Pairing: KyouyaxHaruhi
Rating: PG-13 – for some violence. Violence is bad, kiddos!
Written for: Solace. And the pure ecstasy of getting my paycheck! Whoohoo! Sometimes, money really does make the world go 'round, especially when one's destitute. I worked hard these past couple of months!
Dedicated to: Destinies Entwined, Chico and Maya, Aletheotaku, DarkRavie, xKireyy, mtnikolle, BubblyBunny153, irgroomer, greetingsfrommaars, and AkilovesKana. This chapter is especially dedicated to Aletheotaku to congratulate her for braving the initial "should I or should I not?" question for posting a first piece of fiction on the Internet for the world to see, and to welcome her into the world of fanfiction writers.
Tanaka's Girl: Thanks for your encouraging words! Hopefully I'm genius enough to write something better for my novel after losing it.
Warning: Beware of OOCness. Not BETA'd...sorry for little mistakes here and there.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran or any of its characters. They belong only to the great Bisco Hatori-sama (and BONES and Funimation)...and I'm sure they're sick of me taking their characters and running with them in the wind, but they've got to admit, the real world needs some spicin' up!
Endless Story
A Kyouya and Haruhi Tale
By, Yue Guang Kuroneko
Chapter Twenty-five:
Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together
I'll always love you forever, forever
("Always and Forever" by Heatwave)
Kyouya sat across from his eldest brother, both engulfed in angry, bitter silence. They had been sitting here for the past twenty minutes, glaring into space and refusing to speak. Even when Yuuichi walked through the door of the coffee shop that Haruhi liked to frequent, they said not one word to each other. While he wasn't aware of the reason of his brother's grinding silence, Kyouya was aware of his own.
Seeing that scowl of distaste and that disagreeable face, Kyouya could feel himself becoming defensive and irritated that his brother has already decided on a verdict, and that verdict did not shine upon himself lightly. They've never liked each other. Kyouya, young and determined, was angry because it seemed that their high-society favored the eldest more than ability. And so, young, determined, and indeterminately foolish and hard-headed, Kyouya made Yuuichi his rival. After all, if he could overcome Yuuichi, didn't that mean that he had pushed past their society's expectations and overcame all original beliefs that the eldest was undoubtedly the most capable? If he could do that, and succeed, he could inspire all other younger siblings to rise and take what was equally, rightfully, theirs.
He caught Haruhi's eyes from across the café and she shot him a glare, then flicked her eyes over to the back of Yuuichi's head. She gave him a nudging look and then a warm open smile. He looked away, partially wishing she wasn't so encouraging. He was lucky that Tamaki, Mori, and Hani (the twins were in Italy for a fashion run) were there to distract her from pushing him to talk to Yuuichi in her usual blunt manner. He was sure that if she had things her way, she would be facilitating this talk. Though, he had to admit, were Haruhi to interfere (he knew that she wouldn't), they'd actually be getting somewhere.
"You invited me here to talk," Yuuichi finally hissed. "Do not waste my time."
Kyouya let out a deep breath. It's been a long time since they've talked. He had forgotten how irritatingly similar Yuuichi was to their father. The only difference between the two was that Kyouya couldn't punch their father.
"It has come to my attention," Kyouya said slowly, "that Akito has been mussing up some of our hard work."
Yuuichi snorted in that obnoxious, overdramatic way. He said, with his eyes narrowed, "I assure you that your hard work has not gone unnoticed."
And there it was. The blame. The malicious finger pointing. The destructive stubborn-headedness of the Ootori family was rearing its head. And it hasn't even been a proper five minutes since they've started talking. What an ugly head the Ootori mascot had.
"This is why I contacted you." Kyouya was attempting to watch his temper. "I had nothing to do with this. What Akito is doing is counterproductive to what I have been doing the past five years."
"Ruining the Ootori Corporation has always been your claim, Ootori Kyouya. Using pretty little words to attempt to convince me otherwise shows what a fool you've been to the Ootori name."
"Allow me to restate, big brother," Kyouya gritted his teeth, "that my supposed involvement with Akito's work is only in your overinflated head."
At the corner of his eye, he could see Haruhi's head snap up to look at him. This woman either had extremely sensitive hearing or her timing was impeccable.
