You've Been On My Mind [OHSHC]

Chapter Five

When Kuu was far enough out of reach, she began to run. Run to where, she didn't know, just to get out of the house in general. She ran out of the front door, letting it slam shut behind her, she was too busy running to notice that the door had opened again and Haruhi had followed her out.

Kuu ran down the pavement, dodging Jugo as he started to walk back to the servant's houses. He watched her run away, confused, but then he saw Haruhi chasing after her, with big concerned eyes. He sighed, and turned back towards the garage.

Kuu turned down the street, dodging a few students, and parents on their way home, giving her dirty looks as she pushes through them. Haruhi, as she chased after Kuu would apologize to those people.

Why does my father always have to do this, why can't he just let me be the way I am and be proud of me? Kuu thought as her eyes began to water. From the amount she's cried you'd think she wouldn't have anymore tears to cry out. Kuu turns the corner again and runs through the open gates, surrounding a small park in the higher class neighborhood. 

She ran and ran until she felt like she was alone, under a cherry blossom tree, by a very small pond. She collapsed there, on her knees and wrapped her arms around herself. If she had the choice, she probably would have stayed there forever, but she knew once she calmed down she would go home.

Haruhi stops four feet behind her, her arms at her side, she was breathing heavily, but Kuu was normal. Like she was used to running far distances. 

Kuu's eyes widened as she heard the heavy breathing of Haruhi behind her, she turned, "Why did you follow me?" there was a certain tone to her voice that came off as angry, but also thankful that someone cared.

"I was worried, and besides, no one should be alone when they're upset." Haruhi sighs and she walks a little closer to Kuu who sighs and looks down at her lap. Haruhi knelt down in front of her, and gives her one of her naturally warm smiles.

Kuu looks up at her for a moment to see that bright smile and warmth takes over her heart.. it's the same smile that her own mother tends to have, Kuu smiled back, "Well.. thank you for coming after me, but you really didn't have too."

"I know, but I did. Are you okay?" Haruhi asks.

"I will be," Kuu replies after a moment of silence.

"Does this happen a lot, or something?" Haruhi asked another question.

"You have no idea," Kuu answers, sighing and making herself feel empty inside. That's what the name Kuu means anyway... empty. Most commonly it's known as sky, but in a sense, isn't the sky empty too?

"Well it shouldn't.. my dad never treats me that way, and yours shouldn't either," Haruhi says as she reaches out to Kuu and places a hand on her shoulder, "You know, us Fujioka's should stick together okay?"

"What.. do you mean?" Kuu asks quietly.

"Well obviously you're not that weak if you stood up to your dad back there. Though, I still feel like you need somebody there for you, and I mean what better person then a cousin, right?"

"So you mean.. I'll always be on your mind? And if I need you.. you'll be there?" Kuu asked, in awe. She wasn't used to people her age caring that much. Haruhi nods her head  happily, smiling at Kuu, "Of course."

"Th... thank you Haru-chan!" Kuu squeals and swings her arms tightly around Haruhi's neck, causing her to laugh, and she wrapped her arms around Kuu's torso.

In the background of this wonderful family display of affection, stood two Hitachiin twins with wide eyes. Hikaru couldn't believe it. He remembered. Kaoru was wide eyed because Haruhi and Kuu just made a promise such as that one, and because he knew something was bothering Hikaru.

Hikaru continued to stare at the Haruhi and Kuu from afar, still hugging. Kuu was smiling brighter than the sun, which was something Hikaru never remembered her doing.

But what made him remember her? Earlier, when she was on the ground, hugging herself and crying, it was just like the day he rejected her. Exactly like the day except the weather was warmer and someone came to her rescue. No one was there for her before.

Hikaru swallows a lump that clogged up his throat, and Kaoru looked at him, "What is it, Hikaru?" he asked.

"Do you remember the last girl I ever rejected?" He asked, eyes not breaking away from the beautiful sight of Kuu's smile.

"Yeah? Don't tell me that she's--"

"Uh huh," Hikaru states shakily, "She's right there... hugging our new club member; her cousin."