(A/N: I have to apologize for the rushed condition of Chapter 8. It was written at one in the morning, really quickly, so it's not in the best condition. I also apologize for the delay of Chapter 9. We're in tech-week [or hell week] of this musical I'm in and assistant directing. It's insanity and I haven't gotten much time to write inbetween rehearsals and school. So, anyway, here ya go!)

NINE

The Kiss

Souta was not my full brother and it took a few minutes to get back to life. Kyoya seemed very concerned for both of us, and offered his services. Then, coming to my senses, I offered my help also. Well, It was half blackmail. Souta promised not to tell Matthew that I had a boy over if I helped him.

Looking back, I see that Souta isn't my full brother just by the way my father treated him. If he really cared, I guess Souta would be married right now, or about to be. My father has been completely devoted to getting me married and successful. He always let me win at air hockey, let me do what ever I wanted, and once I even heard my parents fighting about what to do with him so loudly, I had to go sleep on the couch in the far end of the couch, put in my iPod, and put a pillow over my head in order to drown them out.

Souta had been over at a friends house that night, and I never told him, and I'd even forgotten about it. It seemed so long ago, but I was only about twelve or thirteen. I didn't tell him now, either. That fact that father has never really loved him like a son may get to him, and I don't want that for him.

Souta sent us to my room, each of us with a list two pages long with two columns of names to scan. This was going to take a while. We started the scan and just sat there watching the computer flip through files, eating popcorn and sipping cream soda.

Wasn't my mother twenty one or two when she met Souta's father? She was in college then, I believe. Studying law and biology. Then, maybe she went to school with him. Another detective. Then again, I remember mom telling me there were several law schools where she was going. So, maybe he just lived in the city.

During one of my and mom's awkward sex talks when I was thirteen, she mentioned doing it only twice in the prime of her life, her twenties, so it could be anyone. However, she knew who Souta's father was, hopefully. What if both of the guys were similar? And ugly? And both thought they were Souta's dad? Maybe I should tell Souta to narrow it town to where mom was going to college.

Once I did, we narrowed it down to only one page each. Still small text and two columns, and two months of work. Well, if you call sitting in front of a computer scanning people like stalkers work. Still, in less then three months, Souta was going to find his father.

I admit I'm sad that he's not my full brother, but better to accept it now, right?

Anyway, the next day, Kyoya and I were sitting there in my room in front of our laptops, sinking back into my pillows. Kyoya looked asleep, when I looked at him. He looked... vulnerable. Usually he looked like if you would cuss him out, he's be like, "What ever." and just blow you off, but now... he didn't.

I moved over to him and looked down at him for a few minutes trying to memorize his face. Gently, I took of his glasses, making sure he wasn't going to awaken. then. I poked him. Lightly, so I could make sure he was asleep.

Carefully and lightly, with my left hand, I touched his forehead, right in the center. I lowered my finger down his nose, then lifted my finger to touch his eyelid. His eyelid quivered under my touch, and I pulled away. I waited a second to make sure he was still asleep before the daring...

I touched just above his lips and under his nose, you know, that little dent there? Yeah, there. Then, I touched his lips. Smooth, weirdly, and so... satisfying. I know that sounds disgusting, but those of you who have had the PERFECT kiss get it, right? Well, not that I've had the perfect kiss yet. Or any kiss worth a damn for that matter.

Anyway, I moved my finger over his lip, wishing I could put my lips there instead, but I was starting to feel like I was cheating on Tamaki now. For a moment, that didn't matter. At all.

Suddenly, Kyoya's eyes opened. My eyes widened and I pulled my hand away, but he grabbed my wrist, and pulled. A moment later, I was leaning over him, our arms falling off of the bed together, our lips less then an inch away, the only thing keeping us from a kiss is my hand next to his shoulder, keeping me up, but not well. "If you want to kiss me again..." Kyoya whispered.

"Kyoya."

"If you're not going to kiss me-" his hands suddenly gripped my shoulders and pushed me so I was on my back and he was above me, "Then I'll kiss you. Besides, it's not like anyone will know."

"Sempai." I stopped him as he descended, "Are you sure we can actually do this, or anything within a foot from each other? I mean, remember... I am engaged."

