Christmas went as well as it always did for Kyoya. He spent it alone, being that both of his brothers and his father were out of the country and all the help in the house had the day off. His sister called to wish him a Merry Christmas and to ask him about Haruhi, but it was normal for Kyoya to spend holidays alone so it didn't bother him. What he couldn't figure out was why here on New Year's Eve he was spending the night in Suoh Mansion #2 with Tamaki, who had just returned from France the night before.
"Tamaki, all you're doing is rambling I can't understand a word you're saying." He snaps at his best friend, who had been talking nonstop for almost ten minutes, until Kyoya couldn't take it anymore. "Slow down the last thing I understood you telling me was when you were telling your mother about what you almost ended up doing at the Ouran Fair."
"Yeah, after I told her what I almost did she slapped me across the face and told me what a fool I was." He grinned
"Good, you deserved to be slapped moron." Kyoya states "You're just lucky we didn't want you to leave and forced you to come back."
"Yes, and I am still extremely grateful for what you all did for me." He smiles stupidly and sits on the edge of his bed.
"So, how is your mother? I hope she's well." Kyoya asks trying to change subjects and change from the suddenly awkward silence.
"She's doing really well actually; apparently Éclair's family invited her to live with them as sort of their housekeeper." Tamaki tells him.
"And your mother is happy living like that?" he asks curiously
"Yes, she loves it there. And it certainly explains how Éclair knew, or rather knows my mother." He says "My mother's health is getting better and she hopes that soon, with me getting closer to Grandmother, that she can come visit me here in Japan."
"That's great Tamaki; I hope you can soon show her your version of Japan." He smirks remembering when Tamaki first arrived and hoping that his mother wasn't like him too much. Over the years though he realized that Tamaki is a lot like his father and wonders what it is he got from his mother, besides musical talent.
"While I was over there Kyoya, my mother made me realize something." He says rather seriously.
'This can either be really good, or really bad' he thinks sighing "And what is that Tamaki?" he asks expecting the worst.
"She helped me realize, I'm in love with Haruhi." He states
"Is that so? It's about time you realized that moron." Kyoya tells him. 'All this time of trying to get him to realize it and all it took was his mother knocking some sense into him.' He sighs
"What you already knew?" Tamaki asks, looking surprised.
"Tamaki, besides Haruhi the whole club knows." Kyoya informs him amazed again at his friend's denial of his feelings for Haruhi, though suddenly feeling a pang of guilt knowing that his friend was too late.
"Well, actually my father helped me realize it as well," Tamaki tells him.
"Really, how did they help you come to your senses?" Kyoya asks honestly curious
"Well it started after the term had ended. My father called me to up to his office and he told me that Haruhi would make a good wife for me one day. When I told him my little girl would make a good wife for anyone. He stared at me in shock, but at the same time I didn't understand what he was telling me. "Tamaki sighed
"So you do now?" Kyoya asks. Tamaki only nods, "So then you went to France and how did your mother make you realize finally that you're in love with her?"
"It happened on my third day there. Mother and I were walking through the garden in the back of the house and I was talking about all the things we did as a club. I had just finished telling her about what had happened with Kasanoda when she began to laugh. When I asked her why she was laughing she only said, 'Tamaki it's obvious you're in love with this girl, how much longer are you planning to pretend it's only fatherly affection.'" He sighs
"You're not one to figure these things out quickly Tamaki, how long did it take you to figure out what she was really talking about?" He asks
"Well it was about dinner when I finally realized what both my mother and father were telling me. I am indeed in love with Haruhi and probably have been for a long time." He admits
"It's about time you figured that out Tamaki. The rest of the club was getting sick of you not admitting it to yourself. So what are you going to do now?" Kyoya asks
"Even if I am too late, or she doesn't feel the same way, my new year's resolution is to confess to her." Tamaki tells him standing on his bed.
"Well I wish you luck." Kyoya sighs, as another pang of guilt ran through his chest. "What are you going to do if she doesn't return your feelings though?"
"I'll be disappointed of course, but as long as she finds someone to love, who can also keep her happy then…it's okay." He says falling back down on the bed. "Besides I took too long to realize it. For all I know she could be in love with someone else by now."
"That's very…grown-up of you Tamaki." Kyoya tells him, shocked by the seriousness in his friend's voice.
"So Kyoya, have any ideas on your resolution for the New Year?" Tamaki asks
"Yeah, to get engaged," He mutters carelessly, forgetting who he was talking to for a moment.
