Just a heads up, there might be some spelling errors and serious sentence problems. But I'm uploading as is without re-reading for quality. Sorry guys! I'm pressed for time these days, but I don't want to make you guys wait any longer for the next chapter so I'm steaming ahead!

Enjoy!

Lizzy

Chapter 24: Mori's Ai

Part Two

The first night in a new bed and a room this luxurious was very different for Ai. For one thing the bed was very large and comfortable, like a cloud. The first morning was also just as pleasant.

She set her alarm for 6 am and prepared to help in the kitchen, but was briskly sho'ed away. She felt awkward. She tried many times to at least help with cutting some vegetables, anything to feel like she was earning her keep. But Mr. Hinata was strict and didn't allow her in. Instead he insisted she go for a walk in the garden and get aquatinted to the house before breakfast.

Ai smiled and reluctantly left to explore. The house was large, as big as Kyoya's. But it was very different. It was Japanese style similar to the house she used to live in with her family. It was peaceful and calmed her. Ai walked towards the main garden of the house. It was large like a park, she was truly in awe of it's beauty. There were many cherry blossom trees, she was slightly excited to see them in full bloom in the spring. She couldn't help breath in the cool air and relax. Even though it was only February, it was very cold.

Somehow this change however rushed and scary was rather refreshing. But being this blank in mind reminded her of how this was not the Ootori home. Even looking out to this beautiful view she was only reminded of Kyoya and her broken heart. She wondered who would take over her duties at the Ootori home, and how Kyoya was doing without her. And the more sinking worry if he missed her at all.

All these thoughts brought her to her next thought, Mori's proposal for marriage. It was sudden and she didn't know he felt that way about her. She had never looked at Mori in such a way, so it surprised her even more to know that he wanted her as his bride. It was somehow very flattering, and it made her feel wanted and loved. But the person she loved was Kyoya. But he obviously would not and could not ever love her back. It was a love that would never be. But with Mori she had a chance to find a new love and be part of a family that was obviously very loving and close; similar to her parents love. This atmosphere she could get used to and learn to live in. As she thought about these possibilities, Kyoya was still very much alive in her. No matter how good this proposition was for her, no matter how much this home could be more than a home but a family; her heart still ached for Kyoya.

She wondered why she fell in love with Kyoya.

"Good morning." Mori's voice pierced her thoughts as he came and stood next to her. Ai bowed to him on reflex when he grabbed her shoulders to stop. Ai looked at him as he blankly looked at her.

"Please don't." Mori said with a small smile. Ai could tell that he was a bit hurt that she was treating him as the master of the home.

"I know it's tough for you to accept, but I don't look at you as someone who will serve me or this home." Mori said hoping that his bluntness will help her understand him better. Ai blushed.

"I really care for you Ai-san. And I don't want you to treat this as another house you serve in." Mori said gently letting go of her shoulders and cupping her cheek. His hand was large and almost took her whole face. Ai couldn't help but blush more.

"It will take you time to accept me, I know this. It's okay, don't force yourself." Mori was very talkative and though it stunned her a little, she couldn't help but feel calmer. She had become rather used to Kyoya's harsher way of speaking, but with Mori, even though what he said was blunt; it was full of emotion and trust.

"Yes." Ai smiled. "Thank you".

They stood there for a moment gazing into each other eyes. Mori couldn't help but think how beautiful she was and Ai couldn't help but think that Mori was indeed very handsome. He was also strong, and gentle and kind. The things that made him very appealing, but Kyoya was kind too, and very caring and did a lot for her; he was still very strong in her heart. It would take some time to forget him and remove these feelings for him.

"Lets have some breakfast." Mori said removing his hand from her cheek which was hot now. He was really pleased that she was blushing. It was a good step towards the direction he wanted to go.

Kyoya woke up to a very different face. It was the maid who replaced Ai. He didn't have the reflex to pull her down, nor did he have the same urge to hold her. For some reason, all those instincts turned off now that she was gone. Kyoya sat up in his bed looking at the drapes where Ai would normally open and smile back at him. She would gently call for him, and gently accept it when he pulled her down. All these things were breaking his heart so early in the morning.

When he finished getting dressed, his breakfast was plated and the maid was standing there ready for him. Somehow he didn't feel like eating. He sat down dismissing the maid. He was again alone in his room.

Alone again.

