Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High school Host Club. If I did, I would be a character and I would marry Kyouya.
We find our favorite group of friends at the Beach! But drama surfaces when Kyouya's overprotective nature finally pushes Yuri to the limit. And, Kaoru's feelings for our undercover agent are much more apparent, even in the Shadow King's eyes, but Yuri doesn't notice at all. Also, Haruhi is having feelings of déjà vu while Yuri's team reveals information that could be Yuri's ticket back home. But is she prepared for the answer? And what's this? She's never been kissed?!
Chapter 13- Deja Vu
He sat her down on the black leather couch and remained standing while her mother sat next to her with a comforting arm around her shoulders.
Why is she sad? she asked herself, noticing the solemn look on her mother's face. Both of them looked solemn. But why? She was sure that nothing terrible happened. Right? She hoped not.
"Lily princess," her father said, in a soft voice. "You know that your mother and I, we both love you so much." He paused. She waited. "We want you to know that whatever happens, that's not going to change, understand?"
She nodded, not really comprehending the situation. Her father took this as a sign to continue. "Kathy, honey, your mother and I, we're getting a divorce."
Divorce. What was that word? She didn't like the way her father said it. She didn't like that word. It sounded terrible. "What's a divorce?" she asked, innocently.
Her parents looked at each other. "Mi'ja," her mother replied in a sad voice. "A divorce is when two parents no longer feel that they should be together. So they have to separate."
"What does that mean?" she asked again, terrified now. Her parents not being together sounded awful.
Her father kneeled in front of her and stroked her cheek, gently. "Lily princess, that means I'm leaving."
"When will you be back Daddy?"
He looked sadly at her. Her mother was crying. Why was she crying? Daddy leaving didn't seem too terrible. He sometimes left for Japan for the business and stuff and Mommy sometimes leaves too to go to other places to write her articles. But they always come back. So why was this any different?
"Lily princess." Her father looked once at her mother then back to her. "I'll be coming back to visit. But I won't be living here anymore…"
Her chest was hurting. What was he saying?
"… I'll be living in Japan from now on so I can properly take care of the company, you know, the one you'll be inheriting once you come of age. Okay? But for now, Mommy will take care of you and I'll be visiting from time to time. I promise."
Tears slid down her cheeks as she finally, finally realized what was going on. "You're leaving us?"
"Well, yes, but-."
"You don't love us anymore?"
"Of course I still love you Kathy and I always will. You're my daughter! My heir! My little lily princess." He tried to smile at her, to assure her. "Someday, you're going to be the Lily Queen of our company in Japan. You'll see. It's going to be-."
"How about Mommy? Do you still love her too?"
The question caught him by surprise. He looked at her mother but she had already buried her face in her daughter's dark tresses, refusing to meet his eyes. "I do love her Kathy." She looked at her father hopefully. "But I don't love her the way I used to anymore. That's why we decided to get the divorce. We're not-."
"You're leaving because you don't love us anymore!" the little girl screamed, tears flowing from her chocolate brown eyes to her cheeks. "You don't love us anymore!"
"Lily-."
"Mi'ja-."
But she refused to listen to any more of their explanations. She ran to her room and locked the door. With all her little eight-year old strength, she pushed her small bookcase to seal it. Resounding bangs filled her room as her parents begged her to come out and allow them to explain. But no! She refused to hear any more! Exhausted from crying and pushing the bookcase, the little girl plopped down on the carpeted floor, hugged her knees to her chest, covered her ears, and cried her heart out.
Yuri bolted upright gasping, blinding herself with the sun's bright rays in the process. She fell asleep! The last thing she remembered was sitting on a towel underneath a large umbrella next to some bags and a cooler, reading a book. She must have dozed off. Wondering how long she had been asleep, she turned her head to ask her earlier companion. He was gone. Where did he go? Pressing a hand to her cheek, she found her face wet. Water? No, they came from her eyes. Tears.
They arrived just the afternoon before at a beach resort in Okinawa. Official Host Club business did not start until that morning after breakfast and since she was not required to work until the evening, Yuri was just relaxing, enjoying the sun, and watching the Hosts do their thing. Tamaki was taking a "romantic" stroll along the coast with a girl while a line of others waited eagerly nearby. Haruhi was shell picking with her customers, though she was the one doing most of the picking while they look on, dreamily. Hunny and Mori were building a sandcastle with their customers. Hikaru and Kaoru were playing volleyball with their usual bunch. But Kyouya was nowhere to be found. Probably somewhere with his customers. Yuri looked around and saw that eight of his customers, including Rima from last time, were scattered all over the beach. So he wasn't with them. Then that leaves the question, where was he? And why did he leave his laptop behind? He rarely did that.
"Ami-san," she called to one of his customers passing by. "Do you know where Kyouya-senpai went?"
"Kyouya-senpai? I saw him at the Refreshment Stand a while ago," she answered. She showed Yuri two plastic cups with little umbrellas. "He bought me and Aya-chan some coconut juice." She smiled dreamily. "Kyaa! He's so nice!"
