He gazed at his slightly younger brother, still wondering how everything had happened. They had gone back to their closed off world, the world of Hikaru, Kaoru, and now Haruhi. Haruhi herself had gone back to wearing her old, oversized clothes and completely absorbed herself in her school work. Boring, but at least she still could tell them apart…
Hunny and Mori were on his to-be-avoided list, for they brought back to many good memories of the Host Club and the blond backstabber. He'd never been fond of the Frenchman, tolerating him for his brother only. All of it was for Kaoru, to protect him from this pain. Yet, this still happened and his dislike for the blond boiled over to hatred.
He could barely look at Kyouya anymore either, it was unbearable. He always had a plastic, perfect third son look to him now. Never had he thought that the Shadow King would break so easily. Of course, many things he didn't expect happened, like falling for Haruhi, becoming more open with others, even separating from Kaoru a bit. Never again. They'd never open their world to anyone but Haruhi again, it was just a sure way to get hurt.
That was his resolve. Never let him, Haruhi or Kaoru get hurt ever again. Never. And if that blond showed his face around any of them again there'd be hell to pay.
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He had noticed the change in his cousin immediately, everyone did. Mitsukuni was always obvious. He had rejoined the karate club, to Yasuchika's enjoyment. He began to leave Usa-chan at home and eating cake less often. In short, his cousin, who not long ago was as happy go lucky as their ex-president, was now the cold karate club captain. He wouldn't do anything, though. As long as Mitsukuni was safe and well, he could do as he wished.
Though sometimes, he did wish his cousin would revert to the child mindset he once had. He himself acted as normally as possible, watching over his cousin, perhaps in fear that he'd leave as well. It was childish, he knew, to hold on to what they had left, for the only way to move on was to forget but, watching the first years, especially Haruhi, close in on themselves hurt him immensely.
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In the dojo of Ouran Academy, a short teen stood, facing a taller opponent. As the two, so alike in looks, fought, the teen's thoughts wandered.
He knew that Takashi was worried, he could always tell. He knew he was acting strange, like always. It was just he couldn't get over these betrayals. First, Tama-chan… no. Tamaki. First Tamaki, then Kyouya, and now the twins and Haru-chan. He didn't blame the first years, it was only natural. The twins were predictable, falling back into the world they lived in for years. What was unexpected was them taking Haru-chan with them.
He had always liked Haru-chan because she didn't treat him like he was a baby all the time. She did when he was being excessively childish, of course. He deserved that treatment, but he'd be the first to admit that he harbored small feelings for her. Unfortunately, the time to tell was gone, so he'd move on.
His thoughts turned darker. Kyouya. The Ootori became a pawn in his father's game so easily. Their undefeatable vice president submitted so easily. It made Tamaki's departure that much worse. If they were 'family' then why did Tamaki leave? If they were family, then why did he break Haru-chan's heart? If they were family, then why would he help break Kyouya's will?
He began to fight his opponent harder and did not notice a new spectator come in.
Once, a long time ago it seemed, he had said, very childishly, that messing with his friends is a big no-no. Obviously, the Frenchman and Ootori hadn't heard him or had not taken seriously. Heh, they thought him a child while he was older then them all, while he knew the ways of the world better than the rest of them.
His opponent began to falter. His moves became even faster, harder, more ruthless. The new spectator stood in shock at him.
A revelation came to him. He'd get Haru-chan… Haruhi, to stay opened to all of them and he'd protect her from Kyouya. He wouldn't allow her to go through that hurt again. Never again.
His opponent was on the ground in a sitting position. He nodded to this person and said happily, "You're getting better, Chika. Much better." His opponent nodded, a small frown gracing his features, as if finally noticing something different.
"You've changed, Mitsukuni… I'm not sure whether it's good or not, now." With that, his taller, younger opponent, his brother, left, saying in a low voice to the spectator, "Help him, Fujioka-san. Bring him back."
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He was not at all oblivious to his daughter's emotions, he just normally chose to go with his own. After all, she was always so cute and innocent. He was able to tell right away that something was wrong, though. She had walked in and told him, toneless and emotionless, not to contact Kyouya-kun or mention the host club again. She stopped eating breakfast, started getting picked up by those charming twins in her class, who, without that rambunctious blond, weren't very energetic.
He, as her father, was worried. What, he wondered, had happened at the club or with Kyouya-kun that would put her in a worse depression than when her mother died? Of course, it only took one meeting with the dean of Ouran Academy to find out what exactly happened to his dear daughter. Hearing of the blond who, despite popular belief, he was quite fond of, he was enraged. All that added to his anger was seeing Kyouya-kun again, nothing like he was before. He seemed fake, unreal, not Kyouya-kun.
… He'd have to speak with Haruhi about her health, though. Skipping breakfast and studying all night was making her weaker and paler… It had to stop.
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Chapter two, done. It's begging to end up more HaruHunny, huh? I won't do open pairings, no dating, just comfort. Now, I will do a chapter three, but I'm not sure whether I'll keep going from there, alright?
Until next time, Kairi the Strong out.