We did it =D YAY! Haha... guess what I want now... you guessed it 345... We can do it, you guys rock, thank you so much for reading my story and for reviewing. I'm so glad you like it =) oh and I made a typo in the last chapter, I said Haruhi smelt homely... I meant homey which means cosy and pleasant as opposed to homely which is plain or unattractive... my bad, thanks for pointing it out though, hadn't realised I'd done it. =)
Ranka was not a man who thought his beautiful daughter should be put in a convent, (Yes he was). Ranka was not a man who thought he should weld an iron chastity belt to his little girl to protect her, (Yes, yes he really was). Ranka was not a man who would look at a platonic scene of his daughter sleeping next to her boyfriend (Which she still hadn't told him about!) and would sneak in and carry her away... and yet that was exactly what he was doing.
He had gone in to his daughter's room to see if she was ok, today being a difficult day for both of them, only to find her curled up in bed with Kyoya. Something which a few days ago would have been adorable and cute became twisted in this father's panicking mind. They were too close with each other, too comfortable. On the one hand Ranka was glad that Haruhi was close with Kyoya, always Kyoya over Tamaki. On the other hand Kyoya was a teenage boy... a teenage boy with his arms wrapped around his teenage daughter... who was yet to receive the official talk.
Ranka prided himself that Haruhi hadn't woken up when he had picked her up and ran from the room. He got all the way to his own room before the girl stirred.
"Daddy?"
"Hello princess, I just got in. How are you?"
Haruhi rubbed her bleary eyes,
"Confused, how did I get here?"
"Hmm, oh you sleep walked. Yep you just wandered in here, off your own back. I had nothing to do with it."
"Then why are you carrying me?"
"For safety."
"You're such a liar dad. I love you."
Ranka smiled at the tiny girl in his arms.
"I love you too Haruhi, so very much."
Haruhi hugged her father tightly and he responded in kind. Eventually they pulled apart and sat on his bed, Ranka sat with the laptop at the bottom of the bed and Haruhi sat with the pillows. Mr. Ootori's words were spinning in her head. She had to know, she couldn't spend another year wondering if her father blamed her for what happened to her mother. Even if it meant telling him she remembered. She opened her mouth to speak but her throat was tight. Her dad had always been there for her, always. She could remember shadows of her mother. The way she smelt of vanilla and cinnamon, the way if she won an important case she would bring home tea and chocolate cake and if she lost she made soup and chocolate cake (Chocolate was Haruhi's favourite). Haruhi remembered how her mother would make her lunch box if she had time on a morning; she would make buns the night before and put them in under other stuff so Haruhi would have a nice treat. She remembered her mum and dad painting her room white and purple for her and getting new furniture for her after one of her 'friends' had said her room looked like an old ladies room.
But even with all this it was her dad she remembered the most. She remembered her mum holding her bike steady but it was her dad she was riding towards, her dad who taught her to swim. Her dad who supported her when her mum was at work and her dad who took up three jobs after her mum died so he could support Haruhi and keep her life as normal as possible.
Haruhi tired to swallow past the lump but it was difficult. What if he did blame her? What if Mr. Ootori was wrong and the only reason he hadn't said anything to her was that he didn't think she remembered? Was that a chance she was willing to take?
"Dad?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"I really love you, you know that right?"
Ranka sat further back on the bed next to Haruhi.
"Yes sweetheart, I know that. What's brought this on?" One look from Haruhi had his heart in his stomach. Something was wrong, her lip was caught between gnashing teeth and she looked so much older than her young years. Her hair lacked its usual shine and her eyes, her beautiful, expressive eyes were dull. Kotoko used to get like this in the early days of their marriage, when her depression was at its worst; they worked so hard to make sure Haruhi didn't know. But sometimes when Kotoko thought no-one was looking she dropped the mask and this, this hollow broken look was what was underneath.
"Dad, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." Haruhi's eyes filled and she hid her face. She couldn't do this, she couldn't hide it anymore. Ranka enveloped her tightly in his arms and rocked her gently back and forth, murmuring words of comfort. Never had he felt more helpless than he did right then.
"It's my fault. I'm sorry dad it's my fault she's gone. It's my fault mum's dead and I'm sorry I'm-I'm."
Haruhi's whole body was wracked with sobs.
Ranka's became like marble.
His baby.
His little girl.
The screaming.
"Haruhi, look at me." Haruhi was startled into looking up. Her father, a man who practically sang everything he spoke he was that energetic, now he spoke in flat tones that brooked no refusal.
Ranka studied his daughter's face. She looked so small, she had his complexion, his structure, her hair was the perfect mixture of both of them, mainly Kotoko but there was some of his lighter honey polluting the dark brown. But her eyes, her eyes were all Kotoko's, sure he could see similarities between them but those round chocolaty amber orbs were his wife's. When they first lost Kotoko people tried to make him feel better by saying she was all her daddy's girl and, if you didn't really know her, you would agree. But Ranka had fallen in love with those eyes and spent six glorious years waking up with those eyes. When their tiny little baby first opened her tiny eyes and the blue faded he had been over the moon to see those gorgeous eyes staring back.
