ENTERING OURAN HIGH SCHOOL

CHAPTER 12: SHADOW KING TO THE RESCUE

-X-X-X-O-O-O-X-X-X-

The next day followed in after the unexpected visit of two senior students to one shrine housing a time-travelling priestess. Said priestess was actually recalling the conversation she had with her cousins and smiled brightly at the thought of meeting them at the club. This had caused the other students to give her a wide berth in confusion with regards to her unusually cheerful mood. However, as soon as she saw Hikaru, her mood dampened a bit, remembering the agreement that she made with her two elders. Really, was it really worth hiding her connection with Honey and Mori just to remain associated with Hikaru's plan? Then, it hit her. If the rest of the host club realizes her relationship with the oldest two, they'd know that she's a girl and probably put two and two together, realizing that she kept her gender a secret and possibly create a mess with the club. There's also a high chance that they'd be angry at her for keeping such a thing secret. But then again, it's been the same with Haruhi, wasn't it? The club had had to realize the truth individually and none of them had reacted badly, according to her friend. So maybe, there'd be a minimal negative effect once the truth comes out. She sighed, thinking that she's being irrational about the whole thing. She took her seat and prepared for the upcoming lesson, oblivious to the confused stares that her friends were giving her, all for different reasons of course.

-x-x-x-

Hikaru watched his victim, err, his friend enter the classroom with a bright smile on her face. Curious about what brought on such a mood, he was about to ask her when she suddenly frowned upon seeing him. He, too, frowned at this. He hadn't done anything to Kagome yet, so why was she frowning at him. Then, as he was about to confront her about it, Kagome's expression changed once again. She looked like she had just realized something, then it became worried. By now, Hikaru was finding the different expressions on the miko's face hilarious. He actually had to cover his mouth in order to prevent his laughter from erupting. He was tad disappointed when Kagome finally sat on her chair and prepared for class.

-o-o-o-

As for one Kaoru Hitachiin, he was becoming very confused and at the same time very frustrated. Really, what's wrong with people these days? Why was Kagome hanging out with his brother and why was Haruhi suddenly joining them? Worst of it all, the two seniors were probably enjoying this way too much for comfort. As he was pondering on this for the umpteenth time for the course of two week, he saw the focus of his mental ramblings out of the corner of his eyes. To him, the not-so-new-student-anymore was acting cutely that he had the sudden urge to hug Kagome. Then, he spied his brother moving to approach Kagome and he scowled. He wanted to stand and stop his brother but thought better of it, realizing that stopping Hikaru from making friends with Kagome was completely irrational and definitely unfounded. But, even with this thought, he couldn't seem to stop himself from reacting even though he directed all his more violent reaction inwards, furthering his confusions about his currently jumbled emotions. Getting back on track, he spotted Kagome slowly walking towards her seat, her face a kaleidoscope of sorts, what with 'his' expressions varying for every two seconds. He cheered a bit at this. Why wouldn't he? After all, he was seeing such a cute side from his new friend. Then, as if snapping out of a daze, he recovered himself when he realized that Kagome was already seated.

-x-x-x-

As for Haruhi, she was merely watching the reaction of the twins. She didn't particularly care about how cute Kagome was. After all, she already experienced some of Kagome's kaleidoscopic facial expressions and was already used to it. Though, she did find it funny at first, she only thought of it now that it's a method of sorts for Kagome to express herself. She found it actually curious that for all of Kagome's talkativeness, she seemed unable to communicate her innermost thoughts other than by projecting it on her face. On her part, Haruhi thought that it's quite disturbing. She was actually glad, that unconsciously, Hikaru was somehow making her a bit more open than she was before. She realized this just a few days ago when they were able to talk with each other without the mischievous redhead breathing on their necks.

That aside, she decided to watch the twins and compare their reactions to Kagome's curious nature. Obviously, it seemed to her that although Hikaru was disturbed at first, he actually found Kagome funny if she took in the smothered laughter that the boy was having at face value. Then, there was Kaoru. In her mind, the younger of the twins was actually the funny one. After all, why would someone as level-headed as him act like a lost child when they were handling their emotions. She suddenly had the urge to laugh but suppressed it, lest the others hear her and question her reason and her sanity for that matter.

Suddenly, she imagined what Kyouya's reaction would be if he had witnessed Kagome today as well. She wondered if it would be more hilarious than Kaoru's considering his penchant for keeping his emotions tied. Well, one couldn't have everything no matter how they wish of it.

-o-o-o-

In some other obscure part of the school, Kyouya Ohtori was working non-stop in order to research more about Kagome. After all, with all the unknown emotions that he was feeling, he wanted to satisfy his curiosity about his new kouhai.

