Chapter 14: Inner Ramblings
"Your numbers are increasing steadily," slender fingers pushed up the frames that had slipped down a noble nose. "At this rate it will not be impossible to achieve the one thousand guests mark."
"Hn," a small framed male stood arrogantly next to the glasses wearing vice president of the Ouran Host Club, hip cocked and arms crossed in front of him. "I still don't understand why it's such a big deal to come here day after day to see the same thing over and over. Even if we do have random themes twice a week."
Seeing the two more rational and cool of the hosts together was an odd sight. It was rare to see the Knight of the host to be chatting with the Shadow King when it was normal for them to maintain the most distance between one another.
Something that the rest of the hosts found somewhat of a surprise considering that their fearless Vice President was not known to be so un-nerved by tasks that would normally be second-if not thrice-guessed on. Of course something that the other hosts did not know was that Kagome had been aware that the last few days Kyoya Ootori had been –in an unobstructed or suspicious way, it would not do for her to find out that totally of his observations-following her around during her daily assignations. Being around demons and their habit of always trying to get her in their hands for whatever nefarious reasons was something that had taught her-and had been ingrained in to her in various painful ways by He-who-will-not-be-named-she had to know what went on around her at all times. Ootori may have been keeping his distance and walked around doing his usual routine but there was always the feeling of eyes on her when she was not paying attention (or at least when she was seemingly not paying attention), and those glances felt more clinical than the usual perusal of 'his' physique.
Kyoya walking around to check on everyone was of course not out of the norm for him, seeing as he was just making sure that everyone was happy-and by everyone she meant their guests. Choosing to get so near her when she was hosting though was out of the norm. He had only felt the need to do so the very first time she hosted, and having deemed her 'capable' he had left her to her own devices.
Now he was skulking around and she was-to say the least-a bit irritated over it. So it was while this was occurring that she decided to do the same (turn-about was fair game!) following his every move and to see what exactly the Host Club's vice president consisted of. She knew nothing of Ootori or the others and wallowing in her self-imposed misery, she decided to distract herself with the hosts.
One thing that caught her attention about the 'Shadow King'-something she had heard the twins call him and which she thought fit the vice pres. to a 'T'- was that he had the chance to be more than that which he was and yet he didn't seem to regret it or chafe at or move away from the 'King'. His ghostly friends had not made an appearance since that fateful day, and more than likely would not while she was here, which made him more of a mystery and she so dearly wanted to unravel. But it was not easy. He seemed more than aware of her thoughts and seemed to make it a game to see who would find out more about the other.
There were of course things he had been doing, like investigating about her past and her origins.
The only reason she knew about his 'research' was because it had raised a red flag, or so Shippo had said. He seemed to have blocked her files on her real identity and who she was, which of course made sense since they had powerful enemies who would anything and everything against them, so the safety of her family had to be protected at all cost.
So when say someone like Ootori seemed to want to delve in to her life history no matter how secretly and discreetly, the pack would be the first to know.
It was with his subterfuge and his willingness to always look out for his best interest and after his small family that she forgave him. As well as preventing a certain kitsune from dealing out his sense of justice towards the second year.
She had been trained by one such as him, so while he was barely growing into his sneaky and more than able self she knew he would make a worthy opponent and in the best of circumstances a strong ally.
Sneaking behind him she tried to see into the black ledger he had on him at all times. She was barely able to catch sight of his impressive elegant writing before he snapped the book shut. Turning he lifted an imperious eyebrow and looked down on her.
"Can I help you with something else Taisho-Higurashi-san?"
This was also something that he had been doing as of late. Emphasizing her more prominent last name, which she assumed was the more intriguing thing for him. There had not been a formal announcement that she belonged to Him.
In all honesty it was something that had begun to amuse her. He was polite and good natured-nothing at all like he was with Haruhi at times-but not to the point that he treated all his guest. He was on the fence-clearly-and no doubt it irritated him to no end.
The grimace on his face a clear indication.
It was poetic. She shouldn't have to be the only one going through it.
"No," she leaned back, rocking on her heels. "I am just curious how someone so on top of the chain of evolution follows someone like him."
Both turned to the blonde who was currently harassing a majorly angry Haruhi.
Both stared placidly for a moment taking the shenanigans of the blonde in to account and their other senses on everything else.
They were two souls who clearly were made completely different from the rest of the population, both so similar; both who would fervently deny such a thing.
The same was said for all the others, each one had something that called out their uniqueness, that yelled out that for all their human appearances they were clearly something else.
Their auras advertised it for anyone with the ability to see.
For instance, the most captivating of auras in the room belonged to the so called 'King' of the Host. It called and brought something that had seemed lost to the new world that she lived in, so used to the openness and freedom she had experienced in the Feudal Era it was refreshing to experience it again even if it was in the form of a certain violet eyed blonde.
For all his seemingly obliviousness as well as a bit of obnoxiousness, his aura always seemed to have an ingrained sense of loss and sadness, yet not once was that pain demonstrated on his face. It was quite a feat, considering that she who had learned from the best about withholding any emotion from her face still winced and conveyed her sadness when she least expected it.
Not to say that he did not get on her nerves, he did. Frequently. It was irritating when he would start reprimanding her for being near Haruhi, which no doubt was beginning to get to the small masquerading girl. So even for all that she admired him and his unfailing cheerfulness she sometimes wished he would stuff a sock in it, because sooner or later she would. Literally.
Just like now.
"While Kyoya is someone that is best at his numbers and all the dealings of the club, there is more to it than that, you have to…"
Spacing out of what he was saying she took a moment to remember why she was here.
