(A/N: I know it's been too long and you're just DYING to see what happens. I have been REALLY busy lately, but I guess that's not an excuse. This chapter was a bitch to edit. I rewrote several parts of it several times. It's just ridiculous. Anyway, tell me how you like it.)

Fifteen: Ryusaki Akira

Kyoya and I sat on the couch, far apart, not daring to break the silence. Mom and Dad wouldn't be home for hours, and Souta would be here any minute. That would give Souta enough time to introduce Kyoya to his dad and then get out of there so I wouldn't get caught. Then... Mom and Dad would get home and all hell would break loose.

Kyoya and I kept exchanging glaces. I could hardly hide the fear in my eyes. Oh man, what was going to happen? I knew today would be the last time I would ever see Mom and Dad as a real couple. Though, honestly, I saw that they weren't a "real" couple anymore long ago. Now just came the part of accepting that. I was in a panic, and yet I was scared stiff. I could hardly move.

"Are you okay?" Kyoya asked, looking over at me and locking our gazes when my head turned at the sound of his voice.

"Today is a big day for my family." I said, wishing I could look away, but being unable to, "It's hard to be okay today."

"Demiya, I just want you to know that what ever happens, I'm just a phone call away." he set his hand on the cushion next to him as if reaching for me.

"Thank you, Kyoya." I said.

Then, making a snap decision, I stood up, and sat next to him on the couch. He looked at me, not seeming the slightest bit shocked that I had moved. Instead of saying anything, he took my hand, entwining my fingers in his. As we looked at each other, I couldn't help but to think of it as a goodbye. I was getting married and this was the last day of freedom.

Without thinking, I kissed him. My free hand gently touched his cheek, closing my eyes. Kyoya kissed me back every so softly, as if he was afraid that I'd break. A whirlwind of emotions rushed through me, but I kept kissing him. I don't think I've ever done anything that was so right in my life.

Before it could get too out of hand, I pulled away. I sighed and sat back on the couch. Souta should be home ant time now and I couldn't have him catch me snogging Kyoya. Sure enough, only seconds after I ended the kiss, Souta opened the door.

I dropped Kyoya's hand and I ran over to my brother who swooped my up into my arms. I was grinning like an idiot. When Souta set me down, he saw Kyoya behind me.

"Good afternoon. Thank you for coming." Souta said, nodding to Kyoya. Kyoya nodded back, smiling.

"So," I said, "What about..." I trailed off.

Then, a man just a bit older then my mother walked through the door and moving to stand near a beaming Souta. Souta was nearly a splitting image of this man standing next to him and my mother. My eyes widened. The mans posture was awful, but he was pretty attractive for an older guy. His hair was pitch black, just like Souta's and Souta also got his black eyes.

"Souta," I gasped, "You mean..."

"Demiya, meet my father, Ryusaki Akira." Souta introduced us, and I shook hands with Souta's father.

"Nice to meet you, sir." I said.

"It's very nice to put a face to a name, Miss." He said, a gorgeous smile on his face, "Souta spoke very fondly of you."

"Oh, did he?" I laughed.

"Of course. And is this the fiance that he was telling me about?" Ryusaki turned to Kyoya.

"Oh, no, sir." Kyoya stepped forward and reached out a hand for Ryusaki to shake, "I'm a friend of Demiya's. Demi and I helped Souta to find you. My name is Kyoya."

"Ah, I see. I believe I will have to thank you, Kyoya, for all of your hard work."

"It was nothing." Kyoya said modestly. My eyes shot over to him. I don't remember Kyoya saying that ever in the time that I've known him.

"It was not nothing, I assure you." Ryusaki said, briefly tightening his grip on Kyoya's hand before letting go.

"You're welcome, sir."

That afternoon, Ryusaki explained everything to Kyoya and I. He told us all that he usually did while he was all cooped up. He said that he hadn't been in the real world like this in nearly twenty two years. Exactly how old Souta was. Time suddenly became irrelevant and I stopped looking at the clock so much. I could just tell by the sun instead, then.

It was interesting to here his story. To listen to the dangerous cases that he's worked on in the past. He spoke of my mother a lot. She was a very smart girl, even as a young girl. At only fourteen she had started helping her parents, two police officers, solve cases and she was fifteen when L called her first. They trusted each other so much and she did all that she could for him out in the real world.

