"You wished to see me, Father?" Kyoya stood behind the straight backed chair while his father sat across the desk, a mysterious gleam in his eyes. This unnerved Kyoya. He did not like when his father was not forthcoming with his schemes.

"Sit, Kyoya. We have much to discuss." Yoshio Ootori spoke softly, but with an authority that commanded hundreds. Kyoya sat. "I am about to tell you something that may shock you," Yoshio warned. "You may be angry with me, but I feel that you will soon agree with my reasons."

Kyoya raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. Instead, he folded his hands in front of him, giving his father his full attention.

"I have struck a bet with Yuzuru Suou over the matrimonial fate of Haruhi Fujioka."

Kyoya was silent for a moment. He adjusted his glasses, his pale hands shaking very slightly. "I beg your pardon?" he finally said, his mind a race of questions. If his father meant what Kyoya thought he meant, then he was about to be swept up in something he truly was not interested in.

"He believes that, through charm alone, Tamaki can win Haruhi's heart."

"He is probably right." Kyoya responded. Yoshio frowned.

"I, however, have bet on your abilities. I trust that you not disappoint me."

Kyoya stood up quickly. He was angry, but controlled himself in front of his father. "I am not sure you know what you are asking of me." He said, his vice sharp and clipped.

"Sit down, boy." Yoshio commanded. Kyoya sat. "I ask you only to use your wit and your intelligence to gain the affection of the Fujioka girl. Surely you see that, with her as your partner, this business could rise substantially in international affairs? Yuzuru Suou sees that potential in her too; he intends to have her for Tamaki, to keep the Suou enterprise in the Japanese top five."

"Father, I-"

"Do you wish that for Haruhi? Kyoya, do you? To be married to a buffoon for the rest of her days? His affections will wane, we both know that. As soon as he has her, the thrill will be gone and he will be distracted by the next pretty young thing that comes along."

"Tamaki is not like that." Kyoya stated harshly. His father rolled his eyes.

"He is a teenage boy. They are all like that." Yoshio smirked at his son. "Yes, I am aware that you too are a teenage boy. But you are different. I know you have feelings for Haruhi, be them infatuation or respect. You do care for her. At the very least, you want her to be successful. All I am asking you to do is act upon your feelings for the good of this business, and, in the end, for the god of yourself. Kyoya, I believe this is what's best for you."

A long moment of silence filled the room before Kyoya decided to speak again. "Agreed." He stood stiffly, and without saying goodbye, left his father's office. He knew it was no use to argue with a man such as his father, but he also knew that this 'game' that had been cooked up was a potential disaster. He had to phone Tamaki before everything got out of hand. If both he and Tamaki refused, their fathers could do nothing. He only hoped that Tamaki actually refused.

Walking down the long corridor that led to his rooms, Kyoya flipped open his cell phone, dialling Tamaki's number quickly. Holding it to is ear, he pushed open his bedroom door and flicked on his light. As the phone rang in his ear he threw himself on the bed, untangling himself from his sheets as a voice spoke in his ear.

"Father? How could you?" Tamaki's voice was awash with drama. He was horrified at his father, and horrified at Kyoya, for having a father so devious. "Haruhi is not to be toyed with! And she most definitely will not marry Kyoya!"

"That is why you must stop this." Yuzuru Suou implored. "You must win, and you must make Haruhi fall in love with you. Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that what you were planning anyway?"

Tamaki blushed, his face turning an amusing tomato color.

"You see, my son, this is the best way of going about it. Now you have my help, and Kyoya's competition to motivate you. Unless you want Haruhi to end up married to an unethical money hound for the rest of her life? Do you truly think she would be happy that way? Kyoya would be distant and cold, that's no way for a pretty girl like Haruhi to live."

Tamaki was silent, standing across from his father. Finally, he held out his hand, and his smiling father shook it. "I agree." Tamaki said. "I will make sure Haruhi does not marry Kyoya. I will protect her, even if it kills me!" Yuzuru shook his head, laughing slightly.

"Good. That's good. Now, run along, I'm sure you have homework."

Tamaki nodded and left his father's study, bolting along the halls of his home. He came to a skidding stop near the kitchen. He poked his head in carefully, about to ask for some food, when his left hip vibrated. He frowned (it was an odd sensation) and pulled out the phone.

"Hey?" he greeted, waiting for the other person to respond. When Kyoya did, Tamaki nearly fell over in surprise. He spoke as his walked towards his room.

"Tamaki, I was hoping I would catch you." Kyoya was polite, thought his voice was guarded. Tamaki knew that he must voice his challenge. He would not lose to Kyoya!

"Kyoya!" he cried, making Kyoya wince at the noise, "I will not allow you to win Haruhi!"

