Author's Note:

I thank everyone who reads my story and special thanks to those who take time to review it, as it is your reviews and continued support that makes me committed to writing this story. I am sorry for the delay; I had some trouble writing this chapter. However, after much planning, editing and rewriting, the chapter is finally up. The next update will be around the last week of June as I will be quite busy this month. Hope you guys like this chapter as much as I do :)

After The End of The Party, Outside The Venue:

Haruhi bid her friends goodbye and walked besides Kyouya towards his limo. As he reached the limo, Kyouya leaned on it casually. Haruhi stood beside him and asked, "Where is Tachibana?"

"He's seeing to the people whom he had tied up in the security room. It might take a while"

"What does that mean? Something tells me it is not a good thing?" Haruhi asked with a snort.

"Let's just say he's making sure that they don't do anything like this ever again, no matter how much money is given to them!" He said.

Haruhi just sighed. 'I have to be insane to be working for someone like him' she thought.

"No you're not insane. You just weren't thinking through when you said you'd do anything if I stopped helping Tamaki in pursuing you." Kyouya said with a smile.

'Yep, I totally forgot his mind reading thing' she thought with a shiver.

His smirk just got wider as if he just realised what she was thinking. He then asked her the question that was bothering him for a while. "Why didn't you let me know that Shizue Suoh had tried to humiliate you in front of everyone? There was not one call or a message from you. If you had let me know, I would have arrived here a lot earlier and maybe the entire kidnapping mess wouldn't have happened"

Haruhi replied as calmly as she could, "you were here half an hour earlier than the time you said you'd arrive. I knew you came here as soon as you could. So it doesn't matter!"

"It does matter. Why didn't you inform me? Is it one of your 'I'll handle this myself' stunts?" He asked heatedly. He had noticed Haruhi's change in attitude the moment he asked the question. She had given him a reply in an aloof manner, which was unlike her.

"I didn't tell you this for the same reason that you didn't tell me where exactly you went this evening" Haruhi replied in an equally heated tone.

"Does it matter? Didn't you promise me yesterday? Didn't you say that you'd trust me blindly and completely?" He asked, clearly taken aback at her questioning his absence. 'I can't believe this. I thought she knew me enough to know that I wouldn't abandon her. Does she still think I'm only after merits…' he thought, clearly wounded with her nonchalant reply.

"Yes, it matters and it's not about my trust in you! I know you wouldn't abandon me no matter what. The issue here is that you don't trust me to the same extent. Do you trust me so less that you wouldn't even tell me why you were leaving? Tell me something Kyouya, after all this time I have spent with you, did you for once believe that I wouldn't figure out where you had to go to this evening." She replied acidly.

Kyouya was surprised that Haruhi had figured it out. He wanted to ask her how she figured it out, but thought better of it. When Haruhi turned from her apathetic-self to her passionate-self, she would become a force to reckon with and he didn't want to increase her ire.

Haruhi, however, continued her tirade despite his surprised countenance.

"Would it kill you for you to reveal that you're a nice guy on the inside at least once in a while? Do you always have to pretend to be a bad guy? Honestly, sometimes, you think you are worse than Tamaki sempai in taking things too far. No wonder you are best friends!" She finished her rant with a huff.

"I am sorry; I should have told you about it. But I didn't do it purposefully." He said.

"Well, I know you did not do it on purpose. I just want you to remember that you're not alone in this anymore and that I am here by your side just as you are by my side!" Haruhi said.

"I understand" Kyouya said with a smile.

"So?" Haruhi prodded.

"So?" Kyouya reflected her question.

"So when are you going to tell me where you went this evening?" Haruhi asked.

"I thought you already knew that." Kyouya said.

"But I want you to tell me that on your own and I want you to explain everything." Haruhi said.

"Well If I explain everything, will you tell me how you figured it out?" He asked.

"Do you always have to be a businessman? If you not profit, you look for equal exchange," Haruhi asked exasperated.

"Do you always have to be a lawyer? Always trying to get the truth out of my mouth!" Kyouya asked in a mock exasperation.

"Fine!" She conceded.

"Well, I had figured out that Tamaki's mother was at the éclair mansion quite some time back." Kyouya said.

"And I'll never do the mistake of asking you how!" Haruhi commented.

"And I asked Tachibana to look into the matter and he reported back to me with a proof which confirmed my suspicions!"

"Does your Ootori private police network extend till France? Creepy!"

Kyouya chuckled and continued "Then all I had to do was place Aijima as a part of my older brother's security just as he left for France. He helped me set up contact with Tamaki's mother and I was able to convince her to come to Japan. I had to go to the airport today to help her sneak into Japan without detection while Aijima accompanied my brother back to the mansion"

"Well, Horita said just a couple of days ago that Tachibana was in a bad mood because your security was compromised as Aijima had to be assigned as a part of your older brother's security." She replied as it was now her turn.

"Typical. He always lets things slip and naturally you'd have questioned or rather interrogated him."

"Yep, and he said that since your brother was going on a very important trip to France, someone as trained as Aijima had to there to tighten the security"

"He let another important detail slip while trying to cover up his previous slip. You would have easily connected the dots and figured it out."

"Yes, it was easy from there. Seeing as how devoted all three of your bodyguards are, it was clear that none of them would willingly accompany your older brother unless you had forced them to. That translated to you wanting something from your brother's trip to France. What connects you to France – Tamaki sempai! What connects Tamaki sempai to France – his mother! So where is she now?" She explained.

"I have taken her to an apartment that I had rented. I have planned to buy that small hospital which has been going down steadily without proper management by the end of this week. Afterwards, I'll take her there as it has a live-in health care facility. Some doctors in the US have found the cure for her disease and I have already started the importing the medicines through the pharmaceutical chain which I have bought. In about two weeks' time, she will receive the treatments required to cure her completely"

"When are you going to let Tamaki sempai know?" She asked.

"Not until she is completely cured. You know how impulsive Tamaki is. He'll want to see her immediately and soon his grandmother would find out. I cannot risk her treatment being interrupted. So until she is cured no one other than us will know about it." He responded.

"Can I see her just once? I have always wondered what kind of a woman she is!" She asked.

"Of course! Once she is moved to the hospital, I'll take you to there. She's just like Tamaki except that she is a lot mature. I personally believe Tamaki inherited his immature and crazy antics from chairman Yuzuru!" Kyouya added.

"I certainly second that thought!" Haruhi said as she giggled, remembering her meeting with the eccentric chairman.

As she quieted down, she saw a saw a stern looking lady approaching them.

"Young lady, your name is Haruhi Fujioka, I believe?" The lady asked as she came to stand before them.

"Yes, madam!" Haruhi replied politely. She could feel Kyouya tensing up beside her. He casually grabbed Haruhi's left hand and held it firmly. The lady noticed this gesture and scowled even more.

"And you're from a financially oppressed background, I heard?" She asked.

"That's one way of looking at it!" Haruhi replied with a smile "But, I must say I prefer your term for my situation than the label 'commoner'."

