Heh, hello! -waves nervously- I know some of you people are mad because I totally told you i'd have this updated in a few days and its now weeks later and I'm really sorry about that. I have some big time life issues going on and between school and babysitting and trying to figure out what I'm going to do in life, things have been a bit crazy. But! I have updated and this will be the craziest chapter yet, so i hope you guys like it and enjoy! Please review and tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Ouran related, just Kohaku, Shindo, Fu-kun and whatever other characters I've added to this. I also don't own the songs below.

P.S. I hope Kyoya isn't too out of character and I put some French in this and if it's wrong I'm really sorry. It's been a while since i took that class...Heh... enjoy!

"F*kin' Perfect"
By P!nk

"Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing, you're fucking perfect to me

You're so mean (so mean) when you talk (when you talk)
About yourself. You were wrong.
Change the voices (change the voices) in your head (in your head)
Make them like you instead."

"A Twist In My Story"
By Secondhand Serenade

"So you see, this world doesn't matter to me
I'll give up all I had just to breathe
The same air as you till the day that I die
I can't take my eyes off of you

And I'm longing, for words to describe how I'm feeling
I'm feeling inspired
My world just flip turned upside down
It turns around, say what's that sound
It's my heart beat, it's getting much louder
My heart beat, is stronger than ever
I'm feeling so alive, I'm feeling so alive"

It had been three weeks since the sports festival and I had lied to Tamaki that day when I'd said I'd see him the week after. I hadn't shown up to school that whole week, actually. I was excused! I had gone to a book signing in Europe that week since I had finally finished my novel. I claimed it was work. That that's why I was gone, but that was only a half-truth.

I needed to get away from Ouran for a while. Take a break and…give Kyoya a break from me. It had gone well though! People loved my novel in the UK and I met a lot of nice fans. I was even willing to participate in an interview, much to my manager's pleasure. Ah, I should mention though, no one actually met me.

My manager had told me that this wasn't going to be a public appearance. That we could lose sales if some people found out how young I was. I understood. Sure, it hurt a bit, but I knew that some people were just like that. The books we sold and gave out there were pre-signed-I having spent a good portion of my nights signing them-and the interview was conducted by Kintaro, who was wearing an earpiece as I hid backstage to answer the questions.

I did meet some of my fans though. One could say I went undercover as a fan, and I met some really interesting people and got to know what they thought about my book. They didn't know who I was, of course, but I was more than curious about what they thought I should write next. A modern-day romance was an answer I got a lot, as was a sequel; though I wasn't sure how I would do it after killing off my main character-something many people weren't too pleased about.

Other than work though, it was nice to get away from the everyday crazy of the hosts. They had texted me quite a bit when I didn't show up to school the first day, but I told them I had work and they backed off slightly; only texting to tell me what they'd done or ask what I'd done. I had told Haruhi about Fu-kun before I'd left and said she could tell the others while I was gone, but she knew something else had happened and texted me, asking about it. I just continued to tell her that I was fine and it was nothing.

That wasn't true. When I wasn't busy with work, I was thinking about it and what I could do to make up with Kyoya. Unfortunately, I usually did this before bed and going to sleep upset had only succeeded in giving me nightmares. These led to less sleep and more stress, but throughout the day I would ease up and be able to enjoy myself. It was nice, overall, but I knew it would only last a week and then I was back at Ouran.

Kyoya didn't speak to me, as expected, but I did my best to stay happy while around everyone, though Haruhi and Tamaki knew what I was trying to do. More often than not, they tried to get Kyoya to speak to me or vice versa, but I knew it wasn't helping and got them to back off.

"Give him time. He'll figure out what he wants to do and I'll be fine. I can wait."

I sighed, relaxing after winning a spar with a kendo club member and pulled off my helmet, glancing at Mori with a small smile.

"Can I take a break now, Takashi?"

He nodded, turning to coach the others as I headed outside to clear my head. I need to stop thinking about it. It's only going to get worse the more I think about it. I yawned, tired after a night of nightmares and took a long drink from my water bottle, when the bush beside me rustled.

"Hm?"

I wiped my mouth and knelt down to look into the bush. I don't know what I expected, but two bright blue eyes peered out at me and I recognized the animal as a small, dirty red fox. I blinked at it and it stared back cautiously, and it wasn't until it jumped out and yipped at me in anger and fear that I noticed how small it really was.

Having fallen onto my backside in surprise, I watched it as it arched it's back and growled at me.

"H-Hey now. I don't want to hurt you or anything." I told it calmly, reaching into my bento that I'd dropped to pull out some pieces of sausage from my lunch. "Here."

I went to place it in front of the frightened animal, but it must've seen me as threatening, and it bit harshly into my hand. I winced, dropping the octopus-shaped meat, but I didn't move other than to smile at the fox.

"That kind of hurts, you know. I just want to help."

It slowly stopped growling as it noticed the meat I had dropped, and it looked up at me before hesitantly releasing my hand, grabbing the meat and running back towards the bush. It stopped before it and glanced back at me, but I just smiled with a little wave before getting up and heading back inside the building.

"Takashi? Can you help me with the first-aid kit?" I chuckled nervously, holding up my bleeding hand. "I kind of fell."

He rolled his eyes and told everyone to practice on their own, before he grabbed the first-aid kit and went to help me off to the side.

"This isn't from falling." He said, eyeing me once he'd cleaned it and started bandaging it.

"Yeah…About that…" I rubbed the back of my neck, glancing away. "I kind of tried to help something and it, uh…took it the wrong way?"

He sighed lightly, tying the bandage off. "Sometimes you're too helpful."

I cocked my head to the side. "Really? I thought I was just the right amount of helpful."

"Only when you don't get yourself hurt." He chuckled. "Go ahead and change. I'll meet you after."

I nodded and did so, and before long, it was time for club. I wasn't too happy with the cosplay this time around and grumbled quietly to myself as I fidgeted.

"Places!"

Reluctantly, I took my place up front with the others, welcoming our guests before moving off awkwardly.

"Kohaku? Are you alright? You're walking funny." Haruhi questioned, trying to hid a smile behind her fist.

"He's doing this to spite me." I grumbled. "I don't care if it's called a 'kilt', it's still a skirt."

She chuckled as I glared, crossing my arms over my chest before fixing the cap on my head.

"It's not a skirt, Kohaku! Besides, everyone's wearing one!"

"I don't care." I grumbled again, but the guests were pretty pleased with the cosplay.

"Marvelous! A bagpipe troop! The Tartan kilts suit you all so well. Especially Kohaku-kun! His white hair really brings out the vibrant colors!"

I groaned, turning to Haruhi and grabbing her shoulders as she laughed at me. "You see! Haruhi, make it stop!"

"I-It could be worse." She said between giggles. "You could be wearing what Tamaki-senpai is wearing."

I glanced over at Tamaki just as he stood up out of his corner in full glory.

"In any case, this is not a sumo mawashii! It's a fundoshi!"

The girls went nuts and I think a few actually fainted with all the blood that rushed to their faces, but Haruhi was right. I'd rather wear a…kilt than a fundoshi.

"Oh hey, what happened to your hand, Kohaku?" Haruhi asked.

"Hm? Oh, I ran into something and it kind of bit back."

I gave her a cheesy grin and she rolled her eyes, before we both looked to see Tamaki being bullied by the other hosts.

I sighed and gave her a look. "Hey, why don't you go give Tamaki that thing you got from the supermarket. Maybe he'll calm down if he's got something to play with."

She shrugged. "Maybe."

Sure enough, Tamaki began excitedly playing with the super ball and the rest of us moved behind a curtain to discuss what had been on everyone's mind.

"That fool. He doesn't even sense our discomfort." Hikaru sighed out as Honey hugged Usa-chan in worry.

"I never thought the second-years would choose France for their field trip."

"How did Milord react when he found out?"

"He was his usual self." Kyoya said, though I noticed he wouldn't even look at me. "Perhaps he half expected it when he found out the destination would be decided by popular vote. It's where he grew up. Tamaki thinks his mother may be somewhere still in France."

"But his grandmother has forbidden him from seeing her, right?" Haruhi questioned, looking upset. "I wonder how Tamaki-senpai feels."

Probably lonely, worried, afraid. I sighed, moving the curtain to peek out at him as he jumped around like an idiot after the ball. He's like me right now…Trying so hard to be happy and keep people from worrying.

"We must act normally for the two weeks until departure, so as not to upset Milord."

I rolled my eyes, knowing what they actually meant when they said 'normal'.

"Yes, we have to act normal!" Honey agreed.

"It'd be nice if something would happen to keep Milord's worries of France at bay."

I frowned suddenly, realizing how familiar those words were, when I mentally face palmed. Idiot! This is when Pome came in! I paused. Wait, but Pome's already with Mori so…what's going to distract Tamaki? The curtain was pulled back as the twins attacked Tamaki for his super ball and it wasn't long before it flew out the window and into the bushes down below. We all gathered at the window and watched as the ball was tossed back out of the bush, much to my surprise.

"That's…not supposed to happen." I muttered with furrowed brows. If Pome's not here, then what-

Out of the bush came a pile of yams and, what appeared to be a small ball of orange and black fluff. It turned, swatting a paw at one of the yams, before looking up at us.

"Oh! It kind of looks like Kohaku!" The twins said and I gave them a look.

"How so?"

They pulled at the corner of their eyes. "It's got your angry eyes."

"Brats." I grumbled, before looking back at the animal and only then recognizing it. It then turned tail and ran, disappointing the twins.

"It's running away!"

"Fox-san gave us the ball!" Honey cheered as Tamaki came over, wrapped in a curtain.

"Oh! Is he a friend of Kohaku's? We must thank him."

I sighed, leaning my elbows on the window sill and pulling my uninjured hand through my hair. "Actually, during morning kendo practice, I, uh…gave a starving fox some of my lunch. I think that might have been him. Ah, but he bit me too, so maybe he's apologizing."

The hosts all looked at me in shock, but I just shrugged them off and felt grateful that the fox looked a bit better. Ah, but the plot changed. That can't be good. I sighed. Fu-kun could've helped me figure this out, but I guess I'm on my own this time. I stood up and walked right past Kyoya without a backwards glance, though it hurt not to at least apologize. However, I knew that he would come to me on his own sooner or later and if not…Then I'll just have to move on.

The next week could've gone better. Thanks to the fox trying to apologize to me, things had become a bit more stressful. Like now, for instance.

"Ah! Our clubroom has been attacked!"

I groaned, mentally calculating the additions to my debt with every piece of broken china.

"Why is the security in here so lax?" Kyoya complained, though Honey was trying to look at the bright side of things.

"Fox-san probably thinks he helped clean up!"

I doubt it. I thought, spotting the pile of food on a table nearby.

"And look at this pile of offerings!"

Kaoru picked one up. "Raspberries…"

Honey immediately got the connection. "Remember when Fox-san washed Ko-kun's shirt while he was at kendo"

Yeah. I thought with a sweat drop. He pulled it out to the fountain and drug it back to the changing rooms covered in dirt and raspberry stains.

"And when he did Kohaku-s homework…" Haruhi added.

"It's his signature mark."

"He doesn't show up often, but he sure insists on being noticed when he does." Hikaru commented as I wandered over to a chair and collapsed in it, dropping my head on the table with a 'thud'.

"I can't tell if he's shy or a showoff."

Showoff, most definitely. I reached into my bag and pulled out another bag full of chestnuts, holding them out.

"Haruhi, you can have these. He left them on my desk."

She took them with a smile. "Thanks, Kohaku."

"Mm." I groaned into the table as Kyoya spoke up, messing with his phone.

"Why can't he repay the favor by digging up a buried treasure or a hot spring? Complaints from other students are increasing. We should hire a specialist and get rid of the problem."

I frowned, completely against the idea, and Mori and Tamaki seemed to agree.

"How brutal! Fox-san wants to repay a good deed! It's a modern day folktale!"

"Well, you take care of it then." Kyoya told Tamaki with a sigh, when Mori stepped forward.

"I will speak to him myself."

In his arms, was a box that I could only assume had his chick and Pome in it. Though I doubt that would work.

"How will you talk to a fox?" The idiot trio asked as Mori lifted the lid to reveal the two animals.

"Oh! You brought Piyo, your baby chick! And Pome too!" Honey chirped.

"Oh, he's gotten quite big." Haruhi commented, looking at Piyo on Mori's arm whereas Pome sat on the floor by his feet.