Now he looked into those eyes and could only feel blind fury.
"How dare you. How dare you! This is not your fault. You were not driving that car. You were a little girl who needed her mummy and her daddy. Nobody was at fault. The driver shouldn't have been going so fast, Kotoko should have looked before she crossed the road, the teacher shouldn't have had you at the gate. It was all those elements together that caused this, there was no one thing and you-I. It is not your fault!"
Haruhi sobbed harder, she had been so scared. So scared that her dad was angry at her, that he thought it was her fault. It was like a weight she hadn't realised had been there till today was lifted. She could breathe again.
Haruhi sat on the edge of her dad's bed with him looking at the screen of the computer.
"What do you think?"
It was beautiful. A large cottage at the edge of the city, close enough to Ouran that she could walk and close enough to public transport that her dad could get to work and back very easily. Five minutes from the local shops so getting the shopping would be a lot easier than it had been.
The house itself looked like it had been spit up out of a fairytale, Haruhi hadn't realised that places like that truly existed (Or at least not outside of England). The outside walls were white washed and the roof was thatched. The windows looked out onto a beautiful, wild garden. Roses grew side by side with poppies and bluebells. Ivy crawled up the walls of the building and cherry blossom was captured frozen as it swayed in an unseen breeze.
"The builder had spent a lot of time in England and had fallen in love with that style of building. He built it but according to my friend, the one who's going to sell us it if we like it, he couldn't get used to life here and so moved back. It would be a bit of a work in progress home, the reason it's so cheap is that the thatch isn't very good in places and the garden is obviously in need of tending but I think we could really make it work."
"Dad, it's brilliant!"
The inside was rich, warm wooden floors with beams and rafters. The walls themselves were white in the kitchen and living room. The large windows filled the rooms with light; it illuminated the filth in the corners whilst also giving Haruhi the hope of what it could be. The master bedroom was downstairs with an ensuite and there were four bedrooms upstairs. Haruhi wanted the second largest bedroom of the upper four, it had the biggest window that looked out onto the garden and it seemed to have character.
"Dad I love it."
"Well it's a good job I bought it then."
Haruhi sat stunned for a good minute or so before she reacted.
"Oh my god! How could you buy it? Could we even afford it?" Ranka laughed at her, she's so cute when she panics about money.
"We could afford it very easily; I have been saving up for a while and I got the place on better than mates rates ok. Don't worry so much Haruhi, you'll get wrinkles dear. Now then, here's what I really wanted to talk to you about. It needs a really good clean and I'll be doing that but I will also have to keep working so I was wondering if you would like to help me."
"And miss school?"
"Yes but think of it this way, the sooner we get it done the sooner we can move in and you can go back."
"That is true, and I could always borrow Kyoya's old books to study from."
Ranka hummed noncommittally at that, should he bring it up or should he wait for her. He knew that she knew that they had been listening but to not tell him officially would be just plain cruel. Just as he was about to ask how things were going she spoke up.
"Dad, I have something to tell you."
Ranka decided to play it nonchalant.
"What? What is it? You can tell Daddy anything."
... He didn't succeed.
Haruhi looked at him suspiciously before continuing.
"Well, it's about Kyoya. I just wanted you to know I'm seeing him."
"That's it! That's how you break the news to your daddy, there was no hesitation, no breaking it to me gently. You just blurt it out!"
"Well how did you want me to tell you, it's not like you didn't already know."
"But that's not the point! He should have asked my permission first. It's not like Kyoya to be so thoughtless, leaving me out of things."
"Dad, he's dating me not marrying me!"
"Yet! What if this is a sign of things to come? Well, at least it's not that blonde idiot."
"Tamaki? Why would it be Tamaki?"
Ranka just looked at his daughter; she was still blissfully innocent and ignorant to those around her. What she didn't know couldn't hurt her in this case, if she found out what those boys felt for her she would panic and push them away. She would be completely isolated. Somewhere, in the deepest, darkest part of his heart he pitied the poor boys that put their hearts in the hands of his daughter who was too like her mother in that respect. Kotoko had been oblivious to anyone's feelings for her, she didn't see her appeal so she didn't think anyone else would either, it took Ranka a long time to get her to believe that he was sincere in his advances, she had thought he was joking. He knew many men had gone to her and been rejected without her realising what she had done.
Now as he looked at Haruhi he could see history repeating itself if people weren't careful. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and sent her on her way. Haruhi was a good girl and Kyoya was a good boy, he had no doubts that they were a perfect match, he was just worried about the children... they would be cute no doubt but with those temperaments... he shuddered at the thought but yet the image of dark haired brown eyed youngsters put a small smile on his face... so long as they didn't show up for years... many, many years.
