"Dad! Stop taking those stupid pictures!" Haruhi complained, trying to block the camera with her hand.

"But you look so pretty Haruhi!" He squealed. Amaya chucked from behind them as she fixed her bracelet on her wrist.

"It's not like we have a chance to see you all feminine very often, do we." Amaya said with a smirk.

Haruhi did look gorgeous though. Amaya refused to let her put extensions in, claiming she wanted her to look like her when she was all dressed up. Her short hair was thick and crimped, her makeup was simple but they had put gold shades on her eyes to really bring them out. Amaya had lent her some gold clip on earrings. Her white shoes had a small heel on them but considering how they wouldn't be seen Haruhi refused to wear anything too fancy.

"Here, Honey. Put this on." Ranka said softly. He pulled a long gold chain from his pocket. He placed it in Haruhi's open hand and she studied it intently.

"It's a pocket watch." Haruhi remarked as she clicked it open.

"It was your mother's. I think it would go very nicely with this dress." Ranka said, taking it back off his daughter and fixing the clasp behind her neck.

"There. Now you really look like a princess." Her father said dreamily. Suddenly he started to sniffle.

"OH you look so grown up I can't even handle it!" He wailed. He moved to attack-hug Haruhi but Amaya caught him.

"Em...Ranka? You don't want to ruin the dress now do you?"

"Oh, right. Of course not." He straightened and took on an army like stance.

"You ready Amaya?" Haruhi asked as she rolled her eyes at her father's antics.

"Yup. Shall we go downstairs? The limo should be there by now." She said, grasping her black clutch bag. They stepped out of Amaya's apartment, where they had been getting ready, and she locked the door.

Amaya wasn't too keen on the idea of getting a limo but she had been told that in this instant it was necessary. They walked gracefully to the car, well, Haruhi wobbled a little, and the driver opened the door for them.

"Wait! I want one last picture of the two of you!" Ranka shouted, his camera ready to strike. Amaya chuckled and nodded while Haruhi groaned.

"Fine. But make it quick."

There was a flash and Amaya ran up to Ranka.

"Let me see!" She smiled.

They did look lovely, if a little contrasting. Haruhi was all gold and princess like where as Amaya was black and dangerous. The dress was just as sensual as she knew it would be, clinging to her every curve. Due to the split her shoes were on show so she opted for a high pair of heels that were black with a silver netting wrapped over them. She wore a chocker style silver necklace which had a chain dropping down from its centre, a black jewel resting just above her neckline. Her blonde hair had been pulled up tonight, with the front layers on the right side of her face left down and curled. Her eyes were smoky, her lips blood red.

Basically she looked hot.

"I want that framed." Amaya told Ranka with a wink before grabbing Haruhi by the hand and pulling her into the limo.

"You ready to go to the ball?" She asked. The smaller girl just shook her head and laughed.

"I don't really know what I'm supposed to do at this thing."

Amaya shrugged. "Dance. Nibble on canapés. Pretend the people there are interesting."

"Talk to potential husbands." Haruhi put in with a grin. She instantly regretted it as she saw Amaya's shoulder's tense.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that." She amended.

Amaya let out a small smile and shook her head. "No its fine. That is what's happening tonight. No matter how much I pretend it isn't."

"You don't like him?"

"I've never met him. He could be lovely."

"So you don't like the idea of an arranged marriage?"

Amaya shook her head. "Not particularly. But if I like him I don't care if the marriage is arranged. I'm not much of a romantic."

Haruhi nodded. "Right. So it's Kyoya then."

Amaya turned her head sharply to look at her. "I'm sorry?"

"Something has happened between you two. You used to be all flirty but these past two weeks I don't think you've said ten words to each other. And, no offence, but when you have said something it's been appropriate and not dirty minded."

Amaya blinked in surprise but let out a small chuckle. "I guess I'm not as subtle as I thought. You're right, there was something going on but it was just physical and it's over now. We had an argument because he went all business opportunity on my life and I didn't like it."

"All business, Sounds like Kyoya." Haruhi agreed.

