Kyouya had invited her to a few other events in the weeks following. As expected, Tamaki had also tagged along, which didn't bother Haruhi at all, but Kyouya would then spend most of the evening being an incredible grump. Haruhi couldn't help but notice the way that Tamaki would interrupt a conversation or throw himself in the middle of she and Kyouya at any given opportunity. Though, at the host club both of them acted fine, even normal. Well, normal for them.

This night, however, Tamaki did not tag along with them. Kyouya had invited her to accompany him to one of his father's fundraisers. Haruhi wasn't sure it was her thing, but it would also be interesting to see what went on at a fancy dinner like that were the plates cost hundreds and everyone was sucking up to Kyouya in hopes of getting close to his father. It was fascinating, if sleazy. Haruhi knew she could never be like that.

Ranka had taken her to get a dress, a proper one, he'd said. When Kyouya arrived with the car and she stepped out in her red, off the shoulder dress, she was pleased to see a hint of a smile on his face. "You look lovely." He told her, as he held out his open palm for her to take. Haruhi found herself blushing. She didn't think that Kyouya had ever complimented her before. In fact, she'd never heard him compliment anyone.

Haruhi had gasped when they entered the hotel resort ballroom. The room was filled with socialites. Men in coattails passed along plates of food that smelled so good that her stomach growled in anticipation. Kyouya was in political mode the moment they stepped in. People gravitated towards him and she saw another way that Kyouya was like Tamaki-people simply wanted to talk to him. In fact, they talked to him more than they did his father, probably because Kyouya was much more charismatic. They could barely take a step before another person would step up to speak to Kyouya.

Finally, Kyouya guided her with a hand at the middle of her back to an empty table. "Aren't you going to speak to your family?" Haruhi asked before she sat down at the chair pulled out for her.

Kyouya briefly looked over to a table where his father and one of his brothers were sitting. Haruhi immediately saw the family resemblance and she had to say that of the Ootori men, Kyouya was certainly the most attractive. Where did that come from?

"No, not especially." Kyouya answered as he took a seat across from her. She quickly picked up a menu. "Order whatever you wish." He stated, knowing that she'd feel compelled to not eat or to order the least expensive item just because that was what she was inclined to do.

Haruhi was tempted to ask if he was sure, but knew that would only annoy him. A big, juicy steak sounded good to her and that was what she ordered when the waiter came by. "I keep expecting Tamaki to show up."

"I wouldn't put it past him. If he isn't already here then he is plotting ways to get here. Unfortunately, the fundraiser is by invitation only, though we may run into the Chairman."

Once the food arrived, Haruhi readily dug in. Then, she realized that she was eating hurriedly, and not at all ladylike and so she toned it down a bit. Haruhi knew nothing of manners, but realized that she was using a wrong fork. She also noticed that Kyouya had said nothing of it. She had expected a string of complaints about her being a commoner. "Aren't you a little embarrassed to be here with someone who is so...uncouth?"

"If I was worried about appearances, but I am not. It doesn't matter to me what these imbeciles think." He looked up and around at the socialites walking around, gossiping and kissing up to each other. "They herd from one CEO to the next, hoping to have that one discount, or be noticed for a business deal. It's exhausting putting on a face to appease the sheep. Besides, out of the Host Club, you are probably the least embarrassing."

Haruhi dropped her utensils. "Who are you and what have you done with Kyouya Ootori?"

That illicited a small smile from Kyouya. "Perhaps I've recently learned from a certain blond idiot that I should be true to myself and not kick my own ass over meeting the expectations of my family. Besides, I already own the company."

"What?" Haruhi blinked. "When did this happen?"

Kyouya still wasn't eating. He rested his arm on the back of his hair casually. "Since the Ouran Fair. I discovered that my father had been struggling financially from mismanagement of funds. He didn't want any of us to know, but I overheard him speaking with the Chairman. He was looking for potential buyers and was close to reaching a deal. Long story short, I bought the company."

Haruhi stared wide eyed at him and then her face softened. She smiled warmly. Kyouya went on. "I allowed my father to retain all management duties. He sees it me taking the carrot dangling in front of my face and stabbing him in the eye with it, but frankly I don't care."