"I thought the animals could communicate with each other." Mori said, holding Piyo up to his face as it peeped happily.

As cute as the scene was to me, I couldn't help but sweat drop with the others.

"Oh, so you're relying on others." Hikaru said, holding his hands up in a shrug.

Kaoru mimicked him. "How could Piyo and Fox-san talking solve the problem?"

Honey chuckled awkwardly. "Surprisingly, Takashi is an idealist!"

This sent Mori into a depression and I sighed, scratching the back of my head. This isn't even my problem anymore.

"No, it's exactly as Mori-senpai says." Tamaki exclaimed. "Together we will persuade Fox-san!"

The twins seemed to know this was going to happen. "Milord, you can't persuade animals!"

I raised my hand. "Actually, I persuaded it to stop biting me. So technically, you can."

I was ignored as Tamaki yelled at them.

"If animals can understand each other, animals and humans can too! Think about it!" Tamaki's face fell. "A starving wild fox, found on Ouran's grounds…Why is it insisting on returning Kohaku's kindness? Fox-san was probably lonely." He turned towards me, eyes sad. "Separated from his family and lost in an unknown area. That's why Kohaku's kindness touched him so much."

That resonated with me more than I expected. It was my exact situation and it made my throat feel thick with tears the more I thought about it. I quickly shut the feeling down though, taking a deep breath as Tamaki shouted in the background about returning the fox to his home. I had decided that I was going to be done getting upset about things like this. No more crying or cowering, or worrying. I was going to stand tall and face my problems head-on. Losing my family, losing Fu-kun…losing Kyoya…I was going to handle all of it strongly, and stop being the shy, worried, upset ball of stress I have been.

(No one's POV)

Haruhi was worried. She knew something had happened after the sports festival between Kyoya and Kohaku. Kyoya hadn't spoken or even looked at Kohaku in weeks, and Haruhi tried asking Tamaki about it-since he appeared to know something-but he just gave her a sad smile and said Kyoya was just struggling with something. Kohaku wasn't acting much better.

Sure, she was smiling and joking around like normal, but there was this underlying sadness in her eyes that concerned Haruhi. It seemed to stand out even more when Kyoya spoke too, only further proving Haruhi's theory. Haruhi could see how hard Kohaku was trying to be happy and it broke Haruhi's heart to see her best friend like that, and not being able to do anything about it.

Haruhi tried to do everything to help. Her and Tamaki attempted to get Kohaku and Kyoya to speak to one another, but Kohaku had shot that down, saying that they both just needed some time to figure things out. But what? What are they trying to figure out? Haruhi tried asking but Kohaku would only tell her that they were fighting and, with everything going on, she was stressed out. Nothing specific. Nothing that could help Haruhi help her.

At this point, all Haruhi could do was stand by her side and make sure to bug her as much as she could while Kohaku was at home. Because Haruhi had noticed something about Kohaku. If Kohaku wasn't busy, if she wasn't working or in school or the gym, she was left to think. And what Haruhi noticed, was how depressed Kohaku got when she was left alone to think.

Not that she doesn't have a good reason to be depressed. She lost one of the only things that could be considered family to her. The only thing she's had since coming to Japan. Haruhi hadn't known what to do when Kohaku had told her about Fu-kun. Kohaku wasn't the type of person who wanted to hear 'I'm sorry' and Haruhi knew that any form of comfort given to her while she was still accepting what happened, would only make it worse. Haruhi knew, because she felt the same when her mother died. Unless Kohaku wanted it, Haruhi wouldn't force it on her, because that would make it final.

Haruhi sighed to herself in concern, crouched under a bush and watching a trap near by should the fox show up. It was their third day of searching, so hopefully they find him, though it seemed Tamaki and Mori were the most adamant about finding the creature. Kohaku-having should've been the main person wanting to help the fox-actually didn't seem all that interested. Which is weird. She really likes animals.

"Hey, Haruhi!"

Haruhi looked over and spotted the twins heading her way.

"Did the fox come this way?" Kaoru asked.

"No, not at all." Haruhi complained.

"Ugh." Hikaru groaned. "I wanted to capture him today. I thought having Haruhi wait with a bunch of food would work for sure." He then switched subjects. "Next week, Milord sets out for France. Thanks to the fox, time has gone by fast."

"Yes…but we still don't know how Milord feels." Kaoru commented and Haruhi decided to bring up her theory.

"Tamaki-senpai's speech the other day…might have been about himself."

"Yeah. I thought so too, but maybe it was about Kohaku too. Those two have been pretty close since the sports festival and what happened to Fu-kun." Kaoru mused and Haruhi nodded.

"They understand each other, I suppose. Kohaku and Tamaki-senpai have probably felt really lonely too, I think. I…wonder if Tamaki-senpai wants to go back to France one day."

"Kaoru, let's go look over here." Hikaru said suddenly, walking off. "There's no point in being in a group of three."

"Oh! Okay." Kaoru turned to Haruhi briefly. "See you later, Haruhi. Meet us in the club room if it rains."

"Okay." She said, but once they left, she looked down with a small frown. I wonder if Kohaku wants to go back to America too…

(Kohaku's POV)

Once the rain started coming down, I had headed back towards the school, only to pause. I didn't know why, but I just wanted to feel the rain for a moment. So I headed to the fountain nearby and sat on the edge, loosening my tie, and leaning back on my hands with a drawn out sigh; allowing my eyes to close as the rain pelted my skin. I've been doing good. I told myself. I haven't been bothering Kyoya and I've pretty much gotten over what happened with Fu-kun, though prolonged thinking tends to make me depressed, but all-in-all, I've been doing pretty good. I pulled a hand through my wet hair, tugging my bangs away from my face with the mental note that I needed a hair cut, before I took off my jacket and set it aside. I always enjoyed the rain. The sight, the sound, the smell, just the feeling of it made me feel like everything was being washed away.

As I pulled my hair back out of my face again and started to relax, I felt eyes on me and looked around before spotting Kyoya, of all people, staring at me from not too far off. I felt heat rise to my face in embarrassment at being caught in, probably my most relaxed 'me-moment' that I've had for a long time. He turned away, but something in my gut told me not to let him go and-breaking my own rule of leaving Kyoya alone-I grabbed my jacket and ran after him.

"Kyoya! Kyoya, wait!"

He seemed to hesitate for a split second before continuing to walk, but I caught up to him and walked along beside him. Great. Now that I ran over here, I have no idea what to say to him. He's going to think I'm an idiot…not that he doesn't already… He was walking quickly and taking long strides to try and get further away from me, but I was easily able to keep up and decided to just start talking about whatever came to my mind.

"I-I'm sorry, you know. For keeping it from you."

He stayed silent, not saying anything, so I just kept going.

"I don't do it to be mean or anything, and you're not the only person I've, um, hidden it from. A-And it's not even that! I just…don't correct anyone. The thing is, I don't want people to treat me any different if I was a girl or a boy." I glanced at him, but I couldn't tell if he was listening or not.

"I like you, Kyoya. A lot more than I thought, so I-I wanted to give you some space to let you figure things out, but…I-I can't keep it up anymore. I know you're mad and that you probably hate me for lying, but I just wanted you to have something to challenge yourself with. T-To keep you happy with something that isn't for your father's benefit, but your own. And…" I bowed my head, swallowing thickly in worry about what I was going to tell him next; something very…personal.

"And I guess I-I was kind of doing it for myself too. I-I-I, um…I wanted someone to notice me. See that I was more than just some shy, idiotic, cross-dressing girl a-and that I could be smart and outgoing. But…if I-I told you…told you everything when I first walked into the Host Club, I-I think…I was worried that once you found out everything, that you'd just…throw me aside."

I didn't know if he was looking at me or not, or if he was paying attention, but I was giving him everything. I was giving him that piece of my soul that made me, me, and I felt vulnerable. So very, very vulnerable, but I needed to finish. Kyoya had to understand. He had to understand how broken and lonely I was without someone like him there to understand me and treat me as an equal. Compliments meant the world to me. And coming from him…they mean so much more.

"I-I'm selfish and stubborn and stupid and shy, but all I want is someone who gets it. Who argues with me and sees me, a-and is willing to care about someone who constantly beats themselves up over stupid things. And you do all that. Y-You saw I was smart. You saw all my stupid habits and looked through all my lies a-and I think you did care for me when I was that Kohaku…and I still am that Kohaku…So are y-you really going to throw everything away because I-I'm a girl?"

I looked over at him, but the light reflecting off his glasses made it impossible to see what he was feeling and he had yet to say a word. My stomach knotted in worry, but I steeled myself and ran in front of him, stopping him from continuing down the hall.

"Are you going to throw me away just because of who I am?!" I shouted at him, though my eyes were on the verge of tears. Please…Please answer.

"I will…" He said, making my heart sink as he started to walk past. "…if it will protect everything I've worked hard to build."

It felt like everything just stopped. My heart stopped beating and my mind stopped working, and the world seemed to fall out from under me as Kyoya rounded the corner down the hall. I wanted to collapse right there and just cry, but something was preventing me from doing that. Pride maybe? But what pride could I have?

I took a deep, stuttering breath, closing my eyes and letting a few tears fall, before I wiped my eyes and stood up straight; starting for the club room once more, though my mind and body begged me to just find somewhere private and let it all go. I could stand tall though. It would be hard, but I could do it and…something told me not to give up just yet.

I soon reached the club room and I walked in, putting on a fake smile as all eyes went to me.

"Hey guys. It's, uh, started to rain."

Honey chuckled, bouncing over and holding out a towel. "Hehe, you're a little late, Ko-kun! And look!" He pointed over at Mori and the orange fluff ball he was drying. "We found Fox-san!"

I took the towel from him and began drying my hair, heading over towards the grumpy animal with a small smile. "I can see that, though he doesn't seem too pleased about it."

Mori went to hold him out to me, but the animal seemed more pleased to get away from the white towel, and proceeded to jump at me. I caught him, luckily, but Mori appeared a little upset about the fox's sudden dislike of him.

"Sorry, Takashi…" I said with a nervous smile. "I, uh, guess he just didn't like the towel?"

"Ah…" He muttered, still upset, however Piyo and Pome were more than happy to try and cheer him up.

Just then, Tamaki burst through the doors.

"Ugh! I'm wet! Towel, towel!"

"Tamaki-senpai." Haruhi seemed a little surprised, glancing over at Kyoya before heading over to Tamaki with a towel; no doubt wondering why the two of them didn't come in together.

"Haruhi, I'm glad you're out of the storm." Tamaki said in relief as he took the towel from her.

"Yes. Oh, look over there." She gestured over to me and the slightly damp fox in my arms that I was trying to dry again, and Tamaki hurried over in excitement.

"Huh?! Fox-san! How?!"

The fox in my arms struggled to get further away from Tamaki, but Honey distracted the blonde.

"I found him! I lured him in with cake!"

"When I got to the clubroom…" Mori explained. "…he was making another pile of offerings. Until we find out which mountain to return him to, I'll fill out an application and take care of him." Mori then turned to me, looking concerned. "Unless…you wish to."

I looked down at the fox, who was still eyeing everyone warily, and I realized that I had a decision to make. I could take in the fox and care for it before letting it go. I could take it in permanently-with the proper permission, of course. Or I could let Mori take care of it. I could tell that giving it to Mori wouldn't exactly make it happy, but at the same time, I didn't feel as though I could take him in after loosing Fu-kun only a month or two ago. That, and he didn't seem like the cooperative pet like Pome or Piyo. But I couldn't just leave him.

I held him a little closer, looking up with a small, nervous smile. "I-I'll take him. I may need a bit of help with the application though."

Mori nodded, willing to help me, when Tamaki smiled.

"Wow! That's a great idea! You're lucky, Fox-san!"

Haruhi sweat dropped, looking over at me. "More like you're the calmest one here. I wouldn't want to stay with any of them."

"Heh, maybe."

"Huh? Where are Hikaru and Kaoru? I thought they'd be back by now." Honey asked, more to himself, but I answered anyway.

"They were talking outside and said they'd be a little late."

"Really?"

I nodded, thinking back to what I knew about the plot here. "Yeah, but whatever they were talking about looked pretty serious."

"Hm."

Honey looked a little suspicious, but we were both distracted by Haruhi questioning what I was going to name the fox. I wasn't sure and we started bouncing ideas around, but I felt like my mind was elsewhere; distracted and cowering from Kyoya's words.