The woman couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips. However, immediately the stern expression replaced the light smile as she said, "As someone who has seen the ways of the rich, I am here to give you an advice. You're a smart girl I am sure you'll heed it!"

Haruhi turned to look at Kyouya, he had his poker face on but from his rigid stance alone, she could tell that he was apprehensive. She looked once again at the woman standing before her and nodded.

"Your so called friends were born and brought up in wealth. Therefore, they wouldn't know what it is like to earn one's livelihood. I am sure you're a source of entertainment for them or rather a new fad that I am sure they will soon get over. Do not mistake it for genuine friendship. Although I can vouch for Mitskuni's and Takashi's loyalty, I'll tell you upfront that the one standing next to you is nothing but a conniving, manipulating and shrewd person who takes after his father. Moreover, the one whose grandmother was trying to humiliate you today, is nothing but trouble, for he is an aimless, carefree child of a boy and such people will never realise that their action will cause others harm. So I believe that it is wise for you to stay away from them and finish your studies without any hassles." The lady said these words as if they were forewarning.

Haruhi's smile only grew wider after hearing her words.

The lady mistook Haruhi's smile to be a mockery and asked in a threatening tone "Did what I say sound funny to you?"

"No, on the contrary, what you said and how you said it felt very touching. I am sure the only reason you talked to me was that you were slightly worried for me. However, your action only cemented my belief that being rich or poor doesn't matter because at the end of the day all that matters is what kind of person they are on the inside." Haruhi replied with her natural smile.

"What you said about my friends is true to some extent. Yes, I might be a source of entertainment for them, as you put it, but aren't friends supposed to be that. Through me, they are experiencing a life that is different from theirs. Isn't friendship all about sharing experiences and being able to look at from other's point of view? Yes, Tamaki sempai may seem aimless and care free but that his charm, and despite that he will always be the first person to rush out and help anyone in need of help irrespective of who they are." She clarified.

She gestured towards Kyouya and said, "And this person standing next to me is the one whom I would trust my life with even though I have personally witnessed how conniving and manipulating he can be. That is the reason I am friends with them because underneath all that rich upbringing and exuberance, they are a welcome menace that all friends tend to be." She clarified.

Kyouya felt sated with happiness after hearing Haruhi's words. He couldn't keep that smug smirk off his face even if he tried.

The lady suddenly remembered her son's words from the past, which sounded very similar to what the girl said about her friends.

" They may be just Igarashi and Ootori to you, Harumi-chan. But for me they are Yoshio and Kotoko and that's why I am friends with them"

She forcefully shunned the past memory that brought her only pain and replied in an angrier tone "Well, I warned you and it is up to you whether you decide to take it or not." and she turned and started walking away.

"Excuse me," Haruhi called her and the woman stopped.

"Can you please tell me your name? My father says that one should know the name of their well wishers?" Haruhi asked.

"Akiyama…. Harumi Akiyama." the woman simply replied and left.

As realisation dawned on her, she looked at Kyouya.

"What do you think?" He asked her.

"I think she is great lady" Haruhi responded. "You know today turned out to be good after all!"

"You were almost humiliated and were almost kidnapped? Still, you think it's a good day!"

"Well, yes… almost being the key here. The Igarashis saved me from humiliation and Akiyama-san looked out for me, even though I am a stranger to them, which means there are some kind and generous people even in the world of rich. You and the others saved me from being kidnapped which means at the end of the day I still have great friends. And..." She left the last part out.

"And?" Kyouya prodded as he moved closer to her.

"and I'm getting closer and closer to solving the one big mystery that is Kyouya Ootori." she said moving closer to him unconsciously.

"What happens when you solve it" he asked, curiosity evident in his stare as he leaned his head down slightly.

She hesitated for a moment and replied, "I might end up completely caught up in it!"

Pink dusted her cheeks slightly as she shyly said it. Kyouya was taken aback at her words and got lost in her chocolate orbs, which were remarkably expressive at that moment. Haruhi was drinking in his unguarded expressions that flitted across his usually expressionless face.

They were so tuned to each other to realise that the Igarashi couple had come to stand in front of them. Ryuu coughed rather loudly to get their attention and grinned as he saw the two teenagers startled out of their bubble.

"Oh, it's you again. What is it now?" Kyouya replied cuttingly. He was annoyed because the couple had caught him in a rather lost moment with Haruhi. 'They are too perceptive and wouldn't let it slide. What's worse they will inform Fuyumi nee-san, the first thing tomorrow morning and I can forget having a peaceful life ever after!' he thought bitterly.

"Nice to know I am being missed." Ryuu quipped Kyouya's words from earlier.

Haruhi was surprised at this, Kyouya was being his indifferent self towards the couple. 'Normally he would be polite and charming towards such influential people, but now he behaved to the point of being rude!' she thought and her confusion was visible on her expression.

Kazumi who took note of Haruhi's confusion said, "It's alright, Kyouya is like a delinquent grandson we never had, so we forgive his insolence."

"Besides we have dealt with his father to let such behaviour unsettle us. Yoshio as an adolescent was a lot worse. Kyouya is rather tame compared to that." Ryuu added

Haruhi was stunned to hear the reply. 'It seems they are very close to the Ootori family than they let on at the party. It seems like they are friends of the family than business associates.' she thought. Then suddenly the thought that she hadn't thanked them for their help flashed through her mind.

She immediately bowed and said, "Thanking for helping me earlier. I am indebted to you!"

Kazumi replied fondly, "Oh don't thank us, Thank your parents were raising you to be a courageous young woman."

If anything, Haruhi's smile got wider at the compliment, which was bestowed on her parents as well. Kyouya could only wonder at how easily Kazumi seemed to reach other people's hearts. 'Now that I think about it, Kazumi and Haruhi are very much similar in that aspect.' he thought.

"I am Haruhi Fujioka." Haruhi said "My friends told me that you both were great lawyers and I-"

Before Haruhi could finish her sentence, Kazumi said, "Great lawyer is that what they call someone who serves as the guard dog of businessmen." Kazumi said, pointedly looking at her husband, " I assure, you young lady there is nothing great about corporate lawyers."

"Someone whose sole purpose in life is to yap all the time thinking they are helping people are no lawyers either. Trust me they are just big mouths with no brains. At least we are guard dogs, are of some use. Civil lawyers are just the type of dogs that bark all the time but can never bite when the time comes." Ryuu said as winked at Haruhi.

Haruhi panicked and tried to bring peace amidst the fighting couple, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I don't want you to fight because of what I said."

"Relax Haruhi. Save your breath. They are like this all the time. They still haven't grown up from their teenage. They just don't know how to express their love for each other, so they resort to insulting each other and their professions to indicate that they care." Kyouya said flippantly.

"And since when did you became an expert on love" Ryuu asked turning his attention back to Kyouya, "If anything you con the innocent girls to make that host club into a profitable business"

Haruhi giggled at the apt description of Kyouya's job at the host club.

