A/N: You all know someone's going to walk in on the sleeping fest. Thank you very much for your reviews one and all. ^_^ To all those reading, I hope you're enjoying it. Oh, to explain blood types. It's in the anime as well as the series, apparently people with Honey/Kyoya/Kagome's blood type are cranky upon waking up. Kind of like how we have horoscopes and such that 'define' people they also have blood types. Side note: I've gotten Orlando Bloom's autograph sitting in my room hoping it will motivate me to finish Beauty and the Tree... it's working better than expected. Writer's block has left the building...
Disclaimer: I neither own Ouran, Inuyasha, or Shakespeare (the quote that's the title of this chapter).
Haruhi was giving Tamaki a hard time, thinking him a weird maniac into kinky things like S&M after Hikaru and Kaoru had made an appearance at their door. The Host Club, minus Honey who was still sleeping in his bed, made their way towards Kagome's room ready to wake her up. Tamaki had it in his head that he could make things right between him and Haruhi under the illusion of a lovely breakfast with Kagome there cooking with Haruhi in the kitchen wearing a frilly cute apron. Forget the fact that there were perfectly capable maids and chefs in the mansion, Tamaki wanted a loving home made meal.
"I forgive you dearest. Those two twins are so cruel to make you out like a bad person," Haruhi said in his daydream.
Tamaki reached for the door, a bounce in his step while an aggravated Haruhi grumbled next to him about it being a vacation and them deserving sleep. Hikaru and Kaoru were having a game of rock, paper, scissors with Mori to determine just who would wake Kyoya up… as soon as they found out where he was sleeping, though he was probably in Tamaki's room since Tamaki had ended up in Kyoya's. Whoever lost woke Kyoya and second place loser woke Honey while the winner got to sit beside Kagome or Haruhi on the way back. The door opened and they all tiptoed into the room towards the bed.
Tamaki was all rays of sunshine as he tugged the silky heavy black curtains open to reveal the bright sunny day. It was a day for wakefulness! A day for adventure! A day for bonding and everyone getting along!
The club members glanced at the bed to find a bushy black mess of hair peeking out from under the plump covers. Astute Haruhi was the one to lift the pair of very recognizable glasses off the nightstand with a cocked brow. "What are these doing here?"
"Those look like-" Began Hikaru.
"Kyoya's," finished Kaoru bitterly. And then Tamaki tugged back the thick blankets that covered the incredibly large lump under the covers. His feminine scream of terror shook the entire household and on the other side of the mansion Nekozawa was cackling with glee that someone sounded as if they were having a frightful morning. Had Tamaki been any louder something horrible might've happened... like Honey waking up from his room to launch an attack on them in his sleepy delirium. Kagome snuggled further into a shirtless Kyoya's neck, burying her head against the soft musky smelling skin to try and block out the hateful light. Kyoya's arm was wrapped possessively around her waist.
Kaoru was beady eyed at the scene and quickly began planning vengeance.
And like in every horror film the monster began to awaken. Kyoya's harsh metalic gray eyes creaked open and he glared at them with the fires of hell blazing in his gaze. "Get out," he ordered with all the malicious edge in his voice of a calm and frightening demon.
"Bwut! What's Kagome doing in here? It's wrong and-" Poor Tamaki's babbling.
"He's corrupting her," began Kaoru. His fist clenched. Mori was already backing out of the room for safety… the towering giant knew what it was like to wake up Honey and Kyoya honestly gave his cousin a run for his money.
And then, like the bride of Frankenstein in a zombie-like trance, Kagome's blue eyes snapped opened with an eerie glaze of sleepiness to them. Such harsh blues froze the blood in all their veins as she raised a hand. Without care or warning, she sent a blast of wind at Tamaki knocking him flat on his ass. No one knew how she did it but they were scared. Maybe Nekozawa had gotten to her and taught her dark black magic. Or worse! Maybe he'd cursed her! Mori quickly lifted up Tamaki, throwing him over his shoulders, and they all retreated out of the room scared out of their wits. Kagome's arm slumped back down and she pulled up the covers, cuddling close to Kyoya with a soft sigh.
Kyoya pressed a button resting on a remote on the dresser that shut the curtains. "Idiots," he murmured, arm content around her waist as his eyes shut once more. The shadow king went back to spooning Kagome. He softly inhaled the sweet scent that soothed his nerves. His lips brushed her cheek unconsciously in a soft peck. Kagome had no knowledge for she'd fallen right back asleep.