"That didn't stop you before."

"May I remind you that I may have been engaged at that time, but I had no knowledge of it."

"Do you love Tamaki?" Kyoya asked, looking into my eyes.

"I love him." I said, and Kyoya started to move, but my hands on the back of his neck stopped him, "I love him as a friend. I mean, and he's Tamaki. I'd like you to name one girl other then Haruhi who hasn't been completely in love with someone else who hasn't looked in his direction even if just for a second."

"Point taken." Kyoya said after a few seconds, "Well, what should I do?"

"Kiss me?" I suggested.

We laughed, and he started to lower himself, my hands keeping in place. I counted the seconds. He was going to slow. Still, it didn't matter. It's not like Souta could burst in on us. He's asleep right now, most likely.

Kiss... I am going to be properly kissed. FINALLY! If I could, I would dance, but I can't and don't want to at the moment, with the Angel of Darkness looming above me. I hate to think it (poor Tamaki), but I really do prefer tall, dark, and handsome. Just like Kyoya.

Then, it was that time, that moment before someone kisses you. That hesitant moment... he hesitated a nanosecond too long. My cell phone rang. We jumped at the noise. When I looked at the caller I.D, it was Tamaki. Wonderful. I signaled one second before answering, "Yes?" I asked.

"Demiya, I have two questions..."

"Go ahead."

"One, have you talked to Kyoya in the past few hours?" I looked up at the boy above me, "His phone is off. I can't get a hold of him." Aw, why didn't I think of that?

"No. I'm afraid not." I stifled laughter. Kyoya looked curiously at me.

"Second, I need help. This math homework is annihilating me. I'd ask Kyoya, but I can't seem to find him."

"Oh, I suppose. I thought you were in advanced math."

"I am. I just can't get this."

"I did, so I suppose I could help. Do you want me to read off the answers?"

"No it'll be too obvious I asked for help. Could you come over so I could copy it?"

"It's night time, Tamaki." I said, and Kyoya's eyes widened, "Isn't it a little suspicious?"

"Yes. Very. Haruhi, Kaoru, and Hikaru call me perverted all the time. I promise you this is only for the homework."

"S-sure. I can be over in half an hour. I have something I have to finish. It'll only take a few minutes."

"No problem. See you."

I lightly tossed my phone to the side and looked up at Kyoya. He look down at me. He descended, quicker this time. Kiss? My mind jumped, but his lips pressed against my cheek. They stayed there for five seconds (is it weird how I count?) before he pulled away and sat up. "I suppose I should go, then." Kyoya said.

"Not yet." I said, and I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek for a few seconds, "Okay, now you should go. I'll walk out with you."

~!~!~!~!~!~

It was my first time at Tamaki's house, and just seeing it made my head reel. Someone could get lost in there. When the housekeeper let me in, I saw that people in fact could get lost in the house. She, however, knew exactly where she was going.

She led me up several flights of stairs, through a maze of corridors and to a bedroom the size of the living room. Tamaki sat on his bed, surrounded by books and papers. "Master Tamaki, Miss Yamazaki is here." He looked up and his troubled face lit up.

"Demi." he said, "Come in. Would you get us some tea?" he addressed a maid.

I ventured deeper into the room, setting my bag next to the bed. I sat down on the edge when he waved for me to sit down. Twenty minutes later, we were both indulged in our math notes and homework. "So, what did you have to finish?" Tamaki asked coolly.

"Uh," I hesitated, "Me and my English partner had to finish up the second third of our paper."

"Who is your partner, by the way. You don't have to keep saying 'My English Partner.'" Tamaki laughed, sipping his tea.

"I'd rather not say." I took a cookie from the plate on the tea tray.

"You might as well. It's not like I'll be upset."

"Kyoya." I said simply, "That's who."

"You mean... you leave to meet Kyoya every day?"

"Yeah. But only for another few days. The project is due by Friday." I said, jumping.

"I'm not jealous." Tamaki assured me, laughing, "Have you..." it was his turn to hesitate, "kissed yet?"

"No. Not yet." I said, "I doubt we will. I won't deny we almost have, but it was completely by accident."

