Chapter One:
"What do you mean, 'you don't know?'" I glared at my head of security, Tachibana. He kneeled before me, head bowed but it was not enough. Someone knew my secret and that could not be tolerated.
"I'm sorry, Master Kyouya. While Ajima was clearing the area for your meeting, he was side tracked…"
My hands fisted on the tabletop, a momentary indication of my displeasure. My mask was slipping. I had to get the situation under control.
"So you're telling me that my three personal guards cannot tell me who was ease-dropping on me?"
"No, sir."
Had I been a more impulsive man I would have struck him, but that at least, I could keep in check. "Leave."
I did not have to tell him twice. Tachibana exited head bowed. He should be grateful I did not fire him on the spot. I expected more them, all three of them. They were lucky it was not in my interest to fire them… yet.
Once the door closed behind Tachibana, I let out a feral growl. I punched my pillow and bit back another scream of frustration.
'How?' Someone had ease dropped on my conversation with Ms. Akaki. At the time, I thought it a trick of light but I did check with the guards just to be sure and someone knew my deepest buried secret. Someone… a host or a guest? I was certain they were the same person.
I was inclined to underestimate the guests. Most would not be so brash as to invade my personal things. Well maybe Renge, but she had been stuck on Haruhi for a while now. Nevertheless, I could not rule her, or any of them, out completely. The hosts, they had the brainpower and some of them, the audacity to pull something like this. It still left the question: why?
I removed my glasses before I pressed the heel of my hand to his eyes. My brain was stuck in second gear, I could not get over the fact that someone knew. Sleep pressed at the back of my eyes but I could not give into it not with the knowledge of someone out there could use my secrets against me.
I collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Before the lights went out, Tamaki was entertaining his guests. Haruhi was bringing tea to her second appointment, Honey… I can't remember. He's a candidate, Mori, possible accomplice? The twins… they were being particularly loud that's suspect, but it could be they were over stimulated from all of the chocolate…'
I glared at the ceiling, blinking unseeing. 'After the power went out everyone gathered on the lawn. What happened in between…' then it hit him. 'Kaoru, he was soaked and everyone else was only slightly damp…"
"They're trying to black mail me!" I crushed my glasses into pieces, the glass cut into my hand and blood pooled in my palm. "Those bastards, they'll pay. Two can play this game."
OOOO
I fidgeted with the hem of my blazer and fought the urge to run my hands through, what I was sure was, greasy hair. Beside me, Hikaru did not disguise his sadistic pleasure at my discomfort.
"Come on, Hikaru!" I whined shamelessly, as the limo pulled up to the front of school. "At least let me put on some hair gel!" He cannot really intend for me go through with this!
Hikaru waggled his finger in front of my nose, "Uh-uh. You're the one that was so intent on proving Kyouya was in love with Haruhi. You were wrong, now pay the penalty." He snorted as I scowled at him.
"But this is cruel! I cannot go into school without at least something for my hair! You wouldn't even let me shower last night!"
Hikaru rolled with laughter while I crossed my arms over my rumpled blazer. So much for being the bigger man and keeping Kyouya's secret.
"You knew the terms," Hikaru sniggered, "No ironing, no shower, no styling your hair and you have to sleep in your school clothes for a week."
"You're so mean," I sniffled and fat tears gathered on my lashes there was no way he could resist.
Hikaru stopped laughing, leaned forward to peer at me. He moved in close enough that I could feel his warm breath on his skin. I suppressed a triumphant grin.
"Fake tears will not save you," Hikaru flicked my forehead then jumped away and out of my reach. The limo door opened and he escaped before I could retaliate.
Without any other choice, I scurried out the limo door after him. I glanced around and tried to duck my head to hide my disheveled appearance. Maybe if I walked quickly, I could get to class without anyone noticing. Hikaru, of course, would not let that happen. He shouted across a crowded courtyard calling out my name. There was no mistaking which twin wore a wrinkled blazer to school. Haruhi was with him and Hikaru grinned more than usual.
