Ok, so I know I said I probably won't be able to, but guess what: I WAS! Finals ended early (for me anyway) so I had some extra time. I'll try a get these chapters posted as quick as I can from now on before I begin summer classes. I hope you enjoy!

"Relationships based on obligation lack dignity."

~Wayne Dyer~

"How is Yura-chan doing, Kyouya?" Tamaki asked as he took his seat in front of his best friend.

"Fine" he answered curtly, not really paying attention to what Tamaki said but answering out of habit; Tamaki had greeted him with the same question everyday for the past two weeks.

"Kyouya are you even listening to me?"

"Mm."

"I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed,

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;..."

Kyouya looked up from his notes.

"What are you talking about?" he stared at Tamaki quizzically, thinking that his idiocy had finally driven him off the deep end.

"So you are paying attention. You give me the same answer every time I ask you about Yura."

"What else do you want me to tell you Tamaki? That she is half alive in my basement, scavenging around for food?"

"Kyouya!"

He went back to his notes.

Despite the hyperbole, for all he knew Yura could very well be halfway to her own home on foot. Since arriving at the Ootori mansion, other than the first night and next morning, Kyouya had not seen high or low of the girl. The servants brought her meals to the guest room she stayed in while Tachibana was in charge of giving her assignments and notes provided by Haruhi. So to his estimation, as long as she was fed and kept busy, she was 'fine'.

"Have you even seen her?" Tamaki asked, narrowing his eyes with suspicion.

"Many times Tamaki." He lied.

And Tamaki knew he was. "Do you visit her? Talk to her? Anything?!"

"She is in my house, not the hospital. And she is not some elderly woman with dementia."

"So! She must be lonely, all alone in that room by herself…" Tamaki mumbled, his body drooping with sadness.

Kyouya just barely refrained from rolling his eyes.

'He is suddenly unable to recall that she has been 'all alone' in her own home.' Was his thought but he made no comment or allusion to it. He decided to go see how she was faring this afternoon. Anything to prevent the host club members from visiting again, he was not in the mood for their antics today both in and out of club.

Instead of handing the papers to Tachibana as he usually did, he went up to his room to change first before heading to her room with them under his arm. He asked a passing maid what his "guest" was doing at the moment. Unfortunately she didn't know; she had forgotten that anybody was even here she was so quiet and unassuming.

Not sure whether to be worried or unsurprised at that tidbit, Kyouya went to her door and gave it three firm knocks. He waited awhile, figuring Yura would need time. However, when it began bordering on eleven minutes, Kyouya's patience waned as he knocked again. He checked the door. It was unlocked.

He opened it slowly and looked around to see all the curtains in the room pulled back and the room bathed in orange-red rays from the setting sun. He turned on the light and walked in until he discerned a still form on the window seat. Kyouya was sure he at least made his presence known, so why did she remain lying on her back, her good arm over her eyes and leg hanging off the seat?

He dropped the folder containing her schoolwork on the nearby table with a loud 'plop!'

"Thank you Tachibana-san."

He stiffened at the low wearied inflection.

"You are welcome."

Her head shot up before she propped herself up quickly on her injured arm, cringing a bit in pain. She took up the glasses that had been resting on her chest and peered through them as an old person would when they didn't want to admit they needed them; using them more as a magnifying glass than constant visual aid.

"Kyouya-senpai?"

"How are you feeling?" he sat down on the other end of the seat, crossing his legs and resting his hands on them, his eyes focused on her.

"Fine, I guess..." she responded warily, watching him as he sat down, "um, why are you here?"

"I live here."

She gave an 'I-know-that-don't-play-the-smart-Alec-with-me' look before replying, "I mean why are in this room?"

"To give you your school work." He gestured to the table.

"…Doesn't Tachibana-san do that for you?"

"Yes he does, I also came to see how you were doing."

Her eyes narrowed for a moment while the unkempt head tilted slightly, giving Kyouya a view of the bandages on her shoulder. That and her blood shot eyes.

