Hey we're back!! So now for my acknowledgements, lol. Scherherazade, Adriadne Bassarid, thesupersomething, Cactus2008, TheEvilMuffinToaster, DevilHeart13, RareReviewer, Katarina H., Queen34, ayasakura88. Thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story so far and don't worry you shall get some of the things you've been asking for in this chap which I have to say I had fun writing.

Okay, just a note a Dietman is like a Congressman or an MP in Japan. Thier... gov't whatever is called the Diet.

And I don't own Ouran.

Haruhi stood beside the hors d' oeuvres. Kyouya had taken the first opportunity of escape and abandoned her very soon after she arrived. Fuyumi, as the de facto woman of the house, was busy being the hostess. It left her very alone and very lonely. She had already made a revolution around the room, but there was no one that she knew. A group of women walked by her and Haruhi thought she recognized a few of them from Ouran. She smiled to greet them before the woman, who was obviously the leader of the group, turned away from her. Haruhi realized she must have recognized her as well. Not everyone was particulary forgiving after finding out their favorite Host was really a female. She sighed, wondering if her entire night was going to be spent like this.

"Haruhi-san!"

Haruhi looked up to see Morinozuka Takashi walking toward her excitedly. He looked the exact same as he did in high school. No, not the exact same. There was something different about him. Wasn't Mori-senpai two years her senior? How was it that he still looked so young? Could his genes be that good? He looked so carefree that Haruhi almost didn't recognize him. Was that the difference? She had never seen such a gleeful expression on his face before. It was almost scary. He took her around the waist and picked her up in an enthusiastic hug, disregarding the fact that her dress was obviously not made for such strenuous activity. Now this was scary. When did this lighthearted personality emerge? This was not the Mori-senpai she knew.

"Haruhi-san, lookin' good." He commented after gently placing her back on her feet.

"M-Mori-senpai…?" Haruhi was certain her face turned several shades of red and she couldn't even find the words to express her shock.

"Satoshi, that is not the way to speak to a lady." An enlighteningly familiar voice said from behind her. "Though he has a point."

She turned around to see the real Mori standing there.

"Mori-senpai!" She said excitedly, forgetting her restraint and throwing her arms around him. Mori returned the hug and stepping back, looked down at her with his serious expression affectionately patting her on the head. Now, that was the Mori-senpai she knew. Then it hit her. "Wait a minute…Satoshi?" Haruhi said turning back to the Morinozuka she had mistaken for the elder.

"In the flesh." Satoshi said with a point and a wink, grinning at her mistake.

She looked back and forth between the two Morinozukas surprised at how much they looked alike. Talk about two peas in one very handsome pod, Haruhi thought smiling.

"There you are!"

"We knew we'd find you by the food."

Haruhi just dropped her head in her hand as Hikaru and Kaoru approached. "Don't say things like that, like I'm only interested in food." She argued.

"Oh, Haruhi don't be shy." Hikaru teased.

"There are lots of choices here." Kaoru said waving his hand over the selection of hors d' oeuvres.

"Ootoro." Mori offered.

Haruhi almost succumbed but realized they would take far to much pleasure in being right than she was willing to give them.

"No, thank you." She answered indignantly causing the group of men around her to laugh.

"Takashi here you—Haru-chan!" The handsome blonde said excitedly, wrapping his arms around her.

"H-Hunni-senpai?" Haruhi stuttered looking up at the man who was now taller than her by several inches. She had at first thought it was Yasuchika but immediately realized that he would never call her chan or Haru or look that happy to see her.

"Aww, Haru-chan kawaii." Hunni said taking her hands in his. "Long time, ne?"

"Hai." Haruhi agreed. "Senpai, what happened? You're so tall."

"Did you not recognize me?" He said winking and leaning down to her.

"Well, if you hadn't disappeared on us you would've been around when Mitsukuni had his growth spurt."

"Satoshi." Mori warned.

"Gomen." Haruhi said admonished.

"Don't stay away so long again, okay. We missed you." Hunni said, with a smile that Haruhi didn't realize that she had missed.

"Hai." She answered softly.

"Do you remember Rei-chan?" Hunni asked.

Haruhi looked over for the first time noticing the quiet woman behind her former child-like senpai. Hunni stepped out of the way and putting his arm around her waist, gently nudged her forward.

"Konnichiwa, Haruhi-senpai." She said bowing shyly.

