay…..shhh, Haru it's alright." Speaking in a soft comforting tone barely above a whisper.

"Shhh Haru, relax we won't go back right away." Calmly shifting my weight from side to side. My soothing actions cause her panicked sobs to gradually dissipate.

Speaking softly and cautiously, being afraid to set her off again. "Haru, you know, it might help to tell me what actually happened."

She shakes her head in my chest. "I can't."

"I understand, I won't push you." With my arms wrapped around her the room grows once more silent and tense with the two of us standing in the center of the room.

She lifts a delicate hand to wipe her reddened eyes. Nodding her head in the direction of my everlasting torment on my laptop. "So, um what are you working on over there?" Breaking through the silence.

Begrudgingly, I drop my arms from her, and walk over to the polished desk. "What else, but my arch nemesis, calculations as usual. I'm afraid to this day it remains to be a weakness of mine. Hika, seems to be gifted with my half of the brain when it comes to numbers. No matter how hard I try he always has to run through my work and fix my inevitable mistakes."

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"May I take a look?" She cautiously follows me around the desk.

"Uh, really?" Giving her a look of disbelief.

She shrugs her shoulders, before leaning over to peek at the bright white page. "Might as well, It's clear you're not going to let me, go any time soon."

Resting a hand on the back chair I quickly spin the chair in her direction. Motioning with my other hand to offer her my seat. "Be my guest." She nods her head, before sitting in the seat.

A few good natured chuckles slip for my lips, as I notice the leather chair practically swallowing her alive. Leaning down I make a few adjustments so the chair fits better. After I see she is comfortable, I gently slide her closer to the desk. She quickly studies over the screen for a moment, before her fingers begin to blur across the keys.

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I soon hop on the edge of the desk and grab my dinner next to me. My bare feet dangle off the sides of the desk, while I balance the container on my lap. Opening the container to quickly take a bite of my spicy sushi. My curious eyes travel over Haruhi as she works. Studying her clothes with a discerned eye, until my eyes caught sight of a little, black oval pinned to her chest. "So Haru, what's with the clothes?"

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She stopped her furious typing to glance down to herself. She continued to type with her voice full of sarcasm, and to be honest a remainder of irritation. "This happens to be what I was wearing when I was so rudely kidnapped off the street ….It's called a work uniform, most people wear them. I'm sure you 'rich bastards' have quite a few employees wear them."

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Ignoring her colorful 'rich bastard' comment I spoke in a cautious tone. "It's from the Embassy Suites, isn't it?"

Her fingers froze over the keys, turning to me with a confused look on her face. "Wait, how would you know that?"

Waiting to finish swallowing, before speaking honestly. "It's where I was staying, while I was searching for you in Portland."

Her chocolate eyes grew round with my words. "So, that's how you found me?"

A wide smile emerged of my lips, as I playfully shake my head. "Nope, it was just dumb luck. You were in a group of umbrellas that drew my attention, while I was grabbing some coffee."

"Lucky for you, someone called in sick." Lifting another piece of sushi to my mouth while her words struck like lightning, causing my hand to freeze with the sushi, just a half an inch away from my awestruck mouth. The piece of sushi flew from my chopsticks to roll down the front of my vintage t shirt. My eyes hastily slide down the path the rolling sushi had taken. Irritated with my less then graceful moment, I roughly set down the takeout box next to me to inspect my lucky t-shirt.

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Until, a small giggle touches my ears to pull my attention from it. Turning to see Haru continue to type while biting her lip. Pretending to intensely concentrate at the screen and hold a straight face.

With a mischievous grin on my face, I lean in close to her ear to whisper in a husky voice. "Well, then it must be fate."

Annoyed by my playful tease she flashes her sharp eyes in my direction and pushes me away. "What? I was just saying I was on my way to the airport." Speaking with an exaggeratingly defensive tone.

After a few chuckles something nagged at my lips to be asked cautiously, with a soft voice. "So how long have you worked there?"

She continued on with my work, while she answered my question. "A few years, the tips are decent, and the hours are flexible, so I can take a few classes."

