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Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.

Back in our world

By Alimackatjac

Chapter 34 Strikes of Honesty


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Hikaru's POV

"CRASH!"

Chilled rain drops fly off from my saturated strands, peeking out from my completely drenched hood. Haru's shriveled fingers frantically tighten around the collar of my unzipped parka as our soaked hiking boots hurriedly stumble through the front door. Relieved, finally out of the storm, with my chest heaving and my arms wrapped around her shivering back. My water sodden hood falls against the shut door. Damn, why didn't I check…..How could I have been so utterly stupid? I inwardly chide my lack of planning, as icy water pools around my boots.

.

"CRASH!" An explosion of rumbling thunder shakes just outside the door.

With her yellow hood buried in my chest, her shaking fingers peek out from under her oversized sleeves, roughly jerking at my collor, pressing our bodies together. "Hika." She quietly whimpers.

With the not so gentle reminder, I begin to quickly glance around the darkened cabin, trying to figure out what's my best option. "Shhh Haru. It's okay….everything is going to be alright." My lips soothingly whisper into her wet hood with my hand curled around her back, soothingly resting on the top of her head. "I've got you." Giving the Brunet Beauty a reassuring squeeze with my free hand.

Begrudgingly, I pull my arm away from her back, flicking the light switch next to the door. "Damn, a little too rustic, even for me. I'm pretty sure I reserved a cabin WITH electricity." My lips fall as I repeatedly flick the switch with no effect. "Or at least that's how we left it, this morning."

Squinting through the darkness, seeing the seemingly endless treacherous stairs ascending into pitch-black nothingness I decide to blindly shuffle us into the nearby living room, just off from the puddled entryway. With the petrified Brunet Beauty refusing to let go, desperately hanging onto my saturated coat I slowly stumble my way to the leather couch….or at least I'm hoping it's the couch for the sake of my shins. As I can only see darkened shadows in the gloomy room.

"CRASH!"

With the sudden flash of lightning answering my question I firmly, albeit gently begin to pry her clutching fingers away from my jacket, guiding her to sit on the couch. "Just give me a few minutes? I promise I'll make things okay again." Her body shudders, refusing to let go. "Please Haru…..trust me?"

I tenderly lay a hand on her trembling fingers, clenched around my zipper, until she nods her head, begrudgingly sliding her hands from my chest. "All right Hika, I'll try." Her soft voice nearly breaks.

Knowing it's only a matter of time before the next impending strike, I hastily feel my way along the back of the couch. Until my rain soaked fingers brush across the utterly soft throw folded over the cool leathered edge. With a wave of my hand, I snap the throw, unfurling it in the air before guiding the floating blanket over the shivering brunet. Tightly pulling the new warmth reassuringly around her. With my arms free, our two water soaked bags finally slide off my throbbing arm, plopping down on the wooden floor.

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"CRASH!" Standing above the terrified brunet as a long streak of crackling lightning blazes across surrounding darkened picture windows, in the sprawling giant room. Great for snuggling by the fire while admiring quite, snow laden views, complete shit for what I desperately needed, at the moment. My concerned eyes suddenly fall to the extended window, noticing a patio lounge chair haphazardly roll across the adjoining wooden deck. I quickly rush around the room, jerking shut the swaying insulated curtains, which use to close with a simple remote.

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"Hika!" Not wasting a single minute, I quickly peel the top of my sopping wet bag open, rummaging through it, before pulling out a stainless-steel flashlight. My thumb slides across the switch but my lighting salvation is quickly squelched with the temporary flicking of the sudden burnt out bulb. Frustrated, I smack the end of the flashlight against my open palm, lifting the bulb to my strained eyes, attempting to fix it.

Practically searing my retinas with the sudden beam of fog light flooding directly into my stinging eyes. "Damn it Hikaru, that wasn't very smart." I hissed to myself while rubbing my blinded eyes. "Yeah Haru, just try and hang in there, for a little longer, I'll be right back!" Speaking a little louder with a reassuring tone.

With my promise in mind, I leap to my feet, hastily rounding the corner before my soaking shoes squeak against the stairs. Following the fuzzy light dancing up the pitch-black stairs, until I throw my arms out wide, slamming open my bedroom door. In a flash I whip open my top drawer, madly hurling endless rolled socks and silky boxers, over my shoulder until my searching fingers stumble upon what I needed.

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The very thing I begrudgingly left her side for.

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Worried about being gone for too long, I jerk open another drawer, scooping up a few items before blindly sprinting for the stairs. Realizing a little too late I slammed the door just a little too hard, as my forehead blindly crashes into the unyielding closed door, causing my stunned body to hurl backwards. With my head spinning and the toes of my boots pointed upward, my muddled words barely slur from my mouth. "Definitely…. not smart, Hikaru."

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End of Hikaru's POV

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"Uh Sweetie, take it easy" A familiar voice lingers into my emerging consciousness. "Mind your head."

Drifting in out of nothingness my head leans into a delicate hand, softly caressing my cheek. "Haru?" Just the sound of her name tugs at my broken chest.