Kyoya's alarm began ringing on his cell phone at the accurate time he preferred to wake to. He reached over and snapped it off before slowly rousing himself from sleep. Something warm was latched onto him creating a wet spot on his chest from where her mouth hung open. Looking down he remembered what had happened earlier that morning and Kyoya made a mental note to lock the doors. Always. Kagome snuggled up to him and not once did he think about pushing her out of the bed and onto the floor as he would've done any other person. It went everything he was not to charge her for his time that was taken by staying the night with her to help her sleep. Kagome blearily blinked open an eye and much in a sleepy state reached up to pat his face. She was still in dream world as she nuzzled her chin against his and then froze when her mind fully awoke. Kyoya meanwhile had been lapping up this little surprising morning routine she had going for nuzzling him. He'd been counting down how long it would take before she realized she was awake. Sadly, not long.
A furious stain of pink dusted her face as she sat up in her night clothes with her hands over her mouth. Kyoya raised a brow as his hands groped for the glasses on the nightstand and he settled them back on his nose. It was time for Kyoya to choose. He could distance himself from this commoner and pretend like none of this ever happened even though it had been the best night of his life just cuddled up next to her. Or… Kyoya could pursue something, rather someone, he desired in his life instead of worry about his proprieties of rising above being a third son. He reached out and a finger ghosted over her shoulder, pulling up the strap that had fallen on her shoulder. For once need outweighed want.
"Are you hungry for breakfast? I can have a maid bring us up some food." Wide eyed shock was on her innocent little face. He was actually being considerate. What all had changed last night? Kagome knew she liked him. She would've been a fool to believe otherwise. But he seemed… so different. In a good way. Like she wasn't seeing a new Kyoya, but one that had always existed underneath it all hidden away where others couldn't see him.
Kyoya didn't make things awkward at all. He wanted to mention to her that he'd solved the riddle, but he'd wait a bit. First he wanted his theory confirmed by her family.
After the big theatrics at the beach things had seemed to die down to a peaceful lull. Or at least what could constitute for peaceful in regards to the Host Club. Kagome was beginning her work on Tamaki. He needed an intervention if anyone did because he hadn't seen his father in three months from what she'd heard. Apparently he'd had dinner with him but that was about it. She wasn't concerned with the events going around about putting up a festival and the competition between Ouran and the Football club as much as she was with Tamaki. So Kagome had requested an audience with Mr. Suoh. He thought it was to discuss the terms of payment and her employment as a teacher of sign language in Ouran.
The Host Club had just begun, though mostly everyone was preoccupied with the threatening letters to notice as she was heading towards the door to leave. It wasn't like they had anyone to host today. Mostly everyone, meaning the twins were without free time and happily coming to bother her before she could make her escape.
"That necklace was from your boyfriend right?" cooed Hikaru, having noticed Kagome's chord around her neck sliding around her neck.
"Was he a lover?" Kaoru was teasing, though he honestly wouldn't mind knowing what this former flame still seemed to hold over her.
Kagome colored prettily under the twins' accusations in a very guilty manner. Her hand went to cover her necklace for she wasn't quite ready for that secret to get out. They knew it was from someone who loved her, but for someone to blatantly suggest she'd had a physical relationship… which she had… well, it was embarrassing. Kyoya miraculously appeared like a savior angel behind her, grabbing her by the elbow and smiling at the twins with an obvious frosty demeanor... okay, more like a demon rescuing an angel for his own sport. "If you'll excuse us, Kagome has an appointment that I need to take her to." And he whisked her away like a knight in ominous armor.
Hikaru turned to his brother as soon as the door shut behind Kagome and Kyoya. "Whatcha going to do about this Kaoru?"
"What we always do best Hikaru."
"You were never one for sharing your toys," commented Hikaru as he looped arms with his brother.
"You're worse," he replied.
You never wanted the twins plotting. Too bad they were always plotting.
Kyoya was right by her side considering that he was the one that had offered the idea of a sign language professor. Talking about her side job wasn't the only thing Kagome planned though.
