Pumpkin had the worst time sleeping, to the point where when morning came around, she had such little sleep there were bags under her eyes. But the restlessness prevented her from getting any proper relaxation. "Damnit." She whined to herself as she struggled with zipping up her school uniform. Would they complain if she marked it with a big red A? Maybe she'd dye her hair. Or best yet, transfer to a commoner school. No one would know, and she could get a fresh new start! Staring at herself in the mirror, she had to remind herself why she was going to this place to begin with. Right, daddy's sayso. Grumbling to herself, she grabbed the back of her hair and twisted it up into a clip so it spiked behind her head. She looked like a purple pineapple. "Damnit!" Pulling it down quickly, she brushed it straight like how Hikaru and Kaoru had, but now she looked like a 20-something year old. "Whatever. It's not like I can just change my hairstyle and magically change what happened last night." She said to the mirror. Her reflection's eyes stared back, blankly. "Duh! More eyeliner!" Grabbing her makeup bag, she yanked out the liquid eyeliner and generously brushed on those wings at the sides of her eyes. If anyone could see them clearly behind her bangs, they'd swear she'd start flying away at any moment. "Perfect." Sliding on a darker shade of red lipstick, she puckered her lips and popped them before heading out, bag over her shoulder. "Oh damnit." She muttered again, seeing Mori's limo out front. "Just like clockwork." By the time she got to the gate, his driver had already opened the door for her. "Thanks." She said in an almost sarcastic tone.

"Good morning." Mori seemed to have a slight smile today.

It pissed her off. "Yea, morning." She slid in next to him as the door closed. But- he was smirking, did he know about last night? Did Kyouya tell him? That glasses bastard probably told them all! Oh God, how the hell was she supposed to deal with that? Leaning forward, she stared hard at the floor.

"Pumpkin?" He sounded concerned as he placed a gentle hand on her back.

"What!" She shrieked, whipping her head around to stare at him, jumping at his touch. He seemed concerned, not accusatory. "S-sorry, you- startled me."

"Mh." His hand retracted. "Sometimes it's good, to evaluate your issues from a far away point."

"What?" Was he speaking in metaphors?

"Take a step back, then maybe you can correctly see what needs fixed in your situation."

What the- how the heck was that supposed to make any sense? She sweat-dropped. "Thanks, Confucius-senpai, but I think I'll be alright." Sighing heavily, her eyes closed. "I'm just really tired." That wasn't a lie at least.

"Is that why you put on so much makeup? To hide that you were up all night?"

No. It's because I had a run-in with Ohtori-san and I want to run away from the situation, and him, in embarrassment. "Eh.. y-yea."

"You work too hard. Perhaps you should take today off from school."

"That won't solve my problems. B-better to deal with them now than later, right? That way it's out of the way and another hurdle leaped. Right?" She smiled at him as though he were a customer at the Host Club, her response being similar to something she'd say if she were serving him.

"Hm." He replied simply, smiling in return. Was he just being polite and could see right through her, or did he believe her? Was asking 'right' like that too obvious, as though she were seeking affirmation? "You'll be alright, Pumpkin. No matter what. We'll still be here, we're your friends. Mitsukuni told me what happened yesterday."

Shit! That meant Kyouya told Hani and Hani told Mori! Oh God oh God oh God.

"H-he did, huh?"

Mori nodded. "He also said he was going to kill Kasanoda."

"O-Oh! No, I don't think he's at fault, either. Bossanova-chii's a pretty sincere guy."

"I already said that wouldn't happen. Kasanoda is safe."

She exhaled in relief. So maybe Glasses didn't tell them about the incident with her last night. Her door opening caught her attention and she jumped slightly. "Oh! Mori-senpai." She looked over at him. "I'm sorry about before. T-the kiss thing. I hope you didn't read too much in to it. Gomen!" With that she bounded out of the car and left them there in a stone-shock, broken hearted heap.

-x-

As she neared her classroom, her heart slowly began to pound harder and harder in her ears. Would Kyouya arrive today? Would he say anything? If he did, how was she supposed to reply? "Oh hey man, no biggie." And shrug, giving him a fist bump? Oh God she was imagining weird things again. What if he.. he touched her leg or something during class? No, their desks were far enough apart people would notice, and besides it was out of character for him.

