Chapter 10
Kyoya was not really in the mood for a party. After his conversation with Alexis on Sunday he had found himself checking up on her more and more. It was actually the insane urge to pick her up and save her from what was happening to her that finally made him understand what was going on.
Why he allowed her to irritate him without instant retribution. Why he listened to her advice even though he had only known her a little over a week. Why he wanted to show her who he really was even though very few people were aware that he even wore a mask.
Why he was hell bent on keeping her alive.
He was falling in love with her. It had been shocking at first to understand that the frustrating, stubborn, teasing girl had wound her fingers around his heart while he had been busy trying to show her up. It was also shocking to realize that if she hadn't been so annoying, so irritating, he wouldn't have looked at her in the first place.
If she hadn't been so frustrating he wouldn't have seen her intelligence.
If she hadn't been so stubborn he wouldn't have seen her strength of will.
If she hadn't been so teasing he wouldn't have seen the joy and thirst for life that inhabited everything she did.
By being all three she had forced him to look at her long enough to see just how unique and lovable the rest of her was. The patience, the quick wit, the ability to turn situations in her favor were similar to his own abilities, but, tapered by her femininity. Oddly, he was very fortunate she enjoyed ticking him off, that she hadn't taken his actions that first day at face value and had tried to bring him out where she could see him fully.
That left a rather large problem though. She was dying. Even if she had simply been a friend he would have been fighting to save her. The fact that she was in his heart made the fight that much more important and his will to save her unquenchable. Kyoya being Kyoya he tackled the problem from all directions. Calling in favors and digging into her medical history (which was easier to find now that he knew what he was looking for) he was attempting to fix his broken friend.
At least she was his friend for now, they would be more as quickly as he could talk, cajole or con her into accepting and returning his affections. Not that he thought that would be difficult. A person doesn't try to make your life better in such drastic ways unless they care for you on some level.
On what level was the question that burned in his mind. Her flirting seemed to be her way of "handling" him. At first it had been annoying, so he was sure that was part of her plan to tick him off. Now it seemed an affectionate habit, but, he was still unsure if she viewed him as anything other than a friend.
As his mind tried to find the answer his hands were nimbly tying the necktie that went with his suit. Mrs. Hitachiin had gone all out on the costumes. The three piece black suit she had made for him came with a detachable red devil's tale that looked a little too real for comfort . There was also a pair of red horns that the twins were going to help him attach near his hairline on either side of his forehead.
He looked every inch the affluent, demonic, businessman. Once he was done he stepped out of his curtained stall and into chaos.
"Honey could you help Mori put on the green face paint. Don't give me that look it's part of the costume." Alexis was directing traffic according to a list Mrs. Hitachiin had sent with the costumes.
"Tamaki, where are your contacts." Alexis asked exasperated.
"My clients will want to stare into my beautiful, amethyst, eyes. It would be a sin..." Tamaki had begun to ramble and Alexis cut him off.
"It is a sin to ask someone to do something for you and than not follow their advice. Put. Them. In." She waved the small box at him.
"But, red" he whined accepting the box and running to the nearest mirror.
"Well, let me look at you." She said noticing Kyoya for the first time. "I like it. It works on you. The twins are almost done if you want to wait a bit, they will be right with you." She turned to look at Honey and than swung back around. "You wouldn't know how to tie a cravat by any chance?"
Once all the hosts had gotten ready they gently shoved Alexis into a changing room and began to hand her pieces of her outfit.
"Is there a reason why the mirror is missing from this room?" Alexis popped her head out of the room.
"Yes" came the unanimous reply and a pair of silvery black heels were pushed into the room with her.
"Hurry up there is still makeup!" A petulant Hikaru yelled his costume contisted of a great coat, top hat and cane.
"Don't forget her nails, the glue will need to dry." Kaoru reminded him as he set up their supplies lined up at the counter like a small army. He wore a lab coat, slacks and shirt.
"I admit this is a gorgeous outfit," Alexis yanked back the curtain, "but why a witch?"
Haruhi snorted. "You made a deal with the devil didn't you? I mean you help Kyoya and he helps you. Wasn't that what witch's were said to do?" Haruhi stood in torn pants and a ripped shirt with yellow contacts, looking as if she would transform at any second.
Alexis rolled her eyes as the twins led her to a seat and began to mess with her face and hair.
"You will be escorting the ladies to their appointments and serving them their orders. Once everyone has settled in you will join me as part of my scene." Kyoya had a glint in his eyes that bode well for her.
"You planned this" She mouthed her eyes meeting his in the mirror. All she got in response was a smirk.
