Poor Hayami! Last chapter she was so conflicted about talking about her wishes for her future! This chapter is going to be a shock for her…

Chapter 2

It had been too close. I had almost said things I wouldn't be able to take back, things that could bring trouble that I wasn't ready for. I mentally cursed myself as I moved through the empty hallways of the school, heading for the parking lot. I'd already called ahead for my driver Genji so I knew I wouldn't have to wait long. Turning down the last corridor before the main doors, I almost ran straight into something, or rather someone who was heading out of a classroom.

"Oh! I'm sorry…" I looked up to see who I'd bumped into "oh hey Ritsu… what are you still doing here?"

He shrugged "catching up on math … Sato-sensei kept me behind"

"Oh… okay well I've got to get going, my driver is waiting" I rolled my eyes.

"Wait… what were you doing here still? Surely you didn't have to stay for extra lessons?" he raised a brow.

"No, not extra lessons" I turned to leave when I heard him speak.

"You went to host club didn't you?" he chuckled lightly.

"Maybe" I turned to look back at him "I find a sense of peace sitting with Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai"

"Your dad would throw a fit if he knew" Ritsu smirked, shaking his head.

"That is exactly why I don't tell him" I rolled my eyes.

"Okay… well I'll walk out with you, my driver should be here too" he nodded, following after me.

We'd said our goodbyes as we climbed into our separate cars and I leaned back into the seat, closing my eyes as we drove away from the school. Thankfully Genji said nothing and the ride was spent in silence until we reached the house.

"Young miss, your father wishes to see you in his office" he spoke up as he slowed to a stop outside the house.

Opening my eyes I frowned "Okay…"

Father never usually wanted to see me after school… in fact, unless it was the weekend, I rarely ever saw him during the week as he was usually dealing with syndicate business. I guess it must be something important then.

I climbed from the car, hoisted my bag over my shoulder and ventured into the house.

This is either very good, or very bad… I thought to myself as I came to a stop outside the office door. Well here goes… I reached and knocked lightly at the door before stepping back a little.

"Enter" I heard my father's gruff reply.

Exhaling heavily, I pushed open the door and stepped in, shutting the door behind me before approaching his desk. He sat there, a figure of leadership, a man who should be feared and while I did fear him, he was my father and I felt maybe I had more room to argue than most people. Today I was about to find out how wrong I was.

"Hayami… please sit" his expression was fixed, he looked so serious.

I could feel my stomach clench nervously as I took my seat, hands folded in my lap and my eyes fixed on him.

"We need to have a serious talk about your future" he leaned forward, his hands clasped together, resting on the desk.

"My future, father?" I assumed he meant what I planned to do once I graduated from Ouran and I thought I'd made that clear enough.

I wanted to go on to study at university, get a degree behind me so I could pursue avenues of work outside the Syndicate, maybe become a lawyer. I'd told father as much when I was first enrolled at Ouran and he'd smiled and nodded… looking back on that conversation his reactions seemed false, as it he was just placating me, as if there was a bigger picture I was missing.

"Yes Hayami, your future. As you know, your brother Ryunosuke is going to be the next lord of the Tanaka Syndicate and your other brothers Jiro, Hideki, Natsu and Taiga will be working under him. You as my youngest child and only daughter, need to be cared for and protected" he sighed softly.

I was the baby of the family at 15 years old. My oldest brother Ryunosuke is 23, Jiro is 22, Hideki is 20 and Natsu and Taiga are 19 and twins. Ryunosuke is married to the third daughter of the Ishii Syndicate, a tactical move to bring harmony between our two families and allow peaceful passage in their territories. It was important for him to have a wife before he becomes the next Syndicate head so that he would come across as more grown up, however for my other brothers, marriage wasn't so important apparently.

"I do?" I blinked "but isn't that what family is for?"

He watched me curiously for a moment and then nodded "yes it is… speaking of family" he leaned back in his seat "I have a dinner meeting with the Lord of the Kasanoda Syndicate… I'd like for you to come along"

All the way back to my room all I could think of was why my father wanted to drag me along… maybe it's because its Ritsu's dad and it would give Ritsu someone to talk to. It made sense for Ryunosuke to be there, he was going to be the new Lord one day so he needed to know how things really worked.

Reaching my room, Kuma was already there and she'd already picked me an outfit. A peachy rose coloured dress that came a couple inches above the knee with a cute leather jacket to go over the top, complete with our family yakuza pin on the lapel. With it she'd paired some leather ankle boots and over the knee socks.