"Come inside my dear," Mr. Suoh cheerfully sang, gesturing with wide arms for Kagome to make herself at home in his spacious and overly decorated office. She could see where Tamaki got his ostentatious ornamental side from. Kagome plopped down onto the couch and Kyoya took a spot next to her, writing away in his notebook. He was just there in case they needed help communicating. Mr. Suoh scratched the back of his head. "I don't know exactly how we're going to talk, I expect Kyoya-"
Kagome pulled out a notepad and pencil. "Ah, you came prepared little princess!"
Kyoya cut Kagome a glance. "Yes, well, she much prefers speaking for herself." Kyoya gave a small subtle shake of the head. "Stubborn," he carelessly muttered under his breath.
She stuck a tongue at Kyoya and it was the first time Mr. Suoh had actually seen Kyoya lax and easy going. "I have been hoping, should it be a good time for you, that you could start the day after the school competition. Does that sound fine princess?" She nodded her agreement. "As far as payment, this is what I'm ready to offer." He passed her the sheet of paper where he'd written the moderate wage for someone working in Ouran and Kagome's eyes nearly popped out. "Is it not enough?" Kyoya glanced at the numbers and didn't see anything at all wrong with the payment until he realized why she was freaking out.
She began shaking her head and waving her hands before she whispered, "Too… much."
Hearing Kagome's voice Mr. Suoh pulled her up out of her seat and began spinning around with her in his arms. "You spoke Kagome! You spoke! You deserve a bonus! A raise!" He paused in swinging her around and set her down. "No, I could get fired for that." Mr. Suoh beamed down at her. "How about you practice saying 'daddy' instead?" Yup. This was Tamaki's father. The apple didn't merely fall from the tree it was ground and rooted right beside the tree making another flamboyant boisterous tree with large gaudy branches.
Kyoya lightly touched her shoulder to ease her jitters. "Kagome, it's a base salary for anyone working here at Ouran. You should accept it. It even includes health benefits." Her eyes lit up. She hated Kyoya paying for her hospital bills so this was a very nice bonus. It gave her some breathing room and didn't make her feel like she owed Kyoya her firstborn child.
Kagome nodded and pulled away to stick out a hand for a deal maker. Mr. Suoh heartily shook her hand. "No,w you must be sure to come and visit and tell me how your students are. I'm sure Tamaki's going to want to learn as well-"
And there was the underhanded reason why she was there. Kagome quickly waved a hand up, an action Kyoya already knew how to interpret. "Kagome's not done talking just yet." He began placing it in more eloquent terms than what Kagome would probably say. "She'd very much like it if you would listen for another minute to something she has to say and consider her words wisely."
Kagome nodded eagerly at Kyoya. He was catching on rather quickly to her line of thoughts when it came to her silent movements. Sometimes he reacted before she even could motion. It had actually become something others were noticing and the twins thought it was kind of creepy considering they'd never seen anyone aside from themselves do something like that. She wrote on the notepad her request and passed it to Kyoya. "She requests: 'At your latest convenience would you please visit my family shrine with Tamaki? We would consider it an honor and would treat you to dinner. I would like you to visit our shrine so that you may approve of it if the Host Club considers taking the students off campus one day for a field trip.'"
Well, Kyoya had to hand it to Kagome. She was a last minute genius when she needed to be and now that he thought about it, the shrine being at their disposal would actually bring in money if they brought the students from Ouran to visit it. The Host Club could play on the theme of the shrine and the Feudal Era to entertain guests, her mother could serve food that would be far cheaper than the usual expensive stuff he purchased, and no doubt Kagome would let Shippo skip school so he would get to spend more time with his mother. Shippo's cute factor combined with Honey's would be a boost to sales. Many of the fans would even raise their devotion for Kagome if they found out how she adopted Shippo. He could see the money soaring for both Ouran and the shrine. Kagome was becoming quite an asset to his sales.
Mr. Suoh considered it for a moment and Kyoya swore he could see the theater in Mr. Suoh's mine, so much like his son's, whirling with the idea of actually being able to spend time with Tamaki outside of the mansion and away from the scrutiny of Tamaki's grandmother. Finally, Mr. Suoh nodded his head enthusiastically. "I'll have my secretary check in the books, but I would be delighted to come and I know Tamaki would. It is my duty for the safety of the students to visit your shrine before they do-" Ah, Kyoya knew that's what Mr. Suoh would state if his mother asked him why he was visiting an old shrine. "-But of course I know everything at your family shrine will be perfect!" Kagome went up to Mr. Suoh and gave him a quick hug; she patted his arm, and walked towards the door where Kyoya was already standing waiting for her.