"Well, my dear husband, now that he has a girlfriend" Kazumi said slyly gesturing towards Haruhi, "he thinks he knows about love!"

Haruhi blushed at this and was about to correct their misconception when Kyouya said, "Seriously you are worse than Fuyumi nee-san and sometimes I think she has learned the habit of poking into my personal life from you. Now just go home and give your senile minds some rest!"

Tachibana who had arrived by then quietly took his place at the driver seat.

"But we are not senile yet, if we can still realise that you haven't exactly denied what we said." Ryuu replied with a grin.

"But we'll heed the words of the wise and go home" Kazumi added as she climbed into the limo before Kyouya could do or say anything. Ryuu followed her taking advantage Kyouya's momentary shock.

" What happened to your limo. Why the hell are you getting into my limo?"Kyouya asked irately.

"We missed our dear Kyouya, so we wanted to spend some time with you! Don't worry there's enough space for the four of us." Kazumi said.

"And we want to know more about Fujioka-san. Come on in, we won't intrude in case you want to get cosy with your girlfriend, we'll be just silent spectators." Ryuu added cheekily, waggling his eyebrows.

Haruhi laughed as she finally realised the couple were only teasing to get on Kyouya's nerves.

Kyouya on the other hand literally growled as he said, "Both of you need to seriously grow up! Well I am dropping Haruhi at her apartment, so I won't be able to drop you at your place."

"It's okay, we wouldn't mind the delay. In fact, it would be a welcome change. You can drop the young lady at her place first and then drop us at our home before you go back to your mansion." Ryuu replied in a matter-of-fact tone completely ignoring Kyouya's irritation.

"Fine" Kyouya said giving up. But what surprised him was, the moment Haruhi was inside the limo, the couple pulled her and made her to sit in between them.

A few minutes later, it was clear to Kyouya as to why the couple had wanted to travel with him. They were conversing with Haruhi all the while practically ignoring him, asking her questions about her studies, her family and her life.

Ryuu asked Haruhi in the middle of their conversation. "I heard you are an Honour Student at Ouran Academy. So tell me, why did you choose to go the school filled rich snobby, arrogant brats?" Ryuu indicated Kyouya as he said the last part.

Kyouya just huffed at the comment.

"I have myself the same question a lot more times than I could count," she said with a smile, "however, the reason I chose to study at Ouran is because I considered studying there would offer me better chances of getting into a good college so that I can become a lawyer."

"What? Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Kazumi asked, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

"I was about to say that before both of you started fighting." Haruhi pointed out.

"Oh, we were not fighting; we always agree to disagree where our professions are concerned." Kazumi said dismissively.

"So what you want to take up, corporate law or criminal law?" Ryuu asked not realising it would prompt one of the civil law or corporate law arguments with his wife.

Haruhi was hesitant in replying. For one thing, she didn't want them to go bickering again on which is the best. 'And I myself am not so sure. I had wanted to take up civil law like my mother, but now that I have started taking a look into corporate law while I help out Kyouya with contracts and stuff, I find it more interesting' she thought. She cast a sideways glance towards Kyouya asking him for help.

"Right now Haruhi is looking into both civil law and corporate law, but hasn't decided yet. She wishes to take some time before deciding it," Kyouya said and the couple left the matter at that.

"Why do you want to take up law? I mean nowadays youngsters aren't all that into law anymore!" Kazumi asked.

"Well my late mother was a lawyer. I have always wanted to be like her." she replied.

The moment Haruhi said that the couples became quiet, almost too quiet.

"Your dad is an Okama and your mother is lawyer? How did they meet?" Ryuu asked sceptically.

"He was not an Okama when he married her. Actually, he was doing odd jobs at various stores until her death. They met at the party of my dad's friend who, he says, was also his rival in some ways." Haruhi laughed. "My mother was there because my dad's friend also happened to be a brother like figure for her. Another friend of my dad who prided himself in charming ladies had challenged my dad to woo my mother. My mother was widely regarded as a career-oriented woman in the party and everyone knew that she wouldn't fall for sweet talks, flirting or any other romantic gestures. My dad being his usual self accepted the challenge and approached her without thinking."

"Oh I can completely imagine how that would have gone. Ranka-san would have turned into his goofball self and made a fool of himself in front of her." Kyouya added.

"Exactly" Haruhi said with a smile.

"You know Haruhi's father?" Ryuu asked surprised. He could understand Kyouya being friends with the Haruhi but it came as a surprise that he had gone and befriended the girl's father.

"Oh yes! I know him well enough to realise there is a clever and intelligent man hiding beneath the goofball, irresponsible and overdramatic front that he puts up." Kyouya said still remembering how he had been caught by Ranka-san when he was stealing that CD and how he couldn't ever get his hands on it ever again.

Haruhi didn't mind Kyouya's words. She had always been upset that her friends and teachers in middle school only saw her father's front and thought of him as a good for nothing guy when in reality her father was rather intelligent and a hardworking man. She was glad that at least someone besides saw her father for who he really was.

"He sounds like an interesting person! Tell us what happened next" Kazumi urged Haruhi.

"My mom always hates men who seem to have no ambition and waste away their time. She thought my dad was one such guy after his failed attempt at wooing her. She gave him such a verbal lashing that my dad always says that she had literally cut down his ego in half. My dad got angry which made him become his serious self and he retorted. Soon it became a verbal spar. My mom being a lawyer loved it and my dad having never met a woman like her before enjoyed it. Therefore, after that incident every time they met, they had this verbal spar. Eventually, my mom began to appreciate his passion for life and his goofy antics and my dad appreciated her sturdy and strong persona and soon their clash turned into love." Haruhi finished with a smile.

"What's your mother's name? If she was a lawyer, it is possible that we could have met her when she was alive" Ryuu asked her wistfully. The description of her mother sounded somewhat like his own daughter and her okama father's description in his opinion fitted the Akiyama boy. He had always considered his unwanted son-in-law to be a little sissy. He knew he was just nurturing blind hope, but it wouldn't cost him anything to clarify the identities of her parents.

"Her name is Kotoko Fujioka. I am sure you wouldn't have heard of her. She was a good civil lawyer but she wasn't rich as she had taken up many cases without much of a fee!" Haruhi said.

The moment they heard the name 'Kotoko', the husband and wife both paled. However, Kyouya didn't want them to experience the same anguish and pain that he had seen them hiding behind their cheerful façade as grew up. Therefore, he decided to quash the in hope that they would someday meet their grandchild.

He immediately clarified, "Haruhi's maternal grandparents were accountants in the Okinawa. Her paternal grandmother came from a family that treated patients with herbal medicines and acupuncture. Her grandparents shunned her parents' marriage and Ranka-san hasn't had contact with them ever since Haruhi was born."

Haruhi was however stunned at Kyouya's knowledge about her grandparent's whereabouts. She opened her mouth to ask how he knew, however, she suddenly remembered that he also knew who his father's colleagues were. Hence, she kept quiet. It was then that she remembered the vital information that Igarashis had a daughter named Kotoko.