"So you are trying to be a lawyer?" I picked my dinner back up and continued eating.

"No, I figured a long time ago that it just wasn't in the cards for me, in fact I learned a long time ago not everything is what it really seams." Her words caused her fingers to slow and stop. At the end of her words she was just staring at her hands that hovered over the keys, I could tell something had upset her.

I'm about to nudge her from her lost state when she comes around on her own. She awkwardly glanced over to catch my concerned face. She gave me a forced smile. "But even though it's difficult at times, I never stop trying."

Seeing her odd behavior I cautiously ask. "So what have you decided to do now?"

"Actually, I haven't, it's just general classes at a local community college for now….So how's Hikaru?"

Thinking about my brother and all the endless pain we endured over the years causes my head to fall in a heartbroken state. I shake my head, as my tone turns miserable. "To tell you the truth, I don't think you'll want to know about either of us since you left, so let's just leave it at that."

"Oh sure, I'm being forced to accept help, but you can't open up and share with me …..That doesn't seem fair." She speaks bluntly.

Seeing a glimmer of the old blunt Haruhi pushed me forward to tell her the truth, to always tell her the truth. Letting out a long sigh blow across my lips, before revealing a long held secret my brother held. "Fine, if you must know he was shattered ever since-"

"That day…. I picked another." Her hand paused on the keys with her head pointed down. The words softly left her lips.

Stunned from what I heard I slowly nodded my head. "Yes, I'm afraid you're right…. He was okay with it as long as you were happy, but it was still really hard for both of us."

She lifted her head slowly to reveal moist heartbroken eyes. Her whispered words came out hoarse and strangled. "Why else do you think I agreed to leave Japan? …..So, I wasn't a constant reminder to him."

Stunned from what she said I leaped from on top of the desk to fall to my knees. Grabbing her by the arms, and gazing into her tearful eyes. "Haru, you went to Boston for Hikaru?"

She nodded her miserable sad head. "And for you too, but for the most part yes. I couldn't help see the pain in his eyes, for the choices I had made. He was being brave, but I could tell every time I was with my chosen one it killed him inside, just a little each time." I pulled her close to my chest to hide my own tears. Images of our shared past came flooding back to me. To the point of my head straining desperately to keep above them like I was suddenly drowning in an endless sea of memories.

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Had she figured out my true feelings for her?

"So when my chosen came out of the blue, and asked me to follow him to the states I agreed immediately." I noticed she wouldn't say his name or even refer to him as her 'Ex'. Constantly referring to Tamaki as her 'chosen one'. Every time she said it, I felt like she was saying it to remind herself about something…like some kind of outcome she had chosen, because of her choice.

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Pained words just fell from my lips, before I actually realized what I had said. "Haru, why did you… pick him?"

A miserable whisper came from Haru. "That was so long ago." and nothing was said after that. For what felt like hours as the silent tension begins to build in the room from her being held so close against my chest. Kneeling on the floor with my body completely surrounding her, until she pushed herself away and regained her composure.

She sat back in the chair to motion to the screen. "So how does it look?"

I of course awkwardly follow her to stand next to the leather chair. "Uh yeah, you seem to have a knack for it."

I playfully pointed to a column. Are you sure that one is right?"

"Yes, I'm absolutely sure." She snapped back in an annoyance.

I didn't want to break her half decent mood and piss her off again …But I'm afraid it just couldn't wait. "So, ah Haruhi, about tomorrow morning?"

She flops back into the leather chair with a heavy sigh and her arms folded at her chest. Her eyes look up to study my face, before her chocolate eyes narrow in my direction. "Let me guess, your flying me off in one of your 'rich bastard's' planes."

I nervously scratch the back of my neck, before awkwardly nodding my head. "Uh, yeah." She says nothing, but gives me a hard glare, waiting for me to continue.

Knowing I really needed this to be a win, I nervously ramble out my words the best I can. "Haru, will you please agree to come with me? I really don't want to drug your food."

A/N Just a little inside joke for the Hikaru's Doodles readers.

