Kobanwa again and welcome to chapter 14 of Light as a Snow's Shadow. It is your favorite authoress here, giving you the chapter that you all have been waiting for...Chapter 14 the chapter where Royal's gender is finally revealed to the world! I apologise for the lateness but school tends to hinder my writing time in the worst way.

I hope you read this chapter all the way through and leave nice reviews!

Thanks for reading in advance!

Enjoy.

"A trial for what now and why the hell am I tied to this chair?"

Some things in this room happen a little bit too fast for my brain to calculate sometimes. In the next moment, I felt Kaoru and Hikaru on either side with small mischievous smirks on their faces.

"You see Royal. There have been suspicions about what you are exactly."

The one on the left said while pulling on the end of the braid on the back of my head. Meanwhile the one on the right picked up where the other left off,

"By what we mean your sex, you know are you male or female?"

With no time to let me ask my own questions, Hunny slammed the squeaker toy, I mean gavel on the edge of the podium again and called the court to order. I suppose I will speak when I get the chance, a little insanity never hurt anyone…Right?

"The prosecution I mean Kyo-chan, shall now provide the opening statement. The floor is yours Kyo-chan, I mean prosecution."

Kyoya stood up and stopped right in front of his desk almost leaning on it. After that, he pulled out his signature black notebook and adjusted his glasses. When he opened the famed notebook, Kyoya began,

"The prosecution would like to begin by stating that this trial shall decide the gender of the defendant, Royal Makira. In addition, this trial shall not run like an actual court in its proceedings however, each side has its own beliefs in the answer. The prosecution believes that the defendant is male and the defense believes that the defendant is female."

I quietly whispered to Haruhi, who was less than two feet away from me,

"Did they flip a coin for which is defending which or what? And don't you think that this is more of a debate than a trail?"

"To answer your questions, one yes and the other Tamaki thought of it so no one argued."

"Moreover, the defendant will not speak with the jury while the prosecution is talking."

Kyoya had moved from his original position to right in front of the defense desk tapped the black note book on both our heads before pacing back to his desk. "The prosecution rests your honor."

Hunny tapped the gavel/squeaky toy on the podium again and whispers something to Mori. Who simply nods his head, walks behind the defense, grips my arms and handcuffs them behind the chair back. Hunny then announced,

"The defense shall go first. Kao-chan and Hika-chan have the floor."

Without warning they both grab the legs of my chair and carry it to the middle of the court floor in front of the judge's podium. One of the twins which I assume was Kaoru grabbed my braid again,

"The defense firmly believes that the defendant here is female. Right, Hikaru?"

"Right you are Kaoru, and here is the evidence. One there is that thing."

"Yes, Royal's braid. Never seen he, she…um… 'it'…yes, it without it but that is not important. What is important is what does it take to make a braid such as this one?"

The other twin finished the thought as if they practiced this,

"Long hair and long hair is a feminine quality. Not to mention the young looking face that this one has, not to many harsh edges there."

Kaoru smiled and tapped on Royal's chest before speaking,

"There is also the curves thing but looks like 'it' is built like Haruhi, Right Hikaru?"

Hikaru smirked and took a seat on Royal's knee and patted Royal on the head.

"There's also the height thing. What is he only 125.08 cm tall? What is that in English again?"

"Five feet two or so."

"'It' is a natural fact that women are smaller then men."

"There are the mannerisms as well. I mean, 'it' speaks too polite and in a feminine manner as well."

Too polite? Man, these nitwits are picking at straws for proof…Hikaru grabbed the next piece of evidence from off the table adjacent to the defense table. It is a shoe in a plastic evidence bag holding up for all to see he then spoke.

"As you can see this is the shoe that Hunny had that belonged to it at the gala on Friday. You can all see that it too is a child's size, to be exact five and a half in the United States."

"Small feet, interesting another female trait. There is also the fact that 'its' eyes are like Haruhi's but blue I think."

Kaoru and Hikaru were a little bit too close for comfort since they were staring into my face with the intensity of a microscope. They were so close in fact that my eyes had were seeing double and there were two sets of twins. Two sets that would be a disaster on the world.

After they had their little stare fest, they stood up strait and asked each other in unison.

"Did we cover everything?"

They incoherently mumbled to each other and shrugged their shoulders again at the same time, before stating,

"I think I did."

Hunny nodded in agreement and banged the gavel/squeaky toy on the podium before speaking,

"The prosecution is open to cross examine the evidence."

I looked over to see that Kyoya-san had a noticeable smirk on his face as he adjusted his glasses higher up on his nose causing a blinding glare to come off them.

"Your honor, soft facial features are an androgynous quality in addition to long hair. In addition, we all know that another one of the hosts in this room has the exception of their examples using the defendant's height and shoe size. The prosecution rests."

