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Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.

Back in our world

By Alimackatjac

Chapter 30 There's one small catch.


Honey's POV

Japan

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Watching my uncomfortable friend suffer causes my concerned eyes to pan over to my silent cousin, giving me a sharp nod.

"Well actually, Takashi and I have been talking."

My resolve turns firm, along with my exterior. Gone were the friendly gestures and boyish smiles, because this was business…. And I'm the head of the proud and dignified Haninozuka Family. I adjusted my shoulders and sharply tugged on the sleeves of my lightly colored suit jacket. Settling in my chair for the oncoming stiff negotiations…. Because now sitting in front of me was no longer a trusted friend, but the presumed head of the devious Hitachiin Family.

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Hikaru narrows his golden eyes, noticing the difference as he pulls his dark drink from his lips. "What the hell are you going on about?"

My sober brown eyes look sharply at the ginger, "Hitachiin, it's occurred to me that, you might want to keep our recently remerged friend… all to yourself."

Hikaru's serious golden eyes lift, as he blindly tilts his empty glass, causing the large chunks of left over ice roll and clink together. "Don't get me wrong I appreciate your recent," He raises a knowing eyebrow, "albeit, forced assistance… but you're not wrong."

"Listen, I understand you have an issue with trusting people, but you're being unreasonable." Knowing I would have an easier time keeping the explosive ginger at the table if his thirst is satisfied, often. I raise my head up to the passing waiter, and gesture for another round for the table. With his hands full with another tables order, he nods his head, while walking to his next table.

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Hikaru lets out a humorless chuckle, "Really? In the end, what the hell has this so called club really done? Except, maybe entertain some delusional girls, and destroy almost everything about her. No, if anything this impromptu reunion has only furthered my resolve." Hikaru sets his glass down on the table. "Leave her be, we found her. We'll take it from here …..Like it should have been all long. If there was no damn club to begin with, a poor freshman honor student wouldn't have even been on your social radar …..And for that, matter, except for the fact of my family's social standing, neither would myself or my twin."

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My tone turned icy, "Hitachiin, the same can be said for you. Do you honestly believe the two of you would have looked twice at her? How long were we in the new semester, before you even bothered to realize he was she. You didn't really reach out to her until Tomo-chan discovered her."

"Granted Kao, and I were pretty self-absorbed back then, but it was only a matter of time." He lets out a heavy sigh, before roughly jerking his head back, capturing last few drops of his drink, before setting his tumbler down on the table. "I have no doubt, sooner or later she would have gained our attention, during some assignment or class project."

I lift my hand to my chin, with a thought provoking pose, "Oh that's right, as some toy, wasn't it?"

The irritated ginger tightens his jaw, "Don't interfere, you won't change my mind. Koa, and I will handle it from here." A gratifying smile curls at my lips, after seeing the ginger's elicited response, knowing full well I had struck a particular nerve with the hotheaded ginger.

With the arrival of the waiter, I lean back from the table, as three new drinks are cautiously laid out. I notice the waiter can sense the overly tense feeling encompassing the silent table. As his hands, slightly tremble causing the glassware to clink, while he gathers our used glasses. Once the waiter exits from our table I roughly clear my throat and begin again, "I'm afraid Takashi and I, find that unacceptable."

.

"You've admitted to watching over us this entire time, then you should know better than anyone how strongly I feel about this. I will no longer permit anymore inference with my world," He adamantly his shakes his head, "I will not, make the same mistake, twice."

"So, it sounds you have everything figured out except for one tiny fact, " I pulled my tented fingers apart and sharply pointed to the table "you're here."

"Takishi." I hold out an open palm to my cousin. He carefully places a solid black folder in my hand, before I reply with a sharp nod. "Thank you." I gently toss the folder out in front of me, bouncing my brown eyes between the ginger and the opened folder. "Hitachiin, I find it rather interesting with your sudden arrival back in Japan, so closely after you found her. I would have thought nothing short of a massive explosion would keep you away ….then I did a little research and found our impromptu dinner guest is up to his old tricks…and his sights our set on your family ."

.

The ginger headed man shrugged his shoulders, "So, it's nothing new, the Shadow King has tangled with other families before, regardless of past relationships. It's all just business." The ginger lets out a tired sigh, "Besides, I'm handing it. Once it's taking care of I'll be flying back to Europe."

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My serious brown eyes fall back to the file, before flipping through several pages, and speaking in a distracted tone, "Yes, you're attempting to, I'll give you that …..Although not very well. "My blonde head turns to my side, tilting the pages in my cousin's direction, "Its's that right, Takashi."

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My stoic cousin leans in my direction, glancing at a section of papers, I'm pointing to. "Hmmm…The clock is clicking." He straightens back in his seat, and goes back to pouring the tiny hand painted bottle of sake into a matching ceramic cup.

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I pull back the file in front of me, as I nod my head. "Your right Takashi. "I slowly wave a finger in front of the irritated ginger. "Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock is running down. It's only a matter of time before she's discovered. If this so called reunion has proven anything it's the simple fact that the Shadow King is close and will only get closer with each passing minute….It won't be long before he starts watching your every move here, as well as in Europe. "

.

"If he hasn't already." My cousin adds after pulling the ceramic cup from his lips.

"Good point Takashi "

Hikaru lets out a frustrated sigh, before raising an eyebrow over his clearly annoyed golden eye. "Fine….. Your point?" He reaches out and lifts the new drink to his lips.

I shake my head at my friend's reaction as I take a moment to shrug my tan overcoat off my shoulders, placing it in Takaishi's offered hands, "Well, it's simple really, if you ever want to learn about what really happened." I turn back around to face my irritated friend, resting my clasping hands on the opened file before me. My sharp brown eyes peer over my tented fingers, "Oh, and by the way, she definitely knows something…. Just for some reason she's keeping her lips sealed."

"She doesn't trust us anymore." Takashi adds

A sharp pain strikes in my chest for my longtime friend, "Yeah, your right," my tone turns somber, but I soon shake off the feeling and adamantly point to the ginger. "And that's why you Hikaru, need to get your butt back there, and rather quickly I might add."