"Hey, Kaoru," Haruhi greeted me as I approached. Her eyes flickered over my disheveled appearance and I self-consciously flattened the creases in my blazer. Other students gawked and I fought a creeping blush. "Kaoru, are you sick?"
'I am going to kill you, Hikaru.'
Hikaru was shuddering with suppressed laughter.
I ignored him. "No, I'm fine. I'll see you in class."
I stormed past them in uncharacteristic anger. It just was not fair. I thought the universe rewarded people who did good deeds. I had not told Hikaru about Kyouya and this is what I got, humiliated for Hikaru's amusement? As I stomped towards class, I overheard Hikaru explaining to Haruhi.
"He lost a bet and his punishment is he cannot change out of his uniform or shower for a week."
I could not see Haruhi's expression but I imagined it was unimpressed. "You guys are such children," Haruhi replied.
Hikaru whined that she was being unfair and I was secretly glad Haruhi was on my side. My pleasure was interrupted when I collided with something solid. Hands bit into my upper arm, keeping me from falling backward. Hikaru shouted out my name but I heard him as if he were at the end of a long tunnel. I looked up and my blood ran cold.
"You should watch where you're going," Kyouya said.
The cold front blowing off Kyouya was frostier than a snowman's rear end. I stepped back and wrapped my arms around myself to keep warm. Hikaru joined us and all the gaiety had left his manner. My big brother had come to my rescue and I forgot my anger with him, for now.
"Yeah," I replied. Hikaru had grabbed me by the shoulder and he translated a silent message to me.
You okay.
I nodded my head slightly.
Kyouya glared at the pair of us and I squirmed beneath his gaze. Did he know? Had he noticed something amiss? I considering spilling my guts but Haruhi walked up and I clamped my mouth shut.
"Oh, hey Kyouya-sempai."
"Haruhi," Kyouya said. Hikaru scowled between the two of them. I knew my brother and I knew he still was not convinced Kyouya was not another potential suitor for Haruhi. If only he knew the truth. I regretted not telling Hikaru sooner. I tell him later, I decided.
"Come on, Haruhi, Kaoru, we're going to be late for class." He yanked us by the arm and we followed him down the hall. I could not help but look over my shoulder in Kyouya's direction. He walked in the opposite direction but I could not help but get the feeling I was being watched. I shivered. I never should have crossed the shadow king.
OOOOO
"Hey, Kyouya! You in there?" Tamaki waved his hand in front of my face.
I focused in on Tamaki's face, inches from my own. His lips, moist and kissable, were just a breath away. Is it worth it to throw caution to the wind and kiss him? I shoved him away and the tide of my desire. These reckless thoughts had been multiplying. I needed to get my head in check.
"What," I snapped. Not good my guise slipped.
"You were zoning out, class is over," Tamaki said.
"I don't 'zone out'. I was doing something you rarely do and that's thinking."
"Mommy, you don't need to be so cruel to daddy." Tamaki sniveled. I ignored him and strode across the room. I needed to get away from him, the scent of his cologne was making my head swim and with my wandering thoughts, I might do something I would regret. Tamaki recovered and bounded after me. "Where are you going?"
"Bathroom," I said in the tone I reserved to shut down Tamaki.
Tamaki waited until I was at the door then shouted, "I'll save you a seat in the cafeteria!"
Kyouya sighed. "Idiot."
The halls lay empty as I picked my way to the bathroom on the second floor. At that time of day, it was sure to be deserted. Besides, I needed the time to cool off and recollect my thoughts. The twin's discovery had affected me more than I would like to admit. I'd ran through several different tactics to gain the upper hand in the situation but almost all of them required me revealing more than I'd like to. Of course, there was the possibility they did not know and I was merely over reacting, however that seemed unlikely. Just from what I had seen of Kaoru's expression that morning I was certain he knew. He had the answer written all over his features.
I sighed and pushed open the bathroom door, but stopped when I heard voices within. I eased the door to a crack and listened.
"Kaoru, what's wrong? You've been acting funny since last night."
"It's nothing," Kaoru replied.
