Arthur's note: There has been a bit of a misunderstanding concerning my work and another author. I would just like to make it clear that everything is alright between the two of us. Allypaigegolding did not know it was my story they had published because a friend of theirs claimed to have written it for Ally to work from. I'm letting Ally keep the chapter up because the new chapters they have posted will not make sense without it, but I have made sure they have added that it is my work. I do recommend checking out their profile because the stuff they have written is pretty good. Thank you to the readers who let me know that something was going on. Without further ado, I do not own Ouran Host Club.

Kyoya had been quite all week. This wasn't his normal kind of quite, where he would sit in the shadows and observe the goings on of the club. This was an unnatural type of quite. He would only give one word answers to most questions and he wouldn't call Tamaki out when he was being his usual immature, over the top self. It worried Haruhi.

At first she thought it had something to do with his father. She wondered if they had had another fight, but then again Kyoya hadn't called her to come play basketball, so it couldn't be that.

"Do you guys know what's going one with Kyoya sempai?" She finally asked.

"Who knows." Honey replied before shoving another forkful of cake into his mouth.

"Who cares?" Hakiru asked with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Not us." Kaoru replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Haruhi let out an impatient sign. She understood that the others didn't see kyoya the way she did, which may have been the reason she was so worried but she still expected the rest of them to show some sign of caring about how he was doing. For the first time since she joined the club, Haruhi wished Tamaki was there, she knew he would care about Kyoya's well being, he was his best friend after all. But unfortunately Tamaki was attending a meeting with the presidents from the other school clubs, they had one every month.

"Aren't you a little worried?" She asked impatiently.

"Why are you asking anyway?" Hakiru asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Is something going on between you two?" Kaoru asked, his expression matching that of his twin.

"Wha...What makes you ask that?" Haruhi stuttered as she quickly glanced over at Kyoya to see if he had heard what they were talking about. If he had, he showed no sign of it. Haruhi breathed a sign of relief.

"Looks, he's my friend so I'm just worried about him. He just doesn't seem like himself." Haruhi said as she rummaged through her bag. She cursed under her breath before heading towards the door.

"What's wrong?" Mori asked as he wiped a bit of chocolate from Honey's mouth.

"I just forgot one of my books in the library. I'll be right back." She answered closing the door behind her.

The twins looked around the room. Honey was preoccupied with his cake, Mori's attention was on Honey and with Tamaki at the monthly meeting with the other club presidents, they couldn't let this opportunity pass them by. This was the perfect time to do some prying.

"Hey Kyoya." They said innocently and in perfect unison.

"What?" Kyoya snapped, not taking his eyes off his laptop.

"Is something going on between you and Haruhi?" Hikaru asked. Kyoya stopped typing and looked at the twins. The look on his face was enough to scare the devil himself. The twins backed away in fear and hid behind one of the velvet couches in the room.

"Why are you asking me this?" He asked with soft growl, scaring the twins even more.

"Well, Haruhi was wondering what was wrong with you." Hikaru began.

"Because she noticed you seemed a bit down." Kaoru continued.

"And we know you took Asuna to see her when you were taking care of her the other week. So we thought something was going on." They finished in perfect unison, still hiding behind the couch.

"Not that its any of your business but Asuna grew quite attached to Haruhi while we were finishing our meeting and on the way to the park." Kyoya answered with a scowl as he went back to his typing, carefully planning the murder of the two infuriating red heads.

As he worked, Kyoya let his mind wander. Asuna had been asking about Haruhi ever since the three of them spent that Saturday together. After Haruhi prepared lunch for them, which was a traditional Japanese noddle soup, the three of them went to the mall. Kyoya smiled at the memory, Asuna and Haruhi got along like a house on fire. Kyoya was surprised, his precious niece was polite to everyone she met despite her true feelings towards them. Kyoya knew his niece better than anyone (he dared to believe he knew her better then her own parents) and he knew when she was being fake around people, just like she could tell with him. But with Haruhi there was no mask, she was completely natural. The best part was that Haruhi treated Asuna like an actual child, not a future business partner or a potential daughter in law like most of the people she met did, just a little girl. At the end of the day, as the sun started to set, Asuna fell asleep in Haruhi's arms. As Haruhi held the child close, Kyoya felt his heart stop, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Kyoya decided he couldn't deny how he felt anymore. But he knew there was nothing he could do. He signed, this day was already bad enough without thinking about the depressing state of his love life.