"Looks like I'll be getting my answers, soon enough."

"Yes, he seems to be waking up….no thanks, to you!" My golden eyes begin to flutter against the light, noticing a familiar blob with concerned eyes hovering over me. "Oh thank goodness, Lil pumpkin, your finally awake…I was so worried."

"Mom?" With my spinning head resting in her silky lap, feeling her delicate fingers lightly brush my hair away from my throbbing head….my heart falters. Knowing it isn't the Brunet Beauty tenderly touching my cheek.

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Why would it, as I'm purposely staying away …for her safety.

Yes, by the way, this is Kaoru's POV :)

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"Yes, momma's here, Lil pumpkin. Just try and keep still you have a rather nasty bump on the back of your head." The ginger fashion icon happily nods her head, smiling through trails of relieved tears, as she tenderly brushes her long french tips through my hair.

"Mom, please don't call me my baby name in front of the thugs." Letting out a pained groan, peeling my pounding head from my mother's lap. "Leave a guy, at least a little dignity, especially in front of his hopefully, future father in law." With my head cradled in my palm, my mischievous eyes knowingly slide over to the familiar long haired cross-dresser. Stopping his glass just before his awestruck glossy lips, with his stunned round eyes peeking over the rim of the tumbler.

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The cross dressing father slams the glass on the wooden end table, sloshing the golden liquid onto the reflective surface. "Like hell, that's ever going to happen! I was already bamboozled by that damn brainless blond! I'm not about to give up my little girl to some perverted red head! "

Sitting with my shoulders hunched, massaging my tender temple. I reply with a frustrated huff, "Perverted red head? Hell, have you even looked at yourself, lately? "

"Sweetheart, how did you know?" My mother leaned in close, softly questioning.

Tilting my head closely to my curious mother, except I kept my tone clear, so the rest of the room can hear it…or at least Haru's father. "It's not like even in an unconscious state I wouldn't recognize that voice...I've heard it enough in my dreams …and not in the 'good' kind, I might add."

"Oh, are you saying someone else stars in your dreams? It better not be anyone related to me, Hitachiin!"

"Tsk nightmares." A broad shouldered man, dressed in a grey pinstriped suit laughs to himself, "Yeah, I hear where you're coming from….the man can be scary, especially when he's all dolled up." With a cherry hot cigarette dangling from his tan lips, he slowly walks over, stops in front of me, "Here, this should help, with your head, I mean. I'm afraid nothing is going to help the freaked out father." A massive brutish hand dangles a small drink in front of my eyes.

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Slipping the glass tumbler from his massive sausage like fingers, rotating my wrist, causing the golden liquid to swirl around the glass. "Uh Thanks ….I uh guess." I incredulously inspect the drink, as I'm somewhat reluctant to take a sip, instead I use it to comfort my aching head.'

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"Drink, it will put hair on that developing chest, of yours," The thuggish man erupts in a bold belly laugh, throwing out his hand, slapping me on the back. "It's from your own stash. Hey, I promise its safe." He mockingly takes a sip from his own glass. "Look, poison isn't really my thing. I'm more of a hands-on kind of guy." My stunned eyes reflect off the man's mirrored sunglasses, "Besides, you would already be long gone, If the Boss ordered it." The tan thug lightly slaps my cheek before standing up. "Count yourself lucky, I'm not taking orders from the guy, in the dress."

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Ranka pulls his glass from his lips, dramatically flinging it around. "What, we're aiding perverts now? I thought we were here to find my precious daughter…and to make sure LIL' PUMPKIN, here, wished he never came across my delicate angel, in the first place!"

"You better not touch a hair on my son's head…Look, be reasonable. Judging by your taste in such delicious looking shoes, I know you absolutely can." She deliberately studies the sparkling sling backs, on the crossdressers feet.

"Ah damn it, to hell!" Resting the chilled glass to my throbbing head, while rolling my eyes. "See, what you've done now…mother? It's going to be practically impossible to stand up to him! Well, you can kiss your little darlings away during all the major holidays, from now on."

"Oh these? Well you SHOULD like them, their one of your 'earlier' designs. Oh, honey, if these shoes could talk, they would tell you an amazing journey, on how I came across these little beauties. "

"Hey mom, I know you can't help yourself, but do you really think this is the best time, to be talking about shoes?"

"Really, I must say I'm intrigued … See Ranka you just need to get used to the idea …Like it or not were going to be family." The fashion icon's absolutely ageless face grows perplexed, "Uh sorry dear… but we don't normally see each other during the holidays…in fact I can't recall the last one we actually spent together."

"Well yeah, but now if you wanted to, it's all over. He'll always be pulling out the damn baby name, from now on! Well at least Hika will be around, to help me out."

"I'm not sure I understand, sweetheart?" Confused, she reaches over, ripping the glass from my fingers. "Damn, momma needs a drink." But before I can stop, her, my mother had already jerked her head back, downing the entire drink, in some rather manly gulps.

Seeing this the man in the grey suit, standing next to the bar, bursts out into rolling bouts of laughter, "It's alright kid, let your mom have it …I'll make you another one."

