Chapter 6: The Plot Thickens

Yoshio's office was as grim and foreboding as expected of the leader of the most prestigious family. Kyoya stood in the office facing the only piece of furniture in the room, a dark mahogany desk with a chair behind it. The wall behind the desk bore the Ootori family crest. Kyoya had been unsurprised to learn that his father had already heard about the unusual strength and unique powers of the commoner Haruhi. He'd perhaps even heard about Kyoya's discovery of a stronger entity and had called him there to discuss the matter.

"Father," Kyoya said nodding his head slightly.

"Kyoya. It's come to my attention that a certain student you've begun to associate with may be more than she seems. I trust the peculiarities of her situation have not escaped your notice."

"No, sir. I had hoped to speak with you about Haruhi's background and power as well as an emerging power in the world of the gifted."

"You believe they may be related? In what way?"

"Yesterday Haruhi became, for lack of a better description, trapped inside her mind. She appeared to be having a nightmare. Once I established her mind was being influenced by an outside entity, I focused on pushing the presence out in an attempt to wake her. The influence was too strong for me to break from her mind. Somehow Haruhi was able to overcome the entity and pushed it from her mind herself."

"So, this new strong power has taken an interest in the girl who is more than she seems. Look deeper into her background. Find anything you can about her. To have such strong mental powers means she must be connected to one of the ancient princes somehow. If she were of our line we would already know so she must be a descendant of another branch."

"All the other lines ended long ago when the ancients ascended, or have no full heirs such as the Suoh line," Kyoya and his father shuddered at the impossible yet somehow humorous thought of Haruhi being a secret Suoh lovechild before he continued, "except the Fujiwara line which destroyed itself after the death of their daughter…" Kyoya paused a moment before his eyes grew wide behind his glasses.

"There was a rumour that the daughter had run away to be with a Halfling after her family had engaged her against her will."

"Yes, I remember the incident." Yoshio said somewhat sullenly. "She had been engaged to your eldest brother when she went into hiding and married. Given the circumstances and timeline, it's possible that Haruhi is her daughter. Compare any picture she has of her mother to pictures of Fujiwara-sama."

"Yes, sir. What about her possible connections to the new power? She must be of great value to him if he is taking a personal interest in her. Though she appears to be afraid of him, her powers seem equally strong if not stronger should she gain practice controlling them. I believe it would be advantageous for us to offer her assistance and protection."

"Indeed. She will prove useful either in trade to an ally or as a means of defeating an enemy." Yoshio stated contemplatively. "Befriend the girl and bring her here. I'd like to meet this girl who can combat one who so easily overpowers anyone in his path."

"Yes, father."