AN: Hello, Hello! Sorry this was so late, I wanted to make it really good. I ended up working on this chapter more than the others. I also have CH 6 ALMOST complete. I just need to add a bit more. Hopefully, I can get it up at the very latest on Monday. (My sister is graduating from High School so it's going to be a busy weekend).

I wanted to say Thank You to the two people who reviewed (A 'GUEST' & KiyUzumaki), you guys are great. You two made my day! Like seriously, I had a goofy smile on my face for the rest of the day. ^.^

Well...on to the story I suppose!

An Unpleasant Meeting

Rosalia followed her parents slowly, her ivory colored high heels clicking on the tiled floor. The young girl wore a blank expression, trying her best to hide the annoyance that was raging inside her mind. She had only landed in Japan a few hours ago, but her parents were already pushing her to officially meet the Ootori family, specifically Kyoya.

A sigh escaped her lips. All she wanted to do was relax. She was exhausted from the flight. The last thing she wanted to do was entertain some boy she had absolutely zero interest in romantically.

A sudden movement in the corner of Rosalia's left eye caught her attention. She swirled in the direction, her green eyes locking with the eyes of her reflection. Rosalia tilted her head, taking in her image in the body length mirror. The teen's hair was pulled up in a pony-tail of sorts, the soft curls falling behind her shoulders like an ebony curtain. Shorter strands of hair framed either side of her face. Her large green eyes, framed by her long dark lashes, were bright against her porcelain skin. The young teen wore an elegant champagne colored dress, adorned with lace, which flowed to the floor.

The girl sighed at her made up appearance. She hated having to dress up for somebody else. She flicked the silver locket that dangled from her neck, a bored expression crossing her face. The sooner this meeting started, the sooner she could start messing with her wonderful fiancé's life. If this merger was going to happen, she was going to make sure they'd hit a plenty of bumps along the way. She would give this Ootori boy hell. He would certainly be determined to call of the marriage. An evil look of determination crossed her face, before she hid the emotion under a pleasant mask. Crossing the hall the girl followed her parents into the meeting room.

Rosalia's eyes locked on to the brownish-grey eyes of the teen that rose from his seat. She gritted her teeth in annoyance, angry at the sight of the other's emotional expression. It was as if he didn't even care about the situation he was being forced into, he was just willing to follow orders like a trained puppy.

In truth Rosalia was angry with herself. She didn't want to be forced into this situation, she wanted to be free, but she was too afraid to do anything. She was powerless to stand on her own. Short of running away and bringing shame to her family, the girl just didn't know what to do. She felt stuck, powerless; her way of life had conditioned her to be reliant on those around her.

She clenched her fist, nails digging into the palm of her hand to leave little crescent shaped imprints. She felt pathetic. Too afraid to run away and face the world on her own; too afraid to speak up and declare her refusal to this engagement, and possibly be disowned by her family.

Following the orders of her parents was the only thing she knew in life; it was the script written for the children of her world.

The girl slowly released her breath; trying to calm down the tempest that tore away at her insides.

"Miss Altimari?"

Rosalia glanced up, slightly surprised, she had been so in tuned to her thoughts that she ended up blocking out the outside world. The Ootori boy was now standing directly in front of her, instead of meeting his eyes she focused on the hand that was extended to her, untaken, hanging awkwardly in the air.

Reluctantly she reached for it, placing her small hand in his larger one. A familiar feeling of warmth bloomed in her chest. She wrinkled her nose in confusion, before dismissing the feeling. Surely, it was just embarrassment from being caught in the act of daydreaming.

"It's a pleasure to meet you…" Kyoya trailed off, as if he wished to say more.

"Likewise," Rosalia mumbled, trying to convey her disinterest.

Rosalia allowed the dark haired teen to lead her to the table, murmuring a 'thank you' when he pulled her chair out.

Finally, the dinner was beginning. Rosalia forced herself to be pleasant, answering Mr. Ootori's questions politely. She could feel the scrutinizing glances of her parents, watching her every move, warning her to be on her best behavior.

