Beauty deprived of its proper foils and adjuncts ceases to be enjoyed as beauty, just as light deprived of all shadows ceases to be enjoyed as light.

Chapter Three: Stress and Normalcy

The next few days went much like the first had. Kagome did her best not to act as disgusted as she felt whenever the twins were feeling each other up, which was entirely too often in her opinion. They'd even do it in the middle of lessons so the girls would swoon around them, she was already certain she didn't want the ones turned on by that sort of thing as people she commonly spent time with.

She'd taken to sitting with Haruhi as the only other semi-normal person that attended the school, though frustratingly the twins would often come and sit with them and continue the sick soft porn act. Sometimes other members of the Host club they were all a part of would come and sit with them as well. Most of them weren't too horrible, the twins frightened her the most.

There was something different about Haruhi that Kagome couldn't quite put her finger on yet but figured she'd catch onto it out eventually. It was just nice to have someone that understood what average things were in society, some of the things she'd mention people just looked at her like she was speaking Egyptian. At least Haruhi understood the basics of things like the grocery store, apparently the rest of the Host Club was considering going to one as a educational outing.

That night being friday there was some sort of event going on with the club that was suppose to be special but she doubted she'd attend. She had a lot of homework she didn't want to take up any of Kyoya's weekend with it if she could help it. With everything she still needed to know to catch up to her classes he'd been even more involved with her lessons after that first day. She thankfully at least hadn't missed the train again or needed anymore rides home. His attitude had gotten better as the week progressed, as if he wasn't as annoyed as he'd been that first night. That helped a little, but he'd begin to look more exhausted as the days pressed closer to the weekend so she figured she was to blame.

"It's sort of nice to finally be understanding things with some of my courses." Is what she managed to say at lunch when Haruhi asked how the first few days of lessons had gone.

"Kyoya's pretty smart." Haruhi answered with a neutral nod, after considering the answer. "Just don't let him work you too much. You should come to the event after school. It's a spring styled theme and they even shipped in cheery trees that were in blossom. The twins will probably be too busy to really bother you much."

Kagome smiled a little at that, appreciating not just the invite. It was nice that someone at least understood that the intimacy between the brothers did bother her. "I dunno. It sorta depends on what other homework I end up with. I already have a bunch of math and a paper to write. History I'm nearly done with thanks to the Economics teacher leaving the classroom for a bit...at least there isn't any homework there. That class everyone here seems to think is easy but I just can't grasp most of it that well."

"It's only required for a semester. Most of them take more because they'll end up in business." Haruhi pointed out with a smile. "They did kind of grow up on it."

"Well you don't have a problem either..." Kagome muttered, pushing the veggies around on her plate dejectedly. "This place is all rich folk and genius's."

"So which one are you? You say you aren't rich, are you lying?" Haruhi was trying to cheer her up with the joke but Kagome's shoulders only sunk an extra half inch.

"Neither, I don't fit here at all. I'm only doing as well as I am cause I have all the extra help from Kyoya. Otherwise I'd probably already be failing again. Maybe I should have just repeated a year somewhere..." She really didn't feel like eating anymore, but she knew if she didn't her stomach would start back up during tutoring. That got her to slowly work at the food on her plate.

"As you just said, you missed a lot last year." Haruhi shrugged at her. "No one can know something they weren't taught. Kyoya said you just needed some time to catch up to everyone else and you'd do well right?"

"I suppose so." Kagome offered a light smile, not wanting to let her depression move over to her only real friend or frighten them away.

"See, you'll be fine. Just takes a bit to get the swing of things." Haruhi reassured with a smile. "You should take the break and at least look around, they put a lot of time into setting things up. Besides, if you work too hard you'll burn out and it'll be worse later."

"Assuming he lets me off for it." Kagome smirked as she thought about how strict Kyoya had gotten. "He told me he expects me to eat fruit in the morning so it'll wake me up more and make me more alert in classes. How strange is that?"

"Really?" Haruhi had to pause to think about it. Sipping their water. "I never thought he'd be so involved for a tutoring job. He's even playing nutritionist."

Kagome shrugged a little, still amused at the memory of how serious he'd been when he'd said it to her. "Besides, I don't think I really fit in with the Host Club people...do you think they'd even be okay with me being there?"

"Well, Kyoya'd only want to know if you had the money to be a customer...but generally Tamaki doesn't care if people visit for free the first time." Haruhi pondered it between bites of her own meal thoughtfully. "If you aren't really looking to sit with any of the Host Club members and just look around I doubt they'd mind at all."

