Kyouya was giddy with himself as he peered at the terrified girl in front of him. He had entered the library five minutes after the lunch bell ring to find that Emi was no where to be found. Unsurprised with his discovery after sensing her unease since their initial introduction, he asked the librarian if he knew where she went. The elderly librarian had smiled at him- which to any other student would have terrified them because the Ouran librarian was thought to be the most ruthless woman in the city- and said she often disappeared into the stacks during lunch.

"I'm glad someone is looking for her, she seems lonely sometimes, the poor dear." The older woman said softly with a far away look in her eye, "But you two better not do any funny business back in those stacks or else..." She quipped, returning to her traditional one-look-could-kill ways. Kyouya thanked her and began wandering through the maze in the far corners of the library.

After fifteen minutes of searching he was about to retrace his steps when he heard the a sound that he could only describe as heavenly. He followed the beautiful music through a few more twists and turns then peered around a corner to see a surprising sight. The sun was filtering through a dirty window and hit her hair, making it shine like gold. The girl was floating around the aisle like an angel, dancing and singing in a way that paralyzed Kyouya in his tracks. His feet stopped moving but his mind went into overdrive. Within seconds he had his phone out and began recording the scene in front of him, all the while keeping his eyes on the slip of a girl in front of him. He had never seen her face filled with so much passion. In class she was polite but portrayed no true emotion, not unlike himself.

Her eyes were closed, which was the only reason he had not been spotted, as she twirled between the book shelves, singing about everything and nothing. Her voice was sad, stirring feelings in Kyouya that he had never felt before. Each note that slipped past her tongue felt like a knife that dug into his cold heart. Were it not for his rational mind he would have run from his hiding spot to stop and comfort the girl. After a few minutes of tragic beauty she twirled in place, holding a single note for what felt like eons. She finished her melody and lowered her arms, turning to face the cloudy window. Slowly Emi raised her hand and placed it on one of the panes, the rays of sun making it seem as if she was encased in an outline of light.

Kyouya decided it was time to make his presence known. He ended the video on his phone and tucked it away before stepping into the hallway and started to clap.

o0o

The first sound caused Emi to visually jump before she turned around and stared at Kyouya in horror. She staggered and grabbed onto the window sill for support when she recognized who had found her.

"O-Ootori-san?" She said, trying to regain her composure and pushing off of the window to stand correctly.

Kyouya didn't reply and instead chose to stalk towards her, the mischievous grin on his face sending chills up her spine. Emi refused to back up when Kyouya got within arms reach of her.

"What do you want from me." She said icily.

"I was searching for my research partner of course." He replied pleasantly, the wide smile never leaving his face.

"I would have thought you could do research without someone holding your hand." She countered, satisfied that the horrible grin finally slipped off his face.

"I never knew you were so talented, I wonder who else would like to know about it." Kyouya said, raising his phone to show her. "This spot is also a unique find. I could definitely sell its location to lovebirds looking for a more private getaway."

Emi froze. Her sanctuary, the only place in this school that she felt safe, had been infested by the most foul creature she had ever faced. She threw her emotional mask up to hide the turmoil that made her want to burst. After a moment of sorting herself out she took in a steady breath. "As I said before, what do you want from me."

Kyouya smirked. "You will join me after school at the Host Club every day and sign on as an assistant to me. You will be helping me with the coordination and funding of the club in order to keep your little... window, beyond the scope of the students at this academy. Failure to attend or refuse to complete the tasks I request sufficiently will lead to the immediate distribution of this location in addition to the publication of your performance."

Emi outwardly glowered at him, not even trying to rein in the waves of hatred that rolled off her. "If you wanted help with your club you could have simply ~asked~ and I would not have to feel so threatened."

"I will see you back in class, I believe the bell is about to ring. You can walk to the club with Tamaki and I after the final bell." Kyouya said pleasantly before spinning on his heel and swiftly leaving the aisle.

