Title: Fairy Tales (1/7)
Author: phoenixTales06
Summary: 7 fairy tale stories are given the Ouran twist.
Rating: T, for violence and later romance
Chapter Pairing(s): Kyoya/Haruhi
Notes: Welcome, everyone! I'm not sure where this idea first came from, but it's been written down now! Each chapter will feature a different fairy tale and a different couple (with one Host being with Haruhi). Now, the fairy tales will mainly stick with their storylines. I'm just adding the Host Club in it and twisting it a little. The last chapter will be a fairy tale story, but I'm not deciding the couple for that chapter. YOU will! On my page, I'll post a poll after I upload this chapter and I want you to vote! Vote on which couple you want to see happen in that chapter. But for now, let us begin the first chapter, or story I should say! Please enjoy! I have put a lot of hard work into this.
One more thing before I let you read on. I did watch the movie while writing this. XD I just had to, in order to keep things somewhat on track with the movie as well as keep the Ouran characters as they are. I personally think Belle and Haruhi are a lot alike.
Beauty and the Beast
(Prologue)
Kyoya Otori was not happy that morning. It seemed that his personal servant, and best friend, Tamaki Suou, had forgotten that Kyoya was not meant to be woken before 10 o'clock in the morning. The young prince knew he had told every one of his servants (who were his only friends, since he never left the castle except to go to balls) that he wished to be awake some time after 10 o'clock in the morning if he wasn't already up.
Apparently Tamaki had forgotten that conversation. He bounced in to the prince's room and jumped up and down on the bed, talking about nothing in particular in his cheerful voice. Kyoya tried to kick the slightly younger teen off his bed but Tamaki seemed to have foreseen this. He avoided the long, thin legs and continued to go on and on about many random topics. Then Kyoya attempted to put a pillow over his head and Tamaki stole that from him too. By now, the prince was awake and extremely pissed off.
Now, all the servants were suffering because of it. Kyoya was never one to yell unless he was really agitated. Which, unfortunately, he was. The prince was stomping down the front hall's stairway when he heard a knock on the door. Since the family butler was on vacation, no one was around to answer the door. Kyoya briefly entertained the thought of not opening the door when he heard the knock again. With a frustrated sigh, he shoved a hand through his hair and walked to the large doors, pulling both open. He let out a shiver when the cold, harsh wind blew inside. An old, hunched-over woman stood at his doorstep, a thin blanket barely covering her frame. Her deformed face looked up at him in hope, gnarled hands clutching the blanket closed under her chin.
"Please, kind sir, I seek shelter from the weather," she wheezed.
Kyoya barely held back a sneer. "No."
The old woman tried again. "Please. In return, I offer this rose."
She brandished a beautiful red rose from under the blanket, seemingly untouched by the winter weather. Its petal were in full bloom and there was no sign of thorns on the stem. Despite the beauty of the rose, Kyoya still turned the woman away, his temper flaring. Why would he allow such a woman to enter his home? There were other houses in the area that would take her in. Besides, Otoris were never known to be kind to others, especially those who they believed were beneath them, also known as commoners.
"Do not be deceived by my appearance, young man," the woman whispered in a cracking voice. "I am simply asking for shelter for one day. I will not take up that much space in your home."
"Have you gone deaf, woman?" Kyoya said, his voice coming out in a hiss. "I said no."
What happened next Kyoya never saw coming. In a bright flash of light, the old woman's appearance melted away to reveal a beautiful woman in front of him. She bore resemblance to her disguise, so no one could say that she wasn't, at one time, the old beggar woman. From stories Tamaki told him, Kyoya knew this woman to be an enchantress, a witch with powers. Her pale face was slightly marred by the frown pulling her red lips down in an upside down smile.
"No, young prince, it is you who have gone deaf," she replied, her voice strong and musical, as if she literally sang every line that came out of her mouth. "While you rest here in your sanctuary, warm and safe, there are others out there suffering. They have not the comforts you currently own. By turning an old woman away, a woman who would have certainly died from one night out in this weather, you have shown that you are unkind and selfish." Kyoya stared at her with a raised eyebrow. Did she not hear of the Otori family before? The Otoris were well-known for being unkind and selfish, as she put it. "Therefore, I have a fitting punishment for you for turning me away like that."
"Punishment?" Kyoya repeated, his eyebrow still raised. "I'm not a child who is to be scolded for such a small offense."
"A small offense?" the enchantress said, her voice raising a little. "A life is still a life, Kyoya Otori. Surely you knew that, for your father is the King of the Southern kingdom." She reached into her robes and revealed a long wooden stick, polished and sharp. "Your punishment, Kyoya Otori, is to be robbed of your comforts but the main thing that will be taken away is your appearance. Since you judged on appearance, it is to be a fitting punishment." The enchantress swished and flicked the stick in practiced movements, her musical voice whispering out foreign words.
Kyoya was not impressed and started to say something when he felt a strange stretching sensation on his hands. He glanced down and cried out. His hands, slightly large and thin, were growing larger, sprouting dark fur the color of his hair, and the tips of his fingers turning into sharp, wicked claws. The sensation spread, turning into pain, and he doubled over, a change taking over his entire body. His feet also were given the same treatment as his hands. His shirt and pants ripped as his body grew bulkier, his skin erupted the same dark fur that was on his hands and feet. As he glanced up at the enchantress, his nose, mouth, and chin jutted outward, shaping into an animalistic snout, much like that of a canine. His vision changed, rapidly losing color and sharpening in definition. The change was complete when his ears traveled up to the top of his head and wicked horns grew from his furry forehead. Kyoya lay on the marble floor, trembling from the pain of the transformation.
"To add to your punishment, all of your servants and the castle will be transformed. No one will want to come here." She stared down at the prince. "However, I will offer a token of good will. This punishment has a cure, if you will. If you can find a woman to love you despite your appearance and if you love her in return, the curse will be broken." She pulled out the same red rose she had offered when she was under the disguise of an old woman. "I will place a spell on this rose. If you can find that woman before the last petal of this rose falls, when you turn 18, the curse will be broken. If you are too late, then you shall remain forever a beast."
Kyoya watched as she worked her magic on the ground beneath him. The entire castle transformed before his eyes into a ruin, everything that was white was now dark and terrifying. He could hear the startled shouts of his friends from the servants' quarters. When he turned back to the enchantress, he found her gone.
Yes, today definitely left Prince Kyoya Otori in a really foul mood. He let out a roar of rage and despair.
(Chapter One: An Ordinary Day, One Year Later)
Haruhi Fujioka was content. She turned the page of her book, drinking in every word as if she breathed words instead of air. Even though she had read this book two times before, she found she couldn't put it down. It was one of the few romance books she found interesting. No, Haruhi was more for looking at cookbooks, learning more recipies to share with her father, Ryoji Fujioka. Her father was a fashion designer. He made strange designs and hardly ever sold, but he at least was making an effort. He encouraged his daughter to learn more recipies so one day she could open up her own restaurant.
"Haruhi, I'm closing for the day," the librarian said, peeking around the bookcase. The middle-aged man smiled at the sight. He liked Haruhi a lot and helped her out whenever she asked for a certain book. Also, one in a while, she would come help him at the library if he needed help.
"Okay," Haruhi closed the book and reshelved it, writing down the page number on a piece of paper. She would have to pick the book up later.
"You must love that book, dear. This is your, what, third time reading it? Normally you don't read those kind of books."
Haruhi walked with the man back to the front door of the library. "I know, but the story is so intriguing. A prince that is turned into a beast and the only way he can break it is to find a woman to love him despite his appearance." She let out a sigh. "It's a really good story. I can't get enough of it."
The librarian grinned. "If Kasanoda ever got wind of you liking this kind of story..."
The sixteen-year-old glared. "Don't you dare. It's bad enough he thinks he has fallen in love with me and wants to marry me..."
"He would at least provide for you. Your father would be pleased, since you two barely live on the money he hardly makes. You know your dad hates not being able to give you everything you want."
"I know, I know," she mumbled, grasping for her jacket. It was chilly outside and she preferred to walk home. "But I want to marry someone for love rather than how that person can provide for me. I'm not dependent on other people."
The older man patted her shoulder. "I'm well aware of that, as is the rest of the town. At least think about it, Haruhi? We want the best for you."
Haruhi smiled. "Good evening, sir." She opened the door and braced herself against the howling wind.
