Of Tea and Roses

Chapter Two - Arrival!

The whole getting to Japan part was pretty simple. It was summer break in Japan, so I didn't have to worry about studying for exams, and the maids were always helpful when it came to packing up. While they covered our furniture, packed away the dishes and tidied up the empty guest rooms Eriko and I packed away our personal things. It also helped that Eriko was constantly peeking into my room and making small jabs at my packing speed.

When we landed Eriko seems to practically beam with joy. "Ah, doesn't the air seem so much fresher here?" Eriko asked, dramatically inhaling a lung full of air as she came down the steps of our private jet.

"Okaa-san, the air here is the exact same as the air in Canada," I sighed, trailing behind her.

"Oh hush, Hiromi-tan. Enjoy the simple things in life."

I rolled my eyes and started towards the limo. The driver stood silently beside the open door, waiting for us to get in. The driver game me a small, polite bow and I nodded in return. I turned and found Eriko still standing in front of the jet.

"Okaa-san! Come on! The driver's waiting."

"It's fine, Hiromi-sama. I'm here to service you and Eriko-sama."

I gave a small smile, "If I don't insist on her getting a move on we'll never leave."

"Stop being such a spoil sport, Hiromi-tan. Enjoy it! We're finally back in Japan! You should be cheering, jumping in joy, something!"

She had finally moved to the limo. "Sorry Okaa-san, I'm just not as excited about this as you are."

Eriko pouted. "You're never excited for anything anymore, Hiromi-tan."

"There's nothing to be excited for."

She huffed and slid into the limo, "Such a cruel child I have."

I shook my head and got in after her, the driver closing the door behind me. The inside was at the perfect room temperature; the leather seats just cool enough to not stick to my legs. Eriko neatly crossed her ankles and leaned against the other door.

I took a moment to observe the other female.

Eriko Aonozuka was a lovely, young looking woman. She had waist-length, honey coloured hair and wide, childish eyes. Being a former model, Eriko was tall and willowy, her curves just barely noticeable. She wore a black tunic shirt with white leggings underneath and high boots. All clothing she'd designed of course.

Sometimes it was a blessing and a curse to look like her.

There were very few differences between Eriko and me. My blond hair was darker, more like warm honey, and shoulder-length. While Eriko had pretty brown eyes, I had Eijis' light blue eyes with Erikos' shape. I had the opposite of her figure though; short and thin - barely any muscles - with Eijis' slightly tanned skin.

"Are you at least excited about seeing Mitsukuni and Yasuchika? Your uncle tells me they're very eager for our arrival."

I turned my eyes away from Eriko, leaning my elbow on door beside me.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Apparently Mitsukuni quite the martial arts club last year and Yasuchika is now on his way to being captain like his big brother."

A small smile fought its way onto my lips. Mitsukuni had never been happy with his family's strict rules. I was ninety-three percent certain that Mitsukuni's bedroom was still filled with stuffed animals, and had sugary treats hidden under his bed. Actually, I still had the pair to his precious Usa-chan. Sadly... I hadn't come up with a very good name for the little blue bunny. His name was still Ao-chan. When Yasuchika got a bit older he found it funny that I gave my bunny a name so similar to my family name.

"You'll be going back to Ouran Academy with them, and you'll get to see all your old friends."

I scoffed, the smile falling and turning into a scowl.

"Yeah, I'm so sure they'll remember me. I mean, it's not like it's been five years or anything."

"Hiromi-tan, you need to stop being so negative! And if you keep scowling you'll have wrinkles before I do!"

"Actually, that would be due to the fact that you're a moisturizer maniac."

I glanced over and found Eriko grinning at me. "Moisturizer maniac, huh? We'll see about that when I'm sixty and still looking young and pretty and you're forty with wrinkles."

I chuckled and shook my head.

"Also," Eriko started only a little softer this time. "Your father wants us to join him for dinner next week."

I froze, eyes widely staring back at her. She gave a small smile and stretched her arms out in front of her.

"O-Okaa-san, is that really alright with you?"

She laughed, a completely fake laugh that I could see right through. "It's alright. You're also his daughter after all. It's not like I can always hog you, especially since we'll be living with his family."

