Chapter 11: Office Visits

Yuko Kosaka is a very admirable woman. I met her not long after starting my studies at Ouran's Academy. Tamaki was insistent that we meet and of course, he had his way.

When I made the phone call to our groups legal offices yesterday, plans were made that Ms. Kosaka and I would meet up to discuss not just the case but how we will recover the reputations of the companies each member held stock in.

The whole prospect of going to trial was making me sick. Then again, it could just be that I can't stand the smells of certain foods and odors. Something in this office was making me want to hurl into the nearest receptacle.

I shot looks all around me, noting the receptionist desk. The table of the waiting room and the few people in the seats dressed in pant suits and pencil skirts. For a while nothing was standing out as offensive but then I saw the mint plants in the window sill planters. One of the windows was cracked to let in a fresh breeze. I glared at it.

Luckily I didn't have to wait because the moment I walked into the office the receptionist took one look at me and brightened up.

"Oh Ms. Fujioka, Miss Kosaka is waiting for you. Two doors down the hall to the left." She pointed in the direction and went back to her computer after I nodded and said thank you.

I adjusted my bag over my shoulder before opening the door.

Sitting at her desk with papers strewn in a very organized manner across her desk was the woman in question. She was much older than me. Old enough to be my mother to be honest and I appreciated the warmth she radiated when we spoke together.

Her hair was tied up in a neat chignon and her glasses were ever present. There was no other job this woman would be pegged for and when she had her look of concentration as she did now, you knew that she would get the job done. No matter how impossible that job appeared to be.

Once I walked into the room she noticed me and beckoned me to sit down on the seat across from her.

"Good to see you Haruhi," She said. "I have gone over the paperwork our paralegals had presented me from their findings. I would appreciate to see what you have put together."

I nodded and opened my bag to find the manilla folder and my organizer. I made sure to write down the names and numbers of key witnesses to our side. Though I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do. We very well couldn't lie but we couldn't be completely honest either.

"You look concerned." Yuko commented.

I blinked up at her for a moment before giving her a wry smile and laugh. "I didn't know I was that easy to read."

"No, you are not. I am very astute. Tell me what troubles you." Her hands took the folder from my hand as she rifled through my notes, nodding when she came across something useful.

When she asked me to tell her my troubles I was temporarily confused. There was so much going on that I had on my mind but I was certain she was referring to my troubles pertaining to our work.

I had to organize my thoughts before I could launch into any discussion. I was just glad that the smell from the lobby was not in this room. Now that my stomach had settled I was able to think clearly.

First of my concerns dealt with the nature of the job. Honestly, it was bound to come up. My past wasn't hidden. My name was synonymous with the Moe girls for a good long time. Prior to that I didn't have much of a job experience as I had quit my internships and the only legal job I had ever held to pursue the lifestyle my father had before me.

Second of course was to find a way to explain the relationships that were so obvious. After all photo evidence was placed against us.

I took a deep breath and began. "The courtesans and I will have to account for our past professions..."

Her hand went up. "No longer refer to your previous occupation as such. From now on we use the term 'companion'. I was able to put some effort forth on dissuading the notion of prostitution. After all, in the forms placed to us for your employment and payment, the act of sexual encounters as part of the job description is non existent."

She reached across her desk to find a particular set of papers and handed them to me. I glanced through them.

Each of our names were written on the first page of each stapled pack. Mine was on top, most likely since I would be representing the group I had to be cleared first.

Written clearly was a my job description: To accompany the members of the Circle to events and social gatherings. To present the best possible image of the group and it's active members. To assist in planning and providing opinions and options of ventures yet to be discussed and to be companion to those of the group who need assistance.

I frowned. Somehow I felt Kyoya's hand on this, which made me wonder if he knew that we would end up under scrutiny like this one day.

Yuko smirked when I chanced to look up at her again. "I assume you are wondering who put this description forward. To answer that, Mr. Ootori and I had a long chat when Mr. Suoh put for the notion of including companions into the Circles fold."

"From the looks of the description you made sure to keep things, for lack of a better term, vague."

Her chuckled broke my train of thought. "Very astute. I can see why Mr. Suoh and Mr. Ootori hold you in such high regard."

I tried to hide the blush that rose on my cheeks but knowing I was bound to fail at that I tried to turn the topic back to the matter at hand. "As you can see, in the files I have several cases prepared. One against each of the papers, one against the photographer who is taking credit for the photos as it is invasion of privacy, and lastly against Eclair Tonnere herself. She was the one who threatened blackmail, slander and attempted assault on myself in a public venue. Her case has many witnesses lined up, including her accomplice Ms. Ayanokouji who attempted to kill me and was convicted last year."

Yuko picked up the papers before her and rifled through them. Contemplation was written all over her face and her even adjusted her glasses in a very Kyoya fashion.

"It seems like with the libel cases we will need to come in contact with your former employer. From the looks of what I am certain will be a counter attack, they will target your character. Do you know any of the girls from MoeMoe that can vouch for you? Aside from Renge Houshakuji." She placed the files down and folded her hands in front of her. Her eyes locked with mine.

Blinking and looking away, I took a deep breath. Yes, there was someone who I could ask. I just wasn't ready to bring her into this disaster. Not with the way her life is turning. I just couldn't ask her to put her reputation at risk to save my own.

I could lie, and say no. That no one would help. That I wasn't friendly with my fellow prostit- co-workers.

However looking into Yuko's determined face, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I sighed again for good measure.

"Mei Yasumura." I said.

The look of surprise on Yuko's face was obvious. "The Hitachiin's newest designer?"

I nodded.

