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Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.
Back in our world
By Alimackatjac
Chapter 32 A turn of events.
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Kyoya Ootori's POV
Japan.
"Ding."
After the silver elevator doors slowly slides open, each of my measured footsteps echo in the tense hushed room. Quietly walking the same path, I've taken thousands of times before. Walking the well-traveled path of privilege and breeding, between the inescapable mazes of low, grey faux walls, dotting across the vast room, that few lowly paid workers, ever break free from. I could tell by their eyes awkwardly dropping to their unproductive desks that my name had been busily buzzing from there now pressed together lips, just moments ago.
With nothing, less than quiet dignity, I quickly come to the end of my path.
My anxious assistant awkwardly leaps from his desk, nervously adjusting his impeccable grey suit with his trembling hands. "Uh, Ootori-sama, you have -"
But before my assistant can nervously utter another word, I sharply hold out a hand, to stop his well-meaning drivel.
He remained wordless, and deeply bowed his head, while holding open one of the frosted glass doors, leading to my office.
Although, once I did manage to enter my office …What I saw next, was entirely predictable.
There in my vast modern office is a flurry of activity, more so, then what I just left. Several men, undoubtingly legal types, dressed in dark colored suits were actively flipping through their tablets, with their cocked heads holding their cellphones. Each of the men had some kind of an assistant scurrying around them.
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On the other side of my sleek office stood several servants stiffly standing next to abundantly sweet filled cart, waiting to be summoned. A particularly stressed patisserie, frantically adding the final touches to her latest master piece and two burly looking armed men, peering out through blacked out sunglasses, diligently bookending the world renowned baker.
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My eyes naturally drift to the far side of the room, to several more workers busily scurrying around my long wooden desk with the chrome twisted legs. Where a familiar stoic looking man sits at the corner of it, next to my leather chair, recklessly rocking back and forth, while turned towards the wall of a gleaming Tokyo skyline. The familiar man apathetically nudges a single piece of strawberry, vanilla cake across his plate with is fork, until his chocolate brown eyes slide to the door. He clears his throat as a small upturn smile slowly emerges on the corner of his knowing lips.
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As if on queue, my chair begins to gradually turn, revealing my one time friend happily munching on a colossal piece of double fudge cake…. And not very gracefully, I might add.
However, I ignore the impending drama and casually stroll over to a plain undistinguishable looking cabinet, it practically melts in the room's interior…. Of course, it was designed that way. With a mere wave of my hand over the glossy black surface, the top of the cabinet blinked to life with a lighted digital keyboard.
"Well hello Ootori-san, nice of you to join us, cake? It's my chef's specialty."
Of course the desserts he was offering were the finest quality, once the happy blonde became his family's patriarch, he quickly ventured into a whole new "sweet" endeavor. Purchasing a string of profitable high- end pastry shops catering to the elite, and world renowned establishments where he shrewdly declared himself as the sole test taster, for future offered products.
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"Uh no, I'd rather not." I blindly respond as my agile fingers dance across the digital keys, "May we dispense with the pleasantries, I have other pressing engagements to attend to." Speaking in a matter of a fact tone while my fingers push in the last of my code. 0…..4….0 "and last but not least," I coolly speak to myself, Pressing the final button. Once the number '8' key is pressed the hydraulic pumps slowly releases inside the state-of-the-art, safe, raising the deceptively fragile top.
"So then no cake, then?" The head of the Haninozuka family's voice turns icy.
"No, I'd rather not." Not even bothering to turn around my hand darts for a particular file, among preciously stacked black books, "Seeing as your little venture occurred shortly after our impromptu meeting, I can only presume this has something to do with those misguided twins."
"Pity," a single snap echoes in the room, causing a flurry of commotion. However in all too brief of a moment, the tense room was left silent, with one last "click" of the frosted door closing. "I find when dealing with these types of issues, it's always more comforting for both parties, when a bit of sugar is added, but seeing as you would rather get straight to the point …let's begin."
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I pulled my fingers from inside my fitted suit jacket, placing the remainder of the extensive file back into the safe. "Yes, let's." With a single press of the digital keyboard, the experimental glass, created by Tokyo University, lowers back into the nondescript cabinet. "I assure you, your placating attempts are one sided, at best. Very few people would consider this charade any kind of comfort." I casually turn my back from the obscured safe, walking toward my occupied desk.
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"Fine, have a seat, and I shall continue." Honey sharply nods to himself, before gracefully motioning to a seat across from my desk.
I coldly glance down at the offered seat as my insides boil. "Ah no, I'd prefer to stand." My fingers lift to my face, adjusting my glasses, "Just be brief about it. "
"Very well, then I'll get to the point," His cold brown eyes gaze across my desk. "I plan to unseat you, as head of this enterprise." The shorter blonde adamantly unlaces his fingers, pressing a finger down on my desk. "If you attend to stay on, it will be at a lower capacity, where you will report to my chosen representative." Honey holds out his open hand to his cousin, "Takashi," He calls to the man sitting next to him.
Mori rests a black file into Honey's awaiting palm.
Dressed in a powder blue Kimono Honey, gives the file a quick glance, before sliding it across 'my' desk. "In this file, you'll find various employee benefits, health, dental, retirement, profit share. Along with a generous salary package. At least have a look, before you decide."
Without opening the offensive file, I smugly slide it across my desk, with a single finger. "Seeing as any company underling could have made your intentions known, and you traveled this entire way with your entire cake making entourage, I can't help but feel there's a small caveat to your plan."
"Very perceptive," The blond places his tented fingers over the offensive file. "Of course, I expected nothing less from the Shadow King,"
"Shadow King?" A malicious smile slithered on my lips, "So, I'm correct in presuming this was about our little club?"