"I feel like there's something you're not telling me. Is this about the penalty, you can fix your hair if it's really bothering you that much."
"I told you, its fine." Kaoru's voice was much tauter than normal for the subdued twin.
This was certainly an interesting development. I revealed myself by stepping into the bathroom. Hikaru had his hands on Kaoru's shoulders and glared at me as I entered. Kaoru's eyes met mine and I saw the bigger picture.
I smiled a dangerous smile and the color drain from Kaoru's face.
I did not say anything but my message was clear.
'I know you know.' Kaoru shook off his brother's grip and headed past me. I did not stop him but Hikaru hung back. He glared after his brother. He opened his mouth to address me while I watched him benignly or seemingly so. He seemed to think better of addressing me and stormed out after his brother.
'A very interesting development,' I mused, 'Kaoru hasn't told Hikaru. And now I have my next move.'
OOOO
There was no denying it: Kyouya was onto me. I did not know how he knew but I feared for my life. At club that afternoon, I could not sit still. I kept looking over my shoulder waiting for the hammer to fall. While I jumped at the slightest noise, Kyouya stayed calm and collected. He even entertained a rare pair of guests, a couple of third year girls.
I watched him over the heads of a couple kyah-ing girls Hikaru and I were supposed to be hosting. What game is he playing? Why hasn't he taken us out back and bludgeoned me with a stick… Maybe his guard's are waiting for us to get out of club. But he would not want to miss out of the money we bring in. Maybe he will not kill us. He needs us for club… That's the angle I use when they're about to pummel me. I concluded.
"Kaoru, are you listening? I was telling the girls about our bet."
My eyes refocused on the girls we were supposed to be entertaining.
"Oh yeah… uh… Hikaru, why are you so cruel?" It sounded half-hearted and I knew it.
Hikaru's brows pulled together. "You have to pay the price. You knew what was at stake!"
The girls were on the edge of their seats, even though if it was a poor performance.
I leaned in, "Oh, brother, I could never stay mad at you." Then in a low whisper, "We need to talk."
Hikaru grabbed my chin and up tilted my head. "If you wanted to be alone, you should have asked earlier. He leaned in as if to kiss me, his breath fanned on my lips. I should not have but I glanced in Kyouya's direction. He was watching us. I pulled away at the last second and Hikaru gave me a puzzled look.
"Come here, brother." I tugged on his arm and pulled him into the back room. The girls were screaming and I am sure the whole room saw us leave, it did not matter I just wanted to warn Hikaru before it was too late.
My hand had closed around the cool knob when a cool voice halted me and my stomach dropped.
"What are you two doing?"
I turned to face Kyouya. A faint smile hovered on his lips. Should I just come clean? Somehow, I had the feeling that regardless this would not end well for me. It was not too late to tell Hikaru but now it might insight a fight. I should have told him in the first place. Why didn't I?
"Entertaining our guests," Hikaru replied.
"It appears you've incapacitated them," Kyouya motioned towards the girls. He was right they had fainted. "Since your clients are indisposed why don't you help the others?
"Ah, come on, Kyouya!" Hikaru whined.
"Haruhi looks like she's running low on cakes, why don't you take her a fresh tray?" Kyouya suggested.
He is trying to separate us. I grabbed Hikaru's arm.
"Don't leave me, Hikaru."
He grinned and stroked my cheek, "Don't worry, I won't be long but every moment we're apart will be agony." He grabbed a tray of sweets and jogged over to Haruhi and her guests a grin spreading his features.
I looked back at Kyouya. His gaze was steely and I prepared for the end.
His glasses glinted as he said, "We need to have a talk."
A/N: As a rule, I try not to comment pander but as of recently I've decided to rescue all of my old abandoned stories and seeing as I have limited time I'll be delegating my time based on popularity. I.e. Whichever story gets the most attention will be getting more of my attention. While it is true I will be finishing this story, the gap between updates is entirely up to you, dear reader. If you want to see this story continued comment, review or favorite. If you're so inclined, do all three, I won't complain.