'No wonder they looked so withdrawn when I told them my mother's name. They must have started having hope. No wonder Kyouya gave them the details of my grandparents. It's such a weird coincidence that my parents' first names are the same as well, but they come from a very different world. My parents can never be the heirs of any rich family.' She thought.

However, just like the previous time, when her mind had dispensed the incident as a weird coincident, her lawyer instincts immediately raised the question: why was she so sure that her parents could be never be the heirs of any rich families?

'Yes the first time I heard it, I thought it was just a coincidence. Even then, I had this doubt. And once again that same doubt creeps up.' she thought. Her mom had said that when the mind believes one thing for sure and the heart questions that very same thing, then always one has to trust their heart and dwell deep into the matter to find out the truth. This was the only advice that her mother ever gave her.

Haruhi fell deep into thoughts. 'I don't know anything about my parents' background to be so sure of this. I haven't seen my grandparents. I haven't even seen them even in photographs. Dad was acting weird when I told him about the story of rich couple who had eloped. He sounded anxious and nervous. Besides, Dad has been acting weird ever since Kyouya's father turned up at our apartment. He has gone into the details of Kyouya's business plan. He had informed Kyouya's dad about it. He would have never interfered in anyone's business under normal circumstances.' Haruhi processed every strange activity of her father in her mind.

Kyouya was also deep in thoughts as he was trying to uncover what exactly happened between Ranka-san and his father on that day when he found his father at Haruhi's apartment. 'Ranka- san was calm that day when I found my father at his apartment. Too calm to be considered normal. There was that CD too. If Haruhi could not find that CD in their small house, then he was must have painstakingly hid it. He has been avoiding me ever since then, it's like he is trying to hide something. I just don't understand this whole mess!'

The older couple were also lost in nostalgia, thinking of their lost daughter and their grandchild that they had never seen. Hence, it came as a surprise when the door of the limo was opened by Tachibana.

"What are we already there?" Ryuu asked.

Haruhi was pulled out of her reverie hearing Ryuu's words. she let out a sigh and climbed out of the limo as soon as she could. The others followed her as well.

Ryuu and Kazumi were asking Haruhi about the neighbourhood and she was answering them with a fond tone.

Kyouya however tuned out their conversation as he was busy working out all the eccentricities and ambiguities that surrounded Haruhi's father. He was pulled out of his reverie however, when he heard a loud gasp. He immediately looked at the couple and Haruhi and found them to be deep in a conversation in front of the building.

'It isn't them!' he concluded and looked around. As his eyes scanned the area casually, he found a form hunched and crouched in the alleyway by the side of Haruhi's apartment building. He took a few steps towards the alleyway, pretending to be on a phone call, just to get a closer look at the person who was hiding. Although, he couldn't see the face of the person, he got a clear view of the handbag of the person through his peripheral vision. He would recognise the handbag anywhere as it was Ranka-san's favourite handbag.

'Why is he hiding there?' he thought. 'It isn't like him. He would have openly ambushed anyone who accompanied Haruhi and asked them all sorts of details about them as well as his daughter. Although he doesn't look like it, he's indeed a concerned parent. He always tries his best to not to curb his daughter's independence spirit and yet at the same time he would find out all the details that he could about his daughters whereabouts and her friends.'

That was one of the reasons he got a along well with Ranka-san in the beginning because he was willing to give details of how her daughter coped in the new school which Haruhi voluntarily would never discuss with her father.

He looked back at the trio immersed in the conversation. 'There could be only one possible reason that he is hiding: he doesn't want to be seen by the Igarashi couple. But why? They are practically strangers to him and he isn't the type to shy away from strangers. May be they aren't strangers, maybe he knows them and that's why he's probably hiding not wanting them to see him. And how can a commoner and an okama nonetheless know the Igarashi couple? There can be only one answer. And If my assumption is right then all the anomalies in Ranka-san's character since the day he met my father would make sense.' He thought.

He headed towards the driver's seat and knocked on the window to get Tachibana's attention. Tachibana was surprised to find his employer coming up personally to talk to him, all of a sudden. It seemed like an emergency. He immediately rolled down the window glass. Kyouya leaned down to his face level and whispered in silent tones "Take Ranka Fujioka's records and compare it with Ryoji Akiyama's records."

Tachibana's eyes widened at the instruction. "We have already checked the background of Ranka Fujioka and there seems no connection whatsoever to Ryoji Akiyama." He replied in a bare whisper.

Kyouya shook his head and said, "I am sure that Haruhi's father the real Ryoji Akiyama. Evaluate all the details. Check for falsified records. Track down all the places he lived and all the items he might have pawned or sold. Leave no stone unturned. I want the evidence of Ranka san's true identity as soon as possible." Kyouya ordered. Tachibana nodded.

Kyouya walked back to the trio standing before the building.

"Would you two quit with your questioning already." He said loudly to the couple "She has been through much today and I think it is about time she goes back to her apartment and takes some rest."

"He's right Kazumi. She definitely looks fatigued." Ryuu said, realising that the Haruhi looked exhausted.

"Yes, it was really nice meeting a bold girl like you. I wish we could meet some other time in the future!" Kazumi said with a great longing in her heart. Sensing it her husband immediately came up with an idea.

"Well then, why don't you come to our house for lunch next Friday" Ryuu proposed "I'm sure Kyouya would be glad to bring you to our house and drop you back?"

Haruhi looked at Kyouya and he seemed like he didn't mind, if anything he was smiling pleasantly. Haruhi smiled and replied "Thank you. I'll be there. I'm glad that you've invited me"

"That's settled then!" Ryuu said cheerfully, "Bring your father as well, if you can. We really want to meet the man who raised you."

"Sure."

"Well, goodnight Haruhi, take some rest." Kazumi bade goodbye reluctantly and after some thought she kissed Haruhi's forehead affectionately.

Haruhi suddenly remembered that her mother used to kiss her in the same way.

The Same Night, Haruhi's Apartment:

She looked at the dress that she had worn for the party, which now lay crumpled on the floor. On top of it was Kyouya's scarf. She took the scarf and dress and went to the laundry basket. She put the dress inside the basket and went ahead to put the scarf inside as well, but she changed her mind at the last moment and wrapped the scarf around her shoulders.

The bell rang and Haruhi opened the door. The reek of alcohol welcomed her before her father did. 'He's upset or else he wouldn't be drunk. Why is he upset?' Haruhi thought immediately concerned. She stood aside to let him in.

He went straight to the couch to slump on it "you didn't go to sleep yet, Haruhi?" he asked in drunken slur.

"I was about to." She replied and disappointment clearly tarnished her tone at her father's current state.

"So, how was the party?" he prodded.

"It was okay? I'm going to sleep." she replied flippantly.

"Did you meet anyone new?" he pressed.

"I didn't meet any new boy if that's what you want to know!" she said in a stern tone as she went ahead to layout her futon.

