Haruhi quickly bit her tongue and instantly regretted it. She looked away, avoiding anyone's searching eyes. She shut her eyes, trying harder to block away the images that were again slowly invading her mind. She had tried so hard to shut all of these memories away, but today of all days, it somehow managed to crawl back out of the deepest corners of her mind.

"H-Haruhi," Tamaki stammered, struggling to digest her sudden outburst. "Oi, Haruhi. What are you talking about?"

Haruhi knew that just with just those three words her life now would take on a different course. It took only three words from her own lips for them to tense up and to shake the world.

Kyouya stood up and threw away his self-restraint and composure. He was done trying to hold himself back. He was taking off his mask.

He walked towards Haruhi and as he as he drew closer, he noticed that her entire body was trembling like a leaf. Kyouya took off his blazer and smoothly wrapped it around her, shielding her face and trembling self from everyone.

So it's true.

"Tamaki," Kyouya said, his voice hard and authoritative. "We're bringing her to my place. I'm to have the best guards surround my estate and I'd prefer to have two will never leave her side. But there are only so few that I even trust with my life, let alone Haruhi's. Mori, Hunny-senpai, I understand that both of you - "

Mori stood up. "Say no more, Kyouya," his deep voice rolled off his tongue. "I'll stay with her. Hunny has an important conference with United Nations the following weeks. He won't be available."

Hunny nodded his head in agreement.

If everyone was taken aback by his long speech, they didn't show it. For once, he spoke on behalf of Hunny. Kyouya eyes his intent suspiciously. He'd be in a pinch if Mori also developed feelings for her. He was already debating with himself whether he was willing to forsake his friendship with Tamaki for Haruhi. Kyouya turned to look at Haruhi who remained silent, her body calming down, and his eyes softened.

Friendship?

Where were we all these years when Haruhi suffered?

Kyouya felt ashamed of himself.

"Kaoru, Hikaru," Kyouya said. "See to it if you have any contacts in New York who has the 'entire package'."

Kaoru and Hikaru stood up and saluted to him. "Aye, Sir!" The entire package meant a new place, new identity, a job and most importantly, security. A term, they had specially coined whenever Kyouya headed somewhere else in search for Haruhi. He'd occasionally search for her whenever he had the chance and he'd prefer to do it in secrecy. His business competitors, not to mention his enemies who were out for his blood would have a field day is they found out any of his weaknesses, whatever they could get their hands on.

Now, Kyouya's biggest weakness was standing right in front of him. And he didn't want her to get away.

"Haruhi," Kyouya said gently. "Let's go."

Haruhi snapped back to reality and winced at his reaching hand. "It's fine. I'll be okay by myself. I've been alright for the past – " She started, like she had rehearsed the answer before.

"Haruhi," Tamaki cut her off before Kyouya could. He ran his fingers through his hair. "You were supposed to rely on us. We're your friends."

"I know you are. All of you are my friends," Haruhi replied, softly. "It was because of that, that I didn't want to tell you."

Hikaru made his way towards Haruhi and grabbed her by her shoulders. "Bul$*it! We're so angry right now that you didn't depend on us! That's what friends are for!"

"Hi. Ka. Ru," Kyouya said darkly. "Let. Her. Go."

Hikaru did and he scratched his head with frustration. "It was just like at the beach. Dammit!" Hikaru cursed.

Kyouya wrapped his arms around Haruhi. "We're leaving now." Kyouya took out his phone with one hand and pressed speed dial, muttered a few orders and guided Haruhi out of the restaurant. "Haruhi," Kyouya said softly. "You're going to be alright." Kyouya was going to make sure of it.

Haruhi squeezed in between Kyouya and Mori, in a car dead with silence. The air in the back was tense and an unspoken question was left dangling in the air, just waiting for to be spoken. Haruhi knew this. She wasn't dumb, but she was hesitant on revealing everything to them. She wanted them to know because she understood that they had a right to know.