"There is no need to be nervous about starting school at Ouran. Kyoya can show you around before classes," Mr. Ootori said, addressing the young girl before turning his attention to her father, "Mercello, the Ootori family will take care of your daughter while you finish your business in Italy."

Rosalia began to tune the adults out, as their conversation turned to business. She really didn't care for the boring details they would be sharing. Her eyes drifted around the room, before focusing on the window watching the scenery outside.

"Miss Altimari," Kyoya called out her name, wanting to start a conversation, but feeling awkward.

Rosalia glanced at the Ootori boy, "Yes, Mr. Ootori?"

For a moment her eyes locked with his, catching a strange emotion before it was swallowed by the coldness of his gaze.

"If you need help with your school work, I can tutor you until you're able to catch up with the language."

"As you can see, I can speak Japanese fairly well. I doubt I'll struggle with the school work."

"Still…It will be tough transitioning into a different culture."

"I can manage on my own Ootori. I don't need your help." Rosalia sat her chopsticks down, locking eye contact with the teen, "I don't want your help." Rosalia said quietly, so that only Kyoya would hear. The last thing she needed was to have the adults over hear this conversation.

Kyoya sighed, "They expect us to talk. I'm just making small talk."

Rosalia glanced back at the teen, scrutinizing him with her gaze. He seemed different than the time she had met him in disguise. She felt like there was something eluding her, something he was trying to hide. His current self didn't match up with the one she had met on her escapades. The other one was more detached. . . .Cold.

"Well, I don't really care to have a conversation with you. I'm busy trying to eat." She picked up the chopsticks once again, holding the small wooden sticks awkwardly.

"That's not the correct way to hold chopsticks."

"I know that." Rosalia growled lowly, "But, it's how I hold them. Besides . . . It works."

"Look," Kyoya offered a plain view of his chopsticks, "You have to position your fingers like this…"

"Shut up," Rosalia clumsily handled her chopsticks… "I got this; I don't need your advice." Rosalia concentrated on picking up the slices of meat with her chopsticks; she refused to admit to defeat. For some reason it was much easier to eat ramen with these stupid utensils. Maybe that was because eating ramen involved more slurping and less manners. If Rosalia didn't think she would be chastised by her parents, she would stab the meat with the chopsticks. Surely, that would work. But, stabbing your food is not proper and lady like. Rosalia rolled her eyes.

"You can request a fork. I'll call the waiter over." Kyoya tried once again to get his future fiancée's attention.

"No."

Despite the young man's efforts, Rosalia continued to give her bare minimum of attention to the Ootori boy. She would respond to what he said, but refused to be pulled into a deep conversation. Her parents couldn't get onto her for being rude; after all she was talking to the boy. For all they knew she could be shy.

Rosalia was all too glad to get this dinner over with, even refusing desert on the account of being too full.

She bid her farewells to Kyoya's father, before walking off some distance to wait for her parents. Of course Kyoya had insisted on accompanying her and they now stood in silence just a short distance away from the adults.

"There no way out of this engagement. My father won't change his mind so easily. At the very least you could make our encounters bearable, I'm trying to be nice after all."

Rosalia glared at the taller teen, "There is nothing bearable about our situation. We're not right for each other and you know it. Now if you'll excuse me, I must use the lady's room." The girl turned swiftly, her heels clicking on the tiled floor as she made her way to the bathroom. At least she could be alone there.

Rosalia collapsed onto the queen sized bed in her new room, clutching her bath robe tightly around her. Her green eyes drifted towards the window, catching a glimpse at the night sky through the parted blue velvet curtains.

I suppose it's the same sky…

Rosalia sighed. It felt different. Her whole life was being uprooted, and it felt far from pleasant. She felt trapped. Like a princess in a fairy tale who is locked away from everything familiar. She even had the body guards who acted as the evil trolls to keep her locked away. Except in her story, there was no prince to save her. She was destined to face the evils of the world alone.

She rolled over onto her stomach, burying her face in her pillows. Princess…yeah right. A princess would be able to demanded freedom. I'm just a puppet, wishing to be a real person.