"How about anyone old?" he asked again.

"huh?" Haruhi asked genuinely confused.

"You know. This was a different party than….you know….your host club ones…..so I was wondering if…..if ….ummm….met someone older than yourself." He pressed still confusing Haruhi.

Haruhi really looked at her dad confused as to what it was that he was asking about. 'maybe he's just rambling because he's drunk. But why's he drunk. He never drinks unless he's upset about something'

She remembered an incident when she was younger and didn't tell him about the parents' meeting. He had found out about it and he came back home just drunk like this. 'He was rambling like this back then trying to find out if I was ashamed of his profession,. But this time he has absolutely no reason to be so upset.' she thought and dismissed his enquiries.

"Almost everyone at the party were older than me dad. Good night, I am going to sleep."

"Haruhi" he yelled "why are you avoiding your father? Why are you not sharing anything with your father?"

"What do you want now, dad?" she said laying out her futon tired of her dad and his drunken rambling.

"There must have been some interesting people at the party. Why don't you tell me about them?" he pestered.

Haruhi didn't bother replying and went to her futon.

"Murakami-san said that apart from Kyouya there was someone else with you today." He said in an outright desperate tone.

Haruhi realised that her father was lying because Murakami-san, their nosy neighbour had gone to visit his relations in Osaka along with his family. 'But why is he lying? I'm sure none of the neighbours saw us when they dropped me, so no one could have told him. So he had no way of knowing that someone else apart from Kyouya was here unless he had seen it himself.' Then the fact flashed through her mind that her father's shift ended early that day and he had told her he would be home early. She tried to test her theory.

She casually replied, "Kyouya isn't the only one who comes here as I have a whole bunch of friends who pop up at odd times. Therefore, the news of someone new accompanying Kyouya should not surprise or shock you so much that you resort to the influence of alcohol to interrogate me."

"STOP LYING to me. IT WAS THE Ig…I MEAN IT WAS A MARRIED COUPLE WHO ACCOMPANIED KYOUYA. " Ranka shouted for he was angry, upset and anxious and he couldn't digest the fact that his own daughter was keeping things from him. Never before did her independent streak and stubborn attitude of keeping things to herself unsettled him more than now.

Haruhi was stunned into silence. Never before had her father ever shouted at her. It unnerved her, shocked her and scared her speechless. She couldn't process her father's reaction at all; however, her anger at his accusation overcame her shock.

'He has some nerve to accuse me of lying when he had lied in the first place.' She thought 'But if he had seen the couple standing with me. Why didn't he come up and talk to them like he would have done normally. Instead, he chose to spy and then lie to me later and then pester me to get the details about the couple. This isn't like him at all, if he was near the apartment at that time, then why didn't he come home immediately. Why did he drink? Is he upset at seeing me with the couple? But why?'

She bit back the retort 'I'm not the one lying here' and tried to calm herself down.

'It would be of no use if I lost my temper. I have to find out what has wound him up so tightly and why he's prodding into such a trivial matter. It's best to use his inebriation against him' she thought.

"How did you know that people who accompanied Kyouya were a married couple? Did Murakami-san tell you that?" she asked calmly.

"Of course, he did" he replied defensively. If Ranka weren't drunk, he wouldn't have given such a farfetched lie or wouldn't have fallen for such an obvious trap. But in his drunken state, he couldn't process things easily.

"But, what made him think they were a married couple. What gave him that impression? For all you know, they could have been anyone and unmarried."

"Of course, they were a married couple. Anyone with eyes could really see that!" he replied haughtily.

"Really?" Haruhi said trying to sound curious.

"The way they constantly fight and argue and yet at the same they stay so close, it's the sure sign of blissful marriage. You'll understand only when you grow up, Haruhi." He said flippantly as he persisted in his attempt to get to the reason behind their visit, "Now tell me what they were doing here?"

Haruhi was stunned by his reply. She was sure that the couple were only asking her about the neighbourhood and general things when they stood in front of the apartment and at that moment they didn't have one argument.

'How did he know that the couple always fight and yet stay close together? He couldn't have known that fact unless he had known them previously. If he had had their acquaintance, then why did he hide from them? For that matter, how is it possible that he knows them? There's no explanation, unless… unless….' And the names of Kotoko Igarashi and Ryoji Akiyama flashed through her mind.

"Haruhi!" her father called for her attention.

'Is it even possible that my dad is Ryoji Akiyama. No, No…that can't be! That's not possible. But if it were then it would explain all the eccentricities he has been exhibiting since he saw Kyouya's father. Moreover, it would explain why he's so worked up after seeing the couple and why he's drunk. He's trying to find out from me the reason behind their visit.'

"Haruhi. Haruhi. Are you all right. You've been silent! What happened?" Ranka said in a freaked tone.

"Oh, nothing dad! I was just thinking about what they had told me, that's all. And yes they are a married couple, Ryuu and Kazumi Igarashi" She baited her dad and he looked super alert at the declaration.

All his earlier stupor seemed to vanish as he was listening to every word she said with pert attention.

She added, gauging her father's reaction, "and they did say something unbelievable, something so unbelievable that I was almost dumbstruck and shocked-" but her father interrupted her before she could say anything else.

"Haruhi you don't want to believe everything old people say. They are all senile…hahahahahhaha" he laughed it off, "you know they all say crazy things all the time. Don't put much stock in it" he said nervously.

"Actually what they said is the truth!" she said deliberately, seeing his father's face go pale and he looked like a guilty student who has been caught while cheating on a test. 'Serves him right' she thought vindictively, but something in her couldn't see her father's tormented face. So she decided to let him off for the moment.

"They are actually lawyers, both of them and they are very rich! Incredible isn't it to meet such great lawyers who are as wealthy to be on par with elite businessmen. They are also Kyouya's family friends. They dropped me at the apartment before going back to their manor." she said and saw her father sprawl on the couch with a sigh of relief. His earlier demeanour was completely replaced by his usual goofy attitude.

"Yes it is. Now Daddy is going to sleep on the couch. Goodnight, my sweet daughter!" he said in a rather loud voice.

'So he only wanted to know if they had somehow found out about my true identity' she thought morosely before lying down on her futon. She was tired but her brain didn't let her sleep, as there were currently lot of thoughts rushing through it. She wanted to believe that her father was just a commoner but all her gut instincts and her deduction pointed otherwise. Finally after an hour she fell into a fretful sleep.

The Next Morning, Haruhi's Apartment:

Haruhi had unusually slept in the next day, as she was both emotionally drained and physically exhausted. She woke up at 11 am in the morning. She noticed that her dad had left a note on the fridge, which said that he had taken over the shift for one of his friend who was sick.

Haruhi got ready for the day and fixed herself some brunch in almost an half dazed state. She was still thinking about events of the day before or rather she was trying to convince herself that it was all rather some twisted coincidence.

'Ahh… it's no use thinking things over. It's getting me nowhere.' she thought and decided to make herself some coffee as she was a having a terrible headache. As she proceeded to the kitchen, she heard someone bellowing her name outside and loudly knocking on her door.

