Why did it often seem that just when you decided upon a plan of action, something or someone will come along and ruin it? Or perhaps change that to someoneS. Is it really that difficult to just try and be alone, to be able to at least breathe without the same imbeciles watching your every move? Is it selfish of me to suggest snatching you away and running off to a deserted island? Although they would probably still find us…
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Well, we know one person it couldn't be, right Kyouya boy?
"Why are we here Kyouya-sempai?" Haruhi tugged at the pink tank top she was forced to wear by her father, knocking down one of the straps off her shoulder without fully realizing it. Currently she and Kyouya were seated at an outside café, a few tables away from other diners at his request. Nervously she fidgeted in her wrought-iron seat, ignorant as always of the particular focus Kyouya was paying to her bare shoulder. Not that he was making a spectacle out of it. He did have discretion after all.
"I thought we agreed you would help me without being a bother Haruhi." Kyouya was prepared to have to deal with her usual resentment of being anywhere slight fancy, but he chose a place like this just for her. It wasn't too show-offy, or blaring "sophisticated" like the usual destinations of Kyouya's choosing. Her reaction struck a nerve inside. Unfortunately his whole afternoon with the commoner girl yesterday made him increasingly perceptive to whatever thoughts or emotions radiating off her. Troublesome indeed.
Oh please. Like you already weren't like that before.
She huffed, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. "Please. I don't remember having any say in this outing besides agreeing to it. It seems to me someone just couldn't resist acting like the rich bastard they are." She would have made her disapproval more widely known, but Kyouya's current state, stopped her. Although any sign he was a crying mess but only yesterday was absent from his features and attitude. It seemed he was just normal Kyouya again, or at least to anyone not like Haruhi.
While he had that calm air of assertion, one look past his glasses and she could still see the rim of red, the slightly muddled storm of grey in his eyes, all signs of his current internal torrent of emotions. So she merely sighed, giving a wary glance to the sidewalk. "Better be careful Sempai. If anyone from school would see us now," she shuddered. "People would think we were on a date or something."
Ouch. Burn.
Kyouya cleared his throat after she finished talking, urging himself to remember this was the blunt Haruhi in front of him. "I wouldn't be worried too much about that, especially about the host club." Kyouya lowered his head to her, glasses flashing dangerously in the noontime sun. "I made sure that they would be kept, occupied, for the duration of our d-. Outing." He almost slipped up, a fact he blamed on the heat, faulty thought process and Haruhi. Not necessarily in that order.
Haruhi bunched up her brow at Kyouya's statement. "Ano, you didn't do anything evil to them right?" Haruhi was all but familiar with the threats Kyouya could pull out to someone to stay away. "They aren't locked up in a secret Ohtori underground jail I don't know about right?" She didn't bother hiding the nervous tone in her voice. With Kyouya, anything was possible.
He smirked, slinging one arm over the back of his chair, leaning away from the table as well. "Please. Underground jails? Could you be more imaginative?" Haruhi let loose a breath of relief, and reached for the glass of water that mysteriously appeared at their table. "The Ohtori's have jail systems that span across mountain rangers, much more secure than the ground." Haruhi spat out her water, trails of it still running out the corners of her mouth. "What!?"
Leaning over he handed her a napkin to wipe her mouth. The corner of his mouth twitched up slightly, and the disgruntled Haruhi took notice. She grabbed the paper square out of his hand, running it over her mouth. With eyes laughing like his, she couldn't help but grin. "My, did Kyouya Ohtori just tell a joke?" Crumpling the napkin in her hands she gave him a sideways glance, and muttered. "Even if it was a pretty twisted sense of humor."
This was going surprisingly smooth for Kyouya. It seemed his theory was correct, in just her presence calming him down significantly. He didn't realize himself that he joked with her, the line coming out of his mouth before he could stop and think. For once, it seemed a momentary lapse of attention seemed worth it.
But we don't want to make this a habit yes?
Thankfully their waiter finally appeared just as an uneasy silence settled over the two. Kyouya mentally kicked himself for not being able to think of something else, funny to say. To get Haruhi laughing would put him reasonably above the rest of all those else vying for her attention. For people wanted to spend time with people who made them laugh or feel amused. At least that is what Kyouya had always assumed on the matter. That was correct thinking yes?