Yuri sweatdropped. "Uh… Okay. Thanks."
Nodding and still looking dreamy, Ami walked away to rejoin her friend. Sighing, Yuri looked at the spot where he was sitting next to her with his laptop before she dozed off and had that dream, nightmare. She doesn't know why she suddenly recalled that terrible day seven years ago. The day when everything changed. The day she started building a wall around herself. Memories of the days after that came rushing back to her. The signing of the divorce papers. Staying up late to her mother's sobs when she thought Yuri was asleep. Her Obaa-san coming over from Japan for Christmas because her father couldn't make it. Fighting back to a robber who wanted to use her hostage. Meeting Commander Johnson for the first time. Joining the CIA and meeting her team. Shortly after joining them, her father remarried and she met her stepmother, stepbrother, and two stepsisters. She didn't hate them. At least, not after the first time she met them. In fact, she's grown to love them over the years despite her still evident anger towards her father-.
"You're awake now I see."
The Shadow King was back and was holding two ice cream cones, smiling genuinely at her. She felt her heart melt like the ice cream under the sun. Just seeing that smile…
"Um… Yeah. Gomen. I guess the sun is making me a bit lazy today."
"Perfectly understandable." He handed her one of the ice creams: a scoop of vanilla and chocolate. He settled himself beside her with his double scoop of chocolate ice cream. "I was hoping you'd still be asleep. That way, I'd have both ice creams to myself."
She raised an eyebrow.
He sighed. "I'm joking Yuri."
"Oh. I see." She giggled. "Arigatou senpai."
They ate their ice creams in silence, watching the others. Occasionally, Yuri would try to catch a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye. Unlike the other Hosts, except for Haruhi, he was wearing a shirt and not entertaining girls bare-chested. Meanwhile, Yuri was wearing the shirt Kaoru gave her along with a mini skirt over the yellow swimsuit. The shirt was off the shoulder on one side which left her right shoulder bare. Her dark hair was in a low bun behind her head, leaving her neck exposed to the cool breeze blowing. She liked this, just sitting quietly with him. Not arguing. Just enjoying each other's company. It felt nice.
She heard him laugh quietly as she finished her wafer cone. "What?" she asked, turning her head to look at him. "Do I have to something on my face?"
He laughed harder this time. "As a matter of fact, you do."
"Where?" she began swiping at her face. "Did I get it?"
He shook his head, grinning. He took a napkin from a bag and scooted closer to her. "Right here." With the napkin, he wiped away the chocolate smudge from the side of her lips. His fingers brushed her cheeks and she felt herself reddening. The skin tingled where his fingers grazed her skin.
"Thanks senpai," she managed after he finished.
He smiled pleasantly. "No problem."
She blushed deeper and cleared her throat. "Um… Can you hand me a water bottle?"
"Of course." He opened the cooler and looked inside. "Damn those twins," he muttered, suddenly looking annoyed.
Yuri giggled. "Let me guess. You told Hikaru and Kaoru to pack the water and they forgot."
He nodded, gritting his teeth as he closed the empty cooler. She giggled again. "I'll go get some at the Refreshment Stand." She stood up, swinging her black crocheted bag around her body as she walked away.
"Hi Yuri san!" Three girls sitting on high stools greeted her as she approached the little bar. They were three of Kyouya's twelve customers who came to Okinawa with them. Based on the coconut juice they were drinking, she guessed that Kyouya bought them those too. But then again, the resort was reserved for the Host Club that weekend so there were no other guests aside from them. So, the bill of everything would most likely be paid the day they leave which was Monday.
"Hi," she greeted back, putting on a perky smile. "Are you enjoying yourselves?"
"Oh yes," one of them said. "Did I mention how much I love the Host Club?"
"This is a wonderful start to our Spring Break," another said.
They began to giggle amongst themselves whereas Yuri turned to the person working at the stand and asked for six bottles of water. As she waited for him to dig the coldest ones from a cooler, she placed her bag on top of the counter and rested her cheek on her palm. She could still feel the tingle from Kyouya's touch. When was the last time she felt a tingle like that? Oh yeah, when that jerk from the circus three years ago held her hand dramatically to emphasize his "affection" for her. Yep, there was a tingle there. But not quite like this one from Kyouya. This one was much more… Intense.
"Here you go miss."
Six cold water bottles appeared in front of her. She thanked the guy and asked how much. He replied that it will be added to the Host Club's tab. I knew it, she thought, knowing that they would never allow a customer to pay for something if they can help it. Unless, of course, they're buying something from the online auction on their website or the magazines and photos. She thanked the guy again and picked up the bottles.
"Yuri-san?" one of the girls, the first girl, called out to her.
"Hai?"
"We're just wondering, do you know where we can get a top like yours?"
"Oh this? Hikaru and Kaoru gave it to me for my birthday. They said it's a test product form their mom's summer collection or something like that. If you ask them, I'm sure they wouldn't mind releasing early products for you."
