Hikaru's POV:

I fidgeted, turning over for the millionth time that night, clutching Kaoru's pillow to my chest. Sleep was a lost cause. My mind just kept wandering back to Kaoru…He had been acting so odd lately. Even before the incident at the Host Club he had been growing increasingly more distant. It had been little changes: spending more and more time studying, or feigning sleep when he thought I didn't notice. For the past few months, I knew something was wrong, but every single time I tried to get him to open up, he would just smile and push me away.

I groaned in frustration. What kind of brother was I? I should've tried harder, should've found out why he was so upset. Because Kaoru was upset; he was the kind of person who always put others first, but I could always tell. I had let him down and now he was out there on his own somewhere. I could only hope that he had a roof over his head, that he was safe. I bit my lip as my throat clenched and my eyes stung with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Kaoru…" I whispered to an empty room, "I'm so sorry…"

I lay in bed until the sun peaked through the curtains. I hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. Rolling out of bed, I went to the closet and pulled on the first thing my hand touched. I tried not to think about how, if I didn't find Kaoru today, I'd have to go to school tomorrow without him. I also tried not to think about how, if I didn't find Kaoru today, I'd have to call Mother and Father and tell them what was going on. I sighed heavily, resting my head against the cool wood of the closet door.

Just then my phone went off, and I practically threw myself at it. Was it Kaoru, I wondered as a surge of hope ran through me, or maybe Tono with news? Then, as I saw the name on the screen, my heart stuttered. Taking a deep breath, I flipped my phone open.

"Mother, ohayo," I tried to keep my voice neutral, as close to normal as possible.

"Ohayo." I breathed a mental sigh of relief—she didn't sound too worried. But, of course, I was wrong. "Hikaru, is something going on at home? One of the maids called me and she sounded a little…well, odd." I clenched my teeth. Whoever spoke to my mother, I'd have her fired.

"Eeto…" I bit my lip. If I told mother now, she'd freak out and come straight home…but if I didn't find Kaoru today, he'd be absent from school and she'd find out anyway. I sighed, moving to sit down on the bed.

"Hikaru?"

"It's just that…well…Kaoru's kind of…missing." There was a long silence, then…

"Nani?"

"He…he ran away." There was another pregnant pause.

"I'm coming home right now."

"Mother, don't, what about your business?"

"Your brother is missing! Why you haven't called the police yet is beyond me, but believe me, I will…!"

"We've been looking for him since he left," I mumbled half-heartedly. Her unspoken accusation that I didn't care stung.

"'We'?"

"The Host Club…" Mother sighed and I could picture her pulling out her iPad as she booked her flight home.

"Hikaru, just stay where you are, okay? I'm coming home." Then, as if it was an after-thought, she added in a gentler tone, "We'll find him." I just stared at the wall even after the line went dead. After a long moment, I snapped my phone shut.

Standing up stiffly and pulling on the first pair of shoes I saw, I grabbed my phone from the bed and texted Tono. I let him know that I'd be heading out first, probably towards the north end of town. He texted back quickly telling me to wait for them, but I ignored it. Mother, Tono…I was tired of people telling me to wait. Kaoru was out there, and as far as I was concerned, this was all my fault; I wasn't about to just sit down and twiddle my thumbs until he came back. Because what if he never came back? I shook my head, forcing the thought away. No, I would find him; I had to.

I trudged through the nearly deserted streets, my eyes scanning for anything that might lead me to Kaoru. I wasn't even sure what exactly I was looking for; I just knew, if I found it, I'd know. Around me the shops were just beginning to open their doors for the day, but I paid them no mind. My mind was a million miles away. I wandered in a half-conscious daze until I came across an odd, broken-down church. I'm wasn't sure why, but something pulled me in, drawing me towards the faded oak doors. I slipped inside, glancing around.

Dusty wooden pews lined most of the room and there was broken stained glass at the front. It was probably once quite beautiful. I heaved a sigh and sat down on one of the pews. This felt more like a wild goose chase than anything else. I was just about to close my eyes when something on the floor caught my eye. It was just a plain piece of paper, but it almost looked like…a receipt? I picked it up examining it. It was a bank receipt…a bank receipt that said someone had taken $200 out of their checking account. My eyes widened as I recalled Kyouya-Senpai's words: "…Also, there have been several small withdrawals from his checking account…"

My heart pounded in my ears as I quickly chose a number from my phone. It rang once, twice, three times…dammit, pick up!

"Hikaru?" The voice on the other end was sleepy, but hell if I cared.

"Senpai, what's Kaoru's bank account number?" I could hear Kyouya-Senpai yawn through the phone and some muted shuffling as he probably sat up.

"What? Why…?"

"Please, just tell me!" He sighed.

"Hai, hai, hold on." There was a moment of pause and through the line I could hear the sound of a computer being turned on. Then,

"It's account number 0147482391073215." I stared at the paper in my hand; it was a perfect match.

"Arigato!" I all-but shouted and hung up before he could say another word. Kaoru had been here…I must be getting close. Standing up, I strode to the door flinging it open and stepping outside.

Kaoru had definitely been here. That thought alone was enough to bring a soft smile to my face. He couldn't have gotten far. I would find him. I had to. And I knew that I had to be the one to find him; not Mother, not the Host Club, and certainly not the police. Clutching that piece of paper to my chest, I started forward once more. I'm coming, Kaoru…so wait for me.

AN: Because I hate making you all wait, i decided to release this chapter a little earlier than I had origianlly planned to. I hereby dedicate this chapter to all you lovely people who have favorited and reviewed my story, especially ADeadBlackRose, JewishLolita, and The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Arigato gozaimasu!