"What?" Tamaki asks almost falling off of the massive bed from shock. "The Host Club's cold and calculating Shadow King actually wants to settle down and get married?"
"I said engaged Tamaki," Kyoya sighs
"No offense, but you don't seem the type to even want to get married, actually you've never seemed like the type Kyoya."
"Well I want to be engaged because I don't want to graduate High School and end up on all of the damn tabloids as a bachelor like Hunny and Mori-sempai. I want to be able to focus on my goals and not have to deal with what we have to handle in the host club every day. That and my father won't stop telling me to pick a woman he chooses." He lies smoothly, regretting even opening his mouth. In truth he had wanted to be engaged ever since his father approved of Haruhi and though they had been dating for fifteen months he didn't want to rush her into anything. For the moment he was happy with where their relationship stood.
"So it's to please your father and keep yourself out of the tabloids, unless it has something to do with what you did for your family's company?" Tamaki asks.
"Yes, since entering high school my father has set me up with three possible brides and they are all complete airheads. My father and I finally came to an agreement and as long as I find someone he approves of then I can choose my own bride." Kyoya states
"So, this term you are going to be looking for a possible bride?" Tamaki asks
"More or less," he confirms
"Well there are certainly plenty of princesses at Ouran. I wish you luck Kyoya."
"And I wish you luck with yours Tamaki." Kyoya sighs, suddenly feeling unsure as what Haruhi's answer was going to be, as Tamaki's cell went off.
"Hello?" he asks picking up his phone from the nightstand and putting it on speaker, not caring if Kyoya hears who it is.
"Hello?" The other end asks. Kyoya immediately realizes it's Hikaru using a voice modifier and wonders if Tamaki realizes it's a prank.
"Uh, hi. Who is this and what do you want?" Tamaki asks causing Kyoya to wonder how he couldn't tell it was Hikaru.
"What? Oh no no no! It is YOU who is calling me. Ok, so what did YOU need?" Hikaru asks
"No no I didn't call you. You called me. Wait, who is this?"
"NO! I didn't call you! You are the one who called me! Now I'll ask one more time who are you and why did you call me at this time in the morning?" Hikaru says obviously trying to hold in a laugh.
"What? Okay I'm going to hang up now. Bye." Tamaki says ending the call "Geez, what do you think that was about?" he asks turning to Kyoya.
"Tamaki, you know that was just-"he was cut off by Tamaki's phone going off again.
"Hello?" Tamaki asks
'Damn it Tamaki, it's just going to be one of the twins again.' Kyoya sighs taking his laptop out of his bag and begins to work.
"Hello? Who is this?" The other person asks, Kyoya recognizing it as Kaoru this time.
"You again, who are you?" Tamaki asks
"Oh good lord stop calling me." Kaoru sighs
"No, YOU stop calling ME! I did not call you." Tamaki tells him frustration in his voice.
"Oh yes you did, and stop calling me!" Kaoru states hanging up.
"And that Haruhi is how you make prank calls to the boss." Hikaru tells her grinning, as Kaoru throws her phone back over to her from the other side of their massive bed.
"Why would I want to know how to do that when I'm not even sure what I'm doing in your house?" Haruhi asks putting her phone back in her bag.
"Aww c'mon Haruhi remember? You promised you would spend New Year's Eve with us." Kaoru states
"When did I promise you that?" she asks
"When the term ended you told us you were busy Christmas Eve, so we asked if you wanted to hang out New Year's Eve and said you would." They chorused
"You're just lucky my dad had to work tonight." Haruhi sighs finally remembering promise the two she would spend the holiday with them.
"Oh c'mon, you know you're having fun." Hikaru grinned.
"Too what type of fun are you referring to? Pulling pranks on all of your maids, or prank calling Hunny-sempai and Tamaki-sempai?" Haruhi sighs. She would never admit it to either of them, but she did have a lot of fun with them when they weren't pulling a prank on her.
"We're sorry Haruhi, are you really not having any fun?" Kaoru asks
"Oh no that's not it you two always mange to be entertaining." She laughs
"You'd just rather be home reading a book or something?" Hikaru asks
"I used too, but I can always read a book and hanging out with you and the club won't last forever." She admits
"Aww, Haruhi." The twins say both crawling over to where she was sitting and hugging her.
"Well it's almost dawn," Haruhi tells them looking over at the clock on the wall that read 5:49 and not bothered by their hugs anymore. "Do you two have your wishes or resolutions ready?"
