Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.
Back in our world by Alimackatjac
Chapter 24 A Heart's Sacrifice
Hikaru's POV
I watched, as the pure raw anger that once filled my little brother quickly dissolved into a quiet misery. With both Kaoru's hands resting on the polished wood of his desk, his ginger head drops, along with his defeated shoulders. "I overheard her say it, when she was speaking with Ranka….Remember, I was in the same damn room." Letting out a depressed sigh. "I heard it all, straight from her own lips."
With Kaoru's head pointed at his desk, small moist circles emerge on the glossed wood. "It's what convinced him to finally let you go."
My brother's broken words caused me to take in a quick breath, as I stood there speechless.
After a moment, Kao, lifted his arm and rubs his obscured face with his sleeve, before straightening his shoulders. He lifts the bottle of golden liquid out in front of him, with his voice coming out miserable and cold. "So, if you don't mind, I plan on drinking through the rest of this, and find myself a date or two for the evening. I figure screwing my way through my long awaited rejection, won't completely work, but it's a start. " My devastated twin tilts the scotch bottle in my direction, giving me a sad congratulatory salute with it, just before lifting it to his lips, roughly jerking his ginger head back. After pulling the bottle away from his lips, he lifts his arm to his mouth, wiping it with his sleeve. He stumbled a bit as he turned his back with the bottle's neck tightly held in his fist.
"Kao, don't do this!" Reaching out, catching my brother's hand.
My twin tries to forcefully jerk his hand away from my tightened fingers. "What's a matter Hika? You of all people should be happy it's turned out this way. You get the girl, she picked you, not me. All these years…. I thought I just didn't give myself a chance …that we really did share those deep feelings for each other. Little did I know, I've been wrong this whole damn time….I was just a place holder, until the real twin showed up."
My emotional golden eyes burn towards my twin. "Kao, I didn't want to get the girl like this," Letting out a sigh, "Not…. by hurting you."
"Well Hika, how the hell did you think it was going to turn out? I wasn't blind all those years ago! Hikaru, admit it! We both saw something there, it was just a matter of time…...before everything was ripped apart! Hell, we almost did it to ourselves…until I-" Kaoru trails off, just before attempting to roughly jerk his hand away, as we begin to fiercely struggle over the bottle. "It doesn't matter, it's over damn it, now, leave me the fuck alone!"
"Stop it! Please, just stop it! I hate it when you two fight!" A desperate pleading voice comes from the door.
"Haru?" My golden eyes flash to the door, where the beautiful brunette stands in the doorway with tears trailing from her emotional chocolate eyes.
"You need to just stop! Can't you see what's happening?" She glances between the two of us.
Kaoru immediately stops struggling, lifting his stunned head to the door. "Haru, ah, how long have you been standing there?" His tone turned sheepish.
Lifting her long pink sleeve, that slightly covers her hand, rubbing her emotional face with it. Standing in the doorway, for a long, quiet tense moment, before the brunette casually walks over to the two of us. Haru's glossy chestnut hair is wept off her shoulders in a high pony tail, she is wearing an oversized pink button up tied in the front and a pair of hip hugging jeans. She obviously leaped out of bed and headed straight for her closet as soon as I left the room, spending just enough time to throw some clothes on and rush out the door behind me. The burette beauty stops right in front bottle of scotch, my twin and I were just struggling with, and shrugs her shoulders. "Well, long enough to see a half-naked woman walk pass me."
"Uh, you saw that?" Kaoru asks with a guilty tone.
Hearing the brunette's words caused my heart to beat rapidly as panicked words burst from my lips. "Listen, Haru I can explain!"
Haruhi crosses her arms at her chest, while intently looking towards me. "Really? I'd like to hear it."
With Haru's wide chocolate eyes giving me an expectant look I mentally plunge into my devious head, frantically pulling folder after folder from my file cabinet of ideas. In an attempt to come up with some kind of feasible excuse for the half-naked woman. Finding my all brilliantly kept files and mind uncharacteristically blank, I begin to scheme for sheer survival, ready to throw my beloved twin under the bus for the cause. Hell, he's already given up, so he probably wouldn't mind, much.
Hastily swinging out an arm, pointing a finger at Kaoru's chest. Only being caught by surprise by the unsuspected sight of my little brother's finger adamantly pointed at my chest. "It's his fault!" We both yell out at the same time. Seeing our little twin moment, Haru lifts her hand to the bridge of her nose remaining silent and only shakes her dropped head in front of us.