The stunned ginger motions to himself, with the dark drink in his hand, "Me?" The ginger shakes his head, "Not necessarily, I have complete faith in my brother."

I raise a knowing eyebrow towards the ginger, "you know Hitachiin, you more than anyone should appreciate, when it' comes to our mutual friend there is a perceived difference between the two of you, that most people can't even begin to comprehend. "

Mori pulls the small cup from his lips, "You have walked different paths, resulting in different feelings."

"Now, don't get me wrong, like I said before, I can honestly say the depth of those feeling are evenly matched…..she truly does love both of you. However, you stepped forward and allowed your heart to be crushed." With the faded memory of the past slowly reaching my chest my head dropped down, causing my sad brown eyes to reflect off the surface of my tea cup. However, I catch myself a drift and quickly shake the thought to continue, "Whereas Kaoru stepped aside, and protected his….She feels responsible for that pain."

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Hikaru stops his whiskey glass in front of a forced smile, letting out a humorless chuckle. "She doesn't have to ….I knew what my decision involved and as long as she was happy, I was fine." Almost on reflex, the ginger jerks his head back, taking a long swig. Most likely, to dull the long held pain, from the past.

"But she knew she wouldn't be happy ….and she knew she was lying to herself, and so did Takashi and I." My eyes slide over to my cousin, as he blindly nods his dropped head. "We watched her purposely chose Tomo-chan over you. I can tell she personally holds herself responsible to the choice she made … To her, it's like she personally stabbed the knife into your chest."

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Hikaru's emotional eyes are staring at his glass, as it's held loosely in his hand. "Get on with it, Honey –sempi! If you think I'm enjoying this walk down memory lane, you would be freaking mistaken." The pained ginger hisses out.

"Fine, It's my belief, because of this unyielding feeling of responsibly to her deeply regarded confessed love …you, Hikaru Hitachiin, are the only one who can get through to her ….However, you're racing against time. "

Takashi's lifts his eyes to the ginger. "The Shadow King is playing with you …like a cat.

"Tell me Hitachiin, what do think will happen when our old friend discovers you've found the one person who can shed light on his long kept secrets…on his shadows?"

"Yeah, yeah claws will come out," The ginger speaks in a dismissive tone, as he rolls his eyes, "Damn, I'm not stupid Honey-sempi, I've already figured this much out."

My serious brown eyes squint towards the ginger, "Yes, Hitachiin that's true, but what you don't get." I lift my hand, sharply pointing across the table. "What you NEVER get…. Is that sometimes you just need to stop being so damn stubborn and ask for help!" My sharp eyes dropped to my hands, taking in a deep breath in attempt to calm myself. After a few calming breaths my eyes soften to a concerned expression. "Takashi and I also feel responsible for what happened all those years ago….and just like you, we want to set events right …. Hika-chan, we want to help you."

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"Help? What the hell would you know? Honey –sempi, you stop searching, just like I did!" The ginger gestures to himself, before tossing out a hand to roughly motion around the table. "Out of all of us, Kao, was the only one that didn't give up on her!" He speaks out in a sharp self-hated tone.

I ignored the pained ginger and kept a calm tone "Hika-chan, we know all three of you have been hurting for so long ….we know why you're here," I reach out a hand to the ginger, "We know enough."

"Proxies." Takashi adds.

I turn to my cousin and sadly nod my head, before turning back to the ginger. "You're looking for proxies ….textiles isn't it?" I slide the black folder in front of our old friend, tapping my finger on a specific section of the front page. "We know enough that both Haninozuka and Morinozuka families have been secretly buying up shares of said company, shortly after your arrival back in Japan." I pull my hand away and glance down at my custom gold watch, with a picture of Usha-cha on its face. A gift from my precious wife for our first wedding anniversary.

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"The Shadow King will soon discover by tomorrow's opening bell .He's not only facing the loss of controlling interest for said company, but his own company will be endanger of being taken over, as well. " I reach across the table and point to another section of the open file. "Incidentally, the two small, seemly worthless shell companies have been slowly buying up shares of the Shadow King's company since before their high school graduation…and will just so happen to merge as one formable company named Usagi enterprises, before tomorrow's morning bell."

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Our speechless friend's eyes glanced up from the file, practically dumbfounded.

"You see Hika-chan." Giving him, a wide sly smile. "It's our long held insurance policy, against the Shadow King, and it will finally put him in his place."

The shocked ginger bounces his eyes to the folder and back to me. "Wait, so you're the investors who kept giving us the run around? That means …"

I quickly cut him off, "That means," My hand reaches across the table and sharply snatches the file closed, in front of my friend's eyes. "Just say the word, and your hours away from hopping a jet, and being at her side…discovering the truth… for all of us."

Hikaru's untrusting eyes burn in my direction. "Wait, what's the catch?"

I slyly hand the folder back to Takishi's awaiting hand, "Your very perceptive Hika-chan,

….there is one, rather small catch."

End of Honey's POV.

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Kaoru's POV

Italy

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"Kaoru, will you wait a minute!" The brunet beauty stumbles after me. As I silently walk out of restaurant somewhat irritated, vigorously blotting a wet cloth over my chest. Momentarily peeling my eyes away, and noticing a dark stretched car slowly rolling close to the curb. After seeing my destroyed sweater reflect off the blacked out windows I realize it's futile. The fishy brownish splotch is only spreading further over my poor cream colored sweater, causing me to swing my hands out to my sides in frustration. Haru manages to get ahead of me, holding out her hands for me to stop" Now, just give me minute." Of course, I did what she asked and stopped in front of her. She awkwardly digs through her black leather hobo bag, before pulling out a small package of disposable cloths, designed to spot clean clothes. Something she amazed us with back in our high school days. With a small quirk on her lips, Haru expectedly holds out a free hand right in front of me.

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Seeing the Brunets Beauty's held out hand I let out a frustrated sigh, and roll my eyes. "Fine." Just before, I begrudgingly plop the soiled napkin in her waiting hand.