Emi dropped to her knees once she could no longer hear the sound of his footsteps. ~I will not cry. I will not give up this safe haven.~ She thought stubbornly as her throat clenched. ~I will not give him that satisfaction. I will never let him get to me.~ She stood up and gathered her things, her face set in stone. ~He may think he has won, but I will never bow to his will.~

o0o

~Why does he want help in his club anyways?~ Emi thought, staring holes into the back of brunette's head. ~Is he actually too helpless to run his own club that he just needs someone to help and threatening is his only way of getting it?~ She shook her head ~No surely not, he's too smart and proud for that. What is his motive? Why me?~ The end of school was getting closer and closer and Emi was only getting more confused. Other than being slightly creepy and constantly prying at her life (from a safe distance that anyone else would probably not have noticed), Emi knew nothing personal about Ootori Kyouya. He was the third son of a well known business man that specialized in hospital management but that was common knowledge. He ran the Ouran Host Club and was close friends with Suoh Tamaki. She knew his superficial character but, again, that is all common knowledge.

She sighed and looked down at her doodle. She loved math and learned the material weeks in advance so class was irrelevant in her mind. By strategically sitting in the back of the class, she avoided attention and was allowed to draw to her heart's content without fear of discovery. ~I'm such a nut.~ She thought to herself as she finished the shading on the cherry blossom tree outside the classroom window. The blooms were beginning to fade away with the approach of summer so she filled in the pink flowers from memory.

~I have five minutes before I become an indentured slave to one of the most vile people on this planet.~ She thought darkly, then sat stick straight and eyes wide. ~That was so bitter! I don't want to be bitter, I am just frustrated is all.~ She said to herself, ~But I should have every right to be, right? He has been so spiteful and weird to me every since I met him.~ Emi continued her internal war and almost missed the bell ringing. The sound jarred her from her trance and she gasped. ~I have no time! He's already standing up and looking at me, I have to go now. Maybe I should say I'm sick? No of course I can't, he'll know I'm lying. Dangit! I missed my time to plot!~

"You must be Sugita-san!" Tamaki said as he bounded towards her. "It is my honor to escort you to our wonderful club today," He gushed while kneeling to a low bow, which was quite impressive due to the extra weight of fangirls hanging off his shoulders.

"Ready to go?" A silky voice asked,

Emi turned to see Kyouya a few desks down, waiting. She stifled a sigh and nodded. Tamaki moved out of the way as she slid from the desk and picked up her school bag.

"Did you DRAW this?" Tamaki said in disbelief as he peered at the sketch of the cherry blossom tree.

"Yes, I did." Emi answered lightly before closing her art book and holding it tightly to her chest. "Shall we proceed?"

"Let's go!" Tamaki yelled before sprinting out of the class, fangirls in tow.

Emi exited the room and Kyouya fell in step next to her.

"So what will I be doing this afternoon?" She asked, forcing her normal, bubbly voice out.

He glanced at her before answering, "The members of the Ouran Host Club are different than the average person, Tamaki is a prime example. They will most likely use the majority of club time today getting to know you so consider this your first and only day off."

Emi nodded, her facial features never changing as she listened to him but internally she began another battle against social anxiety. She stopped outside the doors to music room and Kyouya reached for the handle.

"Welcome to the Host Club." He said, and opened the doors.

o0o

Kyouya looked over his computer to peek at Emi. She was currently speaking with the Hitachiin brothers and he was surprised to see they weren't tormenting her. Instead they seemed to be carrying out a pleasant conversation and Kyouya could see Emi's sketch book in one of the twins' hands. ~So she has already begun the process.~ He thought with a smirk. His plan was perfect and he applauded himself for his masterful plot. Discovering Emi's hideout had simplified his previous plan to learn more about her. By blackmailing her into joining the club, the members of the club would surely force her to spill more about her life eventually; it happened to Haruhi, why not Emi? In addition, this would expand his deadline. The history project could come and go and he would still have access to her as she was now forced to attend club every day. This had truly turned out better than he could have hoped. Hearing her sing was just icing on the cake. ~Wait, what was that?~ He thought suddenly, ~Her singing has nothing to do with the plan, she would never agree to sing for profit.~ Kyouya was troubled and quickly turned back to his laptop. ~Doesn't matter, I will finally have that file and my research will be complete.~