Taking advantage of my awkwardly stumped twin I easily slip the bottle from my brother's distracted fingers. "Wait a minute, Haru? It couldn't be her." Raising a knowing eyebrow, speaking in a teasingly sarcastic tone. "I seem to recall telling someone to stay at the hotel…that this is twins' business and only twins' business."
Walking over to a small prep table, across the room, setting the overly used bottle away from my depressed twin, as I tease the brunet beauty. Strolling back with a smirk on my lips, arriving in front of her, towering over the petite brunet with my arms crossed at my chest. "You wouldn't know anything about that, now, would you?"
Haru unfolds her arms, lifting her hand to her perplexed face, like she was deep in thought. "Hmmm, let me think about that….. Well, as a matter fact yes, I do. But to be honest, I merely told you, I understood, in no way, did I agree to stay behind." Shrugging her shoulders, "Besides, since when have I ever listened to you." Haru lets out a chuckle at my stunned face.
Stepping in front of the beautiful brunette, pointing a finger at her chest. "I should have known, you let me off the hook way too easy…. Go ahead keep on laughing." My lips begin to slowly curl into a mischievous smile, before leaning down next to Haru's ear. Allowing a rough whisper to blow pass my lips. "I have some rather interesting plans for you ….in gaining my revenge." Haru immediately stops laughing at me, as her face catches on fire with my slightly suggestive and teasing words.
"Ah Sorry guys, I don't mean to interrupt you, in your…..Well, whatever this is, but I have things to do." My brother turns to walk away, lifting a hand to blindly wave in the air.
"Kaoru, you're wrong!" That is until Haru's clear voice breaks through the silence.
Upon hearing our friend's words Kaoru quickly turns around. "Pardon?"
Haru cautiously walks up to my bewildered brother, extending her hands to gently hold his hand. "I said, you're wrong. It's true, I told my father I needed Hika, but what I didn't say is …. I need you too, Kaoru. I always have." A sharp pain suddenly strikes my chest, as I hear my long time love's blunt words….for not just another man, but my twin.
Noticing Kaoru's mask slide from his features, revealing overly emotional eyes gazing at the woman, standing before him. Pulling his hands away from hers, gently grabbing the side of her arms. "But Haru, the way you acted that night, after you spoke to your dad?"
"I was worried about Hika, and what my father had done to him." Her cheeks warmed as she slid her eyes away, while awkwardly pushing her hair back behind her ear. "I wanted to talk about the kiss, but it just didn't seem like the right time. I figured you were worried too, so I didn't say anything." Lifting her eyes catching Kaoru's.
"Kiss, what kiss?! Care to include me in this conversation?" Becoming irritated from what I was hearing, glancing between the two of them.
Kaoru's suddenly takes in a sharp gasp of air, as they were caught into each other's sickening emotional gaze, while completely ignoring me. "Haru, you have no idea how I really wanted that night to end….that entire night I couldn't sleep. I just stared at the door, wishing I could just talk to you."
I couldn't help, but feel like the third wheel, wondering if I didn't just cause an irreversible situation for myself, by leaving Haru and going after my twin. Have I actually done something so stupid I will never forgive myself for? With a burning dark feeling crushing my chest I quickly reach out, roughly grabbing my brother's shoulder ,abruptly spinning him around, to face me in my intense searing eyes.
"Hika, what the hell is your problem?" Kaoru's glaring eyes caught mine in angered confusion.
Reaching out with both hands, tightly clutching the fabric of my little brother's open shirt, before roughly jerking him closer. "You're ignoring me and my freaking question. Now start talking!" Seething through clenched teeth.
Kaoru lifts his hands to my chest, violently pushing away from my grasp. "Like I have anything to explain to you… or do I have to remind you of earlier!"
"Stop it!" Quickly stepping in-between us, throwing out her arms. Being sure no harm accidently befalls the woman, who adamantly stands between us, I let out a frustrated huff and quickly step back. With my searing hot temper bubbling over my closed fists shake at my sides while my eyes burn towards a pair of identical eyes. Haru drops her head with a heavy sigh, speaking softly to herself in a miserable, lost tone. "I could handle one, but two? …after all these years….. It hasn't changed …..Nothing has changed."
My anger for my twin immediately melts away with her woeful words. "Haru?" Accidently speaking at the same time my brother and I glance at each other, completely lost on how to comfort our distraught friend.
Haru turns around to face us, once more, revealing streams of tears gushing from her emotional chocolate eyes. "Damn it, I swore to myself after that night, I wouldn't be the one …..I couldn't be the one!" Haru's distraught words come out sharp, but it didn't feel like she was speaking to us, but rather scolding herself. "But, here I am."
