Lost in the Dark
By Meganes Ultimate Fangirl
Chapter 7 - Trust
"Who is she really?" Akito asked as soon as they were a good ways down the hall. "I know she isn't your lover or girlfriend or whatever. So who is she?"
Kyoya suppressed a growl. His siblings always had to pry into his life didn't they? It didn't matter that he was technically no threat whatsoever to his brothers chances at the throne. They still pried into every single detail. And Fuyumi, she just pushed her way in. She always had good intentions though. Unlike Yuiichi and Akito.
"Stay out of it," he grunted softly.
"She isn't another one of your saved-from-certain-death special cases is she?"
"I said stay out of it."
"You know Father doesn't approve of you saving those damn soldiers. They deserve to die!"
"When was the last time you heard about a female soldier, Akito? Hmm?" he retorted sharply. His older brother was silent next to him. "Exactly. Never. She's not a soldier."
"Who is she then? Must be a commoner. Women of our class don't dress like that. It makes her slightly less appealing, but she seems to be a great girl."
Kyoya resisted the urge to roll his eyes. That was just Akito. Judging women by their looks. If he was given then chance he'd probably sleep with Hanaru then throw her away. Disgusting. Though, it was doubtful that she would ever allow him that. "She's not a commoner. Daughter of a lesser aristocrat."
"Oh? Setting your standards a bit lower nowadays?"
"Considering who you were with the last few days when you should have been with your wife, I'd watch your mouth. Wouldn't want Uherfa to find out about it, now would you?" Akito fell silent and Kyoya had to hold back a smirk at his brilliant success at quieting his brother.
There weren't any comments on Hanaru for the remainder of the walk to their father's chambers.
–
"Father," the two boys murmured, nodding their heads as they entered their room. Their eldest brother was already present, standing in front of their father who was sitting on his bed. "Yuiichi."
"Akito," Yoshio said, crossing his legs, "Has the Heantser Korma been notified of the plan?"
Kyoya stiffened slightly at the very mention of 'the plan' that would kill so many people. He was completely against it. He may have wanted Nari to come out of this war on top. But rendering a country completely powerless by murdering what would probably be about 10 families, wasn't the way to do it.
"Yes Father," Akito replied softly, "He's been informed and it's been set to take place on my command, after you've given the 'Ok' of course."
"And he's aware that means that they must wipe out all the families?"
"Yes. When the assassins come back home, there won't be a bit of royal Kiran blood left in that godforsaken country."
The youngest Ohtori suppressed a growl of disapproval, making it out to be a soft grunt instead. Yoshio's eyes were drawn to him after a second of staying on Akito. "Something wrong, Kyoya?" he asked softly, gaze piercing his youngest son.
He stared back at his father coldly. "I still don't agree with this strategy, Father," he admitted quietly after a short silence. Akito glared at him while Yuiichi smiled and shook his head. Yoshio merely rose a single elegant eyebrow. "What are you going to do with the country once the royal court and family are dead? The people won't take kindly to a change in ruling. You can't wipe out an entire race."
"We wiped out Mora before," Akito growled off to his side. Kyoya paid him no mind.
"There has to be a diplomatic solution. Kira's taking high hits. And now that we have some of their land, maybe we can use that to get them to surrender."
Yuiichi stayed quiet, though he had a thoughtful look on his face. Their father merely regarded his third son with a look of apathy. He was quiet for the longest time. Then he spoke, "There are ways to getting people of unwilling countries to cooperate." Kyoya really wanted to glower at the Narian King. He kept a level head though and his face stayed carefully expressionless. "Akito, two and a half weeks from now send the order. That should give time to get a big enough force to take over Katari. Yuiichi, you'll work to get the force together. Kyoya-"
"I request not to have any part in this. I'll continue my duties in the dungeon but I want no part in putting this plan to action," he interrupted quickly.
Yoshio looked at him. "Of course. I'll still require the information that you acquire though. And that spy of yours?"
Both Akito and Yuiichi glanced at him, varying amounts of surprise on either of their faces. Kyoya smirked to himself. "He's returned with some rather interesting information. Shall I drop by to share it with you later?"