"You expect me to believe that a soft-spined little twerp like Akito could pull something like this off? You must be joking."
"The fact that you can't even consider that possibility shows your limited perspective of human nature. How do you expect to get anything done in society if you can't even see past your preconceived prejudices? Isn't it possible that Akito has always been this way?"
"Of course it isn't," Yuuichi gritted out now. "We both grew up with Akito. He's never given us any cause for concern."
It was true, Kyouya mused as he scrutinized Yuuichi's hard eyes. Akito had never been a cause for concern. However, Akito was an Ootori. They've underestimated him, forgotten about him almost, and that would be their downfall. If Kyouya had the capacity to put aside prejudices and wounded pride, he would even say that Akito was brilliant. Except, he was currently too focused on controlling his anger to satisfy that need.
Waiting for just the right moment, even taking several years, was admirable of a businessman. Most of their kind wanted to see immediate results. There was hardly anything on this planet earth that could be obtained so efficiently. To have such patience to map out what would happen within the next couple of years was impressive, even for an Ootori.
That was the family flaw. They allowed the fame of their name to go to their heads, and they began to feel the pressure of having to be a big corporation. It wasn't about quality anymore. It was about quantity and speed; both of which are impossible to maintain when quality was a priority. And so they looked for quick fixes that resulted in damage. Akito was probably the most brilliant out of the three siblings, as difficult as it was to admit.
"You're not giving him the respect he deserves."
"Respect?" sputtered Yuuichi. He was quiet for a moment, eyes searching Kyouya's face before he began to laugh. "You think that a boy like Akito deserves respect? What has he ever done to deserve that respect? He's always been a spineless, lazy coward. You're infuriating, Kyouya, but you're not lazy. You're shrewd and manipulative. I can respect that. But Akito is out of the question. He doesn't belong in this world. Our world. He isn't strong enough to think of bringing down both corporations."
"I'm starting to see," began Kyouya as he set his cup of coffee down on the table, "why he would want to spite you in the first place. You're insufferable."
He could see Haruhi stand, and Tamaki place a firm hand at her shoulder to stop her from interfering. He could also see Yuuichi's fists clench, and ears turn red. The tall-tell sign his control of his temper was slipping. But what surprised him was not that Yuuichi did not stand to punch him. Rather, an expected visitor came through the door, the likeness of their genes not unnoticed.
"Discussing my plans, then, I assume?" Akito leered as he joined them. He turned the chair around and threw a leg over it in the most casual of manners. Their father would have been appalled. "Don't keep me out of the loop then."
Morinozuka Takashi watched Tamaki struggled to keep Haruhi seated as they felt tension rise between Kyouya and Yuuichi. In all honesty, there was nothing to worry about. It was an intense banter of wills and perspectives, but Yuuichi was never the type to be confrontational. That was always what was so unique about Kyouya. The Ootori family consisted of members of a passive bunch of businessmen. The dirty work, the confrontation, was done by others at a high price. Kyouya, on the other hand, deviated away from the Ootori Armed Guards and handled affairs privately and efficiently.
At least, Takashi thought as he handed Mitsukuni a napkin (they needn't bother putting up a façade of Mitsukuni's inability for self-hygiene now that the Host Club was over, but he couldn't help but lend a helping hand sometimes), Kyouya was one who could handle himself.
Takashi sensed the aura before he saw the person, and he was mildly surprised that the aura didn't quite match the person's face. He'd always prided himself on being observant—perhaps even more observant than Kyouya—so this sudden shift in Akito hardly seemed sensible. Still, there was something that was still inherently Akito that Takashi wondered if this aura had been hidden at all, or were they just tricked into seeing, into sensing, what they wanted to see, or rather, what he wanted them to see?
If so, Takashi felt a chill walk his spine, this man was also innately dangerous. Far more dangerous than they gave him credit.
Akito's blatant disregard for their high-society mannerisms made Mitsukuni stop enjoying his cake. The man's hazel eyes narrowed and shot in the direction of the Ootori brothers, the cake on his fork forgotten. Haruhi froze too, eyes wide at the spontaneous show of wills, and Tamaki sat down in his seat, staring. The café was silent now, its patrons all waited with bated breath at the next unfolding of events.
