Author's Note: I got over the block. Yay~ Does this mean I get cookies? Praise me?....please?

Rating: T

Dedication: PurpleSkye-thank you for pointing that out to me. It never occurred to me that I hadn't pointed out WHY she was getting checked. lol I got over this block for you~

Summary: Kyouya, always striving to become the heir despite having been born last, is finally within reach of his goal. The catch? He has to marry someone his family has chosen for him. Thankfully, his sister was the one who found her…wait…


Chapter 6: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Tsukiko was currently in the music room, waiting for the Host club to show up, her thoughts muddled. At the moment, she was banging her head against a wall, the pain substantially clearing her thoughts with each hit. She knew that it was not best for her in anyway, but she had no idea of what else to do. Kyouya had been acting strange lately….

(Flashback)

It was lunchtime and Tsukiko was currently looking for a table to sit at when she spots Tamaki waving toward her. She smiles softly, her long legs striding over, the school uniform accenting her small curves. She knew she wasn't built like other girls who seemed to get guy's attention, but she honestly preferred it that way.

"Hello there Tsukiko."

Tsukiko smiles at them, her silver eyes seeming to shine.

"Hello. Do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

Tsukiko begins to put her tray down when a screeching noise hits her ears, she turns to notice Kyouya pulling out her chair, his upper body bowing gracefully. A small blush takes to her cheeks, her heart quickening somewhat.

"Oh…um…thank you Kyouya-san."

Kyouya's face lifts up to show Tsukiko a dashing smile, a glint in his eye.

"Please, Tsukiko-chan, call me Kyouya-kun."

Tsukiko's blush only increased at the suggestion, her head lowering, unable to make eye contact as she sat.

"O-Okay….Ky-Kyouya-kun…"

A small chuckle emits from Kyouya's throat before placing a kiss to Tsukiko's forehead, returning to his seat quietly. Tamaki had a bewildered expression on his face, not having expected that from his friend. He could only guess that it was for the better.

'Maybe Kyouya is realizing that importance of Tsukiko…Maybe he's…'

He inwardly gasps, his eyes seeming to bulge from their sockets before a rose aura surrounds him.

'…he's fallen in love! That must be it!! I, Tamaki Suoh, will make sure that their love blossoms beautifully…'

Tsukiko had begun to eat her food politely, her mind confused on Kyouya's actions. This was something new…and odd. Before she can process another thought, Kyouya turns to her, his hand brushing a few strands out of her face, his touch gentle.

"I'm sorry, but…I can't help but admire your beauty, Tsukiko-chan."

…Okay, she was going to lose it at this rate.

"Not to correct you, Kyouya-kun, but my beauty isn't captivating. It never has been. My family name is…I've been told this on several occasions."

Kyouya flinched back, obviously not having expected this answer from her. Easily placing his smile back into place, he cups her face, leaning her toward him somewhat.

"Those guys are stupid for not seeing how adorable you are. You should do well to memorize that."

She frowns a bit, having heard the slight command in his voice, but the tone he was using was making her thoughts incomprehensible. After awhile, she nods her head, Kyouya placing another kiss to her forehead.

"That's my girl…"

Face beet red, Tsukiko could feel as if steam was emitting from her face.

'Where are all these compliments coming from?'

Tsukiko felt she was going to lose her mind at this rate. She was barely holding on to what little threads of her sanity that was left.

(End Flashback)

It hadn't helped that he had walked her to class after that, asking about her classes and how she was doing in them so far. He had gone as far to offer his help if she ever had any trouble.

She sighs.

"Tsukiko-chan."

Tsukiko's whole body flinches, the voice having caught her off guard. Turning around hastily, her eyes land on Kyouya, said man clad in a prince look. She had to admit that he gave new meaning to the word 'Shining Prince.'

"Oh, hello Kyouya-kun."

"You seem to have something on your mind. Can I help in any way?"

Tsukiko shakes her head slowly, her smile strained.

'You are the problem.'

Suddenly, Tsukiko comes up with an idea.

"I don't….but my friend does. It's really troubling her."

