Chapter 22: Shattered glass + candy wrapper + a blue flower = Hope
Haruhi began to make the instant coffee in the kitchen, thinking about her visit with Hikari the night before. She seems to be taking care of herself, but, Haruhi thought about Hikari's cheek, I don't want her to allow these people to hurt her. Suddenly the doors opened through the kitchen and Yumi crept in.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," Haruhi replied, "I was getting all of the drinks ready."
"I'll help."
"You don't have to, Yumi-chan, I got it." But Yumi didn't listen. She instead began to pull out the cups and saucers from the shelves.
"Honey-kun and Hana-chan will probably want some cakes," she said.
"Yeah," Haruhi replied, "It's still a marvel how they can eat all of that."
"I know." There was a pause. Haruhi continued to set up everything when Yumi stopped helping. Haruhi looked over and saw Yumi staring at the coffee cup, lost in thought.
"Yumi-chan, are you alright?" Haruhi asked. Yumi didn't move. "Yumi-chan?"
"I'm such a horrible friend," she finally said.
"What are you talking about?" Yumi placed the cup onto the saucer and poured the black coffee into it.
"I doubted her. I didn't believe her when she was telling us that she was cornered by him." Haruhi noticed Yumi's guilt talking over her volume. "I've known her longer than anyone here and I questioned her? What kind of friend am I?"
"Yumi-chan, calm down."
"How can I?" Haruhi took the coffee from Yumi's hands and placed it on the counter.
"Do you think that Hikari would want you to punish yourself over guilt?" Yumi stared at the floor. "Hikari would rather see that if you do believe her, you'll help her escape."
"Of course I'll help her escape," Yumi replied.
"Then everything's gonna be alright." Yumi sighed and continued to help with the drinks.
"Haruhi!" Tamaki called, "Hurry up! Were gonna start soon."
"Okay, Senpai," Haruhi called back. Yumi placed the cups of coffee onto the tray.
"Thanks," Yumi whispered. Haruhi smiled.
"It's okay. Let's just hope that there's no drama out there today."
{The Host Club is Now Open}
Haruhi delivered the coffee around to Hiroki's table with the usual girls, showing their respect.
"Thank you for coming every day for Hiroki," he said, "I'm sure that he'd be pleased that you came."
"It's our pleasure, Haruhi-kun," one of them said.
"Please send our love to him," another said. Haruhi laughed.
"I'll do that." As he walked away, he began to think again. I wonder if she's thinking about escaping on her own. I hope not. I know that she's hopeful now because she's got us to help get her out, but those people and that Satoshi are bad for her. I just don't want her to get carried away and hurt herself even more. And has Senpai come up with a plan yet?
"Haruhi?" Haruhi turned around and saw Yumi. "I didn't get a chance to ask, have you seen Hikari recently?"
"I did, and she's alright," he whispered, "A little beaten, but she's strong enough. Now that Senpai claims that we're gonna save her, she's got hope."
"That's good," Yumi replied.
"Who cares." Haruhi and Yumi looked over to see Hikaru, sitting in his chair with his arms and legs crossed, "Hope my ass. She's probably at Natasha's figuring a way to act like nothing happened."
"That's a little harsh, Hikaru," Haruhi protested.
"Hmph, she acts all innocent and deceived us all in the end."
"I don't think Hikari-san would do that," Mina said, carrying a plate of sweets, "She's too kind a person."
"It doesn't matter." Hikaru stretched his legs onto the glass coffee table and placed his hands in his pockets. "It's been two weeks since we last saw her. The Christmas ball is coming up right? Let's just focus on that."
"How can you just push this aside, Hikaru?" Haruhi asked, his voice filling the room.
"Easy. She cheated on me. You saw it too. And she could have fought against it."
"You made out with another girl too, Hikaru," Haruhi pointed out.
"Great, so now I'm the king of being deceived? Next thing you're gonna say is that Kaoru and I aren't really twin brothers."
"So you don't care about what's happens to Hikari?"
"Why should I? If she left the country, that's great news for me." There was a crash that erupted while girls screamed in fear. Suddenly, Kyouya was raising himself from the now broken coffee table wrapping his bloody fist in his handkerchief.
"Excuse me ladies," he said kindly, "But we have to close early." Without hesitation, the girls left and Kyouya closed the doors. The host members (and ladies) huddled around him, wondering if he was alright.
"Yumi, call Natasha," Kyouya said, passing his cell phone to Yumi. She stared at his injured hand for a while, not moving. "Yumi, now please." She snapped out of it, began dialing, and left the room.
"Hikaru," Kyouya began, "Do you have any idea what you're talking about?" Hikaru didn't respond. His eyes widen with fear, staring at the shattered glass across the floor. Haruhi noticed the beast rising in Kyouya, his eyes grew sharp, his teeth gridding. "HIKARU!" He barked. Everyone jumped but his sudden change in volume tone. Hikaru looked up and swallowed hard before answering.
"Kyouya-senpai, what if Natasha was necking with another guy?" Hikaru asked, "How would you react?"
"We're not talking about me and Natasha," he answered, "We've already had our fair share of misunderstanding." Hikaru pouted.