An hour later she stepped into her house she shared with her father. It was a very small house with one bedroom and bathroom. It was all Ryoji could afford but it was a roof over their heads. Her father was currently working on a project for the upcoming fashion show in the nearby town's fair. If it was a hit, his design would hit all the major clothing stores and he would be offered lots of money.
"Father, I'm home," she called, hanging up her jacket.
"I'm busy, darling. Could you make up something quick so I can return to this design?" Ryoji answered.
"Sure. What would you like?"
Haruhi paused in the kitchen, waiting for her father's answer. She didn't hear anything until a few minutes later, his voice sounding distracted. "That one dish you tried last week... what was it again? The one your friend Renge suggested."
"Got it, Father," she responded, smiling.
"Speaking of Renge, where has she gone? I haven't seen her in a while."
Haruhi let out a sigh. "Don't you remember? She flew back to France because she is getting married."
She heard him snap his fingers. "That's right! Good for her."
"But Father, they don't even know each other! If I were to marry, I would want it to be for love."
From his room, Ryoji let out a snort. "Honey, you are aware that rich and influential families do that sort of thing all the time. It's to benefit both families and further cement ties to the world of the rich."
Haruhi groaned. "I'm lucky that I don't have to do that. Right, Father?" Her brown eyes widened when her father didn't respond. "Right, Father?"
"Don't be mad, honey..."
"You didn't!" she cried, nearly dropping her large spoon she was using to stir dinner. "Father, you promised..."
"But Kasanoda would be able to take care of you. He loves you! Not only that, but he is rather good-looking and is well-off..."
"I don't care about looks or money!"
Ryoji pouted in his room. "I want you to be happy and healthy, Haruhi."
"Then let me decide who I should and shouldn't marry! Stop deciding for me!"
Help me, Kotoko, he thought. She's just as stubborn as you were.
Dinner passed almost quietly. Ryoji tried to cheer his daughter up but she was determined to ignore him. He knew that he should have never agreed to Kasanoda marrying her in the future, but the sixteen-year-old handsome boy seemed genuinely in love with Haruhi, convinced he would make the perfect husband and father to any children she should have. Ryoji knew the Kasanodas were a some-what wealthy family and were well-respected in the country.
After they finished eating, Haruhi cleaned the dishes and headed outside, shutting the door firmly behind her. Ryoji sighed and headed back to his room. His design was nearly finished, draped over a human female mannequin. He hoped this time that someone would take an interest in his design. Sure, he wasn't as well-known as the other contenders and his designs were a little out-of-the-box but he genuinely thought it would sell. He could see his daughter wearing it though she typically didn't wear a lot of feminine clothing.
Haruhi took a seat on a bench near the lake, staring down at the dark water. A slight wind blew by, rippling the near glass-like state of the body of water. Why couldn't her life be her own? She was just a girl, a little nothing that likes to read books and sometimes dream of her restaurant. She was nothing special, so why would someone like Kasanoda take an interest in her and even have the audacity to ask her father for her hand in marriage. Yes, that was the only way for a man to wed a woman but Kasanoda could have told her first, even though she knew she would decline. It didn't matter that he had the looks or the money. It was what was inside a person that counted. Haruhi wanted to have someone who would listen to her and respond back intelligently. She wanted someone who wouldn't tell her what to do and what to not do. She wanted friendship and companionship.
She didn't know how long she sat there, stuck in her thoughts. Her father must be absorbed in his work since the police hadn't been called to find her. She glanced up at the moon and cursed herself for not reading up on how to tell time depending on how high the sun or moon was in the sky. Figuring she had had enough time to calm down, she got up and started walking back home. By this time of night, everyone was in their homes and most of the homes didn't have any candlelight in the windows. It must be really late, she thought, if everyone's in bed.
"What are you doing out and about at this time of evening, Haruhi my love?"
Haruhi let out a groan, refusing to turn around to greet the man she didn't want to marry. Ritsu Kasanoda was one of the tallest boys in their age group, with long bright red hair that was always pulled back into a stylish ponytail tied at the nape of his neck, light-colored eyes that resembled a pale yellow, and creamy white skin. He also taught at the local dojo when he wasn't at school.
"I can't go out for a walk now, Kasanoda?" she asked.
He lengthened his stride so they were walking side by side. "I have asked for you to call me by my first name, Haruhi."
"No one else calls you by your first name."
Kasanoda placed a hand on her shoulder and she held back her shudder. "I don't want them to call me by my name. The only one I want to say my name is you, Haruhi." He spoke her name slowly, rolling off his tongue like velvet.
Haruhi fought to keep her face from showing her disgust. She hated boys like Kasanoda, who were confident in what they wanted and knew that they would get it. Spoiled rich bastard, she thought.
Before she knew it, they had arrived at her house. Kasanoda bowed deeply, taking her hand to kiss the back of it, and he strode away, hands slipping into the pockets of his trousers. She scoffed and fled back inside her house, locking it right away.
(Chapter Two: Meeting the Beast)
"Haruhi! It's done!"
Haruhi glanced up from her book to see her father come flying out of his room, dancing around giddily. She smiled as she watched him. Seeing him this happy made her happy as well. Recently, Kasanoda had stepped up his acts of flirting with her, even annoucing to the town that they both were getting married. The town was happy, except for the young female population. They were sad that such a handsome boy was getting married to a plain girl but they figured that if he was happy, they would be happy too.
"My dress! It's finally finished!"
"That's wonderful Father." She glanced over at the calendar they hung on a wall. "Just in time for you to pack for the fair."
Ryoji stopped dancing. "What?" He dashed over to the calendar and let out a moan. "It's too soon! Where has the time flown?"
His daughter fought the urge to roll her eyes and she returned to her book. Yesterday she was caught yet again reading the same book and the libriarian gave her the book for free. When she protested, he said it was a pre-wedding gift. Even though she kept the book, she hated that it was a gift for the upcoming wedding. She hadn't even agreed to it and the entire town was preparing for the wedding of the year.
For the next several hours, Ryoji scrambled to pack what he needed for his trip to the fair. He had already carefully put his design in the garment bag he kept for all his latest designs and now he was packing a few bags. When he went to the fairs, he tended to dress more feminine even though everyone knew he was a male. The townspeople had learned to accept the man's strange dress, though it was obvious they looked down at him for it.
"You are taking Georgina, right?" Haruhi asked, referring to their one horse.
"Yes, yes of course," her father said distractedly, zipping up his bags.
"You brought food?"
"Enough for both trips, darling," he replied, hauling his three bags out the door.
They walked to the tiny stable in the back of the house, where they kept Georgina. She was a fairly young horse, with a mix of brown, white, and gray. The horse looked up from her feed bag Haruhi had given her a couple of hours ago. Ryoji moved over to grab a saddle and slung it over the horse's back. He secured his bags on the hooks of the saddle he added when he bought it. After making sure nothing would come off, he turned to his daughter.
"I will be back in a week," he said, his brown eyes taking in the features of his only child. He reached out and pulled her into a hug. He had an odd feeling that something was going to happen and it didn't feel as though it was a good feeling.
"Take care Father, and good luck. I love you."
Ryoji smiled. "I love you too, Haruhi." He swung himself up on Georgina and urged her out of the stable.
Haruhi watched them until she could no longer see them. She turned back toward her house.
"Georgina? Are you sure we took the right turn?"
Ryoji knew that his horse couldn't respond back to him but he had to talk to someone. He hated the trips he took to the fair, since he was alone. Also, he was horrible at reading maps. Every year, the fair was in a different town and he would leave early so he would get there on time.
Now, they were at a fork in the road, one leading to a dark forest and the other leading into a hilly countryside. Georgina seemed to be leaning toward the "safe" road. Ryoji looked to his map. If it was correct, the forest would lead them to the town faster.
"C'mon, girl, let's go this way," he urged her toward the forest. He swore he received a glare from the horse before she moved forward.
It didn't take long before Ryoji realized his mistake. The forest led them deeper and deeper into the thick trees and since everything looked the same, he knew he was lost. He let out a sigh, shoving a hand through his red hair. This was embarrassing.
"Let's see if we can find someone to help us," he said out loud. "I swore I spotted a castle around here somewhere..."
Just then, a loud howl echoed through the darkening forest. Georgina became startled, bucking slightly. Ryoji steadied the reins, trying to calm the skittish horse. After another long howl, Georgina bucked so violently she managed to dislodge her rider and she took off, taking everything with her but the man lying on the forest floor. Ryoji tried to call her back but she was too scared to listen to her master. All she wanted was to go home. Ryoji sighed and pulled himself up.