There was only one word Haruhi could find to describe her: stunning. She had large, deep eyes, and long jet-black hair and wore a form fitting dress that looked like midnight. She looked familiar and a little like some big-budget movie's version of a beautiful witch or vampire. Haruhi scolded herself for what she was certain was an insult. That was such an awful thing to think about someone…and so random. Where did that even come from, she wondered. Haruhi stared at the woman for a moment before she realized why the woman before her was so familiar and why her other thoughts were not so random after all, and why she called her senpai.

"Kanazuki-chan?" Haruhi said looking at her former kohai and member of the Black Magic Club. She looked from her to Hunni and made another realization. "Ah. So, no more curses then?"

Kanazuki Reiko just smiled, embarrassed. "Only recreationally."

"Hai, it seems our Kana-chan has grown up and completely abandoned her dark ways. Such a shame." Nekozawa suddenly appeared from a door behind them, shrouded in his formal cloaks.

"Eek!" Hikaru screamed and jumping back several feet. "Stop doing that!" He complained clutching his chest.

"Was there always a door there?" Kaoru asked looking around confused.

Disregarding them, Nekozawa moved closer. "But it seems that our Haruhi has grown up quite a bit too." He continued claiming Hikaru's abandoned spot and hovering close beside Haruhi. "That I must say is not a shame."

"Nekozawa-senpai. The light doesn't bother you anymore?" Haruhi asked.

Hikaru and Kaoru exchanged glances.

"It is still a trial." Nekozawa sighed. "But we are much stronger than we were before. Aren't we Belzenef?" He said turning to the puppet on his hand, who wore a bow tie for the formal occasion.

"So, I guess this doesn't bother you then?" Kaoru asked.

"What?" Nekozawa asked turning to face him.

"This." Hikaru said turning on the flashlight and shining it under his former senpai's hood.

"Murderers!!!" Nekozawa shrieked as he exited the hall.

"Poor senpai." Haruhi sighed.

"Could you two please refrain from torturing Umehito?" Kyouya asked joining them. "He is a guest here."

"It wasn't our fault Kyouya-senpai." Kaoru said putting his arm around Haruhi's waist.

"He was propositioning Haruhi." Hikaru said doing the same from the opposite side.

"He what?" Kyouya asked.

"He was not!" Haruhi complained, embarrassed.

"Oh, our little Haruhi." Kaoru said, tilting her face towards him.

"Still, as naïve as ever." Hikaru said capturing her chin and turning her towards him.

"It's okay. We'll protect you." Hikaru and Kaoru cooed nuzzling closer to her.

"Yamatte!" Haruhi said in protest.

"Kyouya, here you are."

Haruhi froze when she heard the familiar voice.

"Tama-chan! Look, it's a Host Club reunion." Hunni said, excitedly.

"Everyone, hi. Was that Nekozawa-senpai I saw…running…" Tamaki's words trailed off into silence as his eyes locked with the woman before him. "Haruhi!"

"Tamaki…senpai." Haruhi fought to find something else to say but she was as lost for words as he was.

Everyone had fallen silent, including Hunni who realized that a Host Club reunion would not be as pleasant an idea for some as it was for others.

"Haruhi…how are you?" Tamaki said apprehensively.

"I-"

"Tama, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends."

Haruhi watched Tamaki freeze as a beautiful woman slid beside him and slinked her arm through his. She wore an iridescent gray dress with an dramatic black pearl necklace.

"Gomen, of course." Tamaki said smiling nervously. "Everyone this is Mikimoto Sayuri."

"His fiancé." She added. "So this is the famous Host Club."

"Yes, this is everyone."

"Everyone?" She said surveying the group until her eyes returned to Haruhi. "So, you must be the commoner."

"It's Haruhi." She informed.

Sayuri's eyes surveyed Haruhi roving up and down to take inventory of everything from her chignon hairstyle to her silver strappy heels.

"What an interesting dress. It's exquisite actually." She admitted reluctantly.

"This is a Mei Oui original." Kaoru said taking Haruhi's hand and turning around so Sayuri could see the back.

"The first one worn off the runway." Hikaru said finishing the revolution.

"Very exclusive." The twins said in unison.

"Stop turning me around like that." Haruhi growled causing both Hitachiin's to take a step back. The last thing she wanted was to be prodded and paraded before Tamaki's fiancé. She could see in Sayuri's eyes that she did not like the fact that they were breathing the same air and the feeling was mutual.