"Why wouldn't you take on the duties you inherited? Isn't that what you wanted?"

Kyouya looked at her and then gave her a smile. "Haruhi, I'm in high school. Why would I want to do that?"

She laughed then. Though Kyouya didn't say as much, Haruhi knew why he really did it. He did it for his family, so that the business could stay in Ootori hands and therefore be passed down to the next generation once more. She was sure that Kyouya wouldn't just sit back, there was no way that he'd allow the company to go into bankruptcy. Kyouya just wasn't like that. Though, it also meant that he didn't have to inherit the company-he now owned the company himself. He knew what he wanted and he just reached out and grabbed it. Haruhi admired him that much more.

"I'm glad you use your powers for good and not evil." She murmured.

"Excuse me?" Kyouya asked, not following her train of thought.

"I'd like to go for a walk. It's crowded in here." Haruhi replied.

Soon both of them had their coats and were walking along the sidewalks of the resort. The resort really was beautiful. It was nice to be there when crocodiles and snakes weren't trying to eat you. As they walked they spoke of school, of the host club and what was happening. They even poked fun at the fundraiser. Haruhi was finding that when you took Kyouya away from the responsibility, and the others, he actually wasn't half bad to spend time with. Haruhi found herself having a lot of fun with just him. She liked that they enjoyed the same things, and that she could have an intellectual conversation with him. She suddenly stopped and Kyouya took a few steps ahead before he turned back and gave her a curious glance.

"Why didn't we ever spend time together before?" She asked, still smiling. She'd been smiling half the night. She felt carefree. She felt good. "Barring the Expo, of course."

"Most likely because you have had Tamaki and the twins vying for your attention since you stepped in the door of the music room. Besides, I had other things to do."

Haruhi smirked and shook her head. She stepped forward and hooked her arm in his. "I'm glad for this time. I get to see something besides the Hypotensive Evil Lord."

"Is that what they call me? Morons." That made Haruhi laugh again. She knew that Kyouya meant it, but she also knew that those morons were his best friends-their best friends. Finally, they reached the door of the resort once more. "It's getting late. I'll get you home."

When Haruhi finally got to her door, Kyouya walked her up to the flat door. They both knew that Ranka was working and that Haruhi would be there alone. "Are you sure that you won't come in? You know you aren't going to sleep for another three hours at least."

"I still have homework I need to finish." Kyouya replied, a bit too quickly. It made Haruhi frown that he was so anxious to leave. She thought that they had enjoyed each other's company, but perhaps she was wrong. Maybe she was being too forward by inviting him in. She just knew she didn't want the night to end quite yet.

"All right. I'll see you tomorrow at the host club then."

As she opened the door and stepped in, Kyouya's voice was heard behind her. "Haruhi, wait."

She turned around, her big, brown eyes widening. She looked up at the tall, handsome third son of the Ootori family. He didn't say a word for a moment, just lifted his fingers to his chin, regarding her. He was contemplating. He was thinking things over. Then she found that same hand at her chin, tipping it upwards.

His lips upon hers.

Kyouya was kissing her.

Haruhi's hands were balled at his chest in surprise as his other arm slid around her waist to pull her out of the doorway and into his embrace. Haruhi found her eyes closing and her hands flattened to slide up his chest and around his neck. Her body shivered as he pulled her tighter against him, and she threaded her fingers in his dark, soft hair.

Haruhi was reeling when the kiss ended. "Kyouya..."

"Good night, Haruhi. I'll see you at the host club." He turned away then and left Haruhi standing in the doorway, touching her lips, as the car disappeared into the horizon.

Haruhi went inside and straight to her room. She changed into her night clothes and got into bed, but she couldn't sleep. She touched her lips again, still warm from Kyouya's kiss. Her first kiss had been another girl, but she never thought in a million years that her first real kiss would belong to the Shadow King.

Kyouya's chin rested on his hand as he looked out the tinted car window into the night. It had been an experiment, really. A test of sorts. She'd responded even better than he'd hoped. He thought she'd be shocked, perhaps angry, but when her arms snaked around his neck and she returned the kiss, Kyouya was surprised at her willing response. It certainly changed the game a little bit.

All was going according to plan.