A/N: Made a lot of changes so far, really proud of how this newer version is sounds, although it still needs work as the editing process is never truly over. But I didn't want to make people wait and I am happy with how my revisions are going. Only one more chapter until I'm caught up and writing new stuff. Thank you to everyone who reads this, I know it's another Hostess story, but, in my defense, I wrote this before I knew too much about fanfiction and how common this type of story is. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter. ^_^
Chapter Seven
Beach, Stalking, and High Tide
"YAY! The beach!" Mei sprinted around her friends in her one piece and floaties. She smiled widely as she grasped Honey's hand and continued to sing. "The beach! The beach! The beach!" The two ran straight for the water.
"Remind me why we're at the beach, again?" Haruhi groaned. She had a lot of studying to do and she really needed to get some cleaning done.
"Now, Haruhi, we were invited by our new friends and we have not been to the beach for a long time. I think we deserve the break." Tamaki held a finger in her face.
Haruhi looked at Kyoya.
He shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm only vice-president. I don't make the decisions."
"Maybe not officially." Haruhi grumbled.
"This is so perfect! Is it not, girls?" Jun giggled. Sayori fought not to roll her eyes. Jun's favorite adjective was 'perfect.' Especially when referencing herself. Jun waltzed in front of the Hostess club, her long wrap, tied neatly around her waist and exposed one of her long legs, with a matching bikini top. She looked at her girls with pride. "We all look so perfect." She gushed. Then she eyed the hosts, who she invited along because Mei and Hisa would not hear of going without Honey or Mori. So the rest of the club had been invited as well.
They laid out some towels and an umbrella and Jun started working suntan lotion into her pale skin. She didn't escape the notice of several male occupants of the beach as the wind caught her long blonde hair, her hands diligently working the lotion.
Jun tried to reach around her, "Oh…" She pouted, "I can never reach my back…"
"I'll help you!" Five different boys said at once.
Jun smiled. "Oh, that is so kind of you, gentlemen."
Hisa watched Mei and Honey splashing in the shallows, her eyes longing. Mei called to her friend and Hisa started to wade into the water hesitantly, but was stopped by a stern voice behind her.
"Hisa." Mori watched his girlfriend.
She winced and looked up at him with large pleading eyes.
"I thought you couldn't swim." He said.
"It's just the shallow water…I'll be careful, Takashi, honest."
Mori would not allow her to put herself in danger. He stepped next to her. "You have two options. Those." He pointed at Mei's floaties. "Or I teach you."
Hisa looked at the floaties with apprehension. "I should probably learn anyway." He nodded and took her hand as she waded further into the water. Then he held her hands in front of her so she could practice kicking.
Midori and Iori were currently making a sand castle with the Hitachiin twins, but none of them could agree. There was a four way argument as each sibling wanted to do things their way and it eventually evolved into four separate fortresses with an arsenal of seashells and stones.
"Stop knocking down my supporting wall, Iori! You're compromising the integrity of the entire structure." Midori shouted.
"Is it my fault your supporting wall is in the way of my moat?" Iori shot back. "Hikaru, I just dug all that out."
Hikaru looked at the pile of sand he had tossed into Iori's moat and shrugged. "I told you a moat is silly. You don't need it anyway. You'll thank me later."
"It's a classic! You can't have a castle without a moat." Iori argued.
"She has a point, but I still think that six towers is overkill." Kaoru noted, motioning to Midori's castle.
Midori glared, "It shows ambition. Four is so cliché." She huffed and the argument continued.
"HA-RU-HI!" Tamaki's sing-song voice was not a good sign, and Haruhi tried to hide deeper into her jacket. Tamaki rushed toward her, "Aren't these shells beautiful? I picked them myself. But you can choose which ever you want. I would suggest the pink one." He held up a swirly shell, beaming.
"You know, senpai, I'm not that big on…" Haruhi looked at Tamaki's puppy face as he held out his treasure for her. "It's really pretty. Thank you so much." She groaned finally. Tamaki barked happily.