"She's not a prize, Tamaki." Kyoya said irritably. He'd had enough of people talking as if Haruhi was property.

"Right you are, Kyoya. That's why you cannot have her!"

"Your logic is flawed."

"Is it? Is it? Kyoya, I challenge you! A test of wits, with Haruhi's affections as the prize. Feel free to forfeit, I will not begrudge you." Tamaki stood in his room now, posing, though no one could see him. He waited in silent anticipation for Kyoya's answer.

"I accept."

Tamaki's fist shot up with a cry of jubilation. He was ecstatic. This was the best thing they had thought up. Nothing could ever go wrong.

"Shut up for a second!" Kyoya commanded. "You need to listen if this whole scheme isn't going to crash and burn."

"Why?" Tamaki asked. "What could go wrong?"

"Well, for one, what do you think will happen if Haruhi finds out?" Tamaki was silent, so Kyoya continued. "What about Hikaru and Kaoru? What if they found out? Or Haruhi's dad?"

"They'd kill us." Tamaki said, his eyes wide, his voice afraid.

"Exactly. This is why this must stay with us. Only us. You cannot tell anyone."

"Agreed. And when I win, you must promise there will be no hard feelings." Tamaki responded. Kyoya rolled his eyes, but agreed anyway.

"This must be separate from our fathers. They will be waging their own war, we needn't get involved. This is only us."

Tamaki was quiet for a moment. "Fine."

Kyoya said his goodbyes and Tamaki snapped his phone shut, grinning from ear to ear. He striped out of his uniform, rooting around in his dresser to find something else to wear. Another phone call interrupted him putting on his pants. He did up the zipper before scrambling for his cell and flipping it open.

"I know what you're planning, you little pervert! You better keep your filthy little hands off Haruhi!"

The voice was screeching in his ear. Tamaki held the phone away from his ear and Ryoji Fujioka continued to yell. After Tamaki could hear no more, he cautiously put the phone back to his ear.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself, young man?" Ryoji demanded shrilly, making Tamaki cringe.

"Nothing, sir…I mean, ma'am?"

"Don't sass me, boy!"

Tamaki gave a small yelp. Never had he heard Ryoji so deadly. Haruhi's father wanted him dead!

"You will keep your hands off of Haruhi." Ryoji commanded. "I heard about your little game, I am hoping that Kyoya wins. You will get no help from me, pervert."

With that, there was a sharp click before silence. After a few moments, the dial tone pulled Tamaki from his shock. Had that really happened? How had Ryoji found out? And why was he taking Kyoya's side? Just because of one little misunderstanding in Haruhi's living room? It seemed horribly unfair.

And Kyoya was going to murder him, for now Ryoji knew their secret.

"I don't see why you're so upset." Kaoru said quietly while Haruhi was sulking in a corner, waiting for the girls to arrive.

"Of all the things he chose, it had to be Disney princess? And why the hell am I Jasmine? Also, why'd he have to alter the costume?" Haruhi demanded, her voice rising slightly. Kaoru raised a comforting hand to her shoulder.

"Don't worry about it," he advised. "My Lord will stop staring at you as soon as the girls arrive, and he has to pay attention to them. Trust me; the girls will go crazy for you."

"And not for you?" Haruhi asked, looking at Kaoru's Cinderella costume, which was paired with Hikaru's Sleeping Beauty costume.

"Of course, for me, that's a given." Kaoru said smugly, earning a grin from Haruhi. Suddenly, the door to the Music Room swung open, and a gaggle of girls swarmed in.

"So cute!" they squealed in unison. Kaoru patted Haruhi's back before striding over to his twin. Shaking her head ruefully, Haruhi followed him after a moment, coming to stand behind Kyoya. He turned around, his Armani tuxedo whispering fabric. He smiled at her. It made Haruhi raise her eyebrows.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" she asked.

"I'm just pleased to not be in one of those dresses." He replied.

Haruhi frowned. "What aren't you in a dress?"

"Well, as the organizer, I usually am able to swing things my way." Kyoya said, looking very self-satisfied.

"One day, you'll be in a dress, and I'll be the one laughing." Haruhi assured him. Kyoya just nodded, not saying anything.

From across the room, Tamaki watched the exchange with a frown. This was going to be harder than he had anticipated. He had forgotten that Haruhi found refuge in Kyoya. He was her safe harbour from all the insanity the Host Club brought.

Damn.

So I was threatened by a scary gypsy who entranced me with magics. So I updated quickly to keep myself safe. Here it is. Let me know if you see any typos. Also, who do you want Haruhi to end up with? I'd love to hear it! I've got a firm idea of who it's going to be, but who knows, it could change!

Now, I must go update my Naruto story. I've only got two more chapters to go!