Wow. You doubt yourself. It's something fun to watch.
Can't you ever shut up? I don't remember having such a distasteful mind.
You should just be lucky I'm not the Kyouya on the outside. Can you say rejected five times fast?
Who says I'm trying to get her attention?
Well, considering I'm your thoughts-
The cruel ones anyways.
Considering I'm your thoughts, I am somewhat entitled to cracking your inner motives.
Oh really? Then what am I thinking about right now?
Kyouya couldn't believe he was playing this game with his own mind.
You're thinking about how Haruhi would feel if she knew you were in a fight with your own sub-conscious.
Wrong. I was thinking about how ridiculous it would seem if Haruhi knew I was still involved in this conversation.
…
You can be a real smart-aleck at times, you are aware of this yes?
I know. Because I am you after all!
"Um…Kyouya-sempai?" "What?!" She flinched back at his tone. She hadn't realized she had just interrupted something important. She made a note to leave Kyouya alone when he was staring off into space. "Ano, Sempai your order?"
He snapped too, giving the waiter his usual "mind your own business" stare. It worked, for the previously engrossed server was now studying his notepad with great care. He waved his hand towards Haruhi, trying to play nonchalance. "Whatever you ordered. I'm sure you have some taste in common cuisine." The waiter tilted his head, puzzlement obviously spread across his features. Haruhi laughed nervously, all the while cursing the boy in front of her. Could he for once not act like such a spoiled snob? "Are you sure about that Kyo-""Yes." The server didn't wait around for another confirmation, and sped off as soon as he could.
Genius move there. Acting all suave and cool.
What are you getting at now?
Do you even know what you just ordered?
Kyouya didn't want to ask, but he did. "What was it you ordered again Haruhi?" She gave him a shaky smile, tugging down nervously on her shirt hem. "That's why I was somewhat confused. I never took you as a fan for strawberry parfaits."
Awesome Inner Kyouya: 2 Loser Outer Kyouya: 0
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"This is a matter of great importance! So stop fooling around!" A certain blonde-haired leader was prancing around on the sidewalk bordering Haruhi's apartment complex. "How could she have possibly forgotten it was FAMILY-bonding time today?!" The ever helpful twins, seemingly recovered from their trauma at the host club yesterday, each drew out an arm around the father. "Tono, perhaps she hadn't forgotten." Hikaru chirped next to Tamaki's ear. "Maybe in a spurt of evil still remnant in the Demon Lord, she was kidnapped. Karou pestered his other ear. "Maybe Mother wanted to bond with Daughter. They could be picking out new dresses for her." "Yeah, perhaps Haruhi is letting Mother stay with her in the dressing room.
The absurd notion Kyouya would even be shopping out of free choice didn't process, and already another installment of the Tamaki Inner Mind Theatre premiered:
"Oh Mother, do you think this dress compliments me?" A meek Haruhi was holed up in a conveniently small dressing room, Kyouya staring down at her feeble and quivering form with the eyes of a snake. "Oh yes, so much. But it would please Mother so much more if Haruhi-chan just takes it off so I could admire her more." "But Mother," Haruhi had eyes as large as a doe's, innocently gleaming with the naivety that was her. "It wouldn't be proper if Mother looks at me that way." Kyouya stepped forward, pressing her body against his own on the wooden wall. His hands snaked their way to the straps of her dress, slowly sliding them down. His mouth was at her ear, his breath causing her to shake. "Oh, but it's alright. Just listen to Mother Haruhi-chan. I'm always right." "Oh Mother." A madly blushing Haruhi covered her face with her hands, as the dress slipped off, and Kyouya wrapped his arms around her bare torso...
Tamaki threw himself on the chipped pavement, hanging off Mori's leg.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
"Ah."
Mori was trying, unsuccessfully, to throw the sobbing Frenchman off his leg. "WHYYYY?!! WHY WOULD MOTHER DO SUCH A THING?!" The twins backed up, certainly not expecting such a reaction. "Umm, Tono. What were you thinking?" Mori cast them what seemed to be a glare, as Tamaki threw himself even more against the senior, tears pouring out and spilling their way onto the sidewalk. Huni, choosing to stay out of this, gleefully jumped into the makeshift pool Tamaki had cried. "Yay! Pool party time!"