(No one's POV)

Tamaki spotted Kyoya as he dried his hair and he forced a smile. "Oh! Kyoya…I…won't be going on the trip next week."

Kyoya looked at him in shock as Tamaki sadly glanced down.

"I find that I just can't…Sorry, you take charge in my place. And…please don't tell the others. I don't want them to worry."

Kyoya sighed. "I think it's okay to worry in a situation like this. But it's your decision. I'll bring back an Eiffel Tower figure for you."

"Haha! Sounds good." Tamaki laughed. "Bring me back a six-foot one on your back."

"You wish, idiot."

Tamaki smiled sadly again, making Kyoya raise a brow in confusion. "I'm glad you've forgiven me."

Kyoya scoffed, remembering the long, tedious argument they had over the phone that ended in apologies. "Not entirely, though it is not your fault."

Tamaki glanced over at the others, particularly Kohaku, as they tried to come up with names for the fox. "You should forgive her too. She was only scared."

"As she should be." Kyoya grumbled.

Tamaki gave him a worried look. "At least give her a chance, Kyoya. She is very hurt."

"Hurt?" Kyoya frowned. "She is laughing, joking."

Tamaki shook his head, putting his hands on Kyoya's shoulders and making him face Kohaku. "She's not, mon ami. Look."

Kyoya did, though not pleased about it, as Tamaki continued.

"She's not laughing. Not truly." Tamaki released him and moved beside him to look over at the seemingly cheerful group. "You should know, Kyoya. She may not be rich, but she is very much like us. She knows how to hide behind a smile, even when she wishes to do anything but…and right now…she is deeply hurt."

Kyoya frowned, mentally justifying his actions from before, and scoffing in his head. How ridiculous. She is laughing, even I can see that. His thoughts paused though, when he noticed something. It was only a split second, but Kohaku's smile slipped. It quivered as though she was holding something back, but then she went right back to smiling and laughing. A knot twisted in Kyoya's stomach, his frown softening before hardening once more. So what? If she's hurt, then it's her own…fault… Or so he thought, but the tightness of his chest contradicted that.

"Please, mon ami." Tamaki pleaded.

Kyoya sighed, folding his arms over his chest in annoyance. "I am not so easy to persuade, Tamaki." He said, making Tamaki's face fall in concern. "However, through the right means, I suppose persuasion isn't completely impossible."

Tamaki slowly grinned, hope filling his chest, just as the twins walked in completely soaked.

"What happened to you two?!"

He fussed over the two of them for a while, but smiled the whole time. Because now, Kohaku had a chance. A chance to bring their family back together and a chance to have someone care for her.

(Kohaku's POV)

A week. A whole week had passed and I still had no idea what I was going to do about Kyoya. For one thing, he was in France for ten days and I had no way of getting a hold of him, because I knew he wouldn't answer my calls even if I tried. Not that I would…at least, not without knowing what I was going to say. And right now, I had no clue.

I reached over to my left and grabbed my alarm clock, squinting to read what it said. 4am. I crawled into bed at one…I sighed, putting the clock back and sitting up in my futon, pulling a hand through my hair. The fox, who we never figured out a name for, had been released back into the wild a few days ago and, though Mori was more than willing to help if I wanted to take care of him, I didn't. Not because I didn't like him or anything, but…because it felt too soon for me. He reminded me of Fu-kun a little too much.

I didn't mind. I knew that the fox wouldn't like staying in my small apartment compared to the mountain where he came from. It's just that my apartment was pretty empty now. Yeah, I guess I'll admit it. I was lonely. There was no one I could really talk to. Not just because it was four in the morning, but also because the hosts were all busy with their own problems and I felt that mine didn't compare.

Hikaru and Kaoru were figuring out their feelings towards Haruhi, who was already worried about how they were acting. And they were, no doubt, over at Honey and Mori's; who were dealing with preparing for our approaching graduation. Kyoya, as mentioned, was in France and not on the best of terms with me right now and Tamaki…He was home alone, trying to keep from worrying about his mother.

And here I am feeling sorry for myself over a problem that's nothing compared to theirs. I didn't notice I'd started crying until a drop landed on my hands clenched around my blanket. I quickly wiped my eyes, tired of being the shy, crybaby an I got up; deciding that if I was already up, I might as well work.

The only issue was, I couldn't write anything actually work related. Instead, I ended up writing a short story in two and a half hours, about a young girl who grew up with stories of princes and damsels in distress, who was out in search of her prince only to find a cruel king instead. He trapped her and locked her in a tower to await her true prince, but she grew tired of waiting and attempted to escape time and time again.

He just kept locking her up until one day he didn't come to stop her. She could've finally gotten away, but she turned around and went back, searching for the cruel king. There were no guards or servants and the whole castle seemed completely empty and lonely, and when she came upon the king's room, she froze in shock at what she found.

The guards and servants, anyone who could be considered close to the king were dead and the man himself lay slumped against the wall, bleeding. He saw her and questioned if she was there to kill him too and she realized that the king, though cruel, was lonely just as she was. Even as she tended to his wounds, he continued to belittle her and insult her, but she couldn't leave him, because she had finally found her prince.

He wasn't like the fairytales. He wasn't kind or smiled a lot, but he understood her and she him. But tensions were high in the country and it wasn't long before war broke out. He went to go fight, but not before locking her away once more with curses and shouts, telling her that he never cared and that he must protect what he built with or without her.

She was heartbroken and stricken with anger before she escaped the tower and ran away. She continued to worry about him though and took a horse out to the battlefield. Disguised as she was, she cut her way through to the king and saved him from an arrow only to be hit herself. The disguise fell away and the cruel king realized what he's locked away, just as the girl realized what she had to give up for him to accept his own caring for her.

The story itself reflected my own situation too closely for my liking and I tossed the group of papers to the side, before moving towards the shower to get ready for school. The shower was a cold one, but instead of waking me up, it only made me feel more tired and I was forced to grab a soda from the fridge along with a thermos of hot tea before heading out the door.

During kendo practice, I zoned out quite a bit, just thinking really, but I could tell Mori was getting worried. I didn't want to bother him though, not when he had to deal with Hikaru at home. Class could have gone better too. My literature teacher had called me out for not paying attention in class and had me recite a long passage from Hamlet in front of the class. Unfortunately for him, I got really into it and managed to frighten the class into silence.

After class however, Honey and Mori attempted to drag me over to Haruhi's class to check in on Hikaru and Kaoru, but I had other plans and had decided to check up on Tamaki. He's probably bored and the other hosts can't know that he didn't go to France, so I can't let them follow me or know where I'm going. I sighed as I headed down the hall.

"I have to tell them something though."

"Huh? Kohaku?" Kaoru headed over, holding a small stack of books. "Are you going home already? Alone?"

I shook my head, a lie quickly forming. "No. I-I'm heading to the gym. I have a tournament soon."

It was half true. I would be going to the gym to train after I checked up on Tamaki, but I still felt a little guilty for lying.

"Oh! Sounds cool. Will you be fighting that one guy again?" He asked, coming up beside me to walk with me.

I shrugged. "Don't know. We only find out the pairings a few weeks before. The tournament isn't for another couple of months."

"Oh…" He got quiet for a while before giving me a look. "Are you alright?"

I opened my mouth to say I was fine, but I couldn't. So I sighed and pulled a hand through my hair.

"Not really. I've been really busy lately and…Kyoya, he…found out and didn't react well."

"I kind of figured something like that happened." He said, surprising me. "You two have been acting strangely and everyone was worried. But if he didn't take it well, that can't be good. What are you going to do?"

"I-I really don't know." I stuttered out, rubbing my arm nervously. "I tried to explain everything, but he got upset and I doubt he'd answer my calls even if I knew what to say! I-I even tried giving up on him, but I just can't. And I can't get him to understand either, so I-I don't know what to do. I've run out of ideas."

"That sounds tough." Kaoru commented, brows furrowed in thought. "I don't know Kyoya that well, so I can't really help figure out what he's thinking, but he's probably just as confused about everything as you are…Have you tried asking Tamaki? He probably knows better than I do."

I shook my head. "No, but I was thinking about that. I'll, uh…probably talk to him today about it."

"Sounds good." Kaoru smiled. "Let's hope that you two make up. I don't think Tono can take much more seriousness at the club."

"Yeah. I'll see what I can do." I replied, looking over at Kaoru with a small smile. "Thanks, Kaoru."

"No problem." He said, giving me a wave as I headed out the school's main gates. "Good luck!"

I nodded and headed towards my house to grab a set of clothes. Something told me that Tamaki would want a sleepover.

I rang the bell for the main gate and waited until the elder servant came out and I gave her a wave and nervous smile.

"H-Hi again. Could I, um, come in?"
"Master Tamaki is not here currently." She lied and I sighed, choosing to drop the skittish persona.

"Look, I know he's here and didn't go to France because of his promise with his grandmother, and I know he's probably driving you and the other servants out of your minds with how bored he is, so couldn't you just please let me in?"

She just stared at me blankly and I stared back, wondering if anyone could not be fearful of her when she stared at you like this.

"Very well." She finally responded, breaking my gaze and opening the gate. "Shall I announce your arrival to Master Tamaki?"

I shook my head, adjusting the backpack on my back. "That's okay. I think it'd be more fun to surprise him. Don't you?"

I smiled, but she just gave me that blank, no-nonsense, stare as she started walking towards the Suoh's second mansion.

"This way."

God, she scares me. I thought with a shiver, following after her as we headed into the mansion.

"How long will you be staying, Nishimura-sama?"

"Um, Kohaku's fine and I'll probably only be staying a day or two."

"Feel free to ask myself or the other servants if there is anything you may need, Nishimura-sama."

Didn't I just… Oh, never mind. I mentally groaned, rolling my eyes as she knocked on Tamaki's door and opened it.

"Master Tamaki, a friend of yours is here."

Tamaki turned around quickly and his eyes widened in shock upon spotting me peeking out around the doorframe with a grin and a wave.

"Yo!"

"K-Kohaku?!"

I smiled as I walked in and set my bag to the side. "You don't think I'd just let you get bored while Kyoya's off enjoying himself, do you?"

"B-But how?! How did you know I'd still be here?!"

I tapped my temple as I dug through my backpack. "I can see things, remember? Here, catch." I tossed him a melon bread I picked up on my way here and opened my own box of pocky, sticking one in my mouth.

I didn't have a chance to dodge Tamaki, however, as he tackled me in a hug.

"You're so nice, Ko-chan!"

I went to tell him not to call me 'chan', but sighed instead as he clung to me in a blubbering mess, and I patted his back.

"Yeah, well… I figured you'd be bored, what with everyone else off having fun and Kyoya keeping the whole thing under wraps."

"Ah!" He suddenly launched himself up and grabbed both my shoulders, looking serious. "What about you and Kyoya?! Have you made up yet?! Surely you could've called him and-"

"Woah! Slow down there, Tamaki." I told him, covering his mouth with my hand, before lowering it and looking away nervously. "We… haven't made up yet and I kind of… haven't called him either."

"What?!"

"I don't know what to tell him, Tamaki!" I yelled back, pulling a hand through my hair and sitting on the edge of his bed. "I-I tried to explain everything to him when we were looking for the fox, but he wouldn't listen! He said he would throw me away if it meant protecting everything he built up! He doesn't want me!"

"That's not true!" Tamaki shouted, kneeling in front of me. "I believe Kyoya cares for you very much. He is just confused and hurt that someone so close to him has lied, even though we all know you didn't mean it."

"Then why would he say that?" I asked, desperate for an answer. "Why would he tell me that he would toss me aside?"

Tamaki smiled softly. "You are very smart, Kohaku. I have seen that, and perhaps there is something in Kyoya's words that can help you find out what to say or do to make it up to him."

"Huh?" I was very confused, though Tamaki seemed to know something I didn't.

"Remember where he comes from, Kohaku. His family is not easy going or supportive, which is why Kyoya is the person he is, and why he is so hurt."

"I guess I didn't really take that into consideration…" I mumbled, feeling dumb for not thinking it through. "I mean, he's not a very trusting person to begin with, so I probably should've told him right away instead of lying and letting it progress so far…but…"

Tamaki placed a hand on my knee. "But you wished for him to take notice of you."

I nodded, only slightly surprised that he understood, but I felt that he did the same; trying to get people to notice in order to fill that loneliness left over from losing someone close.

"I-I'm sorry, Tamaki." I muttered, clenching my hands tightly together in my lap as guilt gnawed on my insides. "I'm so sorry."