"Damn right this is about our club, No, it was more than that. Before you two thoughtlessly came back it was our family, at a time when all of us desperately needed something other than our own, for whatever reason!"
"Mitsukuni." Mori attempts to warn his cousin.
However, the seething head of the Haninozuka family firmly holds up a hand to his cousin, and continues. "You threw all of that away, when you left Haru-chan behind, without another thought, without any kind of damn explanation, to the rest of us. And now you go even further and attack one of our own….How do you expect for the rest us to act, you're forcing our hand!"
"Mitsukuni, stop. Think about what you're doing."
"Sorry, Takashi….I understand your feelings, but this needs to be said." Honey sharply turns back to me," You want back in the driver's seat, so damn badly, then I want answers…and not from you….and not from our so called absentee President."
"Mitsukuni!"
"I want them from her… From Haru-chan herself…. I want Haru-chan, back in Japan! Where she belongs! "
For just a moment my heart stopped in my chest, but remembering what's resting in my inner silk pocket, a small knowing smile couldn't help but emerge, "Unfortunately, your erroneous attempts are ill-advised, along with those anti-social twins. There was no vast conspiracy against the girl. At the time it was mutual agreed, between Suoh, and herself." I unfolded my arms, pushing up my glasses, "A break up, and a rather emotional one, but nothing more than an everyday disagreement, between couples. However as I've stated before ….to protect, Tamaki's good name, I refuse to go any further, on this dreadful topic. "
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"But, she didn't come back."
"That was entirely her decision. Per Tamaki's request, I had made separate travel arrangements, however she decided to remain." I lifted my hand to my glasses, adjusting them on my indifferent face. "You really can't blame her, could a commoner girl really come back after allowing such a socially advantageous bachelor slip through her fingers….the very idea would be simply," I raised a knowing eyebrow, "….Maddening."
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"Huh, maddening, you say?" The blonde's brown eyes went wide for moment, "Well even so, I want to know the truth, and you're incapable of giving it to me." The irritated blond sneered.
"Regrettably, I wouldn't know where to begin in such a venture .I 'm afraid were once again at an impasse. However, I will say your impetuous action will not go, unanswered for long. Just because we were friends, once upon a time, I've let this go, this far. Next time we meet, I will be far less generous, if your actions are not reversed." Clearing, my throat, and adamantly walking around my desk, to stand above the presumptuous blond, happily perched in my chair. " Now, if you don't mind, I do have actual 'scheduled appointments that you have unfortunately interfered with, for the time." My stone grey eyes stare expectedly over the blonde.
"Very well, come Takashi," Honey lifts from my chair, he calls to his cousin, without even looking back. "He's been informed of our actions…. Expect our interim representative by the end of the week." The head of Haninozuka family speaks dismissively.
Standing at my desk I flip open the top of my stainless steel laptop, causing the bright blue screen to flash to life. "Mori, your file." I blindly call to his retreating back.
He stops just before the door, "Yes, of course."
"Here you go." I blindly hand him Honey's file. However, it wasn't a second later my hands slip into the jacket, holding out a piece of paper, tucked between two crossed fingers. "It looks as if you've forgotten something?"
Mori turns and quickly attempts to snatch the paper from my fingers, "Uh, thanks."
However I quickly jerk it back, "Oh not a problem, I'm sure it can be kept, between just the two of us. " Raising a knowing eyebrow over the blinding glare of my glasses.
"Uh yeah." With a shadow of a perplexed face, Mori cautiously snatches the paper from my offering fingers.
He quickly glances up from the paper, causing a reassuring smile to form on my features. "I suppose …..We'll be in touch, then." Without another word, Mori spins around, quickening his steps out of my office, catching up with his stubborn cousin.
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Once I find myself, alone, I violently sweep my arm across my desk, roughly knocking its entire contents to scatter along the polished floor. "Damn it to hell!" My strained voice rips from my lungs. Towering over the clean reflective surface, I stand with my chest heaving, and my teeth tightly pressed together. "Their getting 'too' damn close." With my defeated shoulders slumped over my desk I swiftly peel my glasses from my distraught face, dabbing my perspiring forehead with the back of my hand.
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When a familiar sound rings from my pants pocket, breaking the tense silence, causing an irritated huff to blow pass my lips. But, none the less, my hand immediately falls to my phone, picking up the call.
"Kyoya?!" A practically panicked voice screams over my phone.
"Who else would it be….after calling my private cell?" With an irritated huff, I slip the glasses back on my face, "With the morning I've had, I knew you would be calling."
"Of course I would call!" I pulled the phone from my ear, "I just heard, is it really true, about Honey –sempi, and Mori-sempi, about them taking over-" Thankfully, his boisterous voice turns quiet. "everything?"
"Relax, it's only my more public affairs, there's far more than that, under the icy cold water, so to speak." I let out a small uncharacteristic chuckle. "I'll be fine."
However, my efforts only add to his burgeoning apprehension, "Even so, I should talk to them, perhaps if I explain-"
"No!" I abruptly cut him off, with my knuckles turning white, around my defenseless phone, "I mean, you have your hands full at the moment, this is just the nature of business….it has nothing to do with her. It's just a business venture, amongst friends….nothing more."
"Kyoya, their sure not acting much like our friends …I can't help but think, this wouldn't have happened if, you had just listened to me, in the first place." The voice hisses over the phone "If I had just explained,"
"No, it's too late for that, you should have thought about that, before you dragged her across the ocean…. Besides 'we' decided what needed to be done….at the time. Don't ever forget that."
"Kyoya, it's been such a long time….I think if we just explained to rest of the guys, they would at least somewhat understand…what 'I' had to do."
"You knew the depths of their feelings, she was there secret princess…how do you think they would react….knowing what needed to done. Do really think they would open their forgiving arms, to you?"