Their antics hadn't gone unnoticed, for the super of Haruhi's building was making his way to the five teens. "Excuse me, I'm afraid you all have to leave-" "Whyy!!?!! I thought Haruhi was a daddy's girl!" Huni hopped around, splashing the landlord's pants as the river of tears flooded some more. The twins, ever so helpful, reistsed the urge to collapse in peals of laughter. This was all too good. "It seems dearest brother that we are getting better at our art." Hikaru held the chin of his twin in his own palm. "Why Karou, you compliment me so, you too, beloved brother are a master in the area of trickery and mischief." "Hikaru!" "Karou!" Add Huni's squeals of laughter as he succeeded in wetting himself and the super, and Mori felt pained.
Seeing as he was the only sane-minded person left, he managed to kick Tamaki off, sending him instantly to a makeshift corner of woe. He easily managed to then splash the twins with the puddle Huni was jumping in, after picking him up by the collar. The twins stood there sputtering, and Huni glanced up at Mori who was now addressing the fuming man. "Ah. Sorry." With that he set off down the sidewalk, the others reluctantly following. It seemed without the only other members of the club who remotely had some form of common sense, Mori would be fighting a losing battle.
After a few blocks he set Huni down, and stopped in his tracks to regroup with his cousin. "Ah." "Right Taka-kun. We need to find a way to throw everyone else off." Being the observant pair as well, the cousins were aware of Kyouya going through some trouble. They were able to sneak a peek, or Mori anyways, as Kyouya was storming down the hall after school, to some classroom. Right off the bat they sensed something wrong, and with the absence of Haruhi and the twin's report of the "evils" of the Shadow King, they put two and two together. Haruhi was taking time to help deal with the boy, something they approved with. Huni found it even better, for he knew for quite some time that Kyo-chan was harboring something deep inside. Which was why they made it their goal to try and give the two some peace for the weekend. To make Kyouya "Scary-Good again," as Huni so eloquently put it.
Which was why Huni bounded in front of the wet and sulking twins, a still moping Tamaki following close behind. "Hey! I bet Kyo-chan and Haru-chan went to the mall!" The twins found themselves being thrown to the side as a Tamaki, clearly snapped out of his daze, barrled right past the,. "Of course Huni-sempai! Why didn't I think of such a thing before? Mothers and daughters oftentimes go to the mall to do girlish things!" Triumphantly he slammed his fist down on his open palm, then flinching as he did so too hard. "Ow."
Everyone else just remained silent at their leader. The thought of Kyouya doing anything particularly girlish, with Haruhi, in a commoner mall, just…no. After blowing on his stinging palm, he grinned at his friends. "A genius idea, I know. One only moi could think of." He thrust an arm out in the street ahead of them. "Onwards troops to rescue my beloved daughter!" Tamaki marched out past them, blindly making his way to a cluster of buildings.
The twins raised their hands, then quickly dropped them, shutting their gaping mouths. They walked after, not really wanting to ask whether Tamaki knew where he was going or not. Huni simply didn't have the heart to tell the fellow blonde that there was no way they would find Kyouya and Haruhi there and just shrugged his shoulders, skipping after the trio. Mori just shook his head, and took up the rear of the group. He was probably the only one sure that they were walking in the exact opposite direction of their destination. But then again, that was often how things ended up when the sanity level in the host club was out-numbered significantly.
Haruhi propped her cheek upon her hand, elbow on the table. Kyouya's look of disgust was priceless. Surprisingly, well not that much for Haruhi, a different server had delivered their order, and he too barely said a word as two cups of parfaits were dropped in front of the pair. Eagerly she had reached out for hers, the strawberry treat a welcome taste in her mouth as she spooned in a generous amount. But Kyouya could be faring better.