"Thank you." She smugly replies, then she turns to her side and hands the napkin to the Panicked maître d'. "Grazie." The anxious maître d' nervously rambles on, while repeatedly bowing his head. But Haru pays little attention and swiftly leads me away from the restaurant's entrance. She stops at nearby deserted section of the busy sidewalk, away from the restaurant, and begins to blot the enormous spot on my chest. Her sudden action causes my cheeks to begin to warm, as I openly stare. "Kao, are you okay? I mean that fish was practically on fire. Do we need to get your chest looked at?" " She asks in a concerned voice while keeping her eyes pinned to my chest.

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"I'm fine Haru, my sweater took most of the damage." I lift my hands, gently trapping hers. "It's just a little embarrassing, that's all."

Her eyes quickly snap up to mine and I can see a warm blush smooth over her cheeks. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to." She attempts to pull her hands away.

I let out an amused chuckle, as I gently squeeze her hand, keeping her hands close to my chest, "It okay Haru , you're not embarrassing me. I know you didn't mean anything by it. " However her round chocolate eyes pull me in, and we stand there on the busy sidewalk, with sightseers zooming past us , as it begins to feel like London, with only the two us. "You're …uh, just trying to help as usual. It's just the...uh accident was uh …..Little embarrassing…and well there's…the stain."

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"Uh…Stain." She stares in my molten eyes as she thoughtlessly mumbles. I can feel her hands unconsciously flatten and spread undermine, exploring the lines in my chest. I had to wonder if she can feel my madly beating heart, just beneath the surface. However, the sweet momment is broken as reality suddenly crashes around us. She shakes her head and nervously chuckles. Haru lifts her hand to awkwardly slide her waved tress behind her small ear. "Yeah the uh stain. I'm sorry Koa, but I think it's hopeless." She motions to my sweater

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"Uh, yeah, that's what I pretty much figured." I nervously rubbed the back of my neck, sliding my eyes to the side.

"So um should we call it a day?" With her offer, my eyes flash back to brunette who was unconsciously biting her bottom lip.

To copy my friend's elegant and more recent sentiment, 'Yeah right, maybe when pigs fly!' I inwardly roll my eyes at the thought of going home. No, not after everything I've went through to get this second chance. I'd walk around half naked in a snow storm, before I went back. Besides, after Haru left the car, I had instructed the driver to take the car to be serviced, in Milan…Making the car inaccessible for several hours. So it wouldn't be so easy for Haru to call the day off, since she hated interrupting a person's work. Something Hika showed me, years ago. I mean if need be, we could always grab a cab back.

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With a teasing smile, I slide my hand from my jacket pocket, while taking a step towards her. I lift my hand to softly slide her bottom lip from her teeth with my thumb. Just after the slightest touch, I pull my hand away with a playful chuckle. "Na, I won't let you off the hook that easily." My hand swings out, motioning to the long line of various tourist shops. "I just need a few minutes in one of those gift shops. I'd wear one of those tacky souvenir sweatshirts, before I gave up on today." I hold out my hand for the disposable cloth. She hands it to me, before we began to slowly meander towards the shops. "What was that again? Oh that's right, Grazie." I happily chuckle.

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"Kao?"

"Yeah." I stop my blotting and glance to my side.

"It was nice of you to uh, not make too much of a fuss. I mean, I think you saved that guy's job back there." She awkwardly swings out her thumb behind her.

I shrug my shoulders and continue to nervously blot the permanent spot, "Well, it's obvious he's just a nervous kid, working his way through school. There's no reason for his life to be turned upside down, just because he's having a bad day. The owner probably would have freaked if I had taken him up on his offer…..besides, I can just call Hika to replace it." I push the fate of my irreplaceable handmade sweater, I had accidently stumbled on, to the back of my head.

"Wow Kao."

I stop on the sidewalk, lifting my confused head to the brunette. "What?"

"I'm just stunned at the change, that's all." She shrugs her shoulders, "You and Hika might have played some stupid prank on that poor guy, just because of his mistake."

"Aw, come on Haru, back then we were…what was that again? Oh, yeah, that's right, we were a bunch of spoiled rich bastards, in high school." I begin to walk backwards, playfully resting my hands on my hips, sticking my broad chest out. Like some crazy superhero's pose. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I've grownup since then. In some circles, I'm actually considered a dignified adult."

She happily burst out in a few chuckles, while motioning to my chest.

My eyes glance down at the big awful spot on my poor sweater, before snapping up my head with a teasing smile, giving my shoulders a shrug. " Well, usually dignified."

The brunette raises a teasing eyebrow, "Dignified? Well, I'm not sure about that, but let's concentrate on cleaning you up…and pick out one of those lovely sweatshirts, you had previously mentioned." The brunet giggles to herself, patting my chest, while strolling pass me, "Perhaps one with a large mountain printed on the front of it, or Ooo, maybe a giant teddy bear." She blindly teases.

"Hey watch it, there's nothing stopping me from getting you one too. That way, you can share in my miserable tacky fate." I yell out to her retreating back.

"Yeah, yeah" she waves a dismissive hand, while walking away, "Ooo, maybe a unicorn….with flowers."

.

A little later...

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With a sliver plastic bag in hand, I strolled out of the glistening glass doors, of my chosen gift shop, feeling just a tiny bit better. Well at least spotless and a lot less smelly. I begrudgingly stopped in front of the gift shop's large display window, to slowly study my vague reflection in the glass. Turning slightly side to side, gently tugging on the sleeves of my suede jacket. By some miracle it survived the clumsily waiter.

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Luckily, I managed to find another cream sweater with a barely noticeable leather mountain patch, stitched with the town's name on it. It wasn't as nice as my previous sweater and it would occasionally itch around my shoulder and neck, but for the most part my carefully planned outfit stayed intact. So tacky crisis adverted, of course Haruhi didn't escape so easily.

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As I happily strolled away from the shop, I couldn't help but look in my bag, causing an evil gratifying smile to slowly creep on my features. It wasn't as cute as a bunny suit, but it did have little ears sewn on top of its hood. Who knew a commoner gift shop would carry such a thing. I was so tempted to buy one of each, but I knew if I just bought one, I would have a better chance of her wearing it. Something we never could get her to do, back in our old school days.

