I'm sooorrrry! It's been forever, hasn't it? I blame writer's blook for only this story, but I guess I'm making excuses. I know it's really short, and again, I'm sorry. I'll try to be faster next time, and hopefully, it won't be two months before I update again.

Thanks for reading!

The door was locked.

She knocked.

No answer.

She knocked again, harder this time.

Putting her ear against the door, she heard the strained noises of a machine, but she couldn't be sure as to what it would be.

Seeing as no one was going to kindly open the door for her, Haruhi decided to find an alternate route. She turned to the side of the building, but that only led to the store next door.

She turned the corner to the back. She found a door, and managed to barge in.

There was a strange sight waiting for her. It was like a factory assembly line. Machines almost as high as the wall were lined next to each other. Piles of money were scattered on the floor and floating down from the ceiling.

It was at once chaotic and mesmerizing.

She quickly scanned the area. No one was present.

"You should come out," she called out. "You're here somewhere, Ohtori. I know that."

"That's true."

She turned around. Kyouya had appeared from behind one of the machines.

"Are you here to arrest me?" he asked her.

"Are you going to give up?" she said instead. "There are two dozen police waiting for you outside, and they won't hesitate to shoot. Come with me, and you'll be safe."

"Safe?" He laughed. "Do you hear what you're saying? There is no police outside. It's just you, me, and Tamaki here."

He pointed his finger to the back. "Tamaki, come out."

"But Kyouya," he protested, "you've ruined my hiding spot."

"Some hiding spot. I could see your hair from here."

With no way out, Tamaki walked out to where Kyouya was, and they both watched Haruhi for her next move.

"So what you going to do?" Kyouya asked her.

"I'm going to make you a deal," she said. After taking a breath, she said, "Give up now, and I can make sure your jail sentences are shorter."

"Why should we? And how can you guarantee that?"

"I have my own connections," she said, feeling more confidence now. "My own methods. Isn't that what you always say?"

"Indeed," he said. "So you are working with my father, aren't you?"

A pause.

"H-how," she stuttered, taking an extra step back. "How would you know?"

"Because he's my father." Kyouya adjusted his glasses. "Because we're from the same family, no matter how many times I'm disowned."

Haruhi turned towards Tamaki now. "And you – Suoh," she said. "I can make sure that you meet your mother again. You've been separated from her for years now, haven't you?"

Tamaki's first instinct was to look at Kyouya. Then he turned towards Haruhi. "What is the meaning of this? Why bring my mother into this?"

"I've talked to her. In fact, she's outside right now, waiting for you," Haruhi said. "All you have to do is put this on." And from her bag, she took out two pairs of handcuffs.

"A bluff." Kyouya grabbed a nearby bag, and said to Tamaki, "Let's go. We might as well leave a bit earlier than planned."

"But, Kyouya, what if–"

"You honestly believe that girl? You think she's telling you the truth?" he said. "She's just bluffing because she has nothing else to go by."

"But…" Tamaki slowly said, "how did she find us then?"

"Finding us and catching us are two entirely different things." Kyouya tightened his grip on the door handle. Haruhi made no move. "Come on."

"Kyouya…"

"You should think about what your friend is saying," she finally said. "Why would I lie to you? I could have lied to you many times. Those times that I've met you, I've never lied once. Why would I lie all of a sudden?"

"Everyone has their own motives," Kyouya quietly said. "You're lying, and that I can tell."

Tamaki inched closer to the door, a bag slung over his shoulder as well. His face was blank, and Haruhi wondered what thoughts he was having about his mother.

"Don't go outside," she tried again. "Those cops won't hesitate to shoot. They don't care if you're an Ohtori or Suoh or a nobody. To them, you're just a criminal – like anyone else they have to face."

Kyouya stopped. He let go of the handle, and he looked down at the ground.

"If you go outside right now," she said, "you'll have to face the music. So don't. If you come with me, you'll be safe at least."

"Tamaki…" Kyouya looked at his friend. "What do we do?"

"I…I don't know," he said. "I-I'm sorry, Kyouya. Really, I am so sorry." And he dropped his bag on the ground.

Haruhi wordlessly handed him the handcuffs. Tamaki put one on by himself, and he gave the other to Kyouya.

Kyouya looked at it. The metal was cold in his hands for more than one reason. He wanted to believe the girl was lying. He knew she was lying. She had to be lying. What else could it be?

A thousand different scenarios ran through his head. He thought of a hundred different things to say and to do. There was an unlimited number of ways he could get out. By himself if he had to.

Tamaki had lost. He was giving up. Perhaps it was the strain of the running away for so long. Perhaps he really believed the girl's shallow words.

Perhaps. Perhaps.

He hated the guess work of it all. He was always so sure of himself. He didn't like to be in the dark, and that unfortunately, was where he currently was.

And so, he dropped his bag, and held onto the handcuffs. His hand trembled, but only for so long.

Surprisingly, he felt nothing. No regret. No feelings.

Because he had realized; because he knew what had just happened.

If it was possible, the world had just screamed to him 'GAME OVER,' and he had to accept it himself, whether he wanted to or not.

Haruhi led the two boys outside where they were greeted by the sunshine of the day.

No police cars were in sight.

Kyouya hung his head and chuckled. "Good job," he couldn't help but say.

But a few seconds later, the blaring of sirens was heard.

Five cars blazed through the streets and parked in front of the warehouse.

A woman was stepping out, but he couldn't place her.

If only he had realized that he was wrong. It was only the first part of the game that was ending.

Something else was about to start – that little something called 'love.'

Don't worry, it's going to be a while before that happens, so it's not like OMG, Kyouya, I realized that after chasing you around the world for a year, I'm in LOVE with you!

No. Of course not. This story might take a while (in terms of length), and I'm not entirely sure myself.

Reviews are welcomed, and if anything, it's made me happy that there are people out there who actually like this story. Thanks to all reviewers!