Chapter Twenty Four

Kana

Father,

I apologize for writing so late. I have had a very busy day. I am maintaining my grades and my Japanese is improving. I have found a few companions. Being around them has vastly improved my language skills. One of them speaks fluent English. Sometimes they'll help me when I'm not sure of the words I'm looking for.

Mother visited today. I don't expect that she'll contact you about it.

Have you considered coming to Japan? I find myself missing America occasionally, but it is truly nice here. It would be nice to see you. I'm certain that you'd be satisfied with my progress thus far. Perhaps I could show you some of the programs I'm working on.

Your daughter,

Kanami

I hated writing emails. My father insisted on a weekly status report, as if having access to my grades wasn't enough for him. I mentally cringed whenever he required all of my school log in passwords. I was sure there was a law he was violating somewhere, but I was in no position to protest. Between him and Ootori-san I was completely stuck.

I couldn't help but wonder how either of them would react if they knew Tamaki Suoh was occupying the couch bed behind me in my study, wearing a pair of pajamas that had little teddy bears all over them. He insisted on changing whenever he saw that I was in my own pajamas, saying something about making it a true slumber party. I had to admit, he looked surprisingly adorable.

"Kana-chan, I'm curious." He asked me. I turned around in my desk chair and found him peeking over the back of the couch, his laptop beside him. "Is being here different from what you're used to?"

I shrugged. It was as if he knew what was on my mind. "I have friends here. The food's different. And the language of course. Japan is a lot more formal than America."

"You didn't have friends in America?" Tamaki squeaked. His eyes were filled with sadness that I couldn't comprehend. Why did he care?

"Not really. All of this socializing is a bit exhausting if I'm being honest." I crossed my arms.

"Is that why you don't seem to like me?" Of course that would be his motive. Still, he was Kyoya's best friend, and if I was going to be with him…

No, that thought couldn't cross my mind. I wasn't ready to let myself entertain the idea of being anything more than part of Kyoya's scheming against his family, whatever that might entail. Our difficult familial relationships were what bound us together. I had to keep telling myself that much. I know that he wanted me to consider our relationship, sure, but I had no idea what his true intentions where.

"Kyoya didn't like me at first, either." Tamaki let out a dramatic sigh. I swear, it was as if he could read me.

I fell for it. "Did he find you completely overwhelming too?"

"I suppose I do come off a bit strong." He winked at me. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. I couldn't help but to find him charming. "Come cuddle me, Kana-chan. I've got a few things to show you."

"I'll sit with you, Suoh-senpai, but we are not cuddling." I turned away quickly before he could see my blush deepen. Damn him. I shut off my computer and hesitantly climbed onto the sofa bed, leaving plenty of space between us. Not getting the hint, Tamaki slid closer to me, close enough that we were touching. His outstretched legs brushed against mine.

"I moved here from France when I was in middle school. That's when I met Kyoya. Our fathers arranged for us to spend time together." Tamaki held his laptop up to me to show me a photo of a very young looking boys. "He was serious, even back then. I was really excited to come to Japan after hearing about it for so many years. I kind of pulled him into showing me everything."

I took a good look at the photo. Tamaki was right-Kyoya was a very serious child. His stern face was a stark contrast to Tamaki's in the photo, who was beaming from ear to ear and giving a peace sign.

"He was the first person I asked to be in the Host Club. We started it in high school. Hikaru and Kaoru joined when they were first years." Tamak brought up another photo, this one showing the younger versions of the men I had gotten to know so well.

"I don't recognize him." I pointed to a small brunette who stared at the camera almost shyly.

"Her." Tamaki smiled. "Haruhi Fujioka. Of course, she disguised herself as a boy back then to act as a host."

"Your bride to be." I nodded. "She pretended to be a boy?"

"Haru's never been one to enjoy labels." Tamaki's voice was dreamy, as though his mind had wandered off. "I was a bit selfish back then. I was happy to let the rest of the school think she was a boy. I'm a lot more open than I was back then."

"What do you mean?" I couldn't help myself, I wanted to know more.

"We both enjoy the more intimate sides of relationships, and not just with each other." Tamaki quickly added, "I'm the most requested host, and Haruhi has her own needs."

"Many lovers, but only one love." I nodded. What had gotten into me? Was I really letting my closet romantic come to surface around Tamaki, of all people?

"That's a lovely way of putting it, princess." Tamaki dropped his chin and peered at me through his bangs. "I have to admit, the arrangement works to my benefit whenever I meet such beautiful women as yourself."

"Suoh-senpai, please." I covered my cheeks with my hands, frantically trying to cover my embarrassment. I could handle Kyoya's brand of flirtation, but Tamaki was just too much. "I'm not a client."

"Is that the only reason you can come up with for me to show interest in you?" Tamaki leaned closer to me. "I don't see you as a client. It was only by sheer chance that you stumbled across the Host Club. I would've been just as enamored by you beauty if I had found you elsewhere, little flower."

"Tamaki, I can't-" Before I could get the rest out, he pressed his lips delicately against mine. His kiss was surprisingly sweet despite his forward manner of speaking. He kissed me as if he were afraid I'd push him away.

"You said my name, finally." He rested his forehead against mine.