"Tamaki-senpai and others have been asking you about me haven't they?"

"Of course. They think of you as a friend and are very concerned. What is your point?" he shot back as casually as possible, upset that she figured out his main motive.

"So you came to see me so you wouldn't have to make anything up." She plopped back down unto seat, taking off her glasses and closing her eyes. Kyouya clenched his teeth and glared at her for some time before talking.

"Do you not have work to do?" he asked, trying to maintain the casual tone.

"I could ask you the same thing. It's not like I have anywhere to go tomorrow" she turned her head away from the window and mumbled under her breath, "or really can for that matter."

Kyouya caught her mumbling, and didn't respond. After a few minutes he got up and walked out the door. Yura let out a sigh when she heard him get up. Being in the room for so long with such restricted mobility was beginning to get to her. She could be alone. It was the sitting still that made her a bit glad that he had come in. Or at least that's what she told herself.

She heard shuffling and raised her head again to see Kyouya placing his school bag and laptop on the table, taking a seat in one of the chairs.

"What are doing?" She got up and hobbled over to the table on a crutch. Kyouya was surprised to find himself stifling the urge to get up and help her.

"My work. I strongly advise you start yours." Was all the response she received. He opened his laptop and began to type. She dropped into the other chair and after some difficultly, got her assignments out of the folder. She glanced up at him once or twice before focusing fully on her work, a little smile forming on her lips which she hid by lowering her head.

This went on until Yura's arm was finally healed. She returned to the mansion after having the cast and bandages removed and tried limping around with a new set of crutches, smiling at the relief of having two arms again. And being able to handle her sketchbook. Kyouya still came to study (and tutor at some instances, biology also wasn't one of her strong points) so that he noticed her eyes slowly faded from red to white, though she still appeared to be growing thinner, which he wondered at.

One weekend Yura woke up before her alarm. She laid in bed until it went off before heading to the ostentatious bathroom. She had just finished struggling on her clothes when a soft, faint knock caught her ear. She frowned and scratched at her cheek before heading over to the door. The knock sounded nothing like Kyouya or Tachibana so she assumed it was a particularly sympathetic maid, like the one who, much to her annoyance, came in occasionally to try and start up conversations with her, out of lenity, while she cleaned. She opened the door, displeasure lacing her expression until she caught sight of the person.

It was definitely not a maid.

It was a gorgeous young woman, with black wavy hair and brown grayish eyes that looked oddly familiar. The pink lipstick covered lips smiled as a pair of long delicate pale hands intertwined and rested by her cheek and leaning head.

Yura hobbled back a step.

"Oh! I'm sorry! Tachibana said Kyouya-kun had a friend staying over." Yura's fright was mistaken for surprise. "But he didn't tell me you were a girl. It's nice to meet you, I'm Fuyumi Shido, Kyouya-kun's older sister." The face she got to her introduction was so hilarious, Fuyumi couldn't repress a giggle.

'He has a sister…?'

"Yes, but Kyouya-kun doesn't talk about me much." Yura blinked, not realizing she had spoken the thought out loud. "I got married so I can only visit from time to time."

"Oh…I'm…uh, Yura Komatsu, i-it's nice to meet you as well." Yura attempted to bow, but Fuyumi stopped her by holding her shoulder, giving it a little pat.

"It's fine dear. No need to be formal, Tachibana told me all he could." She gave a smile, lifting her hand to Yura's round cheek. "I hope Kyouya-kun is treating you well?"

She nodded, a little disoriented by the warm sweet smelling hand on her face. Fuyumi withdrew her hand and smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry. I've always wanted a little sister you see. You looked so cute I couldn't resist."

The amazement wore off enough for Yura to look at her in disbelief.

'She's almost as bad as Tamaki…'

"I wonder if he's still up in his room sleeping? He should know better than to stay up so late when he has a guest. He's such a bad host." The older Ootori pouted as she thought of her little brother's poor sleeping habits.