The three looked at each other excitedly. "That sounds wonderful! Thank you!"
She smiled at them. "Have a great day!" she said before walking away.
OURANOURANOURAN
"Here you go senpai."
Yuri handed Kyouya one of the cold bottles. He thanked her and placed the others inside the cooler. Once again, they are in silence, just sitting and watching everybody else. A few minutes later, Haruhi waved good-bye to her customers, who wanted to explore more of the resort. The brunette approached the Vice President and the servant/pianist and plopped down on the towel next to the latter.
"I'm parched," she complained, placing the plastic pail filled with white and multi-colored seashells on top of the towel. "I probably collected about fifty shells."
"Bet you're relieved that they wanted to explore on their own," Yuri said, grinning as she handed her a bottle of water.
"Tremendously happy," she replied before taking a swig.
"You know Haruhi, you should have offered to go with them," Kyouya said, his glasses flashing. "It would be a crime to leave some lovely ladies unattended."
Haruhi sweatdropped. "Uh… You're not serious are you senpai?"
He smirked. "This isn't good Haruhi. At least not for you." When she gave him a puzzled look, he picked up his laptop and opened it. "This violation should earn you an addiction to your debt."
His words sent the brunette in a panic. "What?! B-But, I didn't do anything! I-." She cut herself off when the Shadow King started… He started laughing! No, not maniacally like a villain after he captured the good guy on a T.V. show. No, this is… Amused laughing. Delighted laughing. The joke-is-on-you laughing.
"W-W-What?" she managed.
"Relax Haruhi, I was joking," he said, chuckling and putting his laptop aside. "You get worked up so easily when it comes to your debt."
"J-J-Joking? Y-Y-You?"
Even Yuri gave Kyouya an incredulous look. Since when did he joke about their debt? H never ever joked when money is involved. Yet, he just scared Haruhi to death about increasing her debt then said that it was a joke… What on Earth-?
"Who are you and what have you done with our senpai?" Yuri finally said.
He simply chuckled and did not answer. The two girls looked at each other and shrugged. It must be one of those days for him
"Haha senpai," Haruhi said. "You're weird today."
"Keep that up Haruhi and I might just increase your debt for real." He picked up his laptop again. When he saw panic in her face again, he sighed. "Will you please calm down? I just need to do some calculations of this trip's expenses and see how much we have left in our club funds." He began typing. "You two worry too much."
"Gee, I wonder why," Yuri muttered.
He grinned but didn't reply except for the tip-tapping on his keyboard. With his attention away from them, the two girls are left to converse with each other.
"They got you one too huh?" Haruhi indicated Yuri's top. "They got me one in peach. I can't wear it today though."
Yuri chuckled. "Well, we're their testers I guess. They made sure I wore it today and a lot of girls already asked me where I got it."
"It does look good on you though."
"Thanks. I'm pretty sure you look good on the one they gave you. Did you try it on?"
"Yeah." Haruhi sighed. "My dad made me. You know, sometimes, I think he's more like a mom than a dad. He seems to enjoy making me wear girly stuff, especially if it's from the twins. Must be effects of the cross-dressing."
Yuri giggled, remembering how shocked she was when she first met Ranka. That was her first day of school when she and Haruhi found out they lived close to each other. Eventually, the more she came over to say a quick "Hi" before heading for home or accompanying Haruhi in shopping, she got used to her friend's cross-dressing father. In fact, she saw him as an Uncle of sort. Her Uncle Kenji, Kaori's dad, lived in California with her aunt Momo, his wife, and they rarely came to visit her. Meanwhile, her Uncle Joshua, her mother's brother, lived all the way in Spain so she didn't get to see him much. Ranka was like the favorite Uncle who loved spoiling his only niece with whatever she wants, though in Ranka's case, it was whatever Japanese dish Yuri wanted. He was a pretty good and she even got some Fujioka family recipes that she enjoyed trying out. Yup, he was definitely an Uncle to her.
"Well, I think it's because you're Ranka-san's only daughter," she suggested. "I bet my own dad would-." She stopped, a painful feeling pricking her. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "He just loves you that's all."
Haruhi looked at her, worriedly. Kyouya's typing had slowed a bit. She flashed them both a smile, not betraying any emotion. Eventually, Haruhi chose not to comment and Kyouya went back to typing swiftly.
"Yeah, I guess he does," the brunette finally replied. She paused to think of a more harmless subject. "Oh yeah, how was your date with Nekozawa-senpai last Thursday? You didn't say anything about it yesterday." She gave Yuri a knowing look. "Well?"
Haruhi was perfectly aware of Kyouya's tip-tapping slowing again. She wondered if Yuri noticed too.
"It was okay," Yuri replied, a little nonchalantly. "No, wait. It was… Great. Senpai was a gentleman. He took me to this really nice Italian place and. guess what? He didn't wear his cloak or his wig. I must admit, he is very handsome without them."
"I see. Um… Did you two… Uh… You know…"
She gave Haruhi a questioning look. "What?"