He wandered around, lost, in the forest until he came upon a small clearing, revealing the image of the castle he had seen earlier. It was closer than the last time he saw it. He stifled a shiver when he looked at it. The stones making up the outer walls were dark and looked ready to crumble if you touched them. Parts of the towers were missing and the several statues that littered the roof were gargoyles, frightening with their devilish smiles. Someone had to live here, he thought, and so he jogged toward the main door. He passed the tall steel gates that were mysteriously left open and took the steps two at a time, halting at the massive doors. He gulped and grasped the handle of the doorknocker, which also resembled a gargoyle. The man rapped the door repeatedly until one of his knocks shoved the wood doors open.
"Hello?" he called out, staring into the depths. He gasped at what he saw inside.
"Oh no, Monsieur, I simply cannot..."
"Oh yes you can, mon amour. There is nothing to be ashamed of..."
A small featherduster tried to escape, jumping away from a full-length mirror that was chasing her. She would glance behind her, only to see her reflection, but she knew better. Before the curse fell upon the castle a year ago, she remembered the lustful gazes she received from him. Oh, how she melted under those gazes, the brilliant violet eyes that would darken whenever he looked at her.
"Hello?"
Both the duster and mirror stopped, frozen in place.
"A guest?" the mirror asked, his face appearing in the reflective surface of his new body. His lips formed a frown. It wasn't until he heard a cough from where the sound came from that he snapped into action. He felt the duster and moved hurriedly toward the front receiving hall. He was quickly joined by a coatrack, a wardrobe, a teacup, and a grandfather clock, each object as curious as he was.
"Who would be visiting us at such a late hour?" the wardrobe asked, trying his best to not scrape the floor with his heavy legs.
"Someone's who lost," the teacup chirped in a cheerful voice.
The coatrack rolled his eyes, which were placed under his hooks. "Brilliant deduction, Honey."
"Watch yourself, Hikaru," the tall grandfather clock scolded, his dark eyes locking with the coatrack's golden ones.
"Y-yes, Mori," Hikaru stuttered.
They reached the receiving hall and caught sight of a male with red hair collasped on the marble floor. Immediately, the mirror moved toward the man, his face showing his concern. "Monsieur needs attention," he called. As soon as his voice finished echoing, the pair of doors under the grand staircase opened and a cart zoomed out from the doors. Once the cart stopped by the man, the medical supplies jumped down and started to tend to the unconscious man.
"He's exhausted and seems to have caught a slight cold," a stethoscope replied after they were finished. "I suggest he get warm as soon as possible."
"Good luck with that, especially with not having our Lord find out," the cart said, waiting for everyone to get back on. Then he rolled back to the door.
"Lord Kyoya would be extremely angry if he were to find out," the wardrobe responded, shuddering.
"I'll protect you, Kaoru," Hikaru said, scooting closer to the large object.
Just as the objects turned to look at the man on the floor, his eyes snapped open and he jerked upward. They gave him a wide berth, but also they were concerned. They had no idea how he would react to seeing talking objects instead of human beings.
"H-hello?" the man called again.
The mirror, ever the host, immediately replied, "Bonjour, Monsieur!"
Just as Hikaru was going to smack him, the man whirled around, having gotten off the floor. "Who's there?"
"Over here," the mirror responded.
The man's brown eyes turned toward the group of objects sitting in the hall. "Odd, I don't remember seeing anything in here before."
"Tamaki," Hikaru growled, reaching out once again to smack the mirror but the mirror didn't listen. Tamaki the mirror moved forward, causing their guest's eyes to widen.
"Because we came to your aid, Monsieur," Tamaki said cheerfully.
"Y-you can talk!" the man cried out.
"Of course we can!" the teacup, named Honey, said, also stepping forward. "Cool, isn't it?"
"I-I must be dreaming," the man mumbled.
"You are not," Mori said firmly.
"But before we tell our tale, we should get you somewhere warm," Tamaki said, eyeing the man with concern. "You passed out on the floor when we saw you."
"Tamaki," Hikaru growled again. "Our Lord will not be pleased with you..."
"When has he ever been with me?" the mirror said cheerfully. "Now c'mon, Monsieur. Honey, please inform your mother to prepare some tea."
"Yes!" Honey hopped away to the pair of doors where the cart vanished to.
"Hikaru, help steady the man as we take him to the nearest study," Tamaki ordered, already moving again.
Kaoru watched his twin grasp the man with some of his hooks and dragged him, not too gently but not roughly, after Tamaki. He exchanged a look with Mori before they followed.
"...please stop calling me Monsieur. Ryoji will do," the man said to the mirror. Their guest was seated in a wing-backed chair with his feet propped up by an ottoman.
"Why the Lord's chair, Tamaki?" Hikaru asked, crossing two hooks in a pouting gesture, like he was crossing his arms.
Before Tamaki could respond, the cart was back, with a teapot accompanying Honey. He was filled up with hot tea.
"Drink up quickly," the teapot ordered. "You'll warm up faster that way," she added with a smile.
Ryoji glanced down at the teacup and then picked him up. Honey giggled as the man took a sip.
"Mitsukuni," Mori intoned.
"I'll never get used to it!" the teacup said.
"So, how did this happen to you?" Ryoji asked, glancing around at the objects.
A loud roar silenced any reply that would have been made. The objects shrank back, fear evident in their eyes.
"What is it?" Ryoji asked.
"Our Lord," Kaoru whispered.
"WHAT IS THIS I HEAR ABOUT A GUEST IN THIS CASTLE?"
The doors to the study blew open and Ryoji turned only to gasp.
"Ah, Lord Kyoya..." Tamaki started.
"AND WHY IS HE IN MY CHAIR?"
"You see... he's not well..."
The monster standing in the doorway glared at the mirror. "I DON'T CARE, TAMAKI! I WANT TO KNOW WHY HE'S HERE!"
"I got lost, sir," Ryoji responded when his tongue and throat loosened. "I didn't mean to cause you distress for trespassing..."
The monster turned to him, his dark steel gray eyes cold as ice. "I did not ask you to speak, commoner," he snarled.
"H-he's telling the truth, Lord Kyoya," Honey stuttered.
Kyoya continued to glare at the human before him. Without another thought, he snatched the red-haired man from the chair and dragged him out of the room. The objects stood in silence, worried for the man.
"His temper has shown itself once more," the teapot tsked. "He wasn't this bad before."
"But that was before the curse, Mother," Honey said, looking sad. "Now it seems his beastial side has consumed him."
"How can he get a girl to fall in love with him with that kind of temper?" Kaoru asked. He stomped one foot down. "He needs to understand that."
"First, you have to get a girl to come to the castle," Hikaru replied, striding over to the nearest window. "I can see why he lets his animal side out. He thinks all hope is lost. Lord Kyoya doesn't have long until his eighteenth birthday."
Kyoya threw the sick man into one of the cells, locked him up, and headed down to interrogate his servants/friends. How dare they try to be nice to this man? Hadn't he told them to not let anyone in unless it was a girl? He knew Tamaki never listened to any order he gave, but he expected the twins and cousins to at least obey him.
He pushed the doors to the study open and hated how his friends flinched from him. He hated that he even succumbed to the animalistic side of him that came out after he was transformed. He wasn't this way, well, not as bad as he was now.
"You didn't have to be rough with him," Tamaki said.
"He trespassed into the castle," he growled, throwing himself on the chair he liked. "That's grounds for being thrown in a cell, if not being executed."
"That's a bit harsh," Kaoru said timidly.
"What if he has a family, Kyoya?" the teapot replied. "What if they come looking for him?"
"Send them away."
"What if he has a daughter?" Hikaru responded.
"You know what to do about girls coming here, Hikaru. Give her the same treatment."
"If he did have a daughter and she hears of how you treated her father, she may not like you," Kaoru replied, leaning slightly against a wall. He didn't put his full weight on it, because he didn't want to ruin yet another wall.
"She will learn to like me," Kyoya said confidently.
"Not if you don't keep your temper in check," the teapot said hotly.
"Mother!" Honey exclaimed.
"It's the truth, Mitsukuni," his mother said. "No girl wants a man who is constantly angry."
"Break the curse and maybe I won't be so angry," Kyoya growled. He put his head in his hands. "I don't like who I have become, this angry beast. I can feel my humanity slipping with every month that passes."
"Then let's hope this Ryoji guy has a daughter then," Hikaru said as he left the room. Slowly, the objects left the room until it was just Kyoya and Tamaki.