"You're blocking the way."

She stood there a good second before jumping out of her skin. Apparently she'd walked up to the classroom door and was just standing there with her hand on the knob. "Sorry!" Turning quickly, she saw it was none other than Kyouya, looking pissed off and- about as tired as she felt. Averting her eyes quickly, she took a step back and let him enter. "Salutations, and good morrow to ye!" What the fuck was that? Was she going insane? Smacking her hand to her face, she almost bolted down the hallway.

"Aye, aye! Salutations to you too, Madame Pumpkin!" Tamaki's excited voice next to her made her jump again.

"Gah!" Her heart leaped into her ears.

"Are we participating in thine olde speecheth today?"

"Uh.. n-no?" She sweat-dropped, hard.

"Nay! Today be-eth a day for olde world style in the club, hm? Hm?" He seemed really excited for that idea, his arm around her shoulders as he walked with her into the class.

"I dunno, why not ask your actual secretary over there?" She pointed to Kyouya as her shoulders slumped, walking over to her desk.

Kyouya seemed to take offense to her remark and as she tried to sit he'd kicked her chair over a little so it was off kilter.

"Hey, what the heck!" She grabbed her chair and straightened it, frowning at Kyouya, who glared up at her a moment before staring off with a glaze over his eyes, hand resting on his chin. "Watch it, Glasses." She slumped down in her chair.

"I already have."

"What was that?!"

"Hey- hey, guys- I thought we were all friends here?" Tamaki looked slightly concerned as he looked at them both.

"Stay out of it, idiot!" They called out at the same time, mirroring a glare as they stared at him.

"Gyah!" Tamaki's arm went up for a second before he huddled in his chair. "You're so mean. You two are definitely sisters!"

"Don't bring your delusional ideas of an imitation family into this!" Pumpkin screeched before slumping downward in her chair, arms crossed.

"Heh. Eheheh." Kyouya laughed softly into his hand.

"What's so funny!?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." He stared straight as the teacher entered the room and ordered everyone to be quiet.

-x-

Classes were actually difficult to pay attention in. As the day slowly inched by, thoughts of the previous night crept back into her mind, and all she could think of was Kyouya walking in on her, watching her as she touched herself in that way. Many times she had to keep her eyes glued to her notebook in hopes no one could see her reddened face. But, the idea of someone watching as she did something like that- it was what she was thinking of at the time. A public-like area with people walking by, and just stopping to watch her as she did such naughty things. Needless to say, that was just a fantasy. Actually opening her eyes to see that it had come kind of true freaked her out. And on top of that was not only her classmate, but her clubmate, and a friend. Well, she didn't know what he was now. If it were a stranger, that would be different, as she'd never have to see that person again. But this was Kyouya. Head leaning over, her forehead hit her open notebook as she silently cursed herself. If it was Tamaki he'd probably be a gentleman and just brush it off. Haruhi would have probably thought nothing of it, Hani would have probably acted dense and pretended not to know anything about it, Mori would probably demand marriage, and that made her laugh inwardly. If it were Hikaru or Kaoru.. they'd not let her hear the end of it. So why could she not fathom what Kyouya would do? Turning her head slowly on her desk so her cheek pressed against her notebook, her eyes focused on his legs and traveled up his side to his arm with an elbow on his desk, his hand holding up his chin for support. Daring herself, she looked at his face and saw his eyes were closed. Relaxing a little, she stared him a little longer. He wasn't unattractive, like, at all. Honestly she hadn't thought about any of the Host Club members as being sexually attractive to her personally. A piece of hair moved on his face, and she wanted to reach out and move it, and the idea of him waking up and freaking out made her want to laugh. Would be payback, in a way. His eyes opening didn't register in her mind for a moment until his eyes widened, cheeks turning a slight red and his head moved. "Ah-" Sitting up quickly, Pumpkin looked forward and in the process popped her neck, and loudly. It echoed through the room. "OW!" She grabbed her shoulder and hunched over.