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The memory of chasing after Haru with a little too revealing bunny costume causes a small chuckle to burst from lips. It's been a long time since I thought about the club without forcing the bittersweet memories out my head, much less find them amusing. Thanks to finding Haru, I'm slowly getting over the pain her sudden disappearance caused.

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"Honk!" A burst from a horn, and a sudden sound of squealing tires call my attention from my bag, noticing the same blacked out limo, had just ignored a stop sign, nearly crashing into a yellow convertible. The well concealed driver of the stretched car didn't pay any attention to the angry driver of the yellow car. The driver of the convertible shook his fist, spewing heated profanities as the limo rapidly peels out, and whips around a corner.

.

The attention grabbing moment quickly passed in the busy town and everything went back to its original harmonious hum. Being anxious to see Haru's reaction to her gift, I quickly cross the street, and head for the café, we agreed to.

At first, the brunette was bound and determined to carry on with her little joke, at my expense. However, her hunger and her normal affliction towards shopping won out... and lucky for me, distracted her. So in the end, no teddy bears or unicorns, she slipped into café, while I dealt with my little fashion emergency, on my own.

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Just a few minutes later …

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The jingle of a small brass bell rings out, over my beanie covered head. Without wasting any time, I happily stroll over to Haru waiting in front of a brightly lit display case, filled with all kinds of freshly cut meats and cheeses. "Hey, Haru, are ready?" When I notice her stand next to the register, I quickly reach for my wallet, "Oh, here allow me settle that, for you."

Somewhat surprised Haru whirls around towards my voice, while sipping from a small capped coffee cup. She hurriedly pulls the cup away from her lips, revealing a sweet natural smile. Which only causes my smile to widen, further. "Oh hey Kao," Haru waves a hand in front of me, "It's okay, I've already taken care of it."

"Really?" My hand pauses at my inside pocket.

"Yeah, I think I pretty much fingered it out." She shrugs her shoulders, "So did you get what you needed?" She lifts her cup to her lips.

"Absolutely, what do you think? "I extend out my arms to my side, giving my old friend a slow fashionable twirl. "Not too bad."

"Well, that depends in what you're up to?" She hands me a tall red coffee cup, with an incredulous expression on her face. "Here, maple right?"

"Uh yeah, thanks." I begrudgingly accept the cup, seeing as I'm more than a little picky with my liquid caffeine. "Up to?" Giving her a feigned innocent look, "I'm not sure what you're talking about?" I lift the cup to my mouth, and tentatively take a small sip.

"Good, right?" She pulls her cup from her satisfied lips. "Anyway, I know that look all too well. You're definitely up to something."

The sweet maple flavored attempted to cover the somewhat weak flavor of the coffee, but the offered cup wasn't terrible, it was actually pretty good. "Well, it's no instant coffee, I'll give you that."

Her smile turns awkward, as her chocolate eyes fall to her cup, "Uh yeah, I'm more of a tea drinker, now."

After I saw how my thoughtless comment affected her mood, I quickly change the subject, to avoid losing any ground I've possibly made today. "Anyway, I bought you a little something." I shrug my shoulders and teasingly hold out the silver bag, in front of me.

"Ms. Fujioka." A large man with wavy salt pepper hair calls behind the counter. "Here you go, sweetie." The man dressed in all white plops a folded bag on the top of glass display case, in front of him.

"Grazie," The brunet quickly snatches the bag up and whirls around to face me.

"Anytime darling." The clerk openly leers at the obvious woman causing my fist to tighten around the bag. I'm about to step in front of the brunette when she completely ignores the clerk, and spins back in my direction.

"Well, I also bought you a little something." She teasingly shakes the bag next to her face, before holding it out in front of her, "Here you go, I thought you might be hungry. Since you really didn't get to actually eat much of your lunch." She awkward trails off, avoiding the recent event.

I smugly glance over to the old man, who isn't very pleased his labors were for me. Most likely I'd find a napkin with his digits scribbled on it. "Oh, hey thanks." We both hesitantly exchange bags, however despite my practically empty stomach I avoided to look in the offered bag, and instead look ahead, to enjoy my old's friend impending reaction to my little gift.

"Yeah, Thanks," While gripping both sides of the silver bag she cautiously peeks inside. I watch as an irritated twitch quickly overtakes her expression. She pops her head up with an annoyed look. "Really, Koa?"

"What, I honestly thought of you, when I came across it." I feigned a look of innocence although, I couldn't help but chuckle at her adorable reaction.

"Panda Ears, why panda ears?"

I reach over, and pinch a cute little fabric ear between my fingers. "What, it's cute, they stick up better then bunny ears. Besides it's not cosplay," More teasing chuckles slip from my mischievous lips, as I let go of the ear and motion to the bag. "It's practical, it will keep you warm in our travels."

"It's a hoodie… with panda ears." The irritated brunette completely pulls out a black and white sweatshirt with adorable black ears sew on the top.

"And a pair of matching shorts." I teasingly add.

"Their boxer shorts, as in men's underwear." She hisses out in irritation with blushing cheeks.

"Well, yeah sure, that's one way we could use them," I teasingly scratch the side of my head, "but honestly Haru, I bought them for you to wear. It's just a cute trend for girls, to ah… wear around the house. I didn't mean anything else by it. " My mischievous smile grows, "Although-"

"Okay, enough, Kao," She dryly adds "and …uh Thanks." She roughly shoves the garment back into the bag, before waving a dismissive hand, "just eat your sandwich, before it gets cold." She heads for the door, rubbing her forehead.

"Anytime." I amusingly take a bite of a prosciutto panni neatly wrapped in a paper napkin, secretly enjoying the small improved exchange between us, as I happily follow her out the swinging glass door.

.

A little later…

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"So, um Haru, what do you think?" My golden eyes are immediately drawn towards the rather alluring sight of the gorgeous brunette walking next to me, slowly licking up creamy pink drips, slowly trickling down the side of her cone.

