Disclaimer: I do not own "Ouran High School Host Club" or any of the characters in this wonderful manga/anime in any way.

Missing his heart

Previously in chapter thirteen… Kyoya was lucky in that his father, at his mother's insistence, would give each of his sons up until they graduated from high school to find the person that they loved. If they had not found someone at that point, their father would then take his time and find an appropriate marriage partner that would best suite his business holdings. Fuyumi, Kyoya's sister, however was not given a choice, their father arranged her marriage before she was out of high school. She didn't mind though, since fate had stepped in on her behalf. She followed in her mother and father's footsteps in that she was lucky enough to be arranged to marry the man that she had fallen in love with anyways.

Chapter Fourteen

The young couple arrived at their destination. They were shown to their rooms and met back at the entrance. Kyoya wanted Haruhi to see some of the sights on the grounds. He had spend many summers here as a very young child. In hopes of letting her understand him better, he wanted her to know more about him. It surprised him that he felt this way. Normally he didn't care to let anyone inside his head. In fact, he deemed it best if no one knew what was going on in his head so that he could stay two steps ahead of his competition in the business world. But this wasn't the business world, he reminded himself. In fact, this was not a world he was familiar with at all, despite his hosting experience. Hosting and making a girl truly fall in love with you were two different things… even if it wasn't Haruhi that was the girl in question.

Together, they walked hand in hand to the lake where Kyoya, along with his siblings and mother, spent many summers while his father was either away on business or having business meetings at the ossen while they picnicked. They strolled through the lavish garden that sprawled out next to the small tributary that ran from the hot springs to the lake below. All the while, Kyoya talked about his early childhood and the stories his mother used to tell of how she and her husband were truly in love. He spoke of how he used to watch his parent, and hope that one day he too would have someone who he cared for as deeply. Then they made their way back down to the lake as the sun was setting. It truly was a very romantic setting as he sat under a tree looking at the sunset over the water and feeling the warmth of someone he loved sitting next to him, hand in hand. He looked at Haruhi and saw that she was staring at him in wonder.

"What?"

"Oh, sorry. It's nothing."

"Haruhi, what is it?

"I… ummm… I was just wondering where the shadow king went to. I haven't seen him all day. I have spent the whole day with an ordinary guy who had a mostly ordinary life. Not some stuck up snob raised in prestige and wealth. It, well, it's been rather refreshing." She smiled at him.

"Oh my god, you're right. We've spent the whole day together, and I have dominated the conversation the entire time. Please forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive. I have been enjoying myself. With life as it is at school, I forget that the elite can have normal lives too" she chuckled. "I just never thought that I would see this side of you, that's all. You tend to not show anyone anything other than your business façade. That can make a person lonely. It's nice to know that there is a real person under that façade." She snuggled up on his shoulder.

He didn't know if it was what she said, how she looked, how she snuggled up against him, or even if it was just that she was there with him, but he wanted to grab a hold of her and never let her go, no matter what anyone anywhere in the world said or did. He didn't know where he stood and it worried him a little. This was not an operation about the numbers, so he was not in him element. And this was definitely unfamiliar territory. His heart skipped a beat as he looked down at her resting peacefully on his shoulder, with her eyes closed. Damn, why did she have to be so vulnerable at that very moment? He drew her hand to his lips and did the only thing that he dared to do, so as to not lose control; he kissed her hand. If he tried to kiss her lips, he could not guarantee that he would stop. He had to remind himself to be patient. Patience is not normally an issue with the shadow king, as he could out-last the best of them. But when it comes to her, he was not so patient, even though now, it was utmost importance. They stood and dusted themselves off as they made their way to dinner. They shared dinner in Kyoya's room, and continued talking, only this time it was about Haruhi.

Kyoya grinned to himself. He didn't need to grow even more fond of her to know that he wanted her to be his wife in the future, but that is exactly what happened. She told stories of growing up, and he longed to see 5 yr old Haruhi fixing her father's bento before work. She was a strong and independent woman… even as a child. One who would most likely be able to handle the trials and tribulations of being the wife of an Otori. He could see it in everything that she did. Now he just needed to convince her. As she continued to talk, she sat down to his left, fingers of their right hands intertwined as they held hands, her head resting on his arm. He put his arm around her, as her speech slowed. Before he realized it, she had stopped talking altogether. He looked down at her to see her sleeping in his arms. Not wanting this to end, he stayed perfectly still for a while. Slowly he brought her left hand to his lips, kissing it gently. He bent slightly and kissed her forehead, and then her cheek. He moved so as to slightly brush his lips against hers. At that moment, he knew that he needed to wake her up and take her to her own room. With no chaperone here to stop him, he had to rely only on his need to not push her to fast as to push her away. He wanted to take her and make her his right then, but that would not be in his best interest. So he kissed her forehead again and tried to wake her gently. He walked her back to her room and then returned to his. He was not able to sleep however, remembering the kiss from two nights ago, and how vulnerable she had been at the moment when he stopped himself. Oh god, this is going to be a torturous few months, he thought to himself as he finally drifted off to sleep.