Kaoru quickly reaches out, grabbing her arms, speaking with deep concern. "One what?" Pulling her into his chest, while wrapping his comforting arms around her. "Shhh, you're not making any sense, Haru." My twin speaks to her softly as Haru buries her emotional head into his exposed bruised chest.
Watching the woman's shoulders shake I cautiously walk up to my brother and Haru, placing a comforting hand on the top of her head. "Yeah, try and calm down. What night are you talking about?"
My brother lifts his head from the top of hers, "Shhh, Hika, let her tell us in her own time." Kaoru, speaks softly.
Haru pulls her head away from my brother's chest, letting out a small sniffle. She reaches up and wipes her tears away with her pink sleeve, before lifting her head, to my little brother. "Kao, I hate to ask, but do you mind?" Haru motions to across the room, to the half empty scotch bottle. "I may need a little help getting through this."
"Ah, yeah, sure." Kaoru nods his head, before making an attempt to pull away.
Seeing Haru's emotional tearstained face causes me to place a supportive hand on my twin's shoulder. "Don't worry about it little brother, I've got it." Walking over and snatching the bottle with my fingers, before glancing around the large room. "Ah Kao-"Lifting the bottle to my twin, with a confused look.
Letting out a sigh, "By my work station." Speaking to me without his concerned watchful eyes turning away from our upset friend.
My golden eyes glance around the area my brother mentioned, "Thanks." Speaking in a distracted tone as my searching eyes scan the show's prep area, until I spot the glasses. Hastily walking over to a small table, next to my brother's workstation. My fingers quickly flip over a sparkling clean tumbler. Tilting the bottle down, encouraging the smooth golden liquid to slowly flow in the awaiting glass. It wasn't long, before I found the beautiful brunette sitting in a chair, at one of the make-up stations, with my concerned brother kneeling in front of her. Being careful not to upset her further, I cautiously hand the straight up scotch to my longtime friend. "Here you go. Sorry, were out of ice."
"Thanks Hika," Lifting her emotional eyes, sharing a small thankful smile with me.
"Yeah, no problem." Noticing her hands are roughly shaking around the glass, as she slowly brings the glass to her lips. After seeing her hands I peek over the brunettes head, briefly sharing a concerned look with my equally troubled twin. Seeing the normally indifferent girl from my past just emotional freak out in front of me caused me to question….What has our longtime friend been hiding, from us?
End of Hikaru's POV
Haru's POV
Dropping my eyes to the golden liquid, I couldn't stop my hand from shaking around the glass. It had been so long since I silently locked away this secret….from the two men sitting before me.
Straining to hold back the stinging tears, at the corners of my red swollen eyes. With my eyes sadly dropped to my trembling fingers around the glass tumbler. Watching the golden ripples spread out within my somewhat shaky glass as I build the strength to finally break my silence.
"Well, let's see, it happened on that ski trip. In fact, it ended up being our last one…. All because of me."
Flashback… Poolside.
"Sorry, Hika, I just can't." My heart aches seeing Kaoru's woeful eyes, causing me to jerk my arm away from Hikaru's grasp. Small splashing waves of water rippled from my panicked body as I quickly wade through the water. Hastily reaching out for the silver railing and climbing out of the heated pool.
A frigid breeze blows against my newly exposed skin, causing my body to violently shiver. Hastily throwing out an arm, reaching out for a white cotton robe to shield my freshly emerged goose bumped skin. Straining to hold back my tears, as I run towards my room. Passing Kaoru's stunned face while softly whispering out my pained words to him. "I'm sorry, Kao."
.
"Haru!" Running away, not daring to turn around, while hearing Hika's voice call out. Unleashed tears begin to fall from my eyes, as my heart felt like it was being pulled into two equally opposite directions. Not caring which direction I escape, I throw out my arms against a metal door. Bursting through it, before my feet clumsily sprint up countless stairs. However, the further my feet carry me the, more broken I feel.
.
Practically keeling over against a painted wall, my lungs heave to take a burning breath, as I'm unable to run any further. Lifting my sobbing head to see another door, slowly extending out a hand to shove the metal door open. Slipping through it with my exhausted body wrapped in the white terry cloth robe, stumbling into a dimly lit deserted hallway. My pool soaked hair sticks to the side of my face, with chilled drops occasionally dripping off my chestnut strands. Flopping back against the nearest wall, as I catch my breath and more importantly, attempt to pull myself together from my faltering emotions.
.
