*God... Guys... This is so long... This took me two hours one day, and like, three hours the next... Ugh... Well, I decided that since it's been SO LONG since I updated (meaning before ch.26) I decided that this should be like, 4,321 words. And it is. EXACTLY. So be happy. Cause that means I love you guys. K. Done now.*

*Oh, I lied. I'm not done yet. I'm only writing three more chapters of this... Not sure yet if that's going to include the sexy chapter or not. Whatevs. Now I'm just wasting space cause I want this to be EXACTLY 4,321 words... Sorry. This is probably fairly annoying. I apologize. D':*

While my boyfriend and I tried desparately to finish our blushing stare war, Tamaki spoke up. "Ahem, if you hadn't realized this, you two, the dance we're holding is going to be Friday night... I had to put it off because of some technical issues. Do you think you could make it?"

The thought of the dance snapped me back to the present. It was about two weeks overdue. I'd completely forgotten! "Oh, uh, Thursday? Sure, I can be there..." Mori nodded, still fuming in the face.

"Oh, well, great! I mean, you were going to have to come anyway, but I figured I'd give you the false mind frame..." Tamaki trailed on and on about the party, up until two fifty-nine, when he realized the guests would be knocking the doors down if he didn't open them. Everyone took up their positions, ready to say 'Welcome' in that seductive voice they all have developed. I sat with my legs tucked on my side, curving my body sexily, how I'd been taught. I heard a sharp intake and exhale of breath, and realized that Tamaki had placed Mori behind me and to my right, giving him an excellent view of me. I blushed, but flicked my hair around to hide it.

After the ritual was over, I talked girl problems with whoever needed me to. Most of the time, I was scheduled to meet with girls who wanted to know, "What's (insert host name)'s favorite dessert?", or "Does (insert host name) ever mention me...?" or "What's (insert host name)'s type? Do I fit it?" They all want to know about the boys. Some girls call on me for realistic reasons, but it's very rare. Mostly what to do if they break a nail or something of that sort. Lame.

I took a breather in the prep room around four fifteen, knowing I couldn't take much more of the stupid, giddy girls- though I only had another 45 minutes to go. The quiet of the cool room soothed me the moment I entered. I sighed deeply, sliding down the wall next to the window. I closed my eyes, taking in the smell of sweets(of which I'd already had plenty today) and the sound of a bird chirping just beyond the double-paned glass of the school windows.

I heard the door open and shut, along with some footsteps. I ignored it and stayed shut up in my mind. Maybe they'll just go away...

I realized how close the footsteps were getting. I noticed when they stopped. I subconciously knew I should open my eyes... And I was aware that the person who entered was near me. I just chose to ignore those things...

What I didn't know, though, was how damn close to my face Mori was. Up until he breathed deeply to get my attention.

My head snapped up, eyes open, giving me a small, but painful, bit of whiplash. I couldn't move much more than that though, without hitting Mori's face. My face tingled, the sensation I get just before I blush. His face was centimeters from mine, close enought that I could feel each of his breaths wash over me like a cloud. I relished in that for a moment, before I realized he was still in the spandex.

God, was that attractive...!

My head got fuzzy then, my emotions and thoughts all blurring into one big pile of... Lips. I thought. I want his lips... (I also thought about something else, but I don't think it's exactly rated G, so...)

I realized when I thought that, that he was using the 90% rule. Guys go 90% of the way to the girl, and wait for her to return the other 10% for a kiss. Holy crap, if it meant I could kiss him, I'd be going 100% of the way!

Knowing now what was happening, I leaned, tilting my head to the right. Just before our lips touched, we both whipped our heads around, looking toward the door. The Karma King seemed to have a problem with kissing lately.

Nothing. I smiled.

Turning back to the matter at hand, I slid my hand around his neck, pulling him in close to me again, allowing my parted lips to rest on his just enough that he could feel them. It was like taunting him at my own expense. We moved in sincronization, our lips moving, our heads tilting, lifting our chins to hit that perfect angle. I gripped his hair, not wanting this moment to end.

