*Disclaimer I do not own Ouran Host Club.

Back in our world

By Alimackatjac

Chapter 39 Puppet master.

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Haruhi's POV

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Sweat doused strands fan back in a steamy haze of escalating passion. Sprawling over a corner of the mussed mattress, with a "billion" thread count, top sheet tangled further under my arched back. Exposing my burning skin to the chilled, rough material beneath it. Another relentless push further rocks my hips, into the cool pillowtop. Causing my half-starved fingertips to sink and tighten, leaving trailing red indentations down his solid shoulders.

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Unable to endure my accelerating need my shaky eyes drop, searching for the slightest bit of relief. Instead of finding my salvation my eyes just happen to flash down his sweaty chest. My last bit of concentration unraveled by small perspiring drops, leisurely wandering down hard of tense undulating muscle.

Between labored breaths, a strained voice echoes overhead. ". …Haru…. please look at me." His warm hand tenderly slides over my cheek, grabbing my attention.

Completely overtaken I clumsily nod, to the two pools of determined amber. Smashing through my intimate limitations my fingers brace tightly around Hikaru's rigid arms. With our eyes deeply entranced with each other, the shared connection magnifies every sultry purpose-filled thrust.

His fucking intoxicating smirk sets my sexually engulfed body ablaze. Our edge writhed bodies tightly tangle around each other, hurling us towards our shared zenith of pleasure.

Of course, it wasn't long after my euphoric filled haze drifted back in the silky sheets, I had a feeling,

…something wasn't quite right.

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Just a bit later…

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Although, I was way too tired to figure it out …Now, I wish I had.

Curled up, and pulled close in pure bliss, with tussled bedding barely tossed over gravity-stricken bodies. My exhausted eyes drift closed while the rest of me is contently wrapped in Hikaru's adoring strength. An intoxicating anchor holding on to the last bit of my waning consciousness, while teetering between vague reality and watercolored dreams.

Warm lips brush against the top of my head. "Haruhi?"

Barely conscious, I press my back into Hika's searing bare chest. "Hmm." Willingly sinking further into the addicting feeling with my last thoughts of foregoing future sightseeing, as long as I could remain here…. like this.

"What do you uh, want to do?" He cautiously stumbles.

With a yawn, I sarcastically mumble, "Hmmm, I don't know, Hika." My arms resting on Hikaru slightly tighten. "Maybe sleep?" letting out a yawn." Yeah, sleep sounds AMAZING at the moment."

His arms tenderly tighten, as he softly chuckles. "No, not now." The rumbling deep in chest quickly dies, once more stumbling with his words. "I uh, mean in like… five years," He cautiously pauses, pressing his lips against my exposed shoulder. "like with us, Haru?"

If I had a shred of strength to twist in Hika's arms …. I know now, I wouldn't have been able to catch his eyes, even though I would have been facing him …He would have avoided them.

"Five years?" I can't help but let out a wide yawn while snuggling against his searing hard body.

As it's quickly becoming my most favorite place to be.

With Hika's taunt muscles tugging me into a pure sleepy bliss, my fuzzy head struggles to keep up. So, to not hurt his feelings I lean over with my eyes stubbornly closed, kissing the closest patch of skin, before speaking. "Hika, can't this wait until at least my eyes can stay open by themselves?" Making no attempt to cover my budding frustration. "You know a girl needs some time to recover from this evening's little adventure." Figuring maybe if I elude to him being the cause behind my exhaustion, he will catch a clue and go the fuck to sleep.

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With a dark mischievous chuckle, he slides over. "Little ?"

Obviously, He didn't catch my hint …that or it doesn't fit in the rich bastards plans ( Inwardly chuckling to myself, trying my darndest to keep my eyes closed and trying not to think of the gorgeous ginger ….and that damn smile of his) Yep, the latter screams a unique trait of the older twin… That damn cocky smile of his, was so much different then- Seeing where my head was going, it defensively cuts off my thoughts, before my chest can realize it.

.

Even though we all agreed, it was hard for me to get used to the idea, well at least in practice…I can't think of him while drifting off in Hika's arms …It didn't feel fair, to either.