"Sagano-san?" The teacher asked. "Do you need the infirmary?"

Testing her neck, she moved her head around. "N-no, I should be okay. Sorry for interrupting." She bowed her head.

-x-

She had to walk a good fifteen paces behind Kyouya as she wasn't brave enough to walk next to him. If I enter the Club Room right behind him, there's no way he'll charge me for being late. It was the plan, anyway. Him stopping wasn't a part of the plan, though, as she was closer to him than she'd realized and walked directly into him. "Ah!" Taking a step back, she rubbed her face. "Sorry."

"Why are you following me?" He turned around to face her, looking almost sinister.

"I'm- going to the Music Room."

"That's the other direction." He pointed.

Her shoulders slumped. "I- must have not been paying attention."

"It's important to be aware of one's surroundings." He dug his hands into his pockets as he started to walk off.

"K- Ohtori-san, wait!"

He paused, turning his head back to look at her. "Hm? Are we back to a last name basis? It seemed you were quite excited to say my first name last night."

Eyes widening, Pumpkin's face went a crimson red. "That- that was an accident!"

"Hm." The corners of his mouth went down. "Leaving a note saying you were going out?"

"I did! You were still there when I got back!"

"And the door being unlocked?"

"It's a faulty lock!" Why was she trying to defend herself like this? "Besides, you didn't knock! It was someone else's house after all, you're supposed to knock!"

"Making such inappropriate faces and gestures like that with someone in the house seems rather.." He turned as he leaned a little toward her, and she was grateful no one else was around. "Perverted, don't you think?"

She couldn't stop her blushing, her shoulders raising slightly. "D-don't try to push me into a corner like this!" Her shoulders straightened. "You're the pervert for not knocking or walking away, or even saying anything!" Turning on her heel, she stamped off in the direction of the Music Room. "Next time, you won't be so lucky!" Was she trying to threaten him? What was he lucky for? Damnit. Thinking back on it, she thought she'd sensed someone there when she was in the bathroom, but had pushed the feeling aside because of the moment she was in. Pausing, she looked back at him to see him walking in the other direction. Where was he headed? Making a split decision, she bolted after him, running on her toes in an attempt to keep her footsteps silent. One corner after another she followed him until finally he stopped in front of the infirmary for a moment before entering. Was he feeling okay? Maybe he just went in there for a nap? That bastard would be bouncing on club activities! After the door shut, she jogged up to the door and placed her ear against the door. It was silent for a few minutes.

"Kasanoda-senpai."

"Hm? Oh! Ohtori-san."

"What exactly is your standing with Fujioka-san?"

"Ah- I.." Kasanoda muttered something.

"I see. And yesterday's incident, tell me exactly what happened, from the beginning."

"Why would I-" He paused. "I understand." He sounded slightly afraid. A big guy like that was afraid of Kyouya? Glasses could be pushed over by someone like Kasanoda or Mori. "Earlier in the day, I asked Pumpkin-san if she would have Fujioka meet me in front of the hedge maze. Apparently Fujioka misunderstood and thought Pumpkin-san was meeting her there. While we sat together, we were attacked by a gang that's rivals with my family's. Somehow they managed to get on the school grounds and found me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you, that's all. And here is this, for all your troubles."

"Oh, thank you."

If anything, Kyouya was punctual on making sure all debts were paid and no one was upset at him if he cared at all for their company. In this case, Pumpkin had to guess it was because of Kasanoda's more frequent visits to the club. Which reminded her- she had to get there, quick! But- which way was it? Taking off the way they'd come, she turned one hall, then another. Then another. It felt right, but was it correct? She wasn't terrible at directions or finding her way, but this was a freakishly large school. And today she was going to be late to the club because she had to find out what Kyouya was up to. "Damnit." She muttered as she found herself at a dead end. Sinking to her knees, she sighed heavily as she stared up at the painting on the wall of some European woman.

"Katherine Heartwood, circa 1805."

"Huh!?" Spinning around, Pumpkin struggled to stand as she saw Kyouya standing there. "Are you following me?" She accused.