"Come along, Komatsu-chan."

Yura followed but it didn't cross her mind to ask until they had reached a huge door where they were going.

"We're going to wake up the grumpy sleepyhead." Fuyumi whispered as if they were on a top secret mission, even putting her finger to her lips before gingerly opening the door. Yura's eyebrows went up to her hairline at the sight of the enormous room. She was looking around so much she nearly fell when she got to the set of stairs leading up to Kyouya's bed. Fuyumi turned around at the sound of the thump.

"Are you alright? Do you need help?"

"N-no, no it's fine, I can do it."

She still waited a step at a time until Yura got to the top, smiling sadly as she watched her. Yura did her best not to make it seem like she was catching her breath while Fuyumi went to the large king size bed and poked the bump huddled on it.

"Kyouya-kuuun! Wake up! How can you sleep for so long when you have a friend over?" Fuyumi crossed her slim arms and she looked at him sternly as he rose up, glaring death into her face. Yura had to stop herself from clapping; she was so impressed. The older sister walked away, unharmed and unfazed.

"You are such a grouch. You have friend over, at least be courteous and see that she's comfortable and entertained." Fuyumi walked over to his injured kohai and placed her hands on each shoulder, to which Yura reflexively straightened. She nudged Yura along until she was sitting on the couch near the railing and winked before heading down the flight of stairs and out the door. Kyouya glared at her retreating figure and the very air she left behind.

'So she wakes the archfiend and then leaves me alone with him.' Yura thought as she stared down at her swinging leg, trying not to look too discomfited.

"When did you wake up?" The question was asked in a gruff tone.

She glanced up with her head still down, hearing the shuffling of sheets and then slippers.

"Around eleven."

He raised an eyebrow at her, his hand carelessly combing through his hair. "What time is it now?"

"About one, I think." She had seen him just awoken before, but never so disheveled. It was a curious sight.

He smiled at her wide searching eyes.

"You are staring you know?"

"I know. You look strange."

"Is that so?"

She nodded. "I should go so you can-"

"It is alright, just stay up here." He said and with that he was out of sight.

She got restless as her moving leg no longer provided her with sufficient amusement, so she went over to the set of small bookcases he had across from his bed. She stuck out her tongue at the titles: all business or advance medicine related. She fell unto his bed and closed her eyes, reveling in its softness.

"No wonder he sleeps in…" She yawned in the fold of her arm, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Have you eaten?"

Yura opened her eyes; it felt as if he wasn't gone for very long. She kinda wished he took a little longer.

"No. but I'm not hungry so it's fine."

"When did you eat yesterday?"

"Hmmmmmm…five-thirty….I think."

"Yura-chan, come down and get something to eat."

She sighed and followed him downstairs but at a very creeping pace. She felt as if she would fall at any second. Kyouya gave her a cup of fruit and she nibbled on them after taking out all the strawberries and any fruit that touched them. He noticed this with confusion.

"Is something wrong with those?"

"No, I'm allergic to strawberries; just not taking any chances since I don't have my EpiPen nearby."

He nodded, making a mental note to inform the chefs about it later.

Limping over to his larger bookshelf, she scanned thoroughly, hoping for a vaguely interesting title, seeing as she had finished off the books she had brought with her. She spotted "Jane Eyre" and despite having finished the book, took it up to reread it again. They spent the rest of the day in his room: Kyouya on his laptop and Yura reading through her favorite chapters of books he had that she was familiar with. Eventually, she had to stopped due her eyes getting tired and ended up dozing off, reclined on his couch.

It was getting well into the evening when Kyouya heard the sound of almost a whimper from behind him. He turned and his eyes grew large at the sight of Yura tossing back and forth, holding onto her recently healed shoulder, teeth clenched, sweat on her brow, and tears streaming from her eyes. She raved in low quiet voice. All he could make out was a series of "no" before she broke into a shrill flesh-crawling scream. Water gushed from her eyes which were squeezed shut as she thrashed about like someone who had been shot for the first time in their life and was left to wallow in the agony.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't it! Please!" she repeated in between her bawling, the expression of anguish and pain intensifying with each word.