"I should have known! You just had to be here!" Until heated words almost cause my body to crumble.
My eyes flashed in the direction of the irate words. My tear strained eyes glance over to see a pristine white sheer slightly rustling around a pair of french doors left ajar. Cautiously moving towards the open door, when I hear Kaoru shout out. "Hika, I didn't do anything!"
Silently slipping out of the French doors, finding spots of shimmering light dancing against the stone baloney. Cautiously creeping closer until I see the origin of the dancing patches as the balcony edge hoovers high over a brightly lit sky blue pool. Quietly walking to the edge of the balcony, before slipping into the shadows. Casting my emotional eyes down towards a wretched sight of two brothers arguing amongst the shimmering lights of the rippling pool. Intently watching the younger ginger hold up two hands in defense, in front of his chest, while cautiously stepping away from his advancing angry brother.
.
"You missed your chance! You couldn't help yourself, you just had to mess things up for me too!" Hika steps forward, poking a finger at his brother's chest. "I'm sick of you always getting in my way!" My breath suddenly catches in my throat from the awful sight. Seeing the usually inseparable gingers act so cruelly towards each other.
Kaoru swings out a hand, harshly slapping his twin's hand away from him. Watching the irate twins stand face to face. "Your way? You're the one strolling in the damn room, with the entire club behind you!" Clearly witnessing the dark effect of my selfish slip I throw a hand to my twisting stomach. Feeling my insides twist tighter, forming a hard knot in the pit of my stomach. Knowing Hika, is only lashing out because I smashed his over abundant feelings, with my thoughtless actions, from earlier.
"You were, trying to stab me in the back!" Feeling outrage, Hika, yells out.
"And you weren't just doing that, a few minutes ago?!" Both stubborn twins stand toe to toe, on the very edge of a physical confrontation, until Kaoru takes a step back. Proving once more of his emotional maturity over his older twin. "Hika, this isn't working, we tried…maybe we should just ask Haru which one she wants between the two of us."
My chocolate eyes grew wide overhearing the two boys' heated confessions. Noticing their odd behavior for some time now, I thought that maybe it was merely an unconscious reaction to my deeply held feelings or that the friendship we shared between the three us grew deeper somehow….. But now I knew for certain, it wasn't the case. Their feelings have grown far past a close friendship …
Of course, knowing this…. only made the situation worse.
Hikaru sharply nods, crossing his arms across his bare chest. "Yeah, I think you might be right, along with some much needed space, between the two of us." Turning his back on his twin.
"Hika, don't say that." Kaoru Steps closer to Hika's back, my burning tear-filled eyes see Kaoru's hand nervously shake, as he cautiously reaches for his brother's broad shoulder.
Hikaru roughly jerks away from Kaoru's hand. "Look, I'm just being honest." Hikaru walks over, picking up a white robe, flinging it over his shoulders. "When we get back, we both go to Haru and demand she makes a choice between the two of us." Wanting nothing more than to scream out how stupidly their behaving…..But Knowing, if I did, they would just continue with their idiotic plan….forcing me to do the unthinkable.
Hearing Hika's wounded words my hand abruptly slaps down over my mouth. My legs grow weak and shaky, unable to stand I carefully slide down deeper into the shadows, against the balcony's stone wall. "Whichever twin she doesn't pick ….leaves the other two in peace. No interference. No contact. Agreed?" Leaning against the rough stone wall with my hands over my blunt mouth, sliding my eyes shut. Silently allowing heartbreaking tears to cascade down the back of my trembling hands.
"Fine, if that's what you want? Agreed." My heart shatters in a million pieces as I hear Kaoru agree to their ridiculous plan…..A plan, I refuse to have any part of.
"Fine, it will be nice, not having you always hanging around us." With the last of Hikaru's words the night grows still as my tears silently fall for the two boys I've grown to love.
Finding it impossible to fall in love with not only two brothers, but two twins…..I asked my heart to choose between the two. Except after doing so my mind quickly screamed for me to stop.
….Because I couldn't be the one.
I couldn't be the one responsible for ripping the two loving brothers apart, just for my selfish emotions…..and in some way, I think my heart also knew this, because it could never… name one over the other.
Because if it did, it would cause irreparable damage to the deeply held relationship….causing the two brothers to turn their backs on each other…and walk away. Seeing as it was not only selfish, but inconceivable for me to have the two for myself.
I decided to sacrifice, and deny my heart all of what it desires….
Because, I wouldn't be the one…I refuse to be the one.