He was currently glaring at his meal, not believing how he wasted lunch on that…thing. He wouldn't even call the sugar-infested fruit, gloppy excuse for an order food. How Haruhi could so energetically spoon this trash in her mouth was beyond him. But, being the curious soul he was, no matter how much he would deny it, Kyouya stared at the girl. "Haruhi, can you possibly tell me why you choose to glob such extreme amounts of frozen yogurt into your digestive track?" Mid-spoonful Haruhi looked up, to see his opaque stare directed straight at her. She lowered the spoon down, trying to hide her amusement at his obvious disdain for sweets. "Well Kyouya-semapi, it's because I like strawberries. And parfaits. They're good." She shrugged her shoulders, continuing the race to finish the cup in under a minute. At least that's what it appeared to be to Kyouya.
But leave it to her for such a vague and non-explaining answer. "Yes Haruhi, but why are they good?" "They just are. I like them. I really can't get more in-depth than that." She then licked off the last of the abomination before glancing sheepishly at Kyouya's untouched one. He shifted his arms, deciding that appearances here shouldn't be upkept. His elbows now on the table as well, chin in his clasped hands, he couldn't help but smile, only slightly, at her look of longing. "Have fun."
She jumped at the chance, reaching across to now speedily finish off this second cup. Kyouya, his smile inched up a millimeter more, and he took care to note she also enjoyed these, parfaits almost as much as otooru. She paused between bites now, looking at Kyouya's now causal form, just watching her. "Uhh Sempai? Is there something on my face?"
He snapped out of his trance yet again, and shook his head. Satisfied she continued eating. Kyouya then couldn't nag off the feeling that somewhere, across town possibly, someone was screaming out in aguish? Haruhi paused as well, and both at the same time muttered "weird" under their breath.
Awwww. So sweet.
Both froze, and then looked up at the other. Haruhi broke out in a grin soon after, with Kyouya's look of surprise, no matter how small, evident on his features. "So you felt it too. Perhaps Tamaki-semapi finally figured out we were both missing?"
Kyouya didn't find quite as much joy in that statement. Who knew what the idiot blonde could be thinking up or jumping to conclusions on? He would have to be taken care of when he got home. Haruhi barreled on, unaware of Kyouya's change in thought.
Someone scared of being alone in that big, scary house of yours?
"I mean, wouldn't it be hilarious if those guys were at my apartment, causing havoc? I can see Tamaki-sempai flipping out now, growing mushrooms on the street corner!"
Home, that brought a pang to Kyouya. He very well couldn't ask her over again right? Wasn't there a rule on that sort of thing? Kyouya almost wished he paid more attention when Tamaki was ramb-. No, he would never be that desperate.
We are all fools in love.
"I can see him now just hanging off poor Mori-sempai's leg, sobbing hysterically."
And what authority would he have anyway, in asking her? This wasn't a date, as she so frankly stated it before. And him thinking like it would, only make things awkward. But he didn't want this to be it. Rarely did he have a chance to just relax with someone on his intellect level.
Please. That's your excuse? Intellect level?
"Actually, I'm surprised he hasn't been calling your cell phone non-stop Kyouya sempai."
Her last statement snapped him out of his thoughts. "Mmm. I'm not. Last night I took the liberty of changing my cell phone number. Yours too actually."
For the second time today Haruhi found the need to screech out. "What?!" Kyouya sighed; adjusting his glasses to be sure they remained somewhat as a shield. "I changed our telephone numbers. Now the only people who know yours is me and Ranka-san. Just like only a few people know my new number. Like you, but especially not the imbeciles."
Haruhi didn't even bother asking when he got a hold of her phone. "Umm…Kyouya-sempai, why?" She didn't even think to ask why Kyouya let her know his, which he was glad about. "Well, I think I should be asking you something Haruhi. On my phone, after you left, I took notice that someone called besides Tamaki." She decided to let her frustration on him answering a question with a question slide.
"Oh yes. You're right. I guess I just forgot. I assumed you knew her." Kyouya's ears picked up. "Her, Haruhi?" Puzzled she sat back, tilting her head. "Yeah. No one I knew though. She just gasped or gave a noise of surprise when I answered, then hung up right away. She had a voice that was hard to pitch. It sounded like an adult, but like a teen as well possibly. High and low. She sounded rich though, I think." Kyouya made note to never have Haruhi take messages.
But her answer didn't really help him deduct the possible caller. If anything it made him even more suspicious. Yes his number changed, but if this, female would be able to find this new number as well. It would defeat the purpose really.
