birdcrazy: i know, it's almost over! happy thanks for reviewing!
boomkat: no, he didn't hurt her. she smashed a lamp, like the same kind of lamp that he threw and accidently killed faith. the sight of blood and the smel of the oil brought up all of his memories. she just screamed cuz she was scared, she didn't really get hurt very badly. i know, the 'black haru' thing is kinda silly. especially if you think of his normal side being 'white haru.' lol. thanks for reviewing!
Band Guy's Girl. Maybe.: told him yet? Thanks for reviewing!
Silent Storm 2002: lol. well, originally the chapter before that was sposed to be the last chapter, but i messed up and had to keep going, and that's why all of these seem a little off. thanks for reviewing!
Emarista the Torturer: i hope he'll be ok too! lol. thanks for reviewing!
Ki Ki: eep! lol. wow, thanks!
everybody: i'm sorry it took so long! i went on vacation with my family, and i was going to post as soon as i got back, but then i didn't like it and had to re-write it and everything. but now i'm back! so read away!
'Uh...No! This is a mistake!'
Haru turned as quickly as he could back to the cab he'd used, just to see it disapear into the fog. He'd ridden to the souhma house almost in a daze, and now that he was actually there, his mind cleared. Well, not really. He'd paniced.
'Oh god...'
He swallowed as he turned back to the front gate.
'Well...here goes nothing...'
He shut his eyes tight as he raised his fist to knock.
"Haru?"
His hand never hit the wood. He opened his eyes to see a small, golden head poke timidly out of the gate.
"...Kisa...?"
Her face lit up as she lunged forward towards him.
"You're back!"
He laughed with joy and relief as he lifted her up above him and spun her around.
"I'm back!"
"...Is that...Haru...?"
Another blond head poked out.
"Momiji! It's him! He came back!"
Kisa squealed from her position in the air.
Momiji reacted much like Kisa, only jumping and sqealing on his own accord. The three of them entered the main house like that, laughing happily.
Almost all of the dread Haru had felt in coming home had vanished by then.
'There's still Hatori...but he shouldn't be too bad...and Akito...well, he never really cared much about what I did anyway! Yeah, I'd say Hatori is the one to worry about...but whatever...'
Just then Hatori stepped out onto the front porch.(thing)
Haru rasied his head, and the two of them locked eyes.
'This is it...'
After a few seconds, Hatori smiled a little.
"Welcome home, Hatsuharu."
Haru smiled.
'I'm home...'
"Where were you anyways?"
Momiji asked, diverting Haru attention from Hatori.
Haru shrugged.
"Around."
'...Why did it take me so long...to come back here...? This is my family...Why?...It was her...Kairi...woke me up...at last...'
"Are you staying for good this time?"
Hatori asked.
Haru shook his head.
"I've got an appartment, kinda far away from here."
Kisa looked dissapointed.
"So you're not going to live with us?"
Haru smiled sadly.
"No sweetie. But you can come and visit me all the time, I promise."
'No...I came home, but I can't live here. That would be too much...'
"...Alright..."
She said slowly, as if she was trying to decide whether or not she approved of this idea.
"And I know somebody who'll love to meet you."
"Who?"
"Hmmmmmm...I think I'll keep it a secret."
Haru teased.
"No, tell me."
Kisa whined.
"Nope. It'll be a suprise when you come and see us."
Kisa looked pouty for a second, and then gave up.
"Fine. How long are you staying?"
"I don't know. A couple of days?"
"Good! I made something in school today, come see!"
Kisa sprang to life and started dragging Haru towards her room to see how much had changed. Momiji followed them.
Hatori stood alone on the porch as he watched them leave. After standing in peace for few minutes, he sighed and went back to his office. Sitting down at his desk, he brought out a picture of the three of them when they were younger. They were laughing at something Haru had done.
Hatori smiled to himself.
'He's home again...Finally...He had his time to heal. Well, as much as is possible. But he knows he welcome here. I think he'll be alright...'
He sat like that for a long time, looking at the picture. After a while, another figure entered the darkening room.
"Hatori?"
Haru voice was timid.
"Hmm?"
"Uhm...Did I...Am I in trouble?"
Hatori smiled at how childlike Haru's question sounded.
"No."
"But...What about...Akito...?"
"I spoke to him. Several times. Don't worry, he won't give you any trouble."
Haru sighed with relief.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He paused, then said in a softer voice.
"Kisa missed you..."
Haru lowered his head.
"I know...But I just couldn't...risk being here. I still can't."
He brought his face back up to look straight at Hatori.
"I did something aweful, Hatori. I never want that to happen again. Ever."
"You won't...You won't..."
Hatori answered slowly.
They were both silent for a minute, then Kisa came back in.
"Haru?"
Haru smiled gratefully at Hatori, and then turned to go with Kisa.
"Coming."
Smiling, Hatori returned to his desk.
the next chapter will be the last. wow, personally, i think this turned out way more light-hearted then i'd intended. but whateva, tell me what you think! review!