"What for, mon amie?" He questioned, moving to sit beside me on the bed.

"I-I'm dumping everything on you when you have your own problems to worry about. Problems I have the answers to, b-but I…I haven't told you anything."

All for the sake of a plot…

"Kohaku, it's alright." Tamaki pulled me into a comforting hug.

"No, it's not!" I cried. "I know what's going to happen, everything you're going to have to go through, problems you're going to face…" I clenched my eyes shut, clinging to Tamaki in guilt for what I was about to say. "Tamaki, I know about your mom!"

He stiffened, but stayed silent as I went on.

"I-I know how she's doing a-and where she's at and what's going to happen, but I-I-I… I've hidden it from you and came for help with my own problems! It's so selfish! I'm so selfish! I haven't told you anything! How am I supposed to get Kyoya to trust me when no one can?!"

Tamaki's grip on me tightened as tears spilled down my face and he cradled my head.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I cried, clinging to him as he shushed me.

"Ko-chan…Ko-chan, it's alright. It's okay."

"N-No, it's not. I'm keeping it from you-"

"And that's okay." Tamaki reassured. "I understand why you haven't told me and I'm glad."

I pulled away and looked up at him in surprise as he smiled softly.

"I'm glad, because you know. You know that she's okay and that she's happy."

"But you don't know that I-"

He smiled. "I do know. I know that she's happy and smiling because I am. So it's alright, Ko-chan. So you don't have to keep holding everything back, because none of us will ever blame you."

I burst into tears at those words, feeling so relieved as I finally let everything go. Ever since Fu-kun had gone, I kept questioning if I was doing what I was supposed to. If following the plot was the right choice and what would happen if something bad happened and the hosts discovered that I knew about it. I was afraid that I'd be left alone again and that they'd all blame me, but Tamaki said the words I've been wishing to hear and I was so glad. He allowed me to cry on him, comforting me like the older brother I've never had, and after a while, I calmed down. The two of us then watched some movies and enjoyed ourselves before settling in for the night; lying on the floor beside one another in a mess of blankets and pillows.

"Tamaki?" I murmured tiredly.

"Hm?"

"What do you think I should do about Kyoya?"

He shifted to face me, turning the TV down. "What do you think you should do?"

"I don't know." I admitted, rolling onto my side to face him. "I know that I need to get his trust back, but what he said…'if it will protect everything I worked hard to build'… Is he talking about the walls he built up to keep him from trusting?"

"I don't believe that's all he's talking about, Ko-chan."

I sighed, messing up my hair and flopping back down on my pillow. "Mmnmm."

"What?"

I turned my head so he could understand me. "I said, that's what I thought, but I don't-"

I cut myself off, remembering what Kyoya had said when he first found out about my gender.

"After you got into my father's good books?!"

"His father?" I glanced over at a smiling Tamaki. "He thinks I'm doing this just to use him to get to his father?"

"That is part of it. You must remember where we come from, Ko-chan. It is often that we are forced to question whether the people around us are true friends or just trying to get to our families through us."

I faceplate with a groan. "Ugh, his family…I had him thinking he was gay and didn't even think about how his family life would impact this."

Tamaki grinned, tucking a pillow under his chin as he watched me figure all this out. "So, what are you going to do, mon amie?"

Pulling a hand through my hair, I frowned. "Something. I need to do something. Something big. Big enough to get trust back, but…he's in France. How am I supposed to-" My eyes widened, before narrowing as I smirked. "Oh, I'm good."

Tamaki looked over at me in slight fear. "K-Ko-chan?"

I smirked over at him, propping my chin up on my hand. "Tamaki, I won't be around for a while after today, so I'm sorry for that, but do you know how much a ticket to France is?"

(No one's POV)

Haruhi unpacked her lunch with the candied yams she had saved for Kaoru since Honey and Kasanoda had eaten the rest. There was something bothering her though. For one thing, Hikaru and Kaoru were acting strangely. She assumed that something was going on between them, but she didn't know what. So, she had decided to ask Kohaku about it, only to discover that she was staying over at Shindo's yesterday, which sounded a little fishy to her. Fishy enough, that she called Shindo to confirm this. He sounded odd too. She thought, remembering the conversation she had on the phone with him and how he sounded a bit confused.

"Huh? Kohaku staying over? O-Oh! Yeah! She is, heh. I forgot."

"Isn't she over there already? How could you have forgot?"

"Did I say 'forgot'? Whoops! I lied. She's uh, over at the gym right now so I just sort of said that. Anyway, I got to go, Haru-chan! I, uh, have to go pick her up now, heh…Bye!"

Haruhi frowned at the memory. Definitely something fishy. Haruhi had seen her at school though, so she wasn't too worried, but she had this feeling that Kohaku was planning something; if the devilish smirk on her face was anything to go by. She just hoped it didn't involve her. Or Kyoya. He's already pissed about Kohaku hiding her gender and if she's plotting something evil…well, I hope for both their sakes that it won't have to do with him. Haruhi sighed before spotting Kaoru.

"Oh, Kaoru!"

"Good morning, Haruhi!" He smiled.

At least he's looking a little happier. "You didn't come yesterday to eat the yams. I was waiting for you."

"Ah! That's right. I'm sorry!" He apologized.

"Honey-senpai and Kasanoda-kun already ate them all."

"That many?!"

Haruhi smiled. "So instead, I made some candied yams for today. Let's eat them for lunch."

"Sure."

Haruhi frowned slightly then, realizing something. "Huh? Where's Hikaru? Didn't he come with you?"

Hikaru walked in at that moment, looking a bit depressed. "Good morn-"

He cut himself off upon spotting Kaoru and, a now worried, Haruhi. Seeing this change in demeanor, Haruhi stepped forward to try and fix it.

"Hikaru, um… please join us for candied yams at lunch."

"Um, Haru-"

Kaoru cut him off, putting a hand on Haruhi's shoulder and leaning closer. "Haruhi, Hikaru isn't hungry but you'll give them to me, right?"

Hikaru filled with jealousy and confusion, spun around and dashed out of the room.

"Hikaru?" Haruhi went to chase after him. "Hika-"

"Haruhi, let him go." Kaoru said, stopping her.

She turned to him in fury. "Kaoru? Why-"

He held his hands up in surrender. "We're in the middle of a little fight. It's not a big deal. We'll make up." He said, eyes softening as he lowered his hands. "So Haruhi, please listen to my wish. All I ask for is two or three days. Will you give me some time?"

"I…guess." She frowned, a little lost.

"Good, I found you!"

Kaoru and Haruhi turned, spotting Kohaku heading over with a grin.

"What's up, Kohaku?"

"Well, for starters, I think I just saw Hikaru running off. Is everything okay?" She asked, tossing a thumb over her shoulder at the door, looking slightly concerned.

"Oh." Haruhi glanced at Kaoru briefly. "Kaoru says they're having a little fight."

Kohaku locked her gaze with Kaoru's and, from Haruhi's perspective, they seemed to have a silent conversation before Kohaku broke it off and turned back to Haruhi.

"Anyway, you're not going to be too happy about this, but I'm sort of not going to be around for a week or so."

"What?! Where the heck are you going?!" Haruhi shouted as Kohaku looked away awkwardly.

"France?" She said with a wince, bracing for the explosion.

"France?!"

"Shh!" Kohaku hushed, covering her mouth and pulling her out of the classroom of students watching them; an amused Kaoru following behind them.

Things didn't get much better from there though, as Haruhi continued to shout once they'd gotten away from wandering eyes.

"Why are you going to France?! Heck, where are you getting the money to go to France?!"

Kohaku rolled her eyes, having expected Haruhi's overly concerned, motherly questions. "I have money stashed away in a savings account from my novel sales, but that's besides the point. I'm doing something important that I think might be able to fix what's going on between Kyoya and I."

She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest sternly as she glared Kohaku down, though Kaoru seemed pleasantly surprised.

"Wow. You're really going that far for him?"

Kohaku nodded with a grin, hands tucked in her pockets and her shoulders shrugged up. "Yeah. Looks like it."

"I don't know why you're going so far for him." Haruhi spoke sharply, surprising Kohaku, as her frown deepened and she turned away. "He's a jerk! He constantly upsets you and insults you and is a stuck up prick! He's the definition of a rich bastard! Going this far for him is only going to get you hurt!" She turned to Kohaku, frustration and concern lacing her features. "Why are you chasing after someone who doesn't even look like he cares?"

Kohaku's eyes softened, understanding where Haruhi was coming from; since she, herself had asked the same question the moment she realized what she had to do in order to get Kyoya back.

"Because I love him." She responded back, earning a shocked and surprised look from both, Haruhi and Kaoru as she smiled. "Underneath all those walls he puts up, I know he does care. He's not heartless, he just protects himself the only way he knows how. So, I want to get past that and see who he really is, even if it's hard and he gets upset." Kohaku chuckled. "It's kind of funny to frustrate him, actually."

"But what if he doesn't?" Haruhi questioned. "What if he says he hates you?"

"Then I'll keep bugging him." Kohaku shrugged. "I'm sorry, Haruhi, for picking someone so difficult, but I really do love him and…I'll do anything to get him back."

Kohaku's phone went off then and she pulled it out, briefly scowling at the caller ID before answering with a smile.

"Hello, is it ready? Alright, I'll come pick it up now." She made a face, smile slipping off. "What? No, I'm not faking it. No, I said I'm no-" Kohaku groaned. "Fine! Yes, I'm faking it, and I'll hate every moment, so stop laughing."

She rolled her eyes and spoke a little bit more, before hanging up and turning to Kaoru and Haruhi with a sigh.

"Sorry. I have to go pick something up and then head to the airport. I'll be back in a week or so, but…" She gave Haruhi a smile. "Don't worry so much. And Kaoru?"

"Hm?"

She winked. "Good luck, and remember what I told you before about your feelings."

Kaoru's eyes widened before he nodded as Kohaku waved and hurried off down the hall. He knew she was right, just as Honey was, but he already had a plan about his feelings for Haruhi, and it would all be over tomorrow.

"So neat! An amusement park for commoners!" Honey cheered, sitting on a fence. "Hikaru, what do you want to ride?"

Hikaru didn't seem nearly as excited. "Why did you two suddenly drag me to an amusement park? Actually, I don't care why. I just want to go home."

Honey quickly tried to rectify the situation and attempted to distract Hikaru. "Let's ride the merry-go-round! You wouldn't know it to look at him, but Takashi likes wooden horses more than three square meals a day."

Hikaru sweat dropped. "Honey-senpai, I don't want to. I know you probably brought me here to take my mind off things, but I'm not in the mood for an amusement park."

Honey turned away, feeling the guilt eat at him for not telling Hikaru the true reason why he was brought here.

"Mitsukuni." Mori grabbed his coat and lifted him up. "What are you scheming? With Hikaru in the state he's in, why have him run into Kaoru and Haruhi?"

"Wah!" He wailed. "Because Kaoru asked me to!"

Mori put him down as he went on.

"I don't think what Kaoru is doing is the right thing either. It seems like an act of self-sacrifice…but…Kaoru thought really hard and planned this. Kohaku even called from the plane and said to not worry about it, but-" Honey turned to glance at Hikaru, only to find him missing. "Um…Hikaru?"

Hikaru though, had wandered off, lost in his thoughts of Kaoru and Haruhi, just as he spotted them nearby; relaxing after having enjoyed themselves at the park.

"Haha, Haruhi, you really can't handle roller coasters, can you?" Kaoru laughed. "You looked like a deer caught in the headlights."

"Aren't you laughing a little too hard?" Haruhi questioned, feeling that Kaoru was forcing himself a bit.

"No, no! That face was really something. I would have liked to show Hikaru-" He cut himself off, realizing what he was about to say, though Haruhi had already caught it.

"Kaoru, let's go home."

"You're not having fun with me? How mean!" He teased, making Haruhi sweat drop.

"It's the opposite. Kaoru, you're the one not having fun."

Kaoru was shocked, but softened up. "Haruhi, you're amazing." He leaned in and held her face as he kissed her cheek. "I like you, Haruhi."

Hikaru saw this and hurried off, leaving the park and not hearing the rest.

"But no matter what, Hikaru is still more important to me."

