Chapter Eight
Chimei-Tekina Kage No O O Mukaeru! [3]

"To think of shadows is a serious thing."

- Victor Hugo

"Why did you hit her?" an unfamilar voice asked.

"She tried to run away," the burly man's voice came.

"Did she attack you?"

"No, but the cat did."

"So you attacked her because of a cat?" the unfamilar and obviously younger voice said, annoyed. Silence. "Who is she?"

"I don't know. She came off that run down ship in the bay."

"I see. . ."

"Sir?"

"Leave." There was the sound of footsteps and a door opening and closing a moment later. "Can you hear me?"

Haruhi twitched her fingers.

"So you're halfway concious, are you?" the cool voice said, slightly amused at something. "Can you wake up and tell me who you are?" She flexed her fingers again, rasing her hand to her head. Cool fingers wrapped around her wrist gently, preventing her from moving her arm. She opened her eyes, blinking at the sudden brightness, and was met by the sight of grey eyes.

"Ow," she moaned, shutting her eyes as a glint flashed in her eyes as glasses caught the sunlight.

"My apologies," the cool voice said. Haruhi opened her eyes once more and saw the owner of the voice and eyes. A black haired boy, about the same age as Tamaki, sat in a chair beside the bed she laid in. He examined her silently.

She was very pretty, her youth giving hints of her blossoming into a beautiful lady sometime in the future. She wore second hand clothing, which was kept in nice condition. A long sleeved white blouse under a dark brown vest and an ankle length crimson skirt made her attire. But they had minor rips and tears in them.

"Who are you?" she asked, wanting to get the introductions over with.

"My name is Kyouya Ootori," he said, sitting back. "May I ask your name in return?"

"Haruhi Fujioka," she said, nodding her head to the young man.

"Well, then, Miss Fujioka." he said, picking up a bundle of fabric. "I would like you to change into this before lunch is served. I have a great deal of questions to ask you. And don't worry about paying me back," he said with a pleasant and dangerous smile. "I'm sure we can work something out."

Haruhi sweatdropped, watching him leave. Then she sighed and turned to look at the room. Hikaru lay in one corner, on his back, snoring slightly. The brunette wondered if real cats could snore. She picked up the golden dress and sighed. If the boy was asleep, she had no problem changing. Right?

She stripped up her normal garments and slipped on the gown. Washing her face in a nearby basin, she studied her reflection in a mirror.

The dress was nicely cut, clinging to her slight form in a modest way. The gold and light brown accents made her eyes seem brighter, more amber colored like the twins, but without the playful glint. Running a conviently placed brush to untangle her dark brown hair, she left the sleeping cat-boy in the room and headed downstairs.

"I'm hungry," Mitskuni groaned as his stomach gurgled.

The boys from the crew were sprawled out in a cave, panting from their run.

"Ah," Takashi agreed.

"I'm soooo hungry," Kaoru whined, roling over on his stomach. "I'd be happy to have some of Haruhi's bad cooking right about now." Everyone shuddered at his words.

"You must be really hungry then." Ritsu said, pushing his hat down and lacing his fingers behind his head as he leaned against the cave wall. "Night."

"Wait a second!" Kaoru cried, hunger forgotten. "What about my brother? And Haruhi?"

"Oh yeah," Ritsu said, sitting up. "Forgot about 'em. Let's go!" The now lively captain marched out of the cave.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The red headed captain ran back in, hat askew on his head.

"Wha-"

"Never mind! I'm going to take that nap now!"

Takashi sighed and unsheathed his swords, walking out of the cave. A few minutes, yells, and one scream for somebody's mother later, the crew made their way through the jungle.

Tamaki stumbled through the undergrowth of the jungle, searching avidly for the female crew member.

"How big is this island?" he wondered, standing on a boulder. "I haven't seen any cannibals yet. Oh, no! What if they have a secret underground fortress and are keeping her hostage?" He took off at a sprint. "Don't worry Haruhi! Daddy's coming to save yooooooou!"

He shouted the last part as he fell into a hole in the ground.

"When did that get there?" he asked, peering up at the ledge. He grabbed a vine and began the climb out.

Silence reigned over the dining room.

Haruhi sat across from Kyouya, both eating a meal of lobster stew.

"So Miss Fujioka," Kyouya said as they finished, a staff of servants coming to clear away. "About your debt-"

"Haruhiiiiiiiiii!" came a familar voice! "I've come to saaaaave you!"

"How did he get off the ship?" she grumbled, moving to look out the window.

Tamaki stood outside the gate, waving happily, as the rest of the crew came up behind him.

"Shall we go meet them?" Kyouya said. Haruhi had a feeling things were about to become complicated.

A/N:

- Red Amnesia - thanks for Story Alerting and the Review! Glad you like it!