A/N: Hey everyone! I had planned on getting this chapter out sooner but it just wasn't turning out right for me. It's still a little shaky. Oh, I need to know.

Do you guys think that I should spend a lot of time on the twins and Akari's time in middle school so that I get a gradual relationship development between her and the twins or do you think that I should wait until high school for that to happen?

It can honestly go both ways, so I need some opinions on this. Because I can have a lot of ups and downs in middle school that show how they develop then and then have high school be more of showing how they interact on a friendlier level. Or I could cut out some of the scenes I have planned for middle school and try to incorporate them into high school. Let me know. Moving on. Hope you all enjoy! R&R!

My box of amazing things I own does not contain OHSHC. It does have a compass though…. man that sounds sad.

"Hey, where are your parents?" Hikaru-san asks, tilting the chair back and lounging comfortably, observing me as I work diligently on the project. We (I) had been working for a while now, probably about an hour.

Brathair-mathar stays silent, eyeing me evenly and allowing me to decide how this conversation would go. Truth or lie. I appreciate the choice and I already know how I'm going to answer. Father would be proud. Kaoru-san looks at me curiously; I'm probably taking too long to answer. "M-my paren-parents ar-are working. They they e-each have a buisne-buisne-buisness to r-run so they wo-work late u-usually," I explain, focusing back in on the poster. I had decided on doing a poster after looking at all of the options; a speech, a power point presentation, or a poster. Yeah, imagine me doing a presentation or a speech. We also have to write a paper with it but I haven't even gotten close to getting started on it.

"Boring," the twins chime at the same time and I glare at them slightly.

"Definitely," Brathair-mathar agrees and I eye him in shock. He's agreeing with them? I shake my head, what else can I expect from him though? "All of the paperwork is a hassle."

I tilt my head slightly and ask innocently, "Y-you actually do work?" The Scottish man falls to the floor and stares at me in outrage.

"Yes! And I am the best at it too! You have no idea how many papers I have to sign and fill out, it's torture!" the man wails comically and the twins sweat drop at him.

"You don't do paperwork Brathair-mathar, F-Father takes care of that. You meet with most of our business partners and nego-negotiate agreements," I tell him matter-of-factly. Idiot, he should have made sure that I didn't know anything about the business before he said something like that.

"Speaking of not doing any work, what are these two lads going to do on your project? I haven't seen them lift a finger since they came over!" Brathair-mathar exclaims suspiciously and I bite my lip nervously. What can I say? I haven't really ever lied to Brathair-mathar…. I never felt that I had to before. Now, I have to decide whether to go along with whatever the twins want me to do or tell the truth to Brathair-mathar.

"U-um, t-the twi-twins are, uh, g-going to write the pap-paper," I explain shakily, shifting uneasily in my seat. That lie was really sad; I don't doubt at all that he saw right through me.

"I see," is his simple answer. "Well, I'll leave you three to your project then!" Brathair-mathar adds; his voice back to its booming volume. The door clicks behind him but I don't move, staring down at the poster and clenching my hands. Oh my God. Did I just do that? Did I just lie to my family? My kin? Brathair-mathar no less. I should go apologize. Maybe he'll understand once I explain the situation to him.

The twins laugh uproariously, clutching their stomachs in their mirth. What about them though? What would they do to me? What if they tell sensei that I was slacking and that got me a bad grade? What if they treated me like they do Yui-chan? "Who knew he would fall for a lie like that?" Kaoru-san chuckles and I shake slightly.

"I can't believe that he fell for it! What a gullible idiot, I guess it runs in the family!" Hikaru-san agrees.

I felt more than heard myself snap.

"Will you two just shut up!? I can't believe that you actually think that he fell for that, why the hell do you think that he left?! This is your guy's entire fault! I wouldn't have had to lie to Brathair-mathar if it wasn't for you two! Why couldn't you two have just been responsible for once and actually do the work!" I snap at them harshly, panting to gain my breath back after the explosion. The twins stare at me with incredulous expressions, anger beginning to take over. I back away a few steps, opening and closing my mouth in shock. Did I just do that? What was I thinking? Oh my God. I was telling the truth though.

"We didn't force you to lie to your dear uncle, idiot," Kaoru-san snaps back, his slightly higher voice alerting me that it was him. I flinch violently at the harsh tone in their voice and my eyes dart between them with fear.

