A/N: Sorry for delays

Chapter 20

Haruhi felt like she was walking on egg shells as she crept down the silent hall. Shadows loomed around her watching her every move, hearing her every breath. All day she'd wished for this moment to come, and now that it was finally here she thought she just might die of guilt.

Finally rounding the last corner she saw the long stretch of hallway and closed, silent doors that watched her was ashamed eyes as she passed. She hunched under their watch and tapped softly on the door at the end.

"There you are." A breath of relief took away the guilt as the staring door opened and produced Kyouya on the other side. Haruhi smiled happily and embraced him eagerly as he ushered her in checking down the hall to see if anyone had followed. It looked clear.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come." When he turned to face her Haruhi's heart seemed to melt inside her. She smiled, shyly, and looked at the floor. He shuffled across the soft carpet till his breath mingled with hers. She lifted her face to peer into the depths of his dark eyes and wondered what had changed between them, and how it had happened seemingly overnight. Kyouya's hand cupped her cheek and she leaned into it almost unconsciously. Her eyes slipped closed and she felt as she could fall asleep here just as they were.

"Would I do that?" She whispered lightly stepping forward to wrap her arms around his soft chest and listened to his rapid heartbeat. She smiled to herself, so nervous but it would never show on his face. He returned the embrace resting his cheek against the top of her short hair. It was soft, silky and it smelled of strawberries. He liked that.

Neither knew how long they stood there like that but it was Kyouya who finally pulled back and grinned amused by Haruih's dazed look.

"You are tired, you should go to sleep." Haruhi noted that he did not suggest her departure, only her rest.

"And where should I do that?" She cocked her head to the side with a teasing smile gracing her lips. He grinned back and pushed up the sliding glasses planted on his nose.

"There's a perfectly good bed right there, why waste the time traveling to yours?" She barely contained the yelp as he swooped down and lifted her right off the ground. She clung to his neck and found the spot comfortable and snuggled closer as he crossed the room, slowly she noted.

"Rest now, I'll wake you when I think its time to return." He slipped her from his arms and laid her on the bed. She didn't release him right away and he hovered over staring into her eyes just looking into the soul he'd chosen to ignore for the sake of friendship. He wanted to smack himself.

"Sleep Haruhi." Kyouya smiled cupping the side of her face and kissed her feather light and soft. As if his lips had been a tranquilizer her eyes began to flutter and fall. She smiled dimly and fell off into dreams her arms fell from his neck and he arranged them comfortably on her stomach.

Kyouya stood up straight staring down at the angel sleeping in his bed. She must have been more tired than she let off; she was completely out of it. He smiled and brushed his fingers across her scalp. She was lovely, why had he never seen it before? That was an obvious question, Tamaki. A lump of guilt dropped in his stomach but he moved around and slipped into the bed leaving it on the floor. He wouldn't let his friendship with Tamaki take Haruhi away. She was something he didn't think he could live without.

::

Tamaki stood outside Haruhi's door, tapping lightly on the silent wood. No answer, he knocked a little harder.

"Haruhi?" He checked the handle, unlocked. "Haruhi? I don't mean to intrude but I just thought---" Tamaki stopped his sentence and stood in the door way looking at the deserted room. Not a soul in sight, the bed was perfectly in order, not even sat on. The room looked unused. Tamaki stood there for a long moment wondering where she could have been. At first he felt slightly panicked, but then logic overwhelmed him and he guessed where she could be. Sighing he closed her door and started to return to his room. But he heard voices, their voice to be more exact. Without thinking he retreated down the hall and slid behind the wall right as they came down the hall. He blended into the shadows and stood there silent till he heard them stop. Peering quietly he looked around the corner and felt his heart being ripped out.

Kyouya had his arms around Haruhi's waist and she was smiling up at him whispering quietly as he touched their foreheads together. Their noise touched and they both closed their eyes. Tamaki felt his stomach drop and he almost threw up. Not because it was disgusting or anything but the pain they had inflicted made him sick.

"Haruhi, Kyouay, you're out late." What the hell are you doing! Tamaki's inner voice screeched but the teen didn't seem to hear. He stepped out from behind the wall and watched the two he'd loved the dearest jump away from the other like they'd caught fire.

"Senpai!" Haruhi cried startled blushing scarlet when his sapphire eyes brushed over her. He looked back at Kyouya though and felt himself grow cold and hard. His best friend, taken his dearest possession from him. Did Kyouya not know what he was taking from him? Did he care? Or was Haruhi some part of a plan to gain merits? And then suddenly it clicked in his mind.

"Kyouya what is your plan this time?" Tamaki demanded coldly staring down his best friend. Kyouya's face crinkled in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" Kyouya stared at Tamaki seeing a stranger shaking in front of him. Who was this man?

"What are you talking about Senpai?" Haruhi felt her gut clench suddenly with horror she couldn't understand. Plan? Plan?.....

"How could you Kyouya? How could you take advantage of Haruhi like this? Do you see her as nothing else but another merit? Can't you see what damage you'll cause her when she's served her purpose?" Tamaki all but yelled. His mind saw Kyouya preying over Haruhi making her think his lies were truth, turning her against Tamaki so that Kyouya could keep above him, Kyouya was jealous of Tamaki. Yes, that was it. It had to be.

"Kyouya?" The lack of Senpai felt like a slap to the face. Haruhi stared up at Kyouya her eyes worried, searching, pleading for a denial. Kyouya was stunned by Tamaki's words and when he looked down at Haruhi he did look guilty. Guilt of a lie, guilty of betraying her and she couldn't bear to see it.

"Kyouya…." She stepped back her hands flying to her mouth and eyes beginning to water.

"Haurhi…no, don't listen to him." He reached out for her but the damage was done. She fled them both.