Ahhh it's been.. too long! I'm really sorry to those that are following this story or any of my other fics, I've had the most stressful week/month/year of my life this week/month/year! I can write more now that I have a few spare hours at work, so I'll try and update at least once a month!

Chapter Nine: React

Every fiber in Akira's body went haywire. An electric hear coursed through her nerves, making her hyper-alert. She wasn't ready for the kiss, making it that much more surprising... and enjoyable.

Len gently pulled himself away, his bangs covering her view of his face. He whispered something inaudibly.

"What was that?" she asked, a little breathless.

Len cupped Akira's cheek. "I said I couldn't have asked for a better instructor."

Akira blushed, despite her efforts to remain collected. "You're a horrible liar, you know that?" Akira picked herself up and smoothed out her clothes and hair. Len laughed softly.

"Is that all then Tamaki?" Akira called to the slightly cracked door where a set of deep purple orbs were staring at the two of them. Tamaki flung the door open as if he hadn't been spying in the first place.

"Oh, you've finished? Wonderful! You are free to run along home now, Miss Kurama!"

"Uh, right," Akira said, sharing one last look with Len as she left the club room. The door clicked shut, and immediately Tamaki embraced Len as a father would a son. "Daddy is so proud of you! I've taught you well!" he gushed as Len tried to escape. Len, being small for his age, managed to wriggle out of Tamaki's grasp. "Y-yeah, you sure did," he answered, giving Aido a look of warning. It said, 'get me out of here, now'. Aido coughed politely, getting the club's attention.

"Sorry to break up the party, but Len and I really must be going." Aido grabbed Len's shoulder, spun him around, and walked as such towards the exit. "Adieu," he said, as the door shut behind the brothers.

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Akira walked down the hall in a daze. Did Len really just kiss her? It seemed unreal to her. She walked to the first staircase leading down when she felt a hand on her arm. "I knew it, I KNEW IT!"

Akira was shocked out of her daze by Kio. Has she been spying on me?

"Knew what?" Akira snapped, shaking her arm loose and continuing down the stairs. A few more 'I knew its' chorused after Akira before she heard an answer to her question.

"I knew you liked the Host Club, I knew it!"

Akira stopped abruptly and Kio ran into her. "Let me clear things up for you then Kio," she said in a fake calm, "the only reason I was there was because they needed a favor from me, and nothing more."

This had no effect on Kio. "I don't believe you~!" Akira was walking again. "Fine, believe what you want, I was being truthful. Goodbye Kio."

And Akira left her friend there, while thinking, Whatever happens, I cannot let it get out that I actually like the Host Club.

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

"So, you kissed her then?"

Aido asked this as if he was commenting on the weather.

"W-what!" Len exclaimed. "H-how did you know?"

Aido smirked. "You couldn't get that dorky smile off your face as soon as we left the club room, so it was pretty obvious."

Len blurted out disconnected sentences, trying to defend himself, but to no avail. Aido ruffled Len's hair and walked on ahead to give his little brother some privacy. Len calmed down once his brother wasn't teasing him. He still felt a little jumpy and flustered, but that was because Aido's comment had reminded Len of the way Akira felt in his arms, and the was his lips tingled after the kiss was broken. Len brought a finger to his lips then, the memory bringing back that electric tingle. He smiled for a moment, trying to relive the memory, but frowned. A thought came to him.

Akira, I really hope you know that this is the real me. I would never do anything to hurt you.

I apologize for how short this chapter is! I had a really good idea for it but then it just kind of.. died D: I hope you enjoy it regardless!