"Yep, how about you Haruhi?" they ask finally letting her go.
"Yes," she sighs
"What is it?" they ask
"As if I'm going to tell the two of you," she laughs "Besides if I tell the two of you mine, you have to tell me yours and something tells me you don't want to do that."
"…Fine, but at least give us a hint?" they ask
"Fine, it has something to do with the club." She states
"What, that doesn't help us." They complain
"Well that's the only hint you get and shouldn't we head up to the roof?" she asks
"Oh yeah, we don't want to miss the sun rise. C'mon Haruhi just follow us." They say racing out of the room with her following close behind.
When they got up to the roof, which Haruhi notices also has a pool, the twins set up three chairs facing where the sun would rise in only a few minutes. Haruhi sat down between them and began to think about her resolution this year. 'As if I would tell them that my resolution this year would be to let the rest of the club know that Kyoya and I have been going out. We are running out of time Hunny and Mori-sempai have already graduated and soon Tamaki-sempai and Kyoya will graduate as well. And Kyoya has already told me he's going to America to study for a year after he graduates.' The sun began to rise and the twins began saying something that she didn't catch. 'Kyoya and Tamaki-sempai's graduation will be our new deadline to tell them, we just have to figure out some way to tell them without upsetting them too much…not that they won't be upset in the first place.' She sighs closing her eyes to make her wish for a moment, before hugging the twins and wishing them a Happy New Year and wondering vaguely if Kyoya was doing the same with Tamaki.
"Fuyumi, Kyoya just asked you to help me pick out a dress for your brother's ball, not to go through your whole wardrobe and some of these aren't even ball gowns." Haruhi was arguing with Fuyumi. The two were at Fuyumi's house getting Haruhi ready for the ball Kyoya asked her to go to with him a few months ago.
"I know I'm just looking for something to make you the belle of the ball." Fuyumi said still digging through her closet.
"I told you I don't want to be the belle of the ball," she sighs "And should you be running around and leaning over like this? Your baby is due in a few months right?"
"You sound like my husband, I'll be fine Haruhi." She laughs stepping out of the closet and holding an elegant wine red strapless mermaid formal dress evening gown and a beautiful rose embellishing the strapless bust.
"Oh my, Fuyumi that dress is beautiful." Haruhi tells her staring open mouthed at the Taffeta fabric.
"Isn't it? Sadly I was only able to wear it once." She sighs handing it to her "You are fairly close to my size, but if it's a little too big then I have a maid who will fix it right up. I would try, but sadly my seamstress skills are horrendous."
"I'm sure it'll fit just fine. I'll try it on and be right back."
"Kay, I'll try to find some shoes to go with it. I know you hate heels, but how do you feel about small kitten heels?" she asks walking over to another closet.
"Those I can handle," Haruhi calls from the other room, as she slides into the dress she finds fits her almost exact. Walking back out to Fuyumi, she watched as the older woman turned around holding a pair of small black heeled shoes staring at her open-mouthed.
"Oh Haruhi that fits you perfectly, you look absolutely lovely." She smiles holding up the shoes, "Here try these on and I'll do your hair and some small makeup."
Almost an hour later Haruhi was still in front of a mirror in Fuyumi's room when her husband knocked at the door. "You look lovely Fujioka-san, but darling I'm sure you've tortured her enough." He chuckles softly
"I'm just trying to make her really pop." She pouts putting a barrette in Haruhi's hair and for the third time pulling it out and muttering about it not being enough.
"Trust me she looks great I think it's time you let her free, besides Kyoya-kun is downstairs to pick her up why don't you let him decide whether or not she, as you put it, pops." He tells her going over to lie on the bed.
'Thank the lord I showed up early or we would've been late.' Haruhi thinks as Fuyumi finally lets her up off the chair. Turning to face Fuyumi she asks, "So you really aren't coming?"
"Afraid not we have another dinner party to attend tonight." She smiles
"Yes, one we should really get ready for Fuyumi." Chikao tells his wife.
"Yes, yes I know just let me escort Haruhi out and I'll get ready." She waves grabbing Haruhi's wrist and heading out the bedroom door.
"Enjoy yourself Haruhi-san," Chikao calls after the two of them.
Walking down the stairs Haruhi sees Kyoya waiting for the two of them at the bottom wearing a suit and looking bored. 'He really doesn't want to attend this thing either.' She laughs to herself, as he turns around to ace the two of them.
"Haruhi-?" he asks taken aback by her appearance.