"Yeah, stop blaming us for things that you didn't even have to do," Hikaru-san snaps. I stay silent, shaking like a leaf. One of them snorts and the twins walk past me, giving me a wide berth and slamming the door behind them.

Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it

hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.

~Anonymous

"Hey, Mother," I greet almost inaudibly, settling down next to the sleeping woman and grabbing her hand loosely. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to imagine that she grips my hand back. That she smiles back at me slightly, a shine of pride and love in her eyes. "Sorry that I couldn't make it at my usual time… I got sidetracked." I had nearly begged Oikanawa to take me here after the twins had left. I didn't want to face Brathair-mathar yet.

Mother shifts slightly in her slumber and I open my eyes to look down at her. I bite my lip and slowly lower my head to where it rests next to her arm. A tad uncomfortable but I can deal with it for now. "I just wish…." I whisper. "I just wish that you would wake up and remember me. You would run to school or wherever I was and apologize to me, hugging me tightly and telling me that you loved me. That's all I want. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you survived the accident and recovered so well but still…. I just want you back Mom." I straighten back up, the strain on my back becoming too much for me to bear with easily.

"Do you remember when you used to have Hisoka make us lunch and we would eat lunch together on the days off you had? Father and Brother would usually join us too and we would all eat together, not as formal as we usually were. Brother and I would usually end up fighting over left overs and I would tackle him eventually," I reminisce, laughing slightly at the memory despite my horrible mood. "Of course, neither of you were happy. A lady doesn't ruff house with their siblings. Both of you were smiling slightly though. Then Hisoka would come in and start scolding us over fighting over the food, and Brother would end up convincing her to make more to stop us from fighting." I stifle my laughter by covering my mouth with my hand. "Does Father and Brother visit you a lot too? I wouldn't know, everyone seems to like to be with you alone whenever we visit," I ramble on softly, rubbing circles on her hand with my thumb.

Mother begins to stir from her dream and I get up swiftly, not wanting a good visit to be ruined by her freaking out on me again. "I'll see you tomorrow Mother," I promise softly, and slip out the door.

"Do you always come here lass?"

My answer was simple and monotone. "Of course I do Brathair-mathar."

"Oikanawa told me that not every visit is pleasant," Brathair-mathar informs me and I sigh heavily, rubbing my forehead with the palm of my hand, cursing my gossiping chauffer. I don't want to deal with this.

"No, but there are good ones too," I shot back, shrugging slightly.

I can feel his eyes on my back as he asks, "Maybe, but are they numerous enough that it's worth it to see her screaming at you lass?"

I whirl on my uncle with a vengeance. "Oh, you too now? I'm going to visit my Mother if I want to," I snap at him, my frayed emotions taking everything out on him. My best relative but I seem to treat him the worst. I grit my teeth and clench my hands. "Sorry….," I apologize, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. "I just-." My voice breaks and I take in another deep breath. "I need to visit her," I finally manage to murmur.

"Oh, lass, I know that it's hard on you but you can't keep blaming yourself. The accident wasn't your fault," Brathair-mathar comforts me, still maintaining his distance. The tension between us is still high and I know that I'm mostly the cause of it. "You can't ever seem to keep track of what is your fault and what isn't," he adds and I can tell from his tone that it had a double meaning.

I turn to look at Brathair-mathar and ask wearily, "What do you mean?"

"Kaoru and Hikaru Hitachiin seemed to be in a sour mood once they left our home, you weren't a very good hostess I assume."

"They made me lie to you Brathair-mathar! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have had too! It's all their fault."

"That isn't true and you know it lass." I wince at his scolding tone and my shoulders slump in defeat. How isn't it though? "They didn't make you lie to me. You chose to do that so don't go yelling at someone else."

"But Bra-," I protest but he holds up a hand.

"You know what you said was wrong lass and I expect you to correct it. Do you understand?"

"I-."

"Akari." I stare at Brathair-mathar's stern countenance and know that I won't win this one.

"I…Yes. I'll apologize."

"Good lass. Do you understand what you did wrong?"

"I yelled at Hikaru-san and Kaoru-san," I respond easily but Brathair-mathar shakes his head patiently. "Oh… what was it then?"

"You blamed them for something you chose to do, lass," he explains simply and I furrow my brow. "Take responsibility for your actions. It's something that I've been trying to teach you since you were a wee lass."

"I'll try and learn Brathair-mathar," I promise and he smiles at me.