"Look at that. I wonder if Haruhi is dating the new girl."

"They're both commoners, maybe that's why. You never had a chance then."

"Shut up!"

The whispers reached her and she blinked a little in surprise, she thought about the 'guy' sitting across from her and kept eating. "Naw. Haruhi is nice but I wouldn't really want to go out with him. He's more of a friend like Eri or Yuka, heh, my friend that's a guy is my new best girl friend."

Haruhi didn't seem to have noticed and the rest of the lunch hour went without much discussion, Kagome was working on finishing up her History homework in the extra time she had after she'd finished eating and Haruhi had her own work to do.

The afternoon wasn't too horrible. Biology was still one of her worst subjects, but she was starting to understand more of the lecture as it actually happened in class. Though she'd definitely need a lot of help on the paper she needed done by the next week there. Thankfully most of the actual experimenting went on in the room. She was dreading the part of having to cut up anything.

Which left her Biology, Chemistry, Part of English, and Math for her work for the weekend. By the end of her day she was highly doubting she'd have the time to go to anything after school, except to ask Kyoya when and where he wanted to meet over the weekend to continue to study. She headed toward the third music room and slipped her head in curiously, though she got a few jealous stares from girls waiting to get into the club for service she mostly ignored the way they acted and slipped inside. Given her 'special treatment' of being able to search any given day for her tutor.

They were dressed in slightly more regal, Japanese attire again today, though this time it held more of a combative kung-fu sort of theme. She still didn't really agree with the whole gigolo idea of the club but had started to overlook the strange behavior as she usually needed to come by and grab Kyoya.

He was constantly busy, she wondered sometimes if he ever slept at all. If that laptop of his was attached to his arm as it never seemed to leave his side, at least it seemed to be working after the tumble her first day. He was sitting at a low counter typing at the machine, his glasses glinting back at it's luminescent surface.

She had gotten around during the week to introducing herself to the group. Most of them seemed nice; other than the twins who still grossed her out. She was pretty hesitant and avoided the over happy one that had started to at least not bother her with more than a wave, she figured he had picked up on the way he made her uncomfortable. Now though he wasn't slouched too far from Kyoya and seemed to be having one of his fits.

"Miss Higurashi." Kyoya looked away from the distraught head of the Host Club, he'd have to come to terms with his latest realization about Haruhi. "I mentioned yesterday that we would be working later this weekend instead of tonight."

"Yeah I know." Kagome answered, glancing at the detected and rather broken seeming leader before back to Kyoya. From the way the rest reacted, ignoring him seemed the thing to do. "I wanted to know when and where we were going to work."

"At the school." He answered, and she could hear the frown in his voice even though it never reached his face. "Can you not make it to the school?"

"The normal train I take during the week doesn't run this stop when school isn't in." Kagome replied. "I thought it'd be easier to just find a library or a common area. Mom said we could study at the house as Souta's busy and no one should bother us."

"That should be fine." Kyoya replied, glancing back to his screen, typing a few more letters. "What do you think you'll need help with?"

"I finished History, most of English, my Sciences and Math mostly." She replied. "I'm gonna head home and complete what I can. What time?"

"Tomorrow, ten A.M. unless that time doesn't suit you." He seemed pretty absorbed with his work.

Kagome just nodded, not wanting to bother him more. She glanced over at a conversation the rest of the host club was having and shook her head. They were all staring at Haruhi aghast. "Probably told them they buy things J.C. Penny or Wal-mart..."

She headed away just in time to miss the conversation about hiding Haruhi away during Physical Examinations coming up that Monday.

The following morning...

Kagome blinked slowly as her brain put together what he mother had just said to her. "Kagome, you need to get up dear, your friend is here."

"My friend?" Kagome thought idly, the hamster wheel in her brain was still trying to get started given the grogginess of just getting up. "What friend? I don't...oh god Kyoya...crap...I didn't set my alarm."

She pushed herself up instantly as she realized, glancing to the clock beaming a unwanted ten o' two back at her in it's gentle, mocking light. She threw clothes on and painfully tugged her hairbrush through her hair in the bathroom while brushing her teeth with her other hand.

She'd been up to the wee hours of morning trying to finish everything she could of her homework in hopes she might go see a movie and have some semblance of a normal life one day this weekend before she'd start up the heavy workload again next week. It didn't help that she hadn't even slept very well, nightmares of the feudal era and losing her friends there still haunted her frequently and last night had been particularly vivid.