(Kohaku's POV)

I rubbed my tired eyes as I got off the plane, having lost in my struggle to stay awake and prevent jet lag. What's more, it was four in the afternoon here and not the best time to be sleeping. I hailed a cab and asked the man in fluid French-something I studied in Ouran and college in my past life-to drop me off at the hotel I had reserved, knowing that it was nearby the area where Tamaki's mother would be. It was stupid, I'm sure, to drop myself off in a foreign country with no idea where exactly I was going, but I still had a few days to find Anne-Sophie before Kyoya was supposed to collapse on her doorstep.

I could confront him earlier, but I didn't want to risk him missing Anne-Sophie afterwards, so I figured I'd talk to him once he's calmed down and gotten some sleep. Hopefully he'll listen, because I am not going to enjoy this one bit. I let out a long sigh, pulling a hand through my hair as I arrived and thanked the cabbie; heading up to my room once I'd checked in. I then tossed my bag to the side and collapsed on the bed in the hopes of getting some sleep before I had to eat dinner. I don't know how long I was asleep for-I figured it wasn't very long-before my phone went off and I begrudgingly picked it up with a grumble.

"Mmnmm."

"U-Um, Nishimura-sensei?"

"Mmm."

"I, um, was calling to discuss what your plans were for your next work, as well as get an idea on how far along you were with your script for the movie?"

I groaned, turning my head to the side so I wasn't grumbling into my pillow as I spoke. "Why are you calling me now? I told you I'm in France."

"I-I know. It's eleven in the morning there."

"Are you serious?!" I shouted, launching out of my bed only to trip on the tangle of blankets I was in and knock my phone across the room. I stretched and managed to grab it, talking to Kintaro as I tried to untangle myself with my other hand.

"I've finished the first two scenes for the movie and sent them in for review. The third is nearly done."

"And your next work?"

"I'll send you a short story I came up with when I get back, but I'm thinking a more modern romance or a mystery novel this next time." I said, holding the phone with my shoulder as I pulled on some dark blue skinny jeans. "The last weekend of the month sound good to you? I'd say the week before that, but Daisuke-san is asking to have scene three by then."

"That's fine. E-Enjoy your trip, Nishimura-sensei."

"Only if you stop calling me." I replied sickeningly sweet.

"R-R-Right…"

I chuckled a little as I hung up and grabbed a hat, ready to go out and search for Tamaki's illusive mother in the hopes that I wouldn't find her and not bump into Kyoya on the way.

(No one's POV)

"How charming!" A girl called out.

"France in the autumn has a nice atmosphere, don't you think?" Another said from beside her.

"I can understand how the painters were seduced by this rural landscape."

"Yes, I agree. Millet, Rousseau, and Corot…and, um…" The girl trailed off, having forgotten some of the other artists, but a young man stepped forward.

"Diaz, Daubigny, Dupré, Troyon. The seven stars of the Barbizon School who laid the foundation for the impressionists who followed alter."

"Kyoya-kun!"

Kyoya went on. "Nineteenth century Paris was overrun by plagues and riots, of the painters who had grown tired of the metropolitan areas found a sense of calm outside the city, taking their inspiration from nature." He smiled brightly. "Thinking of it that way, the Host Club should not just be a place to relax, but a place to learn from something new, shouldn't it?"

The girls blushed and surrounded Kyoya excitedly.

"Oh, but it is! I feel like I am becoming better educated by just speaking with you, Kyoya-kun."

His smile had fooled them all into thinking that he was enjoying this trip, when in actuality, the opposite was true. With his mind already occupied with searching for Tamaki's mother and trying to move past Kohaku and his anger towards her, he was far more exhausted and stressed than he was letting on. He only showed a hint of it when the girls headed off, and even then, it was only a sigh as he pulled his hand through his hair; having finally gotten a chance to sit down, though his mind was still all business. I'm exhausted. Why bring the class to such a stupid tourist area? Well, it hardly matters.

"Tachibana, Hotta, Aijima. Has tomorrow's route been selected?"

"Yes, Kyoya-sama."

Tachibana stepped out. "We will take the train to the hot springs resort area of Vichy-Deauville."

"Yes, given the few days we have, I think that will be our limit." Kyoya said, looking over the map in his lap. "But I head Tamaki's birthplace was the suburbs of Paris. If his mother is the type of person who doesn't want to live far away from Paris, these two places should be good candidates. These places are worth investigating."

"Yes, but Kyoya-sama. You must be quite tired. Each day you study that list late into the night. Perhaps you should rest tomorrow?" Tachibana suggested, slightly worried.

"I can rest in the airport on the way back. Besides," Kyoya's face seemed to lighten up. "For the sake of that idiot waiting in Japan, I'd like to bring him back a considerable present, all things being equal."

The three bodyguards felt touched for a moment before they all realized that Kyoya only spoke kindly about Tamaki because of how exhausted he was, after spending the past week or so trying to track this woman down. Just then, they felt something in the air change and set their sights back on Kyoya as he silently glared at his phone.

"Is there something wrong, Kyoya-sama?"

"No." He lied, deleting the text message he'd gotten from Kohaku about needing to speak with him, and moved onto the next message. "A message from Tamaki. I wonder what he wants."

He opened the message and deadpanned as he read it.

"Tamaki hre. RU doin' ll ryt? I hope yr /:-) hols S goin wel, meow! I'm 100% bord hre. Im so bord dat Im tryiN my hardest n ritN a tx n Mei-chan's styl bt I 1dr f u cn read it Kyoya?! Hahaha! Me, I've bn havN dinA W my dad almst evry dy ovr hre. (^o^) Kyah! Evn now (it's evng ovr hre) Im w8N 4 him ina hotel lobby. Bt Newayz…I 1dr f Haruhi S doiN OK"

Kyoya felt hot, boiling anger rise up in him at Tamaki's message. Why is he asking me?! I'm in France! Anyway, I'll kill him! Kyoya snapped his phone in half in pure rage, causing his bodyguards to panic. Sending me an idiotic message not knowing how hard I'm working over here!

"K-Kyoya-sama, I understand you are quite tired, but please calm down!" Tachibana begged.

Hotta also attempted to calm him, having spotted someone who may be who they were looking for.

"Look! There is a blonde woman walking a dog! Maybe she could be-"

Kyoya cut him off, before he could get any further, with an icy glare. "Hotta, are you an idiot?"

He continued to shout angrily at the man for thinking it would be that easy, but what he didn't know, was it was that easy. The woman Hotta pointed out was indeed Tamaki's mother. However, he wouldn't discover this until later and the only person who knew, was the white-haired person sitting at a café nearby that Kyoya had yet to spot; what with her hair being hidden under a grey fedora and the thick men's clothing she was wearing easily disguising her. They would meet up with each other soon enough though, if Tamaki's phone call doesn't give her away first.

(Kohaku's POV)

"Kiss, kiss fall in love!~"

The ringtone of my phone went off loudly in my pocket and I quickly left some money on the table in front of me, and trying to leave before Kyoya could spot me.

"Hey! Wait!"

Seems luck is never on my side. I mentally groaned, acting as though I hadn't heard him as my heart leapt into my throat and I answered my noisy phone; eyes searching for an alleyway or a corner that could give me enough cover to run for it and loose the man behind me. It's too early. He can't catch me yet.

"Allô, c'est le téléphone de Kohaku. Ne quittez pas." (Hello, this is Kohaku's phone. Please hold.) I said in French, finally reaching a corner and dashing down the street into the opening of an alleyway, hoping that I had ran fast enough for Kyoya to have lost me as I angrily spoke to Tamaki on the phone; returning to Japanese. "You just had to pick now to call me, didn't you? Thanks to you, Kyoya almost saw me."

"Isn't that what you wanted, mon amie?"

I rolled my eyes, peeking around the corner and hurriedly moving back before Kyoya spotted me; him still looking around down the street. "Not yet, Tamaki. If he catches me too soon, there will be no point. Now what is it you want to talk about? You sound upset. Is your father late taking you to dinner or something?"

"…No…"

I deadpanned. "He is, isn't he…"

"I-I bet he's just busy! He's the head of a cooperation. H-H-He's just busy!"

"Uh-huh." I muttered, going down the alley to start heading back to the street I'd seen Tamaki's mother on. "So what's bugging you? Well, other than the fact you father cares more about his work than you." I said, a small smirk on my face as I waited for his-no doubt overdramatic-response.

"Ko-chan! That's not true! He loves me way more than his work! He's just busy, is all!" He then realized what I'd done as I started laughing, and groaned. "No! Ko-chan! Stop teasing me! You and Kyoya are so mean!"

"S-Sorry." I chuckled, heading down the street a ways. "You're avoiding the question though. Something's bothering you and if you don't tell me what it is soon, I may just have to tell Kyoya who actually dumped tea all over his last black book, seeing as it wasn't Fox-san."

"N-No! I-I'll talk! You see, it's…um…you remember Shima?"

"Your head maid? Yeah, she's…kind of scary." I said, suppressing a shiver.

"…Sometimes." He admitted. "But she…she told me something the other day and I'm not sure what to do."

"Ah." I mused. "The 'figure out what you're doing in life' talk. I remember that."

"You do?" Tamaki questioned, making me realize my slip-up.

"Y-Yeah, but it was…back when my parents were around."

"Oh…"

Well, that got depressing real fast. I rubbed the back of my neck before spotting someone up ahead and holding my phone to my chest as I spoke to them in French.

"Excusez-moi! Avez-vous vu une femme blonde marchant un chien?" (Excuse me! Have you seen a blonde woman walking a dog?)

The man nodded. "Oui. Elle est parti par là." (Yes. She went that way.)

He pointed further down the street and I thanked him before hurrying along, speaking to Tamaki once more.

"Sorry. I made things depressing."

"No! it's alright, but… what should I do?"

I hummed, thinking back to when I was trying to figure out what to do. Heck, I'm still thinking about it. Writing and movie aside, not everything is bound to go well. But enough of that. I need to worry about Tamaki.

"Do what makes you happy." I replied, scratching the back of my head. "Your dad has a line of hotels, right? I think you'd do pretty good in that. You seem to always take everyone's interests to heart, so why don't you think outside the box and try that out? You don't have to, but I think it'd be a good place to start. Get a little experience under the belt, you know?"

"I suppose…"

I sighed at his unconfident tone. "Just do something you enjoy, like the Host Club. Isn't there something you can do that's similar to that? Helping people?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well, talk to your dad about it and, if anything, look for things in his line of work that need improving. No one's perfect, after all."

"Aright! I'll do that!" Tamaki said, his confidence flooding back and making me smile as I stood outside a familiar home. "Bye, Ko-chan! Thank you!"

"No problem." I replied, rolling my eyes with a small smile as he hung up and I did the same, taking a deep breath and walking through the gate to the yard, knocking on the front door.

A kind looking blonde woman answered the door and I removed my hat, smiling.

"Allô, Mademoiselle Grantenue. Je me demandais…Pourriez-vous m'aide avec quelque chose?" (Hello, Miss Grantenue. I was wondering…could you help me with something?)

(No one's POV)

Haruhi frowned in worry as she walked home from school. As glad as she was about the twins making up, she was worried about Kohaku and especially Tamaki. Three more days until the second-years and Kohaku come back. She thought as she greeted a neighbor. I can't get a hold of Kyoya. My calls won't go through to his cell. And the last time I tried to call Kohaku, the line was busy. I wonder if I'll have to wait until they get back. She pulled out her cell phone and frowned down at it. Should I try to call Kohaku again? Her phone went off then and she jumped, very nearly dropping her phone before she answered it.

"H-Hello?"

"Yo, Haruhi."

"Kohaku! Why haven't you called?!" Haruhi shouted into the phone angrily. "I was worried!"

"Sorry, when you called, I was taking a work call and I was really busy so I couldn't call you back right away." There was a pause, before Haruhi overheard Kohaku speaking again; though not to her. "Non merci, Mademoiselle Grantenue." (No thanks, Miss Grantenue.)

"You speak French?!"

"Huh? Yeah. You didn't know? I've finished all the classes here. It's just hard to stay fluent in it. I need to start speaking with Tamaki in French more… But that's besides the point, what's up? You wouldn't have just called for nothing."

"Oh, um, I was just wondering how everything was going. Have you made up with Kyoya yet?"

"Uh, not yet. He nearly caught me before I was ready though, thanks to Tamaki."

"You saw Tamaki-senpai?" Haruhi asked, excitedly. "Is he okay? Is he doing alright?"

"I didn't exactly, uh, see him." Kohaku explained, obviously worried about her slip-up. "We spoke on the phone. He sounded okay, but was a bit worried about a life choice he was being pushed to make, and asked my opinion. I'm sure you'll be hearing from him soon enough though, so don't worry too much."