Except it isn't, Haruhi thought. Not really.

.

.

"Well, this is nice." Amaya noted when they walked into the ballroom. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, a band played softly in the corner, there were waiters holding glasses of champagne and canapés on trays. It was the classic rich party scene.

God I'm bored already, Amaya thought to herself.

"Let's go find the others." Haruhi said. She needn't have bothered because at that moment a loud shriek pierced the air.

"HARUHI!" Tamaki flew at them and stopped in front of their faces.

"You...you look..." His cheeks started to pink and Amaya bit back a snicker.

"Hey Amaya, looking good." Hikaru said, coming up from behind them.

"Yeah, don't see what you were complaining about." Kaoru said, following as always.

"Hey, what broke the boss?" They asked in confusion.

"Haruhi's epic gorgeousness." Amaya explained. Haruhi's cheeks went a deep pink. The twins looked over at her and their eyes went as big as saucers.

"We...eh..glad... you like... dress..." They managed to splutter.

"Oh, what do you know, they even get gobsmacked in unison." Amaya remarked.

"Haru-chan! Ama-chan!" A childish voice squealed and Amaya felt something tackle her around the waist, causing her to stumble.

"Woah! Careful squirt, I'm not exactly in practical footwear here." Amaya said shakily dethatching her cousin.

"Must you make such a scene." Another voice sighed irritably. They turned to see Chicka looking very smart in his tux. In fact all the boys looked very handsome in their black penguin suits. Amaya embraced him in a hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Aw, Chicka-chan, what's wrong? Not having fun?" Amaya pouted at him making him roll his eyes.

"Hardly. I'm going to go find father. You look very well Amaya." He said the last part as an afterthought.

"Yeah. You do." Takashi grunted. He had a slight tightness to his jaw and Amaya could tell he was struggling a little with the risqué aspect to her dress.

"Haruhi you look like a true princess!" Tamaki suddenly shouted. The group turned to look at him as he bowed to her offering a white rose.

"Oh look he snapped out of it." Hikaru snickered.

"Em..thanks senpai." Haruhi said accepting the rose and then looking confused as to where to put it.

"Here. Let me." Amaya offered, taking the flower and securing it in Haruhi's hair with a clip. It made her look a little younger but she also looked about ready to run on to the set of a Disney movie.

"Thanks Amaya." Haruhi smiled, a hand tentatively reaching up to finger the petals.

"No problem. I have to take care of my date. Speaking of which, would you like a drink?" Amaya asked.

"No I'm-"

"I will get the drinks!" Tamaki announced, sprinting across the dance floor and practically knocking over a waiter.

"-fine" Haruhi finished with a frown before chuckling softly. Amaya was glad that she didn't appear to be hating this.

"Ms Morinozuka?" A male voice asked them. Amaya turned to face the speaker.

He was a good looking young man, probably only a few years older than them. He had tousled brown hair that fell to around his chin in length. His grey- blue eyes were apprehensive although his tall stature of 5 foot eleven was held with a certain level of self confidence. He was of slight build, similar to Tamaki's.

And Amaya couldn't shake the feeling that she had looked into those eyes before.

She put on a polite smile and bowed gracefully. "Mr Otazin, I presume?"

"Yes." He confirmed as he returned the bow. He looked at the other members of the group.

"Thank you for coming this evening. My company and family appreciate your presence here. Please enjoy yourselves. If there is anything you need a member of our staff would be more than happy to assist you."

Spoken like a true CAO, Amaya thought to herself.

"Thank you for inviting us, Mr Otazin." Honey replied, his voice less childish in that moment. The others nodded their agreements.

"You're welcome. Now I was wondering if I may be so bold as to steal Ms Morinozuka from you for a dance." He extended a hand to her and she ruefully took it.

"Of course, Mr Otazin."

"Please, Miss, call me Kiyoshi." He said smoothly as he led them on to the dance floor.

"Wow, that guys pretty impressive." Kaoru noted as they watched the two's retreating backs.

