DISCLAIMER: I swear, I do not own Ouran... By the way, this fanfic is inspired by the song "Collide" by Howie Day..

Thank you very much for the reviews in chapter 2 :)

Sonata-Margaret
Marisol Akyri
crazyiscool
Miyuki Hatake
queen31

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The party was about to start when Haruhi arrived at the mansion. She walked through the large, marbled halls leading to the ball room. She pretty much knew how to navigate herself through the maze-like corridors of the Ootori first mansion. That was to be expected, since she had already been there countless times, whether it was work related or even just a plain dinner with the Ootori family. For the past three years, since the time that she accepted the job that Yoshio Ootori offered her, Haruhi has somewhat became a part of the family.

"Just in time." The raven-haired boy said as Haruhi stopped in front of him. He was standing casually outside the pair of two large doors of the ball room. "Almost late." He crossed his arms as he looked closely at the girl, as if he was studying her or something. The chocolate eyed girl, on the other hand, tried to ignore his comments. "Kyouya-senpai, why are you out here?" she asked.

"Because", he answered slowly, "I'm not in there." He straightened his arms and used his left thumb to point to the door behind him.

'Bastard.' Haruhi rolled her eyes. "Right." She flatly said. "I didn't notice that." She said, returning the sarcasm as she took Kyouya's extended arms. Kyouya motioned for them to walk inside the room as soon as she crossed her smooth and slender arm into his lean one. This kind of arrangement wasn't new to them. Whenever they have parties or functions to attend to, Kyouya would always be her escort, and she would always be his date.

The Shadow King and the Host Club Queen's escort-date arrangement started out one year ago when Kyouya's supposed to be date, Akio Midori, got sick on the day of one of the Ootori Company's party. Haruhi, on the other hand, went without an escort as usual. Well, she preferred to go without an escort, even though a lot of young men are dying just to have Miss Fujioka as their date... That night, Kyouya asked her if he could be her escort since his date would not be able to come. Haruhi sensed that it wasn't a question; rather, a demand from her boss. She was very reluctant to agree at first. Nevertheless, Kyouya had successfully persuaded her when he told her that 'being my date, you will save yourself later from the advances of the gentlemen that are staring at you at this very moment'. During that time, Haruhi knew that Kyouya was right; and so, she accepted his proposal to be his date for that particular party.

After that party, she had realized that being the shadow king's date wasn't that bad at all. Standing beside Kyouya felt like being protected inside an invisible barrier. It kept all the aggressive men away from her. And for the record, that was the first time when no one annoyingly asked to give a ride home.

It wasn't only Haruhi who considered that kind of arrangement practical. After that party, Kyouya had also realized that he was very pleased with having Haruhi as his date. Reason number one: He didn't have to go through all the troubles of choosing who he would date for a particular party. That wasn't easy for him. He had to be very careful not to break the hearts of the young heiresses that were hoping to have him as an escort. Having those ladies mad at him would be bad for the Ootori business. Reason number two: Having Haruhi as his date means that he would be able to concentrate on his business deals rather than worry on some whims of a spoiled heiress. Unlike those rich girls, he didn't need to pamper Haruhi. He didn't need to shower her with praises, gifts, sweet smiles or whatnot. The young lawyer didn't want those kinds of attention anyway. She was absorbed with her own business, while he was absorbed with his. They can move freely without having to worry about the other.

And so, given all those benefits, the two of them agreed that it was only logical and practical to always be with each other during parties and such.

---

"Ootori Kyouya-sama, with Fujioka Haruhi-sama..."

The host announced as the two walked down the wide staircase towards the gala. They were welcomed by a round of applause and flashing white lights from the cameras. Haruhi instinctively clutched at Kyouya's arm tighter when she slightly got out of balance. Blame it to the 3-inch heels that she was wearing. Good thing that the shadow king was able to steady her smoothly. She whispered a 'thank you' to him.

"Ah. Don't mention it." He quietly said, careful not to draw any unnecessary attention. "I just want to save myself from embarrassment." He continued as he kept smiling and nodding to some important people around. Haruhi resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"What's new with that?", she muttered. She too was smiling and greeting people as she continued to walk side by side with Kyouya. After a while, she got so absorbed with acknowledging different people, that she missed the quick glances her escort was throwing her way.