Haruhi let out a sigh of relief at that, still a little concerned about Tamaki, but trusting Kohaku's words. There was just one thing still bothering her.

"Kohaku? Are you…Are you nervous?"

"H-Huh? Nervous? What makes you say that?"

Haruhi fidgeted, having stopped walking to lean against a wall. "Well, I mean, you just went all the way to France to chase down Kyoya of all people. You said you have a plan, but you seem to be…um…anxious?" Haruhi then panicked at the silence from Kohaku. "N-Not that you sounded nervous! I'm just, sort of, getting that feeling from you. I-I could be wrong, so-"

"No." Kohaku said, voice having fallen. "No, you're right. I-I…I seriously can't hide anything from you, Haruhi."

"Kohaku?"

"I'm sorry. It's just…I-I'm…I'm scared."

Haruhi stiffened, eyes wide in shock, because this was the first time she's ever heard Kohaku admit that she was frightened of something. Even when Kohaku was fighting in a tournament, or arguing with Kyoya, or preparing for a test; not once did she say she was scared. Haruhi remembered when Kohaku had spoken about her family, but even then-though it was obvious how scared she was to be alone-Kohaku wouldn't admit it. So her admitting it now, came as a shock to Haruhi, because the strong, intelligent, closed-off Kohaku was admitting that she was scared. And while this didn't make her seem any less of a strong person, it did remind Haruhi that Kohaku was only human, and humans…got scared.

"Gah, I feel of selfish telling you this when you have your own problems. Sorry." Kohaku groaned, feeling similar to how she felt back with Tamaki.

"No, it's okay." Haruhi replied, concerned. "But, um, what are you so scared about?"

"Because it's Kyoya." Kohaku said, and Haruhi could picture her pulling a hand through her hair in exasperation. "What if something goes wrong? W-What is everything between us only gets worse?!"

"Kohaku, calm down! Nothing will go wrong and even if it does, the Kohaku I know won't let it get to her. You'll do fine." Haruhi said, smiling slightly at how worried Kohaku was.

She really does love him, doesn't she? Just then, her phone beeped, making her jump before she realized it was just letting her know that someone else was calling.

"Ah, sorry, Kohaku. Someone else is calling me, so call me back some other time, okay?" Haruhi frowned then. "And don't forget either."

"Alright. I'll try not to worry so much. Oh, but don't let Kyoya know where I'm at, alright? And have fun later. I suggest you pull out some of Ranka's non-womanly clothes."

Haruhi raised a brow. "Huh? What for?"

Kohaku chuckled on the other line. "Can't tell you. Spoilers.~"

"Wha-"

"Bye!"

Kohaku hung up, making Haruhi frown at the phone in her hand before shaking her head. She's so weird. Letting out a sigh, she resumed her walk home, answering the phone and not being very surprised when Kyoya spoke-thanks to Kohaku's foreknowledge.

"Is this Haruhi?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry it took me a while to contact you. My cell phone broke. I checked my voice-mail just now."

"Am I really connected to France right now?" Haruhi said in shock, having not thought of that when she was speaking with Kohaku.

"Don't worry about it. Tell me what you want."

"Um…well, about Tamaki-senpai…"

"Tamaki has diarrhea." Kyoya blurted out.

"What?!"

"He's been in his hotel room the whole time since we got here. He's hardly gone outside. So don't expect any souvenirs or good stories from him." Kyoya sighed out as Haruhi approached her building. "That's all. I'm busy, so I'm hanging up now."

"Wait! Please wait a second." Haruhi said quickly before he could hang up.

"What is it?" Kyoya replied, irked.

"Um…um…well…" Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt upon lifting her head as seeing Tamaki in front of her building.

"Haruhi? What's wrong?" Kyoya questioned, confused by her sudden silence.

"Just now…in front of my house…" She pointed over at Tamaki as he spotted her. "The person with diarrhea…"

"Ah." Kyoya recognized what had happened and was quick to bail himself out. "He did mention that he was feeling so bad that he might go back to Japan. I'll leave the rest up to you."

"What?! Wait, Kyoya-" Haruhi was cut off by the dial tone radiating from the phone and Kohaku's words came back to her then making her eyebrow twitch.

"And have fun later."

She knew…That jerk!

Elsewhere in France, Kohaku sneezed, wondering if she was catching a cold or pissed someone off.

Haruhi and Tamaki were now in her apartment as she made Tamaki some food, grumbling curses under her breath as she though about Kohaku. Poor Tamaki though, took this as anger towards him and-while that was partially true-he fidgeted as he tried to ease up the tense atmosphere.

"Haruhi, you were late coming home today. I assumed you were already inside your apartment. I wanted to see how you were doing."

Haruhi stayed silent as she glared down at the pot in front of her, serving up some food and bringing the tray into the living room.

"Y-You shouldn't have gone to the trouble." Tamaki said nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't need food, but if you're going to make a home-cooked meal, I would prefer something like nabe."

"I know your stomach isn't too well, so I made a watered-down rice porridge." Haruhi said, not really believing Kyoya, but figuring that she should be allowed to punish Tamaki a little for what he did.

"Um, are you angry?" Tamaki asked after taking a sip of the tasteless soup.

"Not particularly."

"That's a lie! You're angry!" He wailed and Haruhi set her cup down.

"When the second-years' class trip started…Kaoru and Hikaru got into a fight."

Tamaki blinked in surprise at the sudden topic change. "Huh?"

"Not like the usual fights." She continued. "They were really serious about it. When I asked them why they were fighting, they wouldn't answer me…Anyway, I couldn't help them. They were so serious and I wasn't sure how much I should interfere. I couldn't tell if it was okay to keep asking questions when they didn't want to talk to me. I even asked Kohaku what I should do, but she just told me to let it be, because they were brothers so they'd figure it out."

"Haruhi…"

"They made up, like she said, but then I thought…All I've done is study, so I didn't know how to deal with the situation. There was nothing I could do."

"That's not true." Tamaki said, concerned.

"And now I don't know how to assess this current situation either." She told him, making him go quiet. "Finding out that you didn't go to France…I assume it was because of your mother…I don't know if I'm supposed to interrogate you or comfort you, or get angry or sad that you and Kohaku hid the truth from me." Haruhi brought a hand to her mouth as she held back tears. "I was so worried."

"Haruhi-" Tamaki moved on instinct to comfort her, but wasn't paying attention to the bowl of hot porridge, and ended up splashing it onto himself. "So hot!"

"Ice! Cold water! S-Shower!" Haruhi shouted, quickly leading him to the bathroom and scrambling to have him remove his shirt so she could cool down his chest where the hot porridge had burned him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." He replied; neither realizing the situation they were in. "I'm a little red though."

Haruhi turned off the shower and headed towards the door. "I'll get more ice, just in case. You can change into dad's-"

"Haruhi…" Tamaki came up behind her, grabbing her hand as he leaned over her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I kept silent about so many things, but I can't bare it. I don't want to see everyone's sad face when they hear about my problems. When everyone is smiling and laughing…that's when I have the best time."

As he said this, Haruhi couldn't help but remember-once more-what Kohaku said over the phone.

"I feel of selfish telling you this when you have your own problems."

Perhaps… she thought. Perhaps Kohaku's the same as Tamaki in that aspect. Suddenly, she noticed Tamaki pulled away.

"Uh, hold on! Haruhi, how did you know about my family situation?" He asked, surprised.

"Oh, Kyoya told me."

Tamaki relaxed then, patting her on the head. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry. I'll tell you myself from now on." He smiled. "Where should we start? You can ask me anything."

Haruhi was hesitant, but asked, "In France, where did you live?"

"In a mansion near Paris." Tamaki replied as she handed him a towel.

"What's your mother's name?"

"Anne-Sophie. It's a pretty name, don't you think?" He smiled again, practically sparkling as he dried himself off and dawned a pair of Ranka's sweatpants.

"What were you called, 'Tamaki'?"

"I was 'Tamaki', but some people called me René too."

"René?"

Tamaki nodded, accepting one of Ranka's shirts that Haruhi passed him. "Yeah. It was my name when I was in France. René Tamaki Richard De Grantenue."

Huh? Haruhi frown slightly, unnoticed by Tamaki. Grantenue? Have I heard that name somewhere before? She shook her head, turning her attention back to Tamaki as he spoke about his childhood, brushing the thought aside. Probably just imagined it.

"Kyoya-sama, it's morning."

Kyoya didn't move, hoping that what his bodyguard was saying was a lie. He had only gotten maybe a few minutes of sleep, due to his slight concern that-not only would he not wake up-but that Tamaki's mother would leave while he was asleep; thus missing his chance.

"Kyoya-sama…perhaps you should wake up now."

Kyoya's lip twitched up in a snarl.

"Kyoya-sama-"

"I'm awake." He grumbled, finally opening his eyes, unhappily. "Or rather, I never slept. It's impossible to fall asleep in such a cramped car."

He pulled the blanket closer around him, as Tachibana hesitantly reached towards him.

"That's why I suggested repeatedly that we should go back to the hotel first." He said with nervous worry settling in for his young charge. "We returned to Paris last night, so we could have rested at the hotel and then started out again in the morning."

"Tamaki's mother might have left her house. If we had stayed in Paris, what would we have done then?"

Tachibana sweat dropped. I don't think a lady would of out in the middle of the night. He paused then, remembering the blanket Kyoya was using and the note attached.

From a friend.

Please don't tell him.

It had been given to him when he'd gone out to pick up some food for himself and his colleagues. He hadn't expected the shy, young man to give it to him, but the boy looked worried, so he did as the note said and kept it quiet from Kyoya for now.

"Free time is scheduled only until this afternoon..." Kyoya continued, pulling Tachibana from his thoughts. "...and tomorrow we'll be on the plane back. I don't have a moment to waste. More importantly…" Kyoya put on his glasses, face blank. "…if we had gone back to the hotel, I wasn't confident that I would be able to wake up again."

That makes sense. The group thought, knowing that-without a doubt- there would've been no way for them to have woken him up is they'd returned to the hotel.

"I'm reaching my limit." Kyoya grumbled, getting out and walking a little ways. "I can't breathe, my body hurts, and Hotta snores like a hacksaw."

"Sir, I apologize." Hotta said, the group getting out to go after him.

"Kyoya-sama, where are you going?"

"In any case..." Kyoya said, ignoring them. "...it's far too early to knock on the door and pretend to ask for directions." He then collapsed on the ground. "I'm going to sleep right here. Wake me up when the sun rises a little higher."

"Gyah! No, Kyoya-sama, you're right by the street!" Tachibana shouted worriedly, him and the other three trying to wake him, just as a golden retriever hurried up and sniffed his ankle. "Antoinette?"

"Hachibei?!" Another call shouted, makign the men quickly duck behind the car as two figures approached.

"Mo, Hachibei!" The younger of the two complained. "Vous ne devriez pas courir devant." (You shouldn't run ahead.)

Upon spotting Kyoya though, the person sighed, kneeling down and giving the dog a pat as the older woman hurried up.

"Oh? Le garçon de l'autre jour." (Oh? The boy from the other day.)

She turned to the younger as they pulled off their hat, running a hand through their short, white hair with a sigh.

"Nous ne pouvons pas simplement laisser lui ici." (We can't just leave him here.) They turned to the woman nervously, gesturing to Kyoya. "Pourraise-je…" (Could I…)

She nodded with a smile and the younger replaced their hat, pulling Kyoya's arm over their shoulder and carrying him piggy-back into Tamaki's mother's home. It was only then that Tachibana recognized him-not only as the boy who gave him the blanket-but also as Kyoya's classmate from school. As if sensing his thoughts, the boy turned, smiling over his shoulder at the car and bringing a finger to his lips in a 'shushing' motion, before turning back around and bringing the sleeping Kyoya into the home; leaving Tachibana standing outside very confused. What's going on?

The sound of a piano drifted to Kyoya's ears, slowly waking him out of his slumber as voices soon carried over as well. Music…A piano?…Tamaki?

"Alors? Avez-vous appris qu'il, Lawrence? Peut-être pour la prochaine fois, nous pouvons pratiquer cette pièce." (So? Have you learned it, Lawrence? Maybe for next time we can practice this piece.)

"Ce est beau…Merci comme toujours, Anne-Sophie." (It's beautiful…Thank you as always, Anne-Sophie.)