"Frowns don't suit you Sempai." Kyouya, slightly startled, looked back up at her. He didn't even realize his face was a frown. He just assumed his normal thinking pose. Perhaps that was why so many asked if he emo. An interesting thought to be sure. But Haruhi taking notice of what his face appeared to be, that was interesting as well.
One, don't get distracted. Two, stop thinking like that!
Kyouya waved the server over, who approached with trembling hands. "Y-Yes sir?" "The bill." The man bowed, anxiously fishing out the slip of paper. Before Kyouya could reach for it Haruhi snatched it up, fishing in her bag for money. Kyouya was a little miffed to say the least. "Haruhi, why do you feel the need to pay?" She ignored his question, the 1000 yen already handed to the waiter who bowed once again, and near ran off.
Kyouya only raised his brow at their server's jumpy behavior, not seeing possibly why he would be so scared. Haruhi's reply brought him back to her, and he stood up as well seeing she was already making her way out. "Because Sempai, you probably would have tacked on some odd fee or service tip for treating me to a lunch you didn't even eat." She didn't have to be so sure of herself. He only was going to add about 700 yen to the amount. Nothing too much.
Seeing they now were on the sidewalk he followed her lead, not sure exactly where they were walking too. Not that he would complain about the lack of destination, yet. The later he would go off alone the better. He in fact was quite glad as well the real reason they met up today was forgotten by Haruhi. Certainly now he would hate to spoil what had been a somewhat amusing day for him with useless talk and squabbled fears.
So says the guy who barely had any sleep last night.
But of course, because Haruhi was Haruhi, she seemed to have caught on at the worst time. He almost cursed their somewhat similar train of thought, the keyword being almost. "Say, Kyouya-semapi, I would love now to have one of my questions answered from yesterday." She cast him a mischievous sideways glance, reminiscent of the twins. "I haven't forgotten you see."
Of course not, because you had to be so perceptive.
Please, only yesterday you were near praising that aspect of hers, among other things.
"So I am hearing." Kyouya stuffed his hands in the pockets of his pants, his outfit for today exactly the same one the host club threw on him the day they stranded him at that stupid commoner mall.
Good times, good times.
Haruhi glanced over, quite amused to see Kyouya slouching as he walked. Did he really have such low regard for what normal people saw him as? Swinging her small bag, Haruhi took a few steps closer to him, her voice lowered. "Yes Kyouya-sempai. Try to deny it, but I am very well serious in saying I want an answer now. Please." The sun cast a glare in his lenses, but behind him his eyes were laughing. Haruhi was demanding him? Or was she just trying to poorly imitate the Shadow King himself?"
"I said I would, and I'm a man of my word Haruhi, but here. I don't think so. Perhaps someone with less, people." He took care to avoid mentioning that lately, places with large amounts of people unnerved him. Just another useless childhood quirk remerging itself after but years of absence.
Hmm. Perhaps if we take the time to think possibly why.
Kyouya found himself inching closer to Haruhi as a group of fairly obnoxious and loud teenagers swarmed past. She took note of this, and how he shied his right arm away as one of the teens swatted it, to move past. That was something she had been meaning to ask about too. "Say Sempai, you don't like people touching you that much do you?" Ever the straightforward girl.
He glanced down, stepping even closer to her as if to prove a point. "Really, and what makes you assume that? I feel it would be particularly bothersome to have such a, problem, as a host." She controlled the urge to roll her eyes. "Please Kyouya-sempai, you barely host, if ever. You are telling me that just as easily as the twins or Tamaki you could reach out for another being, or hold girls to your arms?" Just the thought of acting like any of those three caused him to shudder. "Can you imagine me very well acting like that?" He had a point there.
But Haruhi was not done. "Fine, take yesterday for example." Thoughts of that afternoon ran through both their minds. "…And?" "Well, while you did seem to reach out for me, there were times when I would accidently or without you knowing touch your shoulder or arm, and you would seem to jump." As if to prove her point Haruhi instantly raised her arm to the back of Kyouya's head. Without even thinking he stopped dead in his tracks, tilting his head forward a bit more.
Haha. She was right, again.