Yoshio nodded, his own lips tugging upward slightly. "You're dismissed," he murmured, standing to stride to his closet. All three sons turned to leave. "Except you, Kyoya." The youngest of the three froze and turned back around right at the door. His brothers stayed on route, shutting the door behind them. "What did your spy find?"
"Plans in the Kiran Prince's chambers. Chances are that they'll be used sometime in the near future. He drew them out on a map for me. He isn't that high of a rank but he seems to get information easily enough. Close friend to the Prince too."
"You're sure that he's not about to betray us because of that fact?"
A smirk that closely resembled a smile found it's way onto Kyoya's face. "When he returned to Kira, I had him tailed by another spy. He's confirmed all the plans that Fujinara's given us."
Yoshio's face lit up in a smirk of his own. "Good job. Make sure you keep that tail on him until you can confirm that betrayal isn't likely."
"Yes, Father," Kyoya muttered. He took the words as dismissal and turned on his heel.
–
Hanaru was curled up on his bed asleep when he entered. Unfortunately, someone else was also waiting for him. "Yuiichi," he acknowledged quietly as to not wake the dozing girl.
"When are you planning to tell Uherfa that Kiran is your spy?" his eldest Ohtori son asked softly, gazing at his younger brother. "And don't try to deny it."
"She didn't even want anyone to know that she's a girl, Yuiichi," Kyoya muttered, "Of course, all three of us knew on first sight. No one over there knows."
"Doesn't that tell you something then? She's hiding something. And it isn't her gender."
"I know that. I'm trying to uncover it. Just leave it to me. I'll take care of it. And she knows that if she betrays me, I won't hesitate to kill her."
Yuiichi licked his lips dryly. "I assume you don't want Akito or Uherfa to know?"
"For the time being."
"Secret's safe with me. Don't expect me to cover your ass for you if you get yourself deep in a hole though."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Yuiichi strode toward the door, pausing momentarily once he had reached it. "One more thing, Kyoya," he said with surprising gentleness. "Don't fall in love with her. Spies are a bad kind of person to get involved with emotionally."
Kyoya bobbed his head in acknowledgment. Once the door was safely shut for a few moments, he spoke to the woman lying on his bed. "How long have you been awake and did anyone else come in?"
"I was never asleep," she muttered in reply, sitting up and stretching her arms above her head. "This is a very comfortable bed though. I was tempted." He gave her a half-glare of a pointed look. She returned it with a sheepish one of her own. "Your other brother popped his head in. He... frightens me. Just something about the way that he looks at me." A slight shiver ran down her back.
"That fright is probably justified," he grunted under his breath to himself. She gave him a questioning look but he shook his head.
"Prince... Prince Yuiichi won't tell will he?" she asked, honestly not wanting this to get any farther than it already had.
"Yuiichi's a faithful husband and has a 5-year-old daughter. I can't say the same for Akito. If I had to trust one of their word over the other, it would be Yuiichi's. He won't tell, Hanaru. Don't worry. Though I'd love to know how he found out."
She shrugged, biting her lip with slight worry. "Alright," she mumbled at last, standing. "I'm... going to have to keep up the appearance of being your lover aren't I?"
Kyoya closed his eyes and nodded. "Unfortunately. It should be rather painless though. Akito and my father are the only ones that you have to put up an act around. For the sake of said act. I need to call you something besides your name around them."
She crinkled her nose at the suggestion. Another name for her to memorize. Great. As if she didn't have enough of those already. "Have you come up with one?"
"I was hoping you'd have one actually. I can always borrow the last name of an aristocrat that isn't well known. The first name would be the problem though."
She bit her lip. She had a name. The perfect name in fact. And she wouldn't have to memorize another name if she used it. But giving it to him could be a dangerous move, depending on how rare said name was. "You could... call me Haruhi," she said at last, keeping her eyes trained on her hands in her lap.
She missed the flash that crossed his eyes at the mention of it. "That... would work," he replied, sounding thoughtful. When Haruhi looked up the flash was gone. "Haruhi it is. Now, unless you'd prefer to sleep with me tonight, I suggest that you head back to your own chambers."
She moved her gaze to the floor as she stood and moved toward the door. "Goodnight, Vyro Inesshig."
"Goodnight, Haruhi. And if Akito tries anything, tell me." She nodded and continued on her way.