At one point, however, their gazes have met. Her brown eyes slightly widened upon seeing what seemed like a trace of concern in his onyx eyes. She wasn't sure if she saw it right, for the shadow king immediately pushed his glasses up and looked at the other direction.

-

The party went on smoothly as expected... Well, not quite much for Haruhi. Throughout the night, a certain Koichi Matsuyama has been following her like a mad dog. Even though Kyouya had tried to interfere earlier, it seemed like the heir of the Matsuyama Company wouldn't stop from cornering the lawyer. He kept talking and talking and talking about how he and Haruhi would make a good couple, making the girl want to shove the bottle of wine into his big mouth.

"Ano.. Koichi-san, could you excuse me for a second?", she politely asked.

"Where are you going Haruhi-san? I want to go with you.", he replied persistently.

"No!", she suddenly said before she can stop herself. "I mean..I'm going to the....the bathroom..right.. The bathroom." She said, purposely giving him a sweet smile that would make him forget about her sudden outburst.

"Ohh..oh I see. Sure, go ahead Haruhi-san." He said. "But, are you sure that you don't want me to go with you?" He seductively said, making Haruhi want to vomit at his implied meaning.

"No thank you." She calmly said.

Haruhi started to walk out slowly, greeting people along the way. She dared to look back at her companion earlier, only to find him staring intently at her. The lawyer felt goose bumps all over her body when she saw him licked his lips while looking at her. 'Oh my goodness..' She continued walking, and quickened her pace when she got out of the room. The sound of her heels clicking on the floor was the only thing that she could hear around the empty hallways.

She walked inside the bathroom and stayed there for about twenty minutes, just sitting at the edge of the bathtub. She loved the peaceful silence in the room. She stood up and fixed herself a little before finally deciding to go back to the ball room. She was about to turn at the corner when she saw Koichi standing quite impatiently, obviously waiting for her. Good thing he didn't see her, for he was facing the other direction. She quietly stepped back, afraid that he will notice her. 'Mother in heaven..'

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps coming closer and closer to where she was standing. 'If I run, he will know I am here'. Haruhi remained frozen in her spot, thinking of the best escape plan.

The footsteps continued to come closer until...

"Koichi-san? Is everything okay?" That voice. Haruhi sighed and dared to take a peek. She could see Koichi's back.

"Oh, Kyouya-san. Yes, everything is fine.", the man replied. "By the way, have you seen Haruhi-san?", he asked.

"Haruhi?", Kyouya was about to reply 'no' when he noticed someone peeking from the corner. Koichi missed the small smirk from the shadow king's lips.

"You mean," Kyouya said while throwing glances at the girl in the corner "Haruhi Fujioka, my lawyer?" He finished. Giving emphasis on the girl's name.

"Well, yes?" The man answered with a mixture of confusion and impatience. Haruhi saw the mischievous look in Kyouya's eyes. She could only hope that the shadow king would not tell Koichi that she was just behind the corner.

Haruhi was making I'm-begging-you-don't-tell-him-I'm-here gestures and hand signs. Her mouth speaking a soundless 'No, please. No, no, no.' as she shook her head from side to side.

Kyouya thought she looked funny...and cute, doing all those acts of desperation.

"Well... I think..", he said, making Haruhi beg more. 'Oh Kyouya please. Don't do this to me..' "Yes, I think I saw her just now." Haruhi sighed in resignation. She took a step backward and leaned her back on the wall. She closed her eyes, listening carefully to the two men talking.

"I believe that she is there..." Those were the last words that she heard before silence once again covered the hallway.

The steady sound of the footsteps there were now slowly walking her way echoed her ears loudly. She could sense danger. Haruhi stood there, still leaning on the wall, eyes closed, like a prey that was about to be captured by her predator.....

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A/N: Oh boy... What will happen to Haruhi? stay tuned to find out..

By the way, I've seen a very lovely kyouya/haruhi MV in youtube.. The song used is Howie Day's "Collide", which is a major inspiration of this fic.. I just want to share it with you guys.. It was very well done.. Here is the link http:/ /www. youtube. com /watch ?v = C6rkNOfGUKA. Just delete the unnecessary spaces. Credits to the one who did that MV...

Please review :)

PREVIEW FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER:

"I really hate you Kyouya-senpai.."

"I know."

"But, thank you very much for saving me."