Well this chapter took longer than I'd hoped. It's been waiting for me to edit it for a few days. Oh well, it's here now. Enjoy!
By the way, I'm so sorry.
Chapter 9: Natural Friends
I laid on a hard, cold surface. The rough texture pressed into my skin. My breath seemed to be exhaled rigidly from the pain. When I looked over to the side, two young boys laid still on the pavement only a few feet away. There were gashes and bruises scattered along their bodies. My eyes focused on the one closest to me.
Jirou was lying awkwardly and not breathing. His bloodied skin had gone pale. I didn't want to believe what was obvious. I couldn't. But, he was right there. He was dead. I tried to reach for him desperately, but I couldn't move.
Suddenly, the other boy moved. He rolled over so he was facing me. His eyes were gaunt and soulless, but I could still identify him. It was the Belgian kid, the one who died, and the one we were sued over.
He started clawing his way along the pavement towards me. As he inched ever closer, his features started changing. He became angrier. He became…Ichirou. In his hand he held a game controller that wasn't there before.
When he was right in front of me, he heatedly started using the controller. He was staring right into my soul. I felt like there was a battle going on in my chest. It felt like my heart and lungs were bursting. I was dying…and then my eyes snapped open. I was lying on my bed, panting and sweating. It was just a dream, it was just a dream, it was just a dream. But it felt so real. I thought I was going to die. I thought Jirou was dead.
I got out of bed and silently walked to Jirou's room. I opened the door and peeked in. I could see the lump of his body on his bed. There was a steady rise and fall of his chest. I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until I released it in relief. He's safe. He's alive. It was just a dream.
It was just a dream.
Yuki and I had not spoken. We did not sit together at lunch. Instead, she sat with other friends, and I sat alone, but not for long. Two trays were sat down on either side of mine. "Go away," I told the twins.
"Aww. You're no fun. We just want to get closer to you," they said in disappointment.
"Well, too bad. I don't want that to happen. Now, get away from me!" My anger was stronger than usual.
"At least let us give you these." They each set a bag of candy in front of me. I stared at the sweets. I wanted to eat them, but I also didn't want to give in to the twins. I gave it a few more seconds to let my anger peak.
In one motion, I stood up, turned around and grabbed each of their blazers. I pulled them close to my face. "Look, it's not smart to mess with me today. It would be better for all of us if you two left me alone. Got it?" I spoke rather calmly, but with venom in my voice.
They wore matching wide-eyed expressions. They were also blushing slightly. "All right, but keep the candy," said the twin on the left. They looked at each other out of the corners of their eyes. They then took their trays and walked off.
After I finished my lunch, I tore into one of the candy bags. In my depressed mood, stuffing my face with sweets felt quite good. I kept eating the sweets for the rest of lunch.
After I opened the door with the sign informing guests that Haruhi would be unavailable, Kyoya brought me over to a back table. Haruhi was waiting there. She was gazing thoughtfully out the near window. I couldn't help but wonder…
"Haruhi," Kyoya called to her. She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to us. "I've brought Miss Kurosawa." He left us. I glared after him before sitting down.
I turned to Haruhi and decided to ask my question. "So, why are you, a girl, in the Host Club?"
"Well, I was looking for a quiet place to study…" she told me her story. It had to do with breaking a vase, owing money, and being forced to join because she didn't have it. She was actually a lot like me, then. Well, situation wise, that is.
"Wait, they didn't realize you're a girl?" It was amazing people couldn't see it.
"Not at first. But it doesn't really matter to me. I don't care if people see me as a male or female, just so long as I'm me," she explained. Wow. I admired her. Maybe the entire club wasn't bad. But, this also gives me some leverage against the rest of them.
"I wish I had the option of not caring," I said, almost to myself.
"What do you mean?" She seemed confused, but of course she would be.
"Just…life just isn't fair," I stopped myself from revealing too much. Even if she's different from the other hosts, she can still tell them anything I say.
"Um, okay." I think she knew I wanted to say something else. After that we made pleasant conversation about our class work.
Time was up for that day, but both Haruhi and I agreed to hang out more. Overall, that was the best time I had had with the Host Club. We exchanged goodbyes and I went to the door. Kyoya met me there.
"Kohaku," he seemed to be quite inconsistent when addressing me. "Tomorrow you will be with the twins." I let out a little groan. That was going to be torture, I was sure.
After all the guests had left, Hikaru and Kaoru came up to Kyoya." Hey Kyoya, we couldn't help but overhear that we were next. Are you planning on going last then?" the brothers asked.
"Well to be honest, I hadn't thought of me. I suppose I would have to go last," he answered.
"Why don't you go next? I'm sure you could use a bit of a break," Kaoru tried convincing him to go in Hikaru and his place.
"That would just be inconvenient. Why? Are you two nervous?"
"We're not nervous! We just have something in mind. Besides, it wouldn't hurt anything if you go next," Hikaru tried.
"All right fine, if you're so insistent. The two of you will be with her last," he gave in to them.
Meanwhile, Tamaki was questioning Haruhi. "Do you feel more in touch with your feminine side?"
"No, and your stupid plan isn't going to work, senpai," she responded.
Tamaki looked upset again. "Mommy! Haruhi insulted my brilliant plan!"
Having finished speaking with the mischievous twins, Kyoya answered Tamaki, "Well, Daddy, she must have a good reason to say something like that." 'Mommy' didn't help out 'Daddy' at all. Tamaki went into his corner of depression. "Haruhi, did you learn anything from her?" Kyoya referred to Kuro.
"Nothing really. She just seemed to think she didn't have a choice in not caring about whether she's seen as male or female. She didn't say why, though." Haruhi reported what she could. Kyoya simply nodded.
Right when I entered the door, I knew something was amiss. The mansion seemed to buzz, but remained quiet. I stood in the foyer, listening and thinking, until a passing maid spotted me.
"Miss Kohaku, you are needed in the family room," the maid informed me. What? We never use the family room. Just what is going on?
As I enter the family room, all eyes are on me: Jirou's, Ichirou's, and…my parents'. My parents are never home this early. Just as I again wondered what was going on, I realized. Ichirou told them. He'd told them of my blackmail.
Regardless of my realization though, I still asked "What's going on?"
"Kohaku, please have a seat." My father gestured to the empty seat next to Ichirou. I reluctantly sat. I set my bag by my feet. "Ichirou told us that you'd been blackmailed with the threat of revealing the fact that we'd been sued. How did you let this happen?"
With a sigh I told them my story. I left out all the details that they needn't know. "Look, I'm sorry this happened. I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't know it would happen. If I had known, I would've just walked away." My parents seemed to accept this apology. Ichirou on the other hand, kept his eyes filled with rage. I could almost feel him seething beside me.
"We can figure out how to resolve this. Now what was the name of the boy who threatened you?" I knew what my mother wanted to do.
"Ootori. Kyoya Ootori," I answered.
Dun,dun, dun! Sorry, I had to. So, I've been a little worried recently. I haven't gotten many reviews for the last few chapters, and I'm worried you guys are losing interest. I'm going to keep writing no matter what, but I'd like to know that you guys are still into the story. I got a little spoiled with my first few chapters. I got reviews, follows, and favorites. I'm not just writing for my benefit. I'm writing to entertain you, my dear readers. So, if you are able to, please reassure me. I'm trying to become a good writer. Without the feedback and support of you, readers, I fear I will not improve. So, please share your thoughts. Whatever you have to say [unless it's just rude and mean (constructive criticism does not count as such)], please say it. I value each opinion like the world. Thank you for your support!