With Haruhi
'Well, he took that better than I thought he would. I'm surprised he didn't mention the bed. He probably forgot.' Haruhi sighed, she was so glad she had talked to him about... she fought off the prickling tears, he didn't blame her. Everything was fine.
She wandered down to the kitchen, passing Akito on the stairs and telling him what Mr. Ootori had said, she was very hungry she found. They gave her enough food for four people but Haruhi dutifully ate it, she didn't want to be a bother and she certainly wasn't going to waste any food.
Her phone ringing startled her as it pierced the comfortable silence of the dining room.
"Hello."
"Haruhi. WHERE ARE YOU WE MIS YOUUU?"
Haruhi sighed,
"Hello Tamaki senpai."
"Tama Chan, I told you to play it cool!"
"Hi Honey senpai."
"Haru Chan, I told him to behave. I promise I did."
"That's ok senpai; please don't get upset its fine. Is everyone else there?"
"We're here Haruhi." Hikaru called out. Haruhi smiled as she heard a grunt form Mori.
"Thanks for calling guys. How have you been?"
"Never mind us Haruhi," Kaoru called down the phone, "How are you? What's going on?"
"Honey, have you told them?"
"No Haruhi Chan, I promised I wouldn't."
"Thank you. Guys I don't really want to talk about it now, I'll tell you late-"
"Haruhi, are you being blackmailed? Is someone hurting you? Do you need daddy? Are you in need of medical assistance?"
Haruhi couldn't help laughing at her frantic senpai; trust him to blow everything out of proportion.
"No senpai. I'm fine now, I might not be back for a little bit though, I'm moving house."
There was silence on the other end as they digested the news, finally kaoru spoke up.
"You mean you're moving out of Kyoya's?"
"Well, yes."
Hikaru interrupted.
"Does he know yet?"
"No, not yet. He's in bed ill."
"Haruhi, you shouldn't have told us first. Kyoya's going to go nuts!"
"Why?"
Unbeknownst to Haruhi all the boys were all shaking their heads at her obliviousness, Kyoya didn't like not knowing anything, he especially didn't like not knowing something first.
"Just... when you tell him, don't tell him you told us first. He might not like it."
Haruhi didn't understand why it would matter who she told and when but decided to trust the boys on this occasion... if it was serious enough for the twins to be sensible then it was serious enough for her to do as they said.
They talked for a little longer; Haruhi dissuaded them from calling Kyoya, telling them about how ill he had been when she last saw him.
"He was delusional and feverish. He needs his rest!"
Honey had taken the phone and sent the other boys, even Mori senpai, away from him so he could ask how she was really feeling.
"I miss her, its hard senpai but it always is. I promise I'd tell you if I needed you though."
"I'm always here for you Haru-Chan, you know that."
"Thank you senpai."
Soon after they hung up, it was time for them to go back to class. Haruhi had felt a little awkward talking to them; it had been the first time since they had asked Tamaki to tell them about her and Kyoya, she briefly wondered if he had told them yet but then decided she'd worry about it later. Haruhi was determined to study for a while.
Since Kyoya was in her room she decided she would go to his and use his old books. He had said she could use them before, if she was going to take a week or so off school she needed to make sure that she could stay at the top end of the class.
Haruhi made her way slowly to the shadow king's room, her head was still churning over Hikaru and Kaoru's warning.
She passed Akito's room as she made her way through the labyrinth like house. If she could get back to her room she could find Kyoya's. Akito's door was wide open and she could have sworn she heard sobbing from darkness. She didn't want to intrude but she also couldn't just let it go... maybe he was watching a movie?
"Akito? Hello, are you in here?"
There was no response; the only sign of life was the quite sniffling that replaced the sobs from seconds before.
"Akito, are you hurt?"
There was still no response. There was a muffled shuffling from the direction of his desk but Haruhi could barely see her hand in front of her face, let alone someone else.
Suddenly a light flicked on in the corner of the room.
Haruhi had to fight the urge to scream as a rumpled figure emerged from the semi darkness. Akito stood, his suite hanging loose on his frame. His hair was standing almost on end in places, as if hands had grasped it too tightly. His eyes were bloodshot and dark as they surveyed her behind his glasses.
He had looked fine earlier, a little tired perhaps but this... He looked broken; there was no two ways about it.
"Akito, are you ok?"
"Of course I'm ok, why wouldn't I be ok? What's Kyoya said to you?"
Alarm bells sounded in her head. She was on very dangerous ground. 'Lie to him.'
"Nothing, I don't understand."
He laughed as he stepped forwards, there was nothing funny and his laugh was not one of humour. It sent chills down Haruhi's spine as she fought not to flee. She was so confused; he had seemed fine earlier, now he was surrounded by a dark aura and staring down at her as if she was dirt on the bottom of his shoe. Talk about Jekyll and Hyde.
"No, I don't suppose you would. What would you know about love? You women are all the same, you wait for us to fuck up and then you don't give us a chance. We try to explain, we write you letters, we send people all around the world to find you and what do you do? You replace us! You move on, snakes every last one of you!"