Once she was gone, he sat down and thought. Haruhi. Why did that name sound so damn familiar?
And why the hell was he protecting her so thoroughly?
–
Haruhi walked down the hall away from Kyoya's chambers very slowly, rethinking the conversation that she'd eavesdropped on. Two and a half weeks until Nari attempted to murder the entire Kiran royal court. That included her father, the twins'parents, Tamaki, and King Yuzuru.
Kyoya was the only royal Narian male that was against it. If she had to trust anyone, it would have to be him. As much as she didn't want to.
He bothered her.
It bothered her that he seemed to know everything about her just by looking at her.
It bothered her that he could threaten her life with his eyes as cold as ice and she wouldn't have the slightest clue if he was serious or not.
It bothered her that everything he knew, he had found out simply by being allowed to think.
And most of all it bothered her that he could easily find out she was the Moradian Princess if she didn't watch every aspect of what she and he did.
She obviously had to tell the Kiran army about this plan. And if the time-line that was set up the way the Narian King had commanded it be, then she was going to get home just in time to stop it from killing everyone.
It would bring an end to the war. But Kyoya was right. There had to be a diplomatic solution. And one that didn't end the lives of everyone important to her.
–
The name was still bothering Kyoya the next day when he woke up, surprisingly earlier than he normally would. Haruhi sounded like such a familiar name to him. But he couldn't pinpoint where exactly. He pulled himself out of bed slowly, stretching his muscles. Something told him that the name was connected to whatever secret she was hiding from him.
Maybe it was a historical reference? Perhaps that was why it was so familiar. He made a mental note to check history books in his father's library when he got the chance. That would possibly give a clue.
He could question her as he had before about her gender. He almost smirked at the memory of her trying to squirm out of his grasp. That had been entertaining. It made it obvious that she wasn't completely trustworthy as well.
She had been an unexpected surprise when she had shown up in the dungeon, awaiting to be tortured until her untimely demise. He wouldn't have saved her if she wasn't such an anomaly.
He rubbed his eyes with one hand and reached for his glasses with the other. He thought that it was about time to go ask a few more questions of his 'dear lover.' But first, a trip to his father's library.
–
Haruhi was on her way to Kyoya's room, lost in thought, and only vaguely paying attention to where she was going. So lost in thought that she didn't notice the dark-haired 26-year-old Prince heading her way until he had grabbed her wrist. She shot a glare his way but he just grinned charmingly – or what she guessed was supposed to be. "Vyro Inesshig, I'd appreciate it if you'd let go of me," she said hotly.
Akito smirked. "Fiery temper. Now I see what Kyoya likes about you." He carefully backed her against the wall. She closed her eyes. What was it that made Narian Princes want to seduce her? Something in the water perhaps?
"This is highly inappropriate, Prince Akito," she murmured strictly, sounding as pissed as she was while her chest wretched inside.
"It's not if he doesn't find out about it."
Her mouth fell open. "You don't want to do this," she warned softly, eyes blazing angrily. Really. This was ridiculous. This man who was at least five years older than her and married. Sickening. Absolutely sickening.
He moved in.
Haruhi reacted quickly, something she hadn't done with Kyoya since she'd been in shock. She jerked her head to the side, causing his lips to collide with the wall next to her head instead of her own. Her knee came up swiftly between his legs. His knees gave out while she slipped behind him. Akito groaned from where he was now curled up on the ground, clutching his vital regions. "That's why you don't want to do that. Kyoya already knows this, but, being royalty gets you nowhere with me. I'll treat you just like I'd treat any man who advances on me in such a vulgar manner," she spat at him, turning on her heel and continuing on her way.
'That might not have been the smartest thing to do in my position,' she thought as she hurried down the rest of the length of hall to Kyoya's bedroom. 'Eh... He deserves it.'
She slipped into the Third Prince's chambers without knocking. And it was... empty. She sighed under her breath right as a maid wandered in tentatively, most likely to clean a bit. "Excuse me," she muttered, "Do you know where Prince Kyoya is?"
The maid looked at her in bewilderment for a moment before nodding slowly. "He's most likely in his father's library, Sir." She snorted almost comically at being called Sir. A simple maid didn't know that she was a female at first glance but three different men had. It must have just been something in the Ohtori bloodline that made it so.