"So, Haruhi is it? I've heard so much about you. You know how Tama is enamored with all things commoner of course." She said moving closer to Tamaki. "But, I was so fascinated by your story. I mean a poor scholarship student, to be aligned with the heirs of the wealthiest families in Japan and then running around dressed like a boy. It would be wonderful to be that free of the decorum required in our world. To be able to do what you want without worrying about disgracing your parents, I almost envy you." She ended with a sigh.

Haruhi could feel her temperature rise and her hand curl into a fist. She could see that Sayuri wanted to say something to 'put her in her place' and she would've ignored it…if she hadn't mentioned her parents. Haruhi smiled politely.

"Well, there is no need to envy me. I am sure Tamaki can teach you all about what he thinks it is to be a commoner. And I am certain that you will have no trouble convincing anyone that you are a boy."

Sayuri gasped but was unable to form words.

Tamaki's jaw dropped.

Hunni looked on in awe.

Mori expression changed slightly but no one could not tell in which direction.

Satoshi bowed his head to hide his large grin.

And the Hitachiin's pretended, though not very hard, to try to hold back their laughter.

Kyouya's eyes grew larger than his glasses and before Sayuri could regain herself to make another comment he interceded.

"Haruhi, we need to get started on the plans I need to show you." He grabbed her by the waist, making certain that she knew this was not a request, and quickly led her away from the group.

Haruhi held her head high as Kyouya practically dragged her into the Library, which was the closest empty room.

"Haruhi I know Sayuri-san was out of place but how could you-"

"How could I? How could you? How could you not even tell me that Tamaki was going to be here?" She hissed.

"Well, Tamaki is my best friend and the Suoh's are a family that we have a lot of business connections with. Of course he would be here." Kyouya answered confused as to why Haruhi was so surprised.

"Then why am I here?"

"I don't understand."

"Why am I here Ootori-sama?" Haruhi asked stressing the honorific title to show her personal detachment. "You just called me and ordered me to attend this party. I thought that I had work to do or something that necessitated my attendance but so far I have done nothing and you have been nowhere around me at all. So I ask again, why am I here? How could you invite me knowing that I would see Tamaki and his fiancé? Do you ever stop to think about anybody but yourself?" Haruhi continued with the questions, once again, not giving Kyouya the opportunity to answer any of them. "Do you ever think of anyone's feelings but your own? Did you think about me at all? No. Because my feelings do not matter do they? My feelings would not matter unless they affected your profit margins or your goals. There were no merits and nothing for you to gain in even having the decency to warn me so I would at least be prepared before running into my ex and the woman who is apparently better than me. It didn't even dawn on you that this might be hard for me did it?" Haruhi finished turning away from him.

Kyouya looked at her in stunned silence. In all honesty it didn't dawn on him that this might be difficult for Haruhi. It didn't dawn on him at all. He didn't think about Haruhi's reaction to seeing Tamaki or his fiancé or how it might affect her in any way. What surprised Kyouya the most was not Haruhi's distress but the unexpected reaction he had to seeing Haruhi in distress. Though he did not anticipate such an intense reaction, especially after so many years had passed, he was far more surprised by his own reaction to her pain and the knowledge that he was the cause. It was disturbing and strange and unfamiliar territory for a man accustomed to regulating his emotions.

Kyouya began thinking about Haruhi's words and why he had invited her in the first place. She was right. She didn't have any work to do. He hadn't introduced her to any of the colleagues he had convinced himself she needed to be acquainted with. But, he had wanted her there. Kyouya knew he wanted her to be there tonight. What was the reason? Why was he so insistent that she attends, especially knowing that Tamaki and Sayuri would be here? What did he have to gain from her presence? Other than seeing Haruhi dressed up again.

Kyouya could feel his brain do a 360 from the shock of that thought. No. No way. There was no possible way that that was the reason he wanted Haruhi at the party. That could not have been the motivation. He was Ootori Kyouya. He didn't suffer from such base impulses. There was no way that his motivation was something so unenlightened, so unsophisticated, so un-evolved, so un…something as the opportunity to see Haruhi dressed up. It must've been because of his primitive reaction the night before, he decided. He wanted to apologize. That was true. He needed to let her know that what he did was a mistake. That was also true. It was a lapse in—no lack of judgment. There was no judgment involved in that impulsive action at all. He just needed Haruhi to know that and that it will never happen again. That was why he invited her. That was why he was so adamant that she attend. There was no other logical reason for his insistence. Kyouya was certain of it.