She shrugs her shoulders, while handing me the empty glass, "What? It didn't look like you were going to use it?"

I leaned in closer, quietly hissing back. "Well yeah mom, there was a reason for that."

She waves a dismissive hand, "Oh piddle…the man already said it himself, that he wasn't THAT type of killer." She arrogantly crosses her legs, being sure the crossdresser gets a good look at her shoes. "Sweetie, you really need to learn to trust people."

"Killer mom, the optimum word here, IS KILLER! Weren't you just freaking out about the bump on my head, a few minutes ago?" I motioned my head towards the bar, "Well, who do you think gave it to me, in the first place?! Seeing my mother just blink back at me, like I had grown three heads, my palm smacks my forehead in defeat. "Oh hell, never mind." Lifting my free hand, I begrudgingly reach up, snapping my fingers. "Thanks, you might as well make it a double, while you're at it."

.

"Yeah, sure thing." The man lifts another glass off a pyramid of tumblers, "Coming right up."

"What are you some kind of part time thug AND a part time bartender?" The cross dressing father irritably crosses his arms, glancing at his glass.

The man proudly strides over, exchanging my mother's empty glass for a fuller one. "I don't know, does your drink need to be freshened up, too?"

"Well, uh no thank you, I'm not really into the Rich Bastard's expensive brands." The father hands the empty glass to the towering man. "I'm more into the fruity cocktails…you know the ones you can barely taste the alcohol in," The drag queen knowingly shares a look with me. "Until, you're good and plastered."

The man sadly sighs, walking back to the bar., where the inspiring bartender receives at hug from the shorter thug. "Momma, always thought I would be happiest, behind a bar."

"Oh sweetie, if it's any consolation …I think you would make a wonderful bartender. In fact I know quite a few owners, who will look the other way, if you know what I mean?"

"Really, Mrs. H?" The thuggish man pulls away from his friend.

My mother shrugs, "Sure, it's never too late…If it's something you really want."

Ignoring, the former killer rehabilitation, career counseling, I curiously pull my glass from my lips, "So, all this time, we were wrong." My golden eyes slowly slide over to the angry crossdresser, "Since you and your little entourage have suddenly showed up, that could only mean one thing….. You were the maniacs, running us off the road. Weren't you?"

The ginger father uncomfortably gazes towards his empty hands, wishing he had that drink back, carefully considering his next words… Until his head turns towards the bedroom,

As looming footsteps, call his attention.

End of Kaoru's POV

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Hikaru's POV

Not really sure how much time has passed, my hand gradually lifts to my throbbing head as I gingerly get off the floor. "Damn It, Hikaru!" My golden eyes suddenly flip open wide, realizing I was breaking my word. I hurriedly recapture everything I clumsily retrieved, juggling the items, before cautiously opening the dented door, and following my cursed name.

While making my way down the stairs my panicked fingers unravel the long cord. "Ah sorry Haru, this should help." I swiftly pull back the blanket and her rain soaked hood, sliding a pair of headphones over her ears. The effect was instantaneous as her tense shoulders quickly dropped.

The stunned brunet's wide, tear laden, eyes flutter up as she blindly reaches up, lightly tracing her shaky fingers along the headphones. "Are these-"The brunet beauty emotionally trails off as I flip through the songs, kneeling in front of her.

"Wait a minute, do you…do you 'actually' remember?" Somewhat taken back I smooth out my perplexed forehead, shaking my head. "Uh no, this isn't the same pair. Noise canceling technology HAS improved quite a bit, since then." With my cheeks, warming my eyes didn't dare lift from the scrolling digital font, on the music player. "Although, I'm sure if I needed to, I could get a hold of the original set up. Unbeknownst to my well-meaning twin I sort of tossed them in a box, with some other junk, back in my old closet. " My heart practically wrenched in my throat, as I begrudgingly admitted the truth. Well half the truth, anyway. When it came to my old player and headphones

.

.I couldn't bring myself to toss them away …I just couldn't.

"Aww Hika, You kept them, after all these years?" Her sweet voice only caused my chest to tighten more.

"Uh yeah." Shrugging my shoulders, continuing to mess with the red player. "It's not like it's a big deal… I mean I can't stand it when people touch my stuff…and I'm actually pretty awful at cleaning out my own closet...So if Kao, doesn't somehow trick me in to doing it, it just kind of multiplies into its own life force…. Luckily, we moved after a while." I held out my open palm with the small rectangle shaped player resting on top. "I uh, picked this up before I left Japan, figuring now since your back-"I awkwardly trailed off.

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In truth, those red monstrosities, the name my twin happen to always call them, were the very reason the estate's maids wouldn't dare cross my closets' thresholds. One day during our last days of Ouran, I came home to a surprise of my life… Our mother, the fashion icon herself, was actually cleaning out our closets! I practically wrestled the "red monstrosities" out of the shocked maid's hands….along with a rather aged empty box. Furious, I politely but firmly pointed to the door. Declaring nobody should ever dare touch my stuff again.