"Where is that exactly?"
She opened her mouth then closed it again with a sheepish look on her face. "It's probably better if I just show you," she mumbled, looking embarrassed as she took the lead out of bedroom and back down the hall. Two staircases and 4 turns later she was standing in front of two large oak doors. "Here you are."
"Thank you," Haruhi said quietly, pushing the doors open gently. She really hoped that the King wasn't here and she'd only find Kyoya. Running into the Narian King was not part of her agenda particularly. It was nice to explore though. Felt like she was a kid being introduced to the Kiran palace again. She crept among the various bookshelves, glancing down the isles for any sign of the missing Prince.
Finally she found him bowed over a book lying on a reading desk in the very back. She tip-toed over and glanced over his shoulder. The title at the top of the page made her want to get him away from there as soon as she possibly could.
The History of Filandria: Mora
"What're you doing?" she asked innocently. He didn't even jump with surprise. Must've sensed her presence.
"Reading," he retorted lightly. He turned the page. She glanced down at the picture on it, a very familiar one. One that her father kept hidden away in their house. She had to stop herself from sucking in a breath as she quickly laid her hand over it, feigning leaning against the desk.
Her family portrait wasn't something that needed to be seen by him. Not any time soon. The sight of her mother's face had scared her enough – because Ranka was right, Haruhi did look just like Queen Kotoko.
Kyoya scowled at her hand. "Do you mind?" he asked crossly.
"Your brother tried to seduce me on my way to your bedroom," she said softly, trying desperately to distract him from what he was doing. "I took care of it. But I doubt he's very pleased at the moment. And he's probably aching pretty badly." She forced out a cough as his eyes shot to hers.
"What do you mean...?"
"I," she paused, casting her eyes to the ceiling, "Well... He sort of advanced on me. I warned him not to. Honestly, I did. But he did it anyway. So I... kicked him where it hurts?"
Kyoya sighed under his breath and pushed her hand out of the way so he could close the book, abandoning it there on the table. "Damn him. Needs to be set straight. Honestly. If he's going to be such a damn flirt then why the hell did he get married?" he growled under his breath, taking off toward the door. She followed behind him at a slightly slower place, glancing back at the book on the desk.
She knew one thing.
She couldn't let him return to what he was doing or he'd know. She paused, looking after him until he was out of sight then hurriedly picked up the book and crammed it on a random shelf about eight yards away, replacing it with a different one.
Then, only then, did she make her way back out to where Kyoya was just disappearing around a corner farther down the hall. She jogged to catch up. "Haruhi," he murmured, turning to her as he stopped outside what she assumed to be Akito's bedroom, "Go to my chambers and wait for me there." She nodded and left him.
After that Akito didn't bother with her much anymore.
–
It wasn't until days later that Kyoya actually got around to questioning her. "Why did you choose the name Haruhi?"
She shrugged nonchalantly, trying to hide her inner-distress at this particular topic emerging so quickly. Thank God she'd hidden that book in the King's library 4 days ago. "It's a pretty name," she mumbled, suddenly becoming very interested in her fingernails.
"No," he said quickly, standing to stride over and stand in front of her, "Oh no. Don't you even try that on me. You don't choose something just because it's 'pretty,' Hanaru."
Her eyes shot up to meet his while narrowing at the same time. "And how would you know? With all due respect, Your Highness, you've barely even known me for a month. Don't try telling me what I would and wouldn't do. Don't tell me who I am."
"Really," he grunted, "Then tell me. Who are you?"
She blinked a few times, staring at him. "Hanaru Fujinara," she stated carefully.
"You know what I mean. Who are you as a person?"
Her eyes never left his. This was a surprising question, to say the least. Before it was just about learning about her past. Whether she was trustworthy as a Narian spy. He'd never asked something about herself as a person. "I..." she paused and closed her eyes. May as well tell him something that his reaction might give her a clue as to whether he was trustworthy or not. "My father is part of the royal court. One of my closest friends is the Kiran Prince, who believes I'm male. Four other close friends are also part of three families that are part of the royal court."
"That... doesn't answer my question..."