While everyone seemed to be enjoying the beach, Kyoya had been writing in his notebook. Tamaki and Jun had been adamant about coming to a commoner's beach and as a result, there were a lot more people than Kyoya would normally see. He was beginning to confirm that this trip had been a waste of time when he noticed a familiar face heading toward the rocks at the far end of the beach. The person was wearing a simple bathing suit like everyone else, but made an effort to conceal their face and hair.
Kyoya knew the boy's father from numerous fundraisers and charity dinners. Saito Niwa was the boy's name, if he remembered correctly, which he did. Odd for such a boy to be lurking around a commoner's beach. The Niwa family dealt prominently with land development and real estate. It had been the reason for maintaining an amiable relationship as Kyoya's father often sought to expand. The Niwa family had been instrumental in the purchase of unused land for their newest hospital. Saito had the money and power to buy the beach they were currently sitting on, and so the question beckoned, why was he here? And why try to conceal it?
Kyoya studied the boy, who was trying not to be seen, until he disappeared over the rocks. Now, that had been a curious move. Adjusting his glasses, Kyoya stood and started toward that end of the beach. He doubted any of the others, frolicking in the waves and sand, would notice his absence. He really shouldn't have figured Sayori into that plan. She was too observant. As soon as he stood, she set her book on her lap. When he wandered far enough away, she grew too intrigued to keep reading. She placed her book mark in place and followed him.
Sayori wasn't far behind Kyoya and she had no idea where he was going or why, but whatever held his interest was sure to be worth it. He stopped in front of the large rocks at the end of the beach and then began to climb. Puzzled, but now even more curious, Sayori waited a few seconds before climbing after him.
Kyoya noticed Niwa's hand disappearing over the top of a set of rocks and Kyoya headed in that direction. Climbing carefully. What on earth could he want that took this much effort to get to? There was a blind determination that drove him now. He had eyes for little else but for his goal.
Sayori huffed and blew bangs from her eyes. She hadn't gotten very far, only scaled the first smaller rock, but Kyoya had climbed still higher. She was wearing her sandals, but otherwise lacked the clothing for such activity with a mini-skirt and bikini top. She fumbled to climb higher and then she followed Kyoya up and over a ledge, only to find the other side sloped and slippery. It was a trench she had not been expecting and she felt herself sliding toward a very ominous hole.
Scrambling for something to hold, she grabbed the only thing in reach, Kyoya's ankle.
Kyoya had already fallen victim to gravity, and had managed to pull himself higher than Sayori by the time she had begun to slide. Now they both slid faster toward the cavern. He tried to make her release her hand, but they had already reached the edge of the rocks and Sayori hung in the air and then had Kyoya falling after her. They hit the sand below hard.
Once his breath came back, Kyoya stirred and lifted himself. Sayori was pinned beneath him. He sat upright and cursed. "What did you do?" He growled. "Where the hell are we?" He was agitated. If it had not been for her, he would be safely pursuing his target and not stuck in a pit with her. At least, that is what he told himself. It was far more likely that he would have still ended up falling, just a lot less quickly.
Sayori kicked him off her the rest of the way, annoyed. "How should I know where we are? It's some kind of cave, I assume." She stood up, hands on her hip.
"Why did you grab me?" He fumed, dusting gritty sand from his knees.
Sayori gave him a bored stare over her shoulder, "I didn't do it on purpose. Be mad if you wish, but I was falling and I grabbed the first thing I could reach. Besides, you weren't in any better a situation. Arguing about it now isn't going to solve the problem."
He sighed heavily. "Fine. How do we go about getting out then?"
Sayori studied the sides of the trench. "There aren't any proper footholds and the surface is very slick." Her face paled. "Damn it…"
"What?" He snapped.
"These rocks are moist. This place fills with water when the tide comes in."
"Perfect." He ranted. "Well, this is a decent mess you've gotten us in to." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "That other kid managed just fine." He mused. "I wonder if he could hear us if we called for help." He had ignored Sayori's glare. He would maintain that this was all her fault. It was easier.