"See I knew this was too much," she sighs turning to Fuyumi.
"It is not, you look fantastic Haruhi." Fuyumi says trying to reassure her "Tell her Kyoya."
"Haruhi you look stunning, now come on you're going to do great tonight." Kyoya smirks climbing the last few steps to reach her and take her arm in his. "Fuyumi-neechan, thank you for helping her get ready."
"It was no trouble Kyoya really; she is a lot of fun to dress up." She smiles
'Great first the twins, now I'm a dress up doll for Kyoya's sister.' Haruhi sighs, as Fuyumi turns to her.
"Well try to have a good time tonight Haruhi," she laughs. Haruhi realizing she missed whatever was said between the brother and sister.
"I'll try, I promise," she smiles as Kyoya wishes Fuyumi a good night and leads her out the door and over to his limo where Tachibana was waiting.
"Haruhi, you can stop fidgeting." Kyoya laughs as she played with her dress for the umpteenth time since sitting down in the back of his limo. "You look absolutely stunning tonight; don't worry all right, you will do just fine."
"I can't help it Kyoya, this is my first ball not hosted by the club, at least at those parties I don't ever have to do much except greet the guests." She tells him nervously.
"That's pretty much all you will have to do here too Haruhi. Well you might have to dance with a few people, but that shouldn't be too hard right?" he asks
"Well it shouldn't be, but as you recall I only know the boy's part of waltz." She points out
"Don't worry I'll help you the first few times, but as much as I would like to have you by my side the whole night I'm afraid there will be times where I'll have to leave you by yourself." He tells her
"Guess I'll just have to go find Akito-san, I'm sure he wouldn't mind keeping me company." She teases
"Haruhi-." He growls
"Relax, I'm only kidding Kyoya," she laughs, as the limo finally pulls into the decorated Ootori mansion. "Aren't we a bit early?"
"A little, but as the hosts we are expected to greet our guests as they arrive." He informs her, as she clings tighter to his arm. "Haruhi you will do fine, you don't have to worry."
"You keep telling me that, but we both know I don't know your world very well. What if I do something to embarrass your family?" She tells him nervously.
"C'mon lets head in. Trust me nothing you could do or say tonight could possibly embarrass me or my family." He tells her taking her hand and pulling her out of the limo and heading up the massive driveway to the door.
Walking into the house Haruhi sees Akito, who was also dressed formally, walking down the stairs towards them. His gaze was immediately on Kyoya. "Well it took you long enough little brother, people are going to start arriving soon." He sighs, his gaze then turning to Haruhi. "Fujioka-san, good lord you look incredible." He gapes reaching the bottom of the stairs. Kyoya took one look at his brothers' gaze and moved protectively in front of Haruhi.
"Kyoya relax I told you, you have nothing to fear," Haruhi tells him low enough for Akito not to hear her and moving out from behind Kyoya.
"Thank you Ootori-san and it's good to see you again." She curtsied, smiling up at him.
"It's good to see you again too Fujioka-san," he smiled taking her hand in his and kissing the top of it.
"We should really prepare to greet the guest," Kyoya sighs.
"Of course, but I would like to ask you to save me a dance tonight Fujioka-san," Akito grinned letting her go. "And little brother just remember that tonight you will be expected to mingle with our guests sometimes without your date. It may be best for Fujioka-san to spend that time with me." He noted walking towards the room where the ball was being held.
"Kyoya-?" Haruhi began walking back over to him and taking his arm in hers.
"Don't say it I know Nii-san has a point, look if you really need to be with someone just make sure he doesn't try anything." Kyoya sighs giving in.
"Relax you know I'm only yours," she smiles up at him.
"C'mon," he says leaning down to kiss her gently on her lips. "Our guests will be arriving any minute. We better get ready."
"I better get used to acting as just your date instead of your secret girlfriend." She giggles taking his arm again and following him over to where Akito was standing with Yuuichi, who greeted her with a simple nod.
"Yes, your acting skills are getting noticeably better," he notes
"Well they should be I've been doing this act for almost sixteen months." She laughs taking her place next to Kyoya, as the doors opened and people began to come in.
The ball was about an hour in and Yoshio was finding it to be a big success. His oldest son was with his future fiancé and talking to her family seemingly enjoying himself. His second son Akito was, as usual, talking to a group of girls and promising to dance with all of them. Yoshio makes a mental note that he really does need to try and reel his second son in before he does something he would regret. His third son was talking to some old classmates, whose families are friends and Haruhi was talking and smiling next to him looking like she was enjoying herself, but he knew her mask was hard to sometimes impossible to read. She reminded him of his late wife and that's one of the reasons he knew she would be a great addition to his family.
