I recovered from my shock and chased after Kyoya, sprinting across the courtyard, not even stopping to wave at the girls sitting at the fountain who called to me. I'd apologize later. When I caught up to him, I pounced, raising my hand as I leaped into the air.

And I smacked the black haired boy square on the back of the head.

"I thought we agreed in middle school not to do that anymore," I panted.

Kyoya, who had bent slightly forward under the blow, straightened, keeping his back to me. "I couldn't help it. You looked so cute." He turned around and met my eyes, his own eyes glinting with mischief and sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes in a very un-gentleman-like way. "I swear you never change. Come on, we've got to get dressed for Animal Day." And we walked off together in the direction of Music Room #3, hearing the end of school bells ring.

Animal Day had been Hikaru and Kaoru's idea. I'd had Kyoya inspect their idea for any mischief opportunities, and he'd reported, "No more than usual," which I assumed meant that it was nothing we couldn't handle.

After much debate and glaring, Honey-senpai had gotten to be the bunny. I wanted the bunny. But I conceded to the threats of the beast and decided on the puppy. Mori-senpai was a mouse, Kyoya was a cat, Haruhi was a kitten (I was assured that there was in fact a difference between the two costumes) and Hikaru and Kaoru had decided on, of ALL things, a lion and a gazelle. How they were going to pull this off was beyond me, but it was their idea to begin with so I consented. Reluctantly.

It started off well enough. There was indeed a difference between a cat and a kitten, size being the main thing. My little Haruhi looked adorable, and the ladies agreed, swooning over her.

"Oh Haruhi, those ears look darling on you!"

"I just want to take you home and cuddle you!"

"Isn't he cute?"

I smiled warmly, then turned back to my own guests. "My princesses, this puppy outfit is but a representation of the love I feel for all of you. An innocent puppy lost in adoration for his owner, craving nothing but affection and attention." I pulled a dark-haired lady close and stared into her eyes.

She turned the most lovely shade of pink. "Oh Tamaki…" she sighed.

Kyoya was a hit too, but I could see how uncomfortable he looked under his cool exterior. "Yes my ladies," he was saying. "I find pets quite comforting."
I snorted to myself. The liar. He was allergic to dogs and for some reason, Kyoya and cats had never gotten along. Probably they were too similar in personality.

Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai were quite a hit. Mori-senpai looked… good as a mouse. I wouldn't've thought so. Honey-senpai was easily the most popular Host in the room. He was so cute even I couldn't stand to look at him, for fear of losing composure.

Hikaru and Kaoru looked good. Hikaru, the lion, play-stalked Kaoru, the gazelle. It was… interesting, is the adjective I chose. The ladies apparently chose the same word I did. Interesting. Of course, their die hard fans loved it, as they did everything the twins did.

"Tamaki, was this your idea? This Pet theme?"

"Hm?" I blinked. "Oh no Princess, this was Hikaru and Kaoru's idea. But I agreed with their reasons. They wanted to give you all a sense of being at home here, and welcome in our ever-loving embrace." I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.

She sighed happily.

I should have known Hikaru and Kaoru would find a way to turn it all into a giant mess.

"Say, ladies. What do you think of Haruhi's costume?" Kaoru said slyly.

"Oh, he's cute, that's for sure, but not as cute as you!"

Hikaru piped in. "And our king, Tamaki?"

"He looks good as a puppy. It seems to suit him."

They spoke in unison: "Shouldn't we get them together? A puppy and a kitten?" The girls squealed. "Yes, yes!"

I didn't know what they were up to, but this reeked of trouble as strongly as the rugby team's locker room reeked of manly sweat. But the entire club had heard this exchange, and I had no choice but to consent, feeling a bowling ball of dread settle in my stomach.

So Haruhi was seated next to me as the girls gathered around to admire.

"They look great together!"

"Wouldn't it be dreamy if they cuddled together?"

Hikaru, Kaoru, I'm going to kill you.

It all happened very suddenly.

Hikaru flicked her cat-ears headband off her head

She leaned down to get it…

At the same time I did….

And as we both pulled back up…

Kaoru nudged me ever so slightly….

Onto Haruhi's lips.

