Chapter Seven: Redemption For Treasure Lost

She could only run. She didn't care that she was lost on the grounds of King Suoh's castle, or that she was going further into woods where wild animals could easily tear her defenseless self apart. She didn't care that she was now running down paths of dirt and rocks in only stocking feet, the shoes she once wore long fallen away in her sprint.

She was ashamed, she was hurt, she was angry – how dare someone like him use her for such purposes! To steal a precious thing such as her first kiss, to make her feel such a fire within her...how could he be so cruel!

"A man is a man," she muttered, "A man still has their lust and their wants. That bastard...that bastard is no exception."

For a second, she stopped, catching her breath and allowing herself to take in the sights around her. All around her she was surrounded by trees, giving the thief the instinct she was embedded deep inside a wooded area that surrounded the castle. She could smell flowing water, signifying a river was nearby.

As quickly as she could, she stripped herself of her outer layer of her dress, leaving her in an undergown and leggings. "As soon as I pass that river, I'll be free of Kyouya and back to being a thief at last. I've won my bet," she said as she began to run again, following the scent to the source.

Kyouya growled, cursing himself for the actions that led him to chasing after Haruhi so feverishly. He was too blinded by anger, pushed too far by Renge, that he didn't realize until too late what he did.

The first kiss was part of the precious treasure that the young thief was working so hard to protect, and the selfish bastard he was, he allowed himself to take it. Inwardly he called it revenge towards his former flame; after all, it was her fault, but in reality, it was nothing but pure foolishness.

It was also foolish chasing after her without a clue as to where she was; after all, being the genius master thief she was, Haruhi was sure to be far away already, using every trick up her sleeve to get as far away as possible.

It wasn't until he found her discarded shoes, and eventually her dress, did he pick up on her trail. "Not yet, Haruhi," he muttered, "You haven't won our bet yet."

The current was slow and steady, perfect for crossing over and making it to freedom. Haruhi smiled, then quickly looked around for a path of some sort for her to use to make it over without risk of getting wet.

Her eyes darted upon a large fallen tree, and she let out a sigh of relief to find her escape route. She made her first steps onto the log, testing it for sturdiness. "All right..." she took in her breath and braced herself for the walk across, "One...two..."

Suddenly she felt her countdown caught in her throat as she was pulled back off the log, her body crashing into another. She looked up quickly to see her captor and seethed, her eyes glaring fiercly, "Kyouya!"

"You're not escaping so easily, my little Haruhi," the raven-haired lord said darkly, gripping her wrists tightly.

Roughly she struggled, and he pushed against her. She felt the hard grooves of wood hit her back through the thin material, and she growled at her entrapment. Dangerously, he pinned her arms above her head, and she smirked at his distraction, allowing her a perfect time to move her legs and slip quickly out of his grip.

"Haruhi, stop this!"

"I refuse to be used by anyone, especially by a bastard like you! I've won our bet, and now I will return to my world!"

Without bothering to steady herself first on the log, Haruhi began to run over the wooden path, Kyouya following behind her quickly. She peered over her shoulder and glared, "Damn it, why do keep chasing after me?"

"Our bet is far from complete," he told her, grabbing her wrist yet again and pulling her to a sudden stop.

They felt their footing slip upon the log, and Haruhi gasped as she began to fall off the only thing that kept her from falling into the cold water. Kyouya growled, quickly wrapping his arms around her and pulling her head to his chest as they fell into the chilled flow.

Haruhi's eyes closed to the world, she allowed herself to feel the events around her. The flowing water streaming over her, the hard press of Kyouya's body against her back, the feel of ground against her free limbs as the river grew shallower along the edges. She felt him turn her as they reached the edge, and her eyes opened and she inhaled sharply as she felt the water leave her face, her vision blurred for a few moments as she adjusted to seeing yet again.

In an instant, she regretted her returned vision as soon all she saw was onyx orbs and soaked colored garments, hands pinning her wrists to the muddy ground. She growled weakly, but didn't fight back; she knew this time she was captured and truly she could not escape.