"If we kiss does that mean we've finalized the engagement?"

"Who knows?" I asked, "Now, can we focus? You only have five more problems to go."

"Yes, of course. Just a moment, though. We're out of tea. I'll get us some more." With that, he took the tray and left me alone in his train-station-like room.

Kissing seemed to be a popular theme tonight. To be honest, I didn't really want to talk about it, but the boys bring it up, so it's their fault. I guess kissing Kyoya wouldn't be all that bad, but talking about it was kind of awkward. Well, in my eyes, anyway.

Mentally, I beat myself. Why even think about it? I flicked the side of my head. I can't think about things like that. I have a fiance. I'm engaged to be married. Maybe not now, but way in the future with someone who I wasn't sure about. I mean, I like him, but I'm not sure I can marry him.

If I do marry him, I'll have everything. A beautiful house, all the clothes I wanted, beautiful strawberry-blond children, the perfect husband, but... what if I don't love my husband? Will that give off an unhappy air for the kids? Will they even be able to tell? Will I fall in love with Tamaki? Will Tamaki fall in love with me?

I didn't notice Tamaki coming back into the room, "The maid is making some tea now. She'll bring it in-" I went to stand up, like I didn't hear him. I didn't realize he was standing so close.

I stood sharply, just needing to get out of there. "Demi?" he stepped forward as if to see if I was okay. I slipped on the skirt of the bed, and he slipped, probably over his own feet. I gasped as I fell forward, but Tamaki managed another step to catch me. Just then, I righted myself, standing up.

There was moment as we stood like that, his arms around my waist, our lips joined. My eyes were wide. If my eyes got any wider, my eyes would pop out of my head. Tamaki's purple one's were wide as well. Then, a few seconds of awkwardness, instead of pulling away, my hands went up to hold on to his arms and our eyes closed.

Suddenly, as my brain started to work again, I realized Tamaki and I were standing in his room and we were kissing. We'd tripped and now we were kissing. We stood there for about two minutes, just... kissing. There was very little movement, but somehow, he made it perfect. Wow... this guy seriously had no flaws.

We pulled away, not leaving our position. We just looked at each other for a second, taking in what just happened. My first real kiss. Holy flying sock monkeys.

~!~!~!~!~!~

Souta was greatful for the help from Demiya and Kyoya. He knew it was bad to blackmail his own sister over a boy, but her father was very strict. No boys over. Even for school projects. Why they couldn't go to Kyoya's, Souta wasn't sure, but it didn't matter.

Anyway, Souta couldn't worry about that now. He had so many people to search to find his father. Souta already had one man to find in that area. Mistuyo Sasaki. He was on a case with his mother once, or at lease someone named Itsuyo.

Two more months, at least to finish all of this scanning. It was going to drive him crazy. Well, he could do three at a time. It would be a two day scan, but he could cut a couple of weeks off of the scanning. So, giving in, and desperate to meet his father, he started a scan on another guy.

~!~!~!~!~!~

School was exploding with activity. Projects were being turned in, rushed, and people were hurrying to do things before spring break. Haruhi didn't get to see anyone for a few days... Well, she got to see the club, but no one came due to school being insane.

Haruhi noticed that Demiya and Tamaki didn't meet up after school. It was like they were avoiding each other, but of course, Demiya was a girl who wanted to get things done, whatever the cost, so Haruhi knew she was going home to study. Demiya had always been like this, and hadn't changed yet. That was good, Haruhi supposed, but she wanted to see her old friend again. That's what spring break vacations are for.

~!~!~!~!~!~

Kyoya wasn't in a rush to get to Demiya's house to finish the project. He just felt deep in his bones that something happened at Tamaki's last night. They didn't just study. Did they do it? Kyoya has no desire to know. He just wishes that Demi wasn't engaged.

