Title: Invisible
Written by: WraithR249 & Yue Guang Kuroneko
Pairing: KyouyaxHaruhi
Rating: K (for now)

Invisible
By WraithR249
(and co-written by Yue Guang Kuroneko)

--

"What do you think of true love, Haruhi-kun?"

Haruhi set down her teacup lightly and smiled at the girls, taking the question quite seriously.

"Well, what do you mean by true love?" she asked thoughtfully.

"Oh, it's perfect, wonderful in all sorts of ways!" One of her regulars exclaimed.

All of her clients sitting at the table seemed to agree with this, and nodded their heads.

"True love… it is when two people find each other perfectly… and it is impossible for them to disagree upon anything, because their love conquers all! It is like a soft, gentle breeze…" the girl sighed, staring up at the ceiling with a dreamy appeal.

Haruhi laughed a little bit, shaking the girl from her reverie.

"Ah, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't believe in something like that…"

The girls around her sighed in disappointment.

"But, why not, Haruhi-kun? True love is so beautiful and unquestionable…"

Haruhi took another sip of her tea and then tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"To be perfectly honest, I do not think that love is only telling each other sweet and romantic things," She gave Tamaki, who was indubitably whispering to his client sweet and romantic things, an accusing glance. "I believe that lovers will argue, and that true love is being able to overcome any earthly attempt to ruin the relationship."

"Ohh…" all of the girls sighed dreamily at this explanation.

"Haruhi-kun, tell us more!"

"Yes, please! Explain it to us!"

"This is what true love must be!"

Haruhi laughed again at their eagerness before familiar footsteps approached.

"True love happens when you and your partner mutually accept that you will not let disagreements hurt what you share with one another. In fact, all obstacles that arise are overcome, and this only strengthens the bond of your love."

Haruhi turned to find Kyouya watching her customers. Smiling, he looked at her.

She forced her face to smile back. It made her feel unusual to be around him.

"Kyouya-senpai. What brings you here?" she asked politely.

"Ah, I wanted to ask you if you were available this afternoon."

Haruhi paused warily. This was an uncharacteristically aggressive move for him, but she knew that he did not act without thorough planning first. This was not a gesture of spontaneity.

"Why, of course," she replied, keeping her voice as emotionless as possible. "It would be the perfect time to talk about the business that I've been meaning to discuss with you."

She mentally rolled her eyes at her clients, who were whispering amongst each other and probably hoping that a relationship would develop between herself and Ootori Kyouya.

Irony struck her as she realized that she might want the same thing as them.

Stop it, Fujioka Haruhi. Get answers from him first.

"Yes, I was thinking the same thing," he answered her.

Not wanting to risk having some uninvited guests, he promised to tell her later where to meet, to which she agreed impassively.

"Ohh, Haruhi-kun… you both have the same idea of true love! Are you thinking about having a relationship with Kyouya-kun?"

Some of the girls squealed at the suggestion.

I sure hope it turns out that way, she thought.

--

"I thought we might lose our chance," she said, sitting down at the table of the nearby café that he had suggested to her secretly. "Tamaki-senpai didn't seem like he would leave me alone."

Kyouya didn't respond to her comment, and sat down at the table wordlessly.

She wondered if he even heard her, but she doubted that he missed it.

The flowers that they had here were certainly beautiful.

She made it a point to ask what kind they were. Maybe her mother would enjoy them.

"What is it that you want to discuss?"

She looked back at him, who was staring straight at her, his dark eyes veiling all emotion.

"I want answers," she told him confidently. She wasn't afraid to get straight to the point either.

"I'll have water," he replied.

Haruhi looked confused for a moment, but then saw the surprised look of the waiter creeping up on him. He certainly was a special one.

"Water is fine," she agreed.

Regaining his composure, the waiter walked off, muttering to himself.

"Now," Kyouya reverted his attention back to her. "Let us continue."

"Explain to me why we wouldn't work out," she demanded.

Kyouya pushed his glasses up, looking impassive and disinterested in her question.

"There are many reasons why we cannot pursue a relationship, Haruhi." He crossed his legs casually. "For example, I am a very busy man. I do not have the time."

"Yet you have the time to sit down and have a late lunch with me. I am not one of those needy girls from the Host Club, senpai. I see you every day, and the time that I would want to spend alone with you would be minimal."

He folded his hands. "I come from a very wealthy and prestigious family. My father would not approve."

Haruhi raised an eyebrow. "Aren't lovers supposed to strengthen their bond by overcoming all obstacles that arise to strengthen their bond? That's what you said, wasn't it?"

Kyouya's own eyebrow twitched, and he was beginning to look annoyed. "Tamaki would never approve."

Haruhi rolled her eyes at his list of excuses. "Why should I even care about Tamaki-senpai? I care about you."

The waiter who had taken their orders set down their drinks, trying hard not to look interested in their conversation. He walked away slowly and Kyouya seemed to have waited until the waiter was out of earshot to continue.

The stubborn Ootori son crossed his arms and looked to the side. "I think you'll agree that—,"

"Do you care about me?" she asked suddenly, interrupting him.

"Well, someone has to," he replied warily. "It's not like our king does a grand job of looking out for you. I would hate for something to happen to you. Your debt—,"

"Shut up about that," she growled, and he watched her silently, unfazed by her sudden change of attitude. "Do you care about me? Would you hate for something to happen to me because you only care about me?"

"No," he said calmly.

"Try again," she replied coolly.

"What gives a commoner like you the right to tell me—," he began, leaning forward as if to intimidate her.

"Everyone has the right to know the truth, even commoners. I know you are lying."

She didn't. But she hoped she was right anyway.

"Hmph," was his reply.

She watched him as he sipped his water and folded his arms again.

"Perhaps," he answered.

"So then, why won't you give it a try?" she pressed, eager to go for the kill.

He smiled, closing his eyes. He looked like he was considering something for a moment and then after a long moment he spoke: "Very well, Haruhi. I have made my decision."

This was a lot easier than I thought, she thought to herself. I'm glad I confronted him about it.

"There is one person that I cannot allow to disapprove of a relationship between you and I. And therefore, if you can solve this problem properly… I would be honored to… court you."

Haruhi looked confused. "Huh?"

He turned his head, and his eyes had a faraway look in them.

"In order for you to succeed, you must convince my closest friend and colleague that it is acceptable for you and I to be together."

Haruhi's eyes widened. This was going to be impossible.

"You must convince Suou Tamaki."

--

Authors' Notes:

-WraithR269: If I were Haruhi, I would give up… but then again, I would be a stubborn, hard-headed commoner… so maybe not XP

-Yue Guang Kuroneko: Intense. Very intense. At first, I thought this chapter went by TOO FAST. Hopefully, my editing made that slow down considerably…if it didn't, I apologize. I'm not all that great at editing xD Putting my ideas in someone else's stories feel strange, so I just try to alter bits and pieces but anyway! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! (-nudges Wraith-san-…HEY! GET BACK TO WORK ON CHAPTER TEN!)