"Why are you on her side? I was here way before Hikari."
"I'm not on anyone's side," Kyouya answered, "I only tell facts and state things the way they are. And if you have no idea about what's happening to Hikari, then you should keep your mouth shut!" Hikaru stood up from his chair and walked over towards the window.
"Kyouya-senpai," Mina said shyly, scared by Kyouya's sudden change, "We've got to do something about your hand."
"It's fine," he replied, taking off his tie and wrapping it around the handkerchief that was covering his bloody hand. "So you really don't care about what happens to Hikari?" Hikaru turned around and glared at Kyouya.
"Yeah…I could care less." Haruhi heard a small gasp from Hana-chan and Yumi. She looked Kaoru who was just as surprised as the girls. Even Kaoru is surprised by Hikaru's answer, she thought.
"Fine," Kyouya said, "Then I've got good news for you. Hikari is being shipped out of the country; to America, actually. Isn't that great?" Hikaru took his hands out of his pockets, looking surprised, but then he shook his head.
"You're lying."
"Do you really think that I would lie about something like this?" Hikaru crossed his arms.
"Of course you would," he answered, "You're dating her guardian, so if you don't protect her, you lose your gal."
"Is that true, Kyo-chan?" Honey asked, ignoring Hikaru's answer. Kyouya nodded.
"It's true. Natasha and I have been trying to figure out a way to get her out of this, but we haven't figured anything out yet."
"No way," Honey said.
"What do you mean, Kyouya-senpai?" Kaoru asked, questioning Kyouya.
"I mean that this was all the Niwazaki's plan. They want to ship Hikari to America because they want to appear to our society as parents that are under the power of their teenager and needs help. They're taking money left, right, and center and are shipping her off soon." Everyone fell silent again, lost in their own thoughts.
"Hiri-chan…is being shipped away?" Honey asked with big tears falling out of his eyes. "I feel so stupid for questioning her!"
"But Hikari-chan is the best! She's been so kind and caring and wanted the best for us," Hana-chan stated.
"She understood everything and said everything perfectly. I never doubted her. I still don't," Mina added.
"Of course you two would be defending her," Hikaru interrupted, talking to Mina and Hana-chan. "You weren't there to see the betrayal."
"She knew herself really well," Mori said crossing his arms over, ignoring Hikaru completely.
"She would never intend to hurt someone…especially her family," Kyouya complemented, adjusting his glasses, "Being with us and helping us grow was part of her…magic."
"We should have never questioned her," Yumi said in between her sobs, playing with Kyouya's cell phone, "I can't believe that I would even question her. She doesn't deserve this!" Kaoru wrapped his arms over her shoulder and held her close.
"You're right," he said.
"Now you're taking their side, Kaoru?" Hikaru yelled. Kaoru faced his brother, holding Yumi close.
"I think that out of all of us, she understood love the most; be it family, friends…" He took his eyes away from Hikaru's, "… boyfriends." Hikaru finally froze for a moment.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked Kaoru.
"I'm saying that Hikari understood most of what we feel…she could even understand you." Hikaru walked to his chair, placed his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
"I know that she loves this club as a family," Haruhi mentioned, "And Hikaru…" He didn't move, "I know I shouldn't say this, but I think that she…loves you." Hikaru jumped out of his chair, turned around, and knocked it over.
"DAMN IT!" he screamed. "I can't believe it! She shouldn't… Why would she…I can't believe…and those things I said… and I tried not to…but I did." Hikaru's jaw tightened as he began to shake with furry.
"Hikaru." Everyone looked at Tamaki. He had one hand in his pocket and the other at his side. "I think you know the number one question that has the answer that will determine Hikari's fate." Hikaru looked at Tamaki, his golden eyes shimmering with curiosity. "Do you love Hikari in return?" Hikaru stood still. "You need to answer this question, Hikaru. You need to tell us right now if you love her or not because that will let us know…" Hikaru pinched his lips together and ran his fingers through his hair. After a sigh, he answered.
"I love Hikari." Haruhi's eyes widen, "I've been in love with her since god knows when. It keeps on building up and up and up and is still building. The thought of her not being with me…it kills me." Tamaki placed his free hand on Hikaru's shoulder.
"Hikaru, how far would you go to save her?" He asked with a sly smile. Haruhi felt that Tamaki seemed to have known the answer.
"I'll tear the world apart if I have to."
"Then you're in luck." Tamaki clapped his hands together and faced everyone. "My fellow children, we must figure out a way to save our wondrous Hikari! Kyouya." Tamaki snapped his fingers together. "When is her departure?"
"Christmas Eve." Everyone faced the doors, surprised at hearing Natasha's voice. She swiftly walked towards Kyouya and tightly grabbed his injured hand. He winced, but tried to hold it back. "And you've got to be more careful. How do you think you can help us with an injured hand?"
"Christmas Eve?" Haruhi repeated, "That's in two days."
"How classic," Hikaru commented, "It's like a typical fairytale."
"And that's a bad thing, Hikaru?" Haruhi asked.