Kyoya delivered the expected response again, somehow the twins never stood a chance at all…I actually feel a little bit sorry for those two. Hunny smiled and motioned to Kyoya to take the floor as the prosecutor.

"Now, Royal is it? You are a child of the Makira family correct?"

"Yes."

"And your parents call you Roy instead of your real name?"

"Yes but—"

"And what is your profession at the current moment?"

"Does a student count? Why are you asking these questions? What does that have to do with anything?"

"These are just standard questions defendant. We are just trying to know you a little better that it all."

"Shouldn't all of you know that already? I have known you all for over an entire week now. Moreover, why can't you call me by my name?"

"Never mind those prior questions, defendant. Moving on, at the current moment your uniform is too big on you not only that but you wear the male uniform at Ouran Academy. In addition, on your paperwork for transfer you are listed as male student. Is this information correct?"

"Yes, I do believe so."

"Then why is there a trail for your gender at all? It should be obvious to all in this court room that you are indeed male, correct?"

"That is what I am thinking."

Kyoya walked around my chair and pulled (hard) on my braid. I cried out in pain.

"What the hell—"

A large foghorn bellowed so loud that everyone who was not tied down moved at least a yard from where they were. Everyone also had wind blown/ fog horn blown hair. "Damn—"

The fog horn went off again. Who on earth is censoring me? And why a fog horn how about something a little more subtle or the beep that they use on American Idol. "Alright who is the idiot with the fog horn? I swear if I am able to untie myself from this stupid chair I'll—"

The fog horn went off again. Alright someone is messing with it now. Must reach for something pointy to cut rope and kill asshole with the fog horn. "I didn't even curse that time!"

Tamaki spoke up,

"It is unfitting for a host to curse that much. You sound like a sailor."

A smirk crept on my face,

"Thank you for pointing out who you are baka. I'll be sure to hurt you later."

"I admit to nothing! Haruhi, tell 'it' that I do not have the button to the foghorn so then it won't hurt me!"

Haruhi laughed a little before answering him,

"As if I could talk you out of that incriminating statement... Besides you brought this on yourself."

Tamaki turned to the corner and a dark aura surrounded him. I stared at the host king while he began to cultivate mushrooms again.

Kyoya's smirk returned to his face as he placed a hand on my shoulder to stop the conversation. He then almost instantly drew his hand away almost as fast as he placed it. His smirk dissipated in that exact second but then returned. He then spoke,

"Back to what I was saying before the censoring of the defendant's mouth…There are people that look like the opposite of what they are and it is our job today to finally end all confusion. Surely enough you are one of those people. My first piece of official evidence is the birth certificate and paperwork submitted to Ouran. On these pieces of paper hold the answer to the equation regarding the gender but I do have more proof than what is written on paper, however."

Kyoya pulled a photo out from his small notebook and showed it to everyone in the room. "This photo shows a picture of the defendant walking to the limo parking lot. Notice the fact that the defendant's pants are worn in American fashion where they are low in the back and held up by a belt. Also take a look at the plaid fabric sticking out the top. Let it be known that the defendant wears boxers a type of underwear worn by men."

I had to hold back a laugh from escaping my lips at that moment. Upon hearing Kyoya talking about underwear it seemed hilarious since the whole room was filled with stifled laughter. Even Mori had a small smile on his face. Why was it funny you ask? The Shadow King talking about something more suited to the twins was not only funny but out of character for the Shadow King and that is always funny.

Kyoya cleared his throat to obtain the attention of the court and stop the laughter for the time being. He continued,

"The prosecution rests your honor."

As soon as he took his seat at the prosecution table Hunny slammed the gavel/squeaky toy on the podium multiple times before asking the defense,

"Does the defense wish to cross examine the evidence given by the prosecution?"

The twins erupted in a fit of laughter and Hikaru managed to speak between bits of laugher,

"No, no. I think that we are alright."

Do you think that Kyoya did that on purpose? Never mind…Hunny slammed the gavel/squeaky toy on the podium and silenced the madness. He then turned to Haruhi and Tamaki,

"The jury shall now deliberate and decide what Royal-chan; I mean the defendant's gender."

With that Haruhi and Tamaki went into a small huddle. Well, really Tamaki took the moment to pull Haruhi closer to him and they quickly discussed the matter for at least ten minutes. In those minutes, I just sat there in the middle of the room, thoroughly tied to a chair while my fate at Ouran was being decided. However, I already knew the answer.

Tamaki stood up and placed his hands on the railing in his hands was a small sheet of paper folded in fourths. He cleared his throat and opened the sheet of paper with care,

"The defendant, Royal Makira, is indeed male."

