I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA OR OURAN HIGHSCHOOL HOSTCLUB

Enjoy~

À La Folie

She was a new student, a nobody who managed to squeeze in. He doesn't even know why she continued attending. Her very presence oozes laziness, lack of care, indifference- from the messy crown of hair down to the ragged soles of her sneakers. She was, in his eyes, a total waste of space with nothing worthwhile to offer and he was more than willing to treat her as such.

Of course he looked her up. He was a curious man by nature after all. And the presence of someone as she was enough to warrant his attention- no matter if it's bred from enmity.

Higurashi Kagome was her name, a shrine maiden from a drabby shine located in the heart of Tokyo- oddly fitting for someone with almost no presence.

Lives with a barely croaking grandfather, a struggling mother and an equally boring little brother with a fat, dying cat.

It takes a lot to earn his pity but Higurashi's painfully basic life was almost enough to make him feel so.

Only thing that made him feel humored was the fact that she has a benefactor backing up her life in Ouran. Akatsune, was the name. Apparently, the Higurashi girl had managed to do some sort of favor towards the Akatsune family, putting them under some sort of pride-related debt.

So they funded her and made her attend Japan's most prestigious academy. That's how it ended though. Just that. They sent her here and then promptly left her to her own devices.

A charity case- His mind supplied.

She sat in front of him during classes and he tried to ignore her and focus on his studies- he is, after all, the number one and he needed no distraction. But oftentimes, he would find his eyes gravitating towards her like some sort of black hole that demanded his attention.

A ratty sweater. Faded out green skirt. Tired blue eyes. And the constant cloud of despair.

She scores a bit beyond average, figures. She didn't seem to care. He doesn't as well. She was basic in every definition of the word, a nobody in the sea of somebodie-s. To him, she was as invisible as the air.

Tamaki relatively likes her, to a certain degree. The blonde took advantage of Haruhi and tried to coax Higurashi out of her shell, delicately urging her out with a promise of friendship.

She didn't take the bait.

Nobody denies Tamaki's friendship. It's a well known fact. So it was automatic that the student body easily grew to treat her with contempt and well placed sneers- a commoner, denying the hand of a prince. It was almost scandalous.

However, much to his ever growing confusion, the Higurashi nobody simply doesn't care.

All she did was stare at them all with sunken eyes lurking with something- grief? Anger? Regret? He does not know. But it was not a pleasing sensation.

Unsurprisingly, she was not a part of any after-school clubs, her lack of care coupled with the students' indifference enough to continue letting her be free, untied to activities, untied to responsibilities.

However, she was fond of loitering around. Like some sort of vengeful ghost. Just hovering around, no goals, no plans, doomed to forever haunt the Ouran halls with her not so welcomed presence. Students gave her a wide berth, and it displeased him when she ventured close to the third music room, her presence alone making their sales drop down a notch.

A bane to his existence, and she's not even aware.

It was during History, a random project to be made with a random partner, was when he was forced to converse with her.

Partners, they were.

"Higurashi-san." He greeted as he took a seat beside her, books neatly piled on top of each other.

"Ootori-san." She answered back. Her voice was raspy, soft and almost pretty. He hardly ever heard her since her transfer, always being so silent and aloof.

They were tasked to write a paper about the Warring States era of Japan- Sengoku Jidai; he heard her whisper. Needless to say, he went to work, not even bothering to split some with the commoner who's probably going to drag his grades down should he try to task her with the other half of the assignment.

So they -he, really- worked in silence, the scribbling of pen from his hasty writing the only sound between them. She could care less, simply breathing in the spring air from the open window.

"That's wrong." It took for a while for him to register that his 'partner' was talking to him and he blinked at her, a bit surprised and indignant. Did she just tell him he's wrong?

"Pardon?" He smiled at her, fake and cold.

Instead of answering, she took the paper he's writing in, swiftly crossing out the details he'd just written with her obviously cheap pen. He was too shocked and flabbergasted that he wasn't even able to chastise her for messing up his work. She sighed and handed the paper back to him.

Her handwriting was almost as horrendous as her appearance. The ink was smudged, the letters uneven. He wrinkled his nose at it.