That girl is something else, thought Yazuru Suoh as they departed the room.
Kagome was escorted out by Kyoya and was practically bouncing on happy footsteps when a voice broke through her thoughts. "Oh, Kyoya, I didn't know you were missing class to have a meeting with Mr. Suoh today." It was the accusing bitter voice of Mr. Ootori who'd been on his way for his own scheduled meeting with Yazuru Suoh. Kagome looked back and forth between the two. Kyoya was the spitting image of a younger version of his father, except Mr. Ootori's eyes were harsh and far harder, like grey steel. His posture was even solid like concrete and every movement calculated to ooze power.
"Actually, I'm currently running an errand for the Host Club that will benefit not just the club but the school as well father," said Kyoya with that fake smile that Kagome knew he put on when facing an adversary. She'd never seen Kyoya smile so hard. The priestess knew tension; she'd seen it between countless demons starting with Inuyasha's possessive streak that ran a mile wide when it came to her and every other male in Edo. Gah, had she been glad when he'd gotten over himself and realized he'd lost her to someone else. But why was someone so... so, meanly geared towards family? Kyoya had instinctively stood a bit in front of Kagome, as if to block her from his father's gaze.
"And who is your friend?" He raised up a hand to his chin as if carefully thinking it over. "Oh, I remember." And like Kyoya, Mr. Ootori had access to all sorts of information. "Kagome Higurashi. Scholarship student who dropped out of her former high school. Heiress to that shabby shrine. This is the same girl whom you've so graciously decided to contribute money to help her voice heal."
Oh. Shit. Kyoya knew he didn't have to look behind himself, but he still managed to do a quick take and… Yup. She was pissed. He was too, but unlike a certain priestess Kyoya knew how to keep his mouth properly shut. She'd never been so keen on learning how to put a foot in her mouth despite the consequences. Kagome wrote something on the notepad for Kyoya's eyes alone.
Translate to whatever the hell you want that sounds respectable and absolutely charming Kyoya. Please excuse me while I curse your father's ass off.
He raised a brow and shook his head. Should've expected as much. Well this will be interesting, he thought. "Kagome wishes for me to translate for you."
"I wasn't aware you could speak mute." Another snap to Kagome's back as she stood straighter smiling as serenely as the angel of death. Oh yeah. For once Kyoya was more than happy that Kagome couldn't speak; otherwise his father would've been yelled into the next room through the brick walls.
Her hands were flying with perfect sign language that Kyoya by now understood to be profanity of the most crudest nature. "Kagome wishes to give her most profound gratitude to you for allowing her to visit our family hospital." Kyoya was having a hard time keeping a straight face as he recognized a few choice words that he'd caught between her and Sota that he'd looked up online. Let's see there was 'greedy S.O.B.' Oh, and there was 'Screw yourself.' 'Asshole' and 'prick' seemed to be appearing many times. And there was a new one! He'd have to look that up later or ask Sota, Sota was more likely to explain hand gestures that were swears than she was. "She's very thankful for our family and has let all who visit the shrine know how much the Ootori family cares for those who need medical help." His father's brows went up at that, he hadn't considered the common folk visiting the hospital as well. Probably because he hadn't thought they could afford it. "Kagome's working her hardest in this school and she enjoys the nature of the rich, however she feels that the people are far more interesting than the school itself. She hopes that Haruhi and her may both be the bridge to the common class and that of the wealthy." Yeah, Kyoya was saying what bullshit he could string together while she was assaulting his father with hand motions, but it was actually pretty funny. She placed her hands at her side, done with her profanity, and bowed a head to Mr. Ootori in the proper manner that Kyoya had instructed her on when she noticed how the upper class did it. "She wishes you a good day and a wonderful evening." Kyoya grabbed Kagome by the arm and hurried her down the hall and around the corner.
Mr. Ootori glanced back at his body guard who was fluent in many languages, one of the few ones being Japanese sign language. The man had been biting his tongue the entire time to refuse from laughing. "Was that honestly what the girl said?"