She had managed to finish just about everything but the biology, and she thought she had most of it right at least...she really hoped she did as he was likely to be pissed at her for wasting a few precious moments of his time.

Glancing over herself in the mirror to make certain she was at least acceptable she tore back to her room to pick up her books and notes, shoving them quickly into her backpack. Ten o' nine, it wasn't horrible time, she slipped out of her room and down the steps. Surprised to hear Kyoya's pleasant tone of voice he took with the women at the Host Club on the other side of the kitchen door.

"I believe with some more work she'll do very well." It was Kyoya alright, she'd heard him so much the last week she couldn't mistake him anywhere. "It's unfortunate she missed so much last year. If she hadn't I figure she wouldn't have need of a tutor at all."

She overheard, making her pause without opening the door, they were talking about her.

"That's such a relief to hear." Her mother talking now. "I just worry about her, you don't think it's too hard on her? She hasn't mentioned having many friends at the school, she talks about you mostly."

"Mom!" Kagome protested as she moved into the room, next Mom would be telling him the way she'd complained about his slave-driving methods and she'd lose her tutor. "Could you not interrogate people from school, I'm fine."

Kyoya was at the table with her mother, sipping at some tea, wearing black pants and a white shirt instead of the school uniform. He had his bag next to him and raised a brow a bit, curiously, at the way Kagome had broken into the room.

"Okay dear, okay." She raised her hands, dropping the subject. "Would you like some eggs dear? Kyoya?"

"No thank you Ms. Higurashi, I ate before I came." Kyoya answered, sipping at the tea again.

"Please..." Kagome said, sitting at her table and setting the bag down. "I'm so sorry Kyoya, I was up late working on things and forgot to set my alarm."

"Mind if I read over what you have done while you eat?" Kyoya was polite, but all business. To a point, Kagome had to appreciate it, it helped keep her on track. She dug out her notes, getting them in order before handing them over to him.

"Thanks for the tea and breakfast Mom." She said, feeling a bit bad for having surprise attacked her on her entry to the kitchen. While she waited for the eggs she fixed her tea, adding honey and sugar before stirring it and taking a sip.

"No problem dear, I'll be heading to the store soon if there's anything you need." Her mother answered, she was certainly much back to normal which was a good thing, it was one of the only things in her life keeping her stable. She'd been used to cramming for tests when she was fighting in the feudal era and couldn't be at home but nothing compared to this last week.

She dug into her eggs appreciatively, getting herself an orange so she wouldn't face any comments from her tutor/slave driver. He had finished looking through most of her papers by the time she finished her breakfast, washed her dishes, and was sipping at her tea anxiously.

She figured any moment now she'd face a half hour of him explaining in detail everything she'd done wrong. It was almost worse that he did it so politely like when they had worked together through the week, he did everything so politely she couldn't really say much too him, even if she figured most of it wasn't genuine...

"Your Chemistry and Math have surprisingly few errors. You only finished half the Biology but we can go over it." He stated, handing it back over. "English and History are up to standards, how late were you up exactly?"

"Four or five." She answered, trying to ignore the 'surprisingly' comment, though it made her bristle a bit beneath the surface. So much for him always being polite. "I'm just hoping I can catch up so it's not quite so many hours during the week."

"I think I don't need to worry about History with you." He commented, pouring some more of the tea for himself, adding honey and sugar and stirring. It was more than true, the girl's grasp of that subject rivaled his own, though it was never something he took incredibly seriously, little money to be had in it. "English I'd like to still watch for a while but you seem to grasp everything happening thus far. Chemistry and Math we'll need to discuss some things, you are getting some of the equations wrong. And we still have a lot of work before us with Biology."

She nodded a little, sighing just a bit, she wasn't going to end up getting any time to herself at all probably. Though it wasn't completely a bad thing, aside from nightmares she didn't have much time to dwell on her lost friends. Given that she wasn't even getting much sleep these days, it was doing a marvelous job of distracting her from that heartache.

"Are you all right?" Kyoya asked, watching her get a bit distant, she did it from time to time when he worked with her and generally he waited until she got back on track. She seemed like she was about to cry. "If you need more time to rest I can return at a later time."

"No, no I'm fine...just had some bad dreams last night." She stated with a shake of her head. "I need to get this done so I don't keep stealing all of your time either...and all your politeness aside, I'm sure you'd appreciate it. You seem tired yourself."

Kyoya sipped at his tea, in fact he was exhausted, catching up with his own work after balancing the books for the club last night had left him with only a few hours of rest himself before he drove over here. He was pushing himself he knew, but no one else had noticed yet, not even Tamaki. He attributed it to spending most of his time that week with her.

