Author's Note: The confession has been made! Yay! However, how will Haruhi take it? And how about her feelings? We're nearing the end, folks!
Chapter Eleven: Capturing The Thief's Heart
She felt his words echo through her whole body. Kyouya Ohtori, her captor, the dark lord himself, loved her, Haruhi Fujioka, a lowly thief-turned-servant who broke the laws in order to show their wrongs.
She barely felt his lips upon hers at first, and she could tell through that he was fearing her rejection. She was fearful as well, but she couldn't reject him – she did love him as well, but couldn't tell him then and there. Instead, with her hands shaking like leaves, she gripped onto his shirt and leaned into his kiss, standing onto her tiptoes slightly to reach him. For a moment, she could tell he was surprised by her actions, but didn't stop their affection, but instead wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her as close as he could without scaring her.
He could taste some saltiness on her lips from her tears, but he didn't care – he didn't want to release the lips he longed to kiss, or let go of the body he longed to hold. Kyouya, after years and years of following and being fascinated by her actions, finally had Haruhi to himself and shared the feelings down in his heart.
With a bit of regret, he finally parted from her lips, licking and tasting the flavor that was solely hers remaining on them. He admired the blush that adored her cheeks and smirked despite himself before nuzzling her neck.
"Kyo...kyouya...you..." Haruhi tried to speak, but her words came out in breathless whispers.
"Yes, Haruhi. I meant what I said," Kyouya said, his breath making little shivers run down her spine, "I'm irrevocably and completely in love with you. I know that you have a past that involves hatred towards royals like myself, so being loved by one must make you disgusted, but I couldn't live the rest of my life without telling you how I felt."
He gripped tighter to her, and heard her gasp when he knew he had held on too tight. He gently left a kiss onto her neck, and smirked again when he heard her breath caught, "For years, I've been waiting, hoping, wanting to tell you that I love you, and that only increased in the months since I've brought you here. I can understand, however, if you no longer wish to be near me or speak to me, if my actions disgust you."
Haruhi was silent for a moment, but then she shook her head and pulled back in order to look up at him directly. "No. I'm not disgusted by you. But I...I just don't know how to respond. I mean...I can't feel any kind of hatred towards you, but...I don't know..." she tried to say, but she trailed off.
With a small chuckle, Kyouya took hold of her hands and gently kissed her knuckles, "I'm not expecting an instant return of your feelings. However, I would like it if you let me win over your heart as you won over mine. I want to prove to you my feelings are sincere, that I'm not saying these words to lure you into compromising acts."
"I...I...don't have any objections to that, but Kyouya-"
"That's all I wanted to hear. Now, are you hungry Haruhi?"
Haruhi felt awkward that night as she prepared for bed, brushing through her messy, knotty hair with her brush in front of the mirror Kyouya had set up in his closet. Dinner went fine, a meal made by both of them and ate among the two of them with few words spoken and glances stolen (and faint blushes on her cheeks, she was sure of that), and they spent quiet time in the garden – at least until they had their moment of panic and realized that they had forgotten to bring in the laundry. Of course, that had brought some laughs to the thief, and chuckles to the dark lord himself as they fix their mistake before they decided to retire to bed.
However, despite that fortunate icebreaker, she still felt awkward – in her wildest dreams, even despite being told by his own father, she never wouldn't thought that Kyouya Ohtori would confess to her. The echo of his words was enough to make her quake again.
Shaking her head, she placed the brush on a nearby table and looked at herself in the mirror. "Who am I now?" she questioned, "A few months ago, I was the thief that haunted the night, a feminine terror, a woman with a mission to defend her honor and her sacred treasure...I was a cursed name of Haruhi Fujioka."
She turned slightly, looking down at herself in the pink, frilly nightdress, "But now...I've become a royal escort, a servant to lords and kings, submitted my lips to a man that yearned for me through the years I've criminally walked...I feel so different...I feel like my name is no longer such a curse, but that it's beautiful. A beautiful name of Haruhi Fujioka."
The brunette sighed, lifting the brush up from its resting place and going back to her task, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke, "While my name is beautiful, my heart certainly isn't...I spent so many years fighting to protect myself, but yet I'm afraid of this feeling, that I too am in-"
"Are you almost finished, Haruhi?"