Haruhi blushed lightly before whispering," Kiss?" Yuri turned red and shook her head. "Oh, okay. Did he… Ask you? To be his girlfriend?" Yuri nodded. "And? What did you say?"
Yuri's eyes involuntarily flashed to Kyouya, who seemed to be listening intently. Quickly, she reverted her eyes back to Haruhi. "I explained that I think he's really nice and I do like him in a way… But, I just don't feel anything beyond that of a friend." She sighed. "Honestly, I felt no spark. I was hoping for one 'cause I feel so guilty turning him down. But there wasn't."
"What did he say?" Haruhi observed Kyouya from the corner of her eye and saw a small smile appear on his face. "Was he upset?"
"Yeah, he looked really down afterwards. But it had to be done. He said it's alright if I don't like him back. He'll still visit me at the Host Club."
"That's great then. At least you won't lose one of your best customers."
"Yeah, I guess." She smiled slightly. "He gave me this really cute Belzenef key chain he made himself. I'll show you. I have it in my… Where the heck is my bag?" She groped around but her little black bag was missing. "Oh shoot, I must have left it at the refreshment stand."
Kyouya looked up from his laptop. "I'll get it for you."
"It's fine senpai. I'll get it myself." She stood up before he could insist. "Be right back."
Haruhi watched Yuri's retreating back. When she was out of sight, the brunette turned to Kyouya. "You're relieved, huh?" she said, knowingly.
He gave her a questioning look. "Nani?"
She shook her head and smiled mysteriously. "Never mind." Seriously, is this guy for real?
OURANOURANOURAN
There you are! Yuri almost dived at the counter in happiness to see her precious black bag. She hugged it to her chest, affectionately before strapping it around her body. As she started back to their spot, her eye caught sight of something.
So much for a low profile. Why does this keep happening to me?
"Hey! What do you idiots think you're doing?"
She approached four guys who are surrounding the three girls who were sitting at the Refreshment Stand earlier. Those guys aren't supposed to be here, the whole resort is closed for they Host Club's use. The girls look genuinely uncomfortable and scared. Their eyes are sending pleas of help at her.
"Didn't anyone tell you that this resort is reserved for our group which means that you can't be here," she continued, trying to appear dangerous, which was hard if you looked like the opposite.
Indeed, the guys were unaffected. As a matter of fact, they looked pleased. "Hey, this one's feisty," one of them said. "Looks like this one's mine." He sent her a smirk that sent an unpleasant shiver down her spine. When she replied with a disgusted look, he frowned. "Come on, we're harmless. Just a couple of college guys, having fun on a nice Saturday afternoon."
"Don't worry," a friend of his added. "We won't bite. That is, unless you want us to."
His friends laughed like he just cracked a really funny joke, which, in their point of view, probably was. But Yuri didn't care if they were harmless or not. She cared about getting these girls out of their prying, hungry eyes and back into the strange yet safe world of the Host Club.
"Look, we're high school kids enjoying the beginning of our Spring Break. Please don't ruin it or you'll be sure to regret it." She broke into their circle and nodded at the girls who look like frightened lambs. "Come on girls, let's get back to the beach."
She began to lead them away, but the first guy caught her arm. "I like you," he stated.
Now that he was barely a foot away from her, Yuri finally caught a whiff of the faint smell of alcohol. They weren't drunk but they were getting there.
She raised an eyebrow and let out an unladylike snort. "Dude, you just met me like thirty seconds ago."
"It's your feistiness, it's incredible. Tell you what, we'll let these three go if you hang out with is tonight." He smiled suggestively at her. "How about it?"
Yuri's blood boiled in anger and irritation. Was this guy not listening to a word she just said? What perverts! And aren't college guys supposed to be more mature than this?
"How about you just let us all go and you and your buddies leave this resort before I'm forced to hurt you."
He grinned at his friends and they grinned back. One even chuckled. "Say yes and you won't have to do that."
"How about no?" She was really mad. Control Yuri, control. Don't lose your temper. The last thing you need is to blow your cover. Keep cool.
But when the pervert, who seem to drone out her answers, began running his hand up and down her arm, Yuri lost it. She shrugged his hand away and angrily connected her hand to his cheek into a resounding slap. He staggered backwards in shock. The three girls gasped while the other three guys stared, mouths agape at the scene.
"Don't you dare touch me again!" she growled, her eyes flashing. You did not cross Katherine Yuri Martinez Inoue when she was angry. "Try it and I assure you, you will wish you were never born." She turned away from him and glared at the other three before giving the girls a gentle look. "Let's go back."
They nodded, looking overwhelming yet relieved to be out of there. They began to move away, Yuri following behind. But the college pervert seemed to not have had enough. He wouldn't give up. He lunged at her retreating form and Yuri felt her instincts sending signals to her reflexes. She turned around right on time to dodge him. He staggered to a stop then looked at her with eyes of a determined bull in a bullfight.
This isn't good, she thought as the three girls began to scream.