"I can't take this anymore, Tamaki," Kyoya said, letting his guard down. Tamaki was his best friend. He felt he could talk to the former blonde human about anything. Tamaki may act like an idiot, but he occasionally gave some good advice and was a good listener. "If I cannot break this curse, I'll end my own life."
Tamaki let out a cry. "K-Kyoya!"
"I mean it. I cannot continue to exist like this, not for the rest of my life. I am slipping farther and farther away, changing into someone that I am not."
"Let's not get hasty," the mirror said, detaching one of his "arms" and laid it gently on his friend's large furry paw. "We still have several months until then. Who knows what will happen between now and then?"
Haruhi was washing dishes when she heard a familiar whinny. She looked through the window and saw Georgina gallop hurriedly toward the stable. The girl dropped her drying dish back into the water and exited the house to run toward the frightened horse.
"Georgina! Where's my father?" She had already seen that his bags were still attached to the saddle. The horse glanced back toward the wooded area barely visible from their town. Her heart beat harder. "Take me to him!" Georgina tried to buck out of her grasp, but Haruhi held firm. "Please, he could be hurt or sick or worse! He's all I have left." Finally, the horse calmed down reluctantly.
Haruhi went to get changed into comfortable riding clothes, including a loose white shirt, brown breeches, and soft leather boots. She grabbed a jacket in case it got cold later and headed toward Georgina. She swung up onto the saddle and urged Georgina into a trod toward the woods. Please, Father, be safe, she thought.
Georgina led her deep into the forest and Haruhi had to steady her when the wolves started to howl. "Easy," she whispered. She directed the horse onward. Once they got to a small clearing, she noticed something on the floor. Haruhi jumped down and hurried over to it. It was a ring, a ring her father would wear every day. It was given to him by her mother Kotoko as a wedding gift. It was a simple platinum band with her parents' birthstones embedded. Her eyes looked up and she noticed a castle ahead. She knew he would have gone for shelter, since it was getting cold out. She hurried back to Georgina and the two took off for the castle.
"Tamaki!"
"Yes, mon cherie?"
"Please don't do that. You know how that makes me feel."
Tamaki smirked seductively as he tried to get the featherduster closer to him. "Exactly, my dear."
"Tamaki, you know better than to seduce the dusters again."
The mirror let out a sigh and the duster managed to escape, but not without blushing. "You are a killjoy, Hikaru. Don't you see how much fun it is to pursue women?"
Hikaru crossed his "arms" again. "I don't see the pleasure in it, unless it is with the one I happen to love, and that is clearly not happening any time soon."
"Ah, mon ami, you are far too serious. You need to loosen up a little. No wonder you became a coatrack."
Suddenly the coatrack lunged toward Tamaki and the mirror let out a shriek and started running. They flew passed Mori who was in his usual position in the abandoned hallway toward the kitchen. He gave them a disapproving glare and continued to sit there. Eventually both friends wore themselves out and they were panting against a wall near the main hall. They barely caught their breath when they heard the main doors open.
"Guess we were right about Ryoji having family," Hikaru replied.
"Doesn't sound like many, though," Tamaki said.
They froze when they heard a feminine voice called out for her father. Hikaru edged closer to the slightly ajar door and peeked through the slit. His eyes widened. In the main hall was a girl around his age of sixteen. Her hair was a dark brown and curled slightly at the ends. She wore riding clothes along with a jacket. In Hikaru's eyes, she was beautiful, more beautiful than any of the proper, rich girls everyone had been used to before.
"She is his daughter," Hikaru whispered to Tamaki. "She's around my age and she's beautiful."
"She could be the one!" Tamaki said excitedly and he too peeked into the room. He let out a soft squeal and almost barged into the room when Hikaru held him back.
"Not so fast, Tamaki. We will not interfere."
The mirror turned toward the coatrack, his violet eyes turning watery. "Why not?"
"Just trust me."
Haruhi pulled her coat closer to her. The castle didn't feel warm like she thought it would. The main hall was large, with a grand staircase that had two seperate wings that led west and east. Underneath the staircases was a pair of double doors. She had no idea where her father would have gone, so she decided she would explore the castle in order to find him.
Tamaki and Hikaru followed her as she went room to room, calling out for her father. Tamaki wanted to help her but Hikaru restrained him, though he secretly wanted to help her too. They eventually stirred interest from Kaoru, Mori, and Honey, who followed them once they caught sight of the girl. Even the girl managed to get a small smile from Mori, his face lighting up for once.
Haruhi couldn't help but feel as though she was being followed. She would turn around and find no one behind her. But the feeling didn't go away. She let out a sigh and opened yet another door, but this one led to a spiral staircase that journeyed up. She climbed the stairs, her heart in her throat.
"We can't follow her up that!" Hikaru whispered. "She'll know we are there!"
"There were several close calls," Mori agreed.
Tamaki, however, was too busy squealing over how beautiful the girl was. "And did you see her eyes! Beau! Like the best chocolate the world has ever seen!"
"You are blowing this way out of proportion, Tamaki," Kaoru said. "I agree her eyes are beautiful but really... do you have to say things like that?"
"He's French," Hikaru said. "What do you expect?"
Tamaki let out a gasp and hurried toward a corner. The others rolled their eyes. They were used to his antics by now.
Haruhi felt her legs start to cramp a little as she continued to climb the stairs. Why were there so many? Just as she thought she was going to pass out, she reached the top and gasped. There was a blocked off room with bars and behind the bars was her father, lying on the ground.
"Father!" she cried out, rushing over to the bars.
Haruhi saw her father stir. "H-Haruhi... what you... doing..." Ryoji started to cough and she heard his chest rattle.
"You are sick! I've got to get you out of here." Haruhi started to look around the room for a spare key.
"Listen to me... you need to... leave..."
"Not without you, I won't!"
"You don't... understand... there's a ..."
"Well, well, look at what we have here."
Haruhi's eyes darted around the room. It was dark, despite the moonlight shining through the window. Whoever entered was hiding in the shadows. "Who's there?"
"The Lord of the castle," the smooth, deep voice replied.
Instantly she felt angry. "Who do you think you are, locking up a sick man like this? Have you no hospitality?"
Kyoya's back stiffened. Despite her being extremely pretty, it was obvious she was stubborn. When he looked back at this moment, he would feel extremely guilty for treating her like this, but in that moment, he felt angry that she spoke to him like that. He had said he was the lord of the castle, therefore its master.
"He trespassed. That is enough to get him executed," he growled.
"Haruhi... no..." the man in the cell mumbled. Kyoya's keen ears picked up on that and he mentally filed that in his head. Haruhi... a beautiful name.
"Let him go. He needs medical treatment or he'll die!" Haruhi argued, tears starting to form behind her eyes.
"I cannot let him go," Kyoya said. "He is my prisoner."
Just as he started to turn away, he heard her cry out for him to stop. He turned around, knowing she wouldn't see him. He made sure of that.
Haruhi paused, her mind screaming at her for what she was going to do next. Then, she mustered up her courage and said, "Take me instead."
"WHAT?" Ryoji cried out before he dissolved into a coughing fit. "Haruhi... no... don't know... what you doing..."
She ignored her father. "If you take me instead of him, will you let him go?"
Kyoya kept his mask up, despite the shadows, when what he really wanted to do was smile. Yes, this could turn out perfectly. She could stay here and he would get her to fall in love with him.
"There is no going back on our deal if you wish to continue this," he said.
"I understand," she said stiffly. Something was urging her to take this deal, that it would make her happier in the long run.
She felt something brush past her and unlock the bars that were keeping her father locked in. Whoever the lord of the castle was still kept to the shadows, not allowing her to see him. Was he that hideous? Just as Ryoji started to crawl toward her, he was snatched and led down the stairs. She watched from the window as her father was shoved into a carriage and the carriage moved by itself. She gasped. Then she heard the footsteps on the stairs.
"I didn't get to say goodbye," she whispered to herself. She turned toward where she believed he was. "He's gone?"
"Yes," the man said. "I have made sure he will be transported to a hospital to receive medical attention."
"Thank you," she said. She squinted in the moonlight to try to see a glimpse of the man she was locked in with. "Can you come into the light? I cannot see you."
Kyoya hesitated slightly. He knew how this would go, but she did ask. He slid forward into the patch of moonlight by his feet. He allowed his feet to make contact with the light. He watched her face twist in confusion. He found that her reactions were endearing. At least she didn't seem to hide her emotions like he did. Slowly he revealed himself in the light until his face became bathed in the cool light.
