Wow, this took way too long. Sorry guys! It's longer than the others, though, so I hope that makes up for it. Anyways, thanks to Miss Myth for being awesome and patient and not getting pissed at me because of my constant writer's block. For her, I give one big heart: 3 Now, onto Miss Myth herself!
Awww! Thank you Kitten-Imotou! Okay sorry its so late, but she worked SO hard on this chapter, and its definitely her best work yet. Thanks to all our readers for baring with us, I hope you all enjoy. PLEASE REVIEW!
We sadly (because really we could make it SO much more awesome {; ) do not own Ouran
Haruhi felt hands pushing at her shoulder, shaking her awake from the surprisingly peaceful nap she had taken on the flight over to her home country, Domanda. Even thinking about the country made her heart quicken and breath catch. Blinking her eyes a few times, Haruhi glanced over to her right where her father sat, his hand still on her shoulder. "We're here," he told her, his eyes welling over in tears. She nodded, sitting up taller, prepared to face her past life and all it entailed. She felt a chill race up her back, the shock of her status as royalty and new responsibility returning. Relax, she ordered herself, it'll be fine. It's not like you'll be forced to make any political decisions yet, anyways. Haruhi took a deep breath, and then cleared her mind. Just pretend you're walking through the school halls. It's no big deal. Just one foot in front of the other, right? Even with this small self-encouragement, she could still feel her knees tremble as she stood. She steadied them instantaneously, hoping no one noticed. One more breath and she was off the plane, walking through the private garage that jutted off from the side of the castle her new family lived in, head held high with big, confident steps. There. No big deal.
Haruhi fell in love with the castle as soon as she stepped out of the garage's door and into the front lobby. Its pearl tiles shone brightly, gleaming in the midmorning light. Golden curtains hung against large windows that sat opposite the door with a pillow-covered camelback sofa in front of it, and a front door nearly as large opening to the front yard to Haruhi's right. A large staircase with off-white carpeting lead upstairs, with doorways leading deeper into the castle on both sides.
"Good day."
Haruhi swung her gaze from the golden chandelier hanging in the middle of the room to plump, old woman with snowy hair entering from the left entryway, a lithe, young lady-in-waiting as well as a fierce looking guard trailing behind her, both with matching auburn hair..
"Mother," Kotoko responded with a quick nod, a tight smile appearing on her face, "please, come meet your granddaughter!"
Haruhi stepped forward, hand extended to the old woman. "How are you?"
"Fine, dear. Just fine," her grandmother replied, pulling her down for a hug by her shoulders, "perfect, in fact!" She chuckled softly pulling back to study Haruhi's face. "My, but you do look just like your mother, just like I hoped you would." She sighed, eyes crinkling. "Ah, but how rude, to not even introduce myself! I'm your grandmother, Nori Fujioka. Oh, it's so good to see you, dear." Haruhi smiled, feeling her heart leap at the sudden acceptance of her new family. Or, at least, part of it.
"Yes, well, I'm afraid that I'll have to steal your granddaughter away for a bit," Kotoko interjected with the same fake smile spread across her face, "I'm afraid I'd like to show Haruhi her new room."
Haruhi looked up at her mother, feeling a pang of fear. She hadn't been alone with her yet, and she wasn't entirely sure what they were supposed to talk about. Could they really even talk about anything normal, considering their circumstances?
Haruhi followed Kotoko up the eggshell-colored stairs, taking a few deep breaths. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, her mother lead her down the left of a long hallway. Doors with golden knobs lined the hall, with various paintings and pictures hung up in between. There was also an unusually large amount of mahogany bed-side tables adorned with flowers lining the hallway. While Haruhi pondered why anyone would want so many little tables, and what purpose they could serve out here in the hall like this other than to hold flowers that were bound to die soon anyways, Kotoko spoke about the various rooms. Haruhi felt the soft music of her voice lull her into a peaceful reassurance, even though she wasn't listening to a single thing her mother was saying. The sweet harmony of her voice was enough in and of itself to keep her preoccupied, nevermind that actual words that were formed. They stopped outside a door near the very end of the hall.
"So, you see, that's why we have three bathrooms instead of four." Kotoko concluded with a smile. "Anyways, here's your room. I really wish it could have been closer to the stairs, but, well, I suppose we must deal with the cards dealt to us, yes?"