"No." A heavy sigh blows over the other end of the phone. "If I had never taken her from Japan, then maybe -"
A seething anger breaks through, "But you did Tamaki… you stubbornly refused to listen to me! And all sorts of 'people' ended up hurt because of it … things in deed changed! Tamaki, you left her!"
"I know ….I know …..I was wrong! Okay? I should have never left, Japan." His voice turns defeated.
I blindly fall back in my chair with a frustrated sigh. "Never mind, it's in the past…So, how's your mother adjusting to the new experimental treatment?" I lift my hand, tenderly rubbing circles in the side of my throbbing head.
"Uh….actually, fairly well. In fact the doctors expect her to be able to come home, soon."
"Excellent, that's really good news to hear." Letting out a long breath as my eyes travel to my trashed floor, and possibly broken laptop. "Well, as much as I would love to hear more, I really have a mountain of work ahead of me …besides, I have little doubt, before long, you'll be exercising your urgent need to abuse my private line, once again….like you always do. Of course there's nothing saying, I'm required to take your phone call."
"Kyoya, you can be so cold at times. I'm just worried about you. Is that so really terrible of me?"
"No Tamaki. However, I'm only being completely honest with you, whether you want to hear it, or not."
"Yes, that is the case….no matter the situation, you're the 'only' one I can count on." The blonde's voice turn somber." You never hold anything back, no matter what I might be feeling." e He lets out a heavy sigh, "Very well, I'll talk to you soon, Mon ami."
Hearing Tamaki's trusting tone causes an annoying heavy feeling to wash over me, as I let out a sigh, "That, I have little doubt. Goodbye Tamaki, give your mother my regards." And with that being said, I swipe my finger over my phone's screen, and end the call.
As if somehow getting rid of the obnoxious thing would cause my escalating issues to vanish, I roughly toss the phone on to my desk, causing it to spin several times, on the reflective surface.
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With my dark silhouette sitting against the brightly lit, Tokyo skyline, I lean a hand away from my chair's arm to fumble with my middle drawer. Pulling out a clean glass tumbler, and a half bottle of 50 year old whiskey from the practically empty drawer. "Too close-" My shaky hand uncaps the clear bottle with the pristine silver label, causing the smooth stream of liquid to splash in the bottom of my glass. "To the lies," I quietly ponder to myself, before jerking back my swimming head, takeing a larger then necessary gulp.
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I tightly clench my jaw, as my inflamed throat quickly calms from the burning liquid. Emotional, and physically fatigued I slump back in my leather chair with the back drop of the gleaming glass skyscrapers teasingly behind me.
"Damn it… he's just getting too close."
End of Kyoya's POV.
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Honey's POV
Japan
Meanwhile …
All I could do is stare at my feet, as a strong heavy feeling invaded my chest. I couldn't even lift my depressed eyes when the limo's door opened, allowing a wide stripe of bright sunlight to momentarily wash across the car's dark carpet. My slumping body flinched with the door slamming shut. "I know what you're going to say, Takashi…you don't need to say it." I lifted my depressed head, resting it on my bent arm, staring out the window. Letting out a heavy sigh as my eyes follow small trails of rain trickling down my fogged window.
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"I know, I kind of blew it. I know it wasn't what we planned… It's just there in that office, with his smug face….Knowing what our so called friend has put her through." My hand, resting on my silk covered leg, clenches into a shaking fist. "Haru-chan remains out of her home country, afraid to return ….while he's sitting pretty-" Frustrated, my tightened fist slams into the dark brown leather upholstery of the door. "Damn it! I just sent the Shadow King rocketing towards her, how am I going to explain this to Hikaru? I mean after what I made him to agree with -"
" "
…Takashi?
" "
"Takashi, do you have any ideas what I should tell him...Takashi? I know your upset, but enough of your silent treatment….I could really use your help. " I swiftly turn my head away from the fogged window, to see my quiet cousin staring down at a small piece of paper, held out, before his stunned eyes.
"Takashi….what's that you're holding?"
End of Honey's POV
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Kaoru's POV
Italy
Next day …
Feeling the last bit of warmth from the fall afternoon sun softly breaking thru the approaching clouds. I casually walk the busy sidewalk with various shopping bags of newly purchased essentials, hanging around my forearms. I thoughtlessly, lift a clear plastic bottle of water to my parched lips while perusing through a folded section of the local newspaper. However, I practically choked on my sip after flipping over my paper. While strolling tourist walk pass my cemented feet, in the middle of a busy side walk I couldn't peel my round stunned eyes away from the small surreal headline.
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Staring at the corner of a financial section of some Italian paper, I happened to pick up earlier, caused my lips to curl in a momentary smile. Immediately realizing this must be what Hika meant, when he said the "Shadow King" was being taken care of. However, my short lived victory is quickly folded away and tucked under my arm, as I find myself entering a long strip of tourist friendly hotels, just a few blocks away from where we were staying.
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A little bit later …
With a quick toss into the hotels lobby's recycling, I made damn sure a certain subject wasn't brought up to our brunet beauty's attention. I had no idea how she would take the news, so it's best to avoid it. Finding myself cautiously strolling the third floor, of some nondescript traveler's hotel, I clumsily juggle my bags. I nervously glance around the plainly decorated hallway before quickly sliding the keycard into the painted, dark blue door. Not a moment later, I slip out of the empty hallway and into our tiny hotel room. Being sure to lock the door, and attach the chain, just in case I was followed.
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A small shiver runs over my shoulders as my eyes glance over to the thin floral comforter, what this so called, hotel called guest bedding. With the chilly thought of our last few nights, I tossed my bags on the foot of the garish peach colored bed and quietly stroll further into the room.