"Ootori-san, this is quite a ball you have put together for my daughter and your son," Yoshio hears a voice behind him, turning around he sees Mr. Takunga standing behind him.
"Nothing but the best of course, after all your daughter Alina and Yuuichi seem to be hitting it off." Yoshio tells him.
"But of course Alina will do all she can to please your son."
"I'm sure she will," Yoshio mutters. He knew the only reason he agreed to this proposal was because Mr. Takunga had blackmail on his family and was hoping to marry into the Ootori family. Yoshio was hoping that Alina would dislike his family and break off the engagement, which would be announced in a few months.
"By the way that young woman with your son Kyoya, who is she?" he asks
"Young miss Fujioka goes to the same school as Kyoya and simply agreed to escort him tonight." He answers simply his gaze resting on Haruhi again, who at this point is dancing with Kyoya. He also noticed that most of the room was looking at the couple. "What are you afraid she is taking the spotlight away from your own daughter?" he smirks
"Well there's that and which family does she hail from? I've never seen her before now." He asks curiously
"I'm afraid she's of common lineage, but is attending Ouran on a scholarship." He answers
"Really? Well she's quite a beauty, but I'm surprised you allow you son to be friends with her, let alone bring her to an event like this." He smirks.
"Miss Fujioka is quite used to attending events like this thanks to a club she is in with Kyoya and is perfectly capable of handling herself." Yoshio tells him "Besides it's only a favor she is doing for him, so why should I worry."
"Just be careful, a young beauty like her you may want to keep an eye on your son." He points out
"I don't need you telling me to control my sons; they know what I expect from them." Yoshio tells him, his voice as cold as ice. 'It's not like I have much of a choice anymore Kyoya and Haruhi have been dating long enough to be engaged by now, not that I would mind at this point.' He thinks dragging his eyes away from Yuuichi and resting them on Kyoya and Haruhi, who had wandered over to an empty table.
"Are you okay Haruhi?" Kyoya asks as they sit down.
"Just a bit tired, but I'm fine." She assures him as she accepted a glass of water from one of the wandering servers. "How long do these things usually last?"
"They can last all night, but considering the term starts again tomorrow you and I will be expected to leave a little sooner." He replies glancing around the room looking bored.
"You're not having a good time are you?" she asks
"These events bore me," he replied simply "The only reason I'm here at all is because it's an event for Yuuichi-niisan and his future fiancé."
"Speaking of didn't you want me to meet her tonight or something?" she asks
"Later," he tells her simply. Haruhi follows his gaze and sees a young woman maybe a few years older than herself walking towards the two of them.
"Hey Fujioka-san, I believe you owe me a dance this evening." She hears Akito's voice behind her. She looks over to Kyoya, who only nods his head telling her to go ahead.
"Kyoya, is everything all right?" she asks quietly
"Everything is fine Haruhi; please go with Nii-san." He mutters still glaring at the girl who had reached their table. "This will only take a little while, go ahead and have some fun."
"All right then, I'll be back." She smiles a fake host club smile at the girl, takes Akito's outstretched hand, and wanders back over to the dance floor.
"What are you doing here Ushio?" Kyoya growls, as the young woman sat down in the chair recently filled by Haruhi.
"Obviously I was invited to this little gathering Kyoya, you remember my older sister is going to marry your brother," she sneers
"We don't know that for sure Takunga-san," he snaps going back to using her last name.
"You know your family owes ours, just because our engagement was cancelled last year doesn't mean your family is off the hook Ootori-san."
"We don't owe you anything. You and your family are blackmailing ours, for all you know the engagement between your sister and my brother could end at any time."
"That won't happen, but this conversation is boring and I'm far more interested in the young woman you brought with you tonight." She tells him.
"She attends my school and is one of my best friends." He tells her, "She is only here tonight as a favor to me."
"Really, you actually have a female friend at that school that can stand being in your presence for more than an hour?" she asks laughing.
"My personality was only to scare you away. Haruhi is a very dear friend to me and yes, can handle me even at my worst." He smirks, as his eyes wander to where Haruhi and Akito had just ended their dance. "You however, are a pain in the ass and I cannot, as you say, see anyone handling you for more than an hour."
