I'm not sure how sophisticated your quiz is. If you eliminate the second "2" letters between H and O, you are left with I, K, M and O. Add negative, NO the anagram gives you KIMONO. I don't pretend that this is the correct answer, it might be too subtle. but let me know more of the context of your clue.
The H2O is written as the sign for water, difficult to put like that on computor, can see how you got kimono just think it may be too subtle for my quiz. Due in soon so if I don,t get another answer will try yours. Many thanks