It doesn't take my eyes to be open to know his head is now over me." Well," hearing him settle on his elbows. His warm lips graze my cheek, his cautious voice instantly changes to something low and sultry teasing my ear. "I guess that just means we should continue." He softly chuckles after his lips brush down my ear. "I mean go big or go- "

Cutting him off. "N0- you already-" With just the shadow of tonight's events, my cheeks blaze, forcing my words to trail off, as my eyes remain closed.

"Yes? Haru." He darkly chuckles, while trailing scintillating kisses from my ear to just before my pulse point.

Each sultry kiss drawing me further from my sleepy state.

I can feel my pulse throb at the exact spot that I need for his lips to graze. But all I can feel is that damn smile, just a teasing whisper from just where it should be. "Oh. What was that?" He knowingly chuckles at my refusal to open my eyes.

That damn rich bastard knows his effect.

His body hovers, as his torrid mouth slowly savors around the insanely sensitive patch of skin. "You uh," Falling further in the escalating need I unknowingly lean towards Hika's manipulating lips.

"Yes, Love?" However, the ginger CEO is careful, avoiding the spot altogether, causing an unconscious huff of frustration, to puff from my lips.

Which only caused a knowing chuckle, from him. Once I heard the huff my eyes flew open, my arms push against his shoulders." Hika, you know exactly what I meant!"

"I do?" Hika feigns poorly veiled innocence as his lips widen in that damn smile of his. "Oh look, there's my favorite pair of chocolates."

Catching a prolonged glimpse of his fiery cat-like eyes before his soft lips tenderly pull against the very spot, I desire. Struggling to keep my sleepy illusion going, my obscured curled toes stretch out from under the plump comforter, while mumbling. All the while falling deeper into Hika's skilled manipulations. "Yes…maybe in the morning."

The man has an undeniable talent for it.

He pulls back as if catching himself, or at least remembered something he needed. "Yeah, uh, sure. I uh, guess we should go."

To be honest, I was not only stunned that worked but a little pissed…As I was beginning to anticipate what would have come next.

Hovering once more, Hika's eyes slide uncomfortably away from mine. "Although, could you first answer my question?" His cautious amber eyes flash over to mine, as he nervously bites his lip for a second. "Please, Haru?"

Trying not to be disappointed, I let out a sigh. My eyes not being able to budge from his, I search back to what question he asked. "Question, what Question are you -Oh, do you mean the five year one?"

"Yes, Haru." He lets out a relieved breath, before giving a look of disbelief. "What other question have I asked tonight?" Frustrated he flops back down next to me.

"Quite a few actually." After seeing his reaction, I couldn't help but let out an amused laugh. "Hika, I could honestly say I don't think there are many left.

"What ?" Chuckling with me.

"Oh, nothing, just my favorite animal, color. Hell, even my favorite kind of shoe."

His laughter died down, his hand searching for mine. "I am in the fashion industry. Its research." Lifting it, for a brief kiss.

"Maybe, if I had any fashion sense, however, we both know that isn't the case." As if something just occurred to me, my chuckles immediately stopped, giving him a look of concern. "Hika, If I didn't know any better, it's almost like your five, and doing everything to slip past your bedtime."

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He forces a chuckle while scooting on his side and lacing his arms around me. The sudden feeling of the heat from his skin quickens my heart. "Nah, you should know by now, Haru." His arms purposely tighten around my waist, speaking softly next to my ear. "I'm a full-grown man, who makes his own bedtime…In fact, when it comes to you, I don't mind being sent me to bed, without dinner."

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My cheeks burn from the low sultry echo in my ear, causing me to pull on his arms, firmly tugging him closer. "Well that might be true, however, you asked, what's my favorite car was. You even asked about my favorite brand of jet? Hika I'm a normal, everyday kind of person who has no need or inkling for such extravagances."

"Well, it's never too early to start birthday shopping." He chuckles, before kissing my neck.

"Hika, you wouldn't-" My head quickly snaps, irritation developing. "You better not even think about it." Trying my best to mentally tear myself from his blissful arms. "I mean it!"

He chuckles. "Relax love, I'm only teasing." Lifting my hand, kissing our intertwined fingers. "Haru, they were only a few curious questions."

Giving him a look of disbelief. "A few, really Hika?"