AN * (Just a little a blast from the past, for you, "Lifetime Continues" readers ;)

Huddled in the far off corner of my closet, sitting under two year old, out of fashion suits. With my arms desperately wrapped around the red headphones and an empty carton of pickled yams. I overheard my levelheaded twin try to explain to my upset mother. One of her first clues on how I really felt about the Brunet Beauty…also it was my first clue...

That I was beginning to lose it.

Her hand slips from the red chenille throw, sliding it tenderly on mine. "Thanks, Hika." A single tear slides down her cheek.

"Oh, like I said, it's no big deal it's just something THIS 'rich bastard' picked up at the airport. Believe me, it's no big." My hands carefully curl around the little red player as I chuckled.

" That day…you came after me ….it always meant a lot to me ….even back in the states…. I couldn't forget."

"You're kidding, I was such an ass back then ….I uh, but it if makes you feel any better ….I uh couldn't forget that day …either," My cheeks warmed with the faded memory, causing me to nervously rub the back of my neck until something next to me caught my attention. "Um anyway," Avoiding her eyes, I scooped up the items, shoving them into her arms. "Here, unless you want to catch a cold, you should probably get out of those wet things…since you seem to be okay now, I'll just um, turn my back….and uh give you some privacy. " Before I could turn around, I quickly leaned over, kissing her tear trailed cheek, as I curled her delicate fingers around the player.

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Somewhat taken back my old friend reaches up to touch the spot, I just kissed. "Hika?"

I abruptly get up, stopping just before the entryway, unable to look at her. "It's uh …just something I've always wanted to do ….since that day. It's uh how I wished our first date ….would have ended. Maybe if it had, you wouldn't have picked-" I awkwardly trailed off, rubbing the back of my neck as I uncomfortably talk out towards the rain puddled room. "Anyway, if you want, I have the original song on the play list …I mean if you want to listen to it, that is?"

I didn't dare stay and hear her reply

….I couldn't.

So, I just went ahead busying myself, staying close by, while mopping up the wet entryway with only the occasional streaks of lightening keeping me company.

A little later…

Once done cleaning up and changing out of my own soaking wet clothes, I finally made my way back to the sitting room. Standing in the doorway I peeked over the white's sofa's overstuffed arm. My breath hitched in my throat as I watch the sleeping angelic woman. Obviously exhausted, as she's fast asleep, curled up into the red throw.

While laying out our wet clothes around the fresh licks of flicking fire I can't help but peek over my shoulder at the small content smile perched on the sleeping brunet's face. My chest tightens as I realized for the first time I have taken my first step towards the promise I keep secretly locked inside my chest.

By simply being there, soothing away her…. oldest trouble.

Sometime later…

Sitting on the floor, staring at the glowing embers as my tired eyes begin to flutter closed, when a single hand settles on my shoulder. My body lurches in surprise, turning around to see the sleepy Brunet Beauty dressed in one of my t-shirts. A blush immediately swirls on my cheeks as I knew, just under the wrapped throw, my friend was ALSO wearing a pair of MY purple boxers. "Hey sleepy head, feeling better?" Knowing the radiant heat from the roaring fire would hide my blush I turned toward the drowsy woman.

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"Uh yeah, sorry about that." Wrapped in the red throw she slides off the couch, scooting closer, sitting right next to me. "I mean once I …um heard that song again I sort of drifted off." She awkwardly looks down, adjusting her hold on the throw, cautiously sliding the massive headphones off her ears. "So um, how long did the uh, storm last?" She glances around the orange hazed room.

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Lifting my rested arm from across my bended knee and my crossed socking feet, waving my phone before carefully tossing it in front of me. "Oh it's not over yet, at least that's what the weather app on my phone is saying." With my hand free, I throw out my arm, pulling her damp pony tailed head closer to my chest. "We're sort of in a lull, at the moment. You should um, probably go back to sleep, before it starts again." Giving her a concerned look, I easily slip the red headphones back around her ears.

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However, to my surprise she doesn't head back to the couch, only snuggling further into my chest. I can't help but squeeze her closer, resting my lips on the top of her head, as a relaxing quite gradually takes over the room. Until a sleepy voice breaks the sound of the crackling fire,

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"Uh Hika, about what you asked ….I mean…. before the storm?"

End of Hikaru's POV

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Kaoru's POV

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Confident footsteps could be heard, echoing from my bedroom. Until a familiar ginger haired mobster strolls into the occupied sitting room, sliding his phone into his inside breast pocket. "Ah Hitachiin, your finally awake, I must thank you for your generous hospitality to myself and my boys."

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With my glass pressed against my head, I dismissively wave a hand. "It's not like I had a choice." Grumbling to myself as I'm not in the best of moods…as I had recently been knocked unconscious by an inspiring bartender/ henchman, awaken by a 'surprised' visit by my CEO mother….I'm starving, tired, and I definitely NEED a shower….and if I was being perfectly honest I wish people would leave me the hell alone! Damn, if I actually voiced all this. people would think they had the wrong twin.

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"I must apologize for my tardiness. You see, my wife is expecting rather soon and well, she's quite anxious that her husband isn't home, yet."