"I see you haven't changed much Kyoya," she sighs "I hate to admit it, but you were right when you said our engagement would never work out. Personally I can't stand you, but if we are going to be in-laws why not try to get along?"
"Sorry, but like I told you earlier this engagement will probably not last between our older siblings." He tells her standing up, "I'm afraid the feeling of not liking you is mutual and I hope not to have to deal with you or your family ever again when this mess is over." He tells her walking away from her and towards where he saw Haruhi and his brother finishing talking to an older couple.
"Thank you very much you two and I hope to see you both later in the future." Haruhi smiles her host smile at the couple, before turning back to Akito.
"I told you it would be worth your time to find favor with them." He smiles at her
"I didn't realize the owners of Tokyo's top law firm would be here." She smiles "Thank you very much Ootori-san."
"Of course, only the best for my future sister in law," he winks
"Why does everything always come to that with your family?" she asks laughing
"We all know it's true Fujioka-san," he smiles
"May I interrupt?" she hears Kyoya's voice behind them.
"Oh yes of course, thank you very much for the dance Fujioka-san." He smiles before bowing at her and walking away.
"Was that a bad time?" Kyoya asks
"Not at all, your brother was simply introducing me to a couple who may be able to help me find a job in the future." She tells him.
"Oh that's right father invited the Kouyami's tonight." He noted "Did you have a good time talking to them?"
"Yes and they hope to see me at another one of your events and maybe start talking about plans for my future in their company." She smiles resisting the urge to kiss him.
"That's fantastic Haruhi, aren't you glad you came to this party now?" he asks with humor in his voice."
"I guess I have to apologize for giving you so much trouble about that aren't I?" she laughs
"Don't even worry about that. I truly am grateful that you came with me tonight Haruhi."
"I don't mean to pry, but who was that you were talking to earlier?" she asks "I'm sorry, but I've never seen you glare at a young woman like that."
"Yes, sorry about that she was the girl I was supposed to be engaged to last year." He sighs
"The girl you scared off because you were already dating me?" she asks curiously
"Correct and I assure you there was no competition between you and her. She is a bigger pain in the ass then both of the twins and Tamaki together." He groans
"Kyoya it's not like I was jealous, besides with the way you were glaring at her I was almost worried for her." She laughs
"I didn't do anything, but tell her the truth," he tells her looking around the room. "We should probably do something other than stand here and talk."
"Of course this is your brother's event after all," she smiles taking his arm.
"Actually it's getting pretty late, we should say hello to Miss Alina and I should get you home." He mutters spotting his older brother talking alone with his future fiancé.
"Finally this is getting tiring," she sighs in relief "Don't even try denying that you aren't tired."
"I'm not trying to Haruhi, besides we both start school again in the morning and it would be ill-mannered if we stay up most of the night here instead of getting ready." He tells her, while leading her over to where his brother was standing.
"Good evening Ootori-san, ma'am." Haruhi bows
"Nii-san, Miss Alina," Kyoya nods
"Fujioka-san it's good to see you again." Yuuichi smiles "Allow me to introduce my date this evening, Miss Alina Takunga." He gestures to the beautiful young woman beside him, who bows slightly.
"It's good to see you again Miss Alina." Kyoya smiles "This is Haruhi Fujioka, my date for this lovely evening," he gestures to Haruhi, who only curtsied.
"She's quite a beauty Kyoya, but I'm afraid I've never seen her around before." Alina said flashing a very fake smile, which gave Haruhi the impression Alina, was very hostile towards her right now.
"Ah yes, well Haruhi is of common lineage, so it's not too surprising that you've never met." Kyoya smiles at her.
"Oh Kyoya, you were so desperate for a date you picked out a random commoner to accompany you and getting her hopes up for more?" she asks
"Alina-"Yuuichi mutters shocked
"Miss Takunga-"Kyoya starts, but stops when Haruhi simply smiled and held her hand up for him to stop.
"I apologize for making the wrong first impression, but I do happen to attend the same school Kyoya does. I don't need some overly pampered rich girl reminding me that I am not in the same class as all of my friends from school. Unlike you I'm not planning to only do what my father says in order to keep up the kind of lifestyle I'm used to." She says completely calm with ice in her voice and causing everyone to shudder.
Recovering quickly Alina tells her, "I didn't realize you attended Ouran with Kyoya, but I'm afraid you can still never be anything more than a commoner who managed to get into a very elite school."