My heart burned with the realization that I would no longer expect that special kind of love, to touch any part of my remaining life. Because I've sealed it away…. For the "good" of the two individuals, that I silently care for the most. Knowing my life, can now only revolve around my studies …..And my life's work.
….Knowing I'm sacrificing for them, I allowed my heart to mourn, this one time.
As uncontrollable sobs poured from my emotionally shattered body.
A little later …
The night slipped by as my tears slowly ceased and dried on my face. Physical and emotionally drained I find myself just sitting in the chilly silent night. Unable to recover any strength as I begin to lose focus, while staring down at my fingers. Until a slamming door causes my eyes to clear and open. Shifting my head to curiously look down the deserted hallway. Only to find my friend upset, and sliding down the outside, of his hotel door. His miserable blond head fell in his hands, as his shoulders shook.
.
I remained silent, I didn't want my kindhearted friend asking me unending awkward questions because of my miserable broken appearance. However, by the looks of it, he too could be called miserably broken, and wasn't in any kind of condition to move. As we both sit in the still night a feeling silently laces around the two of us ….with some kind of lonely soul's connection.
Clearly knowing how the Suoh's felt about my kindhearted friend, my chest grew heavy, as I watch the blonde's shoulders shake, around his dropped head…..knowing he has no one.
End of flash back
End of Haruhi's POV
Kaoru's POV
My heart sinks in my chest as I listen to Haru's version of my own painful memory…
...And for the sacrifice I made because of it.
"After that trip, I tried keeping my distance from you two, I didn't want you going through with your horrible plan….I didn't think my heart could take the question, knowing what was riding on my answer."
Haru lets out a heavy sigh. "Shortly after the trip 'my chosen one' confessed his feelings to me ….because of his alienating family he had no one …he seemed to really need me. Seeing as I already denied my heart…I figured I could at least answer his…..keeping the lonely prince company seemed like a noble deed for a broken heart… Turns out, I wasn't the only one who thought this way."
Her miserable head lifted from her now empty glass, revealing emotional tear strained eyes. "Don't you guys get it …all of it, the years of pain. It's all because of me, it's all my fault. I loved you both, but I couldn't decide …So I decided to deny my heart and solve everything."
Feeling something trickle down my cheek, I quickly lift a hand to wipe it away. Kneeling down in front of the sitting, distraught friend, gently taking one of her delicate hands from the empty glass. "Haru… you've known this entire time….about how I really felt?" Softly speaking to the beautiful brunette.
My tear stricken friend remained silent for a moment, and just nodded her head. Letting out a sniffle before a broken whisper blew pass her lips. "I'm sorry."
"And Suoh?" The single name that haunted Hika for so many lost years, verbally slips into the room with his rough emotional voice.
With another sniffle her soft tone answered my twin. "It's what you…. suspected."
Letting out a humorless chuckle escape his lips. "I knew it." Hearing Hika's response in the dismal room I quickly snap my head to his direction, giving him a sharp warning look, to only find trailing tears from his golden eyes.
Haru quickly stands from her chair, dramiacaly motioning to each of us. "But can't you see, nothing has changed! I thought that maybe, after all this time, something might have...You. Me. Him. But no, the situation remains the same." Her voice turns broken and defeated as she flops back in her chair. "In some ways it's like we never left high school." Letting out a long frustrated sigh.
"We're all so… broken."
After Haru's heart wrenching, and all be it, blunt words, the room grew silent, as the only three bodies in the room, were lost in their own heads. Hearing her last word spoken, surprised me, but what surprised me even more is how much it occupied my thoughts. I mean after everything she dropped on us today, and my brain wants to exam a single word the beautiful brunet used? I guess, it's just too much for my head to wrap around …..That or maybe I'm just in some kind of emotional shock. Yeah, that's probably it, but if that's true, then what the hell is going on, in my overly emotional twin's head?
I couldn't help but wonder, if Haru directed her word usage in my direction? After all, isn't that what I called her, our first few days together? Now, that I think about it, the same could be said for Hika and myself. ….and here I thought the angel was sent down for my help, when actually she was sent to help us, as well.
All three of us are broken, because all three of us sacrificed our hearts.
A Little Later…
While leaning against the wall, behind the silent brunette, Hika lets out a boisterous yawn. Stepping away from the wall, extending his rather lengthy arms, far over his ginger head. It's Hika's obnoxious way of telling me he's bored, or at very least done with the emotional silence. "So little brother, it looks like we might have something to show Haru, tonight? What do you think?"
My head glanced up, giving my twin a perplexed look. Silently mouthing the words over the brunette's head, 'What are you talking about?' Having absolutely no idea, what my brother is scheming.