The security guard was torn between telling the truth just to see Mr. Ootori's face and lying. Ah hell, there was no way Mr. Ootori could find out considering there wasn't a single camera in the hallway and he highly doubted Mr. Ootori could memorize every move she'd made. "Yes sir. She seemed very thrilled to be spending time with your son."
"Well, Kyoya is my third son so I don't see any harm in their association." He shrugged lightly before proceeding towards the office. Truth was, no matter if Kyoya was his third son Mr. Ootori could always use him to gain another company by finding just the right heiress. He'd actually been heavily considering the matter and one suitable candidate fit the bill. She attended Ouran, was rich, already knew his son, and was an only child so Kyoya could come into owning the business. Said heiress was one Renge Houshakuji. In fact, now that he'd seen that little commoner hanging around his son he believed it was time to remind Kyoya of his place in life. He'd call Renge's father this week and begin the negotiations.
When they were a safe distance away and the coast was clear Kyoya stopped running. Kagome was leaning against the wall for support and was catching her breath when she heard the unmistakable pealing sound of laughter. Wide shocked eyes rose to find Kyoya laughing heartily. His voice sounded so sweet and she realized it was the first time she'd ever heard him actually laugh. Kagome hadn't really thought Kyoya was capable of laughter, but it appeared everyone had their day of surprising people. She wished she could hear him laugh more often like that. His whole expression seemed to change who he was when his lips were turned upwards.
Kyoya raised up and took his classes off so he could wipe away the tears from his eyes. "That was refreshing," he commented, sliding them back over his nose and once more returning to the normalcy that was the shadow king. Kagome took his hand in hers and led him back to the Host Club that they'd ditched to talk to Mr. Suoh. Kyoya's free hand had his book tucked under his arm and he was still walking proper, but he still let Kagome tug him along. The ice around Kyoya was definitely beginning to thaw away.
A few days had passed and things were winding down to the festival. They were taking one small break and having the guests come in for only one day before returning back to the tedious work of finishing plans.
Those boys would be the death of her. It was bad enough she had a fox son to look after, but those twins might as well be foxes with how they were running about in the club room trying to paint each other when they were supposed to be helping out with refilling the paints that the girls were using to paint. Today the club was bringing out the creative side of all the girls. Hikaru and Kaoru were in charge of drawing and painting. Tamaki was inspiring music and listening to those who could sing raise their voices. Mori and Honey were showing the girls how to do stage combat. Kyoya was going over writing with the young ladies who were interested in making up stories, like Renge. And Haruhi was showing the girls how to use a camera. Kagome's job was calligraphy since she'd spent years in the Feudal Era mastering how to perfectly write elegant letters. Sesshomaru and Miroku had both been of great help, though Miroku had been the skillful one to spend countless hours showing her since she had to make sutras as a priestess. It was a more hands on experience than usual for the girls they were hosting, but it was meant to get them excited over actually creating something with their own two hands.
Kyoya had been inspired the night before when Shippo had greeted them at the shrine gates and given Kyoya a picture he'd colored of them. Shippo was a little fox, Kagome a pink kitty, and Kyoya was what appeared to be a black cat for some reason. Shippo had explained he was a panther. Kyoya had dramatically offered some flair; he did hang out with Tamaki after all, and placed the gifted picture delicately into his bag. He'd seen pictures like that before littering the house. Some of them he'd seen had other friends. A guy in red who was portrayed as a dog, a guy in brown who was a wolf, a young woman who was a tiger with a giant boomerang, and a guy who was a raccoon with ear piercings and a staff. The raccoon and pink kitty were pictured together quite a lot with the red dog guy making faces.
He was roused out of his thoughts as one of the twins tripped and bumped into Kagome who fell right onto the floor. Glass broke, ink spilt, girly exclamations over Kagome were roused, and apologies quickly made by Kaoru and Hikaru. Kagome though was unmoved by anything. Though people fluttered around her she saw no one, not even Kyoya as he pushed through the worried girls to kneel beside Kagome and make sure she wasn't hurt. An icy glare aimed at the twins sent them scurrying for a mop and bucket. Mori and Honey began clearing the little crowd away. Tamaki distracted the girls with the old comment about water never harming a guy dripping with good looks, turning it around to say that ink couldn't harm such bright a flower as Kagome. Haruhi was soothingly offering tea to them, though if anyone needed soothing it appeared to be the quietest member.