She rushed to the door and opened it only to find the host club king outside her door.

Tamaki had timed his arrival to Haruhi's house around afternoon as he knew that she would be busy in the morning with all her chores. He intended to talk to her freely. However, when she didn't answer her door he began to fear the worst. He had been knocking incessantly for ten minutes. He began calling her name loudly, fearing that she was avoiding him. Finally, when he had decided to break the door open, she opened the door.

Haruhi was startled to see Tamaki standing outside her house. 'Why is here? Is he still after me when he is already engaged? I think I would have to tell him that I don't reciprocate his feelings, today.' She thought. She didn't want him visiting her house and hugging her all the while throwing his romantic overtures at her when he already had a fiancée. It wouldn't bode well for both of them. 'Now that I think about it… he didn't pull me into a hug the moment I opened the door and he looks distraught but calm.' she thought.

"Were you busy or something, Haruhi? I didn't mean to disturb you. I came down here in the afternoon because I thought you'd free now!" Tamaki asked nervously.

Haruhi just gawked at him 'Did he enquire if I was busy? Did he just say that he didn't mean to disturb me? Is he the same Tamaki sempai I know?' she wondered for a few moments silently.

Tamaki was becoming nervous at Haruhi's silence and started fidgeting.

"I wasn't busy. Why would you ask that?" she answered seeing that her friend was getting uncomfortable with her silence. "I have been knocking the door and calling you for nearly 10 minutes!" he said

She coloured immediately as she realised that she was deep into her thoughts that she didn't hear the knock.

"Sorry. I was deep in thoughts that I didn't hear you!" she said.

"Will you not invite me into your home?" he asked hesitantly. It was only then Haruhi realised that she hadn't invited him in and she was standing in the doorway blocking his path.

"Oh, I'm sorry come on in!" she replied as she moved aside to let him in.

There was a very awkward silence between them for a couple of minutes.

"umm..I was about to make coffee, do you want some?" she asked hesitantly.

Tamaki nodded and she went into the kitchen. While she was preparing coffee, she could hear the host club king giving himself a rather loud prep talk. She was torn between amusement at his goofy antics and trepidation at what he was going to tell her.

"Yes, Tamaki! You can do it! Just calm down and Oh No…. Oh No…..I completely forgot what I was going to say….. think…think" he said to himself totally unaware of how loud he was. However, he abruptly cut off his prep talk the moment Haruhi placed a coffee mug on the table in front of him.

Tamaki was looking at the coffee cup figuring out where to begin. He had learned from his father all that his grandmother had done to Haruhi. 'I may as well start saying something…. if I think too much, I'll start losing my courage' he thought.

" Ummm…. Haruhi….. Do you hate me?" he blurted out.

Haruhi was startled, as what he had asked was completely unexpected. She had half feared that he was here to profess his love and half hopeful that he had only come here to apologise. She however, never expected him to ask such a question.

"I don't hate you, Tamaki sempai. What gave you that notion?"

"I mean… after what you went through yesterday, I thought you would… hate me for sure!"

"No I don't hate you sempai, it wasn't your fault! Besides she was only trying to humiliate me, there was not much harm done there!" she said with a smile, trying to help her friend feel better.

"Of course it is my fault! And don't tell me she was only trying to humiliate you. I came to know from my dad that she had threatened you to attend the party and about the drugging and kidnapping incident. I am really really sorry Haruhi. I would have stopped her much earlier if I knew about her true intentions. I realised it very late. Will you forgive me for the trouble I caused you unknowingly?" he was looking her with an earnest and solemn expression.

Haruhi immediately understood the implication of the words 'I would have stopped her much earlier' and she felt really guilty as she realised that Tamaki had agreed to the engagement only to stop his grandmother.

"I don't hold anything against you, sempai. So, truthfully there is nothing to forgive."

"Thanks Haruhi. It's a relief to know that you don't begrudge me. I had feared that you were avoiding me when you didn't open the door for a while" he said.

"You're being overdramatic as always. If I intended to ever avoid you or for that matter anyone in host club, I would have packed up my belongings, gone off to a remote village and changed my identity" she said.

Tamaki took her reply seriously and was bewildered. 'Would she go to such an extent just to avoid us' he thought with remorse.

Haruhi laughed heartily at his shocked expression and she said, "Don't look so shocked sempai! I'm sure unless and until I take such drastic measures, you'll find me out no matter what and pop at my place uninvited."

Tamaki smiled at that. Haruhi was laughing heartily and that was all he wanted at that moment.

"Besides, I have a feeling that even if I do all that, Kyouya would easily track me down within a few days." She added fondly.

Tamaki's smile turned wistful after hearing that and the nagging doubt that there was something between Kyouya and Haruhi which already present in his mind took a deeper root.

'Somehow I get the feeling that it is Kyouya who has become important to her. Important enough to address him informally while she still calls me Tamaki-sempai.' He thought sadly. 'Well, it's no good mulling over this. I'll ask her what her feelings towards me are. If she doesn't feel the same way I do, I'll be glad because it's for the best and she wouldn't suffer. Though, I don't think I can handle her rejection but At least then the hope that I still nurture that someday she would be mine will be destroyed forever'

"Haruhi, can I ask you something?" he asked as he mustered all his courage.

" sure"

He focussed on her face, took a deep breath, and asked, "Do you love me?"

As her smile faded at the question, he added immediately "If you don't, don't say it. Just shake your head. I don't think I can bear to hear your rejection in words"

There were a multitude of emotions that took over Haruhi. She felt relieved and grateful at not having to reject him with words, but also guilt and concern at the pain she would cause her friend inevitably.

She took a deep breath to get control of her emotions and shook her head.

Tamaki had such a melancholic expression, which looked so out of place on his face as she was used to always seeing a happy expression on it.

Haruhi didn't know what to say her friend. Her heart sympathised with him. She always hated giving anyone pain by outright rejecting them. That's why she pretended to be oblivious to everyone's feeling because she felt guilty.

"I'm sorry Sempai." She said

"I'm glad. Haruhi because you wouldn't have to deal with the same heartache that I am going through. Now at least, I can assuage me guilty conscience that I never caused you any heartache!" he said genuinely.

After hearing his reply, her respect for Tamaki rose to a completely new level.

"Sempai when life doesn't give you what you desire, it always means that life has something better waiting for you in the future." She said in order to sooth her friend's obvious agony.

Tamaki just smiled and looked away. He didn't think that he would ever meet someone better than Haruhi. But he stopped himself from voicing his opinion as he didn't want the situation to get any more awkward. 'at least I'm still friends with her and I guess I can be satisfied with her friendship' he thought.

He began drinking coffee to divert his attention from the pain that he was experiencing. He tried to focus on the taste of the coffee and heat of it. He just finished only half of it when Haruhi asked him a question.

"Tell me sempai, did you go with the engagement only to stop your grandmother from harming me in anyway?" She asked him

" Yes" he replied and placed his cup on the table.