Then, when she was twenty, she told him that she couldn't keep doing that whole "detective" thing because it was too dangerous so she went to school to be a lawyer, which is where she met her boyfriend at the time, Light. Then, both she and Light helped Ryusaki on a dangerous case and they saw each other for the first time and L realized that my mother was actually a woman and not a guy like he had originally thought.

In the duration of the case, which was a few months, my mother and Ryusaki developed feelings for each other, though they weren't entirely sure what was going on, as she and Light were dating secretly, because Light was being forced to be in a relationship with one of the suspects. Then, Light died and, though sad, Mom explored her feelings deeper and found herself to be in love, and Ryusaki had admitted to loving her and Souta... happened. Then, Ryusaki had to fake his death and only the police chief and Ryusaki himself knew that he faked his death.

It was all really quite fascinating. Even Kyoya seemed interested.

Before I knew it, it was dark outside and two beams of light drove into the driveway. Kyoya was still here. Oh. Shit. I gasped, and pointed out the large window and the grabbed Kyoya's wrist and pulled him into the adjoining room.

"Wait here. We'll get you out of here." I promised.

"Of course." Kyoya called to me as I headed for the door, "Demi?"

"Yes?"

"Good luck." he stepped towards me and lightly kissed my cheek.

"Thank you." I said and stepped into the living room and I sat next to Souta on the couch.

Ryusaki didn't seem nervous on the outside, except for the fact that he couldn't keep his fingers still. He twiddled his thumbs, unable to stop himself. Souta looked down at his hands, and it was clear he was freaking out. I took in a deep breath. This could be the last time that I'm happy in a long time. My life is going to change in 3... 2... 1...

"Demiya! Souta! We're home!" Mom called from the front door.

"We're in here, Mom!"

My mother and father came into the room. They looked a bit tired, and I thought maybe it wasn't a good time for this. Of course, why postpone it? I ran to my mother and hugged her. Then, I hugged Dad, but not for long.

"Oh. Who's this?" Mom asked, seeing the man in the armchair with his back to her.

"Mom, Matthew..." Souta stood, finding a voice more confident then I thought he would find, "I'd like to introduce you to someone."

"Yes?" Mom said and I moved to stand by Souta.

"Mom, Matthew, this is..." Ryusaki stood and turned around, "This is my dad."

At the sight of Ryusaki, Mom dropped her purse and coat on the floor. She stared at him for the longest time, unblinking. Ryusaki looked back, though I couldn't see his facial expression. She obviously recognized him. Something passed between them that no one knew or understood. It was just a look, but so much happened in that look. Here goes...

"Y-y-y-you! YOU!" she cried, pointing, "You're dead."

Ryusaki said very softly, "I'm so sorry."

"How can you be alive?" she whispered.

"Who is this guy?" Matthew snapped, taking Mom's shoulder and pulled her to face him rather violently, "This man cannot be Souta's father."

"That is Souta's father."

"You said he was dead."

"He's not, as you can tell. I don't know how he could have possibly survived that..." she trailed off.

"The chocolate." Ryusaki said simply, "There was a drug in the chocolate, Itsuyo."

"How could you do that to me?" Mom took a step closer to him, "How did you do it. Even more importantly, how could you just leave me?"

"I didn't want to. I looked for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere until you were married."

"I thought Souta was going to be Light's, I really did. Instead, when he was yours, I didn't know what I was going to do. I knew I loved you. I've always loved you, but you didn't even call to tell me you were alive. Nothing. Even if I was married, I would have liked SOME sort of message. I thought you trusted me."

"You looked so happy. I mean, you were once, at least. Demiya is living proof of that. Oh, God, Itsuyo. I do trust you. I just... didn't know what to do. I'd never had... human feelings like that before."

"Itsuyo, what are you going to do?" Matthew asked quietly and Mom looked at him, "And what did he mean human feelings."

"I have no idea. I mean, you hate Souta, and Ryusaki... well... What will I ever do?"

"Itsuyo..." Ryusaki said and Mom's head whipped around and looked at him,

"You haven't said my name like that in twenty two years." she breathed.

"I know. I love you. I haven't stopped loving you for twenty two years."