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Stopping at the extended part of the room that acted like some kind of cramped sitting area, not to mention a makeshift sleeping area, I had claimed, after arriving on our first night. Once safe, albeit mentally and physically exhausted we quickly rented a cheap hotel room, for an extended stay. With our combined resources, next to nothing, we settled for a room with a small bed, and a pullout couch. Of course, I found out that very night, that it would just be more comfortable sleeping on the lumpy sofa, then the paper thin, foldout mattress ….my throbbing back was still recovering from our first night, I attempted to use the worthless thing.
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Once in the room I quickly noticed Haru had pushed the ugly chipped coffee table, against the far wall, and turned the lumpy green sofa towards the window. My breath practically seizes in my twisting chest as I quietly stand, watching Haru's wet chestnut tresses softly cascade over her propped hand and arm. A striking contrast to her natural blushed alabaster face. Unaware of my arrival her deep soul-searching chocolate pools stare out the large picture window, captivated by the ocean scenery.
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With the alluring sight, my golden eyes linger down past her neck, causing the corners of my lips to twitch upward, in a wide satisfied smile, while happily chuckling to myself.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you it's rude to stand in doorways?" Resting her cheek on her propped up palm, Haru asks, never peeling her eyes away from the window.
"Uh yeah, sure, but this isn't really a doorway." Another playful chuckle slips out as I walk into the room, taking the chance, to teasingly flip up her hood on her adorable sweatshirt. "You know, you're supposed to wear it like this, it looks much cuter this way." I gently push aside a thin white blanket and plop down on the couch.
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She lifts her hand, pulling down one side of the white panda hood to her wide chocolate eyes. "Of all the things you could have saved, this managed to come out safe, without so much as a smudge."
I shrug my shoulders, before lazily sliding my hands behind my head, sinking back into the lumpy couch, "I guess, I was just lucky that it fit next to all the bags of take out, in the bike's compartment." My curious eyes slide to the side, watching the adorable Brunet Beauty cutely inspecting the black eared hood.
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"You mean, when you roughly jammed the bag on top of the world's most expensive take out?" She huffs, lifting her hand to jerk the hood off her head.
"Well to be completely honest, I would have ditched the food entirely, if need be…That sweatshirt, is just too cute to have been sacrificed." Seeing Haru wearing the adorable garment a sudden mischievous thought occurred to me, causing my hands to slowly slide from behind my head, and lift the white blanket, covering Haru's legs, "So ah, Haru what about the rest of the outfit ….are you wearing-"
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But before I can get a good look, Haru adamantly slaps her hands down around the blanket, "Kao!" Jerking it from my fingers. "Wouldn't you like to know!"
"What? It's no big deal, there just shorts…on you. " I couldn't help but chuckle at her blushing irritated face, as I flopped further back into the couch. "Besides, you can't blame a guy for trying."
Her irritation quickly fades, "Hey, you're wearing different clothes." She smacks me in the chest, with the back of her hand.
I purposely overreact from the harmless kitten swipe, taking in a sharp breath, before coughing. "Yeah, I couldn't stand myself, any longer," My eyes dropped down to a tangerine striped surf shirt and light denim button up. It wasn't anything as I was used to, and I wouldn't be taking any strolls down a runway, anytime soon, but it was clean and I didn't stick out of tourist crowded streets. Not to mention, I hadn't been wearing it for three days, straight. "So I picked a few things up." I snapped up her hand before it had time to leave my chest.
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I purposely drop our hands to my side, away from her attention. "I really shouldn't say anything since, I'm almost giddy in what you're wearing, now….but I bought you a few essentials too, nothing as adorable as to what you're wearing now….but still cute, just the same ."
She thinks for minute, lifting her head from her free hand, "Maybe later, I may look ridiculous but it's pretty comfortable, especially after a shower. So I'm good." She dismissively waves her free hand, making no move to pull her other hand, from mine.
"Really, well I'm glad, I mean not about the ridiculous part, but the, uh, the rest-" Feeling my cheeks begin to warm, my thumb awkwardly brushes over her knuckles. "So ah Haru, another movie marathon, today?" I hopefully ask.
"Oh please can we come up with another option?" Her eyes slide from the picture window, "I mean, I know, I haven't been the easiest to live with, but my eyesight is beginning to blur." My thumb caresses the back of her hand, causing Haru's chocolate eyes to glance down to our laced fingers, "Uh, besides half way in it, I end up crashing on your shoulder."
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"Huh, is that right, I hadn't really noticed," I lied. Of course, I noticed, it was the one thing, that made this horrid little room, somewhat livable. This morning I woke up holding her in my arms….like old times.
"I'm afraid you'll wake up to me drooling all over your shirt….. uh Koa?"
I begrudgingly shake my head from the sweet memories, "Oh sorry, I was uh, drifting…You were saying?"
She rolls her warm brown eyes, "Ah, never mind. It wasn't important."
"Well, I'm not sure what else we can do, I'm kind of out of my element, here. I mean, now that my resources are replenished, there's a few things ….but I really don't think it's safe for both of us to go strolling down the boardwalk, in broad daylight." With my free hand, I awkwardly rub the back of my head, picking up the conversation where we left it. "Sooo Haru, any ideas?"
" "
Of course, she obliviously makes no attempt at rescuing me from this damn awkward feeling, as she turns back to the window, resting her head on her propped up hand. It wasn't like I haven't spent countless trips at the beach, but this wasn't my usual beach. This beach was muggy and swarming with beer bellied commoners, I had no idea where to even begin…and this horrid little place wasn't exactly teeming with potential entertainment …..I mean there were a couple of things, well there's 'one' thing, in particular, that I knew we would thoroughly enjoy, alone in a hotel room, together. …but again, it wasn't that type of trip.