"Ah yeah," She looks over her shoulder as we walk to the next store, "it's uh ….really sweet, it was a good idea." Haru speaks in a distracted tone, with small drops of strawberry gelato glossing her sweet lips.

I suddenly realize, I had not only been mindlessly staring at her succulent lips, but my head was now precariously closer. I begrudging break my captive eyes away from the sticky, sweet delicate skin, and roughly shake my head. All the while inwardly berating myself for the brilliant idea, of the sweet treat. "Uh well, Hika can't have all the fun, taking you out for ice-cream. " I awkwardly turned my blushed head, finding it incredibly difficult to keep my eyes pointed straight ahead, and not sliding over to the tantalizing sight, next to me. Wondering if my twin suffered the same temptation all those years ago, as we curiously watched from hidden corners.

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With my golden eyes, constantly bouncing over to the alluring double scoop I decided to give up on my completely futile efforts, and have a little fun. I teasingly hold out my maple nut cone to her, figuring she be all cute and blush or something, while refusing the secondary kiss. "Do you want to try some of mine?"

She turned around, "Uh yeah, sure." My anxious golden eyes dart to my cone inwardly hoping to see more of the previous teasing sight. Without another word, she bites down on half my scoop without even thinking. "Thanks, Kao."

"Yeah, don't mention it." Somewhat taken back, I lift the half eaten cone with a massive crescent shape bite taken out of it, in front of my wide shocked eyes. "Ah Haru , is everything okay , I mean you're not suddenly suffering from a sharp headache," My eyes slide over to my old friend , "I don't know, perhaps maybe in your now throbbing temple? "

"Ah, what Kao?" The distracted brunette turns her head back to me.

Hearing her underwhelming reaction, I let out a frustrated sigh, "Never mind. You know Haru, if you really hate shopping that much, we can always do something else, like stroll down the water front?" I suggested, while stepping in front the next display window. My eyes fall to the window filled with colorful kites as I bite down on the remaining tip of my gelato.

"Ah, what." She whips her head around, pulling her small cream covered tongue from the overly licked scoop of strawberry. "Ah no, its fine, this is more like walking, and less of you forcing endless frilly crap on my body." She bluntly adds before going back and slowly running her small red tongue along the rounded tip of pink frozen cream.

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Suddenly feeling that odd familiar feeling awaken as I stood there mesmerized, secretly wishing I was the damn melting dessert. However, I soon feel my lower region begin to twitch, causing me to awkwardly snap my head back to the colorful kites. My shaky eyes notice small droplets of sweat tickle down my feverish head, in the crystal clear reflection of the display window. While inwardly reciting a small prayer of thanks for my twin's absence. Knowing Hika would be physically slung over, bursting out in uncontrollable laughter. Knowing exactly what was tormenting me, in front of the oblivious brunette and savoring his sweet revenge, for all those years ago.

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My eyes glance off my reflected shoulder as I inwardly scold myself for the increasingly torrid thoughts about the brunette's innocent behavior. When my eyes catch site of a familiar blacked out car parked across the street. "Ah Haru," I nervously swallow with my eyes glued on the reflection. "Are you still having that odd feeling…..you know, the one you were having back at the restaurant?"

"Yeah, It's weird really, it's actually kind of a creepy feeling," She turns to look over her shoulder, "I just can't shake it."

"Yeah, I'm kind of getting the same feeling," Speaking in a distracted tone with my shaky golden eyes burning towards the reflection, in the display window. With my twin's text, flashing in the forefront of my head the normal looking stretch causes my heart to freeze in my chest with a new ominous feeling…

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….A feeling, I desperately needed to get the Brunet Beauty out of here.

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Not wasting another minute, I toss the remainder of my cone into the large potted plant, one of pair, that bookended the storefront. Without even asking, I hastily snatch up the unsuspecting women's hand while walking just a little faster than normal, down the busy sidewalk.

"Ah Kao, what's the deal?" The gorgeous brunette calls out while wobbling on her heels.

"Wrong? Oh nothing, I just remembered this uh …store I wanted to take you too. I uh, found it a couple of years back." I lied. "It's only a little further." Concerned for the brunette, my hand tenderly squeezes around her hand, before quickly pulling her around the corner and on to another street.

She stumbles forward. "Kao, what's the hurry?"

"I'm not in any kind of a hurry," I nervously chuckle, "I just really want to show you something, that's all." I quickly weave us through the busy walkway, and cross several streets, making my way around serval corners. It's only until I find myself on a completely different area my pace slows with the other sightseers. "Ah, that's better, were almost there." I roughly swing my arm out, with my fingers tightly wrapped around the handles of our shopping bags.

.

Seeing her continue to stumble in her sexy as hell, but inconvenient spiked boots causes me stop in the middle of sidewalk. "Well, that's a relief." She mutters to herself as she regains her balance on the spiked heels. "You know Kao, if you're going to turn shopping into some kind of crazy sport, at least remind your evil maids what a flat looks like." She lifts her boot to gently message her toes with her free hand. "So this is what you wanted to show me?" She asks in an incredulous tone, with a somewhat shocked expression appearing on her face. "Wow, um Kao, your uh….tastes have certainly changed over the years." She anxiously rubs the side of her face, with her eyes awkwardly pinned to the window.

.

"What are you..." My mouth sort of stops properly functioning, as I openly gape at a pair of stone mannequins. One was wearing a black vinyl strap mini cage dress, complete with a peek a boo corset, while holding a long wooden paddle, complete with holes. The other mannequin was barely dressed, only wearing a leather side weaved harness and a pair of black vinyl shorts, complete with a snap away—Oh freaking hell.

.

"I really had no idea, did you always wear these sort things?" She curiously studies the display. "Which one of you wears the dress?"

"What? "I was about to turn my flaming hot face towards my old friend and ramble some kind of excuse, when I catch sight of the stretched limo slowly creeping along the street next to us . With the sudden reappearance of the ominous stretch, my ponding heart knew this car was meant for us.

.