"I tried my best to not be the reason that you're forced to do something that you didn't want. That's why I attended the party and stayed there till the end despite what it entailed. But I guess I failed!" she said guiltily, "I'm sorry sempai"

"Don't be silly Haruhi; you're in no way responsible for my decision. I wasn't forced to do it, I did it out of my own volition. I did it to rectify the mistake I committed unwittingly. I have been so blind that I didn't learn anything from my own situation in life!" he said agitatedly, "Suohs aren't supposed to fall in love and I had fallen in love with you despite knowing that and putting you immediately in danger. If it weren't for my being so stupid and ignorant, you wouldn't have been in that situation. So I had to make amends for the mistake that I did"

"Awww…. Such a touching speech!"

Both Haruhi and Tamaki turned to look at the doorway from where the voice had come and they could see someone peeking in through the narrow opening through the doorway. Before either of could react, the door was opened fully and there stood Amaya Kaneko with an impish smile.

Tamaki yelped and immediately staggered backwards and crawled away on hands and knees and his reaction only made Amaya's smile grow wider. Haruhi just sighed and said, "I must have this strange charm of making everyone that I meet pop up at my place uninvited"

"Yep. I still love your brand of humour!" she said as she walked into the house and sat at the place where Tamaki was seated just minutes ago. She began drinking the remaining coffee from the cup that Tamaki had drank from earlier.

Tamaki, who was by now tucked behind the safety of the couch, yelled horrified, "You can't drink that coffee. That's mine. Besides, I drank from it, that's an indirect kiss!"

"This is from the guy who is the president of club that lures innocent young women just so he can satiate his hormone induced mind by flirting with them without a sense of dignity." Amaya replied coolly.

"Yes, but they are all innocent young women and there's nothing about you that's innocent. So put that cup down!" Tamaki replied in a short-lived stroke of bravery.

Amaya pinned him with a bone-melting glare and asked in a saccharine sweet voice, "What was that you said, my dear fiancé?"

Tamaki just completely ducked behind the couch at the threatening tone of her voice and she added, "Be careful of how you address me because I can very well create a big drama with tears to spare and take it as a case to your beloved and ever-controlling grandmother. Do you want me to do that Tamaki- kun?"

She could only hear a muffled 'Sorry. Please don't do that.' from behind the couch in reply.

"That's better!" she chirped happily, finishing the coffee.

Haruhi just smiled at the antics of her friend and his fiancée.

"So tell me, Kaneko-san, Why exactly are you here?" Haruhi asked her.

"Straight to the point, I see. You're no fun and just call me Amaya. To answer your question, I was spying on my fiancé." She said casually.

"Why?"

"Can you blame me? After all, any girl would do the same if she found her fiancé sneaking out of his own house only to go to another girl's place." she said in a very girly and distressed tone. However, her facial expression showed only genuine amusement.

At this, Tamaki immediately looked at her from behind the couch and waved his hands wildly as he said, "It's not like what you think. I swear!"

Haruhi smiled as she said, "Well, You're right any girl would do that. However, you're not just any girl, are you? Tell me the real reason."

"Oh, Haruhi-chan, you're such a spoil sport. I was planning on freaking out Tamaki-kun a bit more." Amaya whined.

"Well, anyway the real reason I was spying was to get to know all his weakness, sore points" she said and looked straight at Tamaki before adding "and also to estimate how long it would take me to make him cancel this engagement on his own."

'Oh! She's so much like Kyouya. I am doomed!' Tamaki thought as heard that.

"But it seems like I don't have to bother since he's obviously in love with you. So I guess eventually unable to overcome his feelings for you; he'll break off the engagement. It saves a whole load of effort for me!" she said dispassionately, "by the way, good for you that you didn't fall for his so-called charms, you looked like a person with too much sense anyway!"

"You heard the entire conversation" Tamaki squeaked.

"Of course I did. I'm thorough in whatever I do even if it is something underhanded like spying or snooping." she replied unabashedly.

She was about to say something when the front door was flung open loudly and everyone turned to look at the door only to find a highly annoyed Kyouya standing in the doorway.

Before Haruhi could greet him or say anything, he walked straight to Tamaki and pulled him by the front of his shirt and yelled, "You, moron, do you have any idea what you just did by coming here? Are you so stupid that it doesn't reach through to your thick skull that you were engaged only yesterday and to come to Haruhi's place immediately the next day would be a scandal? Do you have any idea how your grandmother is going to consider this situation?"

Haruhi tried to pry Kyouya away from Tamaki, but failed miserably.

"Calm down Kyouya, Please calm down Kyouya" she begged him repeatedly.

"How do you expect me to calm down Haruhi," Kyouya said as he let go of Tamaki's shirt and looked at her. "It's because of him you're dragged away at knifepoint yesterday." He could hear Tamaki's shocked gasp but didn't bother as he continued, "Now, thanks to him, his grandmother knows that he visited you even after his engagement. Who knows what his grandmother will resort to now?"

Tamaki looked grave and sober. He had tried everything in his power to be careful when he came here. He came to Haruhi's apartment by hiring a commoner transport called 'cab'. 'But I guess I wasn't so good after all Kaneko-san here had easily followed me. I can't believe I caused more trouble for Haruhi!' he thought

Haruhi rubbed Kyouya's hand in a soothing way as she replied, "He only came here to apologise for yesterday and from Amaya's words, I reckon he tried his level best to be stealthy when he came here. It's not his fault, Kyouya."

Haruhi was giving Kyouya a pleading expression as she was rubbing his arm in an attempt to cool him down. Kyouya found the expression highly endearing and amusing. He decided that he wouldn't mind seeing that expression on her face often. It was then he noticed that Haruhi was wearing his scarf, which he had given her the day before. Somehow, the fact that Haruhi consciously chose to wear his scarf was a huge boost to his pride and soon thoughts of Tamaki and his carelessness took a backseat.

Amaya noticed Kyouya's distraction and couldn't help but smile. She also noticed Tamaki's saddened expression and felt that the expression didn't suit him one bit. Thus, she decided to speak for him, only this one time.

"Yes, I assure you, he tried his level best to be inconspicuous" Amaya said with a mild laugh "But, unfortunately for him it wasn't much. He also managed to scare away nearly a dozen cab drivers as they all thought he was mental."

Kyouya had to drag his eyes away from Haruhi to listen to his cousin.

Tamaki perked up from his morose thoughts as he heard Amaya Kaneko's words. He looked at her with wide eyes and she looked at him with an irritated expression and cocked her head slightly towards Kyouya. He was confused for a second at the gesture but then realised that she wanted him to speak up for himself.

'Well, I should at least let Kyouya know that I took efforts even though they were a failure. At the least he should know I'm trying my fair share to make things right and somehow make up for my careless disposition.' he thought.