Once their lungs were exhausted from calling to nothing they slunk onto the sand on opposite sides of the trench.
"Jun or Tamaki will notice our absence and come looking for us shortly." Sayori offered, arms crossed.
"Yes, let us think about that statement for a second. Jun and Tamaki. Yes, I feel so relieved." He snapped.
Sayori rolled her eyes. "And the others. Between them all there's enough sense to find us."
Kyoya didn't answer, but he was thankful that Tamaki had dragged Haruhi along.
Hisa and Mori walked toward the blanket and umbrella they had set up, where he handed Hisa a towel. She sputtered and coughed, he put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
"I'm fine…really." She tried to assure him as she continued to cough.
"That's enough swimming." During her lesson she had pleaded that she was ready to try by herself. As soon as he let go a wave had sent her somersaulting in the water and she had consumed a generous mouthful of the salty liquid.
"Okay." She didn't argue. Then she looked at him sadly. "Are you going to go back and keep swimming with Mei and Honey?"
Mori sat next to her. "I can see them from here."
Hisa smiled and leaned against him, sighing when he put an arm around her protectively and she snuggled into her towel. Jun walked up to them and clapped her hands together.
"You two are just adorable." She beamed. Mori didn't look away from Mei and Honey, who continued to splash and play without a care.
Hisa blushed.
Jun turned to her right, "Aren't they adorable, Sayori." Jun frowned. "Sayori?" Jun looked around quickly, a hand above her eyes to deflect the sun. "Where did she run off to?"
Haruhi was leaning against the umbrella lazily. "I haven't seen her or Kyoya-senpai for quite some time. Do you think we should look for them?"
"Oh, no dear. They probably just went to find a bathroom or something." Jun waved off their concerns and everyone shrugged. Haruhi didn't feel better, but decided to wait to see if the Shadow King and Queen would return on their own.
Wind blew over the top of the trench which still lay just out of reach. Sayori had lain back on the sand, her eyes closed as the sun warmed her skin. Her profile completely exposed and enhanced by the now removed mini-shirt and sandals. Kyoya looked at her, stretched out on the sand, her black hair fanning out behind her and shook his head. One leg bent at the knee and her finger tracing circles absently in the sand beside her. He thought she had given up that game.
Sayori smirked. "You shouldn't stare like that. You might make me feel uncomfortable."
Kyoya shot her a dark look, "I highly doubt that."
Sayori pouted playfully she had come to terms with their situation and was trying to play it off. They'd be found eventually. She wasn't overly worried. She rolled onto her side and rested her arm along her body. "You're acting a bit more callous than usual." She remarked.
Kyoya adjusted his glasses then he leaned his arm on his knee, his other leg stretched out comfortably. "There is no on here I care to impress."
Sayori frowned. "You're such a liar."
"And how is that?"
"Your whole image. I don't buy it. You're like me, just face it." She lifted a palm-full of sand and let if fall through her fingers.
"Please, elaborate." He said coldly.
"You'll find out soon enough. Then you will be content with just being yourself instead of putting on this act all the time, always being on your guard and trying to please everyone. I was serious when I said I've given up on my family." She looked at him with a sly smile. "My brother doesn't want the company. The entire family is in an uproar. He's the only male heir."
Kyoya studied her face. Why tell him this? Their families were rivals. She had to know that any information slipped to him could be dangerous for her family. He didn't betray his thoughts, but he was wary of a trick. He had never believed she had just given up. Not Sayori. He knew her when they were little. When she was determined to win the business from her brother, despite being female and the youngest. She had the drive and ability to do it too. All those times she had tried to get him to play CEO or with those ridiculous dolls to plan campaign or advertising meetings. He found it hard to believe she could just give all that up.
"You're wondering why I told you this. You don't believe me, do you?" She smiled and returned to lying on her back. "I guess I've found something more important than money and success. But don't get me wrong, I will have both. I just won't do it with my father's help. I will do it on my own, in my own way, and he can keep all of his problems and choke on it, for all I care."