Kyouya's eyes widen a bit in surprise, but nonetheless, guides her to a couch. Turning to her fully, his gaze lands on her, giving her his undivided attention.

"Well…My friend, she….Apparently, she's confused on a guy. She says that she gets nervous when he's around….that her heart beat increases and as of lately, he's started acting….different than when she first met him. She doesn't seem to understand why, but she has to admit that the difference is somewhat…unnerving, but good."

She turns to Kyouya, hoping he has an answer, but the megane-character seemed as baffled as her 'friend'. He lowers his hand from his chin, seeming to have some sort of advice.

"Well…it seems to me that your friend might like the guy…that or she might have a heart problem, but I'm pretty sure that it's that she's gaining feelings."

'Feelings?'

Now that was a new word for Tsukiko. She had always wanted to fall in love, but she had never experienced…feelings. A slight frown takes to her mouth as she tastes the word in her mouth, trying to figure out if that was an accurate word for it.

"Feelings…Hm….I'll let her know."


Tsukiko was watching the girls fall over themselves as they watched the host club members, Tsukiko herself not seeming to understand most of it. She was starting to get bored, a small yawn escaping her lips when a small voice snaps her out of her reverie.

"Are you Tsukiko Saki?"

"Why yes, I-"

She's cut off, her words having been cut off by liquid being thrown in her face. Gasps are heard all around as she shakes her hands, one of them coming to pull her glasses off.

"Hey, what's going on?"

It's then Tsukiko notices tears filling the girl's eyes whom had just tossed, now she realized, water at her. She points a finger accusingly at the drenched girl.

"Tsukiko Saki, it's all your fault! My boyfriend left me because he's got it into his head that he'll win you over!! Once he heard that you would inherit everything when you get married, he got it into his head to marry you so he could be part of that inheritance!!"

Tsukiko's eyes widened at this bit of information, shocked at this newfound tidbit. Suddenly, the stares made sense. They were after her name…She sighs. She had had this happen on more than one occasion. A lot of her suitors were after the same thing. Standing up, her eyes stern, she speaks.

"I'm sorry about that, but that is not of my doing. I could care less about your boyfriend or his attentions. You be sure to tell him that I am already betrothed to another. I…"

By this point, she was starting to lose control over her emotions, her head lowering a bit. She was being blamed for something….something that hadn't done intentionally. An arm wraps around her shoulders, a warmth starting to fill her body.

"Please, if you may be so kind, as to not disturb my fiancee."

She then felt herself being led away from the commotion, a towel appearing in her face.

"Are you alright?"

Tsukiko manages to nod her head, taking the towel gratefully from Kyouya. She begins to wipe her face off, before attending to her glasses with the little parts of her uniform that was still dry.

"Yes, it was just water. I must say though that it was unexpected. I never realized that it would get out about my inheritance."

Kyouya's grip seems to tighten, Tsukiko deciding to pay it no mind.

"Yes, well….Unfortunately, things happen. Be glad that it wasn't worse."

"Yes, you're pro-"

The next sound to escape Tsukiko's mouth is a small shriek as she ends up stumbling, Kyouya quick to pull her body to his own. Raising her eyes to meet his own, she begins to stutter out an apology.

"S-Sorry, Kyouya…kun. Thank yo-!"

Kyouya couldn't take it anymore. Her eyes seemed to pull him in and her lips were right there. As far as he was concerned, it would help him in his newfound plan.

Tsukiko's grip on her sanity seemed to drop completely as she came to realize that Kyouya was kissing her…on the lips…in front of everyone. As Kyouya pulled away, he helped Tsukiko to her feet, making sure that she was steady before letting her go completely. Tsukiko, on the other hand, was at a loss for words, her cheeks a deep red. Slowly, a hand rises to touch her mouth, a soft smile on Kyouya's lips as a realization hit him.

'I was her-'

Just before his thought ends, Tsukiko's head snaps up, anger set deep in her irises as her hand comes up swiftly, easily making contact with Kyouya's cheek.

"How dare you?! You stole my first kiss!!"


Author's Note: He he I'm so devious...and yes, she's that inexperienced.