Haruhi sighed as she watched Kyouya staring at her in silence. She should've known better than to expect anything from him including or especially an apology. She needed to leave. She needed to get out of his presence and his home as soon as possible. She turned to exit from the other door only to be surprised by it slamming shut as soon as she had begun to pull it open. Frozen in shock, Haruhi could feel Kyouya behind her. One hand was on the door above her preventing her departure, the other at her waist. He was so close that Haruhi was immediately wrapped in Kyouya's scent. He smelled crisp and refined an effect of freshly done clothing and expensive cologne that was enticing but not overpowering. Haruhi could feel Kyouya's fingertips on her skin, the heat of his body against her back and hear his breath in the stillness of the room. The combination of senses created an alien reaction within her that caused her heart to skip a beat and made her feel a bit lightheaded.

"Gomen." Kyouya said softly. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest and swallowed hard, knowing that his proximity to Haruhi was inappropriate and unwise. Kyouya could feel her hair tickling his neck. His eyes had lulled closed from being so close to Haruhi and inhaling the scent that had been burned in his conscious since the night before. Smells like Sakura, Kyouya thought.

"My mother…it reminds me of my mother." Haruhi said softly, turning around to face him.

It took a moment for Kyouya to realize that what Haruhi said had been a response and that he had actually said that last thought aloud. He dropped his head embarrassed trying to find a way to rescind his imprudent comment.

"Haruhi-"

"Kyouya have you seen-"

Kyouya and Haruhi quickly separated and turned around surprised.

Tamaki stood in the first doorway his face expressing his shock and fury at seeing them so intimately positioned.

"Tamaki," Kyouya began, hoping he did not sound as guilty as he felt. Desperate for something to do, he adjusted his glasses. "You were looking for-"

"I'm going to get a glass of champagne." Haruhi announced eager to leave an increasingly uncomfortable situation.

Kyouya whipped his head around and looked at her alarmed. He remembered the last time Haruhi was upset and began drinking champagne.

"Just one glass." She assured, fighting the smile she could feel forming after accurately reading Kyouya's expression.

Kyouya raised an eyebrow at her, fighting against his own smile.

Not knowing what to say to Kyouya after their unexpected connection, and not wanting to say anything to Tamaki after everything that had passed between them, Haruhi immediately departed.

Kyouya turned to look at the man he called his best friend with a sigh. He could see the ire in Tamaki's face and all he could do was hope that they would finish this unpleasant conversation quickly. He did not want to spend the rest of the night arguing with or reassuring Tamaki about a woman neither of them was supposed to have feelings for.

"Tamaki-"

"Kyouya what exactly is going on?" Tamaki asked with a huff, placing his hands on his hips.

"Going on?" Kyouya said with false incomprehension. He was very adept at knowing the best way to command a situation by choosing the most effective emotion to display.

"Don't do that thing with me Kyouya." Tamaki complained. "You know exactly what I mean. What is going on with you and Haruhi?"

"Nothing." He said curtly, remembering that Tamaki had seen him do this for over a decade. "Why would you even think-"

"Because you were about to kiss her!"

Kyouya balked but immediately regained his composure. "Kiss her? Tamaki where would you get such a…such a…ridiculous idea?" It was a ridiculous idea, Kyouya thought. He was not about to kiss Haruhi. What on earth would possess him to kiss Haruhi? Again.

"Kyouya-"

"Tamaki, I don't know what you think you saw but you are misinterpreting it. Haruhi and I work together. We are not even friends." Kyouya ended unable to curb the bitter tang to his words as he said it.

"Then what happened? Why were you embracing her?" Tamaki asked.

"Are you sure you really want to know, mon ami?" Kyouya asked in a tone he knew Tamaki would understand.

"No." Tamaki whispered taking a seat. He didn't want to know. Tamaki could pretty well guess what had happened and he certainly knew what had caused Haruhi to be so upset. If he knew the truth unequivocally, Tamaki thought, he would no longer be able to hope for a better alternative.

Kyouya crossed the room and poured them two glasses of one of the Ootori's finest single malts. "Tamaki you made your decision and you've moved on haven't you?"

"I have." Tamaki sighed as he took the glass. "I thought I had."

"You thought? What does that mean?" Kyouya asked sitting opposite him. "Do you still have feelings for Haruhi?"

"I think I always will. But, no I have moved on. I had no choice. And I love Sayuri. I just didn't think it would this hard you know…seeing Haruhi again." Tamaki let out another dramatic sigh before taking a sip. He looked up suddenly. "Why didn't you tell me she was coming?"