"You're serious?" He asked.
She smiled and stretched her arms above her head. "Of course. Go and tell your father that mine is falling apart. I don't care. Use the information to get what you want. Get ahead of your brothers. I want you to. If that is what you truly want, that is."
"What do you mean, 'if that is what you truly want'?"
Sayori lifted a leg in the air, moving her foot through the in circles before returning it to the sand. Even to someone as willed as Kyoya, it was distracting. And she knew that. "What do you do for fun?" She dodged the question.
Kyoya noted the evasion. "What are you talking about?" He sighed. He wished they could go back to not speaking. Besides, it was easier not to look at her when she wasn't holding him in conversation. Did she have to arch her back like that as she ran her fingers into the sand? She was practically squirming on the ground and there was little else for him to look at besides rocks.
"What does Kyoya Otori do for fun? You know, when he isn't playing evil puppet master." She sent him a smirk.
He didn't find anything about her amusing. "I don't know. Whatever teenagers typically do for fun."
"Come on. Just answer the question. Is it that difficult? I enjoy reading and I find history quite fascinating. Now it's your turn."
Why the need for small talk? He wondered. "I enjoy reading as well." He replied honestly.
Sayori rolled onto her stomach this time, turning toward him. It did not help the situation that her bathing suit was rather low cut and staring him in the face. "I think you're scared."
Now Kyoya rolled his eyes. "And what am I supposedly afraid of?"
"Yourself. You're afraid that everything you ever wanted isn't what you really want. So you don't try."
Kyoya mused over her words. "That's an interesting notion, in its on way." Was he scared of something? He shook his head. She was just speaking in riddles. He knew exactly what he wanted.
She looked up at him seductively. "You also want me." It was bold. But at the same time, that instant of something almost like shock on his face was worth it.
He found the notion funny. "Really?"
Lifting herself onto her knees she started to slink closer. "Are you trying to deny that you've been staring at my chest for most of our conversation?"
Kyoya looked into her eyes. "I deny nothing. However, looking isn't the same as wanting. Besides, was that not your intent? You can hardly wear that sort of clothing and slink around the way you've been without the desire for me to look."
Sayori laughed. It was a strange sound, coming from her. It seemed almost too girlish and adolescent. "You're very stubborn." She was close now, much closer than need be, but she mostly dissolved with her 'show' and went back to sitting cross legged, head slumped onto her fist.
They sat in silence for a long while and began to question how long they had been down there. Neither was sure, but the sun was starting to go down and now that there was no sunlight in their cave, Sayori was beginning to shiver. Without a word to her, Kyoya took off his light jacket and handed it to her. She took it with a smile and put it on.
"Thank you." Her voice sincere.
"Don't mention it." He said quietly. Before long, he was rubbing his own shoulders for warmth, the exposed skin growing colder.
He nearly jumped backward when he felt her body in his lap. He supposed he must have dozed off, but now that he was fully aware, she was already sitting, her hair tickling his chin. Sayori shook her head. "Stop being a child. I'm trying to keep you warm. Don't worry, I wasn't going to steal your virtue." She smirked.
The situation felt…wrong. Too…dangerous. But he didn't protest because she was warm and if it had been this long, there was no telling how much longer they would be stuck. He tried not to think about the prospect of high tide. She picked up his arms and put them around her waist, wrapping her own hands over them to keep them warmer.
"Better?" She asked with a turn of her head. Her hair brushing his cheek.
"I am no longer cold, if that is what you're asking." He replied crisply. He did not like this position. It was hardly fair of her to press her body against him like that and she kept squirming to get more comfortable. Squirming didn't make him any more comfortable. And her hair smelled too good. Even flecked with sand, he still wanted to breathe it in. It seemed she'd be getting at least some of her wish, though he'd never tell her that. He was human, after all. Anyone with a pulse would be in the same boat.