"If you don't believe me, just look it up." and with that, she was off, -the lunch bell apparently rang a few moments ago- leaving him with his feathers quite ruffled, a crinkled paper held tightly in one hand.

He never did check though. And it was when their graded papers arrived that he regretted not checking.

Because she was right.

Everything she'd rewritten, everything she'd changed- they were all right. And now, all he could do was stare at the 65% score on his paper, slacked jaw and red faced.

"I told you to fact check Ootori-san." she said, voice as flat as ever. There were no signs of gloating or smugness on her face but he seethed nonetheless. "That could've been an easy 100%."

All he could do was crumple his result, lips automatically tipping up to his well practiced smile.

"Apologies, Higurashi-san." blue eyes slowly blinked at him.

"Don't say things you don't mean Ootori-san. Lying does not suit you." She turned around then, posture slouching over her desk.

Behind her, he frowned.

Kagome was tired. Oh so tired.

She was old. Well, not physically of course -despite being a year older than her peers- but it's more of an inside, soul-weary kind of exhaustion. Her heart was heavy, burdened with the ramifications of saving the world with a bunch of people that etched so deeply into her life, left a mark so gaping wide that she was never able to fill- now that she was back living her life as she should.

No demons, no jewels, no fighting.

She should be thankful, but all that was left beating at her heart was the soul clenching feeling of being lost.

She was in limbo, so to speak. Trapped in both past and present.

So she forced herself to live, to function. Continue to exist because she has no other choice.

But ultimately, she just wants to take a rest. Not in a permanent way, she'd never do that to her family. But maybe a trip? Travelling alone to gather her thoughts perhaps?

It was a nice thought.

Perhaps she'd consider it more.

So lost in her contemplation, she failed to avoid the body that rounded the corner. Papers rained upon them, blue eyes staring right at brown ones.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She slowly blinked.

Why-? Why is this girl wearing a male uniform?

Not one to butt her nose into other people's business(not anymore), she simply shook her skirt clean and offered a hand to the smaller student. Her palm was soft. Unlike the rough patches of hardened skin bred from knocking bowstrings.

They silently gathered the papers then, Haruhi glancing idly at the odd girl.

"Kagome-san- right?" she remembered the girl from that time with Tamaki. It didn't go well but Haruhi didn't dwell on it, knowing from Kagome's vibes alone that the girl had wanted to be left alone.

"Oh, Haruhi-san. I'm sorry if I didn't leave a good impression on you." She didn't expect this Haruhi to be a crossdresser, but then again, even if she took notice back then, she'll probably still won't care.

"You're part of the host club yes?" she asked bluntly.

Haruhi shrugged. "Yes. I'm their newest member."

"I wasn't aware females are allowed to join." The brunette blinked before sighing. Why bother denying anyways?

"I got myself caught in a nasty debt. Only way for me to pay is by hosting."

"Admirable." she commented.

Haruhi smiled in thanks.

They split ways when she reached the host club, Haruhi giving Kagome a small wave which she returned.

As the doors closed, she briefly clashed gazes with Kyoya, grey eyes narrowing a fraction before disappearing behind twin pink doors.

Kagome continued her walk.

"I'm afraid you will have to remain silent about Haruhi's little secret." It was raining, and Kyoya was lucky to catch the Higurashi girl before she went home, posture stiff and demanding.

"Ootori-san..." the way she said his name was almost offending, lackluster and flat.

"It's bad for business nee-?" her eyes twinkled with barely there amusement, it made Kyoya's blood boil. "-A girl playing host. Oh the scandal it will bring."

"It's best not to test my patience Higurashi." He bit out, challenged and ready.

"Is that a threat?" Is she stupid? Or is she that fed up with life that she's willing to get destroyed under his thumb?

"It's an option." She blinked slowly at him. "I fear you are not aware of how much power I wield in this school."

To his growing anger, the blasted girl smiled. It's the most amount of expression he had witnessed since her transfer. A little tilt, and a flash of glee.

"You can preen all you want Ootori but you do not scare me." If she can take on the great Demon Lord of the West and survive, Kyoya was as threatening as a pup.

Scoffing, Kagome raised her hood up and stepped into the rain. He can throw everything he wants, but she will