"Yeah. You said." Hikaru agreed.

"Considering his impressive financial and commercial achievements in such a short period of time one can assume he is quite a capable person." A cool voice stated.

The twins and Haruhi jumped at the shadow king's arrival.

"Kyoya! When did you get here?!" The twins shouted.

"I have only arrived. Now, I must speak with several influential characters. If you will excuse me." Kyoya's voice had a feint edge to it. Haruhi watched him, studying his expressions. There was a slight tension to the way he was holding himself.

A business opportunity. That's what Amaya said he saw in her proposal. Nothing else. And Haruhi had a suspicion Kyoya had convinced himself that that was all he wanted from her.

How can people so clever be so stupid? Haruhi asked herself, exasperated.

.

.

"You dance well, Kiyoshi-san." Amaya complimented. It was a waltz, which suited her fine. She didn't feel like doing much movement in this tight fabric.

"Not as well as you Ms Morinozuka. But then your family is pretty good at the physical side of things." He said before faltering.

"I mean of course because you are martial arts experts. Not in any other sense. Not that you would necessarily be bad at..."He started to go pink and Amaya giggled.

"Relax, Kiyoshi-san. I don't mind if the mask slips." She whispered in his ear.

His swallowed and looked at her with a little grin. She liked his smile. It was warm and gentle.

"I'm that obvious am I? My mother will be horrified, all those etiquette classes for nothing." He smirked.

"Well, not for nothing. That speech you gave to my friends was very articulate and proper. I found it very believable."

"Believable, appropriate considering I am basically acting tonight. People don't like to remember my mother was 'the help' once. Makes them uncomfortable."

"Yes, us arrogant rich people." Amaya teased.

"Not you, Miss. You never saw me as some son of some maid." His voice grew soft.

Amaya's brow furrowed and the music finished. They stopped dancing but they left their hands in the traditional waltz position.

"You speak as though we've met before. In which case you may call me Amaya." She said carefully.

He smirked. "We have. Would you like to accompany me to the balcony?" He offered her his arm and she took it. As they walked out she spoke.

"How offended would you be if I were to tell you I don't recall meeting you in my life?" They walked out to the large open balcony that seemed to float in the night sky.

He laughed. He dethatched himself from her and strolled to the edge, looking out over the city of Tokyo. "Not at all. In truth that fact that you don't remember makes you all the more special. Because it wasn't significant enough for you to put to memory, because it just seemed like the done thing to you."

Amaya frowned and joined him. She leaned forward on the stone railing that enclosed the balcony.

"You want to tell me where we've met before..." She trailed off, something in her mind whispering the answer.

"No..."She said slowly.

He grinned goofily. "Hello."

"But...you looked so young! I thought you were eight or something!"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, I was a month away from twelve. In my defence I didn't grow until I was about fifteen."

"You, you..." She shook her head. "Those bullies were the same age as you, weren't they?"

"Yes. I think my young looks were what made them so annoyed in the first place."

Amaya bit her lip with a smirk. "Wow. I must have made quite an impression."

"Well, you and your stick."

She chuckled again and before she knew it the two of them were laughing. She didn't expect it to be this easy, this comfortable.

"I haven't been able to get you out of my head since." He muttered, taking a step closer to her.

Suddenly a thought struck her. "Em...you remember that I did kiss another boy then, right?"

He nodded but shrugged. "He deserved it. He was being very rude. Besides, it was eight years ago, I don't think I can hold that against you."

She looked away for a moment. Sure...I haven't kissed that same boy recently...I definitely haven't been sleeping with him for that past few weeks...She thought sarcastically to herself.

And as she thought about that she turned to really study the man beside her. He was intelligent, funny, handsome, kind, honest and, judging by his held on attraction to her, loyal.

He wanted to marry her. She was lucky. Even if she didn't really believe that.

"Are you cold? It is December after all." He asked in concern.

Great. The bastard is caring and thoughtful too.

"No, I'm fine." But he didn't want to except that as answer and removed his jacket and put it over her shoulders. A flash of irritation coursed through her. She said she was fine, she meant it.