"I'm getting to that," she half-snapped at him, "If anyone were to try to hurt them. I'd do anything in my power to stop it. My father in particular. So, I have to warn you. If you or anyone in your family does something that would put my father in danger, I won't hesitate to put a stop to it."
His eyebrows shot up. "You know that would get you killed right?"
"You won't kill me."
"You're just trying to convince yourself of that. Don't be mistaken, Hanaru. You're a special case. But even my special cases don't get special treatment when it comes to punishment." His voice, and eyes, were cold as ice. She suppressed a shiver as she stared at him.
So he was against the plan, but he'd still kill her if she put a stop to it. Lovely. That just put her between a rock and a hard place. She was loyal to Kyoya. She was. But she was also incredibly loyal to her friends and family back in Kira. Asking her to choose between those loyalties...
"What're you thinking about?"
She shook her head and raised her gaze from where it had slowly wandered to the floor. "Sorry, what?"
"What. Are. You. Thinking. About?"
She sighed and let herself fall back onto the bed she was sitting on. Her eyes roved the ceiling. "Nothing," she mumbled. 'Just how I'm probably going to end up dead for betraying you.'
"Doesn't look like nothing."
"It's nothing, Vryo Inesshig." Then a thought occurred to her after a memory flashed through her head.
"And he's aware that means that they must wipe out all the families?"
"Yes. When the assassins come back home, there won't be a bit of royal Kiran blood left in that godforsaken country."
She blinked a few times and sat straight up, ramrod straight. If they were meaning to kill all the families of the royal court and all family members. That meant that, if the assassins that were being sent over there succeeded, she would never be coming back here. Kyoya looked at her with raised eyebrows while she muttered to herself, quietly enough that he couldn't hear, "I... have to tell or I'll die."
"Pardon?" he asked. She looked up at him and shook her head. "You can't tell me it's nothing, Hanaru."
"I can too." 'Thank God he can't read minds.' "There's nothing stopping me from saying it's nothing."
"But it's not nothing."
"I'm sad to say, or not actually, that I'm not telling you. Just as I'm not going to tell you the last secret that I have."
He glared at her. "I will torture you."
"Do it then. I'm. Not. Telling."
He growled under his breath but let her be, just as she thought he would. Kyoya was a kind person underneath all that cold exterior, she was positive of it. All she had to do was access that kinder side of him and it would keep her safe. "You have to trust me," he muttered finally.
"I don't have to," she replied softly, "It'd be nice to be able to trust you completely. But I can't. I can hardly even trust myself with this." God. She really was going to have to betray him. Her stomach churned apprehensively. There was still a week left until she had to go back to Kira. In that time, she had to make sure that he didn't know who she was. "Would you... Would you be too incredibly mad if I betrayed your family even when you didn't approve of what was being done yourself?"
Something flashed in his eyes. She didn't get a look at it before it disappeared but somehow it just made her feel sicker. "Depends. What are you planning on telling Kira, Hanaru?"
"I'm talking hypothetically."
"Still depends," he said with an air of thoughtfulness, "If I didn't approve of it in the first place and you had good reasons, I'd probably spare you." He still seemed suspicious though.
Well... At least that was good to know. And maybe, just maybe, she could put a bit of trust in him now.
"However," he added softly, "I'd advise against doing anything of the sort. My father is not a forgiving man. Nor is Akito. Yuiichi has his moments but he can be quite cruel at times too. Do yourself a favor and don't do anything rash."
She sighed. 'Too late for that, Kyoya.'
–
A/N: Filandria = The world they live in. I came up with a name for it. Yaaaaay~
How many identities does Haruhi have now? Lessee. 1. Princess. 2. Kiran spy. 3. Narian spy. 4. Kyoya's lover. Lucky her. She's in a... very... interesting... position. Don't you think? Notice that she's also starting to grow an attachment to a certain Narian bastard. (Said with much love.)
Kudos to: BlackestNight BrightestDay, 43ver, Koharu Veddette, Enigmaticrose4 and Moonstarr394!
I had this finished for days... But my email was being stupid and wouldn't let me attach the documents to send to Koharu. So... It's late. Sorrrrrrry~ I really wanted to have it up. I blame my obnoxiously slow internet connection as of late.