Ai ate breakfast on the table with Mori's family, including younger brother who stormed in and then out, ranting something about 'that little runt'. Mori explained later that Satoshi (his little brother) took care of Yasuchika, Honey's little brother. It was interesting to learn this connection. It was also when Ai learned why the Morinozuka family took care of the Haninozuka family. It was very nice to see the generations still being friends even after all this time. Ai understood that this family was deeply rooted with tradition and loyalty. Which was nice to see. Compared to Kyoya's family, where things were deeply embedded with rivalry and betrayal. But they were all good in their own way. Mr. Ootori was the person to first rescue her from the nightmare she was living, and that alone held god status in her books. Perhaps this was the reason why it hurt so much when she was thrown away easily.

"How do you like breakfast Ai-chan?" Naoka asked with a gentle smile.

"It's delicious." Ai smiled. It was the first time in almost a year since she sat down for a family meal. It reminded her of her happy days with her parents.

"I thought you might like a traditional Japanese meal. I'm sure the Ootori home was most probably all pastries and breads." Naoka smiled. And she was right. Ai would often eat eggs and bread with milk in the morning. It was a welcome to finally eat a Japanese breakfast. Somehow she was feeling very satisfied.

"Yes thank you. It's been awhile since I had a meal like this. Thank you." Ai replied. Somehow she felt there was a heavy air over her even though the atmosphere was relaxed, she felt like she had to be demure to match Naoka's elegance.

"It's a good cold day today too, so Miso soup sure warms the heart." Atsushi said romantically. Ai couldn't agree more. She liked being here with this family, they seemed kind and were very considerate of her. But somehow it didn't feel like home. It wasn't like how she felt being there with Kyoya.

"Would you like to go somewhere today?" Mori asked.

"My Takeshi, you're being so manly today." Naoka joked giggling at her young boy's bravery. Ai blushed a little as did Mori. Somehow they were already like a newly wed couple.

"Anywhere is fine." Ai replied unable to control her blushing face. Naoka and Atsushi looked at each other and then to the cute couple before them.

"She only just arrived though, let her get adjusted to the home. You can take her next week." Atsuhi said taking away some of Ai's tension. "How about you take her to the fireworks festival at Fuji park." Atsushi suggested. Naoka smiled.

"Good idea. That's where your father and me went for our first date." Naoka looked sweetly at her husband. Even after all these years, Ai could tell they were both madly in love. She liked seeing that, it reminded her of her parents love. Somehow she wanted that too. She looked to Mori who was a little pink in the cheeks, and she couldn't help but smile sweetly.

"I would really love to go to the festival Mori-san." Ai said in a cute small voice. Mori looked at her a bit surprised. He wasn't expecting her to be so responsive. He smiled brightly.

"Okay." He replied.

The weekend went by quickly. Ai had learned her way around the house pretty well. She also spent a lot of time strolling around the main garden with Mori and learning a little more about him each day. It was relaxing and fun being with him. He was quiet but very considerate and often asked her questions about her house. It was almost dinner time and Mori was on a small stroll with Ai again in the main garden as had become habit these last 2 days.

"What were your parents like?" Mori asked. Ai smiled. She had not talked about her parents in a long time. And since she had she moved to Mori's house, he asked her many questions about her fathers restaurant. It was nice to remember them after a long time. It was a little sad because it brought up happy memories of them and how much she missed them, but Mori soothed her.

"They were very kind and generous people. They always gave the left overs to the shelter near our home and would often make extra for just that reason. " Ai giggled.

"Sometimes they would fight about small things in the kitchen, but when I went to serve the tables, they would hug." Ai laughed having flashbacks to how things were. Mori could see that Ai had become a little sad.

"I think they are very happy to see that their daughter is growing up to become someone just as kind." Mori said with his normal gentle smile. These last couple of days, his smile had become brighter and yet soft. It was all because of Ai. She noticed herself smiling a little more too.

Dinner was served in the main hall tonight. It was Ai's welcome party. It was decorated with pink lilly's which Naoka thought suited Ai. She loved them. Some family members were invited including Honey senpai's family to welcome Ai to the family home.

When Honey arrived with his family, he was still shocked that Ai would be living with Mori. He didn't realize that such a thing had happened, until Mori called earlier that day to explain. He wanted to probe the set up but thought it would be better to see for himself.

"Ai-chan, how do you like living with Mori." Honey smiled as he sat on the other side of Ai, with Mori on the other. Ai smiled brightly and blushed.

"I'm very happy to be here." Ai replied. Honey said nothing more then smile back gladly. But her answer was vague as he expected. The party hit off, but no formal announcement was made that Mori and Ai would be engaged. The party goers were only informed that they had adopted a wonderful girl into their home. But Honey's family and the aunt and uncle from Naoka's side knew very well what this arrangement was for. If Ai was to learn about the bridal program of the home, it could only mean that she was to eventually become the head of it.