"No, it's not. I'm just saying that…it's funny how the deadline to save Hikari is in two days. It's just like in the stories. Hell, it's like last year." Haruhi shuddered. The thought of Tamaki leaving the host club from last year made her grab his hand. Tamaki squeezed it in return, indicating that he wasn't going anywhere.
"True, true," Kyouya said, "But now it's no longer Haruhi's turn to save Tamaki, it's your turn to save Hikari. Do you think that you can do it, Hikaru?" Hikaru placed both hands in his pockets.
"What can we do?" Hikaru asked.
"Kyouya can figure out flights and transportation, right?" Natasha asked.
"Indeed I can."
"And what about the rest of us?" Hikaru asked.
"Just chill for a while and wait until we figure something out," Yumi snapped.
"Yumi," Kaoru said, letting her go leaving his hand on her shoulder, "Calm down…both of you. Hikaru, we'll help her." Hikaru began to pace impatiently around the room.
"I've got to see her!"
"That can be arranged," Mori-senpai interrupted, "But it won't be easy."
"Takashi…" Mori smiled at Honey. "We're going to help Hiri-chan?" he asked.
"Don't think sneaking in is easy any more, Hikaru," Natasha warned, "They've got heavy security around her area."
"Well then we're going to have to show them who's boss." Yumi said placing her fist in her hand.
"I've got a better idea," Kyouya replied.
[At the Niwazaki estate]
"This is you're bright idea, Kyouya-senpai?" Haruhi hissed.
"Are you complaining about my plan to have Hikaru seeing Hikari?" Haruhi bit her lips together, but still pouted.
"Anyway, why're we dressed up like this?" Haruhi asked, extending her arms, which were covered in white, silk gloves. "I mean, seriously, this outrageous. And this dress is so itchy." The glittery red dress nipped Haruhi in her back. "Ouch!"
"Shh, Haruhi," Tamaki said, "We need to make sure this works."
"Yeah, to pretend that we had been asked over for dinner and to act all proper—why do I have to be here? Dressed liked this?"
"Came one, Haruhi-chan," Natasha said, wearing her long, dark purple dress. Haruhi stared in amazement. There was a slit across her left leg, showing bare skin every time she walked. "Have some fun. You're with your man in public for the first time tonight." Haruhi blushed.
"It's just…this get-up is crazy."
"I think you look super cute, Haruhi!" Tamaki said.
Of course you do, Senpai, Haruhi said in her head.
"Kyouya," Natasha said, "Is everyone in place?"
"Yes they are." He looked over and saw Yumi waving back.
"Alright then," Tamaki said, "Yumi will cue Hikaru to climb the tree while everyone else is scattered around the house to see who's where. Mori-senpai and Honey senpai are around the outside boarders of the house, keeping guards distracted around the house."
"You can't forget about our secret spy, Ima-san." Natasha pointed out. "She knows where everyone is around the house, so she'll know who to signal to."
"Perfect." Kyouya said, "Shall we then?"
[Meanwhile…upstairs in Hikari's room]
"Okay, so once everyone's asleep, I climb down the tree and escape pass the guards watching the front gate. I've got little to no luggage, so that won't be a problem." Hikari continued to check things off her check list. "All that's left is to figure out how to let Natasha and Haruhi know my plan." She fell onto her bed, her face smothered by the thick comforter.
"I have no idea what's gonna happen to me, but I do know that I'm gonna get outta here before I find out." Hikari rolled onto her back and stared at her canopy sheer sheet. I just have to make sure that I don't get caught. She took a few deep breaths before she heard footsteps approaching her door at a rapid pace. Oh god, she thought as she jumped off her bed. Once whoever reached the door, they opened it. Satoshi entered the room, slammed the door shut, and locked it.
"Can I help you?" Hikari asked, crossing her arms, her tone annoyed with his presents. Satoshi looked at her and for the first time, she felt fear. His dull, brown eyes seemed to hold more danger than nothingness. His hair was a mess and once she spoke, he tried to compose himself. However, through Hikari's eyes, Satoshi had changed. His eyes now seemed to hunger for something that apparently Hikari had, and it wasn't the good hunger that Hikari sees in Hikaru's eyes. This was more violent.
"I'm glad that you asked," Satoshi said, his voice had a more chilling edge than normal, causing Hikari to be extra careful around him. "You know, we've got guests here, and they happen to be from the host club."
"What?" Hikari asked, confused and worried.
"That's right. Two of them anyway. Ootori-san and Suou-san. They came here with their dates for dinner, claiming that they were invited by the Niwazaki's." Hikari tried to hide her small sense of joy. I wonder if they're trying to save me.
"Luckily, I'm always prepared. They will have a dinner alright, but you are not to go down there." Hikari didn't say anything. "Everything will go as planned on my terms, including the part that you play."
"You just said that I wasn't gonna go downstairs, therefore not getting a role in your plan."
"Yes you do have a role…" he said, an evil grin growing on his face. He walked on over towards the light switch by the bedroom door. Shit, Hikari thought. As he walked, she quietly headed towards the balcony door. Once he reached it, he stopped, as did Hikari. He turned to look at her, the skin chilling grin still on his face.