"Go!" she shrieked at their panicked faces. "Let me take care of this."
The other three guys didn't seem interested in them anymore since they didn't bother going after them as they scampered away, leaving Yuri behind.
"Look, if I were you, I'd just go now," she warned. Her body was itching for action but she had to restrain herself. "Please, just leave-."
Alarm bells went off as all four ganged up and lunged at her at the same time. Well boys, you asked for it, she thought, as everything inside her let loose.
The first guy was the closest. She sent a kick right at his gut. He fell on the ground, groaning and struggling to get up. She punched the second guy in the chest and left him gasping. Kicked the third guy in the knee and sent him sprawling on the ground next to his friend. The fourth guy was hard to deal with since he blocked all of her punches and kicks expertly but eventually, she caught his arm and flipped him onto his back. By now, the first three have recovered are about to lunge at her again. But Yuri knows that her attacks left them weak. She's not a martial artist for nothing. She prepared to defend herself again.
"Yuri!"
She turned her head at the voices. Bad choice. The first guy took advantage of her momentary distraction and grabbed her by the waist and pinned her to the ground. Kicking her legs, Yuri struggled to get him off but someone else did it for her. It's Hikaru and Kaoru. The other Hosts were there too. And they didn't look happy. Bad news for the college perverts. Tamaki, Kyouya, and Mori grabbed the other three and forcefully pinned them to the surrounding palm trees, looking very, very, very angry. Hunny came up to each guy and kicked them in the stomach.
"You four were mean to Yu-chan!" he shouted at them, his cute face even cuter with the angry look. "Messing with my friends is a big no-no! Especially if she's a girl! It's not proper at all!"
"You are a disgrace to men," Mori added, his face impassive.
Meanwhile, Haruhi had helped Yuri up. "Are you alright?" she asked, worriedly.
Yuri nodded, watching the Hosts. She had never seen them this angry before. They must be very protective of their customers.
"Gentlemen, you were informed by this young lady here that the resort is reserved for our group," Kyouya said, coldly, his glasses flashing. Anger and bitterness dripped from his voice. "Yet you still insist on staying and what's more, you had the nerve to act inappropriately toward our lady friends. That is not something we can allow to slide."
The four looked scared now. Of course they would be, they were outnumbered.
"What do you propose we to them Kyouya?" Tamaki said, his violet eyes glaring evilly at them. His princely demeanor was gone, replaced by that of an angry teenage boy who wanted to kill someone.
"Report them of course. As well as inform their university what they have done."
"Y-You can't," the second guy, being pinned by Kyouya, managed. "You can't do that! We'll be expelled for sure!"
"You should have thought of that before you acted inappropriately towards a friend of the son of the superintendent of the Suoh Corporation, who is a huge benefactor of most of Japan's top Universities, including Tokyo University, the one I presume the four of you attend?"
He gestured to the shirts the four were wearing with the University's logo on it.
"But we didn't know-."
"Even so. Any act of violence against women is not one the Host Club tolerates." Kyouya suddenly smirked "Ahhh… Here is the security now."
Sure enough, a group of six officers approached and soon, the four perverts were led away, to Yuri's relief.
"You okay?"
She looked up at Kaoru's concerned face and smiled faintly. But that smile soon disappeared when Kyouya turned to her, angrily.
"Again Yuri!" he practically shouted at her. "You did it again! You take everything upon yourself! When you saw those girls in trouble why didn't you call us? We could have avoided all this!"
She gave him a look of disbelief. "Something worse could have happened to those three if I didn't intervene! I had it all under control!"
"Oh did you?!"
"I can take care of myself senpai!"
"Take care of yourself?! You always say that Yuri but can't you see? You can't! Alright? You can't assume that you can take care of yourself just because you have skills for it! You're a girl for Kami's sake!"
SLAP!
Kyouya staggered back from the impact. But he couldn't feel the sting on his cheeks. Instead, he felt the sting in his chest, a painful sting.
"That's your reason? Because I'm a girl?!" Yuri was shaking with fury. Her face was red, her eyes were watery, and her lips quivered. "Well you know what? For your information, here's more to me than just a damsel-in-distress. I may be a girl but I know that I'm capable enough. I'm not weak, okay?! Just… Just leave me the hell alone!"
And with that, she turned away from all of them and ran. Ran as fast as her legs could carry her. They called out to her but she didn't turn around. None followed. She needed time to think. They could give her that.
Haruhi turned to Kyouya, a cold look on her face. "That was unnecessary senpai. And she's right. There's more to her than just a girl." She suddenly looked wistful. "I'm getting a sense of déjà vu." Shaking her head, she began to walk away. "I hope she doesn't end up in bed with Tamaki-senpai," she told herself, shuddering.
Glaring at Kyouya, Kaoru followed Haruhi, Hikaru behind him. Mori and Hunny looked at the Shadow King sadly before leaving as well. Soon, it was just Tamaki and Kyouya. The blonde looked at his friend. "Don't worry. She'll be alright," he said, kindly.