"Was that what you were after?" I was almost too flustered to speak.

"Maybe." Tamaki threw his arm over my shoulders, squeezing me tightly. "You're so cute Kana-chan!"

"You know, Kyoya told me to call him if any of you treated me disrespectfully." I glared at him.

"Don't call Mommy on me!" Tamaki pouted, not releasing me from his iron grip. "Let me keep you warm tonight and I'll be as respectful as Mori-senpai."

"Keep me warm?"

"Sleep here with me. Let me cuddle you." His breath tickled my ear.

"Fine." I found myself agreeing. A large part of me didn't want to be alone after everything that had been happening lately. "But here, not in my room. If that's okay."

"Thank you." Tamaki gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before loosening his grip slightly, leaving his arm dangling over my shoulders. "Kyoya wanted me to take care of you tonight. He didn't get the chance to tell me outright, but-"

"He said he trusts you with everything." I let myself lean into his side. "I'm guessing that really means everything."

"Kyoya never gives details, but I know a bit about the two of you." Tamaki was obviously being very careful with his words. "I know how Kyoya works."

I nodded slowly. "You understand then."

"I understand why you might need a bit of closeness tonight." Tamaki said softly. "I have one last request."

"What's that?"

Tamaki's attention returned to his computer. I watched him bring up a video calling program. "Stay with me while I say good night to Haruhi? I'd love for you to meet her."

"Kaoru wants me to meet her too." I said, vaguely recalling the conversation we had before he'd kissed me. "I've heard she's special."

"She is." With that, he clicked a few buttons and brought up his webcam. I saw our tiny faces reflected in the lower part of his screen, with a note that we were visible to the person he was dialing.

It was only a few seconds before Haruhi Fujioka answered. Her face filled the screen. Her hair was a bit longer than what I had seen in the picture, and her brown eyes held a sense of maturity, but she still retained a very youthful face. From what I could tell, she was dressed very simply in a large t-shirt and wore no makeup.

"Is this an invitation to watch, Tamaki?" Her voice was amused. I could tell she was giving me the once over from her side of the screen.

"Not tonight, Haru." Tamaki stuck his tongue out playfully. "I'm staying the night with our new friend, Kanami Inao. I thought you'd like to meet her."

"So you're the infamous Kana-chan." Haruhi's eyes glinted. She leaned closer to her webcam, as if she were trying to get a better look at me. "I've heard about you. It's nice to finally meet you."

"I've heard about you too." I gave her a small wave. "All good things."

"Kyoya called a few minutes ago. I hope you don't mind, but he asked me to do some legal research about your situation. I'm still a law student, so I'm not practicing, but I'd be happy to help you in any way I can."

"Which legal situation is he talking about?" I raised an eyebrow.

"There are multiple?" Tamaki glanced between us.

"From what I understand, Kanami, you essentially committed a white collar crime and Kyoya's dad had you fix the damages, and now you're studying in Japan to learn to use your abilities for good." Haruhi took a breath. "But, your current living situation is less than ideal for reasons I don't quite know, and Kyoya wants you out. You've got nothing to your name, and everything is connected to your parents. Right?"

"That basically sums it up." I nodded.

"Damn rich people. What a weird situation. Had I done anything like that-"

"Haruhi grew up as a commoner, in case that wasn't obvious." Tamaki interrupted. "But now she's at the top law school in Kyoto!"

"My father didn't want me to go to college before I nearly destroyed him." I said cooly. At least she had been given the opportunity, despite her financial status. "An arranged marriage wasn't exactly something I was looking forward to."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me. I think it was pretty cool, honestly." Haruhi grinned. "It just represents so much of what's wrong with the legal system. I could go on for hours."

"Tell me about it. I feel like Ootori-sama and Father pulled as many strings as they could to get me here." I sighed. "So, Fujioka-san, do you have any idea on what I should do?"

"I'll need some time to figure it out. Kyoya was pretty adamant that I did." Haruhi rested her chin in her hands. "I'll be in Tokyo once the semester's over, we'll have to spend some time together, yeah?"

"Am I invited?" Tamaki almost sounded bashful.

"I don't know, I've never had the chance for girl time." Haruhi teased.

"I haven't either." I picked up on her game. "Isn't the whole point to not have men around?"

"Don't make me dress up as a girl again!" Tamaki groaned.

"Wait, you dressed as a girl?" My eyes widened.

"Kyoya did too." Haruhi giggled. "I'll have to find a picture for you, Kana-chan. Tomorrow. I've got to get some sleep."

"So do we, Haru dearest." Tamaki blew a kiss into the camera. "Sleep well, darling. I love you."

"I love you, Tama." Haruhi blew a quick kiss back. "Night, Kana-chan. Nice meeting you."

"Nice meeting you, Fujioka-san." I waved.

Tamaki closed the laptop and rolled out of bed to turn off the light. He returned to my side, pulling the covers over the two of us. He rolled over to his side and pulled me against him, letting my head rest in the crook of his shoulder.

"May I kiss the princess good night?" Tamaki asked softly, his hand coming to my cheek.

"Just once." I smiled. We were both missing our lovers, how could I deny him?

Tamaki gave me a small peck on the lips, once again a relatively tame gesture compared to what I had expected from him. "Good night, princess."