Sorry guys, I was gonna get this in yesterday, but I had a panic attack. Yay me. T.T Any who, this chapter starts a little slow, but oh boy have I got something good for you guys at the end! Muahahaha. Read, review, and enjoy my little love bugs.
"Lee, you are really, really pushing it. Do you realize that you've made a mockery of us?"
"I'm very sorry commissioner, I just…I went with my gut, just like you told me." Detective lee said as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The commissioner was sitting across from Lee, leaning over his enormous mahogany desk.
The commissioner sighed and leaned back, his eyebrows furrowed.
"I know, Lee. But you know that what you did was wrong. You went against the law, Lee. You ignored regulations. I could have your badge for this." The commissioner said. Lee swallowed nervously.
"But, I've known you for a while, Lee. I know what a great officer you are, and I understand why you brought the boy in. So I'll let you off this time."
Lee smiled and stood, grabbing the commissioner's hand and shaking it.
"Thank you very much sir, I promise this kid is-"
"Stop. Don't get ahead of yourself. Just wait for the lab results. Until then, leave the kid alone." The commissioner said. Lee nodded and left the room quickly.
Wow, I can't believe I got off scot free. I'm going to owe the commissioner for this.
Lee strut past his coworkers and into the locker room where all officers kept their regular clothing while in uniform. He opened his locker and stared at the pictures taped to the rusted metal door.
He had three pictures. One was of his beautiful wife, which he looked at lovingly.
Another was a picture of Lee and his younger brother, and the last was just his brother. Lee sighed sadly and shut his locker, feeling more determined than ever to put Kaoru Hitachiin behind bars.
Kaoru sighed as he lazily pulled his shirt off with one hand, the cloth sticking to his back because of the steam from his shower.
He looked at the mirror and rubbed away the mist so he could see himself.
It made him sad to see his own face.
It was Hikaru's face.
Kaoru sighed again as he placed his hands firmly on the edges of the sink.
He wasn't upset with Kaoru, or mad. He had been a little hurt at first, but he had let that go when he realized what Hikaru had really been shouting.
He hadn't been shouting "They don't care about you."
He had been shouting "They don't care about us."
And he was right.
He could have put it more kindly, though.
But it still saddened Kaoru to know his brother felt the same way about their parents as Kaoru did. Kaoru despised their parents.
They're always too busy, too tired, too disappointed. They don't even bother to check up on us.
Kaoru sneered at himself in the mirror, the mist beginning to cover his reflection once again.
He groaned and shimmied off his pants before edging into the hot shower.
Sure, I despise them. And yes, I also love them. I don't have to like them to love them.
The scalding droplets soaked into Kaoru's muscles, allowing him to realize how tense he had really been.
That arrest really got to me. At least I'll be cleared completely once the DNA results come back. It's ridiculous that mom and dad didn't even come for me right away.
Kaoru scratched the scab forming over the cut on his arm.
But if they don't start making an effort, Kaoru thought as water streamed over his face.
That little bit of love I have for them may just evaporate.
"Ow."
Kaoru looked down at his arm and winced. He had accidentally opened up the wound.
He watched, entranced, as red blood seeped into the water running smoothly off of his body and then flowed slowly into the drain.
"OW! Jesus, are you trying to kill me?"
"I'm sorry Hikaru, just hold still." Mrs. Hitachiin said, her words muffled by a sewing needle in her mouth.
Hikaru was standing on a pedestal with his arms out, his mother making final adjustments to his suit. The entire family was going to attend the gala that evening, so Mrs. Hitachiin had to make sure her babies looked absolutely perfect.
"I still don't get why we have to go to some stupid ball. It's not even for us, it's for old business people who have nothing better to do than brag about money to inflate their egos." Hikaru groaned. His mother frowned.
"Don't talk like that. This is very important to your father." She said as she tightened a stitch. Hikaru scoffed.
"Don't give me that face, young man. Your father's boss is hosting this party. Be on your best behavior for Mr. Harding, alright." She scolded. Hikaru sighed.
Whatever. I hate this. I'm sure Kaoru doesn't want to go after what happened the other day.
Hikaru grimaced.
He's probably still upset with me. I can't believe I was so horrible. I don't know why I was so angry with him. He didn't do anything. I'm the one who got him arrested in the first place.
"Look straight, Hikaru."
"Sorry."
His mother then proceeded to stick him a few more times with a pin, which pulled a few more obscenities from his mouth.
"Where is Kaoru? I need to make the final adjustments to his suit next."
"I think he's taking a shower." Hikaru said quietly. Actually, I haven't seen him all day. I hope he's not wallowing in misery. It's my fault if he is. I should find him and apologize.
"Hey mom, I'm ready to be fitted."
Hikaru looked up to see Kaoru leaning against the door frame, his hair dark from dampness.
"Sure sweetie. I'll go get your suit." Their mother said as she walked elegantly from the room.
Kaoru walked toward Hikaru, who had a difficult time looking his brother in the eye.