Kyouya nodded. He was feeling numb. The stinging was gone. He couldn't feel anything. What just happened? Everything went by so fast. When he saw those guys ganging up on Yuri, he reacted without thinking. Anger overtook him and he accidentally released it on her. He had hurt her without meaning to. She hated him now. Heck, he hated himself!
"Come on Kyouya. Let's head back."
He nodded and robotically followed his best friend.
OURANOURANOURAN
Panting and gasping, she ran. From them. From him. From his words. From everything. She didn't know where she was going but anywhere else is better than there.
Pain shot through her whole body as she fell on the mat, gasping for air. Her insides had hurt. They had hurt so bad. She wanted to remain there on the floor not mover forever. But no, she couldn't. She had to keep going. She couldn't give up now.
"Miss Inoue, that was a weak defense," the instructor said, staring down at her. "Concentrate."
"Yes, sir," the eleven-year old girl replied as she went back on her feet.
"Your attack was strong but that doesn't mean you can let your guard down," he continued. "In a battle, everything has to be strong. Everything. You focus too much on advancing that you leave everything else vulnerable. Nothing, not your mind nor your body, should be vulnerable and exposed. That will lead to a quicker defeat. Understand?"
"Yes sir."
She wasn't weak. She wasn't vulnerable. Her legs took her to a large rock, overseeing the entire beach. She climbed it, higher and higher until she reached the top. She stood at the edge, staring down at the crystal blue water below. The sky was turning orange. How long had she been running? Probably long enough since it was now sunset and the beach was empty. Everybody was at dinner. They were expecting her to play the piano. She had to go back. But… Her body wouldn't move. Her eyes were fixed on the sea, the white foamy waves waving in and out. The wind tickled her skin and she wrapped her arms around herself.
Why? Why did it hurt her so much? Why did it hurt that he implied that she was weak? Weak because she was a girl. Why did she suddenly feel like she wasn't good enough? Like those times when she first begun training under the CIA, she felt that she wasn't good enough. That was why she worked hard to be one of the best. But why did this one hurt so much more than anything else she ever felt before? Was this… Was this what her Mom felt when her Dad left her? Left them?
Let go! her mind was saying. Don't think. Just let go.
So she did. She let go. Her feet lifted themselves from the rock. She tucked her knees to her chest as she fell. The next thing she knew, she had hit the water with a splash and her mind went blank.
OURANOURANOURAN
Beach House (Host Club's Quarters)
9:00 P.M.
The long velvet curtain covering the large bedroom window was pulled back, revealing a full view of the beach. Haruhi looked out, surveying the area, worriedly. Sighing sadly, she covered the window again and began to pace around the large room. Occasionally, she would steal a glance at the little clock on the bedside table between two Queen-sized beds. At 9:03, there came a knock at the door and she lunged for it.
"Hey Haru-chan! Do you have an extra pillow I can borrow? I dropped cake on mine."
She sighed in disappointment. "No, senpai. Sorry."
Hunny tilted his head to the side then looked up at Mori. "Are you okay Haru-chan?"
"Any chance the two of you seen Yuri?" She went to the window and peeked out. "She didn't show for dinner and it's been an hour and a half since then."
The two third years began to look worried. They shook their heads in reply. Just then, Hikaru appeared behind them. "Hey, have you guys seen Kaoru? I left him to take a shower and when I came back, he was gone."
The three shook her heads and just as Haruhi is about to ask him if he saw Yuri, Tamaki walked in. "Does anybody know where Kyouya went?" When they stared at him in reply, he began to look confused. "What?"
OURANOURANOURAN
Kaoru sighed softly as he walked down the deserted hallway of the Beach house. Their customers were at the Resort Hotel nearby and he was glad that their sleeping accommodations were separate. That way, there would be no interruptions as he made his way towards the beach to look for Yuri. He got worried when she didn't return for dinner and her piano duties. He got even more worried when he heard Haruhi asking Mori and Hunny if they saw her, which meant that she wasn't back yet.
Yuri, why did Kyouya senpai have to be so harsh? he thought as he walked out the door onto the dark but slightly lighted porch. He started down the steps. Where in the world did you go off to? I hope-
Kaoru stopped on the last step, his eyes on a figure walking weakly towards him, carrying her flip flops and was dripping wet. "Yuri!"
Happy and relieved to see her safe and sound, he jumped off the last step and met her as she reached him. He placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked ahead, a blank look on her face. Her hair and clothes were damp, her face wet. Did she go swimming fully-dressed?
"Where were you?" he asked, gently. The last thing he wanted was for Yuri to get mad at him too. "We were worried about you. Haruhi could barely stand still and you missed dinner and your piano duties. I think even Kyouya-senpai-"
At the name, she let out a soft whimper. Kaoru stopped talking. He looked closely at her eyes. They were red and puffy. Had she been crying? Gently, he took her chin and tilted her face to his. "Look at me Yuri, please."