"You rejected my generous offer when we caught you, remember? When all you had to do was to give me your body in exchange for your freedom. You said no. Then I tried again, threatening you, so that I can make your capture more enjoyable, but still you say no." He looked at his watch, the smile not changing and Hikari moving closer towards the door.
"I must say, I was attracted to your rejection for the first few times, but now, I'm done." He began to undo his tie. Shit! Hikari thought. She began to fiddle quietly with the balcony door lock while he wasn't looking. "You're mine, and if I have to get you by force…" He placed his hand over the light switch, "…then I will." Once darkness surrounded the room, Hikari opened the balcony door and slipped outside, but she wasn't fast enough. Satoshi grabbed her wrists and pulled her back inside, throwing her onto the bed. SHIT! I've gotta do something. Satoshi locked the balcony door while Hikari rolled off the bed towards her closet. Satoshi jumped onto the bed, trying to find her like a predator finding his prey. Hikari's heart was beating loudly in her ears, causing her to hold her breath while she continued to think of a way out.
"Where are you?!" he shouted. Acting on impulse, Hikari reached for the closet door, opened it quietly, then slammed it shut, running quietly to the other side of the room. "Aha!" Satoshi screamed as he began to rummage through Hikari's closet. "I know you're in here."
No I'm not, she thought to herself, But that's not gonna buy me enough time. I've gotta get outta here fast…I know! Hikari slammed the bathroom door and stood close to her bed.
"So you're in the bathroom, huh?" Satoshi hissed, "Just to let you know, this game is making me more attracted to you."
Gross, Hikari thought as she ran around to her desk and waited for Satoshi to enter the bathroom. Once he was in, Hikari picked up the chair and with all of her might, threw it at her balcony door window. The sound of the chair breaking the glass filled Hikari's room; the sound of the shattered glass falling onto the balcony floor sounded like gentle chimes, indicating that her freedom was just over the railing.
"Bitch!" Satoshi screamed, but Hikari didn't wait. She ran through the hole now in the window and jumped through the field of broken glass. The sharp pieces pierced her feet through her socks wherever she landed, but after two leaps, she reached the railing. Knowing that Satoshi was right behind, she placed her hands on the stone railing and threw her legs over it followed by the rest of her body. Her heart rose to her throat, preventing her from screaming, as she landed on the balls of her feet, causing the glass to go deeper in her feet. Her body followed the pressure of the fall by crouching down while her hands were on the ground, between her feet. The impact sent a hot, electric pain through her body, making it harder for her to move. Hikari forced her head to look up and didn't see Satoshi.
Shit, he's gonna chase me on land, now. The glass jammed in her feet and the electric ping in her legs caused her to hobble towards the entrance gates. Hikari took a few deep breaths and began to force her legs to start running. Slowly, her legs began to sprint across the lawn, draining Hikari of her energy.
I need to recharge and regroup here, but where can I hide? But before Hikari could think of one, the ping in her legs expanded through her body, paralyzing her in mid-motion. Suddenly, as she fell to the ground, everything went black along with a vague sound of someone calling her name.
[Meanwhile, with Team Hitachiin]
"Okay, Ima-san said that Satoshi went into Hikari's room, so Hikaru shouldn't climb just yet. However, Hikari has been kicking him out recently out of her room, so he should be flying out any minute."
"Thanks, Yumi."
"No problem, and Mori-senpai told Mina-chan that all guards should be clear in Hikari's area, so that's good, right?" Kaoru laughed.
"Yeah, that's really good."
"Okay, I'm heading back to my post. But Kaoru? Just stay on the phone so I can reach you faster." Kaoru chuckled.
"I will." He looked on over at Hikaru, who was sitting next to him, his head leaning back against the wall. "Don't worry, Hikaru. If anything happens to Hikari, we'll be the first to know. We're right under her."
"I know, Kaoru. I just hate the fact that we have to wait while she's being tortured." Kaoru smiled.
"So…you finally said it."
"Said what?"
"That you love Hikari." Hikaru's cheeks grew red, causing Kaoru to laugh. "This is good. When I asked you last night about her, you were completely against her. And you said to ignore your dreams." Hikaru chuckled.
"Guess they were just telling me what I felt all along," he said.
"You know, I think you might be growing up a little."
"You think?"
"Yeah." Kaoru placed his phone down. "You used to force your feelings onto people and act in a childish manner. And now, you have someone else to cherish other than me." Hikaru looked over at his brother, noticing the sadness dwelling in his eyes.
"Kaoru, you're my only brother," he said, "No one is going to change how important you are to me."
"I know, Hikaru." Kaoru looked up at the bottom of Hikari's balcony. "But we both have to learn to cherish other people. Like how I cherish Yumi and you cherish Hikari." Hikaru smiled.
"But," Kaoru said, changing the tone in his voice, "don't go changing on me just yet. We're still the troublesome, devilish twins who perform the taboo act of being homo-homo lovers." Hikaru placed his head on Kaoru's.
"You got it." There was a sudden crash above them, causing Hikaru to jump. Kaoru grabbed his wrists and brought him back down, placing a hand over his mouth.