It was getting on his nerves to have to be careful all the time around her, trying to keep in control of his feelings. Souta let him in and Kyoya made his own way up to Demi's room. Slowly. Very slowly. As he was about to open the door, he heard her voice on the other side. "Sakura, are you kidding me? I swear I couldn't talk for like five minutes afterwards. I couldn't tell whether it was from shock as in 'Holy crap we actually did it.' or shock as in, 'Oh my god, we actually did it, the pervert.' ... Nothing. We just went back to studying. We haven't talked since... Well, we just kind of... slipped into it. Literally... Oh, come on! Do you really take me for that kind of girl? ... Yes, we're talking about the same thing."

Kyoya couldn't believe his ears. He had been right. They'd done it. Oh, he was going to get his hands on the punk... No. He made a different promise. Only if Tamaki caused her pain... "Jeez, Sakura!" Demi sounded exasperated, "You're making it sound like we had sex... No. We didn't. It was only a kiss. Calm down. You over-exaggerate everything! ... I guess the way I put it made it sound like it, but I can assure you, nothing happened. Well, other then a kiss."

Kyoya went numb. He suddenly couldn't feel himself think. If that makes any sense. On the bright side, they didn't have sex or anything, but... he felt so... sad. Then, Kyoya, without realizing it, knocked on the door. He shook off his numbness. Only studying tonight. "Come in! Sakura, I gotta go. See you at school!"

~!~!~!~!~!~

Tamaki could tell Kyoya loved Demi through more then one reason. Tamaki sees the way his best friend looks at his fiance, and he's okay with it. Demiya and Tamaki are only friends, and until they actually get married and have to live together all the time, Tamaki is okay with Demiya seeing Kyoya like this.

It was half a threat and half Tamaki letting her have her freedom. Kyoya came to his house the day Demi found out. One of the maids let Kyoya in. Tamaki was reading a book by the fire, but not really looking at the pages. Then, he'd heard Kyoya's voice, "Hello, Tamaki." Tamaki stood up and turned to see the boy closing his bedroom door.

"Oh, hello, Kyoya. I didn't know you were-" In a moment, Kyoya had grabbed his collar and shoved him against the wall, holding him there. Kyoya looked very pissed off.

"If you hurt her, make her cry ONE tear, embarrass her, harm her in ANY WAY, I will personally see to your destruction. You know I will." Kyoya growled. Tamaki's startled eyes softened, realizing it.

"You love her, don't you." Tamaki said softly. Kyoya's gaze was hard, but Tamaki saw right threw it. He knew his friend well enough to see that deep in those dark eyes of his that he was in love with Demiya.

"Yes, I do." Kyoya's gaze remained hard. He shoved Tamaki once more before leaving the room.

Tamaki felt a little guilty, but there was nothing he could do. He talked to his father, but there was no reconciling. He and Demiya were getting married and there was no stopping it.

~!~!~!~!~!~

"Of COURSE I don't think Demiya should be engaged!" Itsuyo exclaimed, "She's sixteen. She needs time. Besides, who DOES that anymore. The whole 'Arranged Marriage' crap!" They were standing on the roof of the building of the science convention. They only planned to be up there for a few minutes, catch their breath and look at Seoul from a height. They got to talking, then arguing.

"Why not? It's the Suoh family! They have money. Money we need. Besides, Demiya seemed to like that Tamaki boy." Matthew cried.

"You don't think, Matthew. You've never once thought about Demiya's happiness. Only money. And Souta, he probably knows you hate him for some reason, but he can't figure it out. I feel sorry for him. I fell in love with the one man who could never accept Souta as his own."

"You don't even love me, Itsuyo. I know you still love that detective." he gripped her shoulders.

"The one that died? Yes, I love him but what can I do? He's dead. I love you, too, Matthew. In fact, I love you more then him. You know why? I agreed to marry you. Now. I'm questioning it. I'm sorry Matthew, but my kids come before my husband. It's just the way of the parent. Now, being a parent wanting to protect my children, I'm not sure if I still want to be married to you, Matthew." Itsuyo was in tears now.

She pulled from her husbands grasp and ran away from him. She went back inside, ran through the convention hall and out into the streets of Seoul. Matthew watched her go, fire burning in his eyes. Now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure he wanted to be married to someone with a child who isn't his. He knew he was horrible to Souta, but Itsuyo had to tell Souta that Matthew wasn't his dad and that his real father is dead. Oh, who's the horrible one now?