Haruhi tried to sneak out while he was distracted but she tripped over a discarded tie and was sent flying. The subsequent bang seemed to snap Akito out of his aggressive daze.
"Oh my God! Haruhi, I am so sorry. Please, let me help you."
Haruhi was in shock and not just from the sudden personality transplant. She was in shock because when she had held her hand out for him to help her up she could see, plain as day, a large section of broken glass... sticking out of her palm.
"Ah... ah... what do I- oh god." Blood started seeping down her wrist. The odd thing was that it didn't hurt, it should hurt but it just didn't.
Akito sprang straight into doctor mode. He pulled her hand above her head, successfully pulling her to her feet, before pushing her down onto the comfortable chair. He kept her hand above her head because it had started bleeding quite badly. He couldn't understand why it had started bleeding the way it had, they hadn't removed the glass.
A quick assessment showed that she wouldn't need stitches but they did need to get that glass out and disinfect it.
"Haruhi, this is going to hurt."
"Can I put my hand down?"
"No, just keep it there a minute. I'm going to go get some things to clean and wrap it."
"Is it bad?"
She sounded so lost and scared. He gently placed a hand on her head and rubbed it.
"It's ok Haruhi. It's not bad. I just need to get the glass out. I will just be in the bathroom ok. Just keep it up, there's a good girl."
Haruhi fought back tears as it started to sting but did as she was told.
'Am I cursed or something? What is wrong with me? Ow, it really hurts and my legs are itching. I need to get some Savlon or something for them. Maybe he has something. Speaking of which what the hell is wrong with the Ootori men today?'
Haruhi was shocked from her thoughts by gentle hands rubbing the blood from her wrist and palm. She watched as he disinfected the general area with some curiosity. He was extremely efficient but she supposed that was to be expected from him.
It stung like a bitch when he took the glass out, that was fine though, it gave her an excuse to cry. He kept wiping away the blood and thoroughly disinfected the area before carefully wrapping it with gauze and bandages.
"Don't you think that's a bit much?"
"Nope. Take one of these tablets four times a day and it will heal up a lot quicker... as will the ones on your legs."
"Oh. Thanks, I guess, erm... I should leave."
"Haruhi, I'm sorry-I, that is... I've been under a lot of pressure recently and I've just had some terrible news. It's no excuse but I hope you will forgive me."
Haruhi nodded sympathetically and patted his hand with her good one.
"Well, if you want to talk about anything I'm here. I know that we've just met but- I don't know, maybe that would be better for you. The offer is there if you need me."
"The same goes to you Haruhi Fujioka. I know what today is, the perks of having a personal army at your disposal, if you need to talk. I understand the-the pain of losing the people you love. After all, our mother is gone too."
Haruhi stared at him in shock. She had never even thought of that, she had been here for a few days and she had never even questioned the lack of a Mrs. Ootori.
"Erm, thanks. I mean that. Thank you, I'm going to call my cousin when I get to Kyoya's room, she worries about me especially... I'll see you later?"
Akito nodded, glad of the girl's forgiving nature.
Haruhi grinned at him and slowly started to make her way out of the room. She slipped her phone out of her pocket and dialled. She didn't expect Lizzie to answer so quickly.
"Hey sweetie, how are you?"
"Hey Lizzie, I'm good thanks. I was a bit... down earlier I guess but I'm good now."
Haruhi was so caught up in talking to Lizzie and picking her way carefully out of the messy room that she didn't see Akito stiffen behind her. Didn't see him stare at her speculatively, didn't see him type some details into the computer by him and didn't see the red box flash up.
Positive match.
Akito leered at her back speculatively. Perhaps his situation wasn't as hopeless as he first thought. He glanced back at his desk, the blurred private investigator's picture sat in a crumpled pile where he had thrown it in a rage. A brunette girl facing almost towards the camera, her warm brown eyes sparkling as she laughed at the dark haired man who was reaching for the hand that the camera couldn't see. Akito had been filled with rage when he had seen the cheap ring resting on her left ring finger and the bastard she was stood with was clearly ogling her chest.
She may have dyed her hair back brown but he could see, clear as day. It was Elizabeth. Three years on and she still made his heart pound. She had put on a little weight, she had more curves than he remembered but it was definitely his Elizabeth.
Perhaps there was something he wasn't seeing there. The man was staring at her but she wasn't looking at him at all. She had turned away. Perhaps, if he could talk to her, he could win her back. Tell her that he meant nothing he had said, that he had been doing it for her. He would grovel if she wanted him to but he knew she wouldn't, she wasn't cruel by nature. Sharp at the edges but not cruel.
He tore the man out of the picture completely and held her half close to his chest. How would he approach her? What would he say? With a boyish grin and joy that he hadn't felt for a while he sent a request for more information on Haruhi Fujioka, he would see if he could use their relationship in his favour. With those big, brown eyes how the hell had he not noticed it before?