"Bitch!" They heard Satoshi scream. Soon there were sounds of glass being moved around and then a figure falling in front of them. It landed on its feet, but through the white socks were shards of glass and blood surrounding them. Once it looked up behind itself, Hikaru and Kaoru figured out who it was. Hikaru became restless as the figure began to run as fast as it could towards the exit of the house.
"Hikaru, we can't help her if we give ourselves away," Kaoru whispered harshly. Hikaru, after fighting against Kaoru's grasp, calmed down.
"Kaoru," Hikaru said through his hand "I'm sorry." Although Kaoru couldn't understand what he was saying, he felt a sharp pain in the palm of his hand, causing him to let Hikaru go.
"Hikaru!" Kaoru screamed, but he was already too far away to hear him.
Hikaru ran towards Hikari as she ran towards the exit. She stumbled for while before she suddenly froze and fell onto the ground.
"Hikari!" he screamed. She didn't move. He caught up to her, bending down to get her on her back. She looked pale as strands of her dark brown hair rested on her red cheek.
"Hikari…what were you thinking? Jumping off a balcony like that with glass in your feet." He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. Hikari's skin was ice cold. She's only in a T-shirt, pants, and socks… He took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. In it was a light blue rose, something he had planned to give her when he saw her in her bedroom. Once the jacket was secured around her shoulders, he noticed her butterfly necklace, shining brightly against her pale collar bone. He bent down towards it and kissed it, causing Hikari to breathe deeply. Hikaru lifted his head and looked at the fainted Hikari. Her breathing pattern went back to short, shallow breaths.
"Hikari," he began, looking at her damaged body, "I'm so sorry for getting you into this mess and not believing you after that bastard kissed you. I promised to protect you and I failed to do it." His eyes then wandered towards her face, "But that's changed. I let my pride get in the way of my feelings towards you…my true feelings…Hikari…I-" Sudden sounds of footsteps approached Hikaru. When he turned his head, he saw the Niwazaki guards approaching.
"Shit, what happened to Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai?" Hikaru asked through his teeth. When the guards reached Hikaru, they pointed their guns at him, asking him to stand and leave "the body". Hikaru wasn't going to move at first. He gently placed Hikari down and rose up, facing the guards and planting his feet ready to fight, but then he heard a faint voice speak.
"Run…Hikaru…" Hikaru turned and looked down at Hikari, her dark brown eyes were slightly open, and looking right at him, a weak smile forming on her lips. "…please…run…I'll…" she took a breath, "I'll be fine…" Her head fell to the side as her eyes closed once more, her gentle breath blowing against the blades of grass.
"Sir, if you please," One of the guards said.
"Yeah, yeah," Hikaru said, "I heard you the first time." With that he followed half the guards towards the exit and looked behind him, seeing the other half carrying Hikari back to her room.
I promise, Hikari. I will save you from this hell house.
[Meanwhile with Team Kyouya]
Haruhi was amazed at the food displayed in front of her. A smile grew on her face as she saw a waiter bringing in a plate of Ootoro and placing it in front of her.
"Suou-san said that you like Ootoro, Fujioka-san," Yuuji commented. Haruhi gathered her manners and nodded.
"Yes, I do."
"So what do you hope to be when you're older, Fujioka-san?" Kira asked.
"I would like to be a lawyer," she answered.
"A lawyer," Kira repeated, "That's a big position to take on. I hope that you achieve it one day."
"She will, Madame," Tamaki said. "But let us not get distracted by your invitation for us."
"Er…right," Kira said, "The invitation that we sent you…" she turned to her husband, hoping for some clarification, but Yuuji just said, "Please speak. We will listen."
"We understand of your wish to send the young Niwazaki-san to America," Kyouya said in a cool tone, like his voice for being a cool host type. "And we would like to help with that departure." Haruhi almost choked on her Ootoro when Kyouya said that. What the-? Haruhi thought. Haruhi felt eyes lying upon her, making her to raise her head.
"Fujioka-san, are you alright?" Kira asked. Haruhi nodded and Kyouya continued.
"I would love to have my guards protect you on your trip, since we don't want any trouble through her transportation." He pulled out his notepad and pen. "So could you please tell us the detailed departure of Niwazaki Hikari?"
"Most certainly, Ootori-san," Kira said. As she opened her mouth, there was a loud crashing of broken glass coming from upstairs. Haruhi felt her heart freeze as she noticed the anger that rose in Yuuji and Kira's eyes.
"Excuse me," Tamaki said, rising from his chair, "but I believe that we should all see what that was." He placed his prince charming smile, "We want to make sure that nothing had happened to Hikari-san."
"O-of course, Suou-san. That would be dreadful," Kira said, trying to sound like she cared for Hikari. The Niwazaki's calmly walked up the stairs followed by Tamaki with Haruhi and Kyouya with Natasha.
"She's alright," Tamaki whispered to Haruhi, "Hikari has been well trained by Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai." Haruhi nodded, but couldn't believe his words. Without think of it, she reached out for his arm, grabbing it and bringing it close to her chest. Tamaki looked down at her, seeing doubt in her big brown eyes. Tamaki smiled and led her up the stairs.