Hika just rolled his eyes, before giving me a certain look, a look I knew all too well….and with the powerful look, Haru's previous words exploded in my head, as Hika's intentions practically crash into my unsuspecting body. With concerned eyes I silently mouth words over the brunette's head. 'Are you sure about this?'
Hika's lips slowly lengthen into a mischievous smile, as he slowly nods his head. "So Kao, what do you think?"
"Well, I think from what we just heard, I would have to say," My expression lengthens to mirror my twin's, as I too nod my knowing head at my brother. "It's long overdue."
"Yeah, I would have to agree with you, it's been far too long, wasted time really." Hika taking a step towards our oblivious friend. "So here, or the hotel?" My brother swings out his arm to the fashion show's prep room.
Letting out a small amused chuckle at Hika's suggestion, while straightening up to take a few steps around Haru. "Hotel of course, however this time," arriving on the other side of our friend, "We shouldn't hold back."
Lifting a hand to his chin. "Interesting, but you know me, when have I ever held myself back?"
"Oh, I can name a few times we both did, in the past." My meaningful eyes drop to our sitting friend, noticing the blunt woman remained silent. Finding her behavior odd I slowly kneel down, reaching out cautiously to push back a curtain of glossy chestnut hair, which had fallen out of her ponytail. Carefully tucking the stray strands behind her ear, reveling her beautiful still face. "Uh, Hika, I think Haru fell asleep."
"Yeah, I thought she might, it's been kind of roller-coaster day for all us." Hika's face drops down towards the women, giving the sleeping woman a warm affectionate smile as he slides a hand over her glossy chestnut hair.
"And you still want to go through with it? I mean, maybe we should just let her sleep? Give her a little time to adjust. Sure she's a little more trusting, but that could all change." With concern deeply etched in my face I slowly drop my head towards the sleeping brunet. "Hika you weren't there, when I first found her. We're going to have to be extremely delicate with her, she's not the old Haru."
.
"You don't think I can't see that?" Hika's lifts his tense arm, before running it through his hair, letting out a frustrated breath. "No, it's like I said, we've wasted far too much time. If we had just out right told her! Damn, you have no idea how pissed off I am, at myself, right now. There were some many times we could have just showed her…..Damn, I just want to hit something right now!" Letting out a heavy sigh," All these miserable lost years could have been…. happy ones." The last two words that come from my older twin's normally sharp mouth, tumbled out dismal and quiet.
.
Sadly nodding my head as I watch the women before me. "Yeah, I'm not what you would call pleased with myself, either…..but we did try, she always thought we were just messing around in the past."
Hika crosses his arms at his chest, "Well, not this time, I plan to make it abundantly clear. Besides, you heard her, she has blamed herself this entire time, when actually it's our fault …..If we had only-"
Pushing against the floor with my hand, straightening myself up to lock on to Hika's golden eyes, with a serious expression emerging on my face. "You know what this means, if we do this? Are you going to be able to handle it? "Throwing a hand out towards the room, "I mean, we were just at each other's throats, moments ago, and that was because of a few innocent kisses. Once we do this, there's no going back, at least, where I'm concerned. Like you said, there's been too much waisted time. I'm not about to waist another second, now that I know the truth."
.
"Well, were kind of already living the alternative," Reaching up to rub the back of his neck, before his hand drops, sliding them both in his pockets, as he shrugs his shoulders. "So, yeah, I can definitely do this. I might want to discuss, a few things with you, at a later date, but yeah. I agreed to it back then, and there seems to be even more reason to agree to it now. So yeah, I'm all in." Hika sharply nods his head in agreement.
"Well, then let's get our beautiful brunet home, we have a lot of work ahead of us." Glancing at my brother with a concerned look. "Ah, Hika, did Jake bring you here?"
"Jake?" Hika gives me a confused look.
Letting at an annoyed huff. "Our driver?"
"Oh, that's his name, ah no, there wasn't really time to track him down, besides I thought he left with you." Hika just shrugged his shoulders.
Giving my head a shake, towards my older brother. "Uh, no, most of time, I leave him with Haru, while I'm gone."
"Knowing, what we know, about our last driver, do you really think that's such a good idea?" Hika asks in an incredulous tone. Letting out a huff, "Well, I guess it won't matter after tonight, I'll be watching over her from now on, Jason can go back driving you around." Waving a dismiss hand towards me.
"Hika, his name is Jake, and he can be kind of cool, once you get to know him. In fact, he's probably already here. Most likely Haru used him to get here, since she's never been here before."