"I promise I'm not trying anything. I just didn't want you to be cold when you so graciously gave me your jacket. You always act mature, so let's be adults here." Sayori snuggled closer. Her intentions had been completely genuine and it was one of those cases where she didn't fully realize how her every move was received by her seat. She was not trying to abuse her power, but it was getting to the point where there was very little he'd be able to say 'no' to.
"I am not being childish." He seethed, offended. He was not acting immature. He was trying to act like the responsible teenage boy that he was, but there was more emphasis on the 'teenage' part right then.
Having her in his lap made him force his mind to focus elsewhere. He settled on thinking about her, just not in this situation. Since she had enrolled at Ouran, he had noticed that she had grown in the years since they were six. And not just physically, though he had noticed that first. Even since then, she had begun to transform in front of him. Over the past three months she had changed her hair, not letting it fall in front of her face but held up. Her complete disinterest in anything about him other than his last name and how angry it would make her father if anything happened between them, that seemed to have been less of a priority. She even seemed to smile and laugh more than she ever had as a child. It had made him suspicious, but now he considered the possibility of her sincerity. For all the information and evidence he had, she was serious in her claims.
"Imagine that." He said aloud.
"Hm?" She breathed.
"I think I see now." He added casually.
"See what?" She shifted in his lap so she could see his face. Kyoya noted that glow of happiness in her eyes. Her contentment. The face of someone who knew exactly who they are and what they wanted. It reminded him of Tamaki. And he was a little jealous.
"Never mind." He said finally. This was ridiculous. He was not letting her get to him. Whatever happened he was not going to like her or respect her or want her as anything but an enemy. She was too manipulative, crafty, secretive…beautiful, smart, willful…tempting…He bit his tongue. She was not to be anything more than a rival or at the very best, an acquaintance.
"This is getting ridiculous. Where could they have gone?" Tamaki asked as the beach started to close. The sun was almost completely set and everyone was getting worried. Jun and the twins returned from the parking area. "They aren't in the lot anywhere." Iori informed.
"You don't think they went home, do you?" Hikaru asked.
"Without their cell phones?" Tamaki held up the phones for proof.
Mori, his hands on his waist, looked toward the rocks in the distance. He had had a feeling for a few minutes now. He looked at Hisa, who knew exactly what he meant. She nodded.
"Takashi and I are going to look over there." She said to the arguing group. Everyone turned.
"Over there?" Tamaki mused. "Why would they go over there?"
Hisa shrugged. "Takashi has a feeling." He took her hand and started walking, Honey and Mei close behind.
Tamaki and Jun threw their hands in the air and followed. The twins trailed them with Haruhi in the rear.
Hisa put her hands on the rocks and was immediately picked up and placed back on the sand. "No." Mori said as he started climbing.
Honey took Hisa's hand. "Don't worry. Takashi is a great climber. He's just going to tell us if he can see them from there." The small boy smiled reassuringly.
When Mori reached the top, he looked down and saw two people. They were fast asleep, a girl lying on a boy and clinging to a jacket. He also noticed a puddle growing larger in the corner of their cave.
Mori climbed back down. "They're stuck."
Tamaki shrieked. "So they really are up there somewhere?"
Mori nodded.
"What do you mean, 'stuck'?" Jun asked worriedly.
"We need a rope to get them out. Tide's coming in." Mori assessed.
Iori threw her hands in the air. "Oh darn, I knew I should have packed my hiking equipment this morning."
"This isn't the time for jokes, Iori." Scolded Midori.
"Why don't we just call in a helicopter to get them out?" Suggested Hikaru.
Haruhi had been studying the scene while they talked. She walked over to a fence where the sand started to become rocky grass, a long chain laced through pieces of wood. "Why do you rich people always have to do things the hard way?" She asked as she started unthreading the chain. "Do you think this will be long enough, Mori-senpai?"
Mori did a quick mental calculation and nodded. He moved to help Haruhi gather the chain and then Mori, Tamaki, and the Hitachiin twins climbed to the top of the rock to lower the chain down. Soon, Kyoya and Sayori had been pulled to safety where they were immediately given towels.