The sudden voice on the other side of the bedroom door shocked Haruhi from her thoughts, making her drop the brush with a loud clunk. "O-oh! Yes, I am Kyouya! Thank you, you can come in now!" she yelled, quickly picking up the brush and scurrying over the dresser where she kept it, trying to avoid the awkward situation that she was sure to ensue the moment he entered the room.
"Hmm, sometimes I swear, you take forever to change into a simple nightdress," the raven-haired man said jokingly as he entered, shutting the door behind him.
"Well, I'm sorry! But I do want to look nice before I go to bed so I don't look like hell in the morning," she replied, her voice a bit sarcastic but all the same joking as he was.
He chuckled, grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles, and she blushed despite herself. "Well, I believe you are beautiful no matter what hour it is," he said smoothly.
"I really wish you'd stop saying things like that..."
"Oh, the truth?"
"Kyouya!"
"What is it about my words that embarrasses you?" he asked sincerely, kissing her knuckles again, looking straight into her eyes as he awaited for her answer. Haruhi bit her lip, looking down at their connected hands for a moment, then back at his eyes, then their hands again as she tried to come up with her answer.
"I'm...not used to the feelings I get when you speak such things. I feel my heart skip a beat whenever you speak those words...and I become scared because I don't understand why. I'm afraid...because I never felt..."
Haruhi trailed off, her eyes barely meeting his and his knowing smile, and she could feel her heartbeat rushing as he pushed down their hands in order to meet her lips.
"Don't rush yourself. I can wait forever and a lifetime to hear those words, as long as you remain by my side," Kyouya said softly, "However, perhaps I can help you feel a little more comfortable with some of those feelings, and with myself. Hmm..."
In a moment, Haruhi didn't like the smirk that stretched across his face. Her face scrunched up, "What do you have up your—ah!"
In an instance, the brunette found herself off of the floor and held bridal-style in Kyouya's arms, her own arms wrapped tightly around his neck out of fear of being dropped. "What the hell! Kyouya, place me down this instant!" she shrieked, struggling with one arm to pull down her nightdress, but Kyouya laughed as he walked towards the large master bed.
"Kyouya!"
"Relax Haruhi."
"How can I relax when you suddenly lift me up then are placing me on your mattress for some unknown reason?"
"I want you to sleep next to me."
"What!"
Haruhi sat up on the bed, but Kyouya's arms held her shoulders, his grip keeping her from her standing. "Haruhi, my intentions are innocent. I don't want to sleep with you, to take away the treasure you value so dear. I only wish to have you sleep next to me, so that we can hear each other's heartbeats' as we drift off. I want you to become comfortable with me, and I with you. Do you understand?" he explained, his eyes pleading with hers in hopes that she did.
The thief stared up at him for a moment, pondering his words and gripping mentally at his intentions, then relaxed beneath his grip, "I guess...I guess we can try this once...t-to see if this will really work."
Kyouya smiled, kissing her forehead as he released her shoulders, "Good."
Haruhi watched him, her face flushed red as she slowly laid down under the covers, walked go to the other side of the bed and sat down on the edge, then bit her lip as he, too, laid down, joining her. In a moment, she could feel his body right next to hers, and felt the bed shift as he moved to wrap his arms around her waist.
"G-good night Kyouya. I...I...ugh..."
He chuckled as he nuzzled into the back of her neck, "Good night, Haruhi. I love you too."
And when the morning came and Haruhi awoke before he did, she noticed his arms were still wrapped tightly around her waist, and she smiled before snuggling her head further into the pillow for a few minute's more of slumber.
Weeks passed by seemingly slow, and Haruhi adjusted towards Kyouya's affections. She soon found it impossible to have a meal or sleep without him, and they often spent their evenings together reading in his study or out in the garden (accompanied by a very happy Hunny and a mildly surprised Mori on occasion) enjoying the cooling nights. While she still couldn't say the words without stuttering, she could find herself able to kiss him, albeit with her face turning bright red and a curse or two under her breath sometimes after it. However, Kyouya took it all in stride, sometimes laughing at her and reassuring her with his words that there was no need to rush her affections.
One day, while Haruhi was finally allowed to travel outside the villa – giving her word to Kyouya that she no longer had reason to escape – with Hunny to the nearest village, the letter that the Ohtori lord was waiting for finally arrived.