"Come, Hisoka had some cookie dough and I want to snag the first cookie out of the batch!" I trot next to my uncle and he slings an arm across my shoulder.

I've said it so many times

I would change my ways

No, nevermind.

God knows I've tried

~Call me by Shinedown

"Roger-sama, I hope that you have remembered that I informed you that you and Akari-sama have to attend a dinner at a business partner's home," Oikanawa states as we settle into the car and I give my uncle a withering look at he rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

"Oh, yes…. I knew that," he defends himself weakly.

I snort loudly. "Liar," I mutter. "Thanks for letting me know and reminding Brathair-mathar Oikanawa," I add to the employee and he just smiles slightly at me.

Brathiar-mathar shrugs as if to say 'what can you do?' and looks at me to ask, "We're going to the Ootori's correct?"

I nod at him easily and answer, "Yes, they're the ones that are taking care of Mother and keeping her condition under wraps, remember? The only reason that everyone even believes that Mother is healthy is because of them."

"I can't thank them enough for their continued care of my sister, I'll be happy to eat with them."

"Remember to be on your best behavior, all of you," Father reminds us sternly as we arrive and my sibling and I nod. "Especially you Roger." Brathair-mathar chuckles at the remark and nods his head. The sad part was that Father wasn't joking. At least no one has to worry about me stuttering, I've dined with this family enough times that it barely ever happens now.

Oikanawa opens the door of the limo for us and we all clamber out. A servant opens the door for us and takes our various jackets. I smile widely at the splendor of the Ootori household; it never ceases to make me smile. It was clean, just like the hospitals that they own but bright paintings and vegetation fill the empty space. Of course, nothing could get rid of the slightly cold and professional feeling throughout the household but I managed to ignore it eventually.

"Right this way, dinner will be served shortly," a maid informs us and opens the doors to a large dining room, about the same size as ours if a bit larger, with the Ootori family sitting at the table.

"Rishou, it is good to see you again," Ootori-san greets, standing up to bow as Father does.

"You as well Yoshio, this is my brother-in-law, Roger, you met each other when my wife was first entered into the hospital," Father gestures to Brathair-mathar and he bows at our host, who does the same.

"It is good to see you again Roger," Ootori-san nods. "It is good to see all of your family," he adds, motioning to Brother and I. We both bow in unison, smiling slightly at the family. The Ootori brothers nod back and we all sit down. I end up across from Kyoya-sempai.

Dinner went by quickly, idle chatter exchanged between us as we eat the five-star meal. Ootori-san signals for the maids and butlers to take away our plates and informs us, "You may leave now, Rishou, Roger, and I have some business matters to discuss."

We all dismiss ourselves and I walk out next to Kyoya-sempai. "Hey, Kyoya-sempai, what should we do now that we've been excused?" I ask eagerly, bouncing on the balls of my feet slightly. Brother stays with Kyoya-sempai's older brothers and I don't feel the need to inject in their conversation.

"What would you like to do Akari-san?" Kyoya-sempai questions politely and I roll my eyes, groaning slightly.

"Whatever you want to do," I respond easily, grinning brightly at him as he stares at me blankly. "So, Kyoya-semapi, what do you want to do?" We go through this nearly every single time I come here and there is enough time for us to hang out. Kyoya-sempai always plays the perfect host until I make him crack and I play the annoying guest. It works.

My host stays silent and I pout at him, he never answers me. "Come on Kyoya-sempai! There has to be something that you would like to do!" I urge uselessly.

"I wouldn't want to waste your time doing such boring things Akari-san," Kyoya-sempai answers flawlessly and I throw my head back in exasperation.

"I'll suffer through it! I just want to do something you want to for once. How many times do you get to do what you want Kyoya-sempai? Relax once in a while!"

"Relaxing isn't exactly possible with your family around." A chortle escapes me at the true comment.

I laugh, "Maybe, but acting like some stiff businessman isn't the best you could do either, Kyoya-san."

"It's not the worst."

"Kyoya-semapi!"

"Akari-san."

"Just this once!"

"I would rather not."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"But I don't really care, so we should do something you want to anyways!"

"That's a stupid argument."

"Kyoya-semapi!"

"No, Akari-san."

"Fine," I mutter, pouting. I perk up and wonder aloud, "Now… what haven't we done yet?"

"I have not been keeping track."