His toungue flicked at my lip, tracing it out, like an artist trying to capture something on paper. It was tantalizing, that bit, and a small moan escaped me. We sat there, huddled up by the window, for a full five minutes. It was a perfect kiss, one that was continuous and relentless. I didn't want it to end.

Finally, as if he'd been holding back, he let his mouth wander down my jaw line, following the curve of my neck down to my shoulder. I breathed heavily when he hit a sensitive spot. I caressed his back, knowing by the small sounds he made that he loved it.

We both knew we couldn't be gone for so long, so we calmed ourselves and went back to hosting. I looked over at him every once in a while, and smiled when I saw him staring back.

So there it was, I'd finally kissed him.

The next two days passed quickly by, now that the majority of our sexual tension was out of the way. By Wednesday, the day of the big business dinner, we'e decided not to tell anyone about the prep room earlier. It may upset Tamaki and therefore upset the guests as well; But when we weren't at the club, we didn't make it a secret how close we were. After all, that was going to come up eventually... Right?

Mori walked me out, then we took his car over to my house. He'd been doing that a lot since the disasterously fun date at his house. I dreaded leaving that car every time we pulled in my driveway, but today I could stand it, knowing I'd see him at the business dinner later that night.

I wrapped my bag around my hand, getting a good grip on it, and kissed Takashi-kun on the cheek. I looked him in the eye and said, "Now when I go up to the house, do not look at my butt. I'm a good girl." It was a quote from one of my favorite American movies. So I headed up the driveway with my back end stuck out just a bit, and looked back after a few seconds. Sure enough he was looking. I smiled and stuck out my tongue at him.

I waved at the car before I shut the door, setting my bag on the stairs. I started to walk away to put the dog outside, but my phone vibrated loudly against the books in my shoulder bag. I fumbled in my footing, trying to back peddal to grab it. The screen was lit up, displaying:

One New Message,

Takashi-kun

Read Now/Read Later

I opened the message and laughed. It stated simply, Nice view.

With Dakota hooked up to the chain out back, and my bag put away, I threw on some sleep pants and a t-shirt to get ready for the dinner. It was about 5:30, and I had to do hair, makeup, AND get dressed. I don't know if I'm gonna make it, dinner is at 7... That gives me an hour... Well, gonna have to rush.

The bathroom counter was a mess full of makeup prouducts and hair things. My foundation was the lightest I could find in Japan, making my face look slightly tanner than usual. I snatched my neutral tones and did my eyeshadow in light browns, so as not to distract from the dress or my face. Liquid liner on the tops of my lids, as thin as I can manage. Black pencil for the waterline. A thick frame of black mascara covered lashes. Chapstick, then I'll put lip gloss on over it. Best to keep the makeup simple since my dress will be so elaborate.

I'd taken 15 minutes.

My hair was dreadful. I had to straighten it all out, which took about 10 minutes. Then, I had to pin it up into a tight bun with only a few loose strands(put there on purpose), which was hard, considering how thick it is. Then came the curling iron. I flipped it on and had the loose strands curled perfectly in two minutes flat. I grabbed the curler and straightener, alternating which I used according to how my bangs looked. Eventually, I got them perfect. I smiled at my reflection. 37 minutes, flat. I had 23 to get dressed and make a bag.

Grabbing a strapless bra and a sausage sucker out of my drawer(a sort of corset thing I wore that was made out of fabric), I threw them on, clipped the straps and crotch(designed like a onesie, easy to pee in) of the corset, and pulled some tights on over it. Next came the knee-length slip over that. It was sinched around my rib cage, so it wouldn't show through the dress. After that, everything was a sinch. I made up my bag with my phone, camera, miniature sketchpad, pencils, lip gloss, small makeup touch up kit, wisp toothbrush, and an address book. Pulling them out of my closet, I set my black heels on the floor, so that I could step right into them on my way downstairs.