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I mentally shake my head with the teasing thought. Since our clumsy reconciliation, I had been walking around on eggshells, with our Brunette Beauty. I mean I attempted to behave like nothing had changed between the two of us, but I just couldn't get pass the weeks of silent treatment, I just didn't want to risk it…. I had a strong feeling it would be our last, if I did.
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"I uh, mean, it should be safe once we relocate, but I really think we should stay put, until dark."
" "
Again, she's stays silent, not adding a thing to the discussion, I begin to nervously chew on my bottom lip, carefully considering my next words. "So uh, Haru?" I gently squeeze her hand, causing her to silently turn towards me. "I've been kind of wondering, do you have any uh, any idea, where you want to go? I mean we could go anywhere you want… With our uh- "I quickly trailed off, knowing I was about to tick her off.
She raises an eyebrow, over sharp irritated eyes, "Passports. Kao, were you about to say Passports?"
"Uh, yeah," I let out a defeated sigh, while dropping my head. "I was."
"I can't believe you!" She tried to pull her hand away, but I firmly hold on to it, refusing to let go. "You let me stand here, arguing with you the entire time, when you had our freaking passports this whole time!"
"Damn it, you were trying to run away!" I roughly swing my free hand towards the dark blue door. "Geesh Haru, what do you think, I should have done? Watch you walk out that door? Possibly, never see you again?!" I adamantly shake my head. "I don't think so!" with an irritated huff I pull back my free hand , firmly planting my bent elbow ,on the back of the couch to rest my head in my curled fingers.
"Okay, okay point already made." She awkwardly chuckles, turning back to the window, "I was just pissed when you first told me, that's all."
An overbearing tense silence washes over the room, until I let out a frustrated sigh, lifting my head from my hand to cautiously reach out, for her chin and gently turn her round blinking eyes to mine. "Listen Haru, I'm 'really' trying to be straight with you. Can you at least give me that?" Speaking in an honest, soft tone.
She looks deep in my eyes for a prolonged moment, before nodding her head.
Caught in her chocolate gaze I begin to feel my cheeks blaze, causing my sweaty hand to clumsily jerk away from her chin, while sliding my eyes away, awkwardly joking. "Uh…Besides. I'd rather face 'that' heated discussion in this poorly decorated hotel room, then at the…uh airport." I uncomfortably stumble with my words.
Ahh, what the hell is wrong with me? I wasn't this "awkward", even when I was a school boy. I mean, I'm far pass the age of innocence, talking with her should be a no brainer. I inwardly berate myself.
"So uh, Kao, I have an idea, on what we can do." Her eyes blink up at mine.
"Oh reee-ally" Seeing her blush, I teasingly lean across the couch, with a mischievous grin. "Please ….do tell."
"Oh, knock it off." She lifts her hand and playfully shoves my face away. "We can just do this this." She motions to the window.
"What? You mean talk?" My hand questionably motions between the two of us, while giving her a confused look, "Uh Haru, I think that goes without saying? I mean aren't we doing that already? "
"Well yeah we are, and this." She again motions to the window.
"Uh Haru, I 'm not sure I follow?" I lift my free hand, scratching my head. "You want us to just sit here? I don't think that 'actually' qualifies as 'doing' something. "
"This. This, right here. "She vigorously motions to the window, until she lets out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head, "Kao, it's called, storm watching."
"Ohhh, I get it. Leave it to commoners to figure out an activity that has nothing to do with any kind of money." I begin mischievously tease her, concealing my true awkward state, however a disconcerting thought strikes. "Uh Haru, what about-"I trail off with concern.
She sticks out her hand, and shakes it. "It's not that kind of storm! Koa, can't you see the waves, there's a wind storm coming." Her eyes drop to her hand nervously picking at the blanket, covering her legs. "You see I found a pamphlet on it, in the nightstand. Apparently it's a fairly common hobby in the off season…..So I thought it might be fun, that's all."
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I rubbed my perplexed face, "Huh, well I guess that explains all the tourists," I shrugged my shoulders, and let out an amused chuckle. "And here, I thought they were all crazy, sunbathing on a freezing cold beach, but I guess, now that you mention it, it makes since." However, after spotting the dark clouds rolling in an ominous feeling washes over me. "Uh Haru, I hate to ask but what if-"
Her round chocolate eyes flash to mine. "Oh, no. it's not like that. Relax Koa. I uh, checked the weather report." She nervously bites her lip. "But thanks for thinking of me , anyway."
"The Italian weather report?" I raised a teasing eyebrow while asking in an incredulous tone.
"Shut up!" She playfully shoves me, "I think a happy sunny face and a dark pouting, grey cloud, are pretty universal." She shrugs her shoulders, "Between that, and few words I've picked up here and there, I somewhat figured it out."
"Really? Wow, call me impressed." A wide smile emerges on my face, amazed at how far our Brunette Beauty has come since Portland. "Okay, storm watching, it is." I enthusiastically nod my head. "Hey wait, I have an idea." I begrudgingly let go of her hand, and leap from the lumpy couch.
"Kao, where are you going?" She whips her head around, staring over the couch.
"Give me a minute…it's in one of these bags." I blindly reply, while madly digging through my bags. "I uh, thought you might be getting sick of Italian, so I bought us a few snacks."
"Lasagna?" She teasingly offers.
"Ha- ha, you're freaking hilarious. No more three day old take out, for me. Italian happens to be a favorite of mine, and I'm beginning to hate the very sight of it." I stop in front of the couch, holding the paper bag, behind my back.
"Pity, there's so much of it left." She lifts her shoulders, turning back to the window. Completely ignoring what's behind my back. "And you said I can't tell a decent joke?" She chuckles.
I hold the paper bag out in front of me. "Ah, Haru, aren't you the least bit curious?"