"Of course. Besides, who has time to complain, anyways?" Haruhi noted. Her mother nodded, her face softening. She looked at Haruhi for a brief moment, her eyes filled with a longing to say so many things, but instead of speaking, she turned briskly and flung the door open.
Haruhi looked around, feeling a mix of unease at such a richly decorated room, and giddiness. It was a bit snug, but it made up for its tightness in its sheer beauty. There were golden curtains that matched the ones downstairs that hung to the right of the doorway, underneath which was a mahogany desk to match the perplexing, little tables that sat outside. There was a bed with golden and cream sheets to the right, and a large mahogany wardrobe opposite the doorway with a small, glass table next to it, a silver vase with what roses placed elegantly in it.
Kotoko went over to the bed, sitting down gently, patting the space next to her. Haruhi sat down to where her mother had indicated she should, clasping her hands together and looking over at Kotoko.
"You know, Haruhi, I never wanted to send you and your father away," Kotoko said, her eyes shifting down to look at her hands that she had placed in her lap, "but, well, it was necessary. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I supposed I should have told you that I was alive, but I didn't want you to try and find any information on me. I didn't want you to be endangered, was all."
Haruhi stared at the woman who was supposed to be deceased since before she was able to retain any memory, and couldn't feel any anger. How could she, after all these years?
"I know that it'll take a while for you to forgive us, but please understand that we had your well-being in mind the entire time." Kotoko continued. She glanced up shyly at her daughter, before returning her gaze back to her lap.
"I don't blame you," Haruhi responded.
Kotoko smiled, but it looked pained, having detected how Ranka had not been mentioned as having been forgiven.
Nori Fujioko looked down at the message delivered to her by her personal guard, frowning. "Oh my, how bothersome," she murmured, crumpling the paper in her fist before tossing it into her lit fireplace. Sighing, she lifted herself out of her armchair, reaching for her cup of tea. Her personal guard, a tall, muscular man with a beard, stood at the closed door, ready for any order given to him. Nori beckoned him closer.
"Listen closely, dear," she said softly, as if afraid that there might be ears pressed against the walls of the neighboring rooms, straining to hear all they could, "keep a close eye on the girl, won't you? She's so independent, or so her mother says. It's important you do so, or so this letter says. It won't do us any good if she were to be hurt, now, would it?" Nori shook her head. "No, it simply wouldn't do."
"Tamaki, just who I was looking for!" Yuzuru announced as the blonde boy and the other hosts entered the room. "You see-"
Although Tamaki tried his best to keep his composition, he couldn't help but break down for a second. "WHERE IS MY PRECIOUS HARUHI?!" He sobbed loudly flailing his arms wildly. "WHERE COULD SHE-"
"What he means is that we are all very distressed about the sudden disappearance of one of our most popular hosts. It would only be decent of you to tell us where it is, exactly, that she went." Kyoya interrupted, slapping his palm over Tamaki's mouth.
"Ah, yes, the exact reason why I wanted to see you," Yuzuru responded, looking with a bit of shock at his son, startled by his wild outburst. He was used to Tamaki acting more serious around him, after all.
Tamaki, having regained his composure, pushed Kyoya's hand away. "No time to talk, we need to go find Haruhi now."
"Ah, yes, but of course." Yuzuru chuckled, glad that the hosts were willing to seek out the departed student. "You see, I'm afraid she's traveled to a whole other country. I know this appears shocking to you, but, well, I've arranged for you all to take a trip of your own.."
The hosts stepped off of the Suoh's private jet, blinking in the bright sunlight of Domanda. "Well, here we are," noted Kyoya, scanning the area, "I've been doing some research. Apparently this country's capital is called Sconosciuto. Quite the odd name, if you ask me. Means 'unknown' in Italian, I believe. Anyways, I suggest that we search there first, especially since it's only a few miles away from here."
Tamaki sprinted past the other men, leaping forward with tears streaming down his face, shrieking "DON'T WORRY, BABY, DADDY'S COMING!" Kasanoda, Kaoru, and Hikaru sprinted after him, while Kyoya, Mori, and Honey opted to take a taxi.
The taxi stopped on a curb where the three hosts and Kasanoda had stopped after finally running out of steam. After the other three hosts exited the cab. "Come on, then," Kyoya said, "we're going Haruhi-hunting."