My mother happily tents her hands, "Oh marvelous, a new father in the works. Well congratulations!" With my twin's warning practically screaming in my pounding head, of course the fashion icon chooses now, to turn in my direction "If only my boys would follow your example…It seems like I've been simply waiting forever."

With my cool glass pressed against my head I give my mother a pleading look, "Mom, please don't start… Hika, already told me what you expect."

She gracefully accepts another drink, despite me silently objecting to the thuggish bartender. "Fine, as long as you keep it, in mind." She waves a hand while lifting her glass.

Unable to even climb that mountain my golden eyes slide over to the confident mobster, "Hello Ritsu, I was wondering when you would be popping by?"

He graciously takes an offered drink, nodding to his trained killer, lifting his glass, "Ah, Kaoru isn't it? At least that's what I've been told?"

"Ah yeah, Ritsu it's me," I nod my head, "Listen, about the car chase."

He sits down on the couch, resting his arm across the back. "Oh that, it was a slight oversight."

Outraged, "A slight oversight? That's what you call it?"

"It wasn't on my account, I assure you." He takes a long sip, before licking the golden liquid from his thin lips. "Since our last encounter, I'm confident, you know, just how overprotected fathers can get." He meaningfully nods his head towards the festering crossdresser. "Of course, if it wasn't for your LITTLE club He might not be nearly as bad as he is now."

"Ahhh Ahh," A crazed laugh comes from the crossdresser, "Now you little shit are in for it, he's mentioned your damn club." Speaking with a menacing smile.

"Protective?" Vehemently pointing a sharp finger, "That asshole nearly killed us! I had to turn into some kind of crazy stuntman, just to get away from him. Over protective my ass, if you had any idea what he's done …what he could have done, he wouldn't be talking about freaking shoes, now! "

"Wait Kaoru," My concerned mother blinks towards me, "Dear, who was driving like a maniac?" With every word, her worry escalates into something truly terrifying. "And why is this the FIRST time I'm hearing about it?!"

I nervously swallow, seeing our family's demon unleashed, "Ah freaking hell."

Her golden eyes blaze, "Kaoru Hitachiin, you answer your mother, damn it!"

Letting out a defeated sigh, I raise my hand, awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck, Unable to look at the seething demon, standing over me? "We didn't tell you, because we didn't want to worry you….it just sort of happened."

"Wait, 'we?" She pulls the glass from her lips, "Damn, of course your twin knew about this, why am I not surprised?" She lifts her hand, massaging her temple. "Kaoru, why the hell would someone try and run you off the road?" My mother hissed.

Nodding my head to the side, towards the gawking cross dresser. "I don't know, why don't you ask your damn shoe buddy, over there! I was too busy dodging cars to ask him why he was freaking chasing us, in the first place! " Fuming, I quickly jerk my head back, taking a long pull of my drink.

"YOU!" Furious, my mother marches over, confronting the ginger father, motioning between the two of them. "Why the hell would you risk both our children's lives, like that?"

The infuriated cross-dresser swiftly leaps from his seat, standing toe to toe with the seething fashion icon, "Your perverted sons, kidnapped my little girl!"' pointing an adamant finger directly at my head. "I was merely protecting her wellbeing!"

"By running her off the road? Ranka are you that much of a fool?" My mother unfolds her arms, angrily swinging them out. "You could have killed them both! Damn it, my sons' maybe a little unconventional," The furious icon stands toe to toe, "But, I can tell you, without a doubt," she sharply pokes the cross dresser's chest. "They absolutely love your daughter …they always have. Don't believe me, then just look around. Lift my son's damn shirt! You know exactly what's there! Don't you?!" With fiery eyes burning towards Haru's father, she holds out her pinky. "They would rather knowingly, sprint headstrong into unprecedented danger then have her get so much as a 'sliver' in her little finger!"

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"Uh Mom." Seeing matters only escalate I quickly leave my seat, although I don't dare step between the two arguing ginger parents.

Ranka pulls his head away from my mother, as he lets out a humorless chuckle, "You know, I've been sincerely told that before. That blond president of your rich bastards' fan club sat right in front of me, elegantly declaring everything you just said …and look what happened. Just a few short months later, she was summarily tossed aside, leaving me to pick up the pieces."

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Frustrated, the silky blue material of my mother's sheath dress shifts as she purposely cocks her hip, while propping her hand. "You know what, I'm so done, hearing about that damn club! It was just a stupid high school club." My mother's eyes glance over in my direction, "It uh, certainly wasn't worth stopping anyone's life over."

We both knew, it wasn't just one…..but three frozen in time.

"Yeah, you say that now, but you weren't there." The cross dresser turns towards the mobster giving him a gratitude filled smile, "If it wasn't for Ritsu, I wouldn't have even had the means to rescue her." The ginger mobster silent gives his head a small nod of acknowledgment, while raising his glass, to the crossdresser.