He awkwardly chuckles, resting our hands between us, after the kiss. "Well yeah, I mean we uh, missed so much time," My heart stumbles after hearing the evident sadness in his tone. I mean he did try to obscure it the best he could, however, it's Hika. He's not exactly straight-faced.

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"I uh, just wanted to catch up. You know with everything I've uh, missed since…" Trailing off his eyes drift, before catching himself once more and forcing a chuckle, giving off a mischievous smile. "Besides, I know there's still at least a few questions, I haven't asked." Lifting our hands, kissing my knuckles. His eyes burning with devotion, purposely peek from the kiss. "I know one, in particular, I'm saving, for just the right time." He pulls away from the kiss, with thoughtful eyes he stares down at his thumb, making small circles on top of a certain finger.

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"Hika, I uh." My cheeks suddenly blaze; however, I don't pull my hand away.

"Anyway, where was I? "He forces an awkward smile, his eyes concentrating on our lowered hands, sliding them between the two of us." Oh, that's right, five years?" Clearing his throat as his eyes make sure to catch mine. "Please, Haru?"

Unable to deny those pleading eyes, I let out a sigh, "Fine, but only if you promise we can go to sleep after that." I needed to process, what he just eluded to, even if I had to fake being asleep to do it.

"Ok fine, I promise." He pouts.

"Really Hika?" Raising an eyebrow of disbelief. "None of that Hitachiin trickery you always try to pull?"

"Hitachiin trickery, when have I ever-" Hika's suddenly sprouts a face of disbelief as he vainly denies it. However, he knows he can't, so he just continues to trail off with a bemused chuckle.

"Out of the two of you." Without even realizing it, I broke my own rule, causing my heart to practically tear in two.

One for how much I miss him…and the other for how much pain I saw in his eyes, for merely mentioning the other, while we were together.

However, I quickly forced a smile, while playfully poking at the ginger's bare chest. "Oh, are you seriously trying to deny it? Hika, I bet you're still known for it. Hell, it's like some kind of evil superpower."

His almost liquid amber eyes purposely bounce from my hand back up to catch my eyes. "Well, I wouldn't say evil-" He doesn't even try and suppress a teasing chuckle, "more like misunderstood, really."

"Really? That's not how it was back in - "Realizing I was about to reopen old wounds, for not just me, but Hika as well." Well yeah- "

At that moment, he looks in deep, much deeper than any other person. Like he was staring straight through to my very heart. My unwavering captured eyes see a brilliant flame of unyielding emotions stoking from the molten pools of gold. One side of the ginger's lips quirks into another one of his intoxicating smiles. "You see Haru," Without a second thought Hika lifts his hands, a couple of his fingers softly trace along my hairline. "I really, only ever use my Superpower when my heart is adamant about obtaining something." My hand tenderly cups over his, holding it close, however, I don't once look away.

.

... I can't.

"I have everything I've ever wanted, right here," Over warming cheeks Hika's eyes quickly peel away, glancing over to the window."

"So?" Hoping he'd not only continue, but peer back in my eyes. Craving the tender strength, I see within them. It's awe-inspiring on just how much this gorgeous man feels, how much he's hiding …I could contently get lost in his very being.

"So-Yes, love we can honestly continue this in the morning." Hika's hand slides up my arm lacing our fingers. "You have my word as a gentleman."

Causing me to raise an eyebrow, giving him a playful, yet skeptical look.

He immediately chuckles. "Man Haru, we're no longer in high school? "Realizing what was just said his smile melts into immediate concern. "How else can I assure you?"

The air around us grew still.

For a moment, underneath cautious eyes, he begins nervously chewing his bottom lip."Please….Haru?"

Seeing almost a petrified look etched in his features, my voice softens. "All right, Hika, I'm uh sorry for doubting you." With a sigh, I take a moment for my answer. "Honestly, I couldn't tell you. After finding you two, it's all been one big emotional roller coaster, and I haven't really thought about where this ride will take us."

His lips begin to beam with a brilliant smile. "Us?"

"Well, yeah, you and me?" My heart pangs, "and uh, Kao." I awkwardly clear my throat. "I uh mean if I can even get him in the same room, that is?"