"We've read, played marbles, chess, checkers, darts, tag, talked, silent game, cooked, explored your house, drawn, painted, and listened to me attempt to play an instrument. The last one was a horrible idea admittedly," I list off, using my hands to keep track. "I'm all out of ideas that won't take a while to do."

"I don't doubt that you'll come up with something else eventually." I beam at my unwilling friend and laugh.

"Thanks Kyoya-sempai, but I'm not sure I can think of anything that we could both do that I haven't tried yet."

"Are you any closer to your ridiculous goal?"

"Finding out what you enjoy doing? Not really, the whole time I've been trying to do this I get the oddest feeling that you hate me," I muse with a cheeky grin.

"What an odd misconception," Kyoya-sempai rolls his eyes.

"I know right!" I laugh. "A-."

"Akari-sama, your father and uncle request your presence." I turn to look at the butler and nod distractedly.

"I'll see you another time them Kyoya-sempai," I wave to my friend, smiling at him with my stupid, sincere grin.

"It'll be a pleasure to see you again, Akari-san."

I roll my eyes easily. "No need to be a kiss-up Kyoya-sempai." I turn to the butler again and say, "Okay, you can lead me to where my father and uncle are now."

Once we reach my family, it didn't take long since Kyoya-sempai and I hadn't walked very far away, I bow to Ootori-san and say in a cadenced voice, "Thank you for having my family and me over for a wonderful dinner Ootori-san." I straighten up and smile slightly at the businessman. He nods his head at me and I walk out with my family.

"Took you long enough to get here," Brother scoffs mockingly and I frown.

"I'm sorry that I actually enjoy our host families company," I snap back, trying to bury the hurt that surfaces whenever he makes comments like that at me. It seems like things haven't really changed.

"Behave, you two," Father warns and we both close our mouths, climbing into the limo silently.

"Ri-chan!" Aya-chan waves to me and I wave back, smiling at my friend.

"Hey," I greet. "Where's Yui-chan?"

Kiyumi-chan tilts her head at me and questions, "You don't remember?" Well I did just ask where she is. "She went on a trip to Brazil for a few days. She should be back by early next week last I heard."

I blink at the reminder. "Oh, hunh, I guess that I all about that," I mutter.

Aya-chan laughs lightly and shakes her head, "Where would you be without us Ri-chan?" I smile weakly at her joke. I don't know, and that scares me a lot. "Anyways, the twins looked really mad when they came to school today; do you have any idea why?" I jump in surprise and my gaze flits around nervously.

"W-why shoul-should I k-kn-know?" I mumble, clenching my charm tightly.

"You did spend the afternoon with them," Kiyumi-chan states logically. "Did they tell you anything?"

"N-no… Uh, actu-actually…. They're m-mad at me," I admit uneasily, watching my friend's faces for their reactions.

Aya-chan looks shocked and asks, "What could you have done, you three looked to be on pretty good terms yesterday." Slight envy colors her tone towards the end and I hold in a cringe. I don't want her to begin to despise me just because I got stuck with the twins for a project.

"Aya-chan is right," my realistic friend agrees. "You all looked like you got along, what did you do?"

I twiddle my thumbs nervously and answer, "I may h-have…. Uh un-unreasonably yell-yelled at them…."

"That doesn't sound like you Ri-chan!" Aya-chan comments, a hint of reprimand painting her tone. She must still be hung over the twins.

"They… I uh….yeah...," I gibber, looking away from my friends to star at the ground.

"It doesn't really matter, I'm sure it was for a perfectly fine reason and they're just overreacting. Besides, who cares about them?" Kiyumi-chan dismisses easily. "Right, Ri-chan?" I glance up to see my two friends staring at me expectantly and I clear my throat.

"I-I do-….. Um…. Y-yeah I gue-guess so," I affirm quietly and I bite my lip in slight guilt. Hadn't I just told Brathair-mathar yesterday afternoon that I would apologize for blaming them? And here I am, pretending that I was perfectly justified in what I was doing just because I don't want to lose face among my friends… I was wrong right? That's what Brathair-mathar said and there aren't many times that he is wrong. I'll have to go apologize to them later, should I find them during lunch? What would Aya-chan and Kiyumi-chan think of me though? It…. it doesn't really matter right now. Right now I just have to apologize to the twins and then I'll go from there. Maybe my two friends won't even notice that I took longer and I can pretend that it didn't happen.