Disclaimer: Ouran Koukou Host Club is the rightful property of Bisco Hatori and all other companies associated in both the anime and the manga. The only thing I own is the fic and I have done this out of pure enjoyment and not for financial purposes.

Warnings: Implied shounen ai (debatable; thus, the rating of PG-13), and possibly a hint of OOCness since I am unsure if I have described the character featured in here well enough.

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Umbrella

by Sanguine Ageha

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Countless drops of rain fell from the darkened heavens and mingled with the warm tears that ran down my cheeks. My bangs were wet and glued to my forehead, my entire body numb from the biting cold. The saltiness of my tears almost became tasteless as if the buds of my tongue suddenly became impaired. But the blandness was a great reminder of how I was feeling inside, something that could only be labeled as emptiness.

I never really pondered on how rain, melancholiness, and nostalgia could be synonyms. I was clueless about such connections... until now.

We came into this world together, sharing the same physical attributes that marked us as mirror images of one another. We grew up and did things together, gaining a very narrow perspective of the world that we thought only consisted of "us" and "them". We also had our differences but those were easily disregarded, for the bond we shared was more important. It was a bond so strong that nothing could keep us apart; a bond so deep to the point that we knew what the other was thinking even before the lips could move for the notion to be heard.

You were the older twin but I, the younger one, was more mature in thought. A childish streak you possessed though sensitivity was a strength you put into play whenever necessary. Like the day I had forgotten my umbrella and you shared yours with mine. You gave me a scolding look and told me how troublesome it was to share something that was only meant for one person.

"But I don't mind because it's you."

The twinkling eyes, the soft smile, the comforting words: I added those to the treasury of my memories, serving as reminders as to why I love you so. The rain that fell down back then was gentler, friendlier somewhat. Perhaps it was because you were there with me to erase the gloom rains usually brought with their coming, even though I had no reason to feel that way. I was content, I was whole, I was with you.

However, this rain that currently came down felt entirely different. Hostile and punishing were the only words fit to describe it.

I was freezing, I was alone, I was broken. I wanted to scream in hopes of venting out the anguish contained within, but the surge of emotions were so strong the words remained stuck at the back of my throat. I took this as a sign that everything was never meant to be released, never meant to be heard. It was fated for me to carry it with me like a cross, to suffer unbeknownst to others.

"On rainy days, allow me to be your umbrella."

I believed in what you said, Hikaru; always. Never had I doubted that. It mattered little whether I took it in the literal or figurative sense; it only weighed a great deal because I knew that you stayed true to your word.

But keeping it now was highly implausible, because you were not here, because you would return no more.

Owari

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Oh wow. O-O I never intended for this fic to end the way it did; I was thinking of something else but it somehow made its way to the conclusion you just read. /sighs/

For the curious, two of my inspirations were listening many times to Nakashima Mika's "Sakurairo maukoro" and staring out the windows (regardless of where I was) to watch the rain fall.

Nonetheless, I hope that you enjoyed this story despite my lack of confidence regarding this piece. Please don't hesitate to tell me what you think. Arigatou!