The action brought them a little closer together and she found herself looking into his eyes. Their breath's mingling in the night air.

.

.

Haruhi giggled as she spun with Mori. The guys had been taking turns dancing with her.

And each other, she noted as she saw Hikaru and Kaoru paired together beside her.

To her surprise, Haruhi had found herself enjoying the party. After returning with her drink Tamaki asked if he could have this dance. At which point the twins started shouting about wanting to dance with her. If was a good thing that this thing would be going on for a while.

Although depending on how things go Amaya may not want to stay, she thought, throwing a glance in the direction of the balcony. They had been out there for a while. The glass doors and curtains made it hard to see.

The music stopped and Mori released her with a slight smile. Haruhi had a feeling he wanted to know what was going on out on that balcony just as much as she did.

"May I step in?"

She turned to Kyoya with a smile. Speaking of people who would like to know what's going on...

Mori locked eyes with Kyoya before nodding. Haruhi felt a jolt of surprise. It seemed those two weren't on the best of terms.

"Enjoying yourself Haruhi?" Kyoya asked as they began to move.

"Yes. This is better than I thought it would be."

"Indeed, this isn't exactly your average night. I am surprised Amaya left you alone to it."

Haruhi's jaw twitched. "She left me with friends. I have a feeling she's having a worse time than me."

"Why, where has our gracious host taken her?" He asked emotionlessly.

"Out onto the balcony. I think you should give them some time." Haruhi warned.

"I would, but unfortunately his mother has sent me looking for him." Kyoya answered in a bored tone, letting go of Haruhi.

"Kyoya-senpai?"

Kyoya paused in his movement towards the glass doors. "Yes?"

"Not everything should be about business."

Kyoya inclined his head to her but he left. Haruhi shook her head and felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to Kaoru who gave her an understanding smile before asking her to dance.

.

.

Amaya pulled back from Kiyoshi.

"I'm not going to marry you." She said it matter-of-factly.

She heard his breath catch and panged with guilt.

"Are you sure?"

She bit back a chuckle and looked him in the eye. "Yes. I am not becoming engaged to anyone. I'm sixteen years old."

He nodded. "Not getting engaged. Fair enough." She sensed a shadow of his lighter side seeping back into his face.

Quickly, so quick she didn't have a chance to dodge, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She froze in surprise, her hands coming up against his chest.

She pushed Kiyoshi from her, smirking slightly. So that's how it feels to have someone steal a kiss from you.

"Don't do that again." She warned but her voice wasn't hard.

"Can't guarantee that." He winked.

"Ahem." A voice interrupted from the door.

"Kyoya!"Amaya exclaimed.

He noticed it was the first time she had referred to him by his first name. Why did it have to be now?

"A friend of yours?" Kiyoshi asked.

"You could say that..."Amaya mumbled, desperately hoping Kiyoshi didn't recognise Kyoya.

"I didn't mean to interrupt but your mother asked me to come find you." Kyoya said to the other man, his eyes not so much as straying to Amaya.

"Oh ,thank you." He took Amaya's hand in his and brought it to his lips. "Until we see each other again, Amaya-san."

"Kiyoshi-san wait. Your jacket." Amaya said, holding it out to him. He took it and left, his gait light and happy.

Kyoya turned away. Amaya didn't know what to say. When he reached the door he paused.

"You look beautiful tonight Amaya. If perhaps a little inappropriate. But then I suppose the outfit served its purpose didn't it?" His voice was calm but meant to inflict pain.

"Kyoya don't," She reached out and caught his hand. "It wasn't like that. I'm not going to marry him."

Why was she explaining herself? Why did she feel the need to?

"Oh? My, I never knew you were this cruel Amaya. He doesn't deserve this. Do you enjoy playing with men? Do you get off on the power you have over them?" He yanked his hand from hers. He no longer could keep his voice cool, a snarl started to creep into it.

Why was he so angry? What did it matter what she did with men?

"I do not play with men." Amaya's voice turned harsh in turn.