"Hey sweetheart, I'm glad you called. I was just going to ring you. I've been worried about you."
Haruhi smiled, it was nice hearing her cousin's voice... even if it hadn't been that long since she had called her.
"I'm fine, I really am, I talked to dad today and... I don't think I've been this happy since I got into Ouran."
"Really? Well that is good news, what did you talk about?"
Haruhi shook her head... before realising she was on her phone and Lizzie couldn't see it.
"It doesn't matter, it sounds silly now. How are things on your end?"
Lizzie sighed looking around the small flat. The room was a mess, DVDs and blankets, stuffed toys and paintings littered the small floor. She sighed contentedly, it was a mess but it was her mess.
"Peaceful for now, Anthony's gone out for trouble so I'm just bracing myself for when he gets back really."
"How's it going with Anthony then?"
"I couldn't do without him."
Haruhi smiled, glad her cousin sounded so relaxed and happy. It had taken a long time but she was clearly back on the right track... even if Anthony was a little weird.
"So, how are things going with your lover boy Haru, you-uh- you didn't take me too seriously did you?"
"Yeah, was I not supposed to?"
"Oh god! Don't tell your dad, don't ever tell your dad. I am so sorry, I am irresponsible and stupid. Why would you listen to me ever?"
"Don't worry, it worked."
"Of course it worked! He's a boy isn't he! You flash him your tits and give him a quick shag and he's all yours. Oh god, I've ruined you."
Haruhi laughed heartily at her cousin's expense. She always was too protective over Haruhi but this was hilarious.
"I didn't sleep with him. I did... stuff with him but I didn't sleep with him."
"Stuff! You shouldn't be doing stuff with anyone; you're too young to know what stuff is!"
"Lizzie, calm down. I'm fine, you're fine, we're all fine. I'm not going to tell you what happened now."
"What? No, you have to tell me, this is the best gossip I've ever heard... or am ever going to hear."
But Haruhi refused, she stood her ground on it, insisting she would tell Lizzie the very next time she visited. Lizzie made Haruhi promise that she would go into town to have some relaxing 'me' time. Haruhi compromised that she would go tomorrow.
"I'll go to the book shop; I haven't been there for a while."
"Great, is that the shop next to the bakery, yeah?"
"Yeah, why?"
"No reason, just asking. Can't I ask about my cousin's life?"
"Next you'll want to know what time I'm going." Haruhi teased.
"Actually that would be helpful."
"You're a lunatic! I'll go at eleven... Happy now?"
"Nope, I'm having a premonition... I'm thinking that you should go today and not put it off. I know you too well sweetie, you'll find some meaningless job to put you off going and you never will. Please, go now."
Haruhi sighed and played with the fraying ends of her top, she had really wanted to check on Kyoya and get on with her work but... there really was plenty of time for that later and she could do with picking out some cheap clothes.
She enjoyed the walk to town, it was long and quiet. Time became her friend as she pondered her life as is. She had known she had had a crush on Kyoya for a while but never in her wildest dreams had she thought that she would get in a relationship with him, she didn't think he liked her back. She had been content in the knowledge that he would marry well and she would never see him again. The host club would eventually lose touch with her as their natural family contacts took them higher and higher socially whilst she worked her way up the long way. Now she was dating him, dry humping him, living with him. This was all very, very fast.
Am I a slut? I do love him but, that's not an excuse for acting like a tramp. I'm no better than the more rabid fans of the club. Maybe I need to tell him I need some space. That's what I'll do. He's not well, he needs time to get better and I need time to move into my new home, it wouldn't be like properly breaking up. Just taking a time out. Kyoya is the only problem to the otherwise perfect plan.
She slipped into the book shop, taking a big, deep appreciative breath. For as long as she could remember she had loved the scent of books, the musky dry aroma reminded her of the smell that clung to her mother's clothes when she was working on a case. She would snuggle up tightly with her mother when it was storming and listen to the woman read fairytales and smelling that wonderful, nostalgic scent.
She dragged her hand across the covers of the books, twisting and turning with each corner and shelf. She walked past the fantasy section and the reference books. She came to a stop in the romance section, browsing the ludicrously titled granny porn books and the books that were clearly written with younger girls in mind. She had a purpose. Picking up the sequel to the book she had been reading, she had finally finished it and had felt the pain that every fan gets at the end of a good story.
The heroine had split up with the dark hero after his jealousy of his best friend caused him to hit her when he was drunk. She had run from him then and was trying to get over him whilst dealing with receiving notes and flowers from a secret admirer that Haruhi suspected to be the dark hero, Haruhi adored the story and both the characters, she loved the way they worked together and she was desperately hoping that the sequel would be here.
Had Haruhi been watching what happened to her next as part of a film she wouldn't have been surprised to hear the theme from jaws playing loudly. Later, when she sat in her room she could almost imagine the familiar duh duh duh duh tune building to a peak just as she was thrown forcibly to the floor by a body pressed to the back of hers.