Hika's face is twisted. This was the obviously wrong place, wrong time, seeing as I'm under him…I could tell Hika was seriously grappling with the new relationships. He forces a smile while avoiding my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, give him space, he'll come around." Those cautious eyes make an appearance once more." So, you uh still see yourself sticking around, then?"

"Uh yeah, I thought that was clear when I let you fly me all over the place." Answering in a sarcastic tone.

"Yeah, well you've um said -" His eyes peer in the past, pain shadowing his expression for a mere whisper of a second.

I quickly lift my hand, as my voice comes out in the sincerest, most reassuring tone, I can manage. "Hika, I'm not going anywhere." Seeing how much pain he endured, my shaky hands lift his eyes to mine. "I uh learned from my mistake."

With my words, he forced a hopeful smile. I knew even though Hika and I were now officially a couple, the emotional wreckage from all those painful years didn't just vanish overnight…Like now, I can read it in his averting eyes. Trusting and attentive but cautious, ever so cautious. And now, what I know…I'm wondering if it will ever completely go away?

After all, before all this crap, I'm the one that denied our obvious, most intimate connection and threw myself to another. To one of his only friends. Good intentions or not, it was cruel.

He lifts my hand off his cheek and kisses it. "I know it's hard to believe. but I did too." Mumbling as he concentrates on small kisses up my arm. As if a sudden thought occurs to him his lips freeze on my arm. He lifts his head, revealing a pair of golden impish eyes. Once more. "Unlike you." My astonished eyes didn't even have time to blink as my back was once more pressed against the mussed bed, with his alluring bare chest hovering over mine.

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My cheeks burn at his transparent, yet devious intentions. "Hika, what do you think you're doing?" Somewhat outraged however not surprised in the slightest. I mean this is Hikaru, after all. My feigned fuming eyes flash to that fucking knowing smirk of his. You know the one that sets my …well, let's just say it fully "awakens" my once exhausted body with the simple curl of his luscious lips.

Damn, I mean there's a reason he's a freaking model.

"I would think that's rather obvious." His sculpted body presses further, wordlessly influencing a steamy kiss from me. Once, I pretend to be resistant, at least at first. However, with the mere touch of the torrid skin, I melted completely into it.

After a moment he pulls away with that damn smile. His long lashes flutter away from his cheeks, as he too pretends to be mistaken for the slightest second. "Your right, I did."

"Then why are we-" Burning for another I trail off, faking the slightest outrage as he drifts down. My obscured toes curl as I feel his searing mouth barely whisper against my pulse point. With Hika's escalating attentions my lips could no longer hold back a needy sigh.

Knowing he had already won; he lifted his head with a seductive chuckle. Shining over that damn smirk his mischievous eyes drift to the other side of the room. "Do you see the light peaking through that window?" His hand slides to the top of my hips, purposely pressing them into him. "Love, it's technically morning." He goes in, returning to my neck.

"You freaking planned this." My eyes slide close getting lost in Hika's manipulations. "You damn rich bastard." Mumbling while willingly sinking into our morning's fate.

End of flashback.

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Standing in a warm glow, lighting up the sparkling morning of a distant view of the winding Seine river, from the Hitachiin Estate. My head unknowingly sinks in deep thought.

How much I wished I wasn't right, that night.

...Hika didn't want to sleep,

And it wasn't for obvious reasons, as he would have me believe.

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(Knock, knock)

During the breathtaking drive to get to his mother's private estate Hika wasn't himself after his self-proclaimed "twin" business. He didn't really say much as he took the hairpin turns at breakneck speeds, causing my fingers to grab hold of the rich smelling leather seat, for dear life. I mean he tried to hide it, but it was there. Whatever was said, in that meeting really unsettled him.

Once we arrived his hand never left mine…

I have no idea for the sudden decision but ultimately, although begrudgingly, Hika escorted me to my own room.

However, I was rarely in it.

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With the sound of long billowing sheers snapping in the pristine white suite. My brown eyes flutter until I find myself standing back in my room, and focusing on my hand. My lips curl into a soft smile. Hikaru's gift catching the morning rays of sunlight, projecting dancing facets against the walls.

…Now I understood why he didn't allow me to sleep until later, in the morning.

