Hey, what's up. This is actually the first fanfiction I've written in a really long time. I was going to make this chapter a lot longer, actually-I had a lot more planned for it-but I figured I didn't want to put too much into one chapter, so it ends kind of awkwardly. Read and review please!

This time, at least, it all had the decency to begin with a note. A warning of what madness was to come. Of course, warnings aren't much solace if you can't really do anything about what's happening to begin with, but still. It was a nice change from just being randomly thrust into ridiculous situations.

Simple, really. After another meeting of the SOS brigade-another pointless waste of the afternoon, having to put up with Haruhi complaining how bored she was. After having played Koizumi in chess for about three straight hours. After flirting around with Mikuru-as much as he dared to, anyway-Kyon was cleaning up, putting on his jacket, when Yuki handed him another book.

"Hmmm? What's this?" said Kyon, taking the book from Yuki. It was titled 'The Singularity is Near.' Yeah, it seemed like pretty standard stuff for the girl.

"You should read it."

"Uh huh." Kyon regarded the book skeptically. He glanced towards the door, where Haruhi was harassing Mikuru about something or other. He leaned in close to Yuki. "Is this like the last time, where I'm going to get a note telling me to meet you later?"

Yuki was silent for a moment, just staring back at him. Damn, that was unnerving. "Correct," she answered finally.

"You know, if you want to talk to me, you can just ask me. You don't have to send me a message in a book."

"Noted. However, I do think you should read this book as well. The information about the requested time and place of the meeting are on the note in the book."

Kyon grimaced, and hefted the book in his hand. It was pretty dense. He didn't know at what rate Yuki could read-hell, knowing what she was, she could probably read something like this in thirty seconds if she really wanted to-but it'd take him a few weeks to get anywhere with this.

Ignoring Haruhi as she yelled for them to get out of the room, Kyon tucked the book into his bag. So much for getting a full night's sleep.

******************************************************************************

Haruhi was walking home along the same route as Kyon. In fact, she seemed to be waiting for him. He supposed it was too much to ask for a few moments of peace and quiet.

However, as they walked along, all was silent for the first few moments. Kyon didn't know whether to be thankful or to regard this as the calm before the storm.

"So what was that Yuki gave you this afternoon?" Haruhi asked abruptly. She was being more…quiet and calm than usual. In fact, now that he thought about it, Kyon noticed that she had been more calm than usual for the past few weeks.

"Hmmm? Oh. It's just a book," Kyon answered, shifting his bag so it was between him and Haruhi. This would prove to be a mistake.

"I know that, dummy! What book was it?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Can't I ask you a simple question without you getting all defensive? C'mon, what book did she give you? Was it a romance novel?" There was an underlying threat to this playful tease that Kyon knew all too well. Yeah, things were about to get real bad.

"No, it was nothing like that. If you must know, it's called 'The Singularity is Near.' I really have no idea what it's about." That's when Kyon glanced over and noticed Haruhi rummaging through his bag as they were walking. "I…huh. Hey, what are you doing?!"

"Is this it?" Haruhi pulled the book out of his bag and began scanning the back. "It looks interesting!" Like she'd ever have the attention span to read a book like that. She had already begun flicking through the pages when Kyon remembered that there was a note in there for him.

"Hey, Haruhi, could you give that back? I-"

"Oho, what's this?"

Crap.

"Brigade members passing secret notes to each other in books?" Haruhi picked the note out of the book, glancing at it, smiling in a way that could only be described as vicious. "Secret meetings in the night? With Yuki? This one's taken even ME by surprise! I'd expect this sort of behavior from you, but Yuki? Really?"

"It's not like that," Kyon snapped, already knowing it was too late. He snatched the book and the note back from her with astounding quickness. Even Haruhi seemed surprised. She quickly recovered.

"You don't have to hide it from me, Kyon. I don't care if you and Yuki are dating. Although I do have to say I'm surprised. But meetings in the middle of the night? Scandalous!"

"I already told you it's not like that," Kyon said. "I mean honestly, Haruhi. Yuki? I might as well date a brick wall."

"Well what other reason do you have for meeting her in the middle of the night?"

And at that, Kyon was stumped. He couldn't very well tell Haruhi the truth, could he? That Yuki was an android from beyond the stars, and what they were going to talk about was probably Haruhi herself?

"Ha! I thought so. You know, there's no rule against brigade members dating each other, Kyon, I don't see why you'd try to hide this from me. I don't care."

Maybe telling her that they were dating would be the best way to explain his way out of this mess. Oh well, it already seemed to be the conclusion she had reached anyway.

"I don't care at all." Haruhi smiled, in a crooked way, glaring at him. Then her eyes seemed to soften, somewhat. "I'll leave you alone on your little meeting with Yuki, even though I know where and when it is, okay? I'll…leave you alone."

Normally, those words coming out of Haruhi's mouth would have made Kyon jump for joy. Then why'd he feel so uneasy right now?

"Anyway…" Haruhi stopped walking. "I think I'll take the long way home today." She tossed her head defiantly in the air and began walking away from Kyon, down one of the side streets.

Kyon watched her walk away for a while, not sure how to react. Oh well. Whatever.