We broke apart and turned a violent shade of red. The ladies laughed and sighed dreamily, and I gracefully took it all in stride.

Unlike someone else in the room.

As I turned to look at my friend for support, I saw that Kyoya had a look of barely suppressed rage on his face. And it was directed…. No way, not at me.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that Kyoya suddenly wanted me dead, burned, and buried in a place where no one would ever find my ashes.

But why?

That's when my brain started working. Haruhi…

AND KYOYA?!

Oh, watch out Ootori. No one goes near my little girl without asking her father's permission!

~Kyoya~

I couldn't control myself. The feelings of rage and jealousy just overflowed, and I found myself glaring at Tamaki so fiercely I thought his blond head would burst into flames. I even felt a savage surge of hope that I could set him on fire… watch him burn….

I shook my head and turned away. Haruhi….

Get a grip Kyoya. Keep yourself under control. Think this through, think of the consequences.

I took a breath and came up behind my friend, clapping him on the shoulder. "Well Your Majesty, it seems today has certainly taking a turn for the interesting."

Tamaki said, through gritted teeth, "Yes Kyoya, it certainly has." And he fixed me with a glare so fierce I thought I would burst into flames. Hot, purple flames.

Later that day, Tamaki ignored my text message telling him to call me after dinner, that I needed to ask him about tomorrow's Host Club plans.

All it took was a snap decision, a feeling in my gut that led to me flying out of the house and into one of the family's cars. "To the Suoh second estate."

"Sir."

As I pulled up in front and jumped out, I suddenly knew I was doing the right thing. Something was wrong.

My suspicions were confirmed when I heard voices from up ahead. Upon further investigation, I found the speakers on a balcony on one side of the massive house.

It was Tamaki and Haruhi.

A monster was born inside my chest at that moment, a roaring beast that told me to go up there and kill Tamaki. I listened to it the whole time I stormed to the front doors and slipped in and up the marble staircase toward Tamaki's room.

Something stopped me.

"—Kyoya-senpai? That's unusual."

"But it's the only answer you see?"

"I guess you're right…."

What the hell?

I had no warning. The door opened and before me stood Haruhi and Tamaki, blinking in shock at me.

"You ignored my text," I said lamely.

"My phone was off."

An awkward silence followed.

"I overheard you talking."

"I guessed as much."

"What were you talking about?"

"Kyoya…"

"Just tell me."

Haruhi spoke up. "It's nothing, Senpai… Tamaki was just asking me if you were okay. You seemed kinda upset this afternoon is all."

I had a sneaking suspicion that she was telling the truth.

I sighed. "Well, I was just worried you'd fallen into a fountain or something this time. I'll see you." I turned to walk away.

"Kyoya."

I turned, seeing a serious look on Tamaki's face.

Haruhi, for once, seemed to get what was about to happen. "I'll just…" she gestured helplessly and slipped past me as she went down the stairs. I caught just a whiff of the scent of her hair as she passed.

"You're in love with her."

I looked up. Tamaki's voice was never that serious. I jerked my chin up, suddenly fired up. "I don't—"

"Don't lie to me, Kyoya. I saw how you looked at me after that accident in the club room. I saw how differently you've been acting toward her as of late. I'm not blind, nor am I stupid."

Snap.

"You are both, actually. You are a blind fool. Okay, so I have feelings for her. But I'm not the one in love with her. You are."

He blinked. "What?"
"See? Right there. Your blindness to your own feelings is painful to watch. You're in love with her. Why else would you act the way you do? And don't say it's because you're her 'father'. It's because you're in love with her. And I think you know it as well as I do."

Tamaki was speechless for a moment. Then he took in a deep, shuddering sigh. "All right. There's only one way to settle this."

"Settle what?"

He ignored me. "Let's go find Haruhi and tell her how we feel. The first one to do it gets a chance. Loser gives up. Ready? Go!" And he took off sprinting down the stairs.

I cursed mentally and chased after him, catching up and keeping pace.

Haruhi was halfway down the street when we caught up to her. She turned at the sound of our feet hitting the pavement and I saw her eyes widen as the words echoed through the air….

"I'm in love with you!"