Unknown to him, Sesshoumaru had given him access on Kagome's non-confidential information, allowing him to learn some basic information about Kagome.

Finally finding something tangible about the newcomer, Kyouya gave a triumphant smirk and began to read on the information that he gathered. Facing freezing as he read the initial part of the file, he gaped in surprise at what he had just learned about the new kid who was apparently a female merely wearing the male uniform. He would have rammed his head on his table if he weren't on a right frame of mind, that is.

Then, he began to put pieces of the puzzle together and came up with the conclusion that Hikaru probably discovered Kagome's secret and somehow dragged the girl into one of his schemes. Grumbling about troublesome redheads with so much time on their hands and vowed to get to the bottom of things even if it means confronting one of the devil twins.

He was so consumed by those thoughts that he overlooked one part of the report that he was reading:

Name: Higurashi Kagome

Age: 15

Gender: Female

Birthday: January 15

Parents: Higurashi Kenji (deceased); Haninozuka Asami

Residence: Higurashi Shrine, Tokyo

-x-x-x-

As for Tamaki, he was still quite oblivious to many things. For him, the irritation that he was feeling about Haruhi's sudden closeness to Hikaru was merely what an overprotective father was supposed to feel when someone was taking an interest towards their daughter. Oh, how mistaken he was.

Currently, he was chatting with Mori and Honey inside the Third Music Room. He was actually sulking because none of the other members were there aside from them. He was too busy imagining horrible accidents for them all that he didn't notice them enter the room. He even shouted, "GHOSTS!" when Kagome greeted him like she usually did.

At the same time, the four first years crossed their arms over their chests and asked the scared blonde, "And what do you mean by that, sempai/tono?"

The diva was about to explain himself but was cut off when Kyouya entered the room with a stormy expression on his face. All of the others, aside from the curious Kagome, gulped and whispered in their minds, Uh-oh, the Low Blood Pressure Demon Lord is active today...

Oblivious to the imminent danger, Kagome approached the angry teen and asked cutely, a bit too cutely for Kyouya's taste actually, "Ne, Kyouya-senpai, daijoubu desu ka?" (Hey, Kyouya-sempai, are you alright?)

And, as if a switch had been turned off, Kyouya's expression changed from stormy into a serene one, making the others cringed in fear. His glasses glinted in brightness offered by the room and he answered calmly, "It's nothing, Kagome-chan."

... ... ... ...

And all of the others went, "CHAN?????"

They were about to question the seemingly irate boy but thought better of it when they receive a glare instead.

Kagome, not knowing what's wrong with being called with the said suffix, being that Honey used it all the time with the others, merely gave a smile that Kyouya reciprocated and said, "Okay. I'll set up the room now, I guess."

The bespectacled teen merely nodded and proceeded to seat in his usual place. The others were about to do the same when Kyouya suddenly spoke again, "Hikaru, I need to speak with you."

Confused, Hikaru tilted his head sideways and gave out a confused, "Eh?"

"Privately, if you will." Kyouya added, looking at the redhead, challenging him to defy him.

Gulping, Hikaru gave a shaky nod and walked into an isolated corner followed by Kyouya, who he was sure, was boring holes on his back.

The others, curious about what's going on, tried to eavesdrop but receiving one of Kyouya's patented cold glare made them backtrack and continue on their own business. Kaoru, for his part, seemed to believe that the conversation would probably be connected with Kagome and didn't bother to even wish his brother a good luck.

-o-o-o-

With Kyouya and Hikaru:

"Ano, Kyouya-sempai, what do you want to talk to me for?" Hikaru nervously asked.

"What are you trying to achieve by using Kagome's secret to make her do as you bid?"

Did he just say 'her'? This is bad. Got to do something, here. "Eh? What do you mean 'her'? Isn't Kagome a boy?"

"Don't play your games with me, Hikaru? What are you really planning to do?"

Guess I got no choice? This guy's scarier when awake and in such a mood. "Well, I just asked her to hang out with me to test something."

Test? What sort of test would have to involve hanging around a girl? Unless, this brat is trying to make someone jealous? But who? "To whom is this test of yours directed?"

Confused at the question, he asked, "Why, to Kaoru, of course."

Realizing the implication of this, Kyouya failed to hear the redhead add, "It's actuall y funny, seeing his reactions about it."

Not liking where this was leading, he commanded the redhead, "You will cease this game of yours, at once."

"Doushite?" (Why?)

A glare...

"Wakatta... I already got enough results to prove my theory." (I understand.)