Once they reached the top, Satoshi burst through Hikari's door. He looked like a mess: his hair messed up, tie undone, and clothing out of shape. But his appearance isn't what concerned Haruhi, but the look in his eyes. They looked as if they saw their prey and lost them. Which is probably the case, Haruhi thought. She looked at Natasha, who kept her face composed, hiding her true fear of Hikari's safety.
"Miss, Sir, Ootori-san and Suou-san," Satoshi said with a bow, "I'm sorry…but it appears that someone had tried to kidnap your daughter." Kira and Yuuji acted surprised.
"Find out who took her" Yuuji asked, "And whoever they are, have them arrested." Satoshi bowed and ran down the stairs. Kira and Yuuji turned to face their guests.
"We're so sorry about this," Kira said, "But it seems that our daughter has been taken."
"Not at all, Madame," Kyouya said, "But I would greatly appreciate those departure notes."
"Yes, sir, of course," Yuuji said, leading the men into his office. Kira shifted awkwardly where she stood, not knowing what to tell or do with her guests that didn't follow her husband. Haruhi was about to speak, but Natasha beat her to it.
"Niwazaki-san," she began, her voice sounding very professional, "I'm a little concerned with Hikari-san's well-being here." Haruhi noticed Kira froze, not knowing what to say. "I've also heard how she's been away from home for while living in a hotel and then with a teenage boy? Really, is this some way to raise a proper girl?" Kira tried to keep her composure.
"I assure you, Miss, that Hikari's well-being comes before our own, but as you know, she's just at that rebellious age. There's nothing else that we can do."
"I see, and having a teenage boy like Kezuki-san with a dark background watching her is better?" Haruhi noticed that Kira didn't know what to say.
"Niwazaki-san," Natasha continued, "I think that Ootori-san and Suou-san won't be pleased with your answers once they hear. As out-of-control as she seems, the protection that she should have should be the best ones around, however, you and your husband have failed to do so as parents. I'm not sure if we can support this." Kira began to sweat.
"Fujioka-san," Natasha said, "Please look inside this room. See how this room reflects their daughter." Haruhi nodded and ran into the room. Wow, Natasha really knows how to put people on the spot. Haruhi looked around the white room and noticed the broken window. As she approached it, she saw the broken chair and small red drops on the balcony floor; a wave of panic growing in her chest. Hikari, what did you do? Haruhi stepped through the window and crunched on the glass beneath her. She walked towards the red drops, following them in hoping they would show where Hikari went. The drops ended over the railing, indicating one thing: She jumped. Haruhi began to look around for Hikari and saw something towards her right. It looked like two people, one holding the other. Wait, wasn't… Haruhi leaned over and called, "Kaoru!" nothing. "Kaoru!" Haruhi screamed louder. Still nothing. What happened? Haruhi heard footsteps from her left and looked over; there were guards heading towards the people Haruhi saw before. Is Hikari over there? She wondered, listening carefully to the guards and watching the figures moving. One of them seemed to have been carrying something…like a body of some sort. It followed half of the guards while the other half took the body back. When they walked under Haruhi, she recognized the body.
"Hikari."
"She's a brave girl." Haruhi turned around and saw Tamaki looking over at Hikari as well.
"All of this seems so unreal," Haruhi said in disbelief, "She couldn't have jumped from here to down there."
"But she did." Haruhi stared at him as he pointed to the red circles on the stone railing. "See these, if she was caught, there would be more of her blood on the ground, but it ends here. And under here was Hikaru and Kaoru's post. I wouldn't be surprised if what they saw was Hikari jumping over her balcony and surviving." Haruhi just stared at the ground and thought. Hikari…you're should be more careful. There're people that care about you and wouldn't like to know that you barely survived a fall from your balcony.
"Now let's get going," Tamaki said, pulling Haruhi out of her thoughts, "If we want to help her, we need to get going to plan our kidnap." He extended his arm and Haruhi took it. As the walked away from the room, Haruhi noticed her jacket on the bed from her last visit. Suddenly, an idea came into Haruhi's mind.
"Senpai, can I borrow a pen?" Tamaki drew a pen from his pocket and passed it to Haruhi. She quickly grabbed it and looked for a sheet of paper in the pockets of her jacket. Luckily, she found a piece of candy that Honey-senpai had given her. She unwrapped it, threw the candy on the floor, straightened the wrapper, and wrote "We will save you. Haruhi." She shoved the message back into the pocket and left the jacket on the bed, right where she found it. Haruhi gave the pen back to Tamaki and left the room.
As she descended downstairs, she noticed Kyouya and Natasha looking displeased with Yuuji and Kira. By the time she reached the ground, she heard some of the conversation.
"I'm sure, Ootori-san, that our protection for our daughter is the best. We have Kezuki to help understand her ways and to change her to live a proper life."
"Yes, I understand getting a fellow high school student, but why someone with a bad background?" The Niwazaki's couldn't answer. Instead, Natasha took Kyouya's arm and said,
"I'm sorry, but we will take our leave. We will think about sending our guards, but after tonight's performance, we're not so sure." With that, they took their leave.