Haruhi stifled a gasp, her eyes going wide with horror. No wonder he kept himself cloaked in darkness. He was a monster, a beast. She couldn't help but think back to the book she loved more than anything, about a prince who was cursed to be a beast. She knew she shouldn't believe in fairy tales but she had a thought that maybe she stumbled into her own personal fairy tale, where a prince was a beast.
Kyoya turned away from her gaze, unable to handle the horror in her beautiful brown eyes. He would wipe that look from her. Not by force, however. He had a feeling that forcing her to do anything would immediately backfire on him. No, he would have to be gentle, patient. Yes, he would enjoy this chase, especially if the prize would be Haruhi as his wife.
"Follow me," he said.
"W-why?" she asked.
"Do you seriously want to stay here in this tower? It gets rather chilly especially if there's a wind."
Haruhi glanced around the room and then decided to follow the beast. "If I may ask, can you tell me your name? I don't want to call you beast or something like that."
There was silence before he answered. "My name is Kyoya Otori."
Haruhi nearly stumbled on the stairs. "You are an Otori? I'm in the next country?"
Kyoya stifled his amusement. "Yes, to both your questions. I'm the third son of the Otori family. I was promised this castle as my home. I have my own set of servants and I hope you will be courteous to them. As you are aware, this is not how I used to look."
Haruhi couldn't help but giggle slightly. "No, of course not, if you are an Otori. You must be cursed then?"
"I know it seems like something out of a fairy tale, but yes. My servants as well are cursed but they look more like objects than a beast."
They passed by the west wing and she couldn't help but notice how much darker this wing was compared to the rest of the castle. "Kyoya... what's in there?"
Kyoya turned to look and his face darkened. "You are not to go in there. It's forbidden."
Haruhi was curious but thought nothing of it. He continued to lead her to the east wing. It wasn't until they rounded the corner that they were ambushed by a full-length mirror, talking excitedly. Haruhi stepped back with a gasp. Sure, Kyoya had warned her that his servants were cursed, but she didn't think they would be cursed as objects.
"Kyoya! Mon ami! So you did find her after all."
She frowned. "Wait, what do you mean he found me?" Then her eyes narrowed. "You were following me?"
In the mirror she saw a face. It wasn't bad-looking. The face didn't have any hair but it did have beautiful violet eyes and a wide smile. "You almost caught us several times, mon cherie, but luckily you thought we were men when we aren't."
"Haruhi, this is my personal assistant and friend Tamaki Suou. Tamaki, this is Haruhi."
"I would bow and kiss your hand, but..." Tamaki's eyes gestured around the edges of the mirror.
"It's fine. I probably wouldn't accept it anyway."
Tamaki's eyes went wide and Kyoya contained his laughter. Yes, Haruhi would fit in nicely. Maybe she would keep Tamaki in his place.
"B-but... what girl wouldn't want a kiss on the hand?"
Haruhi let out a huff. "I'm not like the girls you are used to. I'm not a spoiled rich girl who would fall over you and be obedient like a perfect housewife."
This time, Kyoya couldn't keep quiet anymore. He let out a chuckle, causing both the mirror and Haruhi to look at him. Tamaki was surprised at first but then he smiled. If Haruhi caused Kyoya to laugh, then it was settled. He and the others needed to get them together. It seemed as though Kyoya was already starting to fall for the brown-haired commoner. If he kept acting the way he was now, Haruhi would no doubt fall for his best friend.
Tamaki pouted and went to a corner, mumbling about mean girls. Haruhi watched with a raised eyebrow. Kyoya continued to chuckle and gestured for her to follow him. "Do not mind Tamaki. He is a bit, shall I say, eccentric."
"A bit?" she asked, amusement flooding into her voice. "What kind of servants do you have? Are they as weird as him?"
"No one is as weird as he is," Kyoya said, "but they do have their, ah, moments. Trust me, they are wonderful friends and servants." They arrived at the end of the corridor. "This is where you will stay during your time here. If you are in need of anything, my servants would be more than happy to help you."
"What about..."
Kyoya turned to look at her. She looked up at him, at his eyes. They were beautiful, the color of storm clouds. "Yes, Haruhi?"
She held back her shudder. Just like with Kasanoda, her name slipped off his tongue like velvet. She mentally shook herself. "Never mind, Kyoya. Thank you for the room."
He bowed slightly at the waist before he remembered that she was not a rich girl. He straighted up but he did see the slight twinkle of her eye when he bowed to her. "You are welcome. Have a pleasant evening." He turned and strode away.
Haruhi watched him so she didn't notice anyone standing behind her until it was too late. Something jabbed her slightly and she jumped, letting out a yelp.
"Hikaru! Don't startle her like that!"
She whirled around and wasn't quite as surprised to see a coatrack and a wardrobe behind her. The face on the wardrobe was on the very top, where an elegant design would be and the face on the coatrack was underneath his hooks. Both had golden eyes, like what you would see on an animal.
"Good evening," they both said.
"You are twins, aren't you?" she asked.
"Got it in one," they chorused.
"I'm Hikaru," the coatrack said.
"And I'm Kaoru," the wardrobe said.
"We're the Hitachiin twins," they finished together.
Haruhi felt faint. "Hitachiins? The Hitachiins?"
"You sound shocked," Hikaru said with amusement.
"But I thought... Kyoya said you were his servants..."
"Yes, we are but we are more like his friends. We are paid to serve him. When we become of age, we can take over our parents' company," Kaoru responded.
Haruhi stared at them a little while longer and turned back to her room. She opened the door and gasped. The bedroom was beautiful, with a queen-sized four-poster bed complete with white curtains hanging around it. Near the window was a white couch with a few bookshelves lining the wall. There also was another wardrobe perched by the door.
"Don't worry, that wardrobe is normal," Kaoru said with a laugh.
She turned to glare at him only to find that her glare faded once she saw him. She muttered to herself and entered the room. Hikaru and Kaoru waited out in the hallway, much to her happiness, only to realize that they were raised to not enter a lady's bedroom. That much she had learned from Kasanoda.
"Is everything to your liking?" Hikaru asked.
Haruhi shuddered. "Please don't talk like that. It disturbs me."
"You are our honored guest," Kaoru said, looking confused.
"Just treat me like you would treat a friend," she said. "Please?"
The twins looked at each other and back to her. "If you say so," they replied. "Good night, um..."
"Haruhi," she offered with a smile.
Beautiful name, they thought.
"Good night, Haruhi," they said, leaving the corridor.
What is it with these rich guys and being able to roll my name off their tongue? she wondered. She opened the drawers of the wardrobe and found some feminine pajamas. Haruhi changed quickly and slid into bed. To her surprise, the bed was warm and she fell asleep quickly.
(Chapter Three: Haruhi's Stay)
Over the next two weeks, Haruhi started to get used to staying in the castle and its strange inhabitants. She met Mori and Honey the day after her first night at the castle. She took an instant liking to Honey, who visited her every day possible. In fact, most of Kyoya's servants saw her every day, especially the twins and Tamaki. She rarely saw Kyoya but when she did he was polite and engaged her in intelligent conversation, something she always wanted in a relationship. Haruhi blushed at the thought.
By the time she finished with her shower and got dressed, Honey was waiting by her bedside, filled to the brim with hot steaming tea. As she took the cup, she often wondered what it must feel like to him, to be a teacup.
"You seem lost in thought," Honey replied.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," Haruhi said.
Honey watched her then he opened his mouth. "You are wondering about the curse, aren't you?" He felt slightly guilty when she jumped. "It's okay, you know. Lord Kyoya told us that we can tell you if you ever ask. It's something you should know, if you are going to stay with us."
"You wouldn't mind..." Haruhi said, looking uncertain.
Honey suddenly smiled. "Of course not! You are our friend. Right?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
"You should take a seat, this could be awhile." He waited until she sat on her bed before he started. "This happened a year ago. Lord Kyoya hates to be wakened before ten in the morning. As you have noticed, Tamaki doesn't follow orders very well, especially those given by Lord Kyoya. Anyway, one morning Tamaki woke Lord Kyoya before ten, causing the prince to be in a horrible mood. An old beggar woman appeared on his doorstep, begging for shelter from the storm. He refused her. She offered him a rose in exchange and he still refused. Turns out, the beggar woman was really an enchantress. She cursed him for judging on appearances. We were cursed along with him."
Haruhi didn't know what to think. It did sound familiar, like the one story she loved more than anything. "Is there any way the curse can be broken?"
Honey eyed her. "There is but he forbade us to tell you that much. Just knowing there is a way to break it should be enough." Then he smiled cheerfully. "Did you want more tea?"