Ink poured onto Kagome's right hand. She froze with mute eyes staring at the odd little sloppy circle it had made on her palm. For some reason Kagome's face became incredibly melancholy and the beginnings of tears appeared on her face. "Are you okay? You don't appear to be harmed." He knew though. This wasn't about a bruise or a cut. "It's just a bit of ink," murmured Kyoya pulling out a napkin and going to wipe away the mark. Kagome pulled her hand out of his own and held it to her chest shaking her head. "No? You don't want me to wipe it away?" Kagome nibbled on her bottom lip. "You know how childish you're being?" He voiced what she was thinking about herself now wishing to keep a black stain on her hand. Kagome nodded her head and offered her hand back up to him. Kyoya began wiping once more at it until the spot disappeared. "There. No black hole to suck you in." Her eyes widened and met his face. For once in his life Kyoya had been trying at humor, but had failed with the attempt. Kagome patted his face in an effort to say thank you, but then she walked past the girls towards the rest room. For the rest of the clubs hour she remained in that bathroom and neither Haruhi nor anyone else could get her to come out.
He at first attributed her attitude as being that for some reason black ink scared her. Black… black holes! That struck a memory and now Kyoya knew another part of the riddle. It was slowly coming together. She'd seen the cursed monk sucked into his black hole. No wonder she'd be frightened by it. Just as the club ended signaling the others to their time to return homewards, he stalked towards the door without knocking and walked into the bathroom to find Kagome reclining against the little couch in the bathroom. "Are you okay?" He sat down beside her and at once Kagome threw her arms around his waist and held onto him. His hand soothingly rubbed her back. "I'm sorry you saw him die. He must've been a good friend."
Kagome clung to Kyoya thinking, You have no idea.
The doorbell rang. Kagome hadn't expected any company today. The priestess daintily fixed at her hair, just in case it was Kyoya popping by, and swept through the kitchen to the door. She opened it to find a bouquet of flowers in front of her face being held by a nervous hand that belonged to someone with bright orange hair and an apologetic face. She tilted her head as if to say 'Kaoru?' A peek this way and that way showed no signs of Hikaru. For once the twins were separated! "I just came to apologize," said Kaoru awkwardly. He wasn't nearly as awkward as his brother would have been. Kaoru had a better way of expressing himself in words than Hikaru did. "Y'know, for running around the room and knocking into you with the paints. Hikaru's sorry too, but you know how he is." She nodded, understanding that Hikaru would probably do something with his actions to apologize to her. Truthfully, Kaoru was sitting in the car at the edge of the shrine waiting for his brother to give him the 4-1-1 on everything that happened. Hikaru may be suffering separation pains and forcing himself to play video games in the car, but he was going to give his brother this moment!
Kagome smiled back at Kaoru and her nose puckered up sniffing the bright orange, of course, lilies he'd gotten her. Kagome moved out of the way and offered him entry. He went to step in before he noticed her odd style of clothing, red and white everywhere. "What're you wearing?"
"Oh, Kagome's a priestess for the shrine," came a lilting voice from the back door as Mrs. Higurashi came in bearing heavy bags of groceries. Shippo was bouncing in and the fox immediately ran towards Kaoru.
"Kao-sempai," he squeaked! Kaoru gave the tyke a high five. "Where's Hikaru?"
"He couldn't come over."
"Oh Kaoru, it's nice to see you again. Normally we're used to Kyoya coming over," said Mrs. Higurashi as she began taking out the groceries to set in the cupboards. Like all mother's her eyes lit up when she saw the flowers in a blushing Kagome's hands. "Did you bring those for Kagome?" Kaoru turned the shade of his hair. "They're so lovely! They're one of Kagome's favorite flowers!" Kagome hastily went to place them in a vase before her mother started bringing out the baby pictures or did something of the embarrassing sort.
Sota walked in, balancing a soccer ball on his hip. One look from Kagome to Kaoru to the flowers and he shook his head. "What's with it and dudes chasing after you sis?" He muttered before heading towards the staircase to go to his room and finish his homework. Grandpa Higurashi was snoozing on the couch completely undisturbed by all of the gawking and noise. He was going deaf so pretty much nothing phased him. You normally had to shout incredibly loud for him to pick up on anything. "Kyoya's going to be peeved," he added under his breath.