As soon as he said that, I was let free from my shackles and able to move again. I started out the door rubbing my wrist to calm the pain a little bit. Mori put the handcuffs on too tight, but it is to be expected since he is a kendo champion.

"Alright, now that was completely and utterly useless. Now if you don't need me, I need to go home and get started on my giant pile of homework. I will see you all on Monday, later."

I began to leave the room only to feel a pull on the sleeve of my suit jacket. I severely was not in the mood to deal with the host insanity since it was almost eight at night and I needed to get home.

"What do you need now?" I turned my head to see not Hunny (who I had expected) pulling on my sleeve but it was … Tamaki??

"Can we come over, Royal-san? I promise that we will make it up to you."

I attempted to pull a smile onto my face but somehow it felt a little how I should say… fake. However, Tamaki just kept going since he used giant puppy like eyes on me. If there is one thing I can't stand, it is Tamaki acting like a little kid so much so that I caved.

"You all can come just promise me that you will not attempt to make it up to me. Believe you me I really am not angry at you all, seriously."

(Sometime later…The Makira Mansion Gate…Normal POV)

Once we had all arrived at the gates, all the hosts got out of their limousines and I opened the door for Haruhi. What can I say? It is a force of habit man; the mannerisms just rub off you. I am spending too much time with these insane people.

I calmly took the lead as the other hosts looked at the front garden. It is a marvelous thing really, I remember that I used to get lost in the large flowering bushes and climb the gigantic trees. However, that was when nothing was important, and before everything changed for the worse. I suppose I am thinking too much again…

"Hey. Royal-chan. You live pretty far away from Ouran don't you?"

Hunny asked as he looked around at the front garden. I just kept walking towards the door but honored his question.

"I suppose so; it did take a bit over an hour didn't it? I guess I am just used to the long ride so I never think about it."

It is true I do not live in the prefecture that Ouran is in so it is true that it does take awhile to get to Ouran and back home again. But like most situations, the twins had to comment of course,

"Seems like he lives in America for the amount of time we spent in that thing."

I held back the thought of hitting the both of them upside the head and used a snarky comment instead,

"If you are not going to say something nice, it is better to say nothing at all, bakas."

I mumbled under my breath as I put my hand on the golden baroque styled door handle. All of the sudden, the handle turned in my hand and I instinctively let go. Someone is already at the house? The staff does not normally greet people at the door…

The door opened to reveal a tall woman of about five feet seven. She had long black hair pulled into large curled pigtails with small deep rose ribbons holding it up and four-leaf clover colored eyes. Not only that, she was in a matching deep rose maid outfit with white lace trimming and pale pink apron. It was when I noticed the simple cubic zirconium heart necklace that she was around her neck that I finally knew who she was.

"Leanne?"

Upon hearing her own name fly out of my mouth she pounced and wrapped her arms around my body. I felt like she put me in a vice grip. She then expressed her happiness by exclaiming,

"Young Mistress! It has been so long, I missed you so much!"

I could feel that Leanne gripped my back tighter and that the hosts were horribly confused. She continued,

"Look at you! Why are you wearing that chest plate of yours again? What would Lady Tsuki say about you dressing like a boy again? It really doesn't suit you, now come inside and take off that male uniform and I'll dress you in something more suitable! It is so great to see you again, Miss Kira!"

I pulled her off and stopped her from pulling on the rubber band that was holding my braid in place. I suppose my cover is blown now...Shit. I coughed and pointed behind me to the hosts.

"I am glad to see you too, Leanne. Let me introduce you to the Ouran High School Host Club they are friends of mine."

I could see that Leanne was thrilled to see that young men were coming to the house by the small pink hearts in her eyes. She then pulled me next to her and said loudly to all of them,

"Welcome to you all! My name is Leanne and I am Lady Makira's personal servant and governess to the young mistress. I must say though, it is rare to have young men come to the house and visit with the young mistress. This has not happened since—"

I gave her a slight nudge in her side and she stopped right then and there. Thank god, she does have an off button… If only I could find the twin's…

All the hosts were silent attempting to take all the information in at once. Even the twins had nothing to say now. Kyoya broke the silence by shutting his small notebook creating a large crack sound. He cleared his throat and pushed up his glasses before extending his hand with his best host smile on,

"Why it is nice to meet you, Leanne-san." It was not long before he turned his attention to me,

"Why don't you show us in, Royal…I mean Miss Kira?"

Thank you all for reading this chapter and Royal is indeed female! Scared you all there for a moment didn't I? I know that you all expected it to happen but oh well.

I have to make my thanks to my reviewers Flourescent-chan and TheWinchesterAngel for leaving nice reviews again.

In closing, I hope that everyone is healthy and happy so that they will leave more nice reviews. Thank you very much for supporting this story by reading and reviewing so far!

Later

Luna Light Firefall.