Nevertheless, they all liked Ai and accepted her. Ai felt very welcomed in this home and couldn't feel any ill will from anyone, even the servers all seemed very polite and kind. Ai couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness. This feeling was very much like that night she had with Kyoya on Halloween. The feeling was similar, but in different ways.

She returned to her room. Tomorrow was the first day of school after this move. She would see Kyoya. She wondered how she would react to him, and how he would see her. She was nervous and slightly afraid. She realized something important then, that this feeling was anxiety. Nothing happy about it, just a fear that he would turn his back to her, stop talking to her and that their already small connection would be severed now that she was no longer at the Ootori home. She sighed looking out the patio doors to her own small garden. Mori was right, it did soothe her, but the anxiety of seeing Kyoya tomorrow was still there.

She walked to her desk and opened the drawer to see her album. The one she had lent to Kyoya for Halloween. Somehow she really wanted to look at the pictures. She didn't want to be this kind of person, who held on to things and let then bring her down. She wanted to be stronger and move forward. She thought that the Ootori home would do that for her. But maybe now the only way to move forward was with Mori.

She looked at the photo of her parents smiling back at her and it brought tears to her eyes. She really did like Kyoya, a lot. It really hurt that he tossed her out of the home, and worse didn't even look back at her once. She closed her eyes feeling like she might cry. She took in a deep breath in and out, and made the resolve to continue doing her best. And to face Kyoya tomorrow normally.

Kyoya woke up again to a voice that was not Ai's. He dressed and ate breakfast alone in silence and got into the car in silence too. He was well prepared that he would be seeing Ai at school, and planned to treat her normally as he always did. But slightly different, with less interaction. Now that she was not his family's employee, she was no longer his employee at school. But to keep her in class, he had to make sure she still attended lessons properly and performed her duties at the host club. These were all terms he had worked out with the Morinozuka family prior to her dismissal. They were more then happy to accept considering they wanted Mori and Ai to stay together in school. It gave Mori more chances to be near her. Kyoya couldn't help but feel calm. It was rather disturbing how calm and unafraid he was. Perhaps he had come to terms with his feelings, and he worked hard at everything else again, including his plans with Emi. Keeping himself busy kept him from thinking of Ai.

When the car stopped, he had reached the school gates. Tachibana let him out, but he seemed to be thinking about something.

"What is it?" Kyoya asked knowing Tachibana wanted to say something to him. Tachibana hesitated a little.

"Well Sir, it's just that." He said quietly. "Ai-san seemed very sad, and was crying when I dropped her off." He explained. Kyoya wasn't surprised to hear that she was sad, he clearly remembered her heart throbbing cry when he dismissed her.

"I wonder if she will be alright at the Morinozuka family Sir." Tachibana said. Kyoya's glassed fogged as he looked away.

"She will be fine. They'll take really good care of her because they like her a lot." Kyoya explained. He looked at Tachibana's eyes, he knew that he wasn't really asking if Ai would be alright; but if Ai should actually even be there.

"It's alright." Kyoya said as he walked away.

Kyoya's footsteps felt a bit heavy. Even Tachibana had taken such a strong liking to Ai. He wondered why all the servers at the home and people in general loved Ai when they met her, it was the same reason why people like Emi hated her.

Emi was a big part of his plan. In order for his plans for her to work, everything else had to be put properly into place. And the bigger goals for his place in the Ootori home also met that his plans for Emi had to work out no matter what.

Before class, everyone was to meet at the Host Club as usual to discuss the club theme. It was early but tea and cakes usually made things easier. Mori and Ai walked in together surprising everyone but Honey, who was focused on his cakes.

"Oh, that's unusual, did Kyoya have something to take care of?" Tamaki asked smiling away as he normally did. He didn't think anything of it. He saw Ai look to the ground and give a small meager good morning fellowed by an unusual response.

"Um I'm not sure." Ai replied. She usually was the only person who knew where Kyoya is and what he was doing. Mori knew this was going to be a bit awkward and surprising, and he was hoping to give the news slowly.

"Ai-san has moved to our house. She's no longer an employee at Kyoya's home." Mori replied. He looked like his usual blank self with just the necessary amount of talking. But it was enough to make everyone but Honey drop their spoons in shock.

"What?" Tamaki asked. He was the most shocked. He didn't know that this happened. And he didn't know why Kyoya would do that. Clearlyl Mori had feelings for Ai, and it was clear to him that Kyoya needed Ai.