"Please young miss, you need to get ready" she had a smirk on her lips as if she knew something I didn't… but I didn't ask.

Half an hour later I was showered, dressed, spritzed in perfume and ready to go. Stepping from my room, I wandered down to the living room, passing several of our Syndicate members on the way who gave me nervous glances. I had this feeling everyone seemed to know something I didn't and it was getting on my nerves just a bit.

"There you are my sweet peach blossom" my father smiled as he stepped out of his office.

"I'm ready when you are" I nodded softly.

Forty five minutes later I found myself sat opposite Ritsu and his father with my father and my brother either side of me at the dining table. The amount of food laid out was ridiculous for only five of us but I guess Ritsu's father wanted to make a good impression. I stayed silent as my father fixed my plate for me, as he always did, even when we were home. I could tell Ritsu was a little uncomfortable with seeing how my father took charge but he said nothing and neither did I as we began to eat.

The conversation was mostly between my brother, father and Kasanoda, both Ritsu and myself keeping quiet. I knew Ritsu was going to be the next Kasanoda Lord but he seemed like he didn't want to be here and I know I wasn't even sure why I'd been bought along until my father spoke up.

"Now, Kasanoda… onto the real reason why I am here with my beautiful daughter Hayami"

My gaze shot up to look at my father when I heard my name, that swirling feeling of dread loomed in the pit of my stomach as Kasanoda smirked. I shot Ritsu a glance and even he looked like he was dreading what was coming next.

"Yes Tanaka" he smirked "I believe now is the perfect time to talk on it, since they are both here"

They? Who did he mean…? Unless…

I felt Ryunosuke's hand on my knee, a warning for me to stay calm.

"I believe now is the right time to discuss their futures" my father looked at me with that strained smile, the one that suggested I didn't embarrass him.

I could feel my heart beat growing quicker, panic seeping in as I nervously took a sip from the glass of water by my plate. Please don't do this father… I begged silently, having an idea now of what was about to happen.

"I feel it is a fitting arrangement" Kasanoda nodded "I believe this is a perfect match, your Hayami marrying my Ritsu once they graduate Ouran"

I swear my heart almost stopped. I heard Ritsu choke on his water before composing himself enough to speak up.

"What?" he asked "Me marry Hayami?"

"Yes" Kasanoda glared at his son, daring him to argue.

"Father?" it came out as more of a whimper than I intended, gasping as Ryunosuke's grip on my knee tightened.

I didn't want to marry Ritsu! I didn't want to be stuck in the syndicate lifestyle!

"I'm sorry Kasanoda, it seems my daughter is not feeling quite well, Ryunosuke, take her outside for some air please" my father spoke dismissively as he looked back to Kasanoda.

Ritsu looked uncomfortable as Ryunosuke took hold of my arm and tugged me up out of my seat. He looked agitated that I dare embarrass father like that. I peeked back over my shoulder as I was lead from the room to see Ritsu staring at the table cloth as my father and his spoke of the details around the engagement.

Ryunosuke dragged me through the halls until we were outside in the gardens but he didn't let go of me. He spun me to face him, his expression dark.

"Are you trying to embarrass father?" he growled.

I stared up at him and for the first time in my life I was actually a little scared of him "N-no… I just… I don't-"

I was cut off by a sudden stinging sensation and I realised Ryunosuke had just backhanded me. I stood there, forced into silence, my hand coming up to cup my cheek where he'd slapped me.

"You will do as father asks of you, do you understand me Hayami? For the good of the family and its reputation you will fucking suck it up and marry the Kasanoda boy after you graduate your third year at Ouran" his tone suggested I didn't argue with him.

I stood in silence as he stepped closer and tilted my head up to look at him, turning my face to inspect the now red mark that showed even through the makeup I wore.

"I expect you to be grown up about this Hayami… one day I will be the Lord of the Tanaka Syndicate and Ritsu will be the Lord of the Kasanoda Syndicate… when that time comes we will have an amicable relationship as we now have with the Ishii's because of my marriage to Fuwa" he paused a moment before touching my cheek gently.

"But…" I began "I don't want…"

"Shhh…" he pressed a finger to my lips "This isn't about what you want Hayami… this is about what is good for the family… do you want our syndicate to end up at war with the Kasanoda's? Because that will be what will happen if you don't see this through"

"Ryunosuke…" I started.

"No… this is happening and you will do your duty as the only daughter and marry Ritsu Kasanoda."

Looks like things aren't going to go so well for her…! Let me know what you think, leave me a review!