Information was valuable and meaningful when it had the ability to quench one's thirst for an answer to a question. The answer itself may have negative consequences, but the mind, the heart are finally on par with the end objective of quenching this thirst. The body would listen and thrive to exert efforts to relinquish one of the heavy burden of curiosity that was both a source of motivation and also an anchor to one's emotions.

This curiosity can consume you.

Haruhi glanced at Kyouya. He looked like a person that would allow such curiosity to consume him, especially if there lay material benefits ahead. But Haruhi also understood that Kyouya had an inherent kindness that he shielded from others. If Kyouya revealed to others that he even had basic morales, he would be taken advantage of, perceived as naïve and incompetent in the capitalistic world of business.

What intrigued Haruhi was the active effort that Kyouya was willing to exert to ensure her safety. Was there a hidden moral stance in these actions? Were there material benefits that lay ahead if he successfully solved the mystery of her disappearance?

No, it was probably just curiosity.

Haruhi was content with her own musings and conclusion.

Kyouya glanced at Haruhi and caught her staring at him intensely. He raised an eyebrow. Haruhi blushed and quickly looked away. Haruhi cleared her throat.

"How much further until we get there?" she asked breaking the silence.

Kyouya hid a smirk. She blushed. Oh, what a cute blush it was. He stole a glance at her again and saw that her cheeks were still a shade of light pink. Kyouya enjoyed having this effect on her and thought of the possible coming days where he'd enjoy trying to find ways to make her blush again.

The mere thought of these plans excited him.

He couldn't wait.

"We're almost there," Kyouya said. "I had the driver take us to a different route in case someone was following us."

"Haruhi," Mori spoke up. "Once the car stops, I want you to wring your arms around my neck."

Kyouya opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it. It was probably for her safety after all.

Probably.

"I don't think that's necessary," Haruhi said.

Mori didn't reply; he just looked at her, his eyes darkening, as if he was rejecting any form of protest from her.

Haruhi sighed. "Okay." Mori's cold expression changed instantly to one of relief.

"I'll carry you inside," he said curtly.

The car came to a halt. Haruhi took a deep breath and reached up to put her arms around Mori's neck, the blazer still covering her head and body. In the midst of her inhaling, she took in the scent of his cologne. It smelled like… him. Haruhi wrapped her arms around his neck tighter, careful not to fall, as he lifted her body effortlessly when he stepped out of the car. Kyouya followed behind.

"You smell nice," Haruhi mumbled.

Haruhi couldn't see the expression on his face, shielded by Kyouya's blazer. Mori let slip a small smile.

So do you, he thought silently to himself, allowing himself to take in Haruhi's warmth as her arms touched his bare neck, and breathed in her mild scent of vanilla and strawberries.

They stepped into the house, with one of Kyouya's guards shutting the door behind them. Kyouya stared at Mori's tall frame, his blank expression and the fact that he was still holding on to her even when they were safe inside his house.

"Mori, I think it's safe to put Haruhi down now," Kyouya said, trying again to mask his jealousy.

"I'll carry her to the guest room," Mori said.

Kyouya took his turn to glare at Mori. Kyouya's initial plan was for Haruhi to sleep in the room next to his, until he remembered that he had remodelled the house to ensure that there was a good distance between his room and anyone else's. Kyouya made a mental note to renovate his house again.

"I don't think that's necessary, Mori-senpai," Haruhi spoke up. She squirmed in Mori's arms trying to get free.

Mori gently placed her on her feet. "As you say," he said.

Kyouya quietly rejoiced at her stubbornness.

Haruhi took of Kyouya's blazer and handed it back to Kyouya. "Thank you," Haruhi politely said. "So, urm... where is the guest room? I suppose from this point on, I don't have much of a say in my daily routine or life anymore?"

Kyouya shifted uncomfortably, understanding very well that Haruhi wouldn't be pleased with idea of her freedom being restricted. "Until we catch the culprit," he answered shortly. And who knows when that will be?

Haruhi sighed.

Kyouya started ascending the majestic staircase. "Come Haruhi. I'll show you to your guest room."