The dress came last. I took a deep breath, unzipping the gown cover to reveal the piece of art. I stared for a moment before I realized I had 5 more minutes until my dad would come out of his room, start the car, and bring in the dog so we could leave. I carefuly inserted my arms through the bottem of the dress, my head to follow, so as not to rough my hair any. I zipped up the back, holding my breath, and slid my feet into the shoes. Heading down the hallway to the bathroom mirror, I nearly took my own breath away.

I looked...

"Amazing." The man standing next to me in the black business suit was stunningly handsome, even in the nonchalant pose, leaning against the doorway. I was slightly taller than him in the heels.

"Oh, thanks daddy." I smiled and looked back to the girl in the mirror. "It's beautiful... I love it." We walked downstairs to the car after I grabbed my bag, and he told me about who I needed to talk to tonight.

"The Haninozukas and Morinozukas, obviously. The Otoris would like to meet you, apparently their son has taken a liking to you. There's also Mister Suoh, he'd like to see how you're doing settling down. You've also been mentioned in a few other houses... The Hitachiins, the Shibisakis... All very big names, Rebekah. I'm glad you've made such a good impression on them." I smiled at him and we spoke about ettiquette and manners all the way there. I was ready for this.

Right?

Once dad parked, another car pulled up next to ours. I disregarded it until someone opened my door. "He- oh, Takashi-kun... You look..." I looked up at the lovely boy before me as he held my door open for me. His face was pink and his eyes wide, though his stature stayed solid. Slightly bowed, one hand behind his back, the other offering to help me out of the car.

I regained my composure and let one foot fall to the pavement. I collected myself before taking the hand lightly, so that Mori pulled me the rest of the way out of the car, then he slid that hand through my elbow, so that we were linked there. Thankfully, the ground was dry, so I didn't have to lift my dress walking in. The dark gave way to light as we neared the entrance of an enourmous and elaborate galla. The sound of people talking and drinks clinking in hand began at a soft whisper, and grew in volume until we were suddenly enveloped in it.

The gowns here were almost all black or gray, speckled with the occaisional pink, green or blue, worn by the daughters. The men wore basically the same thing, suits. Some wore dress vests, like a tuxedo without the jacket. Everyone was showing their best face. I wasn't exactly sure where to start...

However, I should've known that Tamaki would find me before I could think of finding him.

The boy nearly tackled me as he realized who I was, but stopped short when I turned and smiled at him. He swallowed a little bit, and blinked a couple times. My smile dissolved. "Wh... What's wrong, Tama-chan?" Then I realized. "What? Never seen a girl in a pretty dress before?" I chuckled.

"No, that's not it at all," he said in his prince voice, "I've just never seen such a pretty girl in a dress before." He twisted my words with ease and bowed respectfully.

"He's definitally my son, though I'm sure you figured that out quite a while ago..." Mr. Suoh stood straight and tall behind his son, who whipped around, shocked. "Welcome, Rebekah, Takashi. Ah, Mister Dybowski, you have a beautiful daughter. Oh, and the Haninozukas were asking for you. They're seated somewhere around the dance floor if you'd like to see to them..." He talked to my father for a momet. I watched Tamaki try to compose himself after the sudden attack. He was suited up in a flattering white dress suit, a gold vest underneath it. "I'm so sorry to keep you waiting like that Rebekah. Your father is a very well known man, though!" Suoh-sama grabbed my attention again with his apology.

"So, how do you like Ouran Academy so far, darling? I'm sure these rascals have been treating you well?" He grinned, but I saw that his clamp on Tamaki's arm was a bit to tight to be loving.

"Oh, it's simply wonderful! Everyone here is so kind, and very understanding. Your son is one of the best. He was one of the first two teenagers I'd met here, and he left me with a very good impression. You have a wonderful son, Mr. Suoh!" I said, slapping a sweet smile on my face. It worked, I saw his grip slacken, and he patted his fair-haired son on the back.