Kyoya laughed humourlessly. "That is just untrue. You do realise that you're talking to me right? Your most recent play thing."

"Stop acting like such a victim! You wanted me to marry him. You hold no claim over me."Amaya spat.

"I don't do I? Tell me Amaya, in your mind what exactly were we to each other?" His voice was light again, spite spilling through each word. How desperately he wanted an answer to that question.

"We're exactly what you said we were. Each others toy and distraction. You, Ootori, are just as guilty of playing as I am!" Amaya snapped. She hated people who ran away from responsibility.

Kyoya opened his mouth to speak. No words came out.

"And what's more, anything we had, or could have had you put a stop to. We are nothing but something to be used when one of us is bored." Her voice was getting louder and she struggled to stop herself from screaming the words at him. She refused to cry. She refused to.

Kyoya felt angered by the way she was getting the upper hand. Enraged he decided to cut deep.

"Perhaps I should go warn Mr Otazin. His future wife is logical and manipulative. I highly doubt you would be committed."

"What are you implying?" Amaya hissed.

"We both know I was not your first. And I imagine I wasn't even your last. Tell me how many other distractions have you had these past few weeks?"

Amaya's jaw dropped. He felt a flash of triumph, followed by an echo of regret that his anger burned out.

After a moment she whispered. "You are very lucky that I am not one to slap someone in public. Although with your father I imagine you're used to it."

He was stunned. He should have known better than to try to hurt Amaya with words. She saw too much for him to win. She pushed past him and made to leave.

"Good bye Ootori. I don't believe I'll be seeing you for a while."She said from the door.

"No, I don't suppose you will." He stated plainly.

She left. And he hated her for it.

.

.

Haruhi sipped her glass of champagne as she took a break from the dance floor. Beside her the twins were holding a plate of canapés playing their new favourite game, What can we make Haruhi eat?

"Try it." Hikaru prompted, holding the slime on a cracker near her face.

"I am not eating that."

"It's fancy." Kaoru sang, holding his own one.

"I don't care if they are the fanciest of all the fish eggs, I'm not eating it!" Haruhi protested.

"You're no fun." Hikaru complained.

"Yeah, look we'll try it." Kaoru said, popping it into his mouth. Immediatly he made a face and grabbed Haruhi's glass from her. He chugged down the entire drink and when he finished he panted.

"I am definitely trying it now." Haruhi said sarcastically. She noticed a tall woman, around Mori and Honey's age glance their way. She had multiple piercings in her ear and her black hair was cut short at the back with longer layers coming to under her chin at the front. She smirked at them and turned back to her neighbour, a boy around the same age with shaggy brown hair and tanned skin hinting at European origins.

They make an odd pair, Haruhi thought before looking at the two red head's beside her who were taking turns trying canapés and grimacing.

Alright, maybe they aren't that strange.

"Having fun?"

Haruhi jumped and she looked up to see Amaya there, looking at her. She was smiling but Haruhi saw it didn't reach her eyes.

"This party isn't bad. How about you?"

"Yeah, It's great." Amaya said with a bitter chuckle.

"Hey, come on you two, let's dance!" The twins demanded. They accepted the doppelgangers' extended hands.

.

.

In the limo on the way home Haruhi studied Amaya. She was obviously upset.

"So, what's Kiyoshi like?" Haruhi asked carefully.

Amaya smiled. "He's nice. Really nice. He's a good guy."

Haruhi nodded. "Yeah he seemed like he is."

Amaya didn't speak but just shook her head up and down slightly.

"It's a pity Kyoya-senpai is a good guy too."

Amaya turned to look out the window and didn't reply.

.

.

A/N: Well that was longer than I thought it would be.

But I suppose I consider this one of the major moments in the story so it deserves to be.

I'm sorry if Kyoya went a little too OC here, I was just trying to get them at each others' throats.

So I hope you enjoyed and if you did please review!

Oh and if any of you are wondering who the hell Kiyoshi is read chapter three again.

Happy New Year.

:)