"Like I've said before, the only guy I'm interested in, is you," Hika gives me a dark teasing smile.
"You're such a massive flirt, save it for later." Waving a dismissive hand towards my twin. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yep, just like old times." Hika quickly reaches down, gently grabbing Haru's arms on one side. "Come on Haru."
Reaching down, lacing my fingers around her other arm, before Sharing a look with my twin and lifting our unconscious friend from her seat. "It's, time to go."
"What-now-where- why-"Catching the slumbering woman by surprise, as her head sleepily whips around.
Hika, gives the confused women a wide mischievous smile, as he helps me carry her out to the car, like old times. "Shhh Haru, we need to show you something, we just can't do it here."
Nodding my head, with a knowing mischievous smile also growing on my lips, as the trapped woman turns her head and glares in my direction. "Kao, put me down, since when can you just manhandle me?"
"Don't worry about a thing Haru, it's just like old times." Hika lets out a chuckle while ignoring the woman's visual threats.
"Damn, you rich bastards, this isn't funny!" Haru fiercely kicks her dangling legs.
I couldn't help, but chuckle, as the beautiful brunet, behaved more like her old self.
"Yeah, call it a little fieldtrip, for some long overdue….. Show and tell."
A Little Later ….
We managed to raise quite a few eyebrows, when the three of us entered the lobby. Hika looked like he had been mugged with his bruised face and rumpled clothes, and I wasn't much better. Although my face wasn't bruised, it looked like I hadn't slept in weeks, but other than that I looked pretty normal, just an annoying case of sex hair. Nothing a quick shower and a really good night's sleep couldn't fix. Add the fact that Hika was carrying a visibly fuming, but thankfully quiet, certain brunet beauty through the posh five star lobby …. Well, let's just say we certainly didn't look like our normal fashionable selves of elite society….and the stunned pairs of eyes from the hotels staff, said as much.
.
"Hika, you can put me down now." With her arms folded at her chest Haru speaks, with irritation loosely wrapped around her voice. "I have a pretty good idea of where you're taking me." It seemed the car ride calmed her down, at least a little bit. Of course, we already knew it would, from prior experience …from, our…..ah, school. Quickly pushing the painful past memories of that club out of my head, while walking with my older brother.
A smile slowly creeps on my older brother's face, raising a teasing eyebrow to the woman held close to his chest and her pink ballerina flats hanging over his arm. "Yes, but what would be the fun in letting you down?" Letting out a humorous chuckle, "No, I much rather like you in my arms, this way, I know right where to find you."
"Kao?" Haru turns her head, expecting me to say something to my teasing twin.
Shrugging my shoulders to our longtime friend, "I'm not sure, what you expect me to do about him? He rarely ever listens to me." Casually sliding my hand from my pants pocket, extending out a finger to push the illuminated arrow button. In mere moments the polished elevator door slides open with a bell sound ringing overhead. I quickly step aside, allowing Hika to just stroll into the elevator, with Haru tightly held in his arms. Once were all inside, I slide my hand from my pocket, pushing another button for our floor, causing the stainless steel doors to slide closed.
"Me? Listen to my younger brother? As if." My brother playfully rolls his eyes towards Haru. "I don't see that happening, anytime soon."
"Oh, please Kaoru, I know better than that." Glaring at my teasing twin, while she speaks to me.
Haru knows the two of us far too well, knowing either one of us would do pretty much anything for the other. What she hasn't realized yet, is the same goes for her. Hika was just having a little fun. You really couldn't blame us…it's been so long since the three of us were together…I think it's one of the things I've missed the most.
Letting out a sigh, "Fine." Turning to give my brother a serious look, pointing to the floor of the elevator. "Hika, put her down, please?"
"Why, should I?" With the soft piano music playing overhead Hika, raises an eyebrow to me. Letting me know he wasn't done teasing Haruhi, just yet. Slightly raising his sarcastic voice, turning his head towards our friend. "It's not like she ever listens to me. "
I'm pretty sure he was using it as a playful distraction, I could tell he's nervous with our impending plan, and to tell you the truth, I am as well…..Everything is riding on it.
Throwing my arms up, shaking my head. "See Haru, I told you, Hika has his mind made up, there's simply no way around it. Sorry, but you can't say I didn't try."
It wasn't every day, in fact no one really knew our little secret. Sure, back then it was implied, but no one really took us seriously. No one has ever seen us and we made damn sure of it.