She curled her hand back, lowering her arm to swing beside her once more. "See? You just did it again." The two continued their pace, Kyouya tilting his face away from her. Cheap store-fronts greeted him. He made a mental note to ask her about why bright colors attract commoners so. "So Kyouya-sempai, do you see now?" Still walking beside her, to apparently nowhere, he gave a small huff. "That was hardly fair. If you remember, the back of my head was where I slammed it into my coffee table yesterday." "But you only jumped because I reached out to help you."
Touché.
It was a moot point, why discuss it? Kyouya was seemingly getting annoyed that she would take interest in such a useless thing. And to stop this conversation was only to disprove her theory, so Kyouya latched on to her arm mid-swing, pulling her close to his side. "There, you see? I can make contact with people." He tried to ignore the somersault his empty stomach made as he brought her close.
She sighed, also trying to squelch weird feelings. "Please Sempai. Grabbing my arm out of your own free will, that's barely a tolerable reason to prove me wrong." Kyouya wouldn't dare admit she had a point, but still didn't let go. Or he just kept telling himself he couldn't, for some reason. He blamed the current state of mental irrationality of his.
Yeah, sure. Blame it all on me. If someone forgot, I'm not the one pushing romance over here.
Haruhi looked nervously up at him when he didn't let go right away. She tried pulling her arm free, but Kyouya seemed to have conveniently developed that vice grip of his again. "Sempai?" "Oh, what's this? Someone not so comfortable with human contact?" She gave him a frown. That was hardly fair. Did he know exactly to what extent his contact had on her? That had to be an exception! And did his voice, no. He couldn't have been teasing her just now. Perhaps the noonday sun was too hot for a rich bastard like himself. Was he getting heat stroke?
Who knew her trying to break free and stop him could sound so fun to him. Bugging her like this, he wondered why he had never taken this approach before. Smirking, he found it amusing she tried to quicken her pace. As if she could outrun him. While he lacked in the strength or skill of most athletics, running was something Kyouya found he was a natural at, in middle school. Or at least he liked to think as such. It was true that during runs, if he really wanted to, it came easily to him to outrun all the others.
Which was why as she quickened her pace he sped up as well, his grip loosening to her wrist now. Then, a sudden thought occurred to him. Why not have some fun here? It wasn't like his father was around or someone else to scold him. And this particular day, with Haruhi, it was making him feel, something. Like he wanted to have fun, dare he say let loose? Perhaps it was because she already saw Kyouya at one of his low points that it seemed increasingly rational to the glasses-clad boy for her to see him on the other end of the scale. Perhaps she seeing Kyouya during one of his few fun-loving times would shift something. Maybe it would help more.
Which was why he quickly stopped in his tracks, snapping her arm pack to pull Haruhi in front of him. Before she had a chance to react he lower his head, and whispered to her in the same tone of sophistication he always talked in. But something was different if you would pay close enough attention. He sounded, lighter. Happier.
"I suggest you run now Haruhi." And with that he pushed her forward yet again, watching her stumble a bit before catching her balance. She turned back at him, her face in question. "Eh?" To encourage her he sped up to her, lowering his face so the opaque glare so carefully placed on his glasses lowered. She saw his eyes once again, and couldn't believe that they seemed, giddy. Happy. Was Kyouya just playing a game with her? Why exactly was he acting so, Tamakish? But she did remember a time not so long ago where she accused Kyouya of being just like the blonde, and perhaps she was more right than she thought.
Which was why she decided to play this weird game with Kyouya, running down the sidewalk in increasing speed. Kyouya, glad to see she finally took his message, began pacing himself after her, amused that she seemed to be running so fast so early. Or at least fast for her he supposed. She was terrible at athletics of all kind after all.
So Kyouya didn't go too hard on her yet, as he ran past the disgruntled shoppers. With skill he found himself able to expertly dodge bumping into anyone on the crowded sidewalk, and he just dismissed it as such. Haruhi on the other hand seemed to be nearly crashing into ordinary passer-byers, who would glare as she yelled a quick pardon over her shoulder. It wasn't until Kyouya passed the mass well, albeit more gracefully, some would crack grins, many of the elderly crowd shaking their heads, calling out to each other about what crazy kids in love would do.