"Well... That's, shocking, but very nice to hear. I'm glad you feel that way." He smiled genuinely at me, and then looked past me, as if he saw someone waving. "Oh, I'm sorry dear, I'll have to be going, a very good friend of mine has just arrived!" He shook Takashi's hand, and kissed mine, before speeding off merrily.

I turned to Tamaki with mock shock on my face, "And he's your father!?" Tamaki smiled and blew a raspberry at me before he led Takashi and I toward the other host club members.

Hikaru and Kaoru bombarded me with questions about my dress and makeup, where I'd gotten what, what I used to accessorize, and seemed completely and utterly shocked when I told them that none of it was designer or name brand.

"You mean-"

"You just grabbed a dress-"

"That's this pretty-"

"And just grabbed some shoes and a purse-"

"And it looks this good!?" The twins alternated sentence fragments, jumping to unison for the last bit.

I laughed along with them until Honey wandered over to us. He had a girl's hand in his, and she looked a bit dizzy. I'd seen her before... Ah! At the waterpark. She looked like she was having a lot of fun, especially for wearing that kind of dinner dress. It was short, black, and tight. A dinner dress, but more casual than formal.

"Rebekah-chan, you look so pretty!" Honey's eyes got really wide, then he smiled and nudged Takashi's side, "You're quite the lucky guy, aren't you Takashi?" He giggled.

"Yeah." Mori unlinked his arm from mine, slipping it around my waist.

The hours passed quickly, and two had gone by before I realized that I hadn't talked to Kyoya or his family yet. I turned my head to Mori, pointing out this fact, and he led me over to the table. On our way, Mori's family called him over to talk to someone. He planted a kiss on my forehead, leaving me for the family duty.

I strode the rest of the way over to the Otori table by myself, touching shoulders lightly and greeting everyone and anyone who looked familiar as I passed them. Kyoya stood as I approached, announcing to his parents and two older brothers, "Ah, here she is... Father, this is Dybowski-sama. She's next in line for her family's business and has proved her right to it plenty of times over." I bowed to them respectfully, greeting them with a smile while Kyoya continued.

"She was first in her class back in America, and has outstanding grades over here as well. We spoke with her father earlier, if you remember?" Kyoya's father looked like a cold, calculating man. He stood and shook my hand, surveying my face like an undesirable magazine. His brothers did the same, but were sweet in greeting me. They smiled with courtesy, but out of the corner of my eyes, I saw them look me up and down. Men... I thought, Always thinking about sex, or potential suitors. If they're going to look at me, at least wait till I'm walking away...

I sat with them for a while, just discussing statistics and funds about the company, being completely and wholly honest about everything. The more honest I was, the better. I knew that the Otoris were a business-like family, I should earn their trust.

Unaware of how much time had passed, Takashi took a seat next to me, smiling and shaking hands, but not participating in the conversation unless he was spoken to. Finally, my own father wandered over to the table, and was somewhat shocked to find me there.

"Oh! Rebekah, there you are! I thought for sure you'd be over by your friends and the other girls!" He smiled at me.

"Well, the most popular topic with them is boys, and I don't really have to worry about that at the moment!" I laughed lightly, squeezing my boyfriend's hand slightly. Thankfully, the Otoris also laughed a bit.

"I was just looking for you because we have about an hour left here. They're opening up the dance floor for dancing now, if you're interested. It's nice that they have actual dances now... These dinners can often be so stiff!"

I turned to my boyfriend. With my eyes, I begged the question- should we go? He answered with his eyebrows- do you want to? I smiled and nodded.

When they began the music maybe five minutes later, we all migrated toward the darkening dance floor. The mood was considerably calmer, more loose. I felt my face soften, seeing so many people whose marriages were arranged so happy to be together. As we walked, Mori grasping my hand sweetly, I noticed a large group of girls surrounding Tamaki. He didn't seem to know who to choose.

The twins looked into a female set of twins' identical eyes, leaning to kiss their hands at the same time.