"Tell Haruhi I went home, you two are giving me a headache. Tell her not to worry, I'm working though it." Kyoya said as he collected his things and left the third music room without another word. As the door closed behind him, the twins looked at each and shrugged. The situation didn't interest them enough for them to push any further. After all who ever heard of the shadow king having feelings for a mere commoner?

Honey and Mori on the other hand, were very interested. Something had changed between Haruhi and Kyoya. The way they behaved around each other was more natural and less professional then it used to be. They made the occasional joke and were often seen engaging in conversation when they weren't entertaining guests. Mori and Honey concluded that there was defiantly something between the two, whether they were aware of it, the two seniors didn't know for sure. One thing they did know was that something was going to happen and it was going to happen soon.

Later that evening, Kyoya made his way to the school basket ball court. He had changed out of his school uniform and was wearing dark jeans and a blue shirt. He was carrying a backpack which contained his hoodie, two bottles of water and some snack bars, his phone was tucked safely way in his pocket. His glasses were absent from his handsome face and were replaced with his contact lenses. As he walked he bounced the ball against the sidewalk. He decided against calling Haruhi, at least for the time being. His plan was to play alone for a while and then call her. He needed a chance to get himself together before seeing her. Kyoya was so lost in thought when he arrived at the court that he didn't even notice he had company.

"Hey, it's about time you showed up." A voice spoke, pulling Kyoya from his thoughts. Kyoya looked to see the very person he was just thinking about.

"Haruhi, what are you doing here? How long have you been here?" He asked, as he took in her appearance. She must have also gone home because she was wearing three-quarter length shorts and a sky blue short sleeved T-shirt. Completing the ensemble was a pair of white tennis shoes that were slightly worn out.

"Hikaru and Kaoru said that you were working through something and I know that when you have to do that you come here." She replied."I'm kind of hurt that you didn't call me."

"I was planning on it, I just wanted to pull myself together first." Kyoya explained as he put his backpack on the bench and tossed the ball at her.

"What's going on with you? You've been off all week and I'm starting to get worried. Did something happen between you and your dad?" Haruhi asked as she made a shot. As the ball fell through the hoop Kyoya caught it and stated spinning it on his finger like Haruhi had showed him.

"My father has been in Germany all week, He always makes he's out of the country at this time of the year." Kyoya explained.

"Why is that?" Haruhi asked. Kyoya stopped spinning the ball and looked at her. He signed and starting bouncing the ball off the ground.

"Haruhi what do you know about my family? More specifically the women in my family?" Kyoya asked. Haruhi looked at him with a confused expression, why would he ask her something like that?

"Well I know you have a sister and you have an aunt on your dads' side who lives in Hong Kong with her family. You have a grandmother who lives in the country. I suppose there's your mom..." Kyoya cut her off by tossing the ball at her.

"Who said I had a mother?" Kyoya asked with a blank expression.

"What are you talking about?"Haruhi raised an eyebrow. Kyoya sat on the bench and gestured for her to sit. Haruhi sat next to him and dropped the ball on the ground, happy to let it roll away. She placed her elbows on her knees and rested her chin on her hands. She waited patiently for him to talk.

As she waited, Haruhi couldn't help be feel a little deflated. She had grown so accustomed to having Kyoya tell her things and now he was holding something back. Obviously she knew this must be a sensitive topic and she understood that he may be reluctant to tell her, but Haruhi couldn't help but feel at a disadvantage. Kyoya knew just about everything about her family and although she was learning more about his, she found herself wanting to know every little detail.

"My mother had cancer. She had been fighting for over a year, she fought so gracefully and with such elegance that you wouldn't believe the struggle she was going through." Kyoya began. He didn't look at Haruhi as he spoke, he just stared straight ahead.