She declined and he hopped away, whistling. She sat there, thinking about their situation. She understood that Kyoya had a temper and she was told that he had a nickname amongst his friends because of his anger when woken before ten. That nickname was the Low-Blood-Pressure-Demon-Overlord. Haruhi couldn't imagine what his anger would be like, since she hasn't experienced it first hand. He seemed too sweet and intelligent to hide an anger like that.
After she finished her thinking, she decided to wander around again. She didn't find the Hitachiin twins anywhere in the corridor, which they usually would be there, ready to tease her. Ever since she told them to act freely around her, they would tease her like they would tease Tamaki, only it turned into flirting on occasion. Though, oddly, they never flirted with her when Kyoya was around.
She entered the main hall and was headed toward the door when she caught sight of the west wing. Kyoya had mentioned weeks ago that the west wing was forbidden but Haruhi was curious. Seeing no one was around, she climbed up the stairs that led to the west wing. It looked like any other corridor in the castle, filled with armor suits and arched ceilings. Various paintings hung on the walls but this hallway had different paintings. There were six paintings, two women and four men. The two biggest pictures were of the parents, since the four kids looked like them. She recognized the color of the eyes of the boys. The paintings must be the Otori family. Her eyes eagerly landed on what seemed like the youngest son, who she knew to be Kyoya, only to be dismayed when the painting was horribly slashed, but she did see some of the features. Haruhi blushed slightly. He was beautiful, from what she could see.
She tore her eyes from his portrait and continued down the hall. She encountered more portraits, this time of the slaves. They weren't as torn up as the others, so she could see what they looked like before they were cursed. Every one of her friends were just as gorgeous as Kyoya was, especially the twins and Tamaki.
At the end of the corridor was a pair of double doors made from oak. One door was slightly ajar. Not wanting to disturb Kyoya if he were in there, she peeked her head in the room. It was dark and full of furniture that had covers on them. Everything except a rose kept underneath a glass container. Seeing no one was in the room, she tiptoed in, not wanting to make a noise. Haruhi drew closer to the rose. So, this must be the infamous cursed rose, she thought. It really is beautiful. She reached out to touch it when a furry paw stopped her. Haruhi gasped. She was caught.
"What have I told you about not entering the west wing?" Kyoya asked quietly in her ear.
"Kyoya, I..."
"Enough," he snarled. He grabbed her and took her out of the west wing. "You betrayed my trust in you, Haruhi."
Haruhi didn't look him in the eye, afraid of what she would see. It hurt her enough that she lost his trust, and maybe even his friendship.
"Get out."
Her heart stopped. What?
"I said, get out."
She couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
"GET OUT!"
Haruhi could now understand why the others were so afraid of him when he was angry. She fled the room, down the stairs, and headed straight for the main doors. Kaoru was in the main hall when she scrambled down. He looked started when she flew past.
"Haruhi?" he called, pushing himself off of the wall. "Haruhi, where are you going?"
"I'm sorry, Kaoru," she panted, wrenching the doors open. "I can't stay here anymore. Tell everyone I'm sorry."
"Please, what's going on? Talk to me."
Haruhi turned around and Kaoru let out a gasp. There were tear tracks on her cheeks. "I'm sorry." She stepped out into the night and shut the door behind her.
"Damn it, Kyoya," Kaoru grumbled.
"She's gone?" Tamaki nearly shrieked.
Kyoya continued to stare out the window.
"Kyoya! Why did you chase her away?"
"She went into the west wing without my permission. She saw the rose."
"So?" Mori replied, shocking the room into silence.
"She disobeyed me!" Kyoya growled.
"Tamaki has disobeyed you several times and you never reacted like that," Hikaru said.
"You must have hurt her, for she was crying, Kyoya!" Kaoru dropped the "Lord" title to show how angry he was. "I've never seen her cry before."
"She still shouldn't have been in there," Kyoya said angrily.
"Not to intrude," Honey said, "but there's going to be a blizzard tonight."
"And Haruhi's out in it," Hikaru growled, punching a wall with a hook.
Georgina must have gone home for she was nowhere in sight. Haruhi let out a sigh and attempted to cross the bridge linking the castle to the earth. It was hard for her to see past the blowing snow. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to leave the castle but she couldn't stand to be in the same place as Kyoya. Hell, it even hurt to think of his name.
She charged forth, determined to get home quickly before the weather got worse. Over the sound of the wind she couldn't hear the sound of the wolves howling. They got closer and closer. She didn't notice until they were right in front of her. She gasped. Of all the things... she had to get attacked by wolves. And by the looks of it, hungry wolves. She knew to stay still and not to make any sudden movements, but she knew that hungry wolves would take down anything they could eat.
She tried to run but the wolves were faster. One jumped and tackled her to the ground, landing on her back. Another one grabbed hold of her arm, biting down. She let out a yell. Now she really wished she hadn't left the castle. There would be nothing left of her once the wolves were done with her. A tear fell down her cheek. She wouldn't see any of her friends again. Tamaki, the twins, Mori, Honey, Kyoya...
The wolf that was on her back was suddenly flung off of her. Also, the wolf chewing on her arm was gone. She blinked and looked up, her eyes widening. Kyoya was standing over her, growling at the growling wolves, his gray eyes hard. After a long stare-down, the wolves ran away. Haruhi shivered, her wound coming in contact with the cold snow. She leaned closer to his arm and tugged.
Kyoya looked down at the girl beneath him and noticed her arm. He swore under his breath and immediately climbed off of her, pulling her into his arms. The last thing Haruhi remembered before she passed out was Kyoya mumbling something under his breath about troublesome women.
"Is she..."
"...fine... her arm..."
"Infection... tried... best..."
"...Lord... okay..."
"Worried... locked... west wing..."
Haruhi fought to open her eyes. When she did, she saw two pairs of concerned golden eyes staring down at her. She could feel something touching her hair.
"You're awake," Kaoru whispered, smiling brightly.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You got an infection when the wolf bit you," Hikaru said. Whatever was touching her hair moved and it felt smooth. She realized that it was Hikaru touching her. "We did what we could to fight it. It must have worked, for you are awake and your arm is looking better."
Haruhi looked from his eyes to Kaoru's. Then she let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, guys."
"What are you sorry for?" the twins asked.
She looked away. "Sorry for making you worry. It's my fault I walked out there without realizing the weather."
"It's not your fault," Hikaru said, moving his "arm" once more. Though it wasn't quite a hand, she still felt comfortable, relaxed.
"No, it's my fault for being curious. I betrayed him. Now he won't trust me anymore. And it's my fault."
Kyoya stood outside the room, listening to their conversation. His heart hurt when he heard the despair and sadness in her voice. He couldn't help but enter her room, wanting to soothe the girl. The twins looked up and Kyoya motioned with his head that they should leave. After they left the room, Kyoya looked down at her.
"I apologize for yelling at you," he said with difficulty.
"Kyoya..."
He pushed a finger to her lips. "Hush. Let me explain." She stared him in the eyes and nodded. He lifted his finger, trying to keep in his blush. She felt so soft. "The west wing represents eveything that I have lost. You saw the portraits, I assume." She nodded again. He looked away. "I have ruined my friends' lives with my selfishness. Maybe I do not have the capacity to feel anything."
"That's not true," Haruhi said, reaching out with an arm only to realize it was the arm that was injured. She winced. "I have seen what you are capable of. Yes, you are angry, a lot, but that is not you. I have seen you smile and laugh." This time, she reached out with her good arm and touched his furry cheek. The fur there was soft and she stroked it gently.
Kyoya touched her hand, forcing himself not to nuzzle into the warm palm. He felt strange and he already knew why. He, Kyoya Otori, had fallen in love with Haruhi. She was the light to his darkness. He would give anything to keep her safe.
"If you say so," he replied with a smile.
Haruhi let out a laugh.
(Chapter Four: Letting Go)
"I don't know why I let you talk me into doing this, Tamaki," Kyoya grumbled.
Hikaru, who was busy combing out his fur, chuckled. "Oh, come on, Lord Kyoya. You love her, don't you?" He ducked a little when Kyoya growled at him. "Usually when you like someone, you take them out on... hey!"
Kyoya managed to push the coatrack away from him but Kaoru blocked the prince's escape.
"Just, try it," Kaoru replied.
"Pretty please?" the mirror asked, puffing his eyes out so he looked like a little puppy.