"Damn, it!" I hiss out through clenched teeth, and tightened my grip around her hand. In the next second, I'm swiftly sprinting down the sidewalk, almost dragging the surprised brunette behind me. After coming to the end of the street, I whip my beanie covered head around, and quickly see the stretched car swiftly gaining ground. With my heart racing in my chest and an out, breathe Haru stumbling to a stop, I practically dive around a blind corner. I harshly throw my back against a dirty brick wall, jerking Haru with me, causing her to crash into my chest.

.

An irritated brunet begins to yell out, "Koa, what the hell-"Without even thinking I tightly wrap my hand over her mouth, and hold her body close to mine.

"Shhh," I practically plead in a low whisper to a pair of fiery brown eyes, perched over my covering hand. "Please, Haru?" I stare deeply into her eyes. The irritated brunet rolls her eyes, before nodding her head. Seconds later the stretched car slowly lingers at the entrance of the dark ally, causing me to press my body further into the wall, cloaking our bodies in dark inky shadows.

.

Our eyes intensely watch the car, slowly rolling pass the entrance. After a long tense moment, I blow out a relieved sigh. "Okay, I think we should lie low for a few, before trying to make our way back." I softly whisper, while turning my head, finding our faces unbearably close, while completely forgetting my hand was still covering her mouth. "Oh, sorry." I awkwardly pull my hand away but remain close.

.

I soon become fully aware of the brunets starring eyes blurring together as my head leans closer. Everything else melts into an afterthought, behind her sweet glossy lips. The lips I was only given a small taste of… I just couldn't stop myself.

.

I slowly linger over her delicate skin , lifting my shaky hand to her cheek .The kiss soon grows soft and sensual, causing her tense body to relax into mine. After savoring the sweet strawberry flavor, I gradually pull away. Her wide chocolate eyes cause me to remain silent, allowing me to hear small splats of water hit the unpaved ally. A looming dark shadow slowly crawls far over our heads, blocking the once beaming autumn sun. Just as a wave of tiny dark spots, appear on the ground. "Kao." Her concerned eyes anxiously glance up in the dark clouds.

.

Feeling a chilled drop slide down my face causes me to incredulously yell up at the changing weather. "Really? You've got to be freaking kidding me! First the damn Shadow King and, now this! "

"Wait, what do you mean the Shadow King?" Here anxious face turns white, while forcible pushing against my chest.

"Uh, well," I begrudgingly drop my arm from around her waist, and step away, giving her the desired space she wanted. Although, I quickly take her hand, I couldn't bring myself to completely separate from her, "I'm not sure how I should say this." The icy drops begin to roll off my tan beanie.

"Out with it Kao, just spit it out!" The scared brunette snaps.

"I believe the car that just drove by." I tighten my grip around her hand, but my eyes slide to the ground, "Is somehow connected to…. him."

I can feel here body begin to tremble, I quickly step forward to take her in my arms, but she steps away, holding up her hand to stop me. "How long?" she hisses out in an angry whisper. However, I just stand there getting soaked. "Damn it Kaoru, how long has he been sniffing around?!" Her fiery brown eyes burn in my direction.

I let out a defeated sigh, "Shortly, before I found you."

Her fear stricken eyes, grow wide, as she rambles to herself, while staring into nothing. "You lead him straight to me."

I stood there shivering, as the darkened ally grew silent, with only spats of water falling around us. I cautiously step forward, "Haru, It will be-."

Her scared eyes snap up to mine, while she lifts a hand to slick her almost ebony drenched hair away from her angry face, "Kao, are you freaking kidding me! This entire time?!" She tries to tug our dripping wet hands apart, but I only hold on tighter, "I knew this was a bad idea." She stop tugging, speaking to herself in a defeated tone.

.

Seeing the one time ambitious honor student, looking so small, and vulnerable I desperately try and make her feel somewhat safer. "Listen Haru, were pretty sure he doesn't know I found you." Lifting my free hand to my drenched head, feeling the drops of chilled water pool against my hand as I peel the soaked beanie off my head, and run my fingers through it. "Right now," I let out a heavy sigh. As my shoulders fall, "he's just stirring the pond."

.

"Stirring the pond?" She raises a knowing eyebrow, "you mean causing trouble, don't you, Kao?" Her dripping tresses fall forward around her shivering face. With only the constant sound of the rain causing, the emerging puddles to plop.

"Haru… it's nothing. "

Her burning eyes grow wide while peeking through her saturated strands. "Wait, that's why Hika left so suddenly, isn't it? You two are going through some kind of trouble, because of me." She roughly shakes her head, and violently twists her wrist. Suddenly I feel something pop, shocked I loosen my grip. Her soaking wet hand easily slips from my loosened grip. "No, Kao you should have told me!" She begins to back away from me, before taking off in the opposite direction.

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"Wait Haru!" Seeing her stumble off down the puddle riddled ally. I swiftly sprint after her, easily catching up, as I inwardly thank the twin maids for their choice of footwear. I reach out and desperately grab her by the arm, spinning her around to face me. "Where the hell, do you think you're going? Haru you're in a strange country, with no passport. How far do you think you're going to get?"

.

She struggles against my iron grip, "It doesn't matter. You should have told me!" She verbally lashes out.

I roughly jerk my gripping hand up, and between us, showing the angry brunette it was useless to struggle. Leaning in with a livid face framed by trickling trails of chilled rain. "And just when did you think it was a good time to do that?! Perhaps when Hika and I were practically at each other's throats, or when you refused to even step out of your freaking room, because of some damn pictures?! We were trying to protect you…from this!" my golden eyes grow wide when I realize my hand is now shaking, I let out a frustrated breath, running my shaking hand through my hair. "We knew this would be your reaction… we knew you would run." I pull her into my arms, lift her chin to catch her emotional eyes with mine, "Your scared Haru, I can see it clearly on your face. " I gently kiss her on the forehead, "It doesn't matter what you do or say to me. I'm not letting you go."

.