And he found it exhilarating that he didn't want to correct them. Let them think that, he didn't mind. His only focus was grabbing hold of Haruhi in this make-shift game of tagged, and as he tried harder, he found that the space closing between them was decreasing. His hair was blowy back wildly, shirt tails flapping around, and he didn't care. It was fun, just focusing all his attention on the brown-haired girl. Not having to worry about how to act or how you looked. Here he probably seemed like a crazy guy or some delinquent, and no one was thinking any differently. For once he was able to shut off the world to only him and Haruhi, in this mad dash game of theirs.
He didn't even bother to turn down the corners of his mouth, wanting to grin, wanting her to see when he inevitably caught her that he too could be someone who enjoyed life. To an extent.
She rounded a corner and Kyouya took a sharp right as well. How many blocks have they been running for? He was surprised to see Haruhi still had some breath left in her. His side on the other hand was beginning to throb, and he knew he probably only had about 200 yards or so before he would have to stop and catch his breath. So therefore he sped out in a last burst of speed, glasses being held up only by the wind as he ran against it, perspiration already slipping down his forehead and neck. Who knew Kyouya Ohtori would be exerting himself this way? Yet, he still didn't regret it.
Haruhi looked back, and her eyes grew wide after realizing how close Kyouya seemed to have gotten. A part of her couldn't believe that the Shadow King was playing a game with her, another was shaking in anticipation. What would he do when, or if he caught her? She glanced around quickly, trying to catch some sight of her surroundings. They seemed to be close to a mall or shopping center of some kind. It looked vaguely familiar. She had no more time to think, as Kyouya, his ragged breaths audible to her closed in on the girl.
Kyouya, happy to see she began to slow down, outstretched his arms, reaching in for the catch. With a heavy "oomph" on both sides, the pair buckled forward as Kyouya slammed into Haruhi from behind, his arms caging around her. She gave a squeak of surprise, not expecting Kyouya to catch her that instant, and closed her eyes as they fell forward. Seeing he miscalculated the momentum they would fall at he quickly snapped his body to the right, toward the wall of the shopping center. Haruhi naturally shifted with him, and she found them spinning until Kyouya rammed into the wall on his back, the sudden stop causing her back to press into him as well.
They stood still for a few seconds, Kyouya, side splitting and breathing forced, lowered his head to Haruhi's, her now damp hair tangling with his own wind-tossed bangs. His hold on her was still tight, so as his rib cage sputtered for air so did she as well. His glasses were pressing into his forehead and skin behind his ears once again, but that pain was duly ignored. He was caught between laughing and breathing, his harsh inhales for air loud in Haruhi's ears. She too was tired, sweat already at the back of her neck.
With a heavy THUMP Kyouya slid down against the wall, plopping himself and Haruhi on the ground below. He lifted his head back against the wall before giving her a tight squeeze, his legs splayed out right next to her own. His breathing slowed down, his ribs still a sharp jab every time he exhaled. Which was why he distracted himself by bringing himself close to the girl in his arms, burrowing his face in her damp shoulder. He felt it a hidden bonus that her tank strap slid down during all this, and he was able to secretly breathe in this scent that was her, while inhaling and exhaling to hide his actions.
Haruhi, seemingly exhausted, leaned into Kyouya, his heaving chest moving up and down behind her head. The moment she felt Kyouya snake down to rest his head on her shoulder she felt that all too strange tingle through her, an added exertion on her already tired body. She in turn rested her hands on his knees, which turned to somewhat jelly for Kyouya as she did so. But she wouldn't give it up, surprised that she found herself enjoying this so much. Being able to see Kyouya on the opposite scale now, when he is having fun, it was so different and unexpected. Yet somehow, it was still Kyouya.
She shut her eyes, trying to sink and relax as their breaths calmed down to one steady pace. It didn't seem uncomfortable, the close space between them. And she wasn't sure if this exactly was something friends do. Haruhi just shoved all those thoughts to the side as Kyouya hugged her, his face hiding in the crook of her neck. Her shoulder tickled too, now that she thought about it. So there the two sat, totally oblivious and uncaring of their appearance to any onlooker. These two kindred spirits were lost in each other for the time being, and not something which they wanted to shy away from anytime soon.