Satisfied with the response that he received, Kyouya left a very curious Hikaru behind.

As for the redhead, as soon as he got over his confusion, a grin rose out from his handsome face and he began to plot once again, but this time, he wasn't going to involve Kagome.

-x-x-x-

As soon as he finished his conversation with Hikaru, Kyouya approached Kagome, who was busy cleaning the tables and asked if he could speak with her. The girl agreed, not seeing anything wrong with just speaking, whereas the others were trying to stop her, telling her not to approach the teen in Demon Lord mode.

Not really hearing them, she sat in front of Kyouya and asked, "What is it, sempai?"

"You don't have to follow Hikaru' scheme, you know." Was the almost cryptic reply.

"Eh, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is that you don't have to play his game anymore? So you don't have to hang out with him too much." Kyouya replied calmly.

"Sou ka. Well, I guess I don't have to worry about ruining his plans then. But, really sempai, you didn't have to do that for me. Hikaru-kun is really fun to be with if you discard the fact that he was using the situation for his own gain. He kind of reminds me of two of my friends."

"Is that so?" Kyouya asked, trying not to sound irate. After all, it would not do to treat a lady badly, especially one that was under Taishou-sama's wing. Although, he also had other reasons to be irate, he dismissed those thoughts before they surfaced into his mind.

"Hai desu. Then again, now that I don't have to play my part, I can interrupt sempai's work as much as I want." She smiled at him indicating how she disrupted him from working during the days that she wasn't around Hikaru and Haruhi.

He gave a smile and replied sarcastically, "Woe is me, then."

As he was about to continue his work, Kagome surprised him by asking, "So, Aniki allowed you to have a glimpse on my files, eh?"

"What do you mean?" He was shocked to realize that Kagome figured out that he already knew about her gender.

"Well, as far as I know, only the school has been allowed access to some of my files. Knowing your thirst for knowledge, I suspect that you're researching things about me. And since, from what I can see, you already know about my gender, what with you adding that suffix to my name and talking with Hikaru, it seems that Aniki gave you minor access on my information just to see how you'll react to it." Kagome said like it's the most obvious thing in the world, which to her, it was.

"I see." He was shock to learn of this. But, as soon as he thought about it, it was obvious that a powerful man would protect his interests in such a manner.

He was pondering on these thoughts that he failed to notice Kagome dragging him towards the door, where they would greet their guests.

The designators, as well as the rest of the host club, were confused by the sudden distance between Hikaru and Kagome. They were so used to it, that they already find it odd not to see them beside each other.

Haruhi, understanding what Kyouya had talked about with Hikaru, smiled thinking that this reaction was far better and entertaining than the one that she imagined.

Hikaru, too busy with his next scheme, didn't find it particularly important to be separated from the girl. After all, she's still his friend and she had told him that earlier, much to his delight.

Kaoru, on the other hand, was beyond confused. He didn't understand the situation and it's getting irritating. He wanted to ask his brother for answers, not really wanting to confront Kagome, what with her being too busy annoying one Shadow King, but he knew that Hikaru wouldn't give him straight ones.

Honey and Mori were confused by the sudden change of plans. But they were happy nonetheless. After all, it's one less problem to deal with once they decide to out themselves as cousins to Kagome.

Tamaki was beyond confused. He wanted to know what Kyouya did to separate Haruhi and Kagome from Hikaru. But he's too frightened of his best friend to approach him today. Besides, he knew not to interrupt Kagome whenever the first year was annoying the Shadow King. He gave a sigh and continued on his hosting duties, vowing that he would soon get his answers.

-o-o-o-

As for Kyouya and Kagome, they don't really care about the confusion that they caused. After all, it's none of their business what the others would think.

-X-X-X-O-O-O-X-X-X-

That's it for today folks...

You know, this chapter didn't turn out like I wanted and it is longer than the usual updates.

I plan to make this a bit wacky but, I guess, I just couldn't imagine Kyouya doing something like that even with outside influence.

But then again, I hope that you'd like this chapter...

Next chapter: It's either gonna be "What's Wrong With Kissing a Girl?" or "They're Your What?"

The first title was about Kaoru finding about Kagome's gender in a very interesting manner that would have Kyouya seething, Kaoru confused and Hikaru amused. You have three guesses on how this would happen... After all, the title's a dead giveaway...

The second one was the three cousins confessing about their relationship and the commotion that it would cause inside the club...

So, with that laid out, you guys tell me what you want to go first... After all, this story is for you, readers, to enjoy... according to the sequence that you want...

Until next time...

Kyuubi04