"I love you, too." Mom said and my eyes widened. She walked around the armchair to kiss him. My father didn't look sad. I knew that they had filed for divorce while they were gone. I hacked my mothers email while I was bored yesterday and there was a confirmation letter in there from the court, accepting their file.

"Demiya, you know you're going to have to choose, right?" Dad said looking me in the eye.

"I've already decided." I said, and my mother stopping kissing Ryusaki to look at me.

"You did?"

"Of course. It was an obvious decision. I'll visit occasionally, though."

"Who is it?" Souta asked.

"I'm gonna stick with Mom. I have a secret and I think she can help me better then you can, Dad."

"Are you pregnant?" Mom exclaimed.

"No. I'm in love, but I'm not in love with Tamaki."

"You what?" Dad asked, the vein on his forehead beginning to show.

"I'm in love with Kyoya Ootori." I said, "And if I'm with Mom, I can do what ever I want. I am going to break off my engagement with Tamaki."

"No. I won't allow it!" Dad cried, his fists clenching.

"Well, I'm not going to be in your custody anymore, so I don't have to do that."

"She doesn't have to marry Tamaki, Matthew." Mom said sharply and then smiled at me, "If it was that against her will, then she doesn't have to."

"But I'm her father!" Matthew cried.

"But not her legal guardian." Souta said, "Or you won't be for much longer. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, I won't let you hurt her." he put an arm in front of me being the protective, amazing, older brother I loved.

"Demiya, you must keep your engagement to Tamaki." My father practically yelled.

"Or what?" I asked, really standing up to him now, "You'll disown me? You'll kick me out? You'll send me to America? It's almost as if you think that Kyoya won't follow me. This whole 'in love' thing isn't just a one-sided thing. Is it, Kyoya?" I asked loudly.

"It's not one sided!" his voice called from the other room.

"You mean, there's a boy here?" Matthew cried.

"Oh, please. Kyoya and I helped find Souta's father. Of course he's here." I said as I went to the other room and opened the door. Kyoya and I took hands and we moved back into the living room.

"Bb-b-b-b-ut." my father was unable to find words.

"I love Demiya." Kyoya said, very straight-forward, "I intend to marry her. One day. Once we're done with school."

"But..."

"Of course," Kyoya turned to my mother, pretending like Dad didn't say a thing, "If you'll allow it."

"You're what, sixteen? Seventeen?" she asked.

"Yes."

"It's very early for both of you."

"I know."

"It could die out and you could not want to be with each other soon."

"I don't think that'll happen."

"No one ever does."

"I am quite aware, but I never thought I'd fall in love, either."

"Sure, what the hell. Get married in a few years." Mom grinned, "But you have to be twenty five or twenty six to get married, alright?"

"Of course." I said, my smile so large, it was hurting.

"Alright." Mom grinned.

I jumped into Kyoya's arms, laughing like an idiot. For a moment, he was startled at the sudden contact, but he softened a little and hugged me back. Souta watched as I hugged Kyoya, Mom hugged Ryusaki, and Matthew stood there, forgotten. Then, he said something that none of us suspected.

"I have an engagement ring to buy."

"What?" all five of us chorused.

~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Kyoya and I laid on my bed on our sides, looking at each other, not daring to look away. It was like it was a dream and if one of us would look away, it would all be gone. Even after a week, it was like it wasn't even real.

I was having trouble getting used to waking up in the morning, going downstairs, and seeing my mothers boyfriend sitting there sipping coffee and piling sugar onto his Special K instead of my dad sitting there with his toast. I was still getting used to going to school and getting a good morning kiss from my boyfriend. I was still getting used to the evenings when my boyfriend would come over and we would just talk for hours on end.

My life was changing rapidly and so far, I was able to handle it. I thought that I might need a therapist soon so I can deal with my parents break up. I kept reminding myself that if they stayed together, I couldn't be with Kyoya. Haruhi could be with Tamaki. Mom could be with Ryusaki. Souta could be with Jacqueline. Everything was all intertwined and I couldn't figure out where it started or where it ended.

My mother, however, seemed to know everything was happy with it. She knew exactly what she was going to say in court. She knew exactly what ring to get for Souta, she knew exactly how to propose to Jacqueline, and then she sent Souta off and now we're all just waiting for her answer. My mother knew everything.