Which was exactly why Haruhi heard the crowded steps of a group as her eyes were shut, and the sudden gasps and intakes of air, a body thumping to the ground. Frustrated at these intruders to their state of peace she turned her head the other way, breath warm on Kyouya's shoulder. He stiffened remarkably, more than usual for her making a sudden touch to him. And her fears were confirmed when she felt his face reluctantly leave the soft skin of her bare shoulder, his hair rustling as he turned to address the group. She only heard him mutter out an "Oh crap." Surprised at his choice of words she opened her eyes and twisted her neck, face paling at the sigh. "Oh crap" indeed.
This was the third shopping center the rambunxious group found themselves kicked out of. Of course the twins feigned innocence, for it really was Tamaki, randomly barging in and taking hold of the loudspeakers to issue search cries for a missing "mother" five feet ten inches, age seventeen, and wearing glasses, and a "Daughter" five feet 2 inches and aged 15. Nevertheless he didn't get any results, nor did the managers find it particularly funny, as Tamaki vehemently tired to explain this mother/daughter situation to him.
Which was why they suggested Tamaki stay back in the lobby of this new mall as the twins and seniors take over the search. A rejected Tamaki stayed back, growing yet more mushrooms in the brightly lit department store first floor. If he wasn't so preoccupied with that, he would have realized the very department store they stumbled into was one and the same with the place where they stranded Kyouya not but a few months ago.
It didn't soothe down Tamaki's nerves anymore that Kyouya's cell didn't seem to be working. And the twins were the only ones with Haruhi's number, who apparently had forgotten to bring their cells with them. So Tamaki sat in his corner, fearing the worse, whether what Kyouya and Haruhi could very well be doing, or to what could have possibly happened to them.
Things didn't fare better for the other hosts, since the twins took it upon themselves to jump into every store and near cause a whirlwind of destruction. And while Huni sped off to a traveling cotton candy cart, Mori took it upon himself to realize exactly why he hadn't noticed exactly what short attention-spans everyone had before. He knew as well as Huni, who was munching down on spun sugar, that they very well had no chance of finding the missing pair anytime soon.
Perhaps that was why Huni met up with Mori, who only nodded down at his older cousin before walking back to where Tamaki was gathering on-lookers, mostly small children mystified by this magical plant-growing man. The twins followed suit, dragging the utterly pathetic blonde out the sliding doors of the mall. The cool spring breeze greeted them as Huni and Mori led off, suddenly jerking to a stop as they turned to the left. The twins, a hold of each of Tamaki's arms, promptly dropped him with a thud to the sidewalk. Karou just was gaping in shock while Hikaru began to visibly tremble, next to his cool-headed twin. Huni exchanged a nervous glance with Mori, Mori just stood by, not entirely sure how to react. And Tamaki, the blonde father. He snapped out of this trance as the twins dropped him, and then quickly snapped to attention where everyone else was looking at. There, on the wall just a few feet away…
Tamaki narrowed his eyes, fists clenched on the sidewalk. That, that Kyouya! So his fears were as such! He knew it! Tamaki scrambled up to a standing position, body swaying alongside Hikaru's out of fury. To see his DAUGHTER so close, in the arms of MOTHER! Hikaru hissed out as he took note of her naked shoulder, the strap falling down as Kyouya was practically sinking his face there! It was at this point Kyouya took notice of the intruders of his peace, and the sight of the rest of the host club standing there was not a pleasant one. Life truly was out to get him
Oh boy. This is going to be something worth seeing.
Shadow King versus the Host King. The slightly calmer members, them few in number, stared back unsure of what exactly would come out of this. It was extremely unexpected, and a slip up on Kyouya's part. Yet still, he didn't regret this. Bring it on, for Haruhi this was all worth it.
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Le gasp! What is to happen now? Heh. I'm not sure either…XD;; Although I do guarantee something will! And I'm awfully sorry on this coming late. I seemed to have lost my muse this past day. I did spend my time making an amv for this fanfic, at least with a song I felt fitting. Go to my profile and click the link, it will send you to my youtube profile where the vid is up. And while the beginning and some of the end scenes may not make sense, I tell you that in time all will be connected and revealed. Muahaha. Ha. Heh. ;
~ja ne