No one spoke on their way back to the car. Haruhi couldn't get the shattered glass and red drops out of her head. How can Hikari do what she did? Did she think or act on impulse? Haruhi kept on asking herself questions until she reached the limo. Inside, Mina, Hana-chan, Mori-senpai, Honey-senpai, Yumi, Kaoru, and Hikaru sat, appearing upset by something.
"So," Kyouya said, adjusting his glasses, "Would someone want to tell us what happened?" Everyone looked at the floor or out the window, not knowing who should go first. "How about you, Hikaru?" Kyouya suggested, "Since your post was under Hikari's balcony." Hikaru looked out the window, looking at Hikari's balcony, his hazel eyes torn.
"I don't what happened in her room, but Kaoru and I heard a window breaking from Hikari's room. Soon after, we saw her landing in front of us from her balcony. I don't know if she jumped or was pushed, but either way, she wanted to runway. I think some of the glass got on her feet cuz there were a lot of red gashes at the bottom of her feet. But with that pain and falling off her balcony, she kept running, then fainted. I went after her and noticed how pale she'd become."
"Probably from the lose of blood and pain," Natasha commented.
"Right, anyway, I put my jacket on her and…I couldn't tell her that I love her. Guards came and took her away from me. I would have fought them, but Hikari told me not to."
"She told you?" Kyouya asked, not sure if he's understanding Hikaru's story.
"Yes, she spoke," Hikaru said, a little annoyed, "She said to run and that she'll be okay."
"That's it?" Tamaki asked. With a nod, Tamaki looked on over at Mori and Honey-senpai. "What about the guards?"
"Takashi and I tried to hold them back, but once Sato-chan called them to find Hiri-chan, they would listen or fight with us."
"Ah," Mori-senpai confirmed.
"But, we found out that they were told to arrest someone who 'kidnapped' Hiri-chan…"
"…which was Hikaru," Mori-senpai finished, "We convinced them that there was a misunderstanding and that we'll take him."
"Do we know what happened afterwards?" Natasha asked, looking at Yumi, Mina, and Hana-chan.
"Well," Yumi began, "we heard the crash and Ima-san tried to open the door, but it was locked. She ran toward Yuuji's office to try to find the keys, but once she heard footsteps coming, she stopped and hid in another room."
"Then Ima-san mentioned how she saw the guards carrying Hikari-chan back into the house through the back door," Hana-chan continued, "She said that Hikari-chan looked terrible, her feet all shredded…" Little droplets fell onto her yellow bunny. Mina placed an arm around her and finished the story.
"A doctor came and began to work on Hikari outside until everyone was out of the house. Satoshi is putting up stronger security around the hose, especially around Hikari-san's room."
"I see," Kyouya said, looking in his injured hand, then at his notebook. He was about to speak, but Haruhi beat him to it.
"Kaoru," she began, "I called your name from Hikari's balcony and you didn't respond. Where were you?"
"Once Hikaru had bitten my hand and chased after Hikari," Kaoru began, emphasizing the words "Hikaru" and "bitten", "I moved hiding spots and actually hid in the tree above Hikari's balcony." Kaoru gave Haruhi a weak smile, "Sorry I didn't answer. I didn't want to give my hiding spot away."
"But if you were there the whole time, did you see anything else?" Haruhi pestered, trying to get out any useful information.
"Yeah, I saw Satoshi." Haruhi noticed Hikaru clenching his fists at the sound of his name. "He was on the phone with someone named Kamiko and he said that…" Kaoru paused, looking at everyone in the car.
"Go on, Kaoru," Natasha said. Kaoru took a deep breath and said, "The Niwazaki's, in order for Satoshi to provide his service, are offering Hikari to him…sort of…like a toy." Haruhi thought that her heart had stopped. They sold Hikari to Satoshi to sleep with him? Kyouya adjusted his glasses and picked up his notebook.
"Well, we got important information as well," he said, "We got their flight info and what they plan to do in America."
"What are they going to do to her?" Yumi asked.
"They plan to send her to a boarding school for out-of-control teenagers," Natasha said, "They require some form of guardian, and Satoshi has been placed as hers." Hikaru's knuckles grew white from anger. "Basically, Hikari's fate is hell if nothing is done soon."
"When do they leave?" Mina asked.
"They leave at 6:00pm Christmas Eve," Kyouya answered, "If we leave at around the same time as them, then we can catch them at the airport."
"That way," Tamaki continued, "We can take Hikari when they're leaving while the Niwazaki's are shipped off to America."
"So you're saying that…"
"…we're going to take Hikari away…"
"…when they're about to board them plane?" Yumi, Kaoru, and Hikaru asked one after another. Tamaki nodded.
"If we did it this way," Haruhi said aloud, "Then when we take her, the Niwazaki's can't leave to chase her because they'll be needed to board the plane…"
"…Thus giving Kyouya enough time to have his people greet the Niwazaki's when the return, if you understand what I mean," Natasha finished with a wink. Everyone fell silent.
"This is unbelievable," Hikaru said, "This isn't real."
"But that's Hikari's talent," Haruhi said, "Doing unreal things and writing about them. That's probably why she does what she does, like running through glass and jumping over balconies."