Ranka turns back, letting out a sigh as his smile quickly dissolves, "Being who you are, you'll never know how that feels." The frustrated cross dresser throws out his arms, one after the other. "Not with private jets, here and there. Listen Hitachiin, You flew half way across the planet because you were worried about your son …..Tell me, just how many of your family's privately owned planes are parked at the airport, right now? "

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My mother stepped forward, cautiously placing a gentle hand over his shaking fist. "Look, Ranka, you had all the resources you ever needed." She lifted her other hand, motioning to herself, "I would have done anything for you, or your daughter and I know several other families, who weren't in that damn club that thought the same way. The Houshakujis, Sagas, and The Kurakanos, and that was only a few from her class." She knowing shares look, giving the mobster a smile, while dropping her hand, "Hell, you just going to Ritsu, here, proves what I've been saying."

I glance over to my mother with a perplexed face, "Mom, you never told us any of this ….We always just assumed it was mostly us?"

"I tried." Her woeful eyes drop down to her fidgeting fingers," but neither of you would ever listen." Her tone turns quiet, almost like she was speaking to herself, as her hand rubs tenderly along her arms, as if she was giving herself a hug. "You two, just sort of fell backwards in time, only depending on each other …everyone else fell by the wayside, including your own mother."

Seeing my mom practically in tears, I rush to her side, throwing my arms around her, nuzzling her cheek. "Mom, we didn't mean to-"

She quickly cuts me off, lifting her hand to my cheek, tenderly cupping it. "Sweetie now's not the time." A bittersweet smile slowly emerges, "Besides, since you've found that girl, you and your brother have reached out ….asked for help…..and little by little, you've let us back in."

Only holding my mother tighter, burying my emotional face into her shoulder, shaking my head. "Mom, I'm so sorry, Hika and I never meant to shut you or dad out …we just went back to before the club, before the betrayal."

"Shhh sweetie," My mother softly patted my head, "I understand." She gave me a reassuring squeeze, before stepping away, turning her attention back to Haru's father. "You see Ranka, your daughter left quite the impression and well her disappearance …did the same."

A single pair of clapping can be heard, before it dwindles into silence. "Touching, but I won't be fooled by a mere mother and son performance …most of the time, you rich bastards go around letting your money solve your problems….I won't let my daughter be exposed to that, ever again."

"Really, you heartless bastard! Do you think that beautiful tender moment was an act, purely put on for your behalf?" My furious mother begins to push up her sleeves. If I didn't know any better, I would say she was about to get some well-deserved payback, from the overprotective father.

Seeing her about to swing towards the suddenly stunned father, I swiftly reach around her waist and pull her back, "Mom, don't it won't help!"

"I don't know, it might help ME feel better!" She huffs, adjusting her dress.

"Yeah, but what will Haru think?" Quietly speaking in her ear, holding her shoulders, from behind. "Hika and I are already having a tough enough time, this….this will only cause us, even more trouble."

She reaches up, tenderly patting me on the cheek. "Fine, I'll do it for my Lil Pumpkin."

My head crashes to her shoulder, slowly shaking it, in defeat, "Mom, I'm begging you, if you ever want grandchildren, stop with the baby names."

With a chuckle, she easily shrugs out of my hands. "Using money to solve problems, really? That doesn't look like what my sons have been doing. They been dragging you're poor daughter all across Europe, trying to fix what was done to your family." Flinging her arms out to the side, "Not tossing money in every direction." She stubbornly crosses her arms, "The Hitachiins are nothing like the Suohs, or the Ootoris ….You would know that, if you'd stop lumping us together by the size our bank accounts….I get it Ranka, you, and your daughter were hurt…but, it's time to move the hell on! I ….uh happen to know your daughter wasn't the ONLY one who suffered!"

She hesitantly paused, "Who …..mentally broke."

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End of Kaoru's POV

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Somewhere across the country.

Hikaru's POV

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Suddenly a fear in which the likes I've never felt before, Not even when I made my way up those damn metal stairs, before seeing her father's abandoned apartment. Nothing like I've ever experienced caused my terrified heart to hammer against my ribs, like now. "Uh yeah, Haru, what about it?" I cautiously speak against her chestnut hair.

Letting out a sleepy yawn, snuggling into my chest, "I uh want to ….try."

My heart just about burst out of my chest, I wanted to stick my finger in my ear, as I must have heard it wrong… but I couldn't as I carefully peeked down to a sleeping brunet, clenching on to my navy blue hoodie.

Yes, even later still...

"CRASH!"

"Hika." Her tightened fingers sink further into my sweatshirt, causing my arms to sleepily squeeze her closer, without so much as cracking a conscious eye I mumble something incoherently while kissing the top of her head. …and falling back asleep.

That is until I feel her delicate strawberry skin pressed against mine. Figuring this must be one hell of a dream, my flatten palms begin to lightly press into her shivering warm back. Tilting my head ever so slightly I slowly sink into the deepening kiss. All the while massaging small lingering circles into the thin material as my blatant indulgences only escalate with every alluring touch. A throaty almost animalistic growl escapes deep from within me, as her silky lips slowly press under my jawline. "Damn, it has been awhile." I sleepily mumble to myself with an aroused chuckle.

"CRASH!"

