Hello everyone :D

This is the longest story I've ever written (random fact) … anyways, please review! I really want to improve this story XD

Disclaimer – I do not own Ouran (sadly)

Chapter 16- Somber Moods

Kaoru was already inside, waiting for me. Although it had been just yesterday, it felt like ages since I'd seen him. I was momentarily ecstatic to just see him at all before remembering my real purpose.

"Ready to DIE?" I asked seriously, my eyes bursting with flames.

"If you are this into it, how come you don't go to the club meetings?" he asked indifferently, now completely used to my serial killer like attitude when it came to chess.

I snapped out of my mood and rolled my eyes at him. This subject had been covered about twenty times before.

"Err, because if you haven't noticed, I have to come to your club and stalk Tamaki-Senpai," I pointed out.

"You don't have to go every single day," he said kindly, "Is that president of yours really mean or something?"

"Not exactly." I replied, "I want to be club president. If I don't show dedication to the tasks he sets for me, he wouldn't even consider me. Come on, let's start."

My days at Ouran High School soon turned into a weird sort of routine. I would go to school, visit the Host Club after school and give the occasional report to Naoko. However, the highlight of my day was lunchtime in the library. Staying true to his promise, Kaoru played chess with me faithfully every day. We had been playing for about two weeks now, and I had finally managed to beat him not just once, but three times (the rest being forfeits by the bell). My mysterious fangirl tendencies had mainly been repressed. However, I wasn't sure how long it would be before they came back. In this way, I always felt slightly nervous around Kaoru.

It was just another ordinary lunchtime. I walked into the library as I had done for the past two and a half weeks. The curtains ruffled comfortingly in the wind and the usual scent of old books lingered in the forgotten room as I entered. But something was different this time. Kaoru was absolutely nowhere to be seen. My heart sunk. My eyes began to glisten with water at his betrayal. As I fought back tears I decided to wander over to the fiction section. Romance novels always made me feel better when I was upset. I had been using this as a strategy since I was little. But why did I care so much about him leaving? As a nerd, it wasn't like I was ever number one on the school popularity chart. It had been a miracle that he'd even agreed to play in the first place. I was naïve to think that he'd waste his lunchtime in the stuffy old library playing chess with the weirdest girl in school.

I could no longer hold it in. Sobbing quietly, I picked up my favourite romance novel and headed towards the antique armchairs at the front of the library. "Miyoko," a voice whispered as I passed through the non-fiction section of the shelves.

I turned around at the sound of my name. The aisle was emblazoned with the words 'English Literature'. It was dark, hidden away and … not empty. Kaoru was leaning against the brick wall lazily. His eyes flicked up to mine, looking solemn.

"I'm sorry," he apologized softly. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

I blushed. Why did he have to notice the tear tracts etched into my cheeks?

"I wasn't!" I stuttered quickly, "I, um, stuck my finger into my eye. You know how clumsy I am."

He didn't look convinced. My face flushed again, but this time with anger.

"Why are you there?" I asked, storming down the aisle furiously. "What about our game?"

"I'm bored of chess," he replied.

How? I wondered in genuine astonishment.

"Well then what do you suppose we do?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"I don't know;" he said vaguely, "Sit here, maybe?"

"Fine," I sighed, "But we will play tomorrow? Promise?"

"I promise," he said as I sat down next to him.

The grey carpeted floor was harder than I'd expected it to be.

"Can't we get a pillow or something?" I complained irritably, shifting around the stiff surface uncomfortably.

"Can't be bothered," he replied indifferently, staring into space.

"Well then," I said, "What do we do now then?"

"I don't know."

Something was wrong. Kaoru was barely answering me, he was just sitting complacedly. His usually cheerful amber eyes were dull and sunken, as if he had barely slept the previous night. Had something happened over the weekend?

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly, patting his arm gently.

Kaoru gazed at my hand intently, before registering my question. Frantically, he lifted his head up to look at me.

"Nothing," he replied dismissively, "So, um, what happened at the party after you left us with your sister? She seemed a little … forceful."

"She wanted me to meet with the head of the Suoh Corporation," I explained. "It's so weird, she's usually so quiet, yet she's so determined that I get a job with them after I finish university. I don't think that I've ever seen her that animated in my life."

"Oh, right," he said calmly.

"I don't get it," I continued thoughtfully, "Why do I even need to impress the Suoh family when I'll have a job with my company anyway. By the time that we graduate, Mother and Father will be back from travelling. It doesn't make sense."

A brief expression of surprise flashed across his face. Kaoru opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it just as quickly.

"What is it?" I asked in concern.

"Nothing," he assured, fidgeting with the carpet.

"Well I've told you," I teased lightly, "I suppose that it's only fair that you tell me what happened after I left. What happened?"

"Oh, nothing," Kaoru replied, smiling reassuringly at me. "Tamaki was being stupid again. You know the usual."

I laughed. It was nice to be sitting on the floor, amongst boring English literature. Although this may sound painful I was happy. I was with Kaoru.

"I sure do," I agreed, still giggling.

Something was different at the Host Club that afternoon. The first heavy rain of the season had arrived, and the soft patter of rain drops on the roof seemed to give the crowded music room a sober feel.

"How are you today, my princesses?" Tamaki asked with a smile as he sat down with me and his fangirls.

"We're very good, Tamaki-Senpai!" the girls chorused eagerly.

Even on a day as grey as this, at least someone doesn't change one bit, I thought, resting my head on the corner of my seat.

I noticed that Hikaru was absent from the club today. "Kyoya-Senpai," I said, stopping him as he walked past, "Where is Hikaru today? I thought that attending club meetings was compulsory."

"They said that they had some family matters to attend to today," he explained, closing his notebook with a snap, "What is it? Are you thinking of switching your preferences over?"

"What the?" I stammered angrily, my cheeks heating up. "Of course not! Tamaki is my, um, one and only."

He shrugged and moved on to examine Haruhi and her fans.

"Sorry, Tamaki-Sempai!" I apologized hastily before slipping over to where Kaoru was sitting, alone.

He looked shocked to see me.

"Where's Hikaru?" I asked breathlessly.

"At home," he replied simply. "He had some things to think about."

"What?" I persisted.

I could have sworn that I saw his eyes flick over to where Haruhi was entertaining her guests.

"Haruhi?" I asked, "He has to think about Haruhi? Why?"

"No, that's not it!" he insisted.

Unfortunately for Kaoru, I wasn't as dense as he thought I was. It was about Haruhi, and I was going to find out. I may not have been a fangirl, but I knew that whatever was happening, it was hurting Kaoru too. I couldn't allow that to happen.