Kaoru stared out the car window as he and his mother rode home from the doctor's office in silence. They had taken x-rays and found nothing broken, but he did have two cracked ribs and a mild concussion. He could now open his left eye, and though his vision was still a bit blurred, the doctor had assured him there would be no permanent damage. In fact, they were told, that given time, all of his physical injuries would heal completely. However, the doctor was not so sure about the emotional repercussions.

Kaoru had refused to talk while at the doctor's office. The doctor had recommended to his mother that she find a counselor for him. Kaoru flat out refused the idea. Though he longed for someone to talk to, he didn't want to spill his guts to some stranger who had no clue what he was going through. But he couldn't talk to his mother or brother without them wanting to report the incident. His father was away on business, but he would have had the same reaction as the rest of his family anyway. He could just imagine what would happen if he told the other Host Club members. Tamaki would form a vigilante party, and they would set out, armed to the teeth, to attack every Yakuza they laid eyes on. Kaoru couldn't help but grin at the visual image this thought produced.

"I'm glad to see you smiling." His mother's words startled him, and he looked over at her. He felt bad that he was worrying her so.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Sorry for what? Smiling?" she asked.

"No, for all the trouble I'm causing. You had to cancel your meeting to take care of me today."

"That is no trouble. Meetings can be rescheduled. You are much more important to me. What troubles me is that you are hurting, and I feel like I can't do anything to help you." Kaoru looked down, ashamed. "Don't you understand? We love you very much, and we want to help. It is apparent that someone did this to you. I just can't figure out why you are hiding it. Don't you realize that if this happened to you, it could happen again? Someone else could get hurt. Do you want that?"

He looked away with tears in his eyes. How could he explain that that's exactly what he was trying to avoid? His silence might keep Hikaru safe.

His mother silently cursed herself. A minute ago he was smiling, and now she had brought him to tears. She was at a loss for what to do. She couldn't stand to see him like this, but she felt helpless to stop it. She didn't like feeling helpless. At work she was the one who called the shots; always in control. She didn't know how handle being powerless.

Kaoru went back to staring out the window. He couldn't keep this up. It seemed he was causing as much pain by not saying anything. He wished there was someone he could confide in. Someone who would understand and explain to him why this had happened, and what to do about it. Then, out of the blue, it came to him; there was someone. A person who could identify with the situation. One with more worldly experience than Kaoru himself had.

He spent the rest of the car ride trying to devise a plan to escape from his mother without worrying her further, so that he could accomplish his mission. When they arrived home, the driver dropped them off in front of the mansion.

"You look tired," noted his mother. "Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down." He nodded and complied. She called after him, "I'll ring the pharmacy and have them deliver your pain medication. I'll be working downstairs in my office if you need me."

"Okay," he replied from upstairs. That was too easy. So much for his elaborate plan. He would have to remember it for another day. Kaoru had no trouble sneaking down the back stairs and out to the garage. The driver was still there, cleaning off the car.

"I need you to do me a favor." It was all the boy had to say. The driver opened the car door for him.

oOoOo

Kaoru stood outside the door for a full ten minutes before gathering the courage to ring the bell. At first he heard only silence from inside, but then he heard the sounds of someone shuffling toward the door.

"Coming, coming, I'll be right there," came a muffled voice. The door opened revealing a bleary eyed okama in a rumpled dressing gown. "Dear Lord! What on Earth happened to you?" Ranka grabbed the boy by the wrist and pulled him into the apartment. He surveyed the boy up and down, shook his head and clucked his tongue. "Poor thing," he murmured. "I'm sorry, but Haruhi is not here. She's still at school."

"I know," the boy responded. "Can I talk to you?" he asked pleadingly.

"Of course, have a seat in the living room. I'll make us some tea." Kaoru did as he was told, while Haruhi's father prepared the tea. "I hate to ask," Ranka called from the kitchen, "but I can never tell at the best of times."

"I'm Kaoru," the twin replied. A short while later, Ranka entered the living room carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups. He set it down on the table and poured the tea before settling himself down opposite Kaoru.

"Well," said Ranka, taking a sip of tea, "How can I be of help?"

Kaoru didn't know where to start. "Have you ever had someone hate you," he began hesitantly, "because of what you are?"

"You mean because I am an okama?" Ranka clarified. "Of course. I've had to put up with my fair share of derogatory comments and snide remarks from ignorant fools over the years."

"Fair share?" questioned Kaoru. "Is it really fair?"

"Well, no," he recanted shaking his head. "Poor choice of words on my part. It is not fair, and it is not right. No one should be persecuted for the way he chooses to live his life, so long as that choice does not harm others."

"Have they ever hurt you?"

"What, physically? No, I've been lucky," realization began to dawn on him. "Is that what happened to you?" Kaoru nodded. "Bastards!" Ranka spat, slamming a fist on the table. The boy looked up at him, alarmed by the sudden outburst. "I'm sorry," apologized Ranka. "It just bothers me that anyone would do something like that, especially to someone so young. Do you want to tell me about it?"

For the first time since it happened, Kaoru told his story; the true story. From the plan to kidnap Haruhi, to the threats made should he tell anyone, he told Ranka everything, leaving out only the names. Despite the tears streaming down his face, he did feel like a weight had been lifted from him. He may not be any closer to a solution, but at least he had been able to finally tell somebody, and it helped.

"I can't help but feel that it is all my fault," Kaoru confessed. "I am the one who usually initiates our little scenes, and I have to admit, that I take pleasure from them. I never intended any harm, and now, because of me, Hikaru could get hurt."

"Don't say that," challenged Ranka. "It is not your fault that this world is full of idiots. Those boys had no right to do that to you. You and your brother share a special relationship. If all siblings could get along as well as you two, this world would be a much better place."

"Maybe," conceded Kaoru. "But what do I do now? If I tell anyone else, they might hurt Hikaru. And if I don't tell, I will just keep hurting him as well as my mother. I don't know what to do."

Ranka looked at the boy and shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid I can't tell you what to do. You have to decide that for yourself. I will say this though, you have good friends and a good family. They will be there for you; to support you when you need it most. It is up to you to choose what is right. And when you do, they've got your back."

"I understand," he said simply. "Thank you." The boy stood up, bowed his respect to the okama and walked out of the apartment.

oOoOo

A/N: Two updates in one day. Geeze, I need to get a life. Actually, I just really want to finish this thing while it's still fresh in my mind. If I leave it alone for too long, I might never get it done. Thanks again for the feedback.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Host Club characters. I am only borrowing them. I promise to put them back when I'm done.