Kyouya

The morning that Father and I were to leave for the Northern Kingdom, Fuyumi came into my room. Her smile wasn't as bright as it usually was. She watched me as I waited for the maids that helped to pull and pat off the clothes I was going to wear. Every few moments, I would glance over at her and see that she was waiting patiently for me to be alone. I sighed to myself and dismissed the maids, telling them I would finish myself. I turned to the full length mirror that was close by and adjusted my clothes. I waited for the sound of my bedroom door to shut. "What's on your mind?"

I could hear the forced cheeriness in Fuyumi's voice. "I asked Father if I could go with the both of you to the Northern Kingdom."

I immediately stopped what I was doing. I shot my head to Fuyumi and tried to think of the words I wanted to say but before I could, Fuyumi spoke before me. "He said I could."

"What... I thought Father specifically stated he didn't want anyone to accompany us. What is it that you said to him to let you go?" I stared at Fuyumi. She smiled a small smile and quietly said that it was a "secret." After that, Fuyumi said she was going to finish her preparations to leave and so she headed off to her room.

I had already finished packing what I was going to need, which wasn't a lot anyway. A lot of my belongings were at the Northern Kingdom Palace since I went there every summer. I went to the bookshelf in my room and started to skim over the binding of each book—all of them being read more than enough times for me to just flip over a page and know what it was about.

"Kyouya."

Every time I heard my Father call out my name, it somehow always sounded harsh and snappy, sounding even more so each time he said it.

I immediately straightened up and brought back my harsh old ways. "Father." I bowed slightly to him. "Did you need something of me?"

"I wanted to make sure that you were getting ready."

"I have already finished." I gestured to my suitcase that was on the bed. I watched as my father slowly nodded his head.

As I stood in front of my father and as he stood in the doorway of my room, we were both silent. And during that silence, all I wanted to do was yell. I wanted to know everything that was going on inside that cold-blooded mind of his- what his reasons were for wanting to deny me of possible kingship because of Haruhi and his reasons for suddenly letting Fuyumi, of all people, to tag along with us to the Northern Kingdom.

This man wasn't fair. This man chose favorites. This man... wasn't fit to be a father.

"I agree."

I snapped out of my thoughts and I went into a sort of panic, almost thinking that my Father had read my thoughts somehow. "What?" I asked hoping my voice didn't sound shaky.

My father looked at me with his cold stare. "Fuyumi." He said. I could hear the distant voice of my sister down the hall, though I couldn't understand what she was saying. "I agree with her that you should not bring anything unnecessary." My father stared right at the suitcase on my bed. "In fact, only bring your suitcase. You have plenty of clothes at the Northern Palace."

"Yes, Father." I said. I walked to my bed and opened the suitcase, beginning to take out the nice and perfectly folded clothes.

"Kyouya."

I looked up to my father. "Yes?"

"Fuyumi is to come with us this time to meet King Ryoji and the Princess." Having said his final words, my Father left my room like a snake—swiftly and silently.

By the time that I finished unpacking all that the maids had packed for me, it was time to leave. Fuyumi happily hopped out of the palace and into the carriage while her belongings were being put inside another one along with my now empty suitcase.

Once my father got into the carriage, we set off immediately. The ride there was always long and silent, however, being that this was really the first time Fuyumi ever went outside from the Kingdom, she was excited about everything. Father had to speak out to Fuyumi so that she would quiet down.

Finally, we had arrived to the Northern Kingdom at noon. Fuyumi was quite taken with the scenery as well with the palace that was in the distance and as the palace gates drew closer, Fuyumi straightened up into the obedient and proper little princess that Father was proud of. When we entered the gates of the palace, King Ryoji was already coming out from the garden entrance. When the carriage halted to a stop, I had gotten out first, following behind me was Fuyumi and then my father.

"Why, hello Kyouya! It's nice to finally see you again!" King Ryoji said as he approached me, giving me a short hug.

King Ryoji looked behind me and noticed my sister standing next to my father. She wore her usual happy smile, managing to balance the stiff stare my father always gave. "You must be..." The King started.

"Fuyumi." Father said. "My daughter."

Fuyumi tilted her head down, holding onto the edge of her dress as she bowed. "A pleasure to meet you, King Ryoji." Fuyumi looked up to see the King smiling down on her.

"You must have heard many things about my Haruhi from Kyouya, correct?"

Fuyumi smiled back. "Yes. I cannot wait to make her acquaintance."