"So…um…" Hikaru tried. Kaoru cocked one eyebrow. Hikaru cleared his throat.
"Would it help if I told you that I'm very, very sorry and I hate myself for being an ass and I will be your servant for the next week?" Hikaru asked as he pleaded with his hands for forgiveness. Kaoru smirked.
"Two."
"What?"
"Two weeks. You will serve my every beck and call for the next two weeks."
Hikaru mirrored his brother's smirk.
"You evil child, you. Fine. I'll do it." Hikaru said. Kaoru grinned cheekily and put his hands on his hips.
"But I refuse to do anything disgusting." Hikaru added.
"It's a deal." Kaoru said. Hikaru stepped down from the podium as Kaoru stepped up.
"I really am sorry Kaoru, I didn't mean anything I said." Hikaru sighed at he looked his brother straight in the eyes.
"I know you are." Kaoru said, the smile slipping off his face. Then it returned, this time looking a bit pained.
"The ball is going to be interesting." He said.
"Tonight is going to be horrible."
"Terrible, yes. Boring, yes. But just imagine the fulfilling socialization we'll get to take part in!" Kaoru said sarcastically.
"Oh, yes! How I do love pointless banter and useless small talk!"
"Boys, calm down the sarcasm." Their mother said as she re-entered the room. The twins choked on their laughter.
"I want none of that talk during the gala tonight."
"Yes, my lady." They both said in unison. Their mother sighed.
"Ew."
"Exactly what I was thinking."
"Boys, what did I tell you?"
"Not to say anything bad about the party. We know." Hikaru said as he surveyed the room.
There were maybe sixty people in the ballroom, all of them dressed in their finest. Most of them were men, but there were plenty of women as well.
Extravagant tables piled with fine dishes of food lined the edges of the dance floor, which was only being used for mingling at that moment. A small orchestra was set up in the corner and they were playing classical music very softly.
"Ah, there's your father, boys. Let's go greet him." Their mother said, her hands firmly grasping both of their arms so they could not escape. The twins exchanged devastated glances.
Their father was standing with a few other stern looking men. Mr. Hitachiin had his dark hair slicked back and was wearing a black tux and a dark red tie that matched Mrs. Hitachiin's gown.
"Hello, dear. I must admit, this ballroom is far more beautiful than I could have ever imagined." Mrs. Hitachiin chimed with a charming smile. Mr. Hitachiin interlocked his arm with hers.
"Ah, thank you very much Mrs. Hitachiin. I could say the same about your beauty." An older man said. Kaoru took in his appearance with amusement. The man looked like an old American gangster. He was big, with a hard face and a big belly. Kaoru had the erg to stick a cigar in the man's mouth.
"Oh, you flatter me Mr. Harding. Have you met our sons, Hikaru and Kaoru?" Their mother asked sweetly. Mr. Harding eyed them thoughtfully before offering them both a handshake.
"I don't believe I have. It's great to meet you lads. I've heard you're both hardworking young men, is that true?"
Mr. Hitachiin chuckled tonelessly.
"Hardly. They're just boys, really." He said before either of his sons could respond.
Hikaru looked annoyed, but Kaoru didn't have time to think about that.
Something had just struck him.
Harding.
Why did that name set off alarms in his head?
Wait! I know. Harding is-
"Hello, Mrs. Hitachiin, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Kaoru looked up at the new arrival and gasped.
"Dennis! You look well, how have you been?" Mrs. Hitachiin exclaimed.
"I've been just as I look, well and perfect."
"Dean!" Kaoru shouted, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. Dean looked at him with surprise.
"The name's Dennis, actually. Dennis Harding." Dennis said.
"But-but-no…no you're Dean. You're supposed to be-" Kaoru choked as Hikaru looked at him with worry.
"I assure you, Kaoru. My name is not Dean, it is Dennis. I'm not surprised you have forgotten it, we only spoke for a moment the other day."
"But-"
"Oh, so you two have met? When did that occur?" Mrs. Hitachiin asked as Kaoru stared at Dennis.
"A few days back, I believe. We bumped into each other and struck up a conversation." Dennis said smoothly.
"Yeah, but we met when-"
"Hush, child. Be quiet." Mr. Hitachiin said sternly with a glare. Kaoru stopped speaking and instead looked to his shoes. Their parents continued the conversation while Hikaru tried to get some answers from his younger brother with no avail.
Instead, Kaoru excused himself and found his way to the bathrooms, which were down a long hallway. Kaoru was relieved to find nobody around. He leaned against the wall next to the bathroom door and sighed.
What the hell is going on around here? How is he still alive? Why did he lie about his name? What if…what if he has something to do with the murder?
"Kaoru, what are you doing? You shouldn't be back here. You're all alone, and it's dark in this hallway, almost like an alley. And you never know what to expect in alleyways, do you? Anything could happen." Dennis Harding said softly from beside him.
Uh oh that man has some bad vibes, does he not? Until next time darlings!