He dreamed of the future, the children they would have, and the love they would share. He dreamed of waking each other with gentle kisses every morning. He dreamed that Haruhi was over him, calling to him to wake up. Then he felt her warm breath… this was not a dream. He opened his eyes slightly to sneak a peek, only to find her very near him, trying to gently wake him up for breakfast. When he asked why an angel was in his room, she giggled. How cute, yet how unexpected. She turned to leave so that he could get dressed as he grabbed her hand. He kissed her gently on the lips and hugged her as he whispered "Good morning" in her ear. She left and he dressed. The spend the rest of the day much as they had the day before, just talking and getting to know one another better. They learned things about one another that one would never learn in an environment such as school. Kyoya was genuinely pleased that he had done this. It was a great opportunity for their newly formed bond to strengthen. Well, at least he believed it was newly formed, or at least newly acknowledged.

After dinner that evening, they decided to take some time in the hot springs. They were informed that from the changing area, there were two options, one led to the gender divided bathing area, the other one in the middle, however was a mixed bath. Unfortunately for the young couple, the person explaining this detail was slightly dyslexic, and in explaining, switched the directions. Kyoya was the first to enter the mixed bath. No one else was around, and the bookings were quite sparse lately, so he didn't expect to see many people bathing tonight anyways. He had his back to the entrances when he heard another person come in. He turned around, and his jaw dropped. Even without his glasses on, he knew that figure. He recognized her voice when she gasped. Haruhi still had her contacts in, so she instantly recognized the figure of her senpai turned boyfriend. "Haruhi, is that you?"

"Ehh yes, I thought this was the women's bath."

"I guess the employee who told us about the mixed bath got it confused." He stood up from the bath, about to exit to move to the divided bathing area.

"I'm sorry. I'll leave," she states with a blush as she starts to turn around.

Kyoya steps out of the water, only to lose his footing and fall forward, onto Haruhi, pinning her underneath him. In the moments before he realized what was going on, he had succumbed to her beauty and heart-melting voice. The kiss lasted longer than either of them had realized; when they heard someone clearing their throat above them.

With a blush on both of their faces, they peer up to see a pair of employees standing above them. "My apologies, I mistakenly gave you the wrong directions, but it appears that you have learned this on your own. Please remember that this is open to all ossen visitors." As they left the mixed bath area, one was overheard saying, "Oh my, what a scene I just witnessed. I wish I could have been the one to be pushed down. He was HOT!" The other replied, "Didn't you know, that is one of the sons of the Otori family. They own this place."

Both blushing profusely now, they made their way into the respective bathing areas. A little old lady asked Haruhi if she was ok, and maybe she should get out soon since she was already fairly red. Haruhi could only smile as she explained that it wasn't the heat of the water, but rather an embarrassing memory that kept running through her head. The lady smiled back at her and told her, "Don't worry hon, what ever he did, or you did in front of him, will be either forgotten soon, or will be worthy of telling your grandkids. At least that was how it was the first time I visited an ossen with a suitor, who is now my husband of 53 years." They smiled at one another. Haruhi could only reply with a sigh.

After they bath, Kyoya lay on his futon, not sure of how to make the next move. Had he pushed her too far? She had not rejected the kiss, but what could she do, as he lay on top of her and they were both in nothing more than towels. He was restless now. He wanted her like that again. No, correction, he wanted her like that, but without the towel, and of her own desires instead of due to faulty footing. How could he have let this happen? Wasn't he supposed to be in total control? In her presence, and only in her presence, was a new person that Kyoya knew nothing about… the true Kyoya. His hosting abilities, his business savvy, his money, none of that meant anything when he was with her. He found himself saying and doing things that he never imagined himself saying or doing. What was this control that she had over him, and why was it only when they were alone? He wanted to see her, but was afraid of what would happen. Would she slap him; retreat from him; demand to be taken home immediately? In his heart was an emotion that he was very unfamiliar with. He had never known fear. He tried to calm his nerves, and decided to go get a drink. Surely coffee would only make his racing pulse worsen, but maybe some tea would do the trick. He stood up and headed down the hall. He grabbed an extra one to offer Haruhi as a peace offering.