Reluctantly, her brown eyes met his orange ones. At once, they began to water as her lips quivered like a child's. Before Kaoru could fully grasp what was happening, she was in his arms, her face buried on his chest and salty tears stained his shirt. Though shocked and surprised, he felt his arms pulling her closer. She didn't react to the sudden intimacy, just continued crying. "Shhh…" he soothed, rubbing her back. "It's okay. Cry as much as you want. I'm here."
Sniffling and coughing a little, Yuri pulled her face from his chest to look at him. She smiled. "Thank you," she said, softly before burying her face on his chest again as his arms wrapped protectively around her.
OURANOURANOURAN
Kyouya had been walking for over an hour now. He still had not found her. Where could she have gone? His conscience was gnawing at him. He blamed himself for this. Why did he have to yell at her? Why did he have to bring up the fact that she's a girl? He didn't know why he did that, since Yuri was probably one of the strongest people he knew. She was caring and helpful and she didn't care about endangering her life to help others. She had gone through a lot even as a child yet she managed to ignore her own and needs and wants as to not make anybody for her sake. She was so… Stubborn.
Sighing, he headed for the Beach House. Maybe she was already there. As he caught sight of the two-story hose, his eyes caught a figure in a white flowy top, bare feet, and pink streaks in her hair…
Yuri! his mind yelled out in happiness at the same time a voice called out, "Yuri!"
Kaoru appeared in his peripheral vision. Kyouya, for some reason, found himself hiding behind the trunk of a palm tree, concealed by its dark shadow. He watched as Kaoru came up to Yuri and placed his hands on her shoulder. He watched and flinched when Yuri whimpered like a scared child at the mention of his name. He watched as Kaoru held her chin so that their faces would meet. He watched when Yuri began to cry on Kaoru's chest. There was a painful aching in Kyouya's own chest as he watched Yuri break into that sweet smile of hers before allowing Kaoru to hold her closer though she was no longer crying. And he watched as Kaoru led her away inside the Beach House, an arm around her shoulders.
As the door shut behind them, Kyouya emerged from his hiding place. He looked down to stare at the little black, crocheted bag in his hand. He had found it while he was out looking for her. She must have dropped it while she was running. Reminded of the incident that afternoon, Kyouya's heart tightened painfully with guilt and… Something else. Something he didn't know. Something he couldn't describe. What was happening to him? Why did he keep feeling this way?
The Next Day…
"… coz when you're fifteen, somebody tells you they love you, you gonna believe them…"
Yuri was playing her guitar underneath a large umbrella. The familiar chords, the melody, and the song soothed her. She just felt like playing, to get her mind off things. She didn't know what she was thinking last night! Why on Earth did she jump into the ocean? She must have been crazy! Why did she keep doing crazy things when she was upset?
She felt someone sit beside her.
"Hey Yuri," Kaoru greeted, picking up a towel.
She smiled at him and laid her guitar aside. "Hey."
She handed him a water bottle and watched as he took a swig. She felt so grateful to him. He stayed with her all night and let her cry and ramble and vent until she finally went to bed. He even charmed one of the Beach House's maids so he could get her some dinner at the late hour. She never thought she'd ever say this but she didn't know what would have happened if Kaoru wasn't there for her.
"Kaoru, thanks."
He looked up at her, inquiringly.
"For last night," she clarified. "I'm so sorry you have to listen to me ramble all night. And thank you for listening anyhow. I must have bored you to death."
"No, no, no." Kaoru shook his head then smiled. "I was glad to listen to you." He placed his hand on top of hers. "I'll always be here for you Yuri."
"Wow, aren't we a little sentimental today." She flashed him a teasing grin. "But thank you."
Kaoru beamed like a child that Yuri couldn't help but giggle.
Meanwhile…
He watched the two from underneath another large umbrella. His heart is aching with… Something (He just wouldn't admit it was jealousy). Just the day before, she was beside him and laughing at his jokes not Kaoru's.
"You know you can always talk to her and apologize."
Kyouya jumped in surprise. Wait a minute, that was so unlike him. What the heck was going on? Nevertheless, he shook his head and turned to see his best friend grinning at him.
"Where did you come from?" he blurted out, lamely.
Tamaki began to look wistful. "Well, you see Okaa-san. When a man loves a woman-"
The blonde suddenly found himself on the ground, holding his head in his hands because of an insistent pounding brought about by his best friend.
"Baka! Not that!" The Shadow King's cheeks turned red which is, again, unlike him. "Aren't you supposed to be entertaining your customers?"
Tamaki shook his head clear of thoughts and settled himself next to Kyouya. "I can't entertain properly if I knew something is bothering you Kyouya. And that something is the little incident between you and Yuri am I right?"
Kyouya didn't answer, just continued watching Kaoru and Yuri. The dark-haired girl had picked up her guitar again and started playing with Kaoru listening attentively. Tamaki watched his best friend's longing gaze. The Shadow King wouldn't admit it, but Tamaki knew. He knew that for the first time, Kyouya was smitten by a girl.