"She was killed for treachery. The reality was, she died fighting for what she believed in." He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "A remarkable woman. No matter what people said or did, she knew exactly what she wanted and fought until the end for it. The question is," he looked to Pumpkin, "what will others do with that information?"

"What?" Was he speaking cryptically now, too? Looking back at the painting, she stared at it for a moment. "I guess it's like you said. Don't go down without a fight. But why are you telling me this?" She looked back at him.

"Your reasons are your own, Sagano-san." Turning, he started heading back down the hallway.

"Hey, wait!" She chased after him. "About.. last night."

"Hm? Oh, I suppose I do owe you for the massage."

"You know what I mean! And, you don't- owe me, for anything. I wanted to apologize for.. all that, since- it's kind of embarrassing."

"I don't find what there's to be embarrassed about. It's just the female human body."

An anger mark popped up. "Just a female human body? Is that all I am to you? I thought I'd least be your friend, but if I'm just a gender and a race, then sue me!"

"Were you hoping I'd respond with something along the lines of suddenly developing romantic feelings for you since I'd seen you in such a position? I can assure you, it isn't anything I haven't seen before."

"Well aren't you the romantic type!" Her foot falls became heavy as her hands gripped tightly at her sides. "You know what they say about sunsets?"

"What's that?"

"Certainly it isn't, 'Well if you've seen it once, you've seen it a million times!' No! I could see it a million times, but I'd want to see it a million times more! You know why?"

"Because you find it attractive?"

Her hand hit her face. "No! Because it's beautiful! I generally want to look at things that are-" She stopped mid sentence as she also stopped in her tracks, and he paused as well, looking back at her expectedly. "That are attractive." Her eyes darted to him, and he smirked at her. "Oh, shut up!" Her face went red and she looked away.

"Are you upset, because you can't think of a way to exact your revenge on me?"

"What!" She stared at him, face still flushed. "That- would be rude."

"But logical, and something that would be up your alley. Would you feel more comfortable if you walked in on me doing something similar?"

Eyes widening, she shook her head. "Don't be absurd, that's gross!"

"Yet, what you did wasn't?"

"That's different!"

"In what way?"

"I-" She didn't have an answer now, and on top of that, walked into this trap. She needed to think of something, fast. "Women are known to be cleaner than men, especially in that.. region."

"False. Both men and women have about an equal amount of germs in said area. However, it has been clinically proven that women develop more infections in that region than men."

Well, crap. Leave it to the would-be heir of a massive pharmaceutical company to actually know his shit. Shoulders slumping, she admitted defeat in her actions. "Yea, yea."

"So you would, then?"

"Wait, what?"

"You certainly ask that a lot. Do you not pay attention at all?" He was starting to sound irritated as he started walking again. "I can set it up, if you prefer."

"Wait, are you talking about- me- seeing you- no! Kyouya, don't be stupid!" She walked past him now.

"You did it again."

"Did what!"

"Called me, by my first name."

"I can assure you, it wasn't on purpose!" She did her best to hide her continually blushed face.

"Yet, you still haven't told anyone your first name."

She halted in her tracks, her tone suddenly very serious. "Don't venture into territory where you know nothing about your surroundings."

"On the contrary, I'm very familiar with this path, Pumpkin. Or, should I say, Kotaphira."

"Don't ever say that name!" She whirled around, face dead serious. "You aren't worthy of saying it, no one is!"

"I'm curious. Why do you go by a fictitious first name, something so silly as a gourd, when your given name is so much more.. rewarding, to say."

"Because it's my mother's name, and I don't want to be associated with it!"

His brows went together. "Or perhaps, you don't feel worthy of walking in her footsteps, seeing as you are associated with your father, who is a failure."

How the hell did he hit the nail on the head in one sentence?! Her entire existence up to this point has been a careful setup, a fragile system she'd created with a personality to go with, and her messed up seventeen year old feelings that confused her at every turn, he had not only figured out but broke down in just a matter of a couple of sentences! Who the hell was this guy? "Please, just stop." Her voice wavered on tears. "I don't need this."