"How are we gonna find her?" asked Honey, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"Simple. I doubt that she owns any property here, considering her financial position, so we can only assume that she's staying at a hotel of some sort." Kyoya turned and walked down the sidewalk, passing by the brightly-colored shops lining its sides. The other hosts followed, Tamaki trailing wearily behind the group, shoulders slumped and head hanging low.
"Now," Kyoya began, "I've mapped out the cheapest hotels in this city. It would make the most sense if we started-"
"HARUHI!" Tamaki shrieked, leaping past the others, suddenly rejuvenated. He sprung forward, flying across the pavement towards the back of a young, short-haired lady. Kyoya looked on with
surprise and slight disgust at having his plan interrupted.
Suddenly, a large, muscular arm rammed into the side of Tamaki's face, stopping him in his tracks with a slight grunt. The burly man to whom the hand the hand belonged to leaned down, slapping some cuffs on the blonde, before quickly and silently dragging him into a nearby car. The lady turned around, revealing that she was, indeed, Haruhi, looking on with surprise and annoyance.
"What the hell," she hissed silently, "I thought I told the principal to not let anyone follow me!" A red-haired girl next to her murmured something comforting, reaching out to take her hand and then attempting to pull her away from the scene. Another girl with a darker shade of red hair and stepped protectively in front of her, arms spread wide to block in an attempt to block any more attempts. The boys, however, had come out of their initial shock and all leapt forward at once, screaming out their missing friends name. The twins lead the pack of wild hosts, working together to push past the green-eyed guard in front of her and grabbing Haruhi by her forearms and hoisting her over their shoulders for a second before two more bodyguards appeared from out of the crowd, quickly muffling their surprised cries with their hands and then hauling them over to their cars as Haruhi was ushered away by the auburn-haired duo.
"You can't do this!" Kasanoda yelped, struggling against the mens' grip as he was dragged off. "Haruhi, wait! I-" he called out, before being cut short by a car door slamming in his face.
"How did they even find me so quickly? It's not like they would know that I lived in the castle!" Haruhi cried in an exasperated voice, flopping onto the bed, next to where her lady-in-waiting and new-found friends, Artemis and Atsuko, sat.
"Perhaps your mother thought you were a bit lonely," Atsuko offered, resting her tan hand on top of Haruhi's shoulder, "it is nice to have friends close by, is it not?"
"No," Haruhi responded bluntly, "it isn't. Not when you have the kind of friends I have, anyways." She paused for a second, thinking about the scene earlier that day. She really hadn't been surprised, she had expected them to follow. She was just annoyed that they had come so soon. Couldn't she enjoy even two days to herself and her new life? Haruhi frowned, instantly feeling guilty for trying to ignore her past life so quickly. "Hey, let's give them a call. Give them a chance to rest easy tonight on some soft beds rather than in a cold dungeon."
Haruhi and Atsuko rung up the men who were currently guarding the holding cells. Artemis, objecting to letting the obnoxious boys off the hook so easily, refused to partake in such a sign of mercy. Upon reaching the guards, the two girls asked to speak with the prisoners. Haruhi smiled, pleased that she was actually able to refer to the hosts as prisoners. The thought of Kyoya sitting in a dusty corner with old, worn clothes made her smile the most, even though she did feel a prick of shame for finding so much pleasure in someone else's pain. Ah, well. Schadenfreude can be good in small doses, right?
"HARUHIIIII," Tamaki whined as soon as he was on the phone, "HARUHI COME SAVE USSSSSS!"
"Dammit, Tamaki! Hand the phone over!" Haruhi heard Kyoya's voice snap
"Mommy, make baby get us out of this filthy place!" Tamaki pleaded, voice growing faint.
Haruhi heard Kyoya sigh, then speak roughly into the telephone. "Look, I know you probably aren't very happy with quite a few of us, Haruhi. But there's no need to let the rest suffer for the transgressions of a few. Surely even you can agree with that much."
Haruhi tugged at her phone's cord a bit, thinking carefully. "I don't know, Kyoya," Haruhi responded, "it's sorta nice to have this kind of power. Maybe I should let you stay there. After all, you did break the law." She heard a soft huff of impatience before Kyoya spoke again.
"Alright. I see how it's going to be. I can't blame you, really. What is it that you want, then?"