"I can think of a lot of worse things I can say, but since we are supposed to be here celebrating lord knows what, I'm just going to end with this," she smiles coldly to her. "This engagement between you and Ootori-san will never last and I can't wait to see what happens next."
Kyoya just blinked at the coldness in Haruhi's voice, but was finding it funny that he had said the same thing to Ushio a little while ago. He looked at his brother and saw the smallest curve of a smile on his lips. "Haruhi, we do have school in the morning and I should get you home. "He tells her still watching the two young women glaring at one another.
"Of course Kyoya, well it was good seeing you again Ootori-san." She bows ignoring Alina and taking Kyoya's arm.
"Yes, it's good to see you again Fujioka-san and I assume we will see more of you in the future." He smiles at her and nods to Kyoya.
"How on earth did you know that girl Fujioka?" Alina asks Yuuichi as they watched the pair leave the room.
"Oh Kyoya brought her over to a family dinner before. She's a very intelligent woman and he's already expressed an interest in her." He tells her, of course leaving out the fact they're already dating.
"So she's a gold digger?" she sneers
"Trust me she's not. She has no interest in what our family does nor how much we make. The only thing that girl is focused on is her future career in law and Kyoya."
"I'll be damned if I let that little girl join our family." She mutters
"You realize we're not even engaged yet and nothing has even happened between her and Kyoya yet." He asks "Are you sure your just not mad because she was more popular than you tonight and that she stood up to you?"
"Please she's a simple commoner, why would I waste my time being jealous over her?" she laughs
'Liar,' Yuuichi sighs "C'mon I'd better give you back to your father for awhile." He tells her taking her hand and walking her over to where his father was still talking to hers.
"I am so sorry Kyoya," Haruhi was apologizing to him as they stepped into his limo.
"Haruhi neither Yuuichi-niisan nor I are mad at you trust me. What she said was out of line." He tries to assure her "Like I told you when you yelled at my brothers, sometimes you have to speak up and that girl and her family are all like that."
"So why were you and now your brother expected to marry into that family?" she asks
"Their father has something on ours that may or may not end up as a scandal. My brothers and I have been able to keep his two daughters busy, but over the past few years they want to marry into the family. I was able to get out of an engagement with the youngest daughter Ushio, who you met briefly tonight and the second daughter is of course the young woman Nii-san is going to be engaged to soon." He explains
"Okay, but what could that family possibly have over your father's head?" she asks
"Five years ago a doctor was murdered at one of my family's hospitals. My father was first thought to be the killer, but the case was mysteriously dropped." He sighs "My father doesn't even know whether or not he did it, he can't remember the night in question. When the case was dropped the Takunga family came to my father saying they had a tape with proof that he had killed the doctor in question."
"Oh my-what did your father do then?"
"My father couldn't prove anything that night, so the last five years he has been investigating the case trying to figure out what had actually happened and until he does we have been quietly doing what the Takunga family asks us to do." He groans
"So you have been able to keep everything quiet for five years?" she asks
"Yes, and if my does finally find out what happened we can stop this stupid charade."
"And what happens if your father is proved to be the killer?"
"I'm sure my father has some idea or another, but for now I know Nii-san will start trying to do everything to get out of this engagement of his."
"…Are you sure you should be telling me this?"
"No, but I fully trust you to stay quiet." He smirks
"I will I promise, but will you let me know when this family thing is settled?" she asks laying her head on his shoulders.
"You know I will," he tells her kissing the top of her head, as the car pulls to a stop in front of her apartment. "Well good-night Haruhi I'll see you in the club tomorrow."
"I'll be there," she laughs "and at least now I can get out of this dress."
"Night Haruhi," he says kissing her gently on the lips and helping her out of the limo.
"Good-night Kyoya," she smiles, before running up to her apartment.
"Haruhi, are you all right?" Hikaru asks running up behind her about two weeks into January. "You've been really pale and coughing all morning."
"I don't know," she mutters suddenly feeling very faint.
"Is something wrong with Haruhi?" A cold voice asks behind them.
"Oh, Kyoya-sempai I-"she manages to say before her world went black.
She woke up later in the infirmary in one of the many beds and as she looked around the room she sees Kyoya standing by the door talking to someone on his phone. "Kyoya-?" she manages to get out.
"Oh Haruhi your awake, how are you feeling?" he asks moving over to stand next to her the sun hitting off his glasses to hide his eyes.
"I'm a bit tired, but what on earth happened?" she asks sitting up a little bit.