"It happened over the weekend. Actually." Mori started to explain as Ai stood there looking to her feet. She was blushing a little, she felt like she was in the limelight and it was terrifying somehow. She wondered what the group would think of her.

"I asked my parents to bring her into our home because I want to marry Ai-san." Mori explained. The jaws of everyone present fell to the ground.

"What?" They said in unison. It was too shocking, and too much stimulus so early in the morning.

"For real?" Kaoru asked. They all kind of blushed. They were only in high school, but Mori would be graduating this year and going into university alongside Honey.

"Yes." Mori looked down to Ai with a smile and Ai returned the smile.

"I'm sorry for shocking everyone." Mori continued. The group looked to each other and then to the cute couple. Ai really suited Mori, he was much taller then her, but somehow having Ai beside him softened the gentle giant a little more.

"It's okay. I guess we should be congratulating you guys." Haruhi smiled being the first to get up and shake hands with the couple.

"It's not official yet. Ai-san needs some time to think about it and give me her reply." Mori added. Somehow that made a lot of sense and everyone was more at ease to see that they were taking their time. They got up and pulled the couple to sit and dish about how this all came to be. Tamaki was not looking well. He was pale in the face and looking worried.

"Tamaki-senpai are you alright?" Haruhi asked noticing the subtle change.

"Yes, I'm just going to go back for Kyoya. I'll be right back." Tamaki said excusing himself from the happy group. Ai sat down next to Mori as the group started to bombard them with questions that were hard to answer. Tamaki looked back as he was existing, Ai was smiling and looking happy, as did Mori. He knew this was not good, and this was not what Kyoya really wanted, so then why was he doing this. Pushing Ai to Mori, who clearly had feelings for her.

Kyoya was taking his time at his locker when Tamaki came suddenly behind him.

"Kyoya." Tamaki said with a serious expression on his face.

"What are you thinking?" Tamaki asked Kyoya as he turned to face him. Kyoya was expressionless as always and looked at him with no surprise.

"What do you mean?" Kyoya asked.

"You know what I'm talking about. Why is Ai-chan living with Mori-senpai?" Tamaki asked a little cross that Kyoya was acting nonchalant about the matter.

"Mori-senpai's family wanted Sakamoto-san to come live with them and enter their home as a bride in training." Kyoya explained.

"I didn't see any reason to deny their request." Kyoya added much to Tamaki's surprise.

"What? No reason?" Tamaki asked with his eyebrows narrowed.

"How about the fact that you have feelings for her." Tamaki hollered in a low voice. Kyoya's eyes narrowed back.

"What are you saying. Whatever feelings I may have are strictly business." Kyoya replied casually and started to walk away. Tamaki grabbed his arm and forced him to face him.

"Who are you lying to. Some day, you're going to regret the things you do Kyoya, and maybe everything else you can live with. But this decision you're going to regret." Tamaki said passionately into his face. Kyoya pushed Tamaki off. He didn't want to hear this lecture from a fool who also had many things to regret in his life.

"What I regret is my own business. It has nothing to do with you." Kyoya said brushing off his comments.

"Kyoya! Stop denying it!" Tamaki shouted after him.

"You love her!" Tamaki added loudly. Kyoya didn't flinch but his heart ached. How could Tamaki know this. How could he understand what he was going through.

"How would you know? You wouldn't be able to understand what I'm going through." Kyoya said turning back to face the confused blonde. Tamaki understood exactly what was stopping Kyoya.

"Kyoya, you know that you don't have to do this." Tamaki reminded him.

"You know you didn't have to send her away." Tamaki's expression became soft and sad.

"Don't you feel even a little sad now that she's not there?" He asked her. Kyoya's eyes fell downcast. It hurt, more then anyone could ever understand or express. Every morning he wakes up and she's not there bores another hole in his heart. Everyday he sits in silence, alone without her, reminds him of his burdening name.

"No." He lied and walked away. Tamaki knew exactly how badly the lie was.

"Kyoya..." Tamaki whispered to himself. The situation was getting worse then he imagined. By sending her to Mori, Tamaki knew that Kyoya understood that Ai would never be his; and that he killed every chance to loving her normally by doing this. He knew this had to be killing Kyoya from inside, but he was holding himself up like he always did. Never showing weakness or wavering. A sick trait that came with the Ootori name.

Tamaki couldn't help but feel stressed out by this situation, and very worried for Kyoya.

On the next chapter: Date night at the Festival, and bumping into Kyoya and Emi made Ai realize how painful this love for Kyoya is. What will Mori do when he realizes that Ai might love Kyoya?