I wasn't planning on letting her get away with her antics. I doubt she knows how I will be teaching her this lesson though. He watched as Hikaru did up her face, applying shimmery silver eyeshadow, followed by fake eyelashes and than a smear of clear plum lipstick to her lips. Honey had taken over doing her nails and had begun gluing perfectly manicured , black and silver claws on her regular nails. Kaoru toke charge of her hair, softly pinning it back with a crescent moon beret.
Kyoya certainly admired how Mrs. Hitachiin's dress fit Alexis body. The fabric was black with silver threads causing it to shimmer. The design itself was a one bell sleeve sheath, the bottom hem starting halfway up the outside of her right thigh and ending in a point on the outside of her left knee. Seeing as the twins were not done, he went to where he had stored his things and pulled out his cell.
"This is Kyoya Ootori, I need a photographer to be at the host club in thirty minutes." Kyoya ordered as soon as the line was picked up.
"Mr. Ootori if this is for your Halloween party than a photographer has already been dispatched to your event. We were hired a few days ago by a Miss Alexis Overtun." replied the man on the other side of the phone.
Kyoya paused. "Give orders to your photographer to make sure to do portraits of the club and I want duplicate copies of all photo's taken sent to me once they are ready. Miss Overtun isn't to know."
"Of course."
Kyoya hung up the phone. She really does think of everything. Tamaki is all for her being admitted to the club as my assistant. While I do need the help and she has more than proven herself; it would only be fair to mess with her first...
A terrifying grin began to take hold of his features as he started to plot. Once the twins had finished Alexis, the club gathered together for a final run through.
The twins goofed around with Hikaru's top hat and expelled on how they would love to share the same body and never be apart. Tamaki practiced with his fangs and making dramatic sweeps with his cloak so he wouldn't hurt himself or others.
With five minutes to go everyone started taking positions in their opening pose while Alexis went to the lighting board and darkened the main lights, leaving only candlelight and a soft spotlight directed straight at them.
When the girls saw the objects of their affection the looks on their faces caused a moment not to be forgotten. When the hosts finished up the meet and greet, Alexis began to lead their first round of appointments to the according station. Some of the girls had put on demi masks or put on a costume of their own which added to the thrill and mystic.
Once everyone was situated Alexis toke in their trays of snacks and checked to make sure everyone had everything they needed before heading over to help Kyoya. Kyoya had been entertaining the girls for 10 minutes; they loved his "office". Ohhing and ahhing at the glowing "souls". When he had begun asking them if they would sell their souls to him they had gotten a little nervous though.
"Oh, Kyoya, I could never..."
"Papa would be most displeased..."
"Ladies," came a voice from the entrance. Everyone looked up to see Alexis, "Why are you so afraid" She walked up to Kyoya and winked. "My master is not cruel. He would take care of you, protect you." She looked into his eyes to see the amusement than looked straight at the girls. "And in return you would get to stay with him forever."
A deep sigh could be heard from the girls at the last word.
That was quiet well played.
"You see those who place themselves in my hands want for nothing." He was getting pulled into the game. He grasped the crook of Alexis' elbow and led the girls to the sitting area. "Fetch the contracts for me." He commanded releasing her.
And so they continued to play off each other. Kyoya enjoyed the acting immensely. For one Alexis had to call him "master"; she had started it after all. For another he could treat her like a servant one minute and than look into her eyes with a half hooded gaze the next. The customers ate it up and by the end of the night not a single contract was unsigned.
"That was enjoyable if tiring." Alexis sighed as she reclined on a sofa after the last client left. Kyoya sat on the seat next to her.. "I think you may have had too much fun at my expense. Treating me like a servant." She looked at him a playful glare on her face.
"You were the one who started it. You called me "Master" I just went along with it." He smirked.
"You called him master!" Haruhi looked amused. "He is never going to let you forget that." She sat on the chair opposite them having already changed out of her costume.
"No, I am not." his smirk grew.
"Ehhh, I am going home before I give him something else to use against me!" She waved happily as she left, picking up her things before exiting the music room.
Kyoya's eyes followed her till the door closed.
"What are you plans regarding Alexis, Sempai?" At his raised eyebrow she continued. " You are frighteningly intelligent, I would be surprised if you were unaware of you feelings toward her."
"As usual Haruhi, you are very observant. While I may be having feelings toward Alexis, until she is aware of her own I will continue with the game she started." At the look of consternation on her face, Kyoya smirked. "I haven't forgotten and I feel a little retribution is in order. This conversation is to go no further or you will be paying off you debt when you graduate college."
That threat had Haruhi groaning.
I do not own Ouran High School Host Club. But it certainly has a ring to it doesn't it.
Glad to be hearing from you guys and gals! I forgot to thank the people who fav or alert my story you guys rock! Reviewer 11 thanks for speaking up its nice to hear that it works for the story and that the worry was all in my head... =)