"Ow. Get off me. Please, get off."
"Well I would darling but you're just so comfy."
Haruhi shrieked as she turned to see the smiling brown eyes of a girl she hadn't seen in person in over two years. Lizzie giggled and sat up a little so Haruhi could turn around and hug her properly. They rolled on the floor playfully giggling like children as there was an exchange of jumble "I can't believe your here." "I know." "Oh my god you tackled me!" "Too far?" "No."
The poor manager of the shop got an eyeful of knotted hair and twisted clothes as he turned the corner. He coughed to let the girls know he was there and began tapping his foot impatiently as they continued to snicker to themselves. Lizzie fixed him with a deadpan stare as she looked up at him.
"What? Never seen an impromptu burst of incestuous lesbian sex in the middle of the romance isle before?"
It was a tossup of who choked more, the manager or Haruhi.
"Lizzie, you can't say things like that to people. You'll frighten the poor man to death." The manager looked appreciatively at the girl with shorter hair as she chastised her wild relative. "Besides, you know, not everyone understands our love."
The manager called it quits then but not before telling them to get up and stop prating about in his shop. The girls obliged and tried their best to calm down as Haruhi quickly grabbed the book she was looking for, paid up and ran out. They ran to the closest coffee shop they could find and sat in a corner booth.
"I can't believe you're here! Why didn't you tell me?"
"And miss tackling you. I think not."
"That hurt you know."
"Are you trying to say I'm fat? How dare you."
They laughed together and fell into the comfortable ease of brief silence.
"How's trouble?"
"Fine... troublesome but fine. What the hell have you done to your hand?"
"I fell on some broken glass. It was so embarrassing; I was in Kyoya's brother's room."
Haruhi noticed how Lizzie visibly stiffened; the concern that tainted her eyes was almost palpable.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. He fixed me up, see." She showed her the neat bandage that was wrapped securely around her injured palm.
"Which brother?"
"Akito. Wait how did you know Kyoya had two brothers?"
"Uncle Ranka must have told me. Sweetie, Kyoya is a good boy but his brothers... as part of my job I do research on all of our opponent companies, their bosses and their families and so on. Well let's just say you want to stay away from his older brothers."
"Why? I mean, Akito has been so gentlemanly with me, today has been the only exception."
"Why? What has he done to you today?"
"Well, I think he may have been a little drunk but he apologised."
Lizzie gripped Haruhi's arm tightly and looked deeply into her eyes. Haruhi couldn't break the connection even if she wanted to.
"Haruhi. Tell me honestly, did Akito hurt you?"
"No! No, I fell. Honestly, I was in his room and he frightened me and I slipped on some broken glass."
Lizzie sank back into her seat looking relieved, a hand slipped instinctively to her stomach, as if nursing some unseen pain.
They didn't talk about him again, Kyoya was mentioned a lot, as was Ouran and work and friends. Haruhi was thrilled to find out that Lizzie was living in town and it was sounding permanent.
"I got a promotion and the company moved me here. It's a lot more money, which is always good, but I don't know if it'll stick."
"Why not? I like having you here. I miss you when you go."
"Awww sweetie. I miss you too but I have a lot of bad memories here. I'll try and make it work but if not you could always come with me."
Haruhi laughed and shook her head. Both girls knew there wasn't a cat in hells chance that Ranka would let Haruhi swan off to England. The girls parted ways in high spirits an hour later. Haruhi was shocked to find the Ootori limo parked outside the coffee shop waiting for her but even more shocked at Lizzie's reaction to it.
"Sorry sweetie, I need to go. Now."
Haruhi watched puzzled as her cousin ran, shielding her face with her hair, around the closest corner and slipped into a dark alleyway. She walked to the front of the limo where the driver stood smiling at her.
"Miss Fujioka. Master Kyoya wished for me to take you home, if you are ready that is?"
"Yeah, sure. You don't have to drive me you know, I can walk."
Haruhi tried to ignore the twitch in the drivers left eye as he thought about the consequences of letting her walk. She decided to put him out of his misery.
"I am quite tired though so I think I will take that lift, thank you."
The driver visibly sighed in relief and walked around to open the door at the far side for Haruhi to get in. Unfortunately Haruhi hadn't seen that and walked along the driver's side, opened the door and slid into the darkness of the limo.
The first sign that something was wrong was the "Oomph" when she sat down. The second sign something was wrong was how uncomfortable the seat was, how warm it was but also bony it was.
The final sign was when Kyoya leant his feverish head on the back of her neck, his arms wrapping around her waist and his laugh tickling her ear.
"Hello Haruhi, I missed you."
...
...
...
I am soooo very sorry. I had no idea it had been so long! I've been so busy with stuff recently that I've only had time to do little bits of this chapter at a time. I'm not liking this chapter but something is better than nothing.
I won't tell you which option won, it is between 1 +2, there were a lot of pm vote's haha. It will happen next chapter, it made sense to end this one where it did.