Not the eyes, Kyoya thought. Then he sighed. "Do your worst, Hikaru," he said, plopping back down on the stool.
"As usual," Hikaru said, smiling.
Meanwhile, Haruhi allowed some of the female servants (transformed into different hairstyling utensils) to do her hair while she eyed the dress Kaoru left out for her. It consisted of no sleeves but had shoulder straps to keep the dress on her. It narrowed at the waist but puffed out as the dress reached her hips. The dress was a lovely cream color.
"There we go, dear," the hairbrush replied, settling back down on the desk.
Haruhi gasped when she looked in the mirror. Her brown hair was curled and pulled up into a bun, with a few tendrils of hair trailing down to frame her face. Also, she wore the tiniest amount of make-up, just enough to enhance her brown eyes.
"Now put on the dress and we can be on our way," the teapot responded, smiling at the girl.
"You didn't have to do this, Mrs. Haninozuka," Haruhi said, dropping her towel and started to put on her undergarments.
"Please, dear, call me Mrs. Huni if you must. And yes we did. It isn't often that Lord Kyoya apologizes. He wanted to make it up to you for his treatment of you. Please accept it."
"I do," she replied, finally slipping the dress on. The various servants gave her praise and, as she looked in the mirror, she had to agree. She looked nothing like her normal self. No, she looked more like a princess than the commoner she truly was.
"We'll meet you later on in the evening," Mrs. Huni replied, ushering the rest out of the room. Haruhi stared at herself a bit longer before she donned on her matching elbow-length gloves and exiting the room. Her friends complimented her generously as she walked toward the ballroom, especially Tamaki. She remembered him saying something along the lines of "my little girl has finally grown up!" Hikaru and Kaoru, after finishing staring at the girl, teased the mirror about being a pervert. As she reached the ballroom, she found Mori standing next to the doors. He gave her a warm smile before opening the door. In the middle of the room stood Kyoya and she gasped. He cleaned up really well, with his fur being perfectly groomed and dressed in a blue suit with a white undershirt.
It took Kyoya all of his self-control to not drool over Haruhi's attire. Yes, she would fit in perfectly in his world. He would have to thank the twins for specially designing the dress made for her.
"You look beautiful," he said as she drew nearer.
"You don't look too bad yourself," she said with a wide smile.
He smiled back. "Dinner first, then maybe some dancing?"
"I'm not sure about the dancing," she said, looking down. "I'm not a good dancer."
He pulled her chin up so she was looking at him. "You'll do fine. No one is judging you here tonight." It was driving him crazy being unable to kiss her. The urge was so strong. If the spell were to be broken, he would waste no time in giving her all the kisses she could ever need. After pulling himself out of his daydream, Kyoya offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
Dinner was a wonderful affair, for Haruhi got to try brand new foods she never had. Sure, she had tried lots of different foods since her stay here, but nothing compared to what tonight brought. After the food was finished, Kyoya escorted her to the middle of the ballroom. No music played but he twirled her around the floor, dancing to the music in his head. After a few steps, she started to get the hang of the dance. She smiled and dropped her head into his chest, inhaling the pure scent of Kyoya. For some reason, his scent reminded her of spices, like cinnamon, and mint and something purely him.
Kyoya tightened his arms around her as her head layed on his chest. He looked up at his friends, who were smiling at them. He found that he couldn't have been happier than he was at that moment.
Once they stopped dancing, the couple went out onto the balcony. The others left them alone, hoping that they would reveal their feelings for the other. It was obvious the two were in love. It was just a matter of them admitting it out loud for the curse to be broken.
Haruhi stared out at the distance, admiring the view of the forest. It wasn't so bad now that she could see above it.
"Haruhi? Is something wrong?"
She looked up. His steel gray eyes were filled with worry and another emotion that caused her heartbeat to speed up. "I'm fine. It's just... I wonder how my father is. I have no contact outside the castle and no one knows that I am here."
Kyoya let out a sigh and produced a hand mirror from his breast pocket. "I've been meaning to give this to you. It's a special mirror, designed to show you anything you want. All you have to do is ask it what you want to see."
Haruhi smiled. "Is this how you found me? That night?"
He turned away but not before she saw a light blush on his face. She never knew that he could blush, especially with all that fur. "Er, yes."
She patted his hand and held up the mirror. "Show me my father, Ryoji Fujioka."
The hand mirror glowed and the reflective surface revealed her father in a hospital bed, looking paler than ever. Haruhi looked stricken. She dropped the mirror from her gaze and met Kyoya's. She must have shown her fear, for Kyoya reached out to touch her hands.
Kyoya couldn't believe he was doing this. His mind and his heart were screaming at him to stop but he knew he had to do this. It was for the best. He could live with the consequences. "I release you from our deal, Haruhi," he spoke. Every word pierced him like a thousand hot knives. "Your father needs you."
Haruhi was shocked then she smiled sadly at him. She couldn't believe he was doing this. And she was so close too, to admitting that she loved him. The sixteen-year-old reached out to touch his cheek with her glove. "Thank you, Kyoya, for understanding."
He nodded and didn't watch as she dashed from the balcony. He couldn't move, he was in so much pain. A few tears squeezed past his iron control and tangled with his fur.
"Lord Kyoya?"
Kyoya continued to sit there, silently grieving his loss. "I let her go."
"Y-you did WHAT!" Tamaki cried out.
"How could you?" Hikaru asked.
"Her father was in danger," Kyoya said. "I let her go... because I love her. I want her to be happy, even if it isn't with me."
(Chapter Five: Happily Ever After?)
"Father?"
Ryoji smiled, even if it was just a dream. "Haruhi," he whispered.
"Father, wake up!"
"No," he whimpered, hugging his pillow. Wait, a pillow?
Ryoji snapped awake and sitting before him was his daughter, dressed in the very clothes she left the house with. She was smiling down at him, though her eyes betrayed her. He knew something had happened and he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not.
"HARUHI!" he cried, pulling her down into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, Daddy was so worried for you! He didn't hurt you did he?"
She laughed, though it sounded bitter. "No, Father. He was... kind, to me. Kyoya treated me just fine."
He blinked. The sadness deepened in her eyes and a light bulb went off in his mind. He couldn't believe it. His daughter was in love with the monster that took him. From what she said, he wasn't at all like the one monster he had encountered.
"But, Haruhi, how did you escape?"
"I didn't Father," she said. "He let me go."
Before Ryoji could ask any further, a young nurse came barging in, panting. "Miss Haruhi, Kasanoda wants to speak with you. Now."
Haruhi let out a sigh and patted her father's hand. "I'll go take care of this, Father. You wait here." She strode out of the hospital with her head held high.
"Atta girl," Ryoji muttered with a smile.
"I don't believe you."
Haruhi groaned. "I'm telling you the truth. He may look like a beast but he's really sweet and intelligent. He wouldn't hurt anyone." She hated herself for telling a half-lie but she needed to get across to Kasanoda that Kyoya wasn't a monster.
Kasanoda, however, didn't listen. Or at least, appeared not to. "If I didn't know any better, Haruhi, I'd say you are in love with the beast."
She gaped at him. How did he...?
"He's better than you are," she found herself saying.
Smack!
Her head whipped to the side as Kasanoda smacked her. Those who were watching them talk gasped. Kasanoda was panting, glaring at the girl he loved.
"I'll find this beast and take him down," he growled. "Only then can you love me." He stalked off before she could protest.
"Oh, mother, what do I do know?" she asked quietly.
"Where's the Lord?"
Tamaki's eyes turned toward the door and Kaoru looked at it too. Ever since Haruhi left, Kyoya fell into a deep depression. He refused to eat anything and seemed to sleep a lot. When he was out of his room, he didn't say a word. Every one of his servants could see the tears he was hiding as his eighteenth birthday drew nearer. Already, the petals were starting to fall. Tonight, at midnight, would be his birthday. Everyone believed that it was useless to hope that the curse would be broken by tonight. If anything, they wanted it to be broken so Kyoya would snap out of his depression and be happy, like he was whenever Haruhi was around.
"I think he'll do it," Tamaki whispered, thinking back to when Kyoya told him that he would kill himself after his eighteenth birthday if the curse wasn't broken.
"Do what?" Kaoru asked.
"Take his own life if the curse isn't broken."
The younger twin sighed. "I thought he would. I know I wouldn't be able to live with myself being a beast for the rest of my life. Especially if I couldn't be with the one I love the most."
Tamaki was about to respond when Hikaru burst into the room, panting heavily.
"We've got trouble."