"I think that if you apologize, she'll forgive you," he continued, smiling pleasantly.
"What makes you think I'll apologize?" Kyouya answered, turning his attention back to his laptop. "I didn't do anything wrong."
Tamaki only shrugged and gave his best friend a mysterious, knowing look.
OURANOURANOURAN
BEEP! BEEP!
Yuri reached out to her crocheted black bag. She had lost it when she lost her mind yesterday, but Haruhi had found it, sitting on the porch of the beach house that morning. Whoever had found it, Yuri was grateful that they didn't just take it. She rummaged through her bag, found the cellphone, and flipped it open. There was a new text message:
Yuri, can we talk please?
Kyouya-senpai wants to talk?
For a second, she was tempted to reply and say "Okay". But she shook her head and changed her mind. She put the phone down and turned her attention back to her guitar. Kaoru had left earlier to go swimming with some girls with Hikaru. They had invited her but she declined. She didn't feel like swimming.
A few minutes later, her phone beeped again. Another new message:
Yuri, please answer me. We have to talk.
Ignore, ignore, ignore.
BEEP! BEEP!
Yuri, I know you're upset with me and I admit I was also at fault. That's why we need to talk.
Ignoring. Ignoring. Ignoring.
BEEP! BEEP!
Please.
Is he begging me? Since when did Kyouya-senpai beg anyone for anything? Who is this person? Maybe Tamaki-senpai stole his phone.
Again, she felt tempted to reply but flipped her phone shut. A few minutes later, Fall Out Boy's The (Shipped) Gold Standard rang out and without reading the caller ID, she grabbed the phone, flipped it open and yelled "What?!" into it.
"Wow, aren't we in a bad mood."
Yuri sweatdropped, embarrassed. It wasn't Kyouya calling her and asking for forgiveness. It was Jake.
"Oops, gomenasai. Uh, I mean, sorry Jake. I thought you were someone else."
"Wow, you just talked to me in Japanese. Guess that means you're getting the hang of everything there now huh?"
Yuri giggled as she put her guitar aside. "You could say that. So, why are you calling me at-" She checked the time and calculated. "Three in the morning?"
"We have news. New information that we hope would help you out."
She straightened up and grabbed a notepad and pen from her bag. "Go on. I'm listening."
"Well," it's Dylan this time. "The Japanese ambassador just came back from the U.N. conference in Ohio. It's weird that they'd have it there instead of the main building in New York. You know, I never did understand world leaders and-"
"Dylan? I miss you too but can we please not get sidetracked?"
"Oh, right, the ambassador. Anyway, he came back from Ohio today, rather yesterday, and we had a meeting with him. We asked him questions and all the usual stuff. Then, he said that he remembered the dude's name."
"The dude?"
"The father's name. The dude who married his sister."
"I see. So, what is it?"
"Ryoji."
Yuri furrowed her eyebrows. That name sounds familiar. "What's the last name?"
Silence from the other side. "That's kind of the problem," David answered this time. "He couldn't remember the guy's last name."
"Well that helps," she replied with a hint of sarcasm. "There's about a million Ryojis in Japan. How am I supposed to find the right one?"
"Well, for starters, look for a student in our list whose dad is named Ryoji."
Yuri paused. Ryoji. That name. It sounds so familiar. She knows that name. But who…?
Ryoji… Ryoji… Do I know a Ryoji? Does Kaori know a Ryoji?
And that's when a memory, which seemed inconsequential, hit her…
"Dad? I'm home! Where are you? I want you to meet someone!" Haruhi called.
Yuri followed her into the small but cozy apartment. Haruhi invited her inside so Yuri could meet her Dad. She looked around the place. A small living room with a few essentials, a shrine, and old-fashioned sliding doors.
"Haruhi!"
Yuri looked up to see a red-haired woman throw herself at her new friend in a bear-tight hug. She giggled softly; the scene looks adorable. That is until…
"Dad, let go!"
Dad? B-But… Yuri looked bewildered.
"I'm sorry Haruhi. Hehe." The woman turned her head to Yuri. "Who's this?"
"Dad, this is Yuri Inoue, a new student at Ouran," Haruhi replied. "She lives nearby so I thought I'd introduce you. She's in the same boat as I am now."
"Ah, I see. So, the Host Club got to you too huh?"
Yuri, though still confused, nodded. Then, she bowed respectfully. The woman smiled at her then held out her hand.
"I'm Ryoji Fujioka, Haruhi's Dad," she, rather, he said, pleasantly. "But you can call me Ranka!"
"Nani!" Yuri yelled into the phone.
"What did you say?" Jake asked.
"Ryoji is Ranka-san?!" she replied in Japanese.
"What did you say?" he repeated.
"Guys," she said softly in English. She turned her head towards her brunette friend eating an ice cream cone with Tamaki and Hunny. "I think I know who our target is."
To Be Continued…
There you go folks! Sorry for not updating in such a long time! Senior year is killing me but I'm surviving. Thank you so much for staying in tune my amazing reviewers! Aishiteru!