"Please, Fujioka-san," Rio insisted through pursed lips, "you must remove your clothing."

Haruhi clasped her blouse to her chest in a death grip and retorted indignantly, "There's no way I'm taking off anything." She glared hotly at the two demented attendants Kyouya had sent her off with.

"You hear me? I'm not removing a single stitch!"

Rio exchanged a sly look with her partner who inclined her head in acknowledgement.

Pretending to let go of the fabric she held, Rio demurred softly. "Okay then Fujioka-san, if that is what you wish."

She motioned her partner away with a wave of her hand. "Mika, you must inform Ootori-sama that we failed to carry out our assigned task," she sighed for effect and was pleased to see the indecision on Haruhi's gamine face.

She continued her dramatization, "Oh whatever shall we do? There's no telling how Ootori-sama will react…" Rio peeked at Haruhi from the corner of her eyes.

"Oh stuff it," Haruhi muttered irritably. "Think I don't know what you're doing Rio-san? I'm not normally this easy to manipulate."

Haruhi sighed in misery, "But I also know how underhanded that dark-haired devil can be; so fine," she harrumphed. She held out her arms unenthusiastically and closed her eyes.

"Do what you have to," Haruhi said listlessly.

They didn't need to be told twice. Rio and Mika hurriedly divested Haruhi of her garments. When she was down to her underwear, they wrapped her in a fluffy towel and ushered her forward.

"You may open your eyes now, Fujioka-san," they murmured.

"We'll leave you to take your bath in peace. I'll come and get you after thirty minutes," Rio went on with a warm smile, "so please, enjoy your soak."

Haruhi bowed her head. "Arigatou."

They slipped out quietly, and soundlessly slid the wooden doors shut.

Haruhi stared at the gleaming porcelain tub before her. Petals floated softly on the water's still surface and a fine mist curled gently upward. She allowed the towel to fall in a soft heap on the floor. Her undies soon followed. Haruhi gingerly dipped a slender foot into the steaming liquid and found that it was the perfect temperature.

Tossing the last of her reluctance aside, Haruhi stepped into the water and slid into its welcoming embrace. She made herself comfortable in the roomy tub, dislodging more than a few flowers as she moved about languidly. She sank deeper until the gentle waves lapped at her shoulders and chin.

Haruhi sighed and let her head fall back against the bath tub's golden rim. The heat seeping into her bones melted the last of her tension. She closed her eyes again, and inhaled deeply. The fragrant scent of lilies wafted caressingly around her like a golden halo, intoxicating her senses.

She could almost forgive Kyouya for the harrowing day he'd put her through. The need to discover what it was he had spoken to her father about almost disappeared too. Almost being the operative word.

Haruhi tried to hold on to her anger but the environment she was currently cocooned in made it difficult to latch on to any form of negative vibes. The water was just so delicious she couldn't help but allow it to calm her spirit.

Short of killing her, there was nothing that he could possibly do that he hadn't already done Haruhi thought pragmatically. It was useless to speculate on whatever sinister plans he had in store for her. Besides, no matter how heinous a scenario she dreamed up, she was pretty darned sure the reality of Kyouya's evil genius would win hands down

So for once in her life, Haruhi decided to just sit back and relax. She'd deal with her problems later.

Haruhi's heavy sigh scattered the petals that had gathered near her throat and neck. Kyouya really was an enigma. Just when she thought she finally figured him out, he pulled something so totally unexpected that she'd be forced to revise her opinion of him all over again.

Today was one such example.

It was still a mystery to her why he'd made such a fuss about bringing her around with him like he did.

Haruhi idly trailed a hand through the calm water, tiny ripples followed in her finger's wake. Kyouya's actions today ran contrary to his usual merit-chasing self. She knew he could easily hire a team of researchers to do what he was asking of her— and they would accomplish all that he required with a greater deal of professionalism and efficiency, which was why this sudden desire for her opinion didn't fool her one bit.

After all, it wasn't as if she'd contributed much to his research. However, even if he'd been such a pain in the ass, Haruhi had to admit that it was great fun.

The trip to the Oceanarium had left her captivated. Just remembering the sleek and gliding beauty of the dolphins and that majestic manta ray she'd seen earlier was enough to make her breath hitch.

Not to mention, that unspeakable moment inside the Limo. Okaa-san in heaven, what was that about? That almost-kiss had plagued her mind ever since they stepped out of the car.

Haruhi had always felt vaguely indifferent towards all of them— not really understanding why the fangirls literally swooned when any of them smiled… (Well, maybe except Honey-senpai— he was in a league of his own, being so adorable and all that jazz.)

But seriously, it was ridiculous the way they had all the girls at school eating from the palm of their hands.

Haruhi's brows slashed downwards as she thought of the profits the club was raking in from marketing Kyouya's creepy little settings.