The tantalizing body beneath my searching fingertips suddenly flinches, desperately clinging to my chest. Causing me to rethink this whole dream idea as my sleepy eyes gradually flutter open, seeing a petrified brunet beauty huddled on top of me, her face buried into my chest ."Shhh Haru, what's wrong?" with my thumb and pointer finger I roughly rub the sleep from my blurred eyes.

"CRASH!"

My attention is quickly called with a dull light flashing through the heavy material. "Damn, I guess my phone was right. It's really getting nasty out there." My eyes turn back to the shivering brunet, first readjusting her headphones, then checking to see it there's anything wrong with the player. Not finding anything, I slightly increase the volume. As I continue to rub comforting circles on her back. "Shhh, Haru, I'm right here," Affectionately leaning down, kissing the top of her head, "by your side...where, I'll always be." Whispering against her chestnut hair.

Her body somewhat calms, "Thanks Hika." Large tearstained chocolate eyes cautiously peek up from my chest, between lingering tears.

"Of course, Haru, what are…um boyfriends for?" I mischievously chuckle, carefully testing as my breath catches. Ready to deny the miscommunication with a little well placed humor. However, she silently scoots closer, tenderly taking my lips. Elated for the new relationship status I sink desperately into the kiss, tasting her salty tears.

"CRASH!"

Her body suddenly tenses up as we kiss. Figuring she would need to pull away, I begin to end our first brief moment. Only with her trembling fingers tightly clutching my collar she doesn't stop, only exploring my mouth further….almost franticly.

Realizing what was 'actually' happening, with a heavy sigh blown between our lips, I begin to reluctantly pull away, sadly shaking my head. "No Haru, not like this." Softly laying my hands over hers.

Obviously scared from the storm her tearing eyes lift to mine, "Hika, I don't understand," Her whispered voice cracks "I …I …thought… that's what you'd want. I mean since we're-" She trails off, sliding her eyes closed, allowing an emotional filled drop to trickle down her cheek, landing on my wrist.

Just before my eyes blur, feeling her sweet breath blow against my fresh kissed lips my head falls back, before reaching out, gently lifting the scared brunet beauty's chin, leveling her gaze, with mine. "Together, now?" The side of my lips curl in a devilish smirk, with the teasing clarification.

Her red tearstained eyes never waver as she silently nods her head.

My free arm squeezes her close, with no hesitation in my earnest voice. "Believe me, Haru, I 'really' want to," Lifting my golden eyes to the beamed ceiling, almost shouting over the storm, "In fact, I can't BELIEVE I'm about to say this!" Raising both my hands in the air before emotionally falling, slowly dragging desperate fingers over my cheeks and lips. Turning back, my fingers tenderly cradle her cheek. "But not like this, I don't want to be your distraction …from the storm."

"But."

Huddled next to the soft glow of the flickering flames. Feeling enticement press along every inch of my body. Finding it increasing difficult to cling to my gentlemanly resolve my finger purposely presses against her lips, halting her objections.

"Shhh, not tonight, Haru." My finger slides off her lips, leaning down I cautiously glance over to the window, before carefully lifting one of the speakers from her ear. "Haru, when I finally take you, I want every bit of your attention on me." My lips brush against her ear with a low whisper while my free hand seductively draws along her arm, "On everything I'm touching…on what you're feeling." I readjust the headphones pulling back, seeing my Brunet Beauty speechless with rounded unblinking eyes, staring back at me, unable to breathe.

With an amused chuckle, I deliberately pull her tightly against my chest, "Right now Haru, this is enough… Just holding you." My genuine eyes burn into hers as I capture her hand, committedly lacing our fingers together. Letting out a frustrated growl, "You have no idea how long I've dreamed of just THIS …Now, it's mine …All mine, since you agreed, Because I have no intention of ever letting go." My free hand, gradually wanders along her back. "My arms ….. have finally made their way home." Kissing the side of her head.

She affectionately rests her head on my chest. "Thanks Hika…I have to admit they do feel nice." She lets out a yawn, "like they've been missing….all these years."

"They won't be…not, any longer, I promise you that, Haru."

"Sounds good." She sleepily nuzzles her head.

"Shhh, you should at least try and get some sleep, you're going to need it." I squeeze her close, kissing the top of her head with a chuckle, suggestively mumbling, as I too begin to drift off.

"Because 'AFTER' the storm, that's altogether different matter."

End of Hikaru's POV

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Kaoru's POV

My round shocked eyes flash over, "Mom, no! You can't!"

She gave me a kind smile, before shaking her head, "No, sweetie this needs to be said." She nervously drops her eyes to her wringing hands, before lifting her head, with an earnest expression, "He uh won't mind, not if it's for this….if it's for her."

I nod my head, "Okay, but if this gets back to the rest of the family-"

She cuts me off, while turning back to the irritated crossdresser, "Listen, when your daughter disappeared my two boys were nothing short of devastated and to be completely honest … it effected our entire family." My mother cautiously glances over to me before continuing, "My boys… I can honestly say, 'one' probably wouldn't have made it….Without depending heavily on the other."