His arms crossed over his chest. "It is exactly what you need. Otherwise, how else do you plan on acquiring your father's CEO title? The sooner you face and accept who you are, the sooner you can move on, and grow."

"What do you care anyway?!"

"I care, because I need the person who runs a future company of mine, to know and be the best that she can."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

At that moment, his cellphone rang. He answered it quickly. "Ah, Tamaki. We'll be there in a moment. I understand- idiot, I said we'd be right there!" He hung up on the shouting idiot. "Come on, we're late." his hands went back into his pockets as he walked away.

"Wait! Ohtori-san, what did you mean!" She walked next to him, staring up at him intently.

"I meant we'd be there in a moment. They're waiting for us, well be la-"

"Idiot!" She pushed him. "That's not what I mean, and you know it!" She was starting to shake. "What did you do with my dad's companies?" She was afraid of his answer.

"What I do with my money is my own business."

"Idiot!" She shouted again, reaching out to push him again but he'd grabbed her wrists. "Tell me what you did!" A tear ran down her face, carrying some of her black eyeliner with it. "What is it my father owes you! What did you take!" A couple more tears went sliding down, carrying that black stuff with them.

"It isn't what he owes me, Pumpkin! I arranged it so his companies don't go under!"

"Why! Why would you do that!"

"Idiot." He shoved her away from him and started walking again. "I thought I would repay you a favor, but if this is the thanks I get, perhaps I'll sign everything back over to that incompetent fool."

"How dare you! How dare you take this from me! After everything I planned out, and I even considered you like a friend, and this is what you do! Corner me and make it so I have to beg for it back- or, do you plan on me working my debt out for my father's companies back?" Her knees gave out and she sank to the floor, crying harder to the point she couldn't speak coherently. Wiping her face with her sleeves, she sniffed and looked up to see he had paused his walking. "I wanted.. I wanted to get it for myself. I wanted him to see I was capable on my own. For both my parents to see I was- I could, be my own person. But- I don't even know who I am any more! I wear makeup because I don't want to be seen as my mother- I act hard headed because I don't want to be seen as my father. But no one around here cares about that- as long as you carry a name, that's apparently who you are! I'm sick of it! I want to be my own person! I want to be known for who I am, and I don't even know what that is any more!" Looking down, she saw her sleeves had black smeared all over them. "Shit." She let out another sob and tried wiping at her sleeves. "This stuff's not coming out."

"You're someone who wants desperately to find their own way in this world." He offered his hand to her, and she looked up at him, the eyeliner completely wiped away. She could have sworn his eyes opened a little wider, but it was difficult to tell with his glasses on his face. "But you haven't found yourself yet."

Slowly she took his hand and stood. "When will I know that?"

"If there was a certain time, there would have already been a market on that date." They started walking again until they were outside the club room's doors.

"What are you planning to do, with my dad's companies?" She asked again.

"Sign them over to you, of course."

Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. "Why? That's more than just paying back any sort of favor. What is it you're wanting back from me?"

"Who said anything about wanting something from you? There other people at play in this, you know." He pushed the doors open.

What the heck did he mean by that?

"Kyouyaaa!" Tamaki ran up, wearing European 1600's style king's clothes. "We thought you'd vanished, head taken by a dragon!"

"And yet he's returned, with our auntie Pumpkin!" The twins ran up, taking her hands.

"Hast thou been taken by a coal farmer?" One of them said, probably Hikaru.

"Thine sleeves have been ravaged!" Kaoru, maybe.

"I'll change myself!" She jerked her arms to herself and looked for Haruhi, not noticing Kyouya slipping a few thousand yen notes to Kaoru for a bet the twins had going to guess if Pumpkin was a natural purple-head.

"Woah!" Kaoru whispered. "That's a big bet to say she is!"

"What!" Hikaru hissed as he saw the amount. "She obviously dyes it though!"

"She doesn't." Kyouya pushed his glasses up.

"Wait- is that why it took you so long today, Kyouya-senpai?" Hikaru and Kaoru giggled.

"No. And it isn't any of your business, if you know what's good for you." He gave them both the demon glare, to which they both scrammed.

A/N: Good God this is a long chapter. = n=