Her wide chocolate eyes flared in to mine, as she pointed an adorable finger at my nose. "You call that trying? If that's trying, your impish Hitachiin powers of persuasion are a far cry, from what I can remember!" Haru drops her hand.
"Impish?" Glancing over to the slightly irritated brunette, as a devious smile slowly forms on my lips. "Well, come to think of it, there might be one way." My golden eyes shined brightly with a smattering of mischief in them. "Of course, nothing comes free."
Tightening her arms at her chest, shaking her head. "Forget it, there's no way in hell, besides were almost at my room. You'll have to let go then."
With Haru's words my eye's glance over to Hika, sharing a meaningful look with him. "Haru, who says I'm letting you go, once we get there?" Hika leans his head forward, with a mischievous look etched on his face. "I told you, I have some rather interesting plans for my revenge."
Haru pulls her face away from Hika as her chocolate eyes grow wide from my twin's wicked expression, letting out a frustrated sigh. "What is it that you want?"
"Oh, nothing really, just a small harmless …..Favor. To be named at a later time." Casually shrugging my shoulders.
"A favor?" Her face goes somewhat pale, as she nervously swallows.
I abruptly stop walking, as I threw out a hand to catch Hika's arm, causing him to stop, as well. Leaning in closer to her face, giving my head a slow and deliberate nod. "Uh, huh."
"Uh well, you can just forget it! Owing a favor to one of you guys, is like opening Pandora's Box!" Unfolding her arms, throwing out a hand, gently pushing my face away from her.
"Well okay," speaking in an incredulous tone. "Then I guess, I'll just leave you in my brother's vengeful arms." I begin to stroll away from the woman, giving her a small wave as I walk away. "However, I should warn you, his skills have profusely increased with age," letting out a breath, "He's somewhat of a …..Devious genius, when it comes to matters, such as these."
Letting out a defeated sigh, "Fine, you win, just put me down." Haru begrudgingly agrees
"Hika." Not even looking at my older twin, arriving at the polished door of my suite. Quickly reaching into my rumpled button up's front breast pocket. Pulling out my suite's keycard.
"Fine, but I should be the one given the favor, I am the one refusing to let her go, after all." Hika grumbles as he sets Haru down in front of my door.
Turning around, giving my twin a meaningful look with teasing molten eyes, staring into his. "No, worries Hika, I'll always share with my big brother."
Hika, reaches out, catching my chin, sending out burning dark eyes. "Kao, you're such a good little brother, you've never kept anything from me." Hika sends out a signal, visually warning me he was ready to proceed with our little plan. "
"Uh, yeah", Swallowing nervously, "Ah, thanks Hika." Giving my brother a nod, silently signaling to my twin, I'm ready, before turning around to swipe the keycard laced in my fingers. Extending my hand out, wrapping my hand around the brass handle to swing open the door. Standing in the doorway my eyes look into the pitch-black deserted suite. "Uh, give me a minute, and I'll find a light." Not two steps from the door my foot hits something, sending me flying towards the floor. "Whoa, what the hell!" Abruptly crashing face first on the hard floor, while laying out in the dark room.
"Kaoru are you okay?" Hika calls out, from the door.
Letting out a painful groan, "Yeah Hika, I'm just perfect." Speaking in a sarcastic tone, while I get up on my throbbing hands and knees, turning my head towards my twin.
"Kaoru, are you sure?" Haru flips a switch, causing a blinding light to appear.
My eyes glace behind me to see Hika's luggage messily tipped over, in the middle of the doorway. "Who the hell put that there?"
Suddenly, Hika gasps out loud.
"Here, Kao, let me help you pick things up." My eyes follow Haru walking into the room as she passes me.
My face turns pale white when my eyes catch sight of Hika's files scattered on the floor. "No Haru, don't-"But it was too late.
Haru reached down to pick up a few of the glossy rectangle pieces of paper that decorated the floor. Pulling them up to her astonished wide eyes, as she hastily flips through them. "What, the hell?" Her voice comes out barely audible, speaking to herself. One by one the vivid 8x10's slip from her fingers, and flutter to the floor, while she throws a hand over her mouth and tears begin to trail down her cheeks with every fallen photo. "
"Haru, we can explain!" Hika reaches out for her.
She swiftly backs away from Hika, while sharply shaking her head. "No, I don't think you can, not this time." Sprinting out the door, seconds, before her suite's door slams shut. Leaving my twin and myself to silently stare at the empty doorway.
End of Kaoru's POV
End of chapter
Wow, so now you know why I added the seemly pointless flashback, a few chapters back.
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Alimackatjac