With shaky hands, he opened the envelope, and found the letter inside, along with another folded piece of paper, written in what could only be Renge's ladylike handwriting. He smiled at the words she mentioned about her wedding and the sweetness of her husband, but near the end of the letter, his brow furrowed as he read the part he needed to.
In other news, particularly in obtaining the Fujioka land, I have found that to be successful. However, since I don't want it in my name, you will need to sign the certificate yourself – I had included in the envelope. Of course, you'll need to so in front of your father in order to make it official, but I'm sure you already knew that.
Hopefully by now you've already confessed – I'm sure she was more than surprised!
He removed the folded paper to reveal the certificate that gave its owner the rights to the Fujioka land, and Kyouya smirked as he folded both it and the letter back into the envelope before exiting the study. He walked towards the kitchen, noticing that Haruhi and Hunny had returned from their trip with baskets of fresh fruits and meats, and smiled as he gave the brunette a kiss upon her nose.
"Hmm? Kyouya?"
"Will you accompany me on a trip, Haruhi?"
Of course, Haruhi had no idea why they were even on this trip. She knew it was something for the two of them alone, Kyouya driving the two-seater wagon as Haruhi sat beside him, and that they set out early in the morning with Kyouya leading the way, but otherwise she hadn't the faintest idea as to why this trip was needed. However, she trusted that Kyouya knew and followed all the same.
In the weeks that followed their confession, she's learned to trust him, and knew he wouldn't steer her wrong.
"Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?" she asked partway through the trip, yawning afterward as she stretched her arms up to the sky. Kyouya chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
"You'll see, my love," he said, smiling down at her as he guided her hand towards the reins, "For now, would you like to help me drive? You must have had some experience in steering horses, with coming from a farm."
Haruhi stiffened as the reins drifted over her fingers, the feeling foreign to her now. Kyouya was right; she did had experience in steering horses and wagons from her times she used to help her father drive the wagon in the town. However, that was now over ten years ago – the likelihood of her remembering was slim to none.
"I'll guide you, I promise."
Relaxing under his touch, Haruhi released a small sigh as she gripped the reins, beside his own hands, and her eyes widened at the feel she gained from the increased control in her hands.
"Wow..." she spoke softly, "I remember this...I remember holding onto the reins as the horses pulled, and Father laughed at me as I giggled and cheered over being able to help him. It always made me so happy!"
Kyouya smiled as a hand moved to tilt her head towards his, kissing her lips sweetly, "Your happiness is what I seek."
Night had fallen on the third day of their trip, and while Haruhi found out nothing further about why they've taken this trip, she became satisfied with just traveling alongside Kyouya.
"Have you ever slept outdoors?" she asked him as he set up a make-shift bed in the back of the wagon, her head resting on folded hands.
Kyouya tapped his chin for a moment, pondering his answer. "Hmm...I think I may have once," he said thoughtfully, "When I fell asleep in the courtyard; I vaguely remember one of the servants waking me up and telling me I could catch a cold napping outside like I was."
Haruhi smiled; the thought of Kyouya as a child sleeping among the flowers and grass was as cute as unexpected, and she almost laughed at her vision.
The dark lord noticed her smile, and smirked as he pulled her into the back of the wagon, laying her down on the blanket that covered the wooden floor. "What's that you're laughing at, Haruhi?" he questioned playfully, leaning over her with her hands wrapped loosely in his grip.
"The sight of you as a child, laying among flowers...I'm sure you were adorable then."
"And now?"
"A handsome, devilish man that I guess would take a lifetime to learn about, but wouldn't mind taking the time to do so."
He smiled, pleased with her response, as he released her hands and settled himself beside her. She squirmed herself closer as his arms wrapped around her waist, and sighed peacefully as he nuzzled into her neck.
"If I'm a devil, then you must be an angel," he whispered against her skin, "An angel that's purely mine."
"All right, Haruhi. I need you to place this cloth over your eyes."
She looked at Kyouya, bewildered by the sudden order given to her as he held out the violet silk cloth. "What for?" she questioned, "This is pretty strange, and quite honestly I'm not too-"
"I don't want you to see the surprise yet," he said, his voice calm but straight-laced, "So please do me this one favor and hide your eyes?"