Her wide chocolate eyes glanced over to her almost empty plate and back to me. Her eyes were sharply aimed at me, as her voice came bursting out. "You drugged my food!?"

Franticly speaking and shaking my head. "Uh, no, I didn't mean that! I swear, it's just something that popped out of my mouth, honest!" She again studied my features, before her sharp anger begins to melt away into an almost amused annoyance. She turned her head, but my eyes still managed to catch just the tiniest smile forming.

.

Seeing the smile caused a wide mischievous grin to appear on my face. "Although, I do have to admit, if you agreed, it would be a whole lot easier." My molten eyes slid over to capture her eyes in a pleading expression. Her eyes grew with every captured moment, unable to look away.

.

Until she pushed me away and shook her head. She spoke with annoyance. "Fine, it's not like I have a choice in the matter, like always you're going to do what you want, anyway."

"Really?" Taken back that it actually worked.

She deliberated for a minute, before she rolled her eyes in annoyance and nodded her head. Her small nod caused my heart to leap from my chest. I couldn't believe I had won this small step forward. Inside I wanted to drop to my knees in thankful sobs for that small annoyed nod. Outside, well, let's just say my features weren't exactly indifferent….

.

I threw my arms around her in excitement, as I rambled out my words. "Oh, you have no idea…. Without Hika, my travels for work become rather lonely. I'll take you first to London then Paris and after that Florence…..and of course everywhere else in Europe I want to show you."

She pushed her arms away from me. "Okay, fine…. just not Tokyo."

Her words sliced through my excitement, leaving me confused and deeply concerned. "Uh, Haru, sooner or later we'll have to go back home. Don't you want to see Hika Again?" She nods her head once more with a small smile caused by the mere mention of my twin.

"Yes I do…." She drops her head.

"Then, I don't understand, why can't you go back ….what are you not telling me, Haru?" The sight of Hika's smile caused my words to come out a bit sharp.

She slowly lifts her head to peer up into mine. Here chocolate eyes reveal hurt, sadness, but most all fear is building in her eyes. "I can't, I won't go back."

The fear in her eyes is just like, before I just couldn't believe she feared Japan so much, she didn't want to go back ."But, Haruhi what about your mother?"

"Japan is no longer my home, I gave it up years ago …It's better for everyone involved….."

Haru drops her head in defeat. Miserable words whisper from her lips. "…if I just let it go."

End of Kaoru's POV


Hikaru's POV

I feel my body float in nothingness. My panicked golden eyes open to nothing, but a sea of pitch black all around me. Frantically searching my eyes glance up to see a tiny glimmer of light. I begin to attempt to struggle with my arms and legs to swim towards the far away light, but the substance I'm deeply submerged in is heavier then water. I wildly thrash my entire body incessantly closer to the light. When a dull throbbing pain could be felt. Impatiently thrusting my body to the shimmering light, suddenly feeling the throbbing develop into a sharp pain. Seeing I can practically stretch my shaky arm to my furthest reach of the glimmering light, I begin to hear murmured voices.

"Damn it, where the hell is she?!"

"Leave him be, the unlucky bastard is waiting for the Boss"

"Why the hell did you have to knock him out."

"Just leave the new plate of food and get the hell out."

Frantically stretching my fingers towards the dancing surface light. A sharp, pounding pain washes over me, as I finally burst through the surface. A small "click" causes my eyes to slowly flutter open. Squinting my burning eyes to filter the light with my long lashes lightly scissored together…..To see a white daisy. My blurred eyes begin to search my surroundings, noticing I am lying on a bright blue carpet with a wall of daisies in front of me.

.

My stiff arms shake, while I push myself off the carpet. A hammering feeling erupts in my head causing me too carefully extend a hand to the back of my head. Only to hiss through my tightly clenched teeth when my finger lightly traces over a tender, healing spot. Sitting on the floor the only question my mind plays with every throb of my head is

…Haru…where the hell are you?

End of Hikaru's POV

End of chapter


This ended up to be a longer chapter then I first anticipated.

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