"Because, I do not think about anyone but myself apparently." Kyouya said sourly, before taking a drink. The smooth liquid slid down his throat like velvet and warmed his chest, but Kyouya was too busy digesting Haruhi's words to savor it.

"What?" Tamaki asked trying to analyze the indignant expression on Kyouya's face.

"It was a last minute decision." Kyouya amended. Though I still don't know why, he thought taking another drink.

"I should apologize to her for what Sayuri said."

"I think it's better if you don't say much to Haruhi tonight. Aside from the politeness, you should leave any possible conversation up to her."

"But, Kyouya I want her to know that I'm sorry and that Sayuri is really a good person after all."

"Tamaki, it is bad enough that she has to see you here with Sayuri-san. You shouldn't force the association on her. Whether Haruhi wants to reconcile with you should be her decision. She did not have any say in the termination of your relationship; she should at least have some say in your reconciliation." Kyouya said firmly. Besides, the last thing he needed tonight was Haruhi deciding she wanted a second glass of champagne. He knew well enough how that story ends.

"You're right of course Kyouya, as usual." Tamaki conceded.

Kyouya didn't respond. Lost in his thoughts, he continued sipping his scotch. He hadn't been feeling much like his usual right self these past few days.

"Do you think she will ever forgive me?"

"I don't know." Kyouya answered honestly. "But considering it's Haruhi…probably."

Kyouya and Tamaki exited the Library only to see Haruhi and Sayuri alone conversing by the champagne. This couldn't be good. They exchanged glances with a 'you take one, I'll take the other' understanding. After ten years of friendship some conversations did not require words.

"Haruhi." Kyouya said smiling as he joined them.

"Sayuri." Tamaki said, unable to ignore her he turned and said hello to Haruhi as well.

Haruhi just looked at him stunned.

"Haruhi, I was just looking for you. We haven't danced all night." Kyouya said extending his hand to her.

Now, Haruhi was stunned for a completely different reason. She looked at her ex and his fiancé and at Kyouya's proffered hand and chose the lesser of the evils available to her.

"Hai." She said allowing Kyouya to lead her away.

"You looked like you needed saving." Kyouya said as they walked towards the dance floor.

"It was very strange."

"Why? What happened?"

"Haruhi-san. Ootori-san."

"Haya-san." Haruhi said looking up surprised. "I didn't know you'd be here."

Kyouya was thinking the same thing along with the idea that he may have to start approving Fuyumi's invitation list in the future.

"I didn't know you'd be here either. I saw you arrive but I have not been able to find you since then. You're not hiding from me are you?" He asked with a wink.

"Oh, no I no."

"Good, so would you like to dance? We could give the cameras another opportunity to see how well we look together."

Kyouya began releasing Haruhi so she could dance with Hayate. He knew women preferred Ikeda's light rhetoric to his taciturn nature and it was a party after all. Kyouya had only gone over to get her away from Sayuri and the champagne. What Haruhi did now was her business. It wasn't any concern of his. And, Kyouya had far more pressing matters at hand than dancing with Haruhi anyway.

"Arrigato Haya-san." Haruhi began. "But, I was just going to dance with Ootori-san."

Kyouya eyes quickly flashing to her was the only thing that showed his surprise.

"Oh," Hayate said surprised. "I didn't realize you were so social Ootori-san."

"Well, everything has a season doesn't it." Kyouya answered. He placed his arm around Haruhi's waist again and continued leading her to the marble floor.

"Ootori-san, you don't like Haya-san much do you?" Haruhi asked as they began to dance.

"What gives you that impression?" Kyouya said tight-lipped.

"You. But, I suppose I could see why a person like you wouldn't have much esteem for a person like him." Haruhi mused.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Haruhi pursed her lips and tilted her head to the side as she considered her answer, completely unaware of how well the angle accented her features. "I suppose for someone who works as hard as you do to attain your goal it must be... bothersome to see Haya-san do nothing but play."

"How do you do that?" Kyouya said amazed. He had not seen Haruhi in years yet she managed to tell him exactly what he was thinking, sometimes before he knew he was thinking it.

"Do what?"

"Nothing." Kyouya said. "Onto matters more important that Ikeda: you only had one glass of champagne right?"

"Hai, just one." Haruhi said grinning.

They both looked up to see Tamaki and Sayuri waltzing a few couples away from them.

"And, Sayuri-san didn't say anything to make you desire more?" Kyouya said trying to find out what Haruhi thought was so strange about their conversation.

"No, it was very strange."