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That day, when my eyes actually managed to pry themselves open, Hikaru was nowhere to be found. Instead, of waking up to a handsome five o'clock shadow sporting a rather ginger bedhead, I found a small box with a quick message stuck to the top. My heart about sank when I read the hurried scribble on the bright yellow piece of paper.

"Remember anything…Day or night, me first. You promised :)"

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With the thought, knowing just how hard it must have been for Hika that night, caused my fingers to squeeze around my new stainless-steel phone. No doubt, the latest and greatest, that cost some unthinkable sum of money. I should be pissed at such an extravagant gift, but I just can't …. Not this time. His actions silently scream just how much my mistrust has truly hurt him… and if this gives him just a small bit of peace of mind, then I'm ok, with that.

It's not like he's keeping tabs on me. On the contrary, for a person who has 'agreed to accept, not only two boyfriends, but two Hitachiin men as her significant others, it's rather quiet. My eyes scan around the lavish empty room.

It's way too quiet…Its actually lonelier, than before Kao, found me.

For the time I've spent at the Hitachiin estate I've received daily texts from Hika. Only actually hearing from him when I initialize the call. I respected that he had work, so as much as I wanted to reach out, I kept it to a minimum. We would never speak about what he was doing or his expected return. Only about how we were both feeling or marveling about a future place he would like to jet me away to.

You know, trying his damndest not to be that same guy who insulted my friend back in- Not wanting my thoughts to lead to my past I inwardly shook my head, trying to think about something else …or rather someone else.

And then there was Kao, the so-called "reasonable" twin.

He too was trying his damndest to not be himself.

… Instead, he's content at being some kind of elusive puppet master.

(Knock knock.)

Paying absolutely no mind to the door, my attention flits to my hand, to check the time. Knowing perfectly well who's behind the door, a frustrated sigh blows pass my lips, just before I paste on a smile. Well, the best I can muster, anyway. Hoping that TODAY will turn out better results than the days prior. Readying myself for it, I quickly tug on the bottom of a flowing white blouse. One of the few pieces of clothing that Hika and I can agree on. It apparently has decent lines. Whatever that means.

"Good morning Greta, I see your punctual," Awkwardly clearing my throat, "I mean, as usual."

"Yes," Good morning Fujioka-san," An older silver-haired woman, with a tight yet fashionable updo stops at door. Her crimson glossed demon-like nails tightly hold somethings close to her chest. "I must say, it's quite pleasant to hear that you appreciate my schedule keeping skills, However as I've told you before, Fujioka-san, I'm afraid it won't work." With almost a self-important air about her, she holds up her talons in front of my face. You know the one with the forced smile. "And before you even ask, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you where my boss is."

"Why would you think I would inquire about him?"

Her polished black pumps stop, before adjusting her cat-eye frames over her sharp incredulous eyes. "Really, Miss Fujioka, you must pardon me, however, I find newly discovered innocence hard to believe."

"Oh, I don't think it should be too entirely unbelievable. You told me; it can't be done. So, I uh- guess I'll just have to wait. What's so hard about that?" With my hand still on the knob, I nonchalantly close the door, behind us.

Her heals arrogantly click further in my room, sorting through the things she has in her arms, blindly speaking. "Well, for the one you've been asking, every day for almost two weeks, now. So, there's that-"

Still smiling, lightly treading towards the uppity assistant while shrugging my shoulders. "Well- I wouldn't need to if you would just tell me where he is, or at the very least give a phone number. I mean what's the harm in just talking to him?"

With a frustrated sigh, "I'm sorry, Fujioka-san, at this point I would like nothing more than give you that particular information, however, Hitachiin-sama is a very busy man." Her face grows tired in an instant, lifting a hand to it, pinching the bridge of her nose. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure which one MY

boss actually is…In all my years working for this company, I like most people can't tell the difference. Just keeping our heads down and if we do need to work with one of them, we just take a whole lot of notes …along with just as much, if not more headache reducers."

Seeing a crack in the assistant's walls, I place a concerned hand on her arm. "Well then, just give me his location, and I'll sort it out, for you."

"I'm sorry, but I just can't." She uncomfortably clears her throat, "He's extremely busy." She politely shakes off my hand. "Now, if you don't mind, you've prolonged my schedule long enough." She begins to grab a file." Here you go, this packet is from Out-country, Hitachiin-sama. He asks you to give it your special once over before giving it back to me. Also here is your HR benefit packet to read and approve."