A sudden bright light practicality blinds us. Without even thinking, I jerk Haru in the opposite direction of the bouncing headlights. The blacked out limo struggles, against the numerous pooled potholes, splashing through the muddy ally. We sprint from the darkened ally, with the omnibus car catching up. I quickly turn my head, seeing unbridled fear in the stumbling brunet's eyes. She was trying, but I doubt she could keep up this pace. Hell, not to mention we both stuck out in the practically deserted sidewalks, thanks to the sudden fall storm. I begin to whip my head around, searching for a taxi, but there's nothing .Which doesn't surprise me since the puddled pavement is desolate.

"Koa." She can barely call out between heaving breaths, our time was about to run out .

…I needed to get her out of here.

"I know Haru, just a little further." I blindly reply, giving her a little more hope to keep going. With my heart madly beating, I desperately scan up ahead for something, anything we could use to escape the stretch. My eyes quickly catch sight of man, stepping out of building, shielding his head from the rain. I watch him toss a white bag in a small compartment on the back of his bike. "I have an idea!"

.

The brunette glances up ahead, "Kao, are you crazy?!"

"Do you have a better idea?" My sprinting feet skid against the wet pavement, stopping right in front of the stunned man. I swiftly each inside my ruined suede jacket, whipping out my wallet and pull out more than twice the amount for the bike. "Look, were in a hurry." I grab the man's hand, and roughly slap the wad of cash, in it. "I need your bike."

The stunned man drops his round eyes to his filled hand. "But, I have deliverers."

My golden eyes glance over the man's shoulder to see the limo whipping around the corner. "Damn times up," speaking to myself. I quickly pull the remaining cash out of my wallet and slap it in the man's hand. "It's your lucky day, I just bought them too."

"I could lose my job!" The man shakes his head, while still staring at his filled hand.

"Look I don't have time to haggle with you, there's a car chasing us, there's more than enough to buy this bike several times over…Please we need your help." The stunned man slowly nods his head. "Thanks. Keys!" I swing my leg over the beat-up sliver motorcycle. "Helmet? " The driver just shakes his head.

"Fabulous, Hika is going to kill me."I lift from my seat, roughly forcing all my weight onto the rusted peddle. The engine sputters. I once more try it again, causing the beat up bike to roar to life. "Come on Haru, it's time to go!" I swing out my rain soaked hand.

She cautiously steps back, "Do you even know how to drive that thing?"

"Sure, Hika and I use to- ", I stop myself," What choice do we have? Haru, we don't have time for this, get on the damn bike!" I yell over the rumbling engine. She nods her head to herself and slides her booted heel over the seat, pulling her body close to mine. I swear if it wasn't for the damn Shadow King chasing us, my body would be reacting in a completely different way.

.

I glace over my shoulder, seeing her anxiously tuck her head between us. I turn back around, and slap a card in the driver's hands. "Grazie. If you end up needing a job, show them this, and explain the situation. They'll help you. " And with that, I roughly twist on the handlebars, causing the engine to scream out. "Haru, whatever you do, don't let go!" She blindly nods her head, against my back before I hastily blaze down the street, barely missing the approaching limo.

.

The limo quickly closes in, knowing the stretched car clearly has more horse power I begin to weave through what little traffic there was. "Hang on Haru!"

"AAAAGGGH!" I quickly hear the petrified brunette let out a blood curdling scream. "What the hell, Kaoru!" The brunette screams, as I turn too sharp, almost spinning out, and missing a shiny new swab. This wasn't working, there wasn't enough cars, and the limo was catching up. I hastily whipped the bike around and headed straight for the stretch.

.

"Are you freaking nuts?" She screams out.

"Could be! Hang on!" Just before we crash head-on into the limo, I drastically shift my weight to the side and use the hilled grassy divider as a ramp and rocket us into the air. Our terror filled screams follow us over the highway divider, before the back of the bike's wheel miraculously touches down, against the road. Once the front wheel bounces down, I increase my speed, leaving the limo temporarily trapped, and driving in the opposite direction.

.

End of Kaoru's POV

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Hikaru's POV

Japan

Not being able to face my tyrannical mother, I find myself wide awake, lying in bed, long pass any sensible hour. My massive custom-made bed was built more for company and twisted acrobatics, and now lying here by myself, it felt unbearably cold and lonely. Decorated in luxurious silks and leathers, the unfeeling room was designed for one thing in mind, it didn't fit my impending life with the Brunette Beauty. In fact, the sight of it only reminds me of my prior hopeless self, adamantly clinging to my denial…..It actually sickens me to look at it now.

.

Dressed in a pair of dark blue pajamas, I didn't even realize I owned, foregoing my usual boxers for some kind of warmth, while sitting on top of my silken covers. With my bareback firmly leaning against my modern leather headboard, I unconsciously lift my nightcap to my lips. However, my golden eyes burn towards my other hand, loosely holding my glossy black phone, in my twitching fingers. I can't seem to pull my eyes away from my twins reply, as Honey's words repeat in my alcohol effected head.

.

"Fabulous, well do. :( I'm here now, cross your fingers. Talk to you soon. KH "

.

As a frustrated sigh blows, pass my lips, my eyes glance in the corner of my cell phone screen for what felt like the millionth time. Damn, this was agonizing. It actually felt like the wheels of time were spinning backward, but really, it had already been a couple of hours since my brother replied. I didn't actually get to read the message until after my meeting with Honey was over .It's not like I could whip out my phone when Honey goes dark….It just wasn't a smart idea.

.

Luckily, the meeting ran short….Mostly, because I walked out. Dark honey quickly stated his case, and then allowed me leave to mull over his, "kind and generous" offer. Those were Dark Honey's words, not mine. Kind and generous, my ass. He wanted the one thing I wasn't ready to give up ….the one thing I couldn't force myself to let go….Not even Kao would be able to convince me, however knowing what we would get in exchange, I'm sure he'll try is damndest, once I speak with him. …in another two more excruciating hours… I knew he would be pissed for the interruption, but it couldn't be helped.

.

…this concerned him as well. Two hours barely left me enough time to "discuss" things with my twin, and call Mori-sempi back before, the opening bell of the Tokyo market….The deadline of Honey's offer.