"Hey Kaoru, I did that thing you and Hikaru taught me! You know! Sticking clear stuff on the toilets in the boys room. They still haven't found out it was me."
"You taught him that," laughed Mrs. Higurashi hysterically while Kagome sent Kaoru a look that could kill. She was a mother and that was her son he was corrupting. Kagome waltzed over to him with hands over her chest waiting for Kaoru to explain.
"I didn't think he'd actually do it," responded Kaoru a little lamely. Those wide golden eyes reminded her far too much of her old friend that she forgave him instantly. Kagome began signing to Shippo.
"Mama wants to know if you want to stay for dinner. She's cooking." Kaoru actually brightened at the thought of eating a home cooked meal by Kagome.
He leveled Kagome a cat-like smile with his face turned up challengingly. "Sure, as long as she doesn't poison me."
Kagome signed. "Mama says she can't make any promises."
Kaoru was far too smug as he sat in the plush and shiny car with a full stomach and a charm that Kagome had especially made for him to give him good dreams. "How'd it go?" Hikaru asked amidst controllers and bags of chips. Their driver had finally woken up and began driving them away from the shrine.
"We made dinner together," chirped Kaoru in a pleased tone. Kagome had actually taught him how to chop up the food and wash it. Sure he might not be able to cook, but he'd been there to hover around her and make conversation. It was oddly comforting just talking to Kagome the entire time they prepared dinner and her just listening. Kaoru was so used to it being the other way around and him listening to other people's, well Host Club members, problems. The only one who ever heard his problems was Hikaru so he was glad to have someone else to talk to who could offer fitting advice and such rather than impractical suggestions or ideas for pranks like his brother normally did.
"And?"
"And I have an open invitation to bring you over for dinner any time we please." He reeked of satisfaction. Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome had strolled around the shrine showing him the lay out. Grandfather Higurashi had told him legends at the table. Shippo had been a juvenile kid around him, both earning glares from Kagome every once in a while that told them to behave. And Sota watched with heavy interest, asking if Kaoru like soccer and inviting him to play one day when he was free. They were such a nice family and it wasn't what Kaoru was used to. His mother loved them so much, but she was rarely there. And there father was quiet like him. This boisterous family was far too kind and it made him wonder if other people int he world were like them. Maybe if he opened up his little world a bit they would be.
Hikaru's voice broke through his train of thought. "When do you want to go to their house for supper?"
The younger twin leaned back in the seat and placed his hands over his bursting tummy. "Whenever we find out Kyoya's going there."
"Just relax Kagome and try again from the top," coached Kyoya. He knew she didn't like the cleanliness and blank look of hospitals so Kyoya had a private doctor come to her home. Obviously Kyoya was keeping a vigil over the interactions wanting to know how she progressed. His schedule had changed drastically to fit in time to do this, but he'd found that Kagome had been right with that unspoken advice he'd gotten from the first time coming to this shrine. You had all the time in the world to make time for things you really wanted. And this bit of time gave him moments to clear his head and just be himself. It was refreshing to drop his guard down and just be sarcastic and overly witty. There was no one to impress here. Hell, half the time Sota and Kagome squabbled in sign language in front of him and ended up wrestling.
Kagome sipped from her water bottle and began again with her voice coach making little noises of the alphabet. She was going quick.
Kyoya stood up and made his way from the den to the kitchen where he fixed himself another cup of tea, already knowing his way around the house. Any moment Shippo should be home from that field trip he'd gone on to the zoo. Sota came in from outside smelling like ink and incense, he'd just finished with the few customers and writing out sutras for them. Kyoya was already planning to tip off a well known heiress who spent a lot of her time wanting her tarot readings and looking to oracles for help. She would eat this stuff at the shrine up and hopefully recommend it to her friends to visit. Little thoughtful things like that he managed to plan out without anyone finding out. Though Sota was onto Kyoya because every time Kyoya came over he brought supper so they didn't have to spend money. "How's she doing?" Sota whispered as Kyoya passed Sota his cup of fresh tea and went to make himself another.
"She seems to be progressing. Then again, priestesses can heal from such accidents."
And that was how Kyoya got his facts solidified. The moment he'd said that Sota got a surprised look of 'what' on his face that was quickly replaced with a cocky grin. "So you know about sis. I knew she wouldn't keep anything from you. Do you want to see the well?"