"H.R. packet, wait, so I'm an actual employee? Not just the twins' girl-" I quickly trail off.

Her tone turns dismissive, as she sorts through the files. "I'm not sure, I only do what the paperwork instructs, and from what I can tell, I would say, yes. you are."

"I mean-" I think she already assumes I'm sleeping with one of them. So- to admit we arranged some side job for payment …well, that doesn't exactly put me in the greatest of lights …I mean at least in her beady eyes. "I uh, mean, I'm not quite sure what my job title even is …clerk, advisor, assistant? I mean other than a girl, who looks over calculations-"

"Yes well, I'm not sure, myself." Her smile turns into more of a knowing sneer. "You are one of the first to wish for actual employment, so I really couldn't say. I 'm sure they have it jotted somewhere in your paperwork." Motioning for me to open the large manilla envelope.

"Oh." My clumsy fingers begin to fumble with the papers." You want me to open it, now?"

"Yes, if you don't mind?" She cranes her neck, her skilled eyes flit over the papers, as I pull them out. "plus, In-country Hitachiin-sama wanted me to make you aware of the section on E.E.P."

"EEP is that some kind of fashion thing, cause I'm pretty sure, I won't need it."

Her eyes slowly crawl down my button-up, followed by a dry, catty chuckle to herself. "No. I'm afraid not. EEP stands for the company's, education escalation program."

"Education escalation program? Wait, are you saying the company will help with my education?"

"Yes, of course. The program was set up by the twins, right after they took over. Something about a friend of theirs working way too hard to achieve her dreams of becoming a lawyer. Their mother thought she might have made it, with only a little help, so now the company offers the program to all of its employees. Which you now fall under."

My stunned eyes pop up, away from the paper. "To Everyone?"

"Yes. From drivers to…uh fashion designers, if need be." She waves a dismissive hand. "Oh, and the in-county Hitachiin-sama would also like you to have these. They're for various online institutions, that he personally printed out, for you."

Shocked I held up about 50 different pamphlets fanned out, in my hand. "Kaoru, did this?

"That, I couldn't tell you." She lets out a heavy sigh "I use to be the assistant for the out of country Hitachiin-sama, but now since that other one is now away from the newly designated home base, he's now the out of country Hitachiin-sama."

"Homebase, you mean it's not Japan!"

"Not, at the moment. Not, after that DEVIL MAN forced me to cut my vacation short and shipped me here." In an instant her polish facade ages as she grumbles to herself. "I have no idea why he didn't just ask HIS assistant." I can hear her teeth grind. "To this day I still have absolutely NO idea, what she even does!" Blowing out a long weary sigh. "So now, like it or not I'm the assistant to both, the in-country, and the out-of-country Hitachiin-sama, if that makes any sense?"

"Uh yeah."

"Well then, your ahead of the rest of us …oh, but if at all possible, could you not tell the out of country one what I just said?"

"Oh, Hikaru?"

"I'm not entirely sure, if that's the one, out of the country, or not." Her eyes quickly narrow as if she was trying to see past something, but just couldn't reach it, and just as fast she swats away the idea." Anyway, watch out for him. He can be quite the loose cannon." Her face drains to a chalky unappealing white with the mere thought of the eldest.

Witnessing firsthand at Hikaru's famed antics, I couldn't help but suppress an inward chuckle. "Really ...I-"

"Well, welcome to company…I mean officially, at least for now. Oh, and In-county Hitachiin-sama told me, you should concentrate on this and moving forward." She runs a polished nail across the pamphlets, before her hand slides on one side of her dress, smoothing it. She continues to blindly talk while walking to the door. "Whatever that means. I'll be back to get the rest for his approval." She continues to blindly talk while walking to the door.

"Wait, don't you want yesterday's work?" I quickly slide a file off the polished white entryway table, away from the refection of teaming white tulips. I'm about to hand it off to her when a devious thought strikes. Of course, the silver-haired woman holds out her hand, to take the file.

"Fujioka-san?" She tugs at the file.