.

And that's why my eyes are burning at my phone. I tried to work through the time…but all I could do is hear Honey's words constantly running through my head. So I followed an old habit, of mine, and poured my drink of choice to quiet the internal voices…and after my second, I was barely hearing Honey's damn reasons. …Although my resolve to wait the two hours is also wavering, with the second drink.

.

A little later…

.

I was no longer staring at Koa's message, in fact, the phone is out of my twitching fingers, along with my preferred drink.

…. It's just safer that way.

Throughout the hour I went back and forth, composing several texts to my twin, however not one single text has been sent. To avoid sending them, I did something most men would be castrated for …..except I knew someday, she wanted grandchildren.

To avoid texting my twin, my alcohol effected mind came up with the "brilliant idea" of interrupting my mother's insanely guarded beauty sleep. Of course, at first, like most mothers, she was franticly jumping to conclusions about plane wrecks and meteor showers….and when I explained the offer and Shadow King she was somewhat forthcoming. However, when I let it slip she was merely a distraction, that's when the call ended to a screeching halt. With her long standing threat of her only really needing one son…she ordered me to bed, and slammed the phone down…my poor ears are still ringing.

.

I desperately needed to talk to Kao, about the Shadow King, everything behind Honey's offer… and mostly about the new found weight Honey has so lovingly placed on my shoulders, and only my shoulders. Was he right? Finding my hand unconsciously clinching at my pained chest, I knew my body was trying to answer my silent question. With the sharp pain under my fingertips, my anxious eyes slide over to my bedroom clock.

.

3:57am…

Damn, just one more hour and a few miserable minutes …. How the hell am I going to squeeze out another hour? Screw it, Koa is already going to be pissed. What's one more freaking hour going to do? My jealous mind starts to suggestively spin out of control, with the question, causing my hand to rip my phone from the drawer. With a single swipe of my finger, I have the damn thing ringing in my ear. "Hey Kao, sorry about the interruption, but we really need to talk." I anxiously ramble on, once I hear him pick up.

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"Hika?" I can barely hear a voice break through the rough static.

"Koa, it must be a bad connection, you sound like you're in some kind of windstorm!" I try and yell over the static. "I can barely hear you! Damn it, try rolling up your window up!"

"I can't!" A faint women's voice can be heard "I'm on the back of a motorcycle!" Suddenly a loud horn bursts over her words.

"Haru is it really you?" My brief elation is cut short with the realization of the rest of her words, "Wait, why the hell does my idiotic brother have you on a motorcycle, and for that matter why the hell did you answer the phone?" My temper boils.

"Yeah, it's me." Another horn bursts into my ear, "Look out damn it, that guy almost hit us!" Haru screams out.

"What the hell is going on, Let me talk to Kaoru?" I bark out to the brunette.

"He's busy." The sound of static crackles over her voice, "were being chased."

"Chased?! Hello! Hello! Haru you're breaking up!" With my fingers strangling my phone, I franticly yell out,

"I don't have a lot of time" Screeching tires break over the static, followed by a blood curdling scream. "Hika!"

"Haru! Haru, answer me Damn it!" Suddenly all the blood drains from my head, and my heart freezes instantly,

"Were sorry, but this phone is no longer in service. Please try again at a later time."

I franticly dial my twin's number again, desperately hoping to get the brunette or at least some kind of voicemail, only to hear …

"Were sorry, but this phone is no longer in service." I quickly hang up and redial.

"Were sorry, but."

Ending the call and redialing once more.

"Were sor-"

"Damn it." My shaking hand squeeze tightly around my phone I wanted to throw the damn thing across the room

…but I let out a frustrated sigh and frantically lift it my ear…. one last time.

Ring …Ring…...Ring

"Yeah, it's me. Make the deal….I'm going back."

End of Hikaru's POV

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Oh, but wait what's this? ;)

Italy

"Haru! Haru, answer me Damn it!" A panicked male voice screams out of a stainless steel phone, lying in the middle of the street. Just before a large black tire screeches to stop, rolling over it. Turing the expensive phone into little more than flatten rumble, and smashed glass.

.

With the sound of two car doors swinging open, two pairs of shoes crunch against rain slicked gravel. "Damn it, you let them get away!"

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"We had too, someone was going to get hurt…you saw the way that asshole was driving. Listen, here damn it, we were only ordered to watch them ….nothing more. We shouldn't have even been chasing them, In the first place!"

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"Don't tell me what your orders are, if it wasn't for me, our cover would have been blown for sure!"

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"Yeah, thanks by the way. You could have warned a guy, before you plant one on him like that. By the way, why the hell did you need to slip me the tongue, anyway?"

.

"Don't act like you didn't like it, besides it was more believable when I did. Now, if only that damn clumsily waiter didn't spill his food, we might have learned more!"

.

"Whatever, I still can't get the taste out of my mouth." The man speaks in a disgusted tone, "You're not exactly my type."

.

.

"Never mind that, you heard her, she being held against her will! We need to go after them!"

…. And, and... Rescue my poor little girl from those damn rich bastards!"

.

"Clam down, don't get your panties in a twist. We're under strict orders to keep you on a tight leash."

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A pair of polished black shoes crunch against the gravel, joining the other two.

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"Hey, so what did the boss say?"

He said we should all hang tight, back at the hotel…and wait for his arrival."

"Wait, were just going to do nothing? No, I refuse to just sit here, not while my poor little girl is being held against her will, I'll find the little bastard myself! A pair of larger than normal red high heels, starts to stomp off, away from the car.

A pair of large hands reaches out, causes the large shoes to stumble back. "Relax Ranka, it seems the Boss is done with the twin fashion designers."

"It's time for another chat….and this one will be a hell of lot more permanent."

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End of chapter 30

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Wow, two chapters in one week, what are the odds? Okay, I will hopefully be finishing up another story after this. So I should have even more time to devote to this story. Cross your fingers ;) I'll see you soon. I'd really like to know what you think so far.

Thanks for taking a peek ;) Alimackatjac

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