Kyoya bowed to a girl, offering his hand to her when he stood. Her face was bright red, but she seemed overjoyed.

Honey was dragging a giggling girl out there already, not waiting for any sort of offer.

The hosts were having a good time... I wondered if this is what the party was going to be like.

I stopped suddenly. Mori wasn't holding my hand anymore. I looked back, "What's wrong?"

He tilted his head toward me, smiling. I was confused. "What!?"

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. He knelt, his head only reaching my waist. My face flared, desparately trying to spontaneously combust or something.

"Wh... What are yo- you... Uh," I stuttered incomprehensibly.

He took my hand, kissing that bit where my fingers met my hand. He released my hand and opened the box. I stared at it.

It sparkled beautifully in the dim light of a romantic dance floor. There was a thin, delicate looking strand of silver. It was weighted down where a delicately carved heart sat. It was skewed, tilted so that it sat unevenly on it's chain. Where the point of the heart would be, it was unusual. The bottom of the heart curved slightly, pointing away from the point. The other end of it stopped short, before it connected with the other half. There were three square gems on it, dark blue in color, shining like diamonds. I later found out that that's exactly what they were.

"Oh..." I sighed, my eyes dampening, "Oh... Oh, oh Takashi..." My hand covered my mouth so I didn't say anything stupid.

"Rebekah..." He looked directly into my eyes, "Will you..." My eyes widened, not knowing quite how I was going to react to this myself, "Will you dance with me tonight?"

I nearly laughed out loud. A small giggle escaped me, and all I could manage was, "Oh, of course... It's so beautiful..." He stood, and I turned around, my head down. I felt the necklace slide around my chest, the cool metal making my hot skin tingle. He clasped it in back, caressing my neck for a moment. He stooped, kissing my neck where the two ends of chain met, and grasped my arms. He whispered delicately in my ear, "Come on, let's dance."

He led me by the hand to the semi-crowded dance floor, resting his hand on the small of my back. For the first song, we were cautious about dancing properly- everyone was. After that though, the mood seemed to consume everyone, and there were heads on shoulders, arms around necks, and hands wrapped around waists. It was perfect.

Sadly, it only lasted for another 45 minutes. To some, that would seem like a lot- but to me... Well... It was like a few moments of pure pleasure, and I didn't want it to end.

At one point, a song played that both Mori and I knew. I looked up at him and whispered the lyrics of Itsumo Soba Ni to him as it played. I continued the silent seranade as he leaned toward me, and even as his lips met mine, I thought them. It was a deep kiss, a passionate one that lasted for a century in my mind. We stopped dancing, just relishing in each others embrace, feeling hands apply pressure, brushing hair, caressing faces.

The song continued, and we resumed our dance, every once in a while speaking the meaningful words to each other under our breath.

When it was done, there was a small outbreak of applause from beside us somewhere. My face heated, whipping around to find the source. Of course, Hikaru, Kaoru, Mitskuni and Tamaki were all standing by, clapping at our lack of shyness, Kyoya looking on, smiling.

Somehow, this encouraged Takashi, who dropped me into a dip that left me defensless against his attack. Breathless, he kissed me again, then lifted me up. The clapping was joined by whistling. I laughed with the rest of the teenagers and friends that surrounded us then, thinking that that's where I wanted to be for the rest of my life; dancing with my love, not shy about how we feel.

Finally, it did end. Takashi walked me out to the drive, waiting for my father to pull up the car. He kissed my nose, just on the tip, and rubbed my semi-bare shoulder with his thumb. "I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, he let me climb into the car.

I smiled that night all the way until I fell asleep.

*WHOO! I DID IT! IT WAS REALLY FUN TO WRITE! I got the idea for the necklace online, but for some odd reason, this silly site won't let me actually post the links... That stinks... If you have youtube, look up Itsumo Soba Ni and the translation... It's so fantabulous. :') Lol I hope you guys love it! :)*