"We were so worried about you." Jun sobbed, throwing her arms around Sayori. Sayori patted Jun on the head as they began the walk back to the car. The driver was told to pick them up a half hour ago and would be waiting for them.
"What were you two doing done there, anyway?" Tamaki asked, fawning over Kyoya.
Kyoya put his palm in the blonde's face. "We weren't sitting in a hole for our own enjoyment, you idiot. We fell."
"Oh." Tamaki moved his hands. "Alright, then, how did you fall? What were you climbing up there for?"
Kyoya had forgotten about Saito. No doubt the boy was long gone by now. Kyoya's mood soured even further. "What difference does it make?"
Tamaki pouted, "Kyoya…"
"Did it have anything to do with that?" Honey pointed at a boy scaling down from the higher rocks, a cooler in his hand.
When Saito noticed the group watching him he stopped in his tracks, lost his footing, and fell the rest of the way, whatever he had been holding landing on the sand just before he landed on his face. Hisa bent to help him, asking if he was okay and then stepped backward when he flinched away from her.
"NO!" Saito quickly lifted the cooler upright and peeked inside. "Phew. I thought…" He looked at Hisa, then put a hand behind his head. "Oh, I'm just fine, miss. Thank you. No need to worry about me. I'll just take my cooler and head on—"
Mei knelt beside the cooler, her hand on the lid. "What's inside your box?"
He flinched away from her, like the girls might attack him. "I-it's nothing. Nothing at all."
Mei's bottom lip quivered and her eyes pleaded. "Please…"
Saito lowered his arms, almost charmed by that adorable face. He almost couldn't say no…
Then Hikaru removed the lid. "It's just a bunch of rocks in some water."
"How boring." Midori added as all four twins peered inside. Saito's mouth hung open, a long, slow squeak coming from his throat.
"Dude, why so protective over a bucket of rocks?" Kaoru asked.
"Are there drugs inside or what?" Iori added.
Saito finally closed his mouth and snatched up the lid and returned it to the cooler. "It's not just a bunch of rocks, you…you morons."
"Morons. Ouch." Hikaru said, crossing his arms.
"Shut up! You had no right to open that. It's none of your business." Saito stood up, picking up his cooler. "And, for your information, there happens to be a whole ecosystem in here. Not that you idiots would know that. Those rocks are full of tide pools on the other side. I like to study them, but I don't want noisy brats like you poking their noses into my business." Saito lifted his chin haughtily.
"Whoa, chill drama queen." Iori monotoned. "No one's going to say anything about your little icky-system."
"Ecosystem!"
"Yeah, yeah, that."
Saito looked on the verge of tears. Hisa reached out her hand again, "Do you need any more help?" She offered shyly.
Saito swatted her hand away. "NO! I already—"
The cooler had switched hands in the instant that Mori had placed his fist inside Saito's cheek. Saito somersaulted until he hit water, landing in an awkward heap. Mori walked over to the boy and set down the cooler he had taken before he attacked. The box was undisturbed. Saito's cheek was red and his eyes spun for several seconds.
Hisa took Mori's arm. "That wasn't necessary…he didn't actually hurt me…"
"I know." Mori looked at the cooler. "That's why I saved the cooler."
The rest of the club stared at Saito, a full audience for him as he nursed his red cheek while trying to carry the cooler away from them. Once he was far enough away the excitement left with him. Tamaki went back to questioning.
"Were you following that boy?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Kyoya fumed. Then he turned on his heel. "Look, are we going to be here all night or are we going to go home? I've had a rather trying day."
Tamaki smiled. "Of course."
Kyoya's mood hadn't improved much learning what Saito had been up to. It might be useful information, possibly, but there was still something rather silly about the whole thing now. He pulled his towel over his shoulders against the wind and started walking behind Sayori and Jun. Right now, Sayori was the fuel for most of his anger. She sent him a sincere smile over her shoulder. A gesture he did not return outwardly. He adjusted his glasses with two fingers.
Damn it. He cursed.