Chapter 14 - Confrontations

Kyoya arrived home shortly before Anna did and his household staff prepared a warm meal of traditional Japanese food under a kotatsu. A maid had explained that Tamaki called and requested that the table be changed before the young master returned home.

"Master," the servant called from the bottom of the stairs. Kyoya turned, "Stevenson-san called saying that Anna refused to eat." Kyoya turned to go back into his room, "Master..."

"Yes?"

"No one is home except you tonight," the maid said bashfully.

Kyoya nodded, "Understood. Thank you," and he disappeared into his room to change.

"You're in your pajamas!" Anna laughed at the sight of Kyoya.

"This ismy house, you do realize."

"But you're in your pajamas!" her eyes, although swollen, brightened some.

"It's just us tonight," he said, not letting go of her hand. Anna blushed and looked to the servants, unsure what to think of his openness, only to see them giving her the victory sign. "Apparently, we weren't as slick as we thought."

A look of panic crossed Anna's face. "Oh my Lady," a staff member stepped forward, "Please, we've known Kyoya since he was a child. We won't betray anything. We're his personal staff and love him dearly, although we don't discuss it openly." Anna looked to Kyoya for reassurance; it wouldn't be the first time a household staff member was paid off to spy.

"Tachibana is watching them," he whispered into her ear under the guise of a kiss.

"A kotatsu!"

"That's courtesy of Tamaki."

"The food?" she arched her eyebrow.

"Your father." Kyoya led her into the sitting area, "Do you want to change first?"

"Yeah, let me get my PJs on. Will the food get cold?"

"Not in the least."

They had spent dinner eating slowly and speaking casually. Anna crawled into Kyoya's arms and nestled into his chest. "I love you, Anna. I'm not going to be without you." Anna looked up into Kyoya's eyes and she smiled as he adjusted his glasses, a simple gesture that she had fallen in love with. "Just give me time."

"Kyoya," she kissed his lips softly. "The both of us will figure something out. It's not just you. At the very least, we can date long distance and just go to the same school for college. It's not that long until we graduate. We'll just have to suffer through it."

"The shock wore off?"

"Yeah, but not the hurt. Part of me is afraid to let go of you just in case it's the last time, ya know?"

"It won't be."

timeskip

"Master Kyoya, your father has returned. He's currently in his study."

"Thank you, Tachibana. Where is Anna?"

"Currently out buying thank you gifts with Horita as an escort. She's buying 'good bye' gifts for the Host Club."

Kyoya nodded in return and headed towards his father's study.

[knocking]

"Enter." Yoshio looked up to see Kyoya enter the room.

"Father, my apologies for seeing you uninvited."

"You are my son. It is allowed. I suspect you have something that you want to discuss in private as you're not waiting until breakfast, where we discuss matters... and you did not make an appointment."

It's now or never. "I've come to talk to you about the Stevensons. I understand that the situation is precarious due to the fact Elrik has decided to pull away from the Ootori Group. However, Anna and I have started a relationship and wish to continue it."

Yoshio glared at his son. "Get. Out. Now."

"As you wish." Kyoya bowed and exited his father's study, heart pounding in his ears.

timeskip

The Hitachiin twins gave Mori and Hani a ride home as they left Haruhi's apartment. Hani hugged Haruhi, "Don't worry, we'll take care of the preparations. So don't be sad okay?"

"Thanks guys, I'll stay with Haruhi a bit longer." Tamaki watched his friends leave.

Ranka emerged from their little kitchen with fresh tea. "Haruhi, dear, drink something."

Haruhi blinked, shocked that her eyes were watering.

"It's okay Haruhi," Tamaki wrapped his arms around her.

"What is it that's bothering you?" Ranka asked. He found asking Haruhi to specifically talk about things helped her work through the emotional side of it. It was how they had dealt with her mother's death. After she could rationalize it, Haruhi went, well "back to normal."

"It's just so shocking. I mean, you know how Kyoya is. On the outside he's cold, calculating. He's never gotten close to anyone... and even with the Host Club, it was always something... stay a little longer, get free samples of some pictures... casual conversations were always... I dunno, research? He's changed so much. I mean, he's Kyoya still, but... he lets his guard down more." Haruhi idly played with Tamaki's fingers as she spoke.

"Yes, you're more astute than the other girls at school who just randomly fantasize about him. The only ones that are really even allowed to see Kyoya with his guard down is really just us. And even then, even I rarely get to see that side of him."

"So," Ranka asked, "are you sad that Anna is leaving Kyoya?"

"Hrm? I guess... it was just such a change. I saw another side of Kyoya. Do you remember that time you forced him to go to the expo and I ran into him? He tries to put up this front, but with Anna, I mean, I could see him." She took a breath. "And, Anna..."

"She reminds me of your mother. Maybe that's why you're so attached to her." Haruhi looked at his dad, casually leaning on the table, head resting in his hand. "Anna's got a little spark and sass to her. Your mom was like that."

"Do you really think that?"

"That what honey?"

"That I'm attached to Anna because she reminds me of mom rather than her being a friend?"

"No, it could be both. But it was nice to see you get along with a girl and do girly things."

Tamaki kissed the top of Haruhi's hand. "Don't worry. If anything, Kyoya's thinking of a plan. It'll be okay."

timeskip

"Kyooooya!" a shrill voice bounced off the halls of the corridor. "I'm so happy to see you again, my dear." She made a rush to grab his hand.

Not her again!A crowd started to gather. The girls started whispering immediately about "that girl who kissed Kyoya at the Host Club."

"You guys go ahead," he said only loud enough for the guys to hear. Kaoru slipped in closer to Anna and distracted her with jokes about him and Hikaru. Kyoya turned to see his potential match walking towards him.