Maybe she realized what I did because she shook her head and let out a sigh of her own. Involving another employee affiliated with the Circles enterprises was risky as it is. Let alone a young designer on the way to the top.

"Perhaps. However, I think we can work with only Ms. Hoshakuji. If necessary we can put forth the request to your friend." Yuko pinched her nose and frowned. The stress must be getting to her too and who can blame her. After all, she had to not only put forth the cases I prepared but I wasn't exactly experienced either.

"Ms. Fujioka." She said suddenly. "Thank you for all the work you have prepared. I will take over from here and give you a call when we are ready to serve our opponents."

She stood up which cued me to do the same. I picked up my bag, slung it over my shoulder and followed her to the door.

"You did very well. Better than half the people on my staff to be honest but you do need a wider range of view. Take some time away from the inner workings of this case and free your mind. When we need you again, you should have a clearer vision of what to expect. Our opponents have great lawyers and will do all they can to take you down. Not just in court but in character as well. Talk with the others, get their points of view and let us do our part in saving the Ouran Circle."

I nodded at her and smiled. She patted my shoulder and smiled back at me.

When I left, I felt a weight lifted from me. Not completely but enough that I had a momentary blank in my though process. I hardly even registered passing the lobby and that sickening stench.

All I wanted to do was go home but I had somewhere else I needed to go.

Kyoya

I received a phone call from the enigmatic Reiko once again. She informed me that I should head to the clinic I recommended to Haruhi.

Of course, I was not one to ignore a request from our mystic. Not once has a prediction of hers failed. We learned long ago to trust the words she spoke to us.

I have never taken Reiko as a lover. I have however had the presence of her company on many occasions. She has always been an asset in my ventures; her predictions helped to divert us from disaster.

When last she gave me a call concerning Haruhi, I arrived just in time. There she was, walking alone on an open road in nothing more than a revealing dress that did nothing to hide her figure or keep her warm. She was at the lowest that her career with Moemoe. I highly doubted that she would continue her path after that day and was fully prepared to offer her a job with myself on that spot.

Instead, I drove her home. Called Renge and berated her to the very last word about her treatment and lack of security on jobs. It came to nothing since Haruhi was still targeted. Even after joining us as a member of the Circle she was still a target.

I will deny it, but I know the first time she was targeted was due to her proximity to myself and the others in the group. It had very little to do with her as a person until she joined us.

Now all the girls are targets. Infuriating as it may be, there is very little we can do about it without going through the proper channels.

Though at this moment my mind was not on how we would reinstate our previous reputations and finances, it was on the phone call from Reiko.

I drove down the familiar road to one of my often visited clinics. This one held our best staff that doubled at the main Ootori hospital. Each and every employee is under contract and maintains a clean record.

Once I was in the parking lot, my eyes spied a small figure standing on the stairs at the entrance. Her hand resting on the rail, not moving but leaning over the edge and... for a lack of better description.. vomiting into the planter.

I pushed my glasses up on to the bridge of my nose and straightened my jacket before climbing out of my vehicle. I approached her without any preamble and placed my hand on her shoulder.

She jumped slightly but settled down when she saw my face.

"Sorry about the plants." Haruhi said to me, not meeting my eye.

My hand gripped her shoulder. "No matter. I will have someone take care of it shortly."

She scoffed and shook her head, wiping her face with her hand to clear away her apparent exhaustion. Then she straightened up and went for the door.

I was ahead of her in a moment. Taking the door in my hand and holding it open for her.

"Where are the twins? Shouldn't they be escorting you here?" I asked and saw her tense at the mention of them. This should be interesting.

"No. They are busy." She said.

"Did you tell them you were pregnant?"

Her face went blank and paled. "How did you..."

I waved my hand to discourage her. Then lead her to the front desk. The receptionist took one look at me and smiled. "Mr. Ootori. A pleasure to see you today. Can I help you?"

"Ms. Fujioka is here for her check up. Would you please allow us access to an exam room?"

Her smile didn't falter at all. "Yes, of course. Room 3b is open at the moment. I will put you down on the list of rounds and the doctor should be with you as soon as possible."

I nodded to her and guided Haruhi past the lobby and towards the exam room. I chanced a glance down at her and noticed her pale pallor. She looked ill and without a doubt, troubled.

She seated herself on the exam table without so much as a look my way. I took the opportunity to stand before her and cup her cheek in my hand. My fingers brushed her short hair behind her ear and back down to her chin. I gripped it and made her look into my eyes.

"Tell me." I demanded.

Moments passed, and she said nothing but her eyes hardened and blank emotion stared back at me. "I don't want to talk about it." She said.

We stared each other down, daring the other to speak but neither of us budged. I hardly knew what tactic to use next but I didn't need to since the door opened and a female doctor with her brown hair in a ponytail and thick rimmed glasses came into the room.

"Okay, lets see what is going on here." She said, deliberately ignoring the tense atmosphere in the room. "Hello Mr. Ootori. I appreciate you escorting the patient but I must ask you to leave the room."

I nodded, "Yes of course."

Haruhi slouched further into herself and avoided my gaze. Yes, it was a good thing to receive that call from Reiko. I never know what my roll will be with her visions but this one was certain. Haruhi needed to talk to someone and it looks like I might be the one. Once again, I was called to rescue her from herself.

A/N: When I was pregnant with Kairi, I started getting morning sickness early. It's still unknown what causes it but reading up, it's all hormonal. Not because the baby is swimming around, so it can happen at 3-6 weeks. My family is filled with old wives tales, some of which will be brought up in this story because, lets face it, we have heard them all.

To those of you worried about the paternity of the baby, you are not alone, Haruhi is freaking out with you guys.