"You know that Oji-san thinks of you like a little sister."

Eriko shook her head, "Either way, its best that we just give your father what he wants. Plus, I really do miss seeing your brother."

I clenched my teeth together, turning back to the window with narrowed eyes.

Eiji Aonozuka and Eriko Aonozuka divorced five years ago; it was why Eriko and I moved overseas. I knew that she still loved Eiji, but the man was constantly running around behind her back with other women. When I was younger, I'd constantly be worried about Eriko, and most nights I'd sleep in her room with her, just to keep her company and to distract her.

When they split up there was a deal between the two about who would care for their children, A.K.A. me and my twin brother – Kosei Aonozuka. Eiji felt that it would be smart to have his male child take over the Aonozuka family dojos while his female child went off with his wife. Since that day I'd always resented Eiji and Japan for all the bad memories I'd collected.

"I'm only going because I know Otou-san will start arguing if I don't. But I'm not promising smiles and cheeriness."

Eriko let out a soft chuckle and patted my arm, "When have I ever asked."

I nodded and let myself relax against the leather seats.

"You know," Eriko chirped. "There's going to be a lot of eye candy at your school. Maybe we should switch places."

And the usual Eriko was back.

The Haninozuka home was just like I remembered it; big.

It was amusing to think of my tiny cousin running around in the halls of such a large house with his little pink bunny tucked under his arm. Poor Yasuchika was probably going insane trying to keep track of his childish older brother.

I slid out of the limo and noticed the group of maids standing at the doors, waiting to greet us, which probably meant that Yorihisa, my uncle, wasn't home just yet.

Our things had been delivered to the house the day before, arriving before us so that the servants could get things ready.

"It's just like old times, Hiromi-tan!" Eriko squealed as she wrapped her arms around my neck from behind.

"Okaa-san! Don't go grabbing people like that!"

"Hiromi-tan is mean," she pouted, but removed herself from me and pranced towards the doors.

I gave a loud sigh and followed behind, hearing the driver snickering behind me.

"Welcome Eriko-sama and Hiromi-sama," the maids greeted in unison.

It was a little startling actually. I eyed the neatly dressed women warily while Eriko laughed joyously.

"This is how it's done! I can't remember the last time I got a welcome like that!"

"You got the same welcome when we went to stay with Obaa-san."

"Oh shush and get inside already. I'm sure Mitsukuni and Yasuchika are waiting."

I followed behind the older woman a little bit more reluctantly. Inside was just as enormous as I remembered, only a little less overwhelming, probably because I wasn't as small as I was the last time I'd been here. The house was a perfect mixture of traditional Japanese and modern homes. The floors were all polished hardwood while the doors were all shoji sliding doors. It was definitely a pretty place.

We removed our shoes and tucked them neatly in the entrance, the toes facing out. As soon as we stepped into the main entrance of the house I was attacked. Not any normal attack where you fear for your life. Oh no.

I was attacked by a flying blond child.

"Omph!"

"Hiromi! Hiromi is finally here!"

I laughed, possibly the first real laugh I'd given in a long time, making sure to wrap my arms around Mitsukuni's back while he clung to me.

"Hello to you too, Mitsukuni."

"Welcome home!"

Hello my lovely viewers!

I'm so glad to have seen some reviews for my story. You guys have no idea how happy it made me. Sooo, I'm going to do all my replies at the end of my authors notes, just so I can organize it all and I don't have to worry about accidently forgetting to reply to people, kay?

So, if you guys could do what you did before - read, review favourite, all that fun stuff. I'd really appreciate it and I'll be a very happy camper.

Guest - Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad that you liked it :D

Lady Cocoa - I don't usually write such strange characters as Eriko, so I figured it would be fun to have such an upbeat and childish character in the story. You got it! I love that Kaoru is such a sweety compared to Hikaru and he's not usually given much attention outside their 'brotherly love' look. So I figured he'd be a good decision for the love interest in my fiction. But don't you worry! There's going to be a lot of events between Hiromi and Kaoru falling in love.

Adieu!