"My darling!" she called, trying to hold his hand.

She's tenacious, I'll give her that. Kyoya deftly maneuvered his hand away from hers and gestured towards an unoccupied classroom. "Can we speak for a moment, miss?"

Squeals from on-lookers slowly started building as Kyoya shut the door. This is going to take some serious explaining... at least today's host club should see a lot of visitors...maybe I can try to sell something. He turned to face her, surprised to see she was extremely nervous.

"Originally, I brought you in here to tell you that your rash displays are quite unbecoming and are having the opposite effect on me... but I can see that you're nervous, so I'm guessing there's something else driving your behavior."

"I'm...I'm sorry... I didn't want to do this. I have someone that I like but … It's just that my family is pressuring me to find a good match, and you were the only one that... well, quite honestly you looked the best. But you you're the richest, smartest... And a union with the Ootori family would be ideal..."

"How did you even find out? It's against the rules for the girls to know the suitors until they, themselves, are chosen by the men."

"Oh that was easy. I just paid of a lower level worker to find out the information for me."

"I'm sorry, but I will not be choosing you."

"No! You can't! My parents, they'll be so upset!"

"I cannot go along with this willingly..."

"But isn't that what business is about? Doing what you're told, making the clients happy..."

"Business isn't being a yes man. Have you even discussed the guy you liked with your parents?" She shook her head no. "I'm sorry. I won't be choosing you. The best I can say is that you should discuss what you want with your parents and offer up some sort of plan. Otherwise, negativity without plans is just complaining. Do your best, alright? Fight for what you want."

"But, if...if this falls through..."

"This is Ouran. This wouldn't be the first time a match hasn't worked out." Kyoya smiled softly. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving." He slipped out the door leaving her with her thoughts.

Well hopefully that will be over...

timeskip

Kaoru closed the Host Club doors and walked back to join the group. "I've been meaning to ask this, but thought it would be best to wait... but what the heck is going on? I mean, other than Anna leaving..."

"Yeah," Hikaru joined in, "especially with that one chick from earlier..."

Kyoya sighed. I suppose I do have to talk about it at some point. Best while the girls are away. "Well, as you already know, Anna will be going back to America. She and I talked, and although we realize her leaving is inevitable, we still want to make things work. So..."

"You didn't!" they sang in chorus.

Kyoya adjusted his glasses. "Yes, I went to speak to my father."

"And?" Tamaki pushed.

"And nothing. I told him I wanted to be with Anna and he told me to leave."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that," Tamaki sighed.

"Well what about that chick earlier today?"

"Oh, well she has someone she likes; however, her parents are forcing her to find a good match. She picked me to focus on. I told her I wouldn't be picking her and to speak with her parents."

Hikaru was disappointed, "Well, that's all matter of fact. I hope you were nicer to the girl."

Kyoya sighed, again. "I did wish her luck as she does have someone she fancies. I also advised her to speak with her parents andprovide a plan."

"It's so like you to say something like that isn't it? Well what about your dad, did you read anything off of him?"

"Other than annoyance, no."

"Well what about Akito?"

"Hikaru! You lack tact!" Tamaki reprimanded, noticing the definite tension that course through Kyoya.

"I just mean to say, it was Akito's idea that Kyoya get matched, right? I mean, even Akito himself hasn't been matched ad he's pushed focus onto Kyoya...and didn't you catch Akito like, eyeballing Anna a few times?"

"Eyeballing" is what Tamaki chose to describe it as? "Don't worry. There's no need to rush."

"No need to rush! Anna's leaving! And soon!" Tamaki paraded around the Host Club room. "You should run off together!"

"Tamaki!" All heads turned towards Kaoru. "Be realistic. They haven't even known each other that long, let alone been together. Nothing is going to guarantee that things would have worked out if she could stay, let alone, if they have a long distance relationship. Their worlds are completely different because she's not held to the same obligations that Kyoya is. He has a role as a son, a third son, and heir to their family fortune. He has to find a way of making things work without offending anyone or surpassing his brothers. It's always been his challenge and always will. Stop fantasizing!"

"Guys, please just calm down." Kyoya said as Hikaru went to comfort his brother. "Don't worry, I'm working on a plan..."

timeskip

"What, come to visit me?" Kyoya says seeing Akito in his wing.

"Oh no, just wondering how I'm going to remodel this place when Anna's gone."

"Come again?"

"Or maybe I'll just have you move into Fuyumi's part of the house and I'll take over this wing..."

"Whatever you're thinking about, forget it. It's not going to happen."

"Oh, little brother, we both know that you can't make decisions. Besides, you're only a 3rd son. You've lost Anna, you're getting arranged... what little influence you must have if your romance can't even save a business deal."

"Don't you dare bring Anna up, she's not a toy in this game."

"She could have been if you didn't stop me," Akito's eyes narrowed and he looked directly at Kyoya as he said this.

"Repeat that..."

"Oh you heard me... you should have shared..."

Kyoya went into a rage. He screamed in frustration which, of course, caught the attention of his guards and a few household staff. They arrived to see Kyoya punching Akito in the stomach and again in the face as he doubled over.

"I can't even stand to look at you..." Kyoya utter in disgust as he walked over Akito's body. "By the way, that was for Anna. If there's any good of her leaving, it's that she won't have to worry about you touching her, you sick fuck."

"Master?" Tachibana called from the entrance way.

"Have this cleaned and take me to Tamaki's." His voice was stern, but Tachibana and the other guards saw the weariness in Kyoya's eyes.

"As you wish, Master Kyoya."