Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.

The Loved One

Tamaki was confused by Kai. As a people person and the king of the host club, he was very happy that he had a gift of knowing what people want. He knew what Kyoya wanted from life. He knew what the twins wanted from people. He knew what Honey and Mori wanted from themselves. But what did Kai want? He couldn't quite place it, and it was gnawing at him.

When he had first seen him, back when the host club was nothing but a dream, he thought that what Kai Takara wanted was to belong. But now it seemed he didn't mind being alone. There was just something strange about it all, like what he wanted was so strange that it was avoiding even Tamaki's mind…

And then there was the vague explanation of his scar. From what Tamaki could get from it, it sounded like Kai had tried to protect the girl, getting himself shot in the process. This definitively confirmed Tamaki's suspicions that a good guy hid somewhere beneath Kai's tough, smirking exterior.

-o-O-o-

Kai sat silently as he ate. For a long time, the entire room was silent. It was one of those rare occasions when Mr. Takara had come home to relative peace in his home, and he didn't want to disrupt it. However, the quietness was not to last.

"Kai, I hear you've joined a club at school."

Kai nodded, not really wanting to talk about it. He could only imagine his parent's reactions if they found out the exact nature of this club. "It's led by Tamaki Suoh and Kyoya Otori," he said shortly, tossing out the powerful names to distract them from any questions.

His sister made a "humph" sound and said, "I'm surprised they let someone like you in the door."

Mr. Takara sent her a silencing look. He'd had just about enough of the girl's meanness toward her brother. Kai wasn't the most likeable young man, and he was going through a rebellious stage, but he was still his son, and despite it all, he loved him. It was just so hard to look at him and not remember…

-o-O-o-

"I was thinking of getting a job here, Mr. Kaneshiro," Kai said with a slight smile.

"Oh really? And who said I would hire you?"

Kai chuckled. "Because you love me too much to say no," he chuckled.

Mr. Kaneshiro looked at him strangely for a moment, a smile softening his aging features. But the moment was soon gone, and he laughed as well. "True enough, I suppose. Tell you what, if I ever need a new worker, I'll keep you in mind."

Kai stood up and stretched. He had left home under far less hostile circumstances this time, but he just felt more comfortable at the workplace of Mr. Kaneshiro. "I think I'm going to head to bed."

"Alright, Kai. Sleep well so you can keep up those great grades I like to brag about."

Kai smiled. "Yes, sir."

-o-O-o-

No one would quite say that Kai Takara had many friends, but neither would they say he was disliked. He was a loner, and yet strangely likeable. The younger boys were afraid of him, but most of the older ones knew that, in most cases, his bark was worse than his bite. Some people would talk to him, and he was quiet and a little detached, but funny and laid-back if not provoked. He made a rough image to look at, but it was easy to see he wasn't bad if one bothered to look. Of course, they never guessed what it was he was thinking about when only part of his mind was focused on them.

"Hey, Takara!"

Kai turned in the direction of the voice and raised an eyebrow. A boy with messy black hair jogged up to him, and soon after, two other boys walked up, one blonde and another with short black hair.

"Heard you joined up with Suoh's lot. That true?" asked the blonde boy.

Kai smiled grimly. "So it would seem."

The guys laughed. "Right on, man. Those guys get all the girls," the one with the messy hair said.

"The job certainly has its perks."

The one with short, spiky black hair asked, "You got a girlfriend yet, Kai?"

Kai shrugged. "No." Kai was particularly wrapped up in his thoughts today, and the other students could tell, so with a short, "Seeya later, man," they took off toward class.

Kai hadn't heard from Suoh since the end of club duties the afternoon before, and while that was neither odd nor worrisome, he wasn't sure what Suoh had said to the other hosts or how the blonde would react. He wasn't too worried; it wasn't a big deal. It just wasn't something he was fond of reliving, so he'd have to ditch if any of the hosts pried too much.

In any case, his plan seemed to be working well. Through the host club, he was able to come into contact with quite a few more daughters of powerful men and women than he would otherwise, and the nature of the club allowed him to become quick acquaintances. It was amazing what a few pretty words could do.

-o-O-o-

Hikaru turned his back when Kai walked in, and Kaoru looked nothing short of careless. Apparently, Hikaru had decided to ignore Kai. Apparently, Hikaru thought Kai would actually care if the angrier twin ignored him.

Kyoya told the hosts that their conspicuously missing leader would be a few minutes late. Kai wondered what could be so important that he would put it above the host club. It seemed as if Suoh wouldn't want to be anywhere else if he had the choice.

Somewhere along the line, Kai realized he was starting to see Suoh as less and less of a phony and more for what he was- the most genuine guy he had ever seen. He decided that this didn't mean he liked the guy, but it made him less obnoxious somehow. Less of a worry. Less of a threat.

Kai hadn't become much closer to Honey or Mori than he had before joining the club, but there was that strange, unspoken bond that forms between two tall, quiet people; more of an acknowledgement of respect than anything else.

Tamaki appeared not too long after Kai had sat down and pulled out a book to read. There was something in his eyes when he looked at Kai that "the rogue" didn't like. It was a mix of pity and understanding. What was he thinking?

-o-O-o-

A shy girl with thick brown hair saw Kai leave the club quickly. She had stayed after class for other reasons, and it seemed she was just in time to walk the halls free of love struck girls. She watched his back as he moved quickly, saw how tense he was. She imagined she could see frustration radiating off of him. He had changed, and yet he hadn't. She wondered if he would remember her… She scolded herself for that thought. There was no way he could ever forget. He just didn't know her face after all these years.

-o-O-o-

"Hello, Kai. It's been a while since I saw you last."

"I've been busy," Kai said vaguely.

"With what?"

"School."

"Your grades are still excellent, I presume?"

Kai nodded.

"I hear you joined a club at school. What is it?"

"Just something to pass the time. A guy in my class wouldn't stop bugging me to join."

"Well, what do you do?"

"I… talk," Kai said uncertainly. He hated it here.

"So it's a public speaking club?"

Kai smirked slightly. "Something like that."

The man who had been questioning him sighed. "Do you enjoy this club?"

Kai shrugged. "More than I thought I would."

"How are things going at home, then? Are you still having problems with your sister?"

"Yes."

"I'm sure that's painful for you. Are you still running off to your friend's house whenever you get overwhelmed?"

"Yes."

"Do you feel safe there?"

"Of course I do. I wouldn't go there if I didn't."

"And what about your dreams, Kai? Are you still planning on taking over the world?"

Kai glared at the man. "Can I go now, Dr. Koga?"

"We still have fifteen minutes left of our session, Kai. Your parents would be very disappointed if we didn't finish."