"I think we would both appreciate some more time to relax in the evenings." He agreed finally with a nod. "Now lets tackle Math and Chemistry before moving to Biology."

She nodded, it was easy enough to fall into student mode, she'd done it so often lately. He was a good teacher; despite his rigid, sometime tyrannical, methods. She had learned and actually seemed to be retaining an incredible amount over the past week and today he seemed a bit shorter than usual but she attributed that to him having gotten very little rest as well. They worked for a couple hours before Kagome's Mom stepped in just long enough to say she was leaving for the store.

They'd finished Chemistry and Math without too much difficulty, Kagome had figured out the basics of most of the concepts the night before, but Biology was still eluding her. She had to memorize so much in so little time. They wanted her to know specific names for all the bones in the body, all the muscles, most of the rest of the pieces she'd more or less figured out, but this was just the beginning. She'd have to put the information to use later in the year dissecting dead animals. If she didn't start there how would she ever be able to be a real doctor though?

"No. That's the humerus, that's the ulna and the radius. The upper vertebrae are cervical, the lower ones attached to ribs are thoracic and the lower ones without ribs are the lumbar." He corrected the sheet he'd had her fill out, his voice showing more frustration than usual as he repeated it for the fourth time during the study session. "How can you get the bones in the hand right but keep missing these? These are simple...I knew these as a kid."

"I dunno..." Kagome frowned at his attitude, maybe she did prefer the fake kindness after all. "I just get them confused...it's a lot to take in all at once."

"We've been going over them since Thursday." He sighed, putting the paper down and resisting the urge to rub his temples though he was steadily getting a worse and worse headache. "At least most of the upper body is right otherwise. You spelled most of them wrong on the lower portion. The professors will only accept partial credit for that. We should study at the school, at least I'd have had the fake skeleton as reference."

"You don't gotta be all snippy with me...I'm trying." Kagome replied, starting to lose her own temper at the attitude. "I've worked my butt off this week, you even told me I've improved a lot, I can't make myself do more than I am. I'm honestly trying."

"This is simple stuff...if you can't remember this level I don't know how you expect to become a doctor." Kyoya regretted the words the moment they left his mouth, it was very rude of him. He wasn't paying as close attention to himself because of his lack of rest and the headache. It wouldn't do a bit of good to berate her, if she gave up at this then his shot at becoming his father's successor would be lost to him.

Kagome meanwhile hadn't argued with him more about it, she was thinking to herself instead...if he was right could she be chasing something she wouldn't be any good at? What good was a doctor that didn't know what bone was what?

"I'm sorry Kagome." Him putting a hand over hers at the table made her look up at him, he didn't initiate contact almost ever. "I am not feeling well and I'm allowing it to make me very ungracious. You have come a long way in the time we've been working together, it's hard to remember how much you missed last year because of being sick. It's not your fault, we'll work it out, it is a difficult process but you are very smart, I'm sure you can manage this."

Kagome nodded to him. Surprised he was looking her in the eye over his glasses, she'd seen his eyes without the reflective surface of his laptop over the course of the week, but the striking gray coloring was more obvious without the layer of glass masking it.

"I think I could use a break." Kagome answered honestly, surprised at the unexpected compliment from her tutor. Pulling her own hands back to her lap when he took his away. "I'm sorry, I know you are busy and came all the way out here."

"It's fine." He shook his head negatively at her apology. "Haruhi mentioned that you were seeming a bit stressed and I should have let you take some of the weekend for yourself and met with you on Sunday."

"I have been wanting to get out away from books for a while. Go to the mall or a movie." Kagome replied, hoping she'd get to escape for a while to relax a bit before starting tomorrow instead. The last few hours had been more difficult than she expected, without a good nights rest she was not in top mental form to keep up with the rigorous rate at which Kyoya taught.

"You two are going to a movie?" Kagome's Mom entering carrying bags from the market. "That would be nice, could you help me carry in the groceries first Kagome."

Kagome blinked a little, blushing at the surprised glance Kyoya gave her...she realized why most teenagers never wanted their parents around...

End Chapter

Just curious if that ever happened to anyone else? My mom walked in on a conversation I was having once about going to see a movie and immediately thought I was going on a date with the person I was talking too...awkward to say the least.

-Nera

P.S. To everyone that gave me reviews: I'm still shocked at how much attention my little fiction has garnered! I never thought it would be popular at all. Thank you so much!