As standard I own nothing but my ideas.

Ok here's the deal I wasn't planning on having this finished until this weekend but since my brain was fried for school stuff I wrote it after my exam yesterday.

Tanaka = last name/surname

Kaede = first name

After walking for about five minutes towards home a limo pulled up and blocked the way that I'd been walking. Stopping I stared at the limo until the guys piled out and just shockingly staring at me. I don't get what the big deal was. I'd been in this situation for awhile now. I guess maybe it was because I hadn't intentionally told them. Maybe it's because not one of the guys figured it out. I just really don't know anymore.

"Will you take me home?" My only concession that I was willing to give them was such a simple question.

"Alright." That's all that Kyoya said before he got back into his limo, I followed suit, with the rest of the guys seemingly unsure how to act around me now.

When the limo pulled in front of what I know will soon become my ex home I walked instead of towards the stairs that headed to my apartment but towards a neighbor in the apartment below me. Knocking I waited until the widowed Tanaka Kaede opened the door, surprised that I was there so early and with all of these males behind me.

"She's asleep." Smiling gently I followed her into her warm, cozy apartment and went immediately towards Ai who was zonked on in overstuffed love seat. I went and picked her up gently trying to not wake up the sometimes cranky two year old. Grabbing the bag that was propped up against the front of the love seat. I looked up and quietly said thank you.

Walking out of her apartment Kaede gently closed the door behind me as I looked at the guys getting rather curious as to why I had a toddler in my arms. Going around the guys I went around them and then up the stairs to a now very empty apartment. Unlocking the door while seeming to juggle Ai and my school bag in one arm and unlock the door with the other. When a third arm entered the equation and took the key from my hand, I looked back and saw that the friend that had done so was Mori-kun. Smiling as he opened the door I entered first and went directly into my room and put Ai in her crib that occupied one corner of my room.

Going back into the living room area I stopped and looked at the men standing there and realized that it was going to be a very long night. With even longer days ahead - I hope Jamie is quick because I know once I really start talking Kyoya will start something into action fast!

"Have a seat." Going to the center table I knelt down by it and waited for the guys to do the same. Noticing as I did that Huni-kun was wearing bunny socks while everyone else was wearing black dress socks. An odd thing to notice at time like this but none-the-less I did. After everyone was still oddly quiet and settled. "Ask your questions without the drama," I said pointedly looking at the twins and Tamaki.

"How long has Ranka been dead?" Of course Kyoya would have to start with that just as the twins asked me in their surround sound fashion, "Who is the kid?"

"Ranka's been dead for almost five weeks now. And that 'kid' is Ai ... my daughter."

Still sitting there I waited for all hell to break loss. I didn't have long before Tamaki, the twins, and Huni all started in about the same time as the bombs that I'd dropped finally sunk in. I looked at the two that remained as quiet as the other four couldn't seem to get below a dull roar.

After what seemed like twenty minutes of the four very loud ones all over reacting at the same time it became possible to start to understand what they were saying. Looking around at the ever repeating questions I didn't bother to look at them as their questions bounced from of them to another to ask the same question.

"What do you mean she's your daughter?" "Why didn't you tell us about Ranka sooner?" "You have a daughter?" Over and over those and others were bounced around until I got bored with them. Cocking my head slightly towards my closed bedroom door I heard Ai start to make herself known and complain about the loud idiots in our home.

Sighing heavily I got up, opened my room to get her and let the sounds of Ai's screams be heard above the idiots before they shut up! Then heading towards the kitchen I grabbed a small glass container and a child's spoon I headed back towards the living room and sat back down in the spot that I had left. Only this time Ai was in my lap. Carefully opening the container I set it down and put the spoon in it and slid it closer to Ai and myself. Ai seeing the container with applesauce in it happily ate her snack as her angry tears slowly dried on her face and a smile slowly started to take over her expression.

"From now on can you guys not be yelling?" I asked rather darkly. With a once again happy Ai, I asked, "Next question?"

"How did Ranka die?" What do you know another friend with a hard question at least Mori-kun is showing his concern.

"Ranka died in a car accident. And don't bother trying to dig up anything on it – I doubt that you'll be able to you. Yes I mean you as well Kyoya. Beyond that at this point I can't tell you more."

"Who's the father?" Again Kyoya not pulling any punches that keep rapidly firing at me.

"It doesn't matter who the father was. He isn't in the picture. Nor will he or any of his family ever be in the future. Anything else any of you need to know right now?"

The twins turned and looked at each and then turned to look at me, "How many siblings do you have?"

Laughing at the rather absurd aspect of everything that they'd all learned this evening that those two devils would focus on that. "Didn't I already say something about that not being the issue right now? And if not let me say it now – my siblings or lack thereof siblings here or anywhere else isn't really a concern right now."

Thankfully at that point five cell phones all started going off almost in tandem. Turning I looked at a small clock on a nearby clock and say that it was after six. Normally long after the time that everyone would've been home after club activities. "You guys should be heading home."

With that I got up and headed for the kitchen with Ai in one arm and her bowl in my other hand. Setting it in the sink I pulled out Ai's highchair as the murmurs of the guys conversations softly made its way towards me and turning to the fridge I started to get things to make a small curry for Ai and myself. Hmmm … maybe if I hurry through dinner I can still get my homework done and figure out what the assignments that I missed in my afternoon classes were and do them as well.

Turning as I heard the guys troop towards I turned towards the cutting board on the counter and started chopping up the freshly washed produce. When Kyoya finally spoke, "You don't have to stay here … at the very least not alone."

Laughing quietly I spoke as the quiet once again descended on this apartment. "I'm never really guys. Not with friends like you, not with the memories that I'll never forget of loved ones gone, and especially not with Ai."

Not stopping and turning to see the looks that were surely on all the guys' faces I finished chopping the vegetables and started cutting the chicken. Quietly I heard six feet slowly turn away from the kitchen and head for the door. Without a 'goodbye' or an 'I'll see you tomorrow Haruhi' the door opened and gently closed a minute later. I didn't need to turn around to know who was left within this small apartment. The Shadow King was here to stay for awhile longer.

So what do you think? ... Am I writing for a creative outlet or someone actually reading this?