"There was nothing they could do for her. The cancer was too aggressive by the time they found it. She was married to the head of a family that specialised in medical care and there was nothing that could be done. I remember thinking how ridiculous it was that we are able to help so many people but not her, the most important person to us all." Kyoya's voice was stiff and rigid like he was struggling to get each word out.

"She died before the start of my last year of middle school. It was three years ago today. I'm always grumpy leading up to it. I suppose we all handle it in our own way."

"How do the rest of your family handle it?" Haruhi asked softly. "I know your father leaves the country."

"My brothers bury themselves in work. Fuyumi has Asuna to care for so that's a distraction. As for me I come here. My mother knew she was going to leave us, before the end she called each of us into her room, I don't know what she said to my siblings and I don't want to, its between them and her. When she called me in, she told me not to spend this day being sad. She said I should spend it doing something I loved with someone I care about." Kyoya turned to look at Haruhi. "You see Haruhi, I had every intention to call you."

Haruhi gasped softly as she let what he had just said sink in. She knew he loved basketball so it would make sense he would play in on this day, but he had just admitted he cared about her. Haruhi thought back to that day at the park with Asuna, when he told her his relationship with her was special to him. Haruhi knew that what she felt for Kyoya was different to what she felt for the other club members, how it was different was still a mystery to her. Their relationship had certainly changed since she had first found him playing basketball that day. Their relationship no longer revolved around her dept, it was less business. They were more casual, they had a real friendship. Haruhi did something she never believed she would do; she took Kyoya's hand in hers and held it tight.

Kyoya couldn't breath. He could feel Haruhi hold his hand tightly, he never would have guessed she had such a tight grip. As he sat there he found himself enjoying the feel of her tiny hand over his larger one. He moved his hand to entangle their fingers. Most of the girls at their school had never done a day of work in their lives, their hands were soft and delicate with flawless nails. Kyoya focused on the feel of her skin against his. Haruhi's hands were still soft but they were not delicate, her skin was callused and her nails were worn. But as he looked at their joined hands he couldn't help but think that hers were beautiful.

Strong hands for a strong girl.

Haruhi was surprised when Kyoya entangled their fingers. His skin was harm against hers and she found it to be very comforting. She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She smiled to herself when she felt him lean his head down to rest against hers. Eventually Kyoya broke the silence.

"I talk to her sometimes." He whispered. "Like you do with yours."

"How did you know I do that?" Haruhi asked, her eyes still closed.

"I can hear you sometimes. You ask her about what she would do in your situation and if she could believe you had to put up with all this." Kyoya said with a soft smile. Haruhi chuckled.

"What do you talk to yours about?"

"Same things you do. I often wonder what she would think of Tamaki and the rest of the club."

"What was she like?"

"She was very smart and kind. She loved chocolate, she would always say that after us, it was her favourite thing in the world." Kyoya chuckled at the memory.

"She didn't pass that on to you." Haruhi giggled.

"No she didn't, she did pass it on to Fuyumi and my oldest brother. My second oldest brother and I prefer savoury to sweet." Kyoya explained.

"Do you think she would like the us?" Haruhi asked.

"I think so, she didn't really have a bad word to say about anyone. I know for a fact she would have liked you." Kyoya assured her.

"How can you be so sure?" Haruhi looked up at him with a curious expression. Kyoya smiled at her.

"It's quite simple really, it's impossible to not like you." Kyoya looked at her with a gentle smile.

Haruhi blushed at his comment and turned her attention to her feet. Kyoya placed his free hand on her cheek and pulled her to face him. He stroked her cheek with his thumb. The look on his face was one of contentment, he was the picture of serenity. The blush on Haruhi's cheeks gave her an innocent, vulnerable appearance. Kyoya couldn't help but think about how cute she looked.

"No one else would have thought to come here Haruhi, I think you're the only one who really noticed my behaviour. Thank you for caring so much." Kyoya whispered as he continued to shock her cheek. Haruhi's face began to feel hot.

"Of course I care." Haruhi smiled.