"I'm sorry Kyouya. But I really tried my best. I made up my bed in such a way that it looked like I was still sleeping before I got out. I climbed down through the window, but it was still a lot tougher than I thought and then I fell down. My hands were scraped as I ran behind the bushes and I tried to hire this commoner transport. No one stopped for half an hour and then this driver stopped but he smelt like rotten fish. Then, I was trying my level best not to vomit and after some time, I had to tell him to stop so that I could get out and puke and then…."he paused as if trying to figure what he really wanted to say.

Haruhi had a smile on her face as she realised that despite berating himself for his grandmother's faults and being heartbroken, Tamaki was essentially the same person and she hoped that he wouldn't change no matter what. 'Tamaki sempai is great just the way he is' she thought.

Whatever remaining anger Kyouya had towards his friend, seemed to melt away at Tamaki's fumbled attempt to defend his actions. 'Moron' Kyouya thought fondly 'Well at least he tried and that speaks more for him. If he has realised the weight of his actions, I'm sure he would do everything in his power to be careful.'

Amaya however was annoyed at her fiancé's eloquence or the lack of it and she irately asked him, "Your point is?"

"What I mean is…..I mean that I was careful even though I am not good at it. Next time, I'll even try harder and I will not intentionally cause harm to anyone!" he said, finally managing to articulate his thoughts well.

Kyouya just patted his shoulder in a 'let's make peace' gesture and said, "I understand you were, Tamaki and I'm glad that you had finally used your brain cells. But you should realise that no matter how much you try, someone or the other would eventually tail you or spy on you as everyone in your house is working for your grandmother. She's planted her people in the school as well. So, your every move will watched and reported to her"

"What?" Tamaki exclaimed in shock, "What do you mean? Is everyone then spying on me every day? I always thought that they were just normal people and I never realised that they would be reporting to my grandmother."

"Yes, Tamaki everyone there is a spy except for Shima-san. She was appointed by your father in the hope that at least there would be one person in that house who would genuinely want your welfare." He said.

Haruhi could only take pity on her friend. Tamaki always believed in the goodness of people and when such news was given to him, she was sure he would be devastated. However, to her surprise, Tamaki looked furious.

'She has meddled enough with my life, this is the last straw.' Tamaki thought angrily, 'I will put an end to all her meddling one way or another'

"Now that she knows I'm here, what would she do? Is there any way we can do something about this?" he asked Kyouya.

"Well, there is one way" Kyouya said, "It's a good thing Kaneko-san followed you because now we can turn the entire situation to our favour."

Haruhi just shook at her as she realised what Kyouya meant by that.

"What do you mean?" Amaya asked bewildered with the fact that there was now an evil glint in Kyouya's eyes.

"Well, now that you are here, you can play of role of doting fiancée which you were doing so well in the party yesterday." Kyouya commanded.

Haruhi lifted the empty cups to put them in the kitchen sink and walked towards the kitchen. Amaya huffed at Haruhi's apparent nonchalance over how things were turning out to be.

"No way, you're going to use my action against me, not going to happen!" she said loudly to Kyouya and crossed her over her chest in defiant stance.

"Oh, yes he is going to! However, I guess it's nice to see him using this tactics on someone else instead of me, for a change." Haruhi said from the kitchen.

Amaya, affronted, marched into the kitchen and said loudly, "As much, I appreciate your sense of humour, you're not helping now! Besides, he cannot make me do anything, as I don't take orders from anyone."

"I wasn't joking Amaya-sempai! And you'll be doing what he has asked of you as he'll come up with a suitable blackmail, right now." Haruhi replied.

Kyouya said with a smirk, "Ah… you know me so well, Haruhi!"

He then addressed his cousin in an admonishing tone," Amaya Kaneko, what do you think your parents will say when they come to know that instead of going to tennis classes every week, you hang out at local art galleries."

"How the hell, do you know that?" she asked exasperatedly.

"I have my ways." He said

"Fine, I'll do it, just tell me how long!" she conceded finally.

"From the moment you step out of this door. Seeing as how his grandmother's men are still in the vicinity, the news of you both getting along will reach her before we arrive at the Suoh second estate. I'll drop you there myself. She will certainly visit you both there to confirm it. Act a while in front of his grandmother and then you can leave." Kyouya said.

"FINE" she replied tersely.

She pinned her fiancé with a glare and directed all her rage over the current situation towards him as she said, "This is all your fault! Thanks to you, I've to waste away my precious time playing as your army candy. For heaven's sake, I had faced that ordeal only yesterday!"

Tamaki's ire grew as she blamed everything on him. "How is it my fault? I didn't ask you to follow me, all the way here! Besides, you're not the only one who's going to suffer. I assure you, I don't like it one bit when you cling to arm and whisper so close to my ear" He said in a disgruntled tone.

"And this is from the guy whose hobby is to make all the girls dote and fawn over him" she replied sarcastically.

"Yes, I like girls fawning over me. However, I don't appreciate the same gesture from devils" Tamaki replied.

"You're so dead!" She replied with venom.

With a quick 'see you later, Haruhi', he dashed out the door. His fiancée followed him out the door, in deliberate steps.

"I better go with them before she decides to kill him" Kyouya joked.

"I don't think she'll kill him yet" Haruhi said as she walked along with the Kyouya to the door.

"Any reason behind that observation?" he asked as he stepped out.

"Well, just the fact that she likes to torment him a lot and therefore she wouldn't let go of him that easily." she joked as she followed Kyouya.

Kyouya laughed at her reply and bid her goodbye. As he was descending the stairs, Haruhi looked at the newly engaged couple standing besides Kyouya's limo. Amaya was clinging to Tamaki's arm and she seemed to be whispering something in his ears.

'I'm pretty sure she's threatening him. It's sad that they fight like cat and mouse all the time, because they really make a cute couple' she thought. Soon, her thoughts wandered to another couple who fought like cat and mouse too. In a flash, all the suspicions she had and possibilities that she conjectured the day before rushed through her mind.

'Damn it! I forgot about it completely.' She thought. She immediately called out to Kyouya and asked him wait. Kyouya waited for her at the end of the staircase and Haruhi ran down to him.

The moment she reached him, he asked, "What's the matter, Haruhi?"

"I just want a small favour from you. Can you give me the details of my grandparents that you have collected?"

"What brought this on?" he asked her out of curiosity.

"Just the fact that I don't know anything about my grandparents. You seemed to know more about them than me. Besides, my dad will not tell me no matter how many times I ask him!" she said in a restrained voice and Kyouya immediately suspected there was more to her request than she let on. However, he didn't press her as he had his own agenda about her grandparents. He pondered for a while about whether it would be wise to give her the obviously falsified details that he had collected about her grandparents when he suspected her real grandparents where someone else.

However, Haruhi had the same pleading expression on her face as earlier, her eyebrows scrunched slightly, her lips parted and her chocolate orbs even more expressive than usual.

He revelled in her expression and replied without thinking, "I'll send you the details by this evening"

Haruhi smiled in triumph and Kyouya cursed himself for agreeing to her wishes without thinking through it properly as he walked towards his limo.