Samurai Storyline

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club or any of its characters.

Thank you to all who reviewed and especially those who waited.

Wow, I haven't updated in forever...I'm back! So sorry to keep everyone waiting. (Bows deeply). I promise not to slack off like that again and if so, let a lightning bolt strike me where I stand! (The sky darkens and a crackle of lightning is seen in the distance) Um, yeah.

I hope this chapter gets rid of some of the confusion.

Chapter 11

Ranzen's blade came down with full force, slicing the arrow that threatened to strike.

"Call him." Ryuzen ordered as she readied another arrow.

"Not yet."

"He needs answers Ran. If you don't tell him what he needs to know, you might lose him."

"If he-if he really wants answers, he'll look for them."

"Do you love him?"

Ranzen blushed. "What kind of question is that?"

"No more games." Ryuzen let loose another arrow but her cousin didn't try to stop it. The arrow zipped past Ranzen's head severing a few strands of her hair.

"I'm sorry but only Mori can ask me that question...and only he will get an answer out of me."

"Are you sure you have an answer?"

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Mori stared at his cell phone wondering if he should make the call. Even if he did dial her number, what would he say? What could he say? He loved Ranzen but she was engaged to someone else. All he wanted to know was why. Why did she let him fall in love with her when there was someone else? She had said she neither loved nor liked this Mamoru but the fact was she hadn't told him about it...and what about Tamaki? She had been engaged to him too. What was going on?

"Takashi." Hunny laid a hand on his cousin's shoulder. "I think there's someone you should talk to." He took Mori's cell phone and dialed a number. "Here, Ame will be more than happy to help you. Call him if you really want to make up with Ran." Hunny smiled.

"Make up?...You saw how I walked away from her the other day. I should have demanded answers. I should have gone up to Mamoru and let him know that Ranzen was mine and only mine-" He gripped the phone so hard that it cracked. His eyes burned with anger before returning to their stoic state. "-but I didn't. I walked away like a coward...Ranzen's disgusted with me, I could tell by the way she ignored me today. It was as if we were never together. Even if I did call her, she wouldn't take me back. Why would she want someone who turned his back to her?"

Hunny frowned. He hated when Takashi got like this. "Just call Ame, he'll settle this for sure."

Takashi glanced at Hunny.

"Ranzen's got a lot going on so if you want her-" he made a serious face. "-make the call." He left without another word. Takashi sat in silence.

"Do it!" Hunny called from the hallway, obviously on the other side of the door.

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Ame was sipping his tea while aimlessly flipping through a photo album when his cell phone rang.

"What took you so long, Taka-chan?" he asked knowing very well who it was.

"Sorry." Mori almost whispered.

"Welcome to Ame's 'Ran-chan's Past' informatics. I hope you understand that once you've heard it all, I must kill you...Just joking." he chuckled. "But if you ever-" his voice took on a harsh, dark tone "-and I mean ever use this information to hurt my Ran-chan, I suggest you kill yourself before I get my hands on you." There wasn't a hint of humor in his words.

"I understand." Mori braced himself. He would get his answers, whether he could handle them or not-no, he would handle them. "Tell me everything."

"Good boy. You're a fan, I assume you know that Ran-chan's mother was japanese and her father was American. Great actors the both of them but to tell the truth, Ranzen's mother, Meiki, was forced into marriage and hated her family as much as she did her husband. It was all about expanding the business. It wasn't until later that Meiki's side of the family realized their mistake. Just so you know, their side is big on tradition and the way of the warrior and that man was...I can't put it into words."

Ame felt a headache forming. It was only when that man was mentioned did one come so fast.

"When Ran-chan was born, all hell broke loose. Hiroki, that's what we called him, didn't want a girl and that was a no-no. The Rukihara clan views men and women as equals and such disrespect would not be tolerated. Anywho, Ran-chan grew up in France with her mother and believe it or not, Tama-chan's father was a big fan of the plays so I can assume you can see how Tama-chan met her."

"Yes."

"Those were the good times. Ran-chan and Tama-chan would spend their time putting on little shows for his mother when her health would let her down, the poor dear. Things were good until Hiroki sent that hell spawn Ran-chan's way. Mamoru can have Ran-chan when I'm dead and buried." Ame quickly composed himself. "That boy has a short fuse and he's so paranoid it's not even funny. The heart of the matter is Hiroki knows that if Ran-chan marries Mamoru, he'll have access to her money."

"Her money?"

"That's the name of the game. He's a greedy bastard. He planned this arrangement without the family's consent but they 'talked' and came to an agreement. The Rukihara clan would pick a man for Ran-chan too and then it's her pick. It's all been planned out. If she picks neither, she'll be married off to one of her cousins."

Takashi was silent on the other line. He doubted Ranzen approved of this plan because he himself didn't like the idea.

"If Meiki was still alive, this wouldn't be happening. If only she hadn't died in that fire." For a moment Ame paused, contimplating what he was about to say. "They drove her to her grave. 'Tradition is a bitch.' That's what she told me when I last saw her. Ran-chan didn't seem phased though. I can't imagine what it must have been like to have a front row seat to your mother's suicide."

Mori came to his feet, his eyes wide. "She was there? She saw-"

"-everything. Meiki was even going to take her along. That's how Ran-chan got that burn on her back. We did well to keep it secret."

Inconsiderate was the only word Takashi's mind could conjure up at the moment. What kind of parent would do such a thing to their child? His blood boiled. This woman, what had she been thinking?

"And that's her twisted past. If you send in a proposal, you'll have a hell spawn rival, and a soon-to-be bastard-in-law but you'll also gain the clan's support and the grand prize. How do you feel about Ran-chan now? Ready to call it quits?"

"Not in this lifetime." was his answer.

"Hang tough and Taka-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Don't worry about her engagement to Tama-chan. We just said that to shut Mamoru up. They're just friends."

"Sure and Ame?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't call her a prize, she's not a trophy to be won."

Ame smiled to himself. "You're right, forgive me..I'll fax you the paperwork tonight."

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Ranzen stared out the window at the setting sun deep in thought. Hime curled up in her lap and she stroked the kitten's fur affectionately. "I really don't know." The ringing of her cell phone disturbed her train of thought. She knew very well who it was.

"We'll pick up where we left off." she stated.

Takashi felt like a giant weight had been lifted off his shoulders. She had been waiting for his call and that alone was more than enough to make him smile.

"Mori, if you're not busy, would you like to spend the weekend with me? I need your help with something."

"I'll be there."

Any more questions? Try to guess what will happen over their weekend.

Don't worry, the next chapter is already in the making. Please review!