"So I've heard."

"She…she apologized to me."

"Apologized?"

"Hai. I don't understand."

"What did she say?"

"She said that she was nervous about meeting me and that she felt intimidated and let that get the better of her." Haruhi explained obviously still trying to comprehend everything.

"So, what's the problem?"

"It makes no sense."

"What?"

"Why she would be intimidated by me?"

"Haruhi, have you seen what you look like tonight?" Kyouya answered. He silently cursed his inability to restrain himself from another imprudent comment but immediately went about remedying it. "I mean, most women—people rather are intimidated when they meet their lover's ex… I would imagine."

"Hmm." Haruhi could find anything else to say still too confused by the strangeness of the whole situation. It took her a while to realize that their dance was over and that Kyouya was leading her away from the floor.

"Ootori-san." An older gentleman called stopping them. "And, who is this lovely lady you are entertaining tonight?"

"Fujioka Haruhi this is Dietman Kurozawa."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance my dear." Dietman Kurozawa said kissing Haruhi's hand.

"You as well." Haruhi answered. She glanced at Kyouya and could see from his the furrow of his brow that Dietman Kurozawa was another person whose company Kyouya was not fond of.

"Well, I could certainly see why Kyouya would keep you around." Dietman Kurozawa said with a lecherous grin.

"Fujioka-san is a lawyer and is working with me on my new endeavor." Kyouya explained, inconspicuously taking Haruhi's hand and slipping it out of the Dietman's grasp.

"Ah, yes your secret project. When are you going to let me know what this is all about? I'm sure I could assist you." Dietman Kurozawa said.

"I am afraid you shall have to wait like everyone else, Dietman Kurozawa." Kyouya answered.

"I see. Never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, huh?"

"That depends entirely on the left hand I suppose." Kyouya answered with a saccharine smile.

"Ha!" Dietman Kurozawa bellowed, masking his offense. "This is why they all call him the Ootori I suppose. But, you must have some regard for tradition. In your father's day things were done very differently. He knew the most effective way to get through the required channels."

Kyouya's eyes narrowed at the suggestion. Yes, in his father's day things were done differently. He could see Dietman Kurozawa practically itching his palm in anticipation. Though Kyouya used his cunning and the influence the Ootori name afforded him, he was not in the habit of bribing Dietmen or issuing payoffs to expedite his progress. He was not willing to compromise his integrity by having business dealings with certain less ethical members of the Diet. Kyouya was aware that his way of doing things was not appreciated by those who had grown accustomed to his father's affinity for working in the gray area. But he was disinclined to follow his father's, indifference to unscrupulous business practices. Eventually the corrupt members of the Diet would be exposed and Kyouya was not going to sully his name by being connected to them. And, Kyouya certainly had no intention of living his life tied to another man's pocket.

"In my day?" Ootori Yoshio said joining them. He moved and stood beside his youngest son. "Kurozawa I didn't realize that my day had passed. Don't be so eager to put me out to pasture Kurozawa. My son has not succeeded me just yet." He said patting Kyouya's shoulder before adding. "Either of them."

Kyouya gave an imperceptible frown as the two older gentlemen began their conversation of allusions like an intricate dance. He hated when his father did that. He was always dangling the carrot before him in an effort to keep him in line. It was always the same. He would make a statement that sounded like the decision was made and that Kyouya would be his successor. But, before his son got the opportunity to become confident he would make another sly comment to invalidate it. He wanted Kyouya to know that the decision had not officially been made and more importantly that, no matter what the consensus was in the Japanese business world, the decision was ultimately up to him.

Haruhi observed the conversations with the focus of a chess tournament. Sometimes she could see why Kyouya was the way he was. It must be hard always treading a line where one misstep or mistaken word could cost him all he had been working for. And then to know that the person in charge of your fate was a psuedo-maniacal parent must create an entirely different emotional strain. She was so accustomed to seeing the opulence and excess of their lives that she sometimes forgot how much pressure they were under to excel and to surpass their predecessors. Haruhi almost felt sorry for Kyouya. It even made her begin thinking of Tamaki and the decision he was forced to make between her and his family. She did not agree with it but seeing it unfold before her, she could pity them. She was glad that she was not a part of this world and that she never would be.

A/N: So what did you think. I hope you guys are okay with the interaction and the appearance of the Host Club. I always planned on them coming here but some people like Nekozawa just showed up, as is his habit. You know what to do. Review. Review. Review. Or I'll Belzenef will be very displeased ;[