Poor Akito, I'm really fucking with him at the minute... poor boy. I hope you liked this chapter and will review, I will try and get the next one out a lot sooner.
Chat time.
Kouga's older woman- so you've had to wait so long, hope it was worth the wait :/ enjoy =D
Marz90210- I'm glad you've been enjoying it =D a lot of people seem to think it would be funny to mess with them with who interrupts them, my fave came from my friend who said I should change what time of year it was and have Santa interrupt them... there were no words to explain how my mind ran with that idea... I may eventually do a weird one shot based around that. Haha anyway hope you liked this chapter and I hope you review again.
JessMess- I'm glad you liked it. I'm glad you liked the interaction between them, it is a struggle for me to try and keep them in character and interacting in an intimate setting or with other characters and I'm also glad you liked the talk with Yoshio and Haruhi, again it's hard to find the balance because (I haven't read the manga) but in the anime he is very much a black and white kinda guy and I want to give him some grey shades, he's a business man but a dad too. =D I think sometimes Honey is everyone's voice of reason, I felt with the anime he hides a lot of wisdom beneath his sweet exterior and he sees a lot (similar to Kyoya). Thank you so much for your review, I hope you like this chapter and the next one and I really hope you review. =D
XxSoliexHiddenxX- haha I counted your vote well my friend ;P I always saw Kyoya as the type who would really let loose when he was drunk or sick because he is so restrained a lot of the time and I guess thats why this chapter was more about looking after Haruhi. I pity any of Tamaki's teachers, it's almost a shame we don't get to see him in class in the anime 'cause I bet he'd be funny (he has to come up with his ideas somewhere. "Today class we are looking at fairytales from a feminist view point" "Kyoya, next session we shall all dress as different princes and the girls will be our princesses and there will be horses and carriages and a mote made of diamonds" Kyoya's head hits the desk.) I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I hope you like this one, please review and let me know.
KaterPttr- I'm glad you like it sweetie =D thank you so much and I do live in the UK, Yorkshire lass through and through I'm afraid haha =) ... you say you're not stalking me but I'm not so sure ;P you can be my first stalker =P I used to try and hide my English-ness in my writing but it comes out so I have stopped trying haha =D hope you like this chapter sweetie, let me know =)
Nessiel- I'm glad you like it sweetie =D I can promise there will be no 'boogery lemons' =P haha I hope you liked this chapter and I hope you like the next one, please let me know.
DSIkitty2224- you did make me feel better sweetie =D I'm glad 16 made you smile and I hope you like this one, I'm sorry for the long wait. I did lose my will to write for a little while but because I had so much work to do, I suffer from depression and I just got so far behind with everything that I didn't have time to write (which is my escape) and it made me worse. But I'm back on top and I'm doing ok =D I'm glad you liked Yoshio helping her out, I don't want to make him a complete villain and I thought that that would be a good way to break up the seriousness without completely ruining the character like I have done in earlier chapters. I hope this chapter has been worth the wait and the winning option will be in the next chapter =D
Fugu-chan- I get what you mean sweetie about Haruhi's reaction and I did consider for a while having her angry with him but then I decided she is a little naive and she isn't making the connection in her head, but trust me once she does she is not going to take it lying down. The cutesy reaction is because he is very sick and he's struggling and she is her usual oblivious self, I'm sorry that you didn't like it but I hope now I've explained it you understand my choice. You'll have to let me know =D thanks for the vote and the review and I hope you keep reading darlin.
HedonismBot- I'm glad you liked it =D I'm glad you got the self doubting because that's, really, how I see Kyoya. He sees so much and he shoulders so much but he is also very aware of what everyone thinks of him and I don't think he has much self-confidence (because that is different from confidence) but let's face it he is possessive as hell haha =D he did want her to make him feel better haha =D haha good luck on the insulin hunt =P I hope you liked this chapter, let me know please =D
Hawt-Tigre- I will reply sweetie, thank you for reviewing =D I'm really glad you like it, I hope this chapter isn't a letdown but it's kind of needed for the next chapters if you get me =D hope you like this chapter, sorry about the wait hun.
A Serendipity- Thank you so very much, that means a lot to me haha you have no idea =D I'm really sorry about the long wait but I'm really glad you like it =D I hope you liked this chapter, let me know =D
Himuro Michiko- I haven't given up hun I'm just incredibly slow at the minute, I genuinely hadn't realised how long it had been since I updated... oops. I'm really glad you liked it, hope you keep reading =D
Lady Kazzia Llewellynn- haha I'm glad you enjoyed it sweetie and I am very glad you like my writing style, it is one of my biggest insecurities, I always worry if I go into too much or not enough detail so to have someone say they like my style is a massive compliment =D Thank you, I hope you like this chapter.
DarkDeepWater129- I'm very, very glad you liked my story and that I didn't put you off the couple haha. Thank you for calling it a masterpiece, that means a lot to me, you have no idea how much haha =D thank you so much for the compliments and the review, I hope you like this chapter and I really hope you keep reading.