Anne-Sophie? I've heard that name somewhere before. Kyoya mused as he rolled over, not yet coming to any conclusions as to what was going on, as the voices continued.

"Ne pas trop le faire. Il semble que vous venez en baisse avec une fièvre de temps à autre." (Don't over do it. It seems like you come down with a fever from time to time.)

"Je serai bien. Très bien, nous allons marcher ensemble. Kohaku? Serez-vous ça va?" (I'll be fine. Alright, let's walk together. Kohaku? Will you be alright?)

"Oui, je serai bien." (Yes, I'll be fine.)

The building went quiet as Kyoya laid there, trying to get his brain to work, when he suddenly sat up on the couch. Where am I? He silently questioned, looking around the unfamiliar room. I heard Anne-Sophie before and- His thoughts came to a halt as footsteps approached and someone unexpected stood, fidgeting, in the doorway.

"I-It's about time you woke up."

"Kohaku?"

Kyoya looked over the nervous person before him in complete confusion, because this was not the Kohaku he knew. The Kohaku he knew was shy and annoying, and wore jeans and a t-shirt everywhere she went, not willing to touch anything feminine with a ten-foot pole. Yet here she was in a wine red, slip on dress with her hair freshly trimmed and done up nicely, black flats on her feet, and makeup accentuating her facial features.

"G-Go on, say it. I look stupid." She told him, face turning red as she looked away with her arms crossed over her chest. "I-I-I already know I look like an man in drag, s-so at least some up with something original."

Kyoya didn't say a word, couldn't. He was in too much shock with what he was seeing. Kohaku was here in France, with Anne-Sophie, in a dress. Kohaku, noticing the tense silence that had fallen over the room, shook her head with a sigh; moving to pull a hand through her hair, but stopping and choosing to drag it down her face instead.

"L-Look. I'll take it off in a bit. I know I-I look ridiculous, but it was the only thing I could think of to make it up to you." She hesitantly turned to him. "I really am sorry for lying to you. I shouldn't have done it, even if I was worried that I would be alone. I-I should've considered what you would be thinking and experiencing because of my lie. A-And because I didn't, I really hurt you and I know that now. I know that you're mad and angry and frustrated with me, and that you've completely lost any trust you had in me, s-so I-"

Her voice cracked and Kyoya watched as tears began to form in her eyes, only for her to take a deep breath and force them back; surprising him as she made herself stand tall before him.

"I want you to forgive me. E-Even if you hate me or don't trust me anymore, I just…I just want you to forgive me for hurting you…please…"

She bowed her head, hands clasped in front of her respectfully as she waited for Kyoya's response.

"You…dressed like this for me?"

She looked up nervously, the red heat of embarrassment making it's way up her face as she pulled at the dress with a shaky nod.

"I-I felt that, by lying to you, that I-I may have made you feel uncomfortable with e-everything. T-This was all I could think of to make up for it."

Kyoya watched as she fidgeted some more, wringing her shaking hands together and switching her weight from one foot to the other. She purposely put herself in an uncomfortable situation, going out of her way to dress up in something she despises; not even asking for me to like her to trust her, but to ask forgiveness?…She did all of this…for me? His heart thudded painfully in his chest as she spoke up once more.

"I-I know I probably look really stupid and pathetic right now. I'm getting e-emotional and I'm in this stupid dress that probably make me look like a tranny a-and-"

She went on and Kyoya listened silently with a frown. Why is she degrading herself? Does the dress make her that uncomfortable? Or…Or was she always this insecure and just never…never had someone to show it to…Kyoya shook his head, lowering it into the palm of his hand as he debated with himself. What am I doing?! I can't be sympathizing with her! She lied to me! He lifted his head again, watching Kohaku as she trembled, a variety of emotions flashing across her face as she struggled to hold them back. She's trying so hard to stay strong in front of me, but why? Because she's that desperate for my forgiveness? Because she doesn't want me to see her any other way? But why? Because…Because she loves me?

"I would say he's trying to impress you."

Tamaki's words rang through his head, once more reminding him of Kohaku's feelings towards him. But what about me? He questioned, continuing to watch Kohaku fumble about. Do I really…An image of him kissing her back at Karuizawa flashed through his mind, along with another of the two of them hiding in a bush during a game of hide and seek. His heart thudding even louder in his chest, blocking out Kohaku's words as images of her passed through his mind. Crying, angry, laughing, smiling. Images of her flooded his thoughts and suddenly, he realized what this meant. What all of this meant and what Tamaki had been trying to tell him all along.

(Kohaku's POV)

What am I doing? I mentally lamented as my mouth ran on and on. I hardly knew what I was saying anymore, my mind more focused on how uncomfortable I was at the moment. That, and the fact that Kyoya hadn't said a word since I walked out in one of the worst creations known to tomboy women. A dress.

A nice slim, red wine cocktail dress that split up the side to mid thigh that I'd borrowed from the twin's mother. I hated it. I hated how the dress made me feel, already very uncomfortable with my body as it was, and Kyoya's silence through my whole mind process was making things worse. My heart sounded as though it was up in my head, blocking out the sounds of my rambling, and I felt as though I was out in the Sahara desert with how hot the room was. It was all in my head. I knew it was, but that didn't change the fact that every nerve in my body was telling me to run. To bolt out of the room because Kyoya would never forgive me and I was only embarrassing myself by doing this. My self-confidence was at an all time low and it took me everything to not burst into tears and leave.

Why am I doing this? He's not going to forgive me just because I put on a dress and chased him down in France. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he hates me more. My thoughts took a downward spiral and just as I was on the brink of tears, making to leave, he stopped me.

"No."

I flinched, taking a step back as he got up off the couch, tossing the blanket aside and coming towards me.

"You're an idiot."

I swallowed thickly as he came closer, my back bumping into the wall behind me as I hesitantly looked up at him; his emotion-concealing glasses not on for once, adding more heat to my already red face.

"S-Sorry?"

"You're a stupid, irrational, over-emotional moron who has lied to me successfully for an extended amount of time because you didn't want to be alone?"

"I-I, um…" I lowered my head, feeling my chest clench tightly as I remembered what I had told him before.

"I wanted someone to notice me…"

"I-I-I'm sorry."

"You idiot."

Before I knew what happened, he tilted my face up and pressed his lips to mine, giving me nowhere to go even if I wanted to; with my back pressed up against the wall and his hands on my waist and the back of my neck. When he pulled back, I stared up at him in complete shock; eyes wide and face a bright cherry red.

"W-What?"

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up."

Pressing his lips to mine once more, it took me a moment for my mind to reboot before I finally pushed him away.

"W-W-Wait a minute! I-I'm lost. Very lost. W-What just happened? W-What's going on? Why did you just…"

I brought the back of my hand to my mouth, mind running a mile a minute as I tried to comprehend what just happened between Kyoya and I. H-He just kissed me… Twice! Does this mean he forgives me? No, wait, that's not important. He kissed me! What does that mean?! What am I supposed to make of this?! I-I-I thought he hated me!

Kyoya let out a sigh, scrunching up his eyebrows as he dragged a hand down his face. "I hardly know myself. You piss me off constantly, even lying to me, but I just can't get your stupid face out of my head."

"Sorry for my stupid face…" I muttered quietly, still trying to calm my nerves as he continued.

"And when I realized what you were doing and you walked in with that dress, I just-"

"W-What?!" My face lit up, bright red. "T-T-The dress?! The dress did…did this?! H-How?!" I looked down, picking at the fabric clinging to me. "I-I look ridiculous! How could this-"

"No, you don't."

My head snapped up at those words, eyes wide in shock.

"W-Wha-"

"You're so busy degrading yourself that you probably haven't even looked in a mirror, have you?"

"I-I…No?" I stuttered out, still confused.

"Come on." Kyoya sighed, grabbing my arm and pulling me over to a full-length mirror Anne-Sophie had leaning up against a wall in the other room.

I winced back at my reflection, seeing nothing but a disgusting man in a dress; seeing nothing but the gross-looking figure I'd been born with trapped in a dress that was too pretty to be wasted on me.

"I-I look disgusting…" I muttered, moving to back away, but bumped into Kyoya's chest as he held me still by my shoulders.

"Look again." He said, sternly, as I reluctantly did so. "You're a writer. Look at yourself objectively, because what you're seeing is not what I see."

I swallowed thickly, trying to do as he said, but it was more difficult than one would think. So, I distracted myself, turning my head away.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him. "Why are you being so…nice to me? I-I thought-"

"I don't hate you, Kohaku. I'll admit that I was confused and angry, and I stubbornly refused to believe everything I was being told, but not once did I hate you. Now look." He turned my head to face the mirror again. "Because I don't see a man in drag. I see a woman who worked hard to dress up beautifully-no matter how uncomfortable she was or how much she hated it-all to impress a stubborn, egotistical fool who didn't know what he had."

His words-though I hated to admit it-were flattering, but I still struggled to understand how Kyoya could look at me and see something worth calling beautiful. It's a depressing thought, but never-in my life nor my past-has anyone ever told me I looked beautiful. So, to hear it coming from him? A man who was surrounded by gorgeous women applying for his affection on a daily basis? Who could have any woman he wanted? Who chose me of all people? Please tell me that there isn't a single person out there not questioning why.

"I-I don't understand." I managed to breathe out, words caught in my throat and tears threatening to form. "I-I only asked for forgiveness, but you…you gave me this? I-I-I'm nothing special! I mean, I look like a guy. I'm abrasive a-and stubborn. How could… How could you like me? W-Why me?"

I turned to him, stepping back as my eyes searched his in a panic for some sort of answer.

"Because…" He seemed to be struggling with something then; his eyes narrowing and his lip twitching up in a snarl-like fashion. "Because I…I think I may have…" He took in a deep breath and let it out in a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I think I love you."

Now, most people would have had their mouths open in shock, or confessed their love in return and then-shoujo manga style-would've wrapped their hands around him and passionately kissed him. Me? Oh no. I was in such a shock, that my mind automatically erased what he'd just said.

"You what?"

He frowned, turning away in…embarrassment? "I'm not saying it again."

"W-What?! But I didn't hear!" I exclaimed, grabbing his sweater to stop him.

"It's not my fault you're too stupid to listen."

"You're the one who called yourself a stubborn, egotistical fool! How do you know it's not your fault?!"

"A slip of the tongue." He said, picking up his glasses and putting them on regally. "I would never call myself a fool."

"Oh, so I forced you too?"

"Yes."

I crossed my arms. "Then I could say the same about the dress. You forced me into it."

He turned away from me with a small frown, adjusting his glasses. "I never forced you into anything."

"Oh, so the kiss was a lie too?"

"I never said-" He turned back towards me to find me holding back laughter; as he slowly came to the realization of what I'd done, and smiled with a shake of his head. "You sneaky little fox."

He started heading towards me and my mind went into the fight-or-flight response, quickly choosing flight as I started backing away from him with my hands up in surrender.

"Heh, gotcha?" I chuckled nervously as he hummed.

"Hm, I don't think so."

He ran towards me and I yelped before turning tail and running for my life.

"Sorry! Sorry! I-I just wanted to be sure! Please don't kill me!"

He managed to catch my wrist before I could get away and we both stumbled as I tripped, hitting my head on the wooden floor rather harshly.

"O-Ow."

"Are you alright?"

I blinked open my eyes, seeing my vision spin for a moment before focusing on Kyoya's face not far from mine. I quickly realized our position-him hovering over me after our fall-and my heart leapt into my throat.

"U-U-Um, Kyo-"

"Oh! Hello! Are you-" The new voice paused, making the two of us turn our heads to see Anne-Sophie with a basket of potatoes, taking in our current situation.

It took a moment of silence, reminding me of the time Ranka walked in on Tamaki, and just as I braced myself for some scolding from the French woman, she smiled pleasantly.

"Hello, Kohaku. Sorry for interrupting." She quickly turned and walked out, leaving me gapping in shock as I turned to Kyoya, face cherry red.

"D-Did she just…"

Kyoya continued to stare towards the door she left through. "I believe she did."

"And we are…"

He looked down at me. "We are."

"A-And she thinks…" My face was getting redder by the minute.

"Most likely…" Even Kyoya was getting embarrassed, clearing his throat and getting up off me with a slight red tint to his cheeks; offering me a hand up, which I gratefully took. "I better go clear things up while you get changed."

I brushed myself off and nodded, but the moment he began to walk away, I grabbed his wrist.