My mother deliberately slides her eyes, giving me a knowing look. A look to tell me all my silent struggles did not go unnoticed, at least not by her. "and the other …wasn't too far behind, his brother."

Ranka's voice emotionally cracks, "I'm …sorry to hear that….at least they had each other. My daughter was lift with no one."

"Yes, they've always had each other, I'll give you that." The fashion icon chuckles, "But I think your daughter wasn't as 'alone' as you once thought. Just looking around this room I see concerned faces." Little by little, she glances around the room, before she stops at my wavering eyes. "Who grew to love that girl, just as my entire family did." She shrugs her shoulders, "its hard not to."

Ranka knowingly looks over my mother's head, in my direction, "Yeah, I've heard she was some kind of rich bastards' toy."

"No, actually, my husband and I love her like a daughter, and my sons …well, you only have to look in their eyes to know what they really feel."

Flustered, unable to argue with the retired CEO, the cross dresser snaps his head towards me. "I warned you…you could have just let her go …but neither of you, would listen….you two ripped her from her life, for a SECOND time ...And I'm not sure, I can forgive you for that!"

Giving the furious father the most sincere look, "Sir that was never our intention …..Tell me Ranka, back in Portland, was she happy?"

A little taken back, the cross dresser grumbles, avoiding my eyes. "Uh happy? Well there were days-"

With my arms folded, I knowingly shake my head, "Go ahead, stumble as much as you want, we both know she wasn't."

"It was just a matter of time, I mean sooner or later-"The faulting father desperately looks over to the ginger mobster, "well, go ahead, you red headed gunslinger, tell them!"

Ritsu pulls his drink from his lips giving the cross dresser a steely look, "What do you want me to say? That she's nothing like she once was? That you've been so damn worried about her relapsing, you haven't let the girl have any kind of life?!" He motions to his men, hanging out by the bar. "Just relentless bodyguards, watching her every move….From what I've heard, I can honestly say these guys have been at least trying to set things back, to the way they once were." Ritsu, glances over, giving me a quick wink. "Or at least the way it SHOULD have been, all along." He uncomfortably looks down at his glass, causing chunks of ice to slowly clink against it. "Ranka, maybe it's time to let go…. I mean really let go, this time….and I think I can help with that. You're not a made man…you're not a mobster…. you're a father, who 'doesn't' have any henchman under him. "

.

"Ritsu, what are you saying? You want my little girl left with, these guys?" Ranka flings a thumb in my direction.

Ritsu slams his drink down, "Oh wake the hell up, Ranka! I don't know if you missed it, but she's not a little girl, anymore. She hasn't looked the same in pigtails, in LONG time."

The want-to-be bartender takes one last pull from his cigarette, while casually leaning on the bar, exhaling white swirls of smoke. "Ah, you're telling me. I've seen her, when she was out washing the estates cars, with all those tiny pink bubbles, allover that one t-shirt of hers. You know the thin one, with the red flowers?" With a disturbing dreamy look on his face, the thug pulls a blue and white handkerchief from his pocket, dotting his sweaty forehead. "So damn… uh Hot…respectable! Yeah, respectable like a-" Seeing the room full of furious eyes burning toward the insolent thug, he awkwardly trails off, before slowly, sidestepping behind his much shorter friend.

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After giving the thug a good hard warning the cross dresser turns back to the ginger mob boss. "They couldn't figure out which one gets the girl, back then, and they can't figure it out, now! So why the hell should I?"

Unable to take the spiraling conversation I begin to speak up, "Um actually," I awkwardly clear my throat, "we, HAVE decided."

He crosses his arms, raising a curious eyebrow, "Oh, you have, have you? Really? So, which one is batter up? Which one is at the plate, swinging for the fences?!"

A familiar hand rests on my arm, "Um sweetie, this might not be the best time. Maybe you should wait, until he's in a better frame of mind?" My mother cautiously whispers, glancing over at the cross dresser, with a concerned look, "Perhaps, after 'several' drinks, serval 'hard' drinks?"

I tenderly pat my mother's hand, resting on my arm, before stepping away, "No mom, like you said, this needs to be said."

As if I was facing a trigger happy firing squad, I anxiously step in front of the soon to be irate father, nervously swallowing, wishing my twin could be right next to me.

"Well, actually, sir, if Haru's okay with it?

Both of us."

End of Kaoru's POV

End chapter 34

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Hey, I wanted to thank everyone for their heartfelt well wishes, you guys are amazing! Thanks, to you and the doctors, I'm well on my way to a full recovery, with only my occasional off days. So thank you.

Happy Belated Holidays. I wanted to get this out during winter break but it just didn't happened. Everything gets really busy around this time of year.

Wow, a lot things seem to be happing to the twins. I was actually going to add an additional ending to this, but I decided to end it here. I don't know about you, but I can just imagine Ranka's eye literally popping out of his head, after Kaoru drops his little threesome bomb on the overprotective father. Making the following update utterly tantalizing to start writing ;) So I'm thinking it won't be too long.

Thanks for taking a peek ;) Alimackatjac

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