"How dare you...how can you be so cruel and uncaring?" Haruhi snapped, her voice a fury of anger, "How dare you use me for such purposes! You--"

"Shut up, Haruhi," Kyouya said firmly, his lips meeting hers roughly. He felt Haruhi stiffen underneath him, her breath catch against his lips, and again that selfish feeling returned and overtook him. He frowned against her lips, not going unnoticed by the thief, and he parted from her, allowing them both to take in the well-needed breath.

He pressed his forehead to hers, his grip on her wrists never wavering, and the passion that pooled in his orbs cooled as he stared into hers.

"I'm selfish, and I realize that. However, Haruhi, your bet with me is not settled. You must escape me at the villa, not here," he said sharply, "I apologize for damaging you in such a way."

Haruhi was silent, her thoughts full of surprise and anger, but it was cooled as the water that lapped at her feet. "I don't expect forgiveness, but you will be returning with me. You are still my servant, my dear thief," he told her, "However, I trust you with the knowledge that I will not harm you in this way again."

Calmly, he stood up, pulling her up with him. He brushed her wet locks from in front of her face, "I believe we should head back to the castle and ask for a room to rest for the night. Tomorrow we will return to the villa, with all apologies to our host and hostess."

Pulling at her wrist, they trudged back towards the castle, their clothes leaving a dripping path in their walk. They spoke not a word, Kyouya staring straight ahead and Haruhi to the dirt awkwardly.

"Kyouya."

"What is it?"

"Why the second time?"

Kyouya sighed, "To be honest, that was not the kiss I planned to redeem myself for my mistake."

His steps stopped and he turned and faced her, a sad smirk lighting his face as he ran his thumb over her lips, "Your lips have been tainted, stolen of their first kiss in a way you didn't wish for. A part of your greatest treasure has been taken from you by your captive, but..."

Haruhi's breath caught as his lips moved closer to hers. "I wish to leave you a better memory of your stolen treasure," he whispered as he softly melted his lips against hers, a hand gently coaxing her cheek while the other moved from her wrist and gripped her hand, "Allow me a chance at redemption."

For a long moment, she was still, unsure of this change in behavior from the dark lord. How he could go from being so demanding and evil, to a rough and uncaring bastard, to playing a role of an apologetic love was something new and confusing to the young thief. She was unfamiliar with such a hand entwined with hers, instead of gripping her wrist like a handcuff, and his lips upon hers...how they could change from being so forceful to calming with each press to hers is impossible to figure out!

However, she had to admit, this kiss was the one of her dreams, was the one that she was meant to share with her true love. She sighed against his lips at last, closing her eyes and awkwardly returned the affection the only way she knew how: pure instinct and childhood memories of her parents long gone. She squeezed his hand, and he smiled, actually smiled, against her lips as the hand caressing her cheek moved its way into her short, brown locks.

For the first time in many years, Haruhi felt...safe in the arms of another. Kyouya was being a kind person to her, a kind lover...

Haruhi's eyes shot open and she pushed at his chest, pulling away and fingers instantly touching the tingly feeling on her lips. "No...no more! You're not my lover, my husband! You don't have my permission to touch me in such manners!" she screamed, her cheeks a bright red and breath heavy from being caught for so long in the moment.

Kyouya could only stare at her as she reacted in such a manner, but then smirked with an understanding sigh, "Of course. Forgive me. However, tell me, was that redeeming? Will that satisfy your dreams when you look back at your first kiss?"

She couldn't respond and he chuckled as he turned around and began the walk back to the castle. He could faintly hear her following behind him.

Only later that night, when Haruhi was dry and safe alone in her own room, dressed in a borrowed nightdress from Éclair, she whispered to the nightsky her answer.

"...Yes. I don't think I'll ever forget."

Aww, the kiss scenes! Yay! Anyway, the next chapter will be up soon, featuring the last two members of the group we have yet to meet (take a guess who!). Look out for it! Until then, ja ne!