"Do you, um…Do you really mean it? What you said before?" I asked nervously, catching his surprised look as my chest ached at what I said next. "Because if you didn't…I-If it's just a-a-a joke then I-"

"You…You are so, just…" He shook his head with a sigh and I worried that it was just a joke; his form of revenge after what I'd done, but he grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me again before I could get a chance to apologize for…something…

I couldn't remember. This kiss muddled my head as my eyes involuntarily slid closed and I kissed back, because it was different than the others. It wasn't forceful or something to keep me from rambling. It wasn't something he was giving me because he didn't know what else to do other than act on his instincts. It was sweet and powerful and loving. It was something I'd never experienced before and something I never thought I would experience, but it was. And I knew. I knew that this was my answer. This was what I had been looking for. Someone to make me feel special…as cliché as that sounded.

He pulled away and pressed his forehead against mine with a small barely-visible smile. "Does that answer your question?"

I nodded slightly, still a bit shell-shocked and he rolled his eyes, ruffling my hair as he headed to the door.

"Go get changed."

I nodded again, heading into the spare bedroom where I promptly sank to the floor in a pile of mush. H-He…He said he loves me.

(No one's POV)

The moment Kyoya had closed the door to the kitchen behind him, he leaned up against it with a hand over his mouth and a dark red tint making it's way up his face. I told her I love her. The ache in his chest grew worse, but it was a good ache. One that made him smile as he leaned his head back against the door and closed his eyes, feeling oddly satisfied. Comfortable. Happy, even. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this way, thought the moment was quickly ruined when a quiet chuckle came from the French woman at the stove.

"You two make a cute couple." She smiled, stirring the soup she was making as Kyoya cleared his throat.

"Right…"

"Even if it is a safe town, it's dangerous to sleep out on the sidewalk." She scolded him, changing the subject, though her voice was cheery. "Kohaku's rather strong to be able to carry you here, though she was rather tired after. She took care of you for the most part."

Kyoya hadn't know that, so he was slightly surprised. Though I knew she was strong. He thought, before he realized something.

"You're speaking Japanese…"

She quickly grew depressed and Kyoya silently wondered what he'd said wrong, just as Kohaku walked back in; wearing black skinny jeans and a black tank top under a loose, wide-collared shirt.

"Oh~ How I missed pants." She said with a grin, only to see a depressed Anne-Sophie and a very confused Kyoya, who she turned to with a deadpan expression. "You mentioned Japan, didn't you?"

He slowly nodded, wondering how she knew. Kohaku sighed and went over to Anne-Sophie, patting her back in comfort. "Anne-Sophie, ça va. Il ne signifie pas que ce." (Anne-Sophie, it's alright. He didn't meant it.)

She promptly grabbed her in a tight hug and Kohaku stiffened before relaxing and explaining what was going on as she reached past Anne-Sophie to stir the soup.

"She asked me about the wonders of Japan and I spent a good hour basically telling her it was all a lie. Remind me to prank the headmaster as revenge later."

"R-Right." Kyoya stuttered out, pulling a hand through his hair with the understanding that Anne-Sophie was very much like Tamaki.

It's a good thing Kohaku was here to explain, or it would've been me. He looked over at said host as she easily got Anne-Sophie settled at the table and multitasked at finishing the soup and making tea.

"Might as well sit, Kyoya. I'm sure you have questions for her."

He did, but not all of the questions he had were for Anne-Sophie. Taking his seat, he eyed Kohaku as she set the tea down before him and Anne-Sophie, looking quite comfortable taking care of everything. She caught him staring and flushed a bit before adopting her cool behavior once more.

"Questions for me too, I see." She muttered, heading back to the soup and tossing up a hand. "Fire away."

"How did you know how to find me? Or Anne-Sophie?"

Kohaku groaned. "You always ask the difficult ones, don't you?…Look, I can't tell you now. I will…So just…give me some time, okay?"

He went to press further, having asked her many times before about her apparent foreknowledge of things, but the tone she used made him go quiet. She sounded sad almost and the tight feeling in his chest that made him worried over her, kept him from pushing the issue.

"Very well. Then how long have you been here?"

She seemed a bit surprised at how easily he dropped the subject, but answered nonetheless.

"In France? About a week. Here, only a day or so. I only knew the general area Anne-Sophie would be, so I had to take a few days to track her down. And I'm blabbering." Kohaku rolled her eyes at herself and began serving the soup.

After a moment of silence, everyone enjoying their food, Kyoya turned his attention back to-the now cheerful-Anne-Sophie.

"You seem to be living a healthy life."

"Huh?"

"I overheard that you've been working in the field, but you have a delicate frame."

"Moving out here has helped me. It's true I wasn't very strong. Until very recently, I was living close to Paris in a mansion. I was blessed with servants and never did anything more than the bare minimum." Anne-Sophie explained with a calm expression. "But my father's company started having troubles and the most important thing to me…I had to give up because of this weak body. I was receiving aid from a certain place and it was impossible to continue living like I had before, but there is no way I would be forgiven. A person who would sell her son…"

"That can't-" Kyoya was cut off as Kohaku spoke.

"He has already forgiven you, Anne-Sophie. Long ago."

Anne-Sophie sent her a soft smile before turning back to Kyoya excitedly.

"But after I moved here, my body has gradually become healthier. I have always dreamt of living a life closer to nature. We do have a visiting housekeeper, but I've started trying to do as much on my own as possible." She said with a smile. "When I feel well, I teach piano to the neighbors. It's small, but I've rented a field too. My father and our family are working hard to rebuild the company, and my mother is supporting them too. I can't just lay about while everyone else is working so hard. I can't contact my son directly, but I know he is leading a happy life."

Something isn't right. Kyoya thought, knowing that the situation with Tamaki mother should've changed if she was doing well and that the chairman would've been able to contact her even if it was behind the grandmother's back. He knew that the chairman was planning something, but nothing was making any sense. How can that man not care, even after making Tamaki's mother suffer through everything?

"Families are stupid." Kohaku commented, drawing their attention to her in surprise. "You'd think that if they just talked to one another then there wouldn't be so many problems."

Kyoya frowned, believing that what she said would upset Anne-Sophie, but said woman chuckled.

"Perhaps, you are right."

Kyoya sighed, taking this chance to relax now that he had some of the answers he wanted and once he had finished the soup and tea, he got up from the table with a polite smile.

"I think it's time I go. Thank you for answering my questions and for the meal."

"Oh, Kohaku did most of it and I really appreciate it." She smiled over at Kohaku, who smiled a bit back as she finished putting the bowls away. "Are you leaving as well?"

"Yes. I've taken far too many days off of school and the others are worried." Kohaku replied. "Thank you for letting me stay though, and for the picture too."

"It's the least I could do after you helped me so much in the fields."

The group headed outside once Kohaku had grabbed her things.

"When are you two returning to Japan?"

"Tomorrow on the noon flight." Kyoya answered as Kohaku peeked out from behind him with a little wave.

"Same."

Of course. Kyoya mentally rolled his eyes as he asked one final question to Anne-Sophie.

"This is an intrusive question, but do you regret being forced into letting go of your son? If there was a chance for retribution…would you hold that person responsible?" He asked, speaking of the chairman.

"No." She said without hesitation. "I want to believe."

"Believe in that person?" Kyoya questioned, unsure.

"Yes, that too, but…I want to believe in myself, for I chose that man."

Kyoya chuckled a bit, eyes soft as he stared at the woman before him. "You are so very similar."

"Eh?"

"A dear friend of ours…" Kyoya clarified. "He's a lot like you."

Anne-Sophie looked about ready to cry and Kohaku gave her a quick hug, as Kyoya went over to greet his bodyguards, whispering one last thing to her.

"Il vous a déjà pardonné." (He has already forgiven you.)

(Kohaku's POV)

"Gather round. I will start handing out the gifts I brought back from France." Kyoya called out and everyone cheered excitedly.

Everyone, except Tamaki, who was off in a corner.

"Hikaru and Kaoru, here are the books you wanted plus some miscellaneous items."

They grinned and turned to me expectantly, making me sigh as I pulled out a couple of horror video games.

"Go nuts, guys. They have the best rating from what I heard."

"Alright!" They cheered, high-fiving as I rolled my eyes good-naturedly.

"Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai, here are baked treats and stuffed animals." Kyoya offered, passing Mori a large chicken and Honey a monkey.

Of course, their eyes turned to me and I passed Honey a box of strawberry cake and a stuffed rabbit with a vest, top hat, and monocle.

"Not very original, but thought you'd like it."

He nodded excitedly and took the objects, setting them aside to give me a hug. "Thanks, Ko-chan!"

"Welcome." I replied before giving Mori what I got for him. "I know you like history so I got you some books, but I also figured you'd want something more, um…practical? So I-I got you a scarf too."

He smiled, taking the books and box from me and lying a heavy hand on my head to ruffle my hair. "Ah, thank you."

"W-Welcome."

I stiffened, feeling eyes on me and spotted Kyoya turning away looking slightly annoyed before dawning a faux smile. Is he…jealous? I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face at that thought and I could tell he noticed it when his pleasant tone became more forced as he spoke to Haruhi.

"For Haruhi, I have chocolate and an accessory." He passed her the two boxes. "I thought it would look good on you, Haruhi."

"Um, thank you.." She said shakily, eyeing my grinning face as though knowing I had something to do with it.

"I bought you some of you favorite treats, Haruhi, along with some law books, a stuffed animal, and a watch for Ranka." I told her, setting her things beside her bag.

She eyed me warily, but I shifted my attention back to Kyoya as he avoided Tamaki.

"Kyoya? What about me? My six foot tall Eifel Tower…"

"Hikaru, did you change your hair color? It suits you."

"Hahah, really? I think so too." Kaoru said, joining in as the trio collectively bashed on Tamaki.

"I knew you would say that, Kyoya." Hikaru said, before he and Kaoru both spoke.

"It's awful that somebody else somewhere didn't even notice."

"That's an outright falsehood!" Tamaki shouted. "I was the first one who noticed! Liar twins!"

"Liar? Who's a liar?" They mocked, Mori and Honey giving him a look as well.

"Oh dear, did you hear? Rumor has it that he was hiding the fact that he didn't go on the class trip."

"I heard it was premeditated." The twins whispered to each other.

"It hurt so much. He doesn't trust us at all." Honey cried, joining in.

"I went to apologize to each of you last night!" Tamaki cried out, before turning to Haruhi and I as we tried her chocolate. "Haruhi, you forgave me, didn't you? Y-You even gave me onigiri, didn't you?"

She jolted, dropping the chocolate she'd picked up back in the box as her face turned a vibrant red, and she quickly dodged the question by facing Hikaru and asking what books he got. Even they were surprised by her behavior, but she claimed it was nothing, just as Kyoya spoke up.

"Oh right. I almost forgot. I met a certain blonde woman in France."

"Yes?" The twins questioned, wondering where this was going, no doubt.

I nodded as well. "Yeah. I actually stayed with her for a few days. She was really kind."

"She had a dog that looked a lot like Antoinette." Kyoya continued, catching everyone's attention as he went on. "I heard that it had a brother or sister living in Japan. She said she thinks about her far away son every day. She lives with her parents and that dog."

Honey smiled softly. "I bet she was beautiful, huh?"

"Yes, very much so." Kyoya replied, as Haruhi pushed forward.

"Was she in good health? Did you find her in good health?"

"Yes."Both Kyoya and I responded, though he continued.

"She's doing very well and she was smiling a lot. She is praying that her son in Japan is living the way he wants to."

"I'm…glad…" Tamaki breathed out, tears in his eyes. "She's smiling…I'm so glad."

I smiled softly and reached into my bag, pulling out a small picture frame and brushing it off as I walked over to him.

"You know, she has a lot of pictures of you Tamaki, and I thought it wasn't fair that she could see you smiling, but you couldn't see her." I chuckled a bit as he looked at me in surprise and I handed him the picture frame. "It's a good thing I brought a camera, eh?"

He took the smiling photo of his mother with the words 'I love you and I hope you're smiling everyday' written in her handwriting on the bottom of it, with shaky hands. He looked down at it, brushing his fingers over the glass fondly.

"I'd figured you'd want that more than the six foot tall Eifel Tower and I wasn't sure how I'd get that back he-"

I was cut off as he grabbed me tightly in a hug, soaking my shoulder in tears as he sobbed.

"T-Thank you. Thank you so, so much."

I smiled back, hugging him in return as the other hosts looked on at us with their own happy smiles.

"You're welcome."