"Akito," Yuuichi murmured, angry. Takashi watched Kyouya's expression carefully. Blank. "What are you doing here?"
"It was at the request," Akito waved his hand carelessly, "of my wife." A toothed grin was shot at the stiffened Yuuichi. "So, you see, I could not refuse."
"Stop," Kyouya spoke up. "Stop baiting him."
Akito's sharp eyes turned to Kyouya's direction and Takashi could hear Haruhi fidget in her seat.
"My dearest little brother, how have you been lately?"
"Where is Reiko-san?" Kyouya ignored the sarcastic pleasantries.
"You wouldn't think I'd hurt her," Akito sounded hurt and appalled. "I love her."
"Yes, yes," Kyouya said. "Where is she?"
"At home."
"How would she know that Big Brother and I were meeting up?"
"You underestimate her."
"No." Kyouya shook his head. "We don't underestimate either one of you."
"What have you done to Reiko?" Yuuichi's cool exterior was cracking rapidly. Like ice cracking at the first sign of spring. It's loud, hazardous, and there was something brewing underneath, fighting to be released from its confines. Takashi has seen men with hidden passions that were locked away for so long that it became a poison. Those beautiful, fleeting emotions bottled up until venom became the only bottle that could handle its overwhelming toxicity.
"Nothing." Akito raised his hands innocently. "She and I have reached the next stage of our marriage."
"And what is that?" Teeth and fists clenched, shoulders stiff and square, Yuuichi looked like a balloon ready to pop.
"What is what?" Akito raised an eyebrow. "What is the next stage, you mean?"
"Brother," Kyouya attempted to take Akito's attention away from the spiraling Yuuichi.
"Don't stop him, Kyouya," Yuuichi spat, "I want to hear what this bastard has to say."
"Are you sure? I don't know if you'd be able to handle it."
Takashi stood from the table as he sensed Yuuichi's energy skyrocket, but was surprised to find Yuuichi swallow it again. He always underestimated the Ootori family's self-control. This innate personality trait is a gift, but Takashi didn't know whether or not it was good for their sanity.
Kyouya let out a sigh and Takashi could see his eyes wander towards their table. Takashi followed his gaze, that gentle gaze reserved only for the one person who could make Ootori Kyouya who he was now, and could see Haruhi smile weakly at him in response.
"Brother, surely we can work this out peacefully. There are people with livelihoods at stake. I would rather not involve them in our petty problems."
"Kyouya," Akito said, twirling his finger at him in mockery, "has anyone told you that you've become such a bore since you've gotten back together with that dull, peasant girl?"
Takashi's first instincts were to rush over to restrain Kyouya, but he found himself keeping Tamaki down instead. And Kyouya, with his ever calculating eyes, shifted over to Haruhi who gave him a shrug.
The youngest sibling's eyebrow rose, and then he broke out in jovial laughter.
"Is that all you've got, Brother?" Kyouya laughed behind his hand, attempting to maintain some dignity. "All I asked of you was to settle this between ourselves—as brothers. Bringing other lives into this equation is immoral. And all you could reply with was a cheap shot at my love life?"
"Since when did you care for morality?"
"Since I was with Haruhi."
"So easily influenced by a woman," grumbled Yuuichi.
"Says the man who was too stubborn to marry the woman that he continues to pine for after she had chosen his younger brother for a husband?" Kyouya's tone was light and playful, but the words stung. "But we are drifting from the matter at hand, I believe." He leaned back against his seat, his arms crossed. "Brother, I believe you owe us an explanation."
"Not much to explain—what you see is pretty straightforward," Akito shrugged as he leaned back in his seat and slung it over the back. "I intend to take down both of your companies. That is that."
"Surely we can negotiate something—," began Yuuichi.
"Doubtful."
"You bought a number of shares for a struggling tourism company several weeks ago," Kyouya pulled out papers from his briefcase. "I was under the impression that you were helping someone that was once very close to Reiko. But she doesn't know, does she?"
"No, but I don't see how that is any of your concern."
"But it is," Kyouya interjected. "Your rash decision to purchase those shares disable you from taking over both companies. That's what you're doing, isn't it? You're buying time until you have enough resources to take that final step." Kyouya leaned in suddenly and Takashi couldn't hear any more. All he knew was that Akito's eyes widened and then leaned back in his chair to laugh.