Kasanoda could hardly believe he was doing this, but it had to be done. He needed to destroy this beast so he could marry his beloved Haruhi. The beast must have forced himself on her, forced her to fall in love with him. Kasanoda couldn't stomach anyone forcing themselves on his future bride-to-be. He felt sickened.
"Kasanoda, wait!"
He turned around, eyes widening. Haruhi was behind him, still in her riding clothes.
"Don't do this!" she exclaimed.
"I must," he growled. "He forced you to fall in love with him. You belong to me, not him."
The doors opened to reveal Kyoya and Haruhi let out a gasp. He looked terrible, nothing like the handsome person she saw the previous couple of nights. She wanted to run into his arms and reassure him, to comfort him, to tell him that she loved him.
"What do you want?" Kyoya grumbled, glaring at the red-haired man. Then he noticed the brunette beside him and his eyes widened. "Haruhi?"
She smiled at how different his voice was when he said her name. It was like he was back to his old self. "Kyoya..."
Kasanoda growled. "Hey, Otori, back to me! Let's settle this, man to man!"
"Settle what?" the youngest Otori replied.
"Who should win Haruhi's heart."
Before Kyoya could get a word in, Kasanoda whipped out a long sword and leapt at the beast, yelling out a cry. Luckily Kyoya managed to dodge the blow and he kicked at the younger man's back, sending him flying onto the cobblestone. Kasanoda jumped up and charged again, this time nicking Kyoya's side a little. The beast howled and threw him aside. Kasanoda crumpled against the wall of the bridge.
"Kyoya!" Haruhi called.
Kyoya looked up and started to walk forward, toward the girl he loved, when he felt something slice into his back. He howled once more and fell, landing face down. While Kasanoda seemed to smirk, the already unstable ground beneath him collapsed and Haruhi, having rushed forward to Kyoya's collapsed form, watched as Kasanoda fell to his death.
"Haru...hi..."
"Don't talk right now," Haruhi said, failing to hold back her tears. She spotted a few servants nearby and yelled for them to find the private doctor who lived in the castle.
"Won't be... enough... time..." Kyoya panted, lifting his head to look up into Haruhi's brown eyes. He reached out to wipe her tears away. "Never... got to say..."
"You'll be okay, Kyoya," Haruhi whimpered, clutching the hand he raised to her face. "Help is on the way."
He smiled. "Silly girl... I never got to... finish... what I wanted... to say." He took in a breath, feeling himself start to fade. He needed to tell her, even if it wouldn't matter, even if she never felt the same. "Haruhi... I love... you..."
Haruhi gasped. His gray eyes showed her the truth as well. Just as she was opening her mouth, she felt Kyoya's body start to grow limp. "Kyoya!"
"Love... you," he gasped out.
"KYOYA!" she cried out as his head clunked on the cobblestone, his eyes slipping shut and his body relaxing, just as the cart and all the servants arrived.
"What happened?" Hikaru asked, seeing the lord's body and Haruhi on top of him, clutching his fur.
"We were too late," Tamaki whispered.
"No, Kyoya, no!" they heard her cry. "Please, don't leave me! You said you wouldn't... Kyoya, please, I love you! Please, come back to me! COME BACK, KYOYA!"
The clouds above them decided to open up and downpour onto the grieving servants. It was like the weather knew what had transpired and was sharing their grief.
Haruhi continued to sob into Kyoya's neck, feeling her heart break. She was so distraught that she didn't realize anything was going on until she felt Kyoya slipping away, physically. She lifted her eyes and watched as his body was lifted up above the ground, light glowing from everywhere. Haruhi squinted, since her vison was slightly poor, and she gasped. Fur receded into smooth pale skin, jet black hair the color of his fur covered the top of head. All around her, the servants were gasping as well before they too were engulfed with light.
Once the light faded, Kyoya was settled on the ground, human and just the way Haruhi imagined him to be. Her hope continued to soar when she saw him move, just the slightest bit. She slid over to him, wanting to see those gray eyes she loved so much. As if sensing her, Kyoya opened his eyes, squinting. Then he smiled, a bright, beautiful smile.
"Haruhi," he said, his voice full of love and happiness. Even his voice changed slightly, no longer growling or as deep as it was.
She smiled back, reaching down to brush one of his cheeks. "Kyoya," she breathed.
As their faces started to draw nearer, Haruhi let out a yelp when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and begin to twirl her around. "Mon ami, mon ami, you did it!"
She scrambled out of the arms and looked up at a now-human Tamaki, who grinned at her. If she hadn't have fallen in love with Kyoya, she knew she would have fallen for Tamaki.
"Hey, Tamaki, why do you get to hog her?"
Once again, Haruhi was lifted into another hug, but this time, she wasn't spun around and another pair of arms wrapped around her. She looked to see the twins, human as well, with their pale red hair and identical golden eyes. Just as she was going to speak, a boy around the age of eleven hugged her around the waist, looking up at her with big brown eyes. "Hi, Haruhi!"
"Honey?" she asked.
"Amazing, isn't it, how small he is for his age?" Kaoru said, ruffling the older boy's hair. "No one would think he was nineteen."
As Honey let her go to chase Kaoru around, she felt yet another pair of arms pull her into a hug. This time, she knew who it was. She looked up into the smiling face of Mori, his gray eyes warm.
"Thank you, Haruhi," he responded, ruffling her hair the same way Kaoru did to Honey.
"If you don't mind, Mori, I have unfinished business with her."
The two turned to look at Kyoya, who had an eyebrow raised. Mori chuckled and gently pushed Haruhi toward Kyoya, who took her easily back into his arms.
"Thank you, Haruhi," he whispered, his gray eyes shining with love. "You broke the curse."
"But what did I do?" she asked, confused.
He leaned down so their faces were an inch away from each other, his breath touching her lips and sending electric sparks down her veins and nerves. "You love me," he whispered. "You love me as I love you. I was cursed because I didn't know love or compassion. And you broke the curse by making me love you."
Haruhi had had enough of talking by then. She reached her arms around to the back of his neck and moved forward to connect their lips together in a kiss. The two stood there, liplocked, for what seemed like an eternity. They could hear the whistling and cheering from the servants and their friends, but they didn't care. All they had were each other and that was enough for them.
(Epilogue)
"You outdid yourself again, Kyoya."
Kyoya turned to meet his father's gaze. "Hello, Father," he responded with a nod.
Yoshio looked around the main hall and back to his son. "So, what is this I hear of you getting married?"
Kyoya smiled and Yoshio was pleased to see that his son was happy. "Yes, Father. Next month Haruhi and I will be wedded. If you have the time, you may attend."
The older Otori nodded. "Thank you. So, where is this lovely woman of yours?"
Kyoya let his smile turn into a grin. "Getting ready."
"For the last time, I said NO!"
"But, Haruhi..."
The door slammed shut. The twins stopped their fake crying and leaned into each other as they laughed. It was fun to still tease her about dressing her up in anything possible and Haruhi would decline, knowing the twins wanted to see her naked. She knew it was all in good fun though. Hikaru may have crushed on her but he got over it once he saw how happy Kyoya was with Haruhi and vice versa.
"PERVERTED TWINS! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO SEE MY DARLING GIRL NAKED!"
The twins' golden eyes lit up once more. It was much more fun to tease Tamaki than it was with Haruhi.
Haruhi felt nervous as she stood by the staircase leading down to the party. Kyoya was beside her, an arm wrapped around her waist as he stared at her, smiling happily.
"No need to be worried," he said, leaning down to brush a kiss on her neck, causing her to shiver. He smirked. "Just be yourself and they'll love you."
"Wasn't it you who said that commoners shouldn't speak badly of the rich?" she asked, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Kyoya took that as a challenge. "And if I did, dearest?"
"Let's see you find out, shall we?" She brushed past him, teasing him as she readied herself for her announcement.
He grinned. How he loved challenges, especially if they made her forget her nervousness. "Oh, Haruhi, you should be glad that I love you so much," he responded, walking up to join her.
"And you should be lucky I love you too," she responded back.
They kissed quickly before heading down the stairs, smiling for the applauding guests.
Fin
A/N: Can you believe I wrote most of this in one day? I think my muse decided to give me some relief from a writer's block and gifted me with this chance to write something.
For the seventh chapter poll, please put in your reviews who you want Haruhi to hook up with out of the six male hosts. To allow you some thinking before you vote, the seventh chapter's fairy tale is Cinderella. Who should be Haruhi's Prince Charming? Please, please vote! And review, don't forget that too. Tell me how I did!