Kyoya remained silent. He tilted her head slightly so she was facing him. The warmth of her breath, the faint scent of mint and the feeling of her skin against his, it was an intoxicating combination. Haruhi remained perfectly still, having him so close was sending her senses into overdrive. She wasn't usually comfortable with anybody invading her personal space (her father being the only exception), but Kyoya wasn't just anyone. He moved closer to close the gap between them. Haruhi slowly closed her eyes and prepared herself. She stayed liked a statue as Kyoya took the lead. They were only a few inches apart when Kyoya's phone went off. The two of them pulled away with their hands still joined.

Kyoya cursed as he pulled out his phone. His harsh expression calmed when he saw who was calling.

"It's Asuna." Kyoya mumbled as he answered the phone.

Haruhi turned her attention back to her feet. She tried to calm her beating heart as she thought about what just happened. She nearly kissed Kyoya, the shadow king, the low blood pressure demon lord, this wasn't what shocked her. What really shocked her was how much she wanted it to happen. Haruhi was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Koya close his phone and put it back in his pocket.

"Sorry about that, she knows what today means so she always calls. She was five when my mother died but she remembers a little." Kyoya explained.

"That's okay."

"Can I ask you something?"

Haruhi nodded, wondering if his question was about what they had nearly done. Was he going to ask if they could continue? Would he ask her to never mention it again? Would he say he wasn't thinking clearly because of the grief he was feeling? Haruhi was almost too afraid to find out.

"You lost your mother a long time ago, much longer than three years. Does it ever stop hurting?" Kyoyua looked so vulnerable as he asked her this. Haruhi had never seen him like this, she doubted anyone had.

"Sometimes. Sometimes I'm okay but then I see or hear something that reminds me of her and I'm not okay anymore. But then I think about something my dad told me." Haruhi replied, slightly relieved he hadn't asked what she thought he would.

"What did he say?"

"He said that if I really loved my mother I wouldn't be sad whenever I thought about her. He said that instead of being sad whenever I heard or saw something that reminded me of her I should be happy because she loved me too much to want me to be sad. I'm sure your mother loved you too much to want you to be sad, after all she told you to spend this day doing something that made you happy." Haruhi explained as she rested her head against Kyoya's shoulder.

"Don't forget the part about spending it with someone I care about. That's important to." Kyoya said before kissing Haruhi on the head.

They stayed like that for a while, talking about their mothers and anything else that came into their heads. The important part was just that they got to spend time together like this, barriers down, walls crumbling, no masks, just them. Eventually Haruhi said she should go home before it got too dark, Kyoya offered to walk her home, she gladly accepted. They never let go of the others hand.

"Are you going to be okay?" Haruhi asked when they reached her door.

"I'll be fine, I'm always fine." Kyoya assured her.

"I'm here if you need me."

"I know."

"Good night Kyoya." Haruhi said as she unlocked the door.

"Good night Haruhi." Kyoya said as she walked through the door, before she closed it Haruhi turned back to him and smiled. Kyoya could have sworn his heart skipped a beat.

As He walked he couldn't help but think about the kiss they nearly shared. A few weeks ago he would have put it down to his reasoning being clouded by his grief, but he knew that wasn't the case. He cared about Haruhi, more than a friend just like Asuna had said the day she and Haruhi met. A part of him wondered if he had a chance but another part of him said not to bother because she could never see him like that. The part that was hopeful pointed out that Haruhi hadn't pulled way when she saw he was going into to kiss her. A spark of hope ignited within him. It was only when he was home he realised she hadn't called him sempai. The spark grew brighter.

As Haruhi dressed for bed, her mind went back to earlier when the two of them nearly kissed. Haruhi was sure it was only his grief taking control over his reason. He would never be interested in a commoner like her. They were friends, that was obvious and they cared about each other, but there could never be anything else between them. Then Haruhi remembered when Kyoya said he planned to call her.

"Spend this day doing something you love with someone you care about." Haruhi said to herself as she took out a pen and started to write. Perhaps there was hope after all. It was then that Haruhi realised she hadn't called him sempai.

Things Haruhi didn't know about Kyoya sempai

1. He likes to play basketball when he is upset

2. He is interested in astrology

3. He has an adorable niece who he loves very much

4. He lost his mother and he still talks to her like I do