Her thoughts going back to the black-eyed (and equally black-souled evil lord), she found herself pensive once more. Haruhi was somewhat glad that Kyouya had forced this time-out upon her. It gave her a chance to try and sift through the feelings that were running rampant inside her.

Among all the hosts, the ones most obvious in their affection for her had always been the twins and Tamaki-senpai. Honey and Mori-senpai treated her like a younger sister (or brother as was the case in the Host Club) so she had never really analyzed how they felt about her.

Kyouya was different.

He was consistently the person least interested in her. In fact, to this point, she believed that the only times Kyouya knew she was alive was when she did something that further increased her financial obligations.

But now that she thought about it, Haruhi realized that Kyouya always took a fiendish delight in heaping mountains upon mountains of debt to her already sorry pile.

"Just what is your game, Shadow King?" Haruhi wondered aloud.

A tranquil silence was her only answer. "Not that I was expecting one," she quipped to herself dryly.

Maybe she should get out of the tub, she mused. Was it possible that the heat had pickled her brain or something? That would certainly explain her wild imaginings.

A discreet knock sounded on the door.

Haruhi was startled out of her fanciful contemplation. "I'll be done in a bit," she called out.

"I'll step inside to bring you your robe Fujioka-san," was Rio's muffled reply.

"Oh, okay," Haruhi assented.

The sliding doors moved gracefully to the side and Rio came in bearing a beautiful midnight blue kimono. It had patterns of white calla lilies gilded in burnished gold. Rio carefully smoothed it onto the sofa across the massive tub.

"This is for you Fujioka-san, a gift from Ootori-sama."

From her vantage-point, she could tell that the yukata was made of the finest silk. It probably cost a fortune. Haruhi blanched. If she ruined that thing, she'd never be free of Kyouya (this made her shudder) and the Host Club. She eyed the resplendent robe with regret.

"Rio-san, kindly tell Kyouya that while I appreciate the sentiment, it is not necessary. Any old dressing gown will serve just as well."

Haruhi smiled at the elder girl ruefully, "It would be a shame to ruin such a lovely garment."

Rio surprised her by grinning broadly. "Ootori-sama mentioned you would probably say something like that so he told me to tell you," she stuck her chin out in parody.

"If you refuse to accept my gift, I have instructed both Tanaka-san and Hagumi-san to drag you to the Calla room in all your naked glory," she repeated word for word.

Haruhi stared at her in abject horror and sputtered, "He can't possibly mean that!"

"Oh but he does. Those were his words Fujioka-san, in verbatim." Rio answered cheerfully.

"B..bb… but that's blackmail!" Haruhi blustered in denial.

Rio fell into a graceful squat before the tub and shoved her protest aside, "Shush. Now be a dear and accept Ootori-sama's gift graciously," she scolded lightly.

"You'll find a clean towel on your right as well as bedroom slippers."

Haruhi slumped deeper into the by then lukewarm water and turned her face away from the attendant.

Rio stood up in a fluid motion and said, "When you're done dressing up, please exit through the door to your left. We'll be waiting outside to escort you to the Calla room."

Haruhi bit back a bitter retort; this wasn't Rio-san's fault. She was only obeying the orders of that deranged pervert.

Hai, she thought nastily. She never figured that beneath that polished and elegant veneer, Kyouya Ootori was nothing but a big fat pervert.

Haruhi shot up in anger, splashing water heedlessly across the floor. She'd be damned if she stayed here and cowered in fear like some pasty-faced mouse. That two-faced bastard was going to get a piece of her mind.

She roughly toweled herself dry, hurling all sorts of threats and imprecations at Kyouya's head while she did so. If that wretched Ootori wanted to pick a fight, he had messed around with the wrong girl.

Haruhi tightened the narrow sash around her waist and went over her reflection in the mirror with a critical eye. Fiery brown eyes stared back at her.

Satisfied with what she saw, Haruhi ran a cool hand over her face and all the way through her slickly gleaming hair.

She was ready to do battle.

A/N:

As promised, I updated quickly to make up for last week's drought. :P

Anyway, I haven't revealed Kyouya's and Ranka's conversation because, well, just 'cause. :D So you have to be patient and wait just a little bit longer. :)

This chappie is all Haruhi! We've gotten inside almost everyone else's head but only had snippets of her thoughts. So I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into our favorite host-girl's mind. :D

Thanks again for the great reviews! I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions you've been throwing my way. :) It's helped me a lot in fine-tuning the stuff I've written down so far. So thanks, SUPER!

xxxxx

Sama - (suffix) Formal version of "san." Respectful address towards important persons or those with higher rank

San - (suffix) Informal version of "sama."

Okaa-san - Mother

Arigatou - Thank You

Hai - Yes

Yukata - Japanese kimono

Obi - A broad sash worn with a Japanese kimono