Kyouya rushed up to her and shook her roughly, backing away in jerky steps as she screamed again, this time her hand reaching vainly for her right leg. He raised her into a sitting position and shook her violently by the upper arms, yelling now for her to wake up. She then began to hyperventilate.

Kyouya was starting to panic now. He looked hurriedly around his room and spotting the bottle of water on the floor where he had been, grabbed it and emptied the contents into Yura's face. She jumped up, coughing loudly before gasping for air, shaking like a newborn left in the cold, looking harried, wild, and frightened.

"…Yura-chan?"

Her trembling grew worse and she looked at him as if he was the source of her nightmare. He approached her slowly, thinking she would try to run if he moved any faster. She calmed by degrees and he placed a hand on her arm. She flinched but didn't move.

He wasn't sure what to say. It was obvious she wasn't alright, but what else could he ask?

She hiccuped and started to curl into a ball, but Kyouya stopped her.

"Yura-chan…what happened?" he asked in a low voice.

She had a shortness of breath, holding her head as if to keep it on her neck, before replying in almost a gasp: "I-I don't know…" After awhile she rested her head on her bended knee, hugging her thighs and seemingly hushed.

"...Did it have to do with your wounds?" he risked asking again, his hand lightly massaging her arm.

"I…I don't remember…"

Kyouya was unable to tell if she was lying or not. He let the matter drop. The quiet that pervaded the room was becoming more tense and he felt like an awkward fool for not being able to say anything that might provide some kind of comfort. He was a novice in such situations. Unable to take the silence anymore, he said the only thing that came to mind:

"…You should go to your room."

She nodded and wordlessly started to rise; reaching for her crutches, but her quavering leg gave out underneath her before she could grab them. Kyouya secured her by letting her body fall and lean on him while his arm lightly wrapped around her frame. He could feel that she was still trembling.

"Sorry…" she whispered hoarsely as she pushed herself off.

She hopped to get her crutches and headed towards the door. Kyouya followed her involuntarily. She turned when she was at the door of the guest room, but kept her head low.

"I'm…sorry…about that…for disturbing you I mean." Kyouya could only nod, staring at the diminutive child in front of him.

'What happened to her that day…?'

"Goodnight." She bowed her head, opened the door and shut it softly, leaving Kyouya in front of it, distressed and deep in thought.

Kyouya typed away on his computer for hours afterward later but his mind was divided in the task. He had mulled over the possible causes of Yura's injuries and where she was found, but since he had so little to work with, it settled into mere speculation until he dismissed it altogether. Now it was forefront in his mind and theories popped into his head once again, the most reasonable being kidnapping. But why? And why break her limbs and leave her at a bus stop? It seemed more like a brutal gang crime than any kind of attempt of obtaining a ransom. He took off his glasses and folded his hands over his nose and mouth. His thoughts now shift on how long she might have been having a nightmare like that. The expression on her face had ingrained itself into the back of his eyelids. He put back on his glasses and headed to up to his bed. One thing he was sure of and much to his dissatisfaction he had to admit Tamaki was right; leaving Yura alone in that room for weeks on end was no longer something he could do unless he wanted feelings of guilt weighing down on his conscience.

And I have reached chapter 10. Yay! Kyouya himself has stated in the manga that he's not very good with touchy-feely situations so I wanted to make that claim evident yet still Kyouya-like. Unfortunately, having him step on her and tell her to suck it up might not be a good tactic. I was gonna have him slap her awake but that would not go well for various reasons that will be made known in later chapters. So yes, as I said before I will try to post another chapter. Hopefully by this Saturday evening. As always, if you have any questions let me know.

Love and Peace.