"The well?" He questioned as if momentarily forgetting something.
"The one she traveled through."
"Oh, that well," he smiled. "I didn't think it would still be around." Lies weaved brilliantly into truths. He'd never suspected a well was how she had traveled. Kyoya cast Kagome and her doctor a glance, they were getting along fine without him and it would be moments before Shippo came back. Her grandfather was thankfully sweeping the front yard and her mother had went to get her hair done. Besides, he had to solve that riddle.
"We'll be back before she misses you," teased Sota.
Kyoya raised a brow. "Who says she'll miss me?"
"Pssh, she cleans the house top to bottom on days she knows you're coming over." Sota rolled his eyes and set his empty cup of tea in the sink. He prodded Kyoya's chest with a finger as they walked out of the kitchen. "And don't think I haven't seen the way you look at her." Diplomatically Kyoya neither denied nor confirmed anything.
Sota's arm grandly gestured towards the item he'd been leading Kyoya to. An obstruction to the peaceful shrine. Those were the first words Kyoya was thinking of when he saw it. The well was covered by a shoddy little shed with crooked steps leading up to it. "Every day she would come here and jump in leaving for the past. I swear sometimes I didn't see her for months." She'd really been lost to time. Demons. Magic. It all existed. Kyoya's thoughts towards the surreal were logical as could be. If there wasn't anything to disprove magic than there wasn't any reason to say it had never been real. His hand touched the well and he swore he could've felt something thrum under his fingers and then it was gone. Sota was watching him as Kyoya peered over the dried well down into the darkness. There was a ladder leaning against its wall where normally there would be water flooding it.
"You let Kagome go? Knowing she might never come back." His look to Sota said all. That he would've argued hoarse with Kagome until she'd seent he light and stayed, or he would force his police to keep her locked in her room rather than risk her life.
Sota made a face. "It's not like we had a choice. She's stubborn. Besides, we knew to accept it when she brought Miroku back one time. One look at their faces and we knew they were in love." Kyoya felt his fingers clench the well at this new bit of information. He had all of the pieces now to every part of the rhyme. Time devoured everything. Dragons and demons had been her friends and fields of flowers she'd once roamed. The swords mentioned were the ones held by the sons of the western lands, a half demon and his elder brother that he'd read in Nekozawa's scrolls. The legendary stone was the Shikon no Tama. Cursed beings was a monk who'd been swallowed by his wind tunnel. Towns had laid in ruins thanks to Naraku's evil before he'd been defeated. This was the well that had been beat on the hill. Now he knew which maiden's heart had been devoured. The next bit of information that fell from Sota's lips managed to rock Kyoya and didn't leave him unphased. "We were thrilled when she married him." Kagome hadn't just lost a boyfriend or a lover. She'd lost a husband. And that was why she still mourned after all this time.
For once Kyoya was going to be frank with someone and open. "I had no idea that she married him."
"I guessed as much."
"Why did you tell me?"
"We both know you love her, Kyoya. The only one who doesn't know is her." It stunned Kyoya. It had taken him almost forever to find out her riddle and yet Sota had discovered the answer to why Kyoya concerned himself with Kagome with brief meetings. Kyoya didn't even ask what he could benefit from the relationship. She was the champion of Japan, though no one knew it and that was the glitch about it. A girl whose reputation deserved to be elevated and no one would touch her for her common background and their lack of knowledge.
"My father would never approve," he said off-handedly, though even to him it sounded like a lame excuse.
Sota shook his head and rolled his eyes. Rich kids. They never understand what it means to be independent, he thought. "It isn't exactly his life is it? Besides, from what I hear his approval isn't exactly yours anyway." Sota had a point.
Kyoya mildly wondered how Sota had become so intuitive with things like this. He was supposed to be years younger than Kyoya. Well, in for a penny and out for a pound. "Should I tell her?"
Sota shrugged. "If you don't do it than someone else might. Someone like that Kaoru guy who called our shrine this week."
That was new information for Kyoya to digest. It appeared a competition of another sort was underway within the Host Club and this time the stakes were higher.
A/N: There. It's confirmed. Yup, it was Miroku all along! Good job one and all for your guesses! Lol.
Tune in next time: Kaoru time, arranged marriages, and Nekozawa discovers clues on the curse.