Haruhi smiled, feeling a spark of excitement at finally having some power over the bossy host. "Well, that debt is certainly putting a damper on my time here, you know. As is Tamkai's tendency to get a bit too touchy-feely in emotional times such as these."
"Why would you even dare to ask for such ludicrous things!" Kyoya's voice was and indignant snap, voice cracking with anger. "Especially now that apparently have so much wealth! You could easily pay us back the debt you owe, and yet you're willing to ask for such a thing? And to ask that I restrain Tamaki tomorrow, that's simply impossible! I feel like I ought to laugh at the pure stupidity of-"
"Fine." Haruhi cut in. "Have fun sleeping tonight. I'm sure that after such emotional distress, Tamaki will need someone to cuddle with, though. I'm sure you'll be fine with that, considering how you don't seem all too keen on staying on my good side." Atsuko was laughing silently next to her, chest heaving as she tried her best to keep quiet.
"I...Fine. Very well. I'll abide by your requests." The dark-haired host sounded utterly defeated, and Haruhi relished the sound, storing away the rare treasure.
"Good. I'll call the guards after deciding who else to let up." Haruhi slammed the phone down quickly. Atsuko fell onto Haruhi's, laughing heartily.
"Oh, his voice! Oh, m'lady, how upset he sounded!"
"He sounded on the verge of tears!" Artemis added with a laugh, coming over to sit on the bed. "Though, if I'm to be honest, I'd rather they all suffer in the dark cells. Especially that pompous little cry-baby that was just on the phone. Nevertheless, it was worth it."
"It was good, wasn't it? Now, let's see who else we should let have a good night sleep," Haruhi said with a grin.
"If I may," Atsuko began shyly, "the short, blonde one, he seemed so young, didn't he? We ought to show some mercy to a mere child, shouldn't we?"
"Yeah, you're right," Haruhi agreed, "even if Honey appears younger than he is, he's still a bit too...soft, I suppose, to stay a night in prison. I suppose we ought to let Mori come up as well, then." Seeing Atsuko's confused expression, Haruhi quickly explained. "Mori's the tall one. Very silent. Tan, dark hair, square jaw. That guy."
Atsuko clapped her hands like a happy child. "Ah, yes, quite the candy that one is! Oh, if we're going by who we see as most blessed genetically, let's go with the red-haired one, if i may suggest." She giggled, "I have a thing for tough looking guys, you see."
Artemis sniffed slightly. "He didn't look so tough to me." Atsuko huffed, crossing her arms and pouting.
"Oh, please. You just like him because he reminds you of that one celebrity you're always fawning over!" Artemis teased.
"Hush! You're a know-nothing!" Atsuko cried out, tugging at Artemis' long hair playfully. "I'm sure Haruhi will agree that our boys are the toughest of the tough! Right?" The lady-in-waiting turned to Haruhi expectantly.
Haruhi felt her face heat up slightly at the misunderstanding. "No, no, I don't want Mori to come up because I find him attractive or anything, I just, well, he sorta need to be with Honey." Haruhi's cheeks flushed even more when Atsuko gave her a look that suggested she knew something not even Haruhi knew. "Well, let's move on." Haruhi said quickly. "So, we'll let Kyoya, Mori, Honey, and Kasanoda out. Is that it?"
"Yes. Let the rest rot in jail." Atsuko giggled, Artemis finally giving in and laughing along.
Nekozawa sat in a dingy little room, hunched over, knees pressed against his chest. His puppet sat on his hand, head bobbing slightly, as if to mimic movements made during speech. "Yes, yes, I know. I shouldn't worry. I know. It's no use. No use," the blonde-boy whispered hoarsely, the puppet's movement's becoming more erratic. "I hope they found it. I hope they found it. I hope they did...I miss my sister..."
Suddenly, a muffled sound of a phone ringing sounded from outside the room, cutting off Nekozawa's desperate chanting. Springing to his feet, he rushed from outside the dark little hovel, leaping forward and grabbing at the telephone mid-ring. "Have you found it?" He asked, voice catching slightly. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes too high, it would only hurt more. But he had waited so long, and he couldn't bare the thought of waiting any longer. A soft voice spoke, whispering something in a urgent tone. "Yes! Yes, I see, I'll be there right away! Thank you, thank you." Nekozawa slammed the phone down, reinvigorated at the good news.