"Uh no, did you forget, I'm wearing your last idea." She continues to gaze out the window, while pulling on the front of her panda sweatshirt.
"Yeah, and you love it." I teasingly swing the bag by its handle.
"Love, is such a strong word," She lets out a frustrated sigh, "Fine, show it to me."
With the Brunette Beauty's reluctant approval, my hand excitingly dives into the paper shopping bag pulling out a small blue bottle with a bright pink label.
Haru leans her head closer to the bottle. "Kao, its Sake." Lifting her head with a raised eyebrow, "Are you trying to get me alone and drunk, in your hotel room?" She bluntly asks.
"No! It's nothing like that!" I sharply point to the pink label. "I uh, just thought of you, when I saw this on the shelf…go on, take a closer look."
She reluctantly leans in and reads the bottle. "Strawberry?" She looks up at me, trying not to crack a smile, "Kao, You bought strawberry sake?" Of course, she failed miserably and started laughing. "You know, just because its strawberry flavored doesn't mean I need it. Right? Next thing you'll tell me, is you bought fatty tuna?"
With warming cheeks, I awkwardly look away. "Wellll-"
"Oh," She speaks between chuckles, "tell me, you didn't."
I just silently nodded my dropped head, which only caused her to laugh, even harder.
I lifted the bottle closer to my face, "Hey, in my defense, the saleslady said it went well with cheese, and the sushi was right next to it. So silly me, I picked some up, knowing it's your favorite." I crossed my arms at my chest, somewhat hurt.
"Oh Kao." She shakes her head, trying desperately to hold in her laughter before tenderly placing her hand on my arm.
"What?" I try and pull my arm away, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
"Never mind," She dismissively waves a free hand, "Kao, I'm sorry for laughing." She places both hands on my folded arms, giving them a gentle squeeze. "It's just very sweet of you, that's all. Thanks Kao." She gives me one of her genuine smiles, the one that always sends my heart surging.
"Oh your, ah welcome Haru…..Besides, I don't think this small bottle could get both of us anywhere close to being drunk." I proudly hold up the blue frosted bottle, shrugging my shoulders. "And even if it did, it's still early enough we could safely sleep it off, before dark...So Haru, what do you say, care for a taste?" I raise a teasing eyebrow, as I give the small bottle an attention appealing shake.
She shrugs her shoulders, dropping her hands, before turning back to the crashing waves. "Sure why not, I'm game. It beats going blind with another movie marathon."
A couple of hours later …
.
Two old friends sit cross-legged on the green lumpy couch, paying little attention to the crashing waves.
.
"Oh my gosh, you should have seen his face," The blushing brunette speaks between bursts of laughter. "It was so hilarious!" Slapping her hand on her knee, unable to contain herself.
"That was nothing when he realized he left you behind….I was like Hika ….uh, did you uh, forget someone?" Trying my best to copy my brother's stunned face, while holding my stomach with rolling bouts of laughter. "He must have jumped like 10 freaking feet in the air, when he realized you weren't behind him. I've never seen him whip his head around so fast. I was actually surprised we didn't spend the rest of the night in the damn emergency room. "
.
She practically choked, after seeing my animated impression, pulling her almost empty glass away from her lips, before covering her giggling mouth with her hand. "Oh, pardon me."
Overcome with merriment, and the empty bottle of strawberry sake I'm unable to respond, suddenly flopping backwards on the green sofa, waving a dismissive hand.
She continues to roll with laughter, shaking her head, "No, no, no, I saw that face, it was nothing compare to me leaning over him, when I was cutting the net, He looked like a damn tomato!"
Laying on my back, jovially motioning to my chest, "Well give the guy a break, you like stuck your chest in the poor guy's face." I propped myself up on my elbows "Love-struck or not, even I, couldn't hide that reaction."
Her laughter slowly dies down. "Hmm, I never really thought about it like that." She shrugs her shoulders, "I just thought it was the quickest way to freeing us."
I shake my head with bursts of uncontrollable chuckles, "Damn Haru, can you be any more freaking oblivious? If you could have realized only a tenth of what was 'actually' happening around you, you'd see that damn club in an entirely new light. "
"Oh, you mean about you and Hika's 'real' brotherly love moments?" Haru fans her blushing face with her hand, "Holy cow, talk about spicy, my hottest fantasies are nothing compared to the real thing. " My tipsy friend jokes.
My laughter suddenly falls from my gaping lips "Wait what, how did you?"
She points to my shocked face, "Kao, you really should look at your face, it's freaking hilarious." Haru holds her stomach, while laughing.
"Haru! Y…y…you saw Hika and I?" My fuzzy head begins to clear with her drunken revelation.
Her laughter begins to die down, shrugging her shoulders, "Oh well that, I guess Honey and Mori-sempi decided I needed to know, so they left our adjoining door ajar, one night…and poof, mystery revealed."
"And?"
"And, what? I told you everything."
"AND, w…w...what do you think about-"
"Well, like you said, I kind remember you two, in a whole new light. Although I really should have put two and two together …..I mean your 'so called' act was wwwaaaayyyy too convincing….and you two can't really act that well." She shakes her head, chuckling with the thought.
"Hey, I seem to remember being good enough, to be invited to a certain brunette's house, back in the day." I chuckle with the memory of the fake fight.
"Yeah, that's true, the great Hitachiin blue and pink brotherly battle. How could I forget poor Honey-sempi flying over your heads?" Tears practically prick at the edges of her mirthful eyes. "Damn Kao, this wasn't expected…I haven't laughed this hard, for some time now."