"You are amusing, Ootori Kyouya. It seems I've underestimated you, little brother. And here I thought you'd be running to your little Host Club for help."
Kyouya smiled, though not without a hint of mischievousness, "Is that a deal?"
"Surely you know me better than that," Akito tsked, crossing his arms across his chest the way Yuuichi had them now.
"I do," Kyouya agreed. "And you'll surrender."
Akito gave Kyouya a hard look. It was scrutinizing. One that Takashi had seen on his father before when Satoshi was born. It was the look of a skeptic. Fortunately, Satoshi had been too young to remember it, but Takashi never forgot. He was relieved that Satoshi turned out so well, but he had always made it a point to make sure that Satoshi never felt those judging looks of predestined disappointment and failure. Deep down, he was happy that Satoshi didn't end up like the Ootori siblings.
"You're asking me to relinquish my need to destroy the two of you?"
"No." Kyouya shook his head. "I'm threatening you to."
If there was one thing that the Ootoris lacked, decorum was never one. They were truly high class, down to the very button they wore on their shirts. So when Akito stood to deck the youngest Ootori in the face in a public vicinity, Takashi wondered, as he rushed forward to pull Akito back, if he knew anything at all, and if his observation skills were as good as he thought they were.
"Who do you think you are?" Akito panted from adrenaline, struggling uselessly in Takashi's hold. "Who the hell do you think you are?"
Haruhi had gotten up when Takashi had. She was at Kyouya's side now, nursing his head carefully, inspecting him for any sustaining injuries. Takashi could see the dark purple bruise coming in around his eye, but couldn't see much else as Akito started flailing about angrily. Takashi was only vaguely aware that Tamaki had kept Hani back, and some of the customers had started screaming. Others were quiet, obvious in their curiosity and disgust.
Kyouya didn't say anything as he held Haruhi's hand.
"Akito," Yuuichi said as he stood, unfazed by the violent exchange. "Father won't be pleased."
"He never is," Akito spat. "Stop being his little lapdog and wake up, Big Brother. You're just a carbon copy of our dilapidating father."
Akito pulled out of Takashi's loosening grip and made his way out the door. The rest of the customers eventually returned to their conversations as Yuuichi stood and as Haruhi talked to Kyouya quietly.
"Why didn't you dodge?" she scolded lightly as she pressed an ice pack—generously given by one of the waitresses with whom Haruhi befriended—to his eye. "I know you. You're quicker than he is, and you saw it coming. You even took off your glasses as his fist came at you."
"He needed it," Kyouya said. He nodded his appreciation to Takashi, and Takashi could only give him a grim smile. He returned to Hani as Tamaki rushed over to Kyouya and Haruhi. He couldn't hear the rest of their conversation, though he doubted that much happened anyway since Yuuichi just gave Kyouya a curt nod, but it gave him much to ponder about, even on their way home.
As he lay in bed that night, his mind went over to Kyouya's sibling rivalry, hoping to someone somewhere that Akito would wake up and go out to pursue something worthwhile.
"Big Brother?" Satoshi spoke up from the other side of their room.
"Yes, Satoshi?"
"Thanks for being a great big brother," the younger boy said after much pause.
Takashi fell asleep with a smile on his face.
Author's Note: Again, I need to apologize for such a long wait! Work has been extremely busy lately as they've added four new classes onto my schedule. That definitely doubles my lesson planning time and homework grading time. I'll try to be better at it. Also going through life problems (as lemons are abundant), and I'm struggling to find motivation to make lemonade with them. (Also, I seem to have run out of sugar. Is there anyone out there who would be kind enough to lend some to me?) I'm better now. Thanks for your patience, and thanks to those who have been by my side!
Here, for the sake of convenience using the English language, Kyouya calls Yuuichi his "Big Brother" and Akito "Brother." Also, Satoshi is Takashi's little brother; kind, laid-back, and devoted to Hani's little brother, Yasuchika.
Review if you'd like; constructive criticism is always appreciated. Hateful, angry flames, however, are NOT appreciated, and my army of zombified kitties will not hesitate to spit acid furballs at you or chew you up. That's why we should all be nice and support each other. Don't feed the angry zombie kitties!