The four us entered the palace and all the maids and butlers were waiting to greet us. After the King dismissed them, King Ryoji wanted to show Fuyumi around the palace a little. I asked if I could just go to my room for the time being. When I arrived to my room, my suitcase was already placed on the floor next to the bureau. I didn't want any kind of gossip from the maids about me bringing no kind of clothing, so I took clothes from the bureau and lined the bottom of the suitcase with them. After doing that and placing the suitcase back to where it was, I just went to the library; my only sanctuary other than the garden. Although now, I doubt I would get the chance to ever walk in the fragrant blooms that were spread throughout that garden.

Not with the recent happenings.

I walked through about half the library in around thirty minutes, searching for a book that I might not have read. Or at least books that interested me. I was a little surprised that I still hadn't seen Haruhi in that time, but who knows. My father could have gotten to her first and told her something to make her stay away.

"Your Highness?"

I heard a voice call out from behind me. I turned around to see a familiar face. I gave her a gentle smile while still holding the open book I had in my hands. "Celia. It's nice to see you again."

She smiled back as she slightly bowed to me. "And you as well, your Highness." After a moment of silence, Celia spoke again. "Has your Highness and Haruhi greeted each other yet?"

"No not yet. I don't believe anyone has actually gotten word of her whereabouts." I said truthfully. When I glanced at Celia from my book, she seemed to have a sudden realization that quickly turned into panic.

"Really?" She said trying to keep her composure. "My goodness, and it's been at least half an hour since your arrival." Celia swiftly turned on her heel to leave but then turned back and bowed to me again. "If you will excuse me." And with that, she left. I was a little curious as to what she was in such a rush for but that curiousness passed after about three seconds.

I continued to walk the library until I felt a little tired and decided to head back to my room, only minutes away. Which was odd. I don't think I ever felt fatigued just only after coming to the Northern Kingdom... I suppose I had a lot on my mind.

As I walked to my room, I noticed that the door was left open. However, I thought that it was probably the maids putting away the belongings I had "brought." To my surprise, there was only one person standing in my room, staring intensively at my suitcase. I laughed to myself at her silliness and yet, in doing so, I felt somewhat disheartened. I opened the door and tried to sound as though I didn't just see her. "Haruhi?"

She shot her head in my direction, her eyes wide open in surprise. "You startled me, Kyouya. Welcome back." She said with a small smile.

I walked further into the room but kept my distance from Haruhi. "My apologies for startling you." I stopped at a small table that held a vase of freshly picked flowers. Caressing the velvet smooth petals of one of them, I had to remind myself that I had to show my father my abilities in emulating his very being. Even if he wasn't there to witness it. I looked up at Haruhi. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah..." Haruhi hesitated. "I... was looking for you." Haruhi then started to fidget with her hands. "I saw your sister, Princess Fuyumi, when I went to welcome your Father. I didn't realize she was going to come. It was quite a surprise."

"Fuyumi insisted on coming along." I quickly responded. I brought my attention back to the flowers. It was harder than I thought- being so cold to the one that I loved so much. But I had to for the sake of proving that I was worthy of my Father's respect. I was tired of being third best out of his sons.

"Um, Kyouya. I-"

"Haruhi, would you mind leaving for a while? I'm rather tired." I made my way to the small sofa that was near the middle of the room. I watched as Haruhi looked down and then back up at me with a smile. She was trying to act tough; trying to hide the obvious pain that I most likely inflicted on her.

"S-sure. How inconsiderate of me to not think of your well-being." Hearing the laugh Haruhi let out made me upset. I had sat down on the sofa and closed my eyes. I just waited for the door to close and when it finally did, I opened my eyes and stared at it.

I sighed to myself, knowing that I had hurt her feelings. Our first ten minutes with each other had to turn out like this. I wanted to run out of my room and grab Haruhi by the arm, swing her into mine and apologize. I wanted to be able to laugh with her and see her carefree like we used to.

But now, I have to watch as our relationship built over these past five years formed by our very own fathers, crumble into nothingness.

And I had to be the one to smash it into tiny irreparable pieces.

I guess it was a good start to the future that awaited me... A hellish future in which Haruhi would despise me and most likely never forgive me.

It seems as though Kyouya really loves Haruhi! But Haruhi doesn't know what she feels for him! As happiness begins to turn into grief, how is this summer going to go?

a/n: D: Aww, poor Kyouya! But yay for update! Sorry it's been so long! I've been working on too many stories but that's no excuse. I hope to have the next chapter done soon. Thank you for being patient and thank you so much for reading and supporting this story! xD

Your thoughts are always welcome!

~Bliss