"Broke preppy highschooler huh?" Nika joked as she walked arm-in-arm with Kyouya into the alley way of her house.

"Now that I think about it…that was a very bad choice of words." Kyouya said as he relayed in his head the speech he gave Éclair.

"And you said I was your girl." Nika said making quotation marks in the air as they reached her door.

"Well I was under the assumption that you were." Kyouya said pushing his glasses up with a calm smirk.

"Kyouya,Kyouya,Kyouya" Nika sighed as she shook her head and opened her door.

"Come inside, I'll make us some tea." Nika said as she invited him in.

This was the first time that Kyouya had actually been inside her apartment and his second time in a commoner apartment. It was the size of his bedroom which in fact is the size of a medium apartment so he didn't know if he should think it was big or small.

"I have Tatami mats so you can take off your shoes." Nika informed him as she did just that.

Kyouya was surprised by how airy and comfortable her place was. There was a plush couch set in front of a decent sized TV in the living room which led off to the kitchen where Nika was currently mumbling something as she made some tea. It was wall to wall white Tatami mats and the walls were a warm sort of cream that reflected the white and wood atmosphere of the furniture which was mostly wood of good quality.

"Are those her parents?" Kyouya asked himself as he noticed a picture and incense on a table in front of a wall.

He looked and saw the epitome of love. Nika's father who was holding a beautiful woman under a cherry blossom and they both had a look of utter content on their faces as Kyouya looked closely and saw a bulge in the woman's stomach.

"That was taken the day after my mother found out she was pregnant with me." Came Nika's voice gently from behind Kyouya.

"They look very happy." Kyouya said as he stood up and turned around.

"I always saw them as two halves of the same whole." Nika said nostalgically as he eyes got a little teary.

"Nika…" Kyouya started only to find a teacup plunged into his hand.

"I think we should make a toast!" Nika said happily trying to change the subject.

Kyouya knew that she just wanted to get her mind off her parents and raised his cup.

"To dance class in middle school, I wouldn't know the tango without you." Nika said with a smile.

"And to socialites with a hidden sweet side, I don't think we'd be together right now if not for that." Kyouya said truthfully.

Nika nodded in agreement and they both took a sip of tea only to be startled by the sound of a bell in a far off room. Nika froze and her eyes went big as she looked from the area of the noise and at Kyouya.

"What's wrong?" Kyouya asked very concerned.

"Oh god, Kashi-kun is very, VERY protective of me." Nika said grabbing Kyouya's hand and pushing him on the couch.

"Just stay stock still and whatever you do, do not make eye contact." Nika ordered as she hurried back into the kitchen.

"Well that is weird." Kyouya thought to himself as he relaxed somewhat on Nika's very soft and cushioned couch slightly glancing to his side only to be startled by a puff of fur giving him an evil glare.

"Kashi-kun I assume." Kyouya said with amusement in his voice as the little kitten that he recognized from seeing in the alley the night he met Nika continued to glare.

Kashi hesitantly jumped on the couch next to Kyouya and sniffed Kyouya's hand. He couldn't help but think the little white ball of cuteness just wanted to get to know him and having no prior experience with animals he reached his hand to pet Kashi on the head only to be met with 4 razor sharp claws through his skin.

"Owe!" Kyouya hissed making Nika run out of the kitchen with a can of tuna which was obviously going to be used as a peace offering.

"Kashi-kun! If you want to continue staying here you're going to have to be much nicer to Kyo." Nika chided making the kitten put his head down but not before giving Kyouya a small growl.

"I'll get something for that." Nika told Kyouya as she headed to another back room to fetch something.

"It seems I'm not the only one who wants to make sure she isn't harmed." Kyouya said as he noticed the cat fallow Nika.

"I hope this helps." Nika said with a huff as she came back kneeling on the floor in front of Kyouya with a first-aid kit.

"I assure you that isn't necessary." Kyouya protested only to have his hand already prepped by Nika.

Kyouya watched Nika work gently and skillfully on his hand. It was only 4 scratches yet she acted like his hand was completely cut off. Kyouya couldn't help but smile as Nika hummed softly while she bandaged his hand with the utmost care.

"All done!" Nika said triumphantly looking at her own handiwork with a smile.

"Well you deserve something for your trouble." Kyouya said as he leaned down and cupped the side of Nika's blushing face to place a kiss on her cheek.

"N-n-no trouble at all." Nika stuttered her face as red as a tomato.

Kyouya laughed a little at how no matter how much they have been around each other she still blushed at any show of affection from him.

"Kashi-kun!" Nika yelled as the small yet very evil cat jumped on Kyouya's lap and climbed up his shirt to look him in the eye.

"I have a strange feeling that he doesn't like me much." Kyouya said as Nika pulled Kashi off of Kyouya's shirt and locked him up in the bathroom.

"He's very territorial. I found him in here when I first got this place and he did the same thing to me, but after showing him I meant no harm and keeping him from getting into fights with neighborhood cats he warmed up to me and goes as he pleases now." Nika said as she sat down on the couch next to Kyouya.

"You have a very compassionate heart." Kyouya said as he pushed his glasses up completely at ease for some reason.

"No not really. I just don't think anyone or anything should get hurt if someone is around to keep it from happening." Nika explained.

"If only everyone thought like you, maybe the world would be a better place." Kyouya mused with a smirk.

"This coming from Mr. Do-for-his-friends-and-family-just-so-they-can-be-happy-and-not care-at-all-about-his-own-happiness?" Nika said with a raised eyebrow.

"I only do things if there's something to gain in return." Kyouya said.

"Don't think I haven't watched you keep an eye on your friends at the host club. I see how you gain from their joy even if there's nothing tangible in it for you." Nika chided Kyouya which made him smirk.

"That's an interesting way to see things." Kyouya said.

"You also will do anything, even break your own heart so you don't shame your family. I don't think I know anyone with a heart bigger then yours." Nika said gently as she wrapped her arms around Kyouya.

Kyouya was somewhat startled at hearing how she seemed to see him and looked at her seeing the one thing in her eyes that he had never seen aimed at him ever. Love.

He took off his glasses and leaned forward prepared to show her exactly how he felt with a kiss when a knock was heard at the door.

"I'll get it." Nika said dejectedly as she got up and opened the door.

"Hey Kiyoshi come on in." Nika said warmly as she opened and saw it was Kyouya's driver.

"I'm sorry I cannot stay, I just came to inform master Kyouya that his father has called and requested he come back home immediately." Kiyoshi said gravely.

Nika gave Kyouya a questioning glance as he got up immediately and left without a word.

"If I don't call you, please don't look for me." Kyouya said as he passed Nika and went out the door.

(a/n: Yay another chapter and the climax is a few if not 2 chapters away! also IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!! I'm now 18 and I don't really feel different although my friends want me to buy them "stuff" lol. I'm pretty content with just continuing this story for now.) zell-chan