I lift a hand to wipe the edge of my own tearing eyes, as my chuckles begin to fade, "Yeah, and about the past too, I thought that would 'never' happened. Who would have imagined storm watching?" Somewhat tipsy, I quickly stumble to my unbalanced feet, thrusting the last bit of my glass into the air. "To the new drunken pastime! Storm watching, not for the sober! "
.
Even more wobbly, Haru clumsily leaps from the couch, with her raised cup in the air, playfully clinking our glasses together. "Here, here!"
After our jovial toast for our newly discovered activity, we both flop back into the couch, accidently bumping heads, "Ow!" She winces rubbing the side of her head.
"Damn, that's smarts." I tenderly rub the side of my head as I take her drink, setting both of our glasses down. Quickly takeing her in my arms, with a concerned look. "Haru, I'm sorry, are you all right?"
While rubbing her head her moistened chocolate eyes, peek from under her long lashes "Relax Kao, it wasn't your fault, I should have known better." However, her breathtaking round chocolate eyes begin to awaken a shadow of a familiar feeling, deep within my body.
My captured eyes blinked, finding my fingers unconsciously cupping her soft cheek, as my dazed head slowly falls. Allowing my sake dappled mouth to slowly savor her strawberry lips. However the sweet moment was all too brief, as I pulled away, revealing my trademark mischievous grin, "There, does that make it better?"
.
She blinked up at me, "Kao, you must be really drunk, that wasn't even close to my head."
I playfully chuckle at her response, "Oh, really, it wasn't?" Unable to hold myself back, I gently lift her chin. "Here, let me try again," I softly whisper against her freshly kissed lips. The all too familiar fledging feeling begins to urge me forward, causing my shaky hand to join my other, softly guiding her adorable face closer, tenderly deepening the kiss.
.
Pulling away she playfully taps a finger on my lips, "Boy Kao….. Your aim really sucks."
"Hmm, you don't say?" Falling back to her sweet lips, as an amused chuckle slips out. I drop my hands from her face, blindly wrapping her hands around my neck, resting them on my shoulders. Teasing our lips together, "Better?"
Feeling her cheeks warm against my own, "Uh... yeah. I think you got... the hang of it" She pulls my face closer.
"Well, I never claimed to be the 'sporty, twin, now did I?" Feeling the familiar sensation surging through my body, my exploring hand slips under the warm blanket, slowly sliding up her bare silky thigh. "Although there's 'other' more 'physical' activities, I'm actually quite good at." My hand bushes against her cotton boxers, pinning her hip to the couch.
.
"Kao-"She nervously looks away, sliding her long chestnut hair behind her ear. Before she finishes, I unabashedly swallow her words, in a breathless string of aggressive kisses. Firmly but gently pushing the Brunette Beauty back into the depths of the couch with my tongue darting between her glossed lips. With each distracted kiss, I blindly catch my upper body's decent with my hands, sinking into the couch's stiff green fabric, next to her damp sprawled out locks.
.
My heart sharply twists in my chest, feeling Haru's flat hand firmly rest against it. Figuring the Brunet Beauty was about to reject my passionate advances, and shove me away. I nervously swallowed, waiting for the impending push. Except I quickly feel her fingers begin to curl and clench at my shirt, coaxing my upper body closer, silently urging me forward. Just in case I was stupidly oblivious to her tactile invitation, a content sigh slipped from our shared kiss….she wanted me.
.
It seemed my pained extended chase was finally coming to end…..
We were about to begin a tantalizing new stage of acceptance….and my body burns at the appealing thought.
I nestled my side between the back of the couch and Haru's bare leg, while clumsily struggling to remove my button up. Leaving nothing to chance as we were unfortunately interrupted not just once, but twice, I hastily strip off both my shirts over my tousled ginger hair. Only separating from our heated escalating mouths with the rough removal of my bothersome clothing.
The breathless madness continues as the once adorable panda sweatshirt earns my scorn. The torrid stifling air mingles around our gasping breaths, once I begrudgingly jerk my head away. "Haru?" My golden eyes wordlessly plead with the panting brunet beauty, while twitching fingers begin to abruptly grab at the hem of the offensive garment.
Caught in her chocolate pools, my head begins to haze as the all too familiar feeling rages inside. Suddenly envisioning a young short haired beauty in the middle of the throes of passion, beneath me, calling, practically screaming my given name. "Kaoru!"
The enticing image only lasts a moment, when I shake my confused head, noticing my hand roughly clawing at the sweet panda's face, feeling the cloth giveaway to my clenching fingers. What the hell, this shouldn't be happening..
…..She's right here, under me.
It only takes a bashful 'nod' of her head for me to swiftly remove the garment and toss it to the floor. Thinking nothing else of the sacrificed gift, I passionately sink back to our shared moment, driving sweet reactions from my old classmate. Needy fingers glide over her long silky tresses, passionately sliding through my fingers. With our feverish skin finally touching, a long held content sigh should release from my lips, however I only feel that familiar feeling igniting into undeniable blaze.
I know I should savor every sweet kiss, every desired touch as I always promised myself, however…
I just can't …that raging familiar feeling, won't allow it.
My final bit of self-control shatters when I suddenly feel her searing touch tentatively brush along my trembling chest. My frenzied hands begin to wildly travel along her soft body as my dazed head suddenly envisions, the short haired cross dresser, completely exposed underneath me. Her aching naked body writhing under my experienced fingers. "Ahhh Kao!" An anxious voice pulls my head back, causing me to shake my head from my old habit.
.
But the all too familiar, "Guilty Pleasure," pushes me forward …and won't let go. As my hand blindly reaches for Haru's bare alabaster legs, roughly wrapping them around my waist. " I...I ... need you to hold on to me." I mutter through stifling kisses.