- hey sweetie, I'm glad you like reading my fic (need to think of a new word, I'm using glad a lot tonight) my grammar is appalling (pity my poor friend who beta reads for me) and about the 'homely', like I said up there it was a stupid slip that turned an nice moment into a weird reading sentence so thanks for pointing it out =D I hope you keep reading sweetie =) thank you for reviewing
merodiNiji- thank you for reviewing. I'm really glad you liked it... seriously need to think of a better word, I'm over using glad like there is no tomorrow... I shall ponder it... anywho, thank you for reviewing, I hope you like this chapter =D
FanofFanFiction- Thank you so much, it's nice to be counted as a good story, especially by someone who is widely read in the world of fanfic =D I am trying not to be upset by the bad reviewer (You'd think I'd be over it by now it was several chapters ago haha) but I am oversensitive about my work. I write as a form of escape but I like making people happy with my work, capturing their imaginations and giving them an escape too through the happy and sad moments and so the thought that my writing is bad really does worry me. I'm glad you're enjoying it, I hope you continue to do so and I really hope to hear from you again, any constructive criticism is welcome =D
ColorfulSpanishRainbow- I'm glad you like it sweetie =D I'm glad you're a fan =D I hope you like this chapter (It is a bit of a nothing chapter but it sets up some stuff so it's necessary =D hope to hear from you again hun =D
Sexyassassin666- I'm glad you like the story sweetie =D haha, I'm trying to keep in mind what everyone seems to like and I'm having a good think about what to do, I really like the idea you gave me about one of the hosts knowing more than the others and I think I may use that in the future haha. The winning option will be in the next chapter because it didn't make sense to have it in this one once everything that needed to be written was ( if that makes sense) hope you like this chapter =D
I-Have-Been-Changed-For-Good – thank you, I'm glad you like my Kyoya =D I really hope you keep liking it and I hope you keep reading =D
Yuuna Arashi- thank you so much, that really means a lot to me =D haha Kyoya/Haru is my favourite but I can completely see how she could work really well with the others and Mori/ Haruhi has always intrigued me because I wonder how their relationship dynamic would work =)maybe I'll write that pairing next... who knows haha =D
Wintersleep238- I'm so glad you like it sweetie, sorry for the delay. Hope you like this chapter =) let me know
Supe-it-up818- I love a possessive Kyoya so I couldn't resist writing him like that, there will definitely be more possessiveness to come =D thank you so much for the review =D hope you like this chapter.
Ikuto18- S'allright darlin I'm glad you're liking it, thank you for reviewing =D haha you know me too well my friend =D hope you review again =P
Senseijordan- thank you so much for reviewing darlin =D Thank you for the compliment.
LesleyK – I can see where you're coming from darlin, I probably wouldn't have it be one of the boys and if I did I would try and lean to the funny than the awkward... I dunno, there would probably always be some awkwardness. Thank you for reviewing =)
Black rose-raven angel- hey sweetie, I'm glad you like it, don't be sad I'm going to try and update more often... stupid real life getting in the way of everything fun. I'm glad you ship Haru/Kyoya =D I love the pairing so it's always nice to know that there are other fans out there and its doubly nice to know that my story may have helped make more =) haha don't we all want a Kyoya for ourselves... I really, really do. You should pity my poor beta, she has a hell of a job and I rely on her far too much but thank you for the compliments =D I'm so glad you like how I've done the characters, I try very hard to keep characters as close to their personalities as I can get them so thank you again. I'm so glad you like that you can read me in the story (that sounds weird but I can't think of how else to put it) One of my biggest worries is my personality coming through too much, you wouldn't believe how much I channel it down but I'm glad that you like that =D thank you so very, very much, I hope you like this chapter and I hope you review again =D
Hunnylover- haha I'll keep naughty in mind =D I'm glad you like my story, thank you for reading and reviewing. I love jealous Kyoya too =) and I like Haruhi being a little daring too because she is, let's face it she is a commoner who managed to wriggle her way into an elite school the girl has guts =D please review again =D
RedWillow- hello darlin =D your review meant a lot to me =D first of all thank you very much for reading and reviewing. Secondly I hope the little one is sleeping better. You can't imagine how much it meant to me hearing that people recommended my story to you on facebook, it really does fill me with hope that my story is ok (don't know if you've read my authors notes but I am an extremely paranoid writer) thank you so much for the complements but actually the biggest this I wanted to thank you for was this 'I did notice it has been almost three months since you last updated.' ... I had completely lost track of time, this chapter was nearly finished but stupid coursework got in the way and I had no idea how long it had been... you kinda lit a fire under me when it came to this fic so thank you for that =D bless you for writing me a review on the wii, thank you so much for reading my story and reviewing. I really hope you like this chapter and I hope you review again. Although I hope if you do it's easier for you haha =) thanks.