Haruhi. That's right. She really didn't deserve to have to go through this alone.
"As to your previous question my dear, dear novice. It is simply in the nature of humans to want to be surrounded by beauty and to be admired at all times."
Having been chewed out by the seemingly only female in the room, he had in his nature heard her comment to Kyoya as to the point of this farce and his willingly following the cheerful blonde.
"You mean you want to be told your pretty on daily basis?" she said incredulously. "I knew you were conceited but to this level is actually very disappointing."
"No!" he hurriedly exclaimed, hands shaking to and fro. "I meant that our wonderful petite le fleurs enjoy being complimented and to know that our attentions are only for them. You see, our Princesses need to know that they are-"
Drowning out his words I took back previous thoughts. Maybe he was just an obnoxious blonde that loved attention a little too much.
Kyoya had taken the chance of the 'King' distracting her to make his retreat to his ever trusty ledger and laptop.
The jerk.
Catching sight of the troublemaking duo of the Host club, she turned her attention to them. They were up to their usual routine of bothering Haruhi, until she abruptly turned and began yelling at them too. They were something of a contradiction.
A bit disconcerting too.
Always together, never more than a foot apart-especially with their incestuous act-but there was a feeling of loneliness that called out to her awakened mothering instincts, to cuddle them close and say everything would be okay.
Something she was sure of would not be appreciated and be reconstructed as something else, seeing that she: one, could not say that she had comforted a small kit that had suffered from the same symptoms, and two she was masquerading as a male. It was also more than obvious to anyone with two eyes that they clearly had an extreme animosity towards her.
"Hey Dono-"
"-you do realize that-"
"You've been ranting to yourself for a good ten minutes? He hasn't been listening to you."
Lighting struck the King and promptly he went to his corner of woe. The twins on the other hand began to tease him mercilessly. Blank-faced and ignoring their nonsense she continued on, seeing to the rest of the host and what else she could learn of them.
It was strange to see so many type of other being so close to one another and seeing them entertain ningen females that for the most part seemed to be in love with their beauty than with who they really were. If there was something she had learned in the Sengoku Jidai was that beings of their kind did not do much without thought. They planned every last thing to the smallest detail.
Haruhi was the only female that seemed to be-in unconscious way-aware of them. She ignored the occasional non-human feat they could commit and continued on her way. Either that or she was complete oblivious to what each act truly meant.
She could never really tell.
"Gome-chan?" Sapphire eyes blinked back into the present to clash with honey-chocolate eyes. The wisdom in the eyes was blinked away before flowers began to float around the small third year. "Would you like some cake?"
Cakes of all kinds were laid out on the small round wooden table that was presently empty of all female guests, and only seated the ever present guard of the small boy. Morinozuka was a very quiet as well as very guarded, someone who could possibly earn Sess-
Shaking the thought away she focused instead on the third year who had somehow wormed himself into her heart. Admittedly not something toohard to do since he was so precious and open to everyone.
"No," a soft smile gracing my lips. "But thank you for offering Honey-sempai."
"Mou~" he pouted. "Not even a tiny piece?"
Staring at his teary eyes, I relented with a sigh. Sitting down next to Morinozuka-sempai, I smiled at the joyous laugh of Honey-sempai who began to list off all the cakes he had.
Catching the small smile on Morinozuka's face, I stared-wide eyed-at the difference it made on his stoic face. Where once he seemed unreachable, he now seemed to welcome anyone and seemed to be someone you would be able to confide anything to. Charcoal-grey eyes snapped me out of my musings and before I could help it a small blush made its way to my cheeks at being caught staring at the 'wild' host. Swiftly turning away from him I focused on the ramblings of the small host, missing the glint that passed through his cousin's eyes.
Intense grey eyes followed the petite figure through its passage of the room, the one person-after Tamaki-that had him almost wanting to yank on his hair in frustration. That of course would not do. If there was one thing that he held pride in was his ability to remain cool and collected at all times.
But that at the moment was currently not the case. Everything he had tried, all the things he had attempted so far in trying to finding who-specifically more to the point who Higurashi was associated to- exactly it was that Higurashi, Kagome was, was moot.
Whatever means he had at his disposable had been exhausted. There were others he could use, but those would raise a flag for whoever had hidden the original files and all that had to do with Higurashi.
The Ootoris' were known to never be thwarted and to know that there could possibly be someone out there that could, set his blood boiling.
It truly had been a long time since he felt so…alive.
Things were definitely getting interesting.
A calculating smirk made its way on to his face.
Colossal by the looks of it.
Those in the room who saw steered clear, a shiver racing through them.
Someone was in trouble.
A/N:My dear readers I am truly sorry for the long wait. The last few months have been hectic. I know that is no excuse so I only beg that you not leave me and my story. *brings out the puppy dog eyes* Please.
Ha-ha.
So I have been having some problems with my oh-so-stubborn characters which is why this chapter is more of some inner thoughts and the like. I truly, truly did want to make something amazing and fantastic to make up for my long absence but alas this is what came out.
There is also some 'snippets'/x-overs that I have been working on so I will try to post that this weekend and hope that you approve ^. ^
I will be taking request and if I have read and/or seen it (be it anime/manga/movie/book) do not doubt I will not make something.
One last thing this is very important:
I have made a poll on the final say-that my readers would like- on who Kagome will end up with. It is in my profile, if there is some other pairing that you would like I will add it but the final say will be from popular demand.
Thank you so much and please don't lose your hope in me, I will continue this story, never fear !:D
