And I have finally found the inspiration (or at least some) to write another chapter. Strangely, this has gone from a story told by his father to his daughter to a story told in both flashbacks and flashforwards. I don't know if this is good or not. Feedback (in the form of reviews) -coughs- on this matter would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

"A…truce?" she asked, her voice going higher than she intended. "What…what do you mean?"

"A truce," he said in a tone of a voice used by pre-school teachers to scold naughter toddlers. "An armistice of sorts and–"

"I don't need a definition!" she snapped. "Especially coming from you."

"Fine. I'll cut the small talk, and go straight to business. Now, you see, I have a deal–"

"Wait a second here and let's not get ahead of ourselves. Who ever said I'd make a deal with you? Of all people?"

"Well, I think this has gone on for long enough. Games never last forever."

"And you think you can just call it off? Just like that?" she exclaimed. Really, were all rich people this arrogant? Otherwise, how in the world did he think he would get away? Just. Like. That

"I'm not calling it off – like I said, it's a deal."

"Same difference," she said. "No, it doesn't end like this. The way this is going to end is with you going to jail. You think you can get away with this?"

"Then you are ignorant of my background, are you not?"

"You can't pull some strings and expect to get away with it. I've seen the news. You're going to get disowned, along with that friend you doing this with."

"Now about that deal–"

"No deal here! It's not going to work."

"You'll be provided for the rest of your life. School tuitions will be paid for. Housing and utilities will be all included. Everything is to your advantage."

"Don't try to make me an accomplice to bribery, or I'll sue you."

"Is that an empty threat?"

Haruhi was getting angry. "Don't do this."

There was no immediate answer. She thought she heard some whispering on the other end of the phone. Were the two going over something? "Ohtori, are you there? Ohtori!"

His voice returned. "Seeing as you are disinterested, I'll take my leave. Good day to you." The line was cut-off, and he was gone. Just. Like. That.

A failure, Kyouya thought. It had all ended in failure. Unfortunately, the girl wasn't going to go for his deal (and usually people begged for that), and now he really had to turn himself in or continue. He couldn't find the heart to continue.

How much money did they have now? He estimated around five million yen. Was it enough?

"Kyouya," Tamaki said with genuine concern. "So what are we going to do?"

"Who knows?" he roughly said. "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even be in this situation."

But his unanswered question rang in his mind. Who knows?

Haruhi sighed and placed the phone back into her pocket. She closed her eyes for a moment and imagined a wonderful world where she could just study in peace.

Then she opened her eyes, and she was back inside the bustling airport, with people rushing to and fro.

What a nice dream though, she thought. She looked at her watch. It was seven. The twins were probably off in Hokkaido now, skiing and doing what rich people did. She had vague feeling that they would be mad at her for not showing up.

It's one thing to be an hour late, they would say, but it's another to completely not show up.

Since it was getting late, she might as well go home. It was just another day, and tomorrow she would rise and go to work again.

She slowly stood up and looked at her map. Following the direction of the map, she turned left and walked until she saw the exit.

Maybe there's a sale at the market today. I could always use some more instant coffee…

And then–

Two arms linked into hers, lifting her off the ground.

"WHAT?"

The two people paid her no heed. Swiftly, they ran out to the exit where a limo awaited them.

"What's going on?"

The window to the back seat lowered, and Haruhi caught the glimpse of a hidden man.

"Sir, we found the target!" one of them said.

Somehow, I get the feeling that I'll miss the sale.

"Good," the man inside said. "Take her away. I'll be sure to inform him."

"Yes sir!"

The window of the limo closed. Haruhi's wide eyes of disbelief reflected off the shiny window.

"You're coming with us," the other said.

It's not like I have a choice.

And with that, she was gone.

Kyouya was gone for the night, having to leave for a small business trip. It's only one day, he said. Although she had been notified of this days in advance, Akari still couldn't help but feel sad as she ate dinner by herself.

Without a parent nearby, the room seemed too large, too vacant. There was Shiro-chan, the maid, to wait on her, but it wasn't the same of course.

"Akari, eat your vegetables," she lightly chided. The child had a habit of leaving her greens until the end in the hopes that it would be forgotten and uneaten. Goodness knows how many times it had worked on her worn-out parents after a hard day at work.

The girl looked up at the older woman. "But I don't want to." A direct challenge.

She sighed. "Your mother would be very displeased to hear that you are not cooperating."

"But I don't want to," Akari repeated.

"If you eat this," the aging maid said, "I'll give you an extra serving of ice cream."

Akari looked thoughtful, as if she was really thinking it over. Finally, she said, "An extra serving for my vegetables." Dutifully, she began eating.

Shiro-chan breathed a sigh of relief. All these years of working for the Ohtori Family had left a lasting strain on her.

"Can I call him?" Akari later asked through a mouthful of ice cream.

"Please finish what you are eating before speaking," the maid crisply replied. "Your father would not like seeing his daughter with manners of a peasant."

She swallowed. "Can I call Father?"

"Your father is on a very busy trip. I'm afraid he'll be too tired."

"No, he won't."

"And why not?"

"Because," she said. "Father always has some time for me, no matter what, right?"

The maid felt her lips slightly turn up. All these years had gone by of her working for the Ohtori Family, and she had gotten used to the rigorous demands of the children. She had grown callous, with a quick tongue to boot.

This was one of the few times she could think of when a child truly loved her father - and showed it.

"Maybe later," she said. "I'll bring the phone to you, and you can call your father."

It's déjà vu, Haruhi thought. Two people picking her up suddenly and without warning. Bringing her to a suspicious-looking black limo with an unknown figure. Being "taken away."

Definitely déjà vu.

She sat now in a leather armchair, waiting for someone. Who, she did not know. She guessed that she was in downtown Tokyo now, in some corporate building on the thirty-third floor.

A strict-looking bodyguard watched her through a glass wall. He wore a frown and dark sunglasses. He held his hand in his jacket pocket, holding something that Haruhi suspected to be a gun of sorts.

Joy, oh joy.

After what seemed to be an eternity, the man stood up and opened the door.

"This way," he said in a low bass voice. He towered over her.

She stood up and followed him, and was led into an office.

A man sat at a desk at the other side of the room. He stood up, and when he did this, Haruhi noticed one – no, three more bodyguards stand up and bow.

Was she supposed to do the same? But being the girl that she was, Haruhi stood her ground, and she walked to the man's desk.

"You…called for me?" she asked nervously. It wasn't everyday that she was kidnapped – surely there was some legitimate reason for this.

The man motioned for her to sit down in the chair in front of his desk. Haruhi sat down in another leather armchair. Didn't they have any imagination in furniture choice?

"Fujioka Haruhi?" the man asked.

"Yes?" she said, sinking into the chair. This chair was more comfortable for some reason. And was this man ever going to introduce himself?

"Pleased to meet you," he said, shaking her hand. "Ohtori Yoshio."

Wait…Ohtori?

Another cliffhanger? I truly worry about the way Kyouya and Haruhi are acting. Doesn this seem plausible? I mean, Kyouya is doing all of this because of Tamaki, but surely, he's got to feel a little pissed off, right? His outward actions might seem cold sometimes, but that's not his real feelings...? Is this right? I'm kind of losing the Ouran touch. Some feedback would really help for later chapters!

And I should apoligize for making Haruhi go through all of this. And it's not even over yet. Hrm.

Thanks for reading!