Only, I don't know, maybe I've already been influenced by the twins as a mischievous smile slowly slithers on my knowing lips. "Or-"

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End of Haruhi's POV

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Hikaru's POV

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My fingers annoyingly tap, one after the other, again and again, along a white tablecloth. Fighting the urge to reach over. To check my screen. To see if my setting were on the right ones. To see if maybe, just maybe I might have missed something.

Of course, nothing has since the last five times I checked the same settings.

A french tip manicure reaches out and tries to still my strumming fingers. Earning a glimpse of impatience but most of all unmitigated worry. "Relax dear, she's safe." She softly speaks so only I could hear.

My eyes begrudgingly peel away from my phone. "I know, it's just- "Not really willing to go into it, I just let my words dwindle into silence.

Knowing I wasn't going to elaborate further, without missing a beat she quickly picked up her glass. "Hey, she would have been perfectly fine at your grandmother's retreat."

"Having Haru exposed to That woman, for any stretch of time, would be anything BUT fine."

"I've said it before, it's difficult to escape from an island." Her glossed crimson lips smirk before taking a sip.

"I could say the same about the cult, that runs that damn place."

"Don't let your grandmother hear you say that." Her golden eyes lined with smokey chocolate liner. She gives a half-bemused warning while carelessly fliting across the other diner's heads. Even waving at a few.

With my head off to other places and no inkling to be involved in my mother's exploits my shoulders hunch over the table. While my fingers continuously twitch towards the rectangle screen, that's practically taunting me…to make the damn call. "Tsk, I've said worse." Scoffing at my mother's warning just before taking a quick swig, from my glass.

"Yeah, and you barely came out of it, too."

Wishing I was somewhere, well not just somewhere.

My entire body tensed, quickly losing what little patience I managed to salvage when we set up this damn thing.…there was only one place my liquored-up head shot off to…like some freaking rocket

… The exact same place I left my heart, or rather who I left it with.

My mother's lips quirk, in an amused chuckle. "Relax, Baby Blu, she's safe, and you'll be with our little doll before you know it."

"Yeah, hopefully." Avoiding anything else being said about the matter, my fingers tightened around the whiskey tumbler, before jerking my head back for a quick drink. Since there really wasn't much else to do but wait.

Which isn't the easiest, especially for me.

The first idea for this entire debacle was for me to be some kind of backup and confront Shorty… as nicely as possible. However, that quickly changed as Kao would be better suited for the task…I mean he did step up for the challenge. He wanted a little distance from a certain brunet beauty. Which would have let me be, for once? However, Mori-san didn't want any of it. Maybe if it was just him but this would go against his entire family. He literally just came to warn us, and we for understood.

To a degree.

So then why am I back in Japan when I literally just left? Good question. Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure. I uh, guess it had something to do with the honor… of being the single most person, (besides that blond buffoon I'm not willing to think about) that really bugged the crap out of the Demon King.

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Something, besides being grunted at by the aloof giant, saying something about 'personally owing shorty,' all the while being pushed back on yet, ANOTHER plane. I would gleefully call the so-called honor one of my more redeeming accomplishments.

.

"Hey, Baby Blu." A slight elbow finds my side as a light chuckle brings me back, to the soft-lit restaurant. "Should we order?" Her expectant eyes knowingly slide over to the tablet, being held by a monochromatic dressed waitress. Who, at the moment was paying little attention to her actual job. Doing her best to grab our attention.

.

I'm not really sure, which she was trying to grab.

Sticking her chest out, pulling in her nonexistent stomach, while flashing the most ridiculous smile she could muster, at us, something the old Hikaru might have swooped up, and taken out for the night. Of course, It didn't matter, in the slightest. I wasn't in any kind of mood to be "on," for anyone's behalf. Not even as a well know figurehead. "Yeah, just go get me, one more of these, then I'm good." Without even lifting my eyes I snidely lift my glass tumbler, being sure the chunked ice clinked against it, for effect.

.

Suddenly feeling my mother's searing gaze burn the side of my face as she gathers up our menus, before kindly handing them back to the waitress." Dear, could you please just let the head chef know I'm here and that I would like two of my usuals, she'll know what all that involves."

"Yes, of course."

As soon as I heard the waitress slump away my mother clears her throat. "You know, if you're going to be dreary like this, then perhaps I should just find my way back home?" She said in a nonchalant, yet in her own threating way.