"You fainted, you're lucky Hikaru was close enough to catch you before you hit the floor." He smiles weakly
"Kyoya I'm fine really," she tries to assure him.
"How long have you been feeling sick Haruhi and don't bother lying to me." He tells her
"A few days I guess," she admits not looking at him
"I've already called Akito-niisan and he'll see you at the hospital in an hour." He says simply "No arguing Haruhi the rest of the club already knows you're in the infirmary and I'll tell them later you're at my family's hospital."
"You're not giving me any other choice are you?" she asks getting out of the bed.
"No, Tachibana is outside waiting for you and the school has already been notified that you will be leaving for the day."
"You think of everything," she sighs "Thank you Kyoya and I'm sorry to be worrying you like this."
"Think nothing of it, but I wish you would've told me you weren't feeling well."
"I'm sorry," she tells him again
"It's okay and I want to walk you out, but I have to get back to class." He tells her "I guess I'll just have to see you later at the hospital, or your apartment if your finish quickly." He smirks
"I guess I'll see you later than Kyoya," she smiles reaching up to kiss him on the cheek before leaving the infirmary and heading out of the school and off to the hospital.
'Damn it I knew I should have stayed in the waiting room, or at least accepted the nurses offer to take me to Ootori-san's office,' Haruhi sighs wandering down yet another hallway at the top floor of the hospital. Akito was notified of her arrival as soon as she arrived and was asked to go up to his office.
She was at the end of the twenty-third floor's hallway when she heard the sound of someone talking. "Mr. Takaya, I'm truly sorry about your wife and daughter, but there was nothing we could do the disease was already spread too far throughout their bodies."
'Is that Ootori-san?' she wonders hopeful, as she walks over to the half-opened door at the end of the hall. 'What no pretty secretary out here for him.' She smirks as she read the name Akito Ootori on the door. Looking into the room she sees Akito leaning on his desk and facing a man looking to be in his late thirties sitting in one of the chairs in front of him.
"I told them, I told them going to a hospital would only result in their deaths," the man named Mr. Takaya was muttering loud enough for her to hear him.
"Sir, if you had brought them to us about a month ago there would have been a chance to save them." Akito sighs looking up to see Haruhi standing in the doorway."Oh Fujioka-san please come in and have a seat. "Smiling and gesturing to a chair beside his desk.
"I apologize for interrupting Ootori-san, sir" she bow, before sitting down.
"Not a problem Kyoya called ahead to say you were coming." Akito smiles at her
"Who is this girl?" Mr. Takaya asks with anger in his voice. Haruhi realizes that this man isn't exactly in his right state of mind at the moment and wonders if Ootori-san notices it too.
"Relax sir, Fujioka-san is harmless I assure you. She's my younger brother's lover…oh excuse me I mean his girlfriend." He laughs, when Haruhi glares at him. "Now again Mr. Takaya I'm afraid all I can do is offer my condolences."
"This is a hospital ain't it? Why couldn't you save the two of them?" he asks
"There was absolutely nothing we could do for either of them." Akito sighs tired of having to repeat himself and turning around to look through some files on his desk.
"Bring them back, I want you to bring back my wife and daughter." He snaps quietly. Haruhi notices him put his hand in his pocket and pull out something she couldn't see.
"Um, Ootori-san," She mutters starting to stand up.
"Not now Fujioka-san," Akito tells her still looking for a file on his desk, as she watches Mr. Takaya begin to lunge towards him.
"But Ootori-san-,"
"I'll get to you in a minute Fujioka-san," he assures her looking over to see her panic stricken face, as she finally sees that Mr. Takaya was holding a knife. "Fujioka-san what-?"
"Akito you dumbass move," she practically screams running over to him and knocking him out of Mr. Takaya's path. She was suddenly faced with a huge amount of pain coursing throughout her body and the feeling of losing conciseness quickly as she falls to the floor.
"F, Fujioka-san" she hears Akito's panicked voice, as a pair of arms manages to pick her up. "Fujioka-san…Haruhi," he says only reminding her of Kyoya.
"Kyoya, I'm sorry…I couldn't keep my p…promise to you-"she manages to say before her world went black.
Wow I did not mean for this update to take this long. It actually had nothing to do with writer's block this time I've just been traveling a lot the past what two weeks now and haven't been able to get the draft on my computer. Sorry this took so long, but I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm not going anywhere for awhile so I can write and the next chapter should be up in hopefully a few days, again sorry for how late it was and hope you enjoyed this chapter. xD