Kyoya and I had spent every day after school with each other. No one saw us at school. No one had to. I didn't go to the Host Club anymore. I had no need to. I wasn't engaged to Tamaki. No one had to know about Kyoya and I yet. It might get awkward with Haruhi... Why would it get awkward with Haruhi? At that precise moment, my butt started vibrating as my phone rang in my back pocket of my jeans (which I just got with Mom. My first pair of blue jeans. Oh, you saw how strict Dad was.) I didn't even break my gaze with Kyoya as I answered.

"Hello?"

"Demiya, where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago." Tamaki cried.

"Oh. Oh crap." I sat up.

"Yeah. We need to tell my dad that we want to get married now. Or did you forget."

I had forgotten. In the whirl of activity and the secrecy with Kyoya and I, I had completely forgotten that Tamaki and I were meeting today. As I sat up, I felt my face grow warm with a blush.

"Uh, I completely forgot, but something happened this week which means that we don't have to get married."

"What?" Tamaki asked, listening now.

"Well..."

I explained everything carefully, not to leave out anything important. Kyoya watched me over his glasses as I explained to Tamaki that I was now engaged, sort of, to Kyoya.

"Oh. Well, good for you. Now, if you don't mind, I have someone to see."

"Of course you do. Does her name start with an H?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Think about it for a minute." I said and it was silent for one full minute.

"Oh. Oh... OH! OH goodness, Demiya, I have to go."

"Yes you do. See you later." I said and I hung up.

Kyoya and I started laughing. Tamaki can be so dense sometimes, but it was all good now. And now, there's another happy couple. Soon. Hopefully. Depending on how Haruhi reacts to this news. I don't think I told her, which makes no sense. Haruhi is my best friend. I guess that makes me a horrible friend, but I'll make up for it eventually.

Tamaki and I will have to talk to his dad, but I'm pretty sure my father will take care of it. Dad seemed reasonable enough, but who knew what he was going to do. Since he and mom are separating, I'm sure he'll keep it legal. It's my dad. He was always reasonable... until he got me engaged, but other then that, he was generally good with things like that. Not divorce, of course, but other things.

For the first time, I was able to look at Kyoya and it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was... nice. Since I didn't have an impending engagement, it felt better. Instead, we were more comfortable then we had first started out. My mind could actually function around him, even after we kissed, so I'm taking that as a good thing. So far, now that we were in a relationship, I hadn't changed my mind about him, so that's another good thing.

It was going to be very hard, my parents divorce, but I knew that it was all going to change for the better.

~!~!~!~!~!~

Haruhi was better off then she thought she was going to be. Just her household chores took her mind off of everything, and she was able to not bother herself too much with her feelings. At night, Tamaki ruled her mind and she thought of him until she fell asleep, and when she woke up, it was all that she could think about. She even dreamt about him some nights.

She had no idea what was wrong with her. She never thought of boys like that. Now, she couldn't stop. If she wasn't cleaning, she was thinking about Tamaki and how good it felt to kiss him... No. She scolded herself. Focus on the dishes. They need more attention then Tamaki does. Besides, he's getting married. There's nothing you can do.

Then, once she was done with the dishes she made herself sit down and start her homework. She started off fine, she thought, but soon, she started seeing Tamaki's name on the page. The integer of Tamaki squared, divided by Tamaki... Ah! Haruhi threw down her pencil and hurried for the kitchen. She splashed her face with cold water, desperate for her thoughts to be cleared.

The doorbell rang suddenly, shocking Haruhi awake. She dried her face and went to the door. She wasn't expecting company at all. She opened the door and gasped. Tamaki stood there, panting and leaning against the door frame. How far did he just run?

"Haruhi." he said when he got his breath back.

"Tamaki... What are you doing here?" Haruhi asked, bringing him inside.

"I... I had to see you. Demiya's mother and father are getting divorced, so Kyoya and Demiya-"

"Are getting engaged?" she finished his thought.

"Yes. That made me realize who I truly love." Tamaki spewed his feelings before he could stop them, "I'm not sure how long I've loved you, but I love you, Haruhi. I really do."

Tamaki kissed her before she could react, but Haruhi didn't care. She'd kissed him once before and she wasn't afraid to do it that is exactly what she did.