"No!"

"Well, you're the one who asked for MY help, little one."

"Please stop, mother." Letting out a frustrated sigh, my hand tenderly rubs the side of my head." I told you, when ALL of us are ready, and not a minute before that. Kao is in no shape. And Haru-"

"I just saw Lil Pumpkin; you don't need to-" She discreetly hissed.

Once the gentle giant spilled his guts, we knew we needed to contact our mother, since she was the one that helped us the last time. The 0nly problem was, once Kao and I finished explaining we began to have a distinct feeling our diabolical mother was up to something. Our brilliant CEO mother was manipulating a visit with Haru, instead of figuring out what to do about the situation.

It wasn't long after I was throwing myself on the preverbal sword. Insisting, "Her Baby Blu needed his mommy back in Japan."

Knowing where I am, and who might be listening, my eyes carefully crawl across the dimly lit room, before lowering my tone to a sharp hiss. "Mother, you practically scared her to death."

"Did she-"

"No, before you ask, she didn't say anything in so many words …I just don't want her freaking out. She has enough to worry about then having you wielding your spooky CEO powers, for future grandchildren!" Speaking in a hushed tone.

Before I knew it, the chill of the ice melted against my upper lip, after unconsciously taking an annoying pull from my class. With a long sigh, I set down my glass. "Listen …I just don't want her disappearing … I uh, know I wouldn't be able to handle that, again." Getting caught up in what I might find when I return, my eyes solemnly sink back to my glass, wondering when the hell my next one would be coming?

"Listen, Baby Blu" She stops herself, clearing her throat." Hikaru, I know it's difficult but…well did she uh, give you any reason she would? I mean did she perhaps TELL you she was leaving?" With evident motherly concern circling her words, her hand tenderly slides on top of mine, stopping me from taking another drink.

"No, in fact, she told me, she wouldn't."

"Then Luv" My normally articulate mother stumbled with her words." You're just going to have to do what the rest of us strive for when we find that special someone."

"Mother, what are you-"

With hard-fought tears brimming at the corner of her mascara, she quickly cuts me off. "Hikaru, no matter how unpleasant…what happened, that's your past. You can never go back; you can only move forward."

My eyes drift to my phone, resting on the table. Wishing it would just do …anything, at this point. It's not that I didn't want to hear what my mother had to say, it just would be so much easier If I knew she was-

"Hikaru, you're just going to have to learn to trust her." With those words, my eyes flash away from my phone. "I know she loves you." For a moment she nibbles her bottom lip, however, she soon relaxes her entire body, gently squeezing my hands under hers. "Both of you. She LOVES both of my sons. She always has."

"Mom?" Unsure what to say, next, I just kind of uncomfortably sank in my seat

Then just as quick, I felt a sudden" SMACK" on the back of the head, "Now, that being said, back to business, Baby Blu… Just whom are we waiting for?"

.

End of Hikaru's POV

Back in Japan

.

.

Haruhi's POV

With a long drawn out sigh I nervously stare down, walking over, what felt like miles of a simple, yet elegant patterned carpet. My fingers tighten at my sides with resolve…events echoing back.

My hand firmly clamps down. "Or-" Nonchalantly shrugging my shoulders, as my eyes sharply gleam with something entirely different. "I don't know, maybe, I could give it to him?"

"Now, I thought we've already been through this?!" She sharply tugs, nudging me to give up.

Holding up my phone, a mischievous smile slowly slithers on my knowing lips. …

"Or- perhaps I should call the devil himself?"

Maybe, I've already been irrevocably influenced.

.

After the woman's color somewhat returned and began breathing normally without a paper bag…well, let's just say, after almost two weeks

…I won.

Knowing enough was enough, ready to confront the twin pulling Greta's strings. My shaky fist tightens, striking the door. Stifling air swallowing my entire body, while my heart twists in my parched throat. Hearing rumbling on the other side of an unmarked hotel room's door.

Inwardly pushing….

pushing my next move forward,

You know, just like "HE", has been telling me to do.

.

End of Haruhi's POV

Hey, I hope everyone is staying safe, and healthy. I thought since I have some time off, I might finish this story. I'll be posting soon. ;)