With a 'nod' of her busied head, I hastily slip my open palm underneath her boxers, supporting her weight, lifting us from the couch. Ready to continue the heated exchange in a more comfortable and spacious location…as in Haru's small bed. Berating myself for my impatience, wishing I could wait just a little longer, so I could treat the Brunet Beauty in the fashion I've always dreamed… However, the thought is abruptly wiped from head, being upright causes Haru to consciously tighten her legs around my middle.
.
Feeling her searing hot apex tightly rub against my sensitive, throbbing middle, triggers my dazed head to roughly jerk back from the series of kisses. Without even thinking, I reach around and turn her lacey bra into a worthless rag, with one simple jerk of my long fingers, before tossing it to the floor. Haru's round chocolate eyes blink up at me as she takes shallow breathes.
Which only fuels the raging…. addictive feeling, ripping through me.
Unable to even go, a few more feet I hungrily push her against the nearest wall. Not paying any mind to the gasp, I forced from her surprised parted lips. Madly devouring her in ravenous kisses, I begin to see the 'school aged' Brunette Beauty, once more.
My over powering hands wrapped around her tiny waist, driving her lusting thrashing body over me. Jerking my hips up, being sure every inch is plunged deep into her restricting folds. Her short tousled chestnut hair brushes alone the back of her neck, as her head jerks back with unleashed screams of intoxicating need. "Ahgg Kaoru! Don't stop. Please!"
With her passionate demands, my fingers sink 'deep' into her hips, almost painfully, relentlessly forcing her aching body to take me mercilessly. Eliciting pained cries of wanton need. "Kaoru, please!"
However, to my surprise the last scream sounded almost ….frightened.
"Kaoru …please stop!" With Haru's alarming change of tone, my fuzzy head begins to clear, causing my rapidly beating heart to freeze…along with every inch of my half-dressed, sicken body.
My stunned golden eyes stare at the 'older' brunet's round terrified eyes. Catching sight of my hands painfully wrapped around her wrists, forcefully pining her to the wall, next to her head. My stomach violently flips, noticing light crimson fingerprints, not only along her arms but across her entire exposed skin... Realizing what I could have done ….what …I've done so far.
My shaky hands jerk away.
"Haru, I didn't think ….I could ever do that ….I'm so-" However, I can't bring myself to even face her. Feeling like I'm going to be sick any minute, I hastily toss the 'love' of my life onto the damn bed, to then only grab my jacket, and shirt from the floor.
.
"Kao… Please ...don't go." She lets out heavy sigh, "We should really talk about this….this isn't like you." Her pained troubled voice rings in my ears as my burning eyes fall on my violently shaky hand, resting on the worn metal doorknob.
Without some much as glance over my trembling shoulder, my broken voice falls from my lips.
"Haru, I'm sorry…...I can't…..it's not safe….I'm not safe."
End of Kaoru's POV
.
.
Several hours later …
Teetering on the edge of consciousness, my ears hear an opening door, but when my drowsy eyes flutter open, peeking around my pillow, all I can see is the door closed ,and unchanged. Somewhat irradiated with the imagined interruption, with my exhausted body on the brink of sleep, I let out a huff, tiredly nestling my head deeper in the cool overstuffed pillow.
That is until, an unknown weight silently sinks on the edge of my bed.
"I thought I wasn't going to see your ugly mug around here anymore?" I groggy speak, with my eyes relaxed and closed.
" "However the room remains awkwardly silent.
Letting out a long exhausting yawn, "Hey, if you're going to interrupt my beauty sleep, then you can at least answer me, damn it!"
" "Frustrated by the silence, I abruptly whirl around, reaching for my light.
"Don't! ….. just leave it off." A dejected voice sadly slips in to the dark bedroom.
"Okay" I let out a sigh, "What this about, little brother?"
"Hika …I…I can't ….control it."
"Kao? What the hell are you -" I trail off, as the wheels in my head begin to turn.
" "
(Okay for the simple dramatic effect ... I purposely didn't name the POV...of curse you now know it's Hikaru :)
All I can hear is clothes rustling next to me, until I hear something placed on my bedside table. Figuring something is horrible wrong my hand blindly feels around the table, lifting several items to my adjusting eyes. "A phone? Hey wait this is-"
"Haru's passport….along with where you can find her."
"Why are you giving me this, Kao what the hell is going on, with you?" I hissed out in a panic.
A heavy sigh invades the darkened bedroom. "Tag, you're it, Hika." My little brother's broken voice barely reaches my ears. "She going to need you ….we both do."
"What the hell do you mean, I'm freaking 'it'? Damn it Kaoru you're scaring me!"
I feel my bed shift, before a blinding strip of light paints the floor of my bedroom, causing me to rapidly blink my eyes. Noticing a dejected silhouette standing at my opened doorway.
"Hika, I need….. distance."
Setting upright in my bed, I frantically fumble for my light, flicking it on. Quickly adjusting to the stark bright light, only to see Kao's miserable face, red with freshly fallen tears for a split second, before he turns his back….on me. "I'm counting on you Hika, keep her safe." And with that, the door clicks shut.
….with my broken little brother, on the other side.
End of Hika's POV
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End of chapter 32.
I know, I know, this isn't at all like Kaoru, however that's my point. Kaoru could now be struggling with the very addiction that kept him going, all those years, during Haru's absence. Please keep in mind, he stopped when he realized what was happening, most of it was a guilty pleasure fantasy….and for time he wants to stay away, and keep safe.
So here it is, with this very update I'm officially over a millionwords written! Yaaaa! …and for some reason this chapter was a bear to get done. I mean I ended up sick in the middle of summer. However, after three weeks of relentless struggle, it's finally finished! Time for some sushi takeout and chocolate cheese cake. I know it's an unusual combination, but hey, my friends and I aren't particularly normal.
Thanks for taking a peek ;) Please: Follow /Review/Favorite/ Share