"Alright, my children!" Tamaki announced, "Operation 'Kidnap my Daughter and Bring her to Safety' shall be put in motion." Haruhi looked out her window, looking at Hikari's balcony. As they drove away, she saw a figure walk on, looking right at her.
[Meanwhile, in Hikari's room]
Hikari heard her name being called faintly in the distant. Who is it? What do you want? She asked in her mind. Slowly, she opened her eyes in a brightly lit room. Everything seemed blurry though her eyes at first, but soon everything began to focus, giving Hikari the sense that she was in her room.
"Alright, miss," said a man in a scruffy voice, "All of the glass has been taken out of your feet, but I suggest that you stay off them for at least 24 hours in order to have them start the healing process. Hikari still didn't understand, but she nodded and rose up. The glass has been swept and the chair repaired, but the window was still broken, inviting the cold, wintery night wind to wrap around her. She heard the guy leave and someone else entering.
"How on earth could you do that, you ungrateful child?"
Ah, it's Niwazaki Kira. Oh boy…, Hikari thought.
"Do you know what we went through tonight? And with the Ootori and Suou group here?" Yuuji asked, anger building in his voice.
"Oh no, I haven't," Hikari said in a sarcastic tone, "I've been too busy trying to not get raped by some sexaholic who thinks himself as the center of the universe."
"You little ingrate," Kira said through her teeth, "You're suppose to sleep with him." Hikari' jaw dropped.
"Are you serious?" She asked.
"Of course we are. How else do you think we pay Satoshi-kun to look out for you? We offer him you and he offers his service. However, I believe we're getting the better end of the deal."
"Well, I'm sorry to say that I will never sleep with Satoshi. I know I'm not like you, Kira, selling my body around until Yuuji bids higher. I'm not like that." She noticed Yuuji's lips tighten in a thin line.
"That window's not getting fix," he said, "So I suggest that you dress warmly and take hot baths." And with that, the two exited, Hikari following them to lock the door as soon as they left. Standing on her feet felt like walking on blades. Ouch, this really hurts. With her recharged energy, Hikari slowly and carefully towards the balcony.
"Thank god the glass is cleaned up," she said, "This will feel…" Hikari placed her feet on the cold stone, sending relief through Hikari's sore feet, "…good…" Her eyes fell upon a long, black limo. "I wonder if the Host Club is in there," she said. She looked through one of the tinted windows, hoping that it was Haruhi.
"I'm glad that she came with Tamaki-senpai and Kyouya-senpai. It shows that she's a real friend." Soon the black car drove away and Hikari's feet grew numb. I think I can walk now for a little bit, Hikari thought as she stepped back onto the white carpet of her room. Guess I better head off to bed. As she headed towards her bed, she noticed Haruhi's jacket.
"Oh god, I forgot about that. How'd that get out here?" She grabbed the jacket and examined the pockets. "I hope no one took anything from here. Poor Haruhi would-" a crackle sound came from the jacket. "Huh?" Hikari searched and found a candy wrapper in one of Haruhi's pockets.
"Hmm…guess someone stole Haruhi's candy that Honey-senpai had given her." She placed the jacket on her bed and was about to throw it away when she noticed black ink.
"What the…?" Hikari straighten out the wrapper and saw a message in Haruhi's handwriting. "We will save you. Haruhi." Hikari re-read the note over and over again, making her heart sprout wings and flying all around her chest.
"They've got a plan." A smile grew on her face. "They've got a plan and will get me outta here!" She folded the wrapper and put in back in Haruhi's jacket. As she walked around to turn off the lights, she noticed something dark in the bathroom. As she approached it, the numbness in her feet ended and she began to walk on blades again.
"Ouch! Man, I should have been more careful when I jumped through those shards of glass…" Hikari slowly made her way to another jacket that filled her nose with rose and spices.
"Oh god…" She picked up the jacket, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "How'd this get here?" As she began to rummage through the pockets, something fell onto her foot, something soft. Hikari looked down and saw a light blue rose with a long, green steam. Hikari bent down to pick it up, unsure of how to feel.
"Where did this come…from…" Slowly, something played through Hikari's mind like a movie strip: Hikaru was holding her, apologizing and saying how he discovered his true feelings and was an idiot for not believing her.
"Well he should be," she said aloud, but as she continued to see the dream-like movie, she saw…felt him kissing her necklace and about to tell her something, but was taken away.
"Was that even the order?" She thought, "Because isn't that…he kissed my necklace, started talking , I think he might have called my name before I blanked out, and then…" Suddenly, she realized something.
"He was going to say something important, got caught, and I told him to run." Hikari leaned against the wall and slowly slide down, opening the wounds at the bottom of her feet. She didn't care. She was going to be rescued and she has Hikaru's blue rose.
"Does this mean…that he believes me?" With a small hope burning in her chest, Hikari wrapped her feet up and walked towards Haruhi's jacket. She pulled out the candy wrapper and placed it around the rose. How can I tie this together? At the corner of her eyes, she saw her red ribbon wrapped around her bed pole
"Perfect!" She took the ribbon and wrapped the wrapper against the rose, creating her hopeful flower of escaping.
"I believe that you'll help me escape…Host Club."