Haruhi sighed, her natural curiosity getting the better of her as she took the cloth from her hands and tied it snuggly around her eyes.
"Can you see anything?"
"No. For an extra measure, I even have my eyes shut. So if a bug flies into my mouth right now, I'm likely to kill you."
Kyouya chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her waist, securing her just in case of any accidents, and held the reins tightly again, this time in anticipation.
While Haruhi was blind to the world, she could still hear everything – and even more so with one of her senses temporarily shut off. She had to admit, the soft wind and clomping of the horses' hooves was beyond relaxing, and with her eyes shut she had to fight the urge to fall asleep against Kyouya's shoulder. The moments seemed to go on longer and her fingers fidgeted a bit in her lap in impatience.
Finally, Kyouya stopped, pulling the horses to a halt. "We're here," he whispered, grasping at Haruhi's waist as he helped the brunette off of the wagon.
He turned her around to face forward, his hands on her shoulders. Haruhi could feel tall grass lapping at her ankles as the wind brushed past, and she almost laughed at the tickling sensation.
"Can I peek now?"
Kyouya smiled as he removed the blindfold from her eyes, "Haruhi...welcome home."
Haruhi's brown eyes burst open and her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. "It's...my land! My home, my world!" she yelled breathlessly, her eyes scanning the fields and buildings before her.
She turned towards Kyouya, "It's hardly changed at all! Oh my god...my home!"
Kyouya grasped at her hand, slipping the folded certificate into her hand, "It's yours now, Haruhi. Well, it will be once the certificate is signed in front of my father. At long last...you're home."
She stared at the paper in her hand, tears forming in her eyes, before looking up at Kyouya and jumping into his arms. "Kyouya! Oh god...no words can even express how happy and thankful I am!" she exclaimed, her arms tight around his neck as her tears fell down her cheeks and her lips parted in laughter from her happiness.
"Haru-chan! Kyou-chan!"
The two turned around to see from the doorway of the house was Hunny and Mori, waving at them, and behind them stood Yoshio, his lips forming a proud smile. Haruhi gasped in delight, grabbing at Kyouya's hand as she dragged him in her run for the house.
"Hunny, Mori! Your Majesty! Why are you here?" she questioned, "Did Kyouya tell all of you about this?"
Yoshio chuckled as he lightly ruffled Haruhi's hair. "No, I was informed when Mitsukuni and Takashi paid a visit to the castle, requesting that I come along for some important business. I'm assuming, Kyouya," he spoke, his attention then turned towards his son, "You will fill me in?"
Kyouya nodded, taking the certificate from Haruhi's hand and presenting it to Yoshio. "Firstly, I wish for you to watch Haruhi sign this, legally making this land solely hers," he spoke firmly, and Yoshio smiled all-knowingly as he looked over the certificate.
"We will sign this once we have a pen and ink to do so. However, I think you have another request of me?"
Kyouya didn't say a word, his eyes settling on Haruhi. The look he gave her was almost smoldering, and she almost choked on a held breath. Her eyes widened as she watched Kyouya bend down before her on one knee, grabbing her left hand tightly in his.
"Haruhi...words can not express the feelings I have for you, and even in a lifetime I doubt I could tell you everything I want to. However, on this land, I want to know the full you, the true you, even if it takes to the end of my life to learn it. On this land, in front of these witnesses..." Kyouya spoke, and Haruhi's eyes lit up with tears as his free hand dove into his pocket for a simple-looking silver band.
"Haruhi Fujioka...will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Everyone but Yoshio gasped in surprise, and Haruhi held her free hand to her mouth as the tears fell freely down her cheeks. She was left unable to speak, her mind spinning. "Kyouya...you..." she whispered.
"I love you, Haruhi, and want nothing more than to live on this land with you until our final days. If you agree..." he told her, trailing off as he waited impatiently for her answer.
Haruhi's lips cracked into a bright smile, closing her eyes as she tried to wipe away the tears.
"Yes...yes, Kyouya! I will become your wife...and I...I love you too!" she exclaimed, laughing through her words, "Oh god...I feel like such a child, crying this much when I'm just so happy!"
Kyouya smiled as he slipped the band onto her ring finger, standing up and kissing her passionately, ignoring the tears brimming up in his eyes. "I guess we're both children then," he said with a laugh.
A short epilogue will be posted soon!