Chapter 12: Trusting Him

Haruhi was in the library, a package lay open on top of the desk. She looked at the pictures silently. Then she scanned the box. It had no return address or the name of the sender. She sighed and put the pictures back in. It's the third time she received such a thing and it always held that woman's face…

Later, Haruhi was busy doing some laundry when Kyoya came in.

"Darling, let the maids handle the laundry. You mustn't overstress yourself." He said concernedly.

"Don't worry, I can handle this." She smiled. "Besides…" she showed him his underwear. "Only I can touch these." She smiled teasingly.

"Haruhi…"

Haruhi giggled. "My, my, you don't have to look so embarrassed, Kyoya." She put the garment into the washing machine.

Suddenly, Haruhi felt a piercing pain in her belly. She gasped.

Kyoya immediately went to her side. "Haruhi! What's wrong?" he asked frantically.

"It hurts…it hurts…" she said, her breathing becoming labored.

Haruhi was immediately taken to the hospital and given medication. It's still early for the baby to come out.

"How are you feeling, darling?" Kyoya asked as he held her hand.

Haruhi smiled at him. "I'm fine. Don't worry." She said.

Kyoya looked at her intently and noticed the dark circles under her eyes and also…

"Is there something bothering you?" Kyoya asked.

"What made you say that?"

"You've been restless lately. And also I've been receiving reports that you've been receiving packages…"

Haruhi sighed. "Well…I planned to tell you soon anyway."

Then Haruhi started her story about the package of photographs and news clippings she received.

"…I tried to trace where the packages came from but still no leads were found. I thought I could solve this first before telling you."

"Why?"

She looked away. "I didn't want to bother you and…"

"You wanted to find out the truth for yourself." He completed. Haruhi remained silent.

Kyoya leaned over her and titled her chin towards him. "Do you trust me, Haruhi?" he asked.

Haruhi stared back at him. "I do trust you." She said, and then she dropped her gaze. "But sometimes I get worried and…"

Kyoya placed a finger over her lips. "Hush. Now let me tell you my side of the story…"

After a while, Haruhi was asleep. Kyoya touched her face gently.

Then there's a faint knock on the door. He looked and saw Fuyumi enter the room. He straightened up.

"How is she?" she asked in a whisper.

"She's fine. The doctor said she could go home today."

Fuyumi looked at Haruhi's face. "She looks tired. She needs a lot of rest." she said softly. Then she put down the basketful of apples on the side table.

"Fuyumi nee-san, I have a favor to ask you…" Kyoya said.

Later, Haruhi woke up feeling refreshed.

"How are you, Haruhi?"

Haruhi looked sideways and saw Fuyumi by her bedside.

"Ah Fuyumi nee-san!" she was about to sit up but Fuyumi stopped her.

"Calm down, Haruhi." She laughed. Haruhi settled down again.

"What brings you here, Fuyumi nee-san?" she asked.

"I was in town when I got a call from Kyoya. He asked me to take care of you while he's away."

"He's away?! Where did he go?!"

"As I've said, calm down." Fuyumi touched her hand to soothe her. "He'll be gone for at least 5 days. He said he had some things to do." She explained.

"Oh." Then she looked at Fuyumi, "But why did he go without telling me?" she asked. Then she looked away. "Ugh! I'm going to give him a piece of mind when he gets home!" she said angrily.

"That's the spirit!" Fuyumi said then they both laughed.

"Oh by the way, I brought you some green apples. Kyoya said you liked them." Fuyumi smiled. "Want some?"

Haruhi smiled. "Yes, please."

One night…

Haruhi was pacing back and forth in the living room, waiting for Kyoya to arrive. He just left a voice message that morning about his return that night.

"Why didn't he contact me for the past few days?!" she thought angrily. "Not one word about where he is, what's he's doing…anything!"

She glanced out the window and saw his car arrive. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

When he opened the door, he was smiling at her. Haruhi almost forgot what she was mad about but then she stood her ground.

She marched towards him, her eyes angry and determined.

She was about to speak when he held her chin and put something in her mouth.

She chewed quickly to try again but suddenly she stopped. Her eyes widened as she recognized the flavor delicately tickling her taste buds. "Ootoro…" she thought.

"How is it, darling?" he asked, grinning.

Haruhi straightened up and swallowed the food. "Kyoya, if you're trying to distract me from everything I had to say to you, it won't work."

"Really?" He adjusted his glasses. "So I guess I'll just eat these all up…" he showed her a premium sushi platter in his hands. "BY MYSELF." He smirked.

The delicious smell wafted through her nostrils. Tempting her…teasing her…gently weakening her resolve to resist.

"Ah you demon…" she said as she looked at him. Kyoya, on the other hand, was grinning innocently at her.

She bowed her head. "Fine. You win." She said in defeat. Then she looked up and smiled playfully at him. "Welcome Home, my Shadow King." she said.

Kyoya smirked. "It's good to be back." he said.

Afterwards, Haruhi indulged herself in eating her favorite ootoro dish. Kyoya, on the other hand, enjoyed watching her while sipping his tea quietly.

After a while...

"Haruhi, you don't have to worry about the packages. It's already taken care of." He said quietly.

Haruhi looked at him wordlessly and said nothing.

"So that's why he went…" she thought silently as she sipped her tea. "Taken care of, he says. The glint in his eyes says it all…" She trembled at the thought.

"Are you cold, darling?" he asked.

"No."

"Scared?" he looked at her questioningly.

"No." she said firmly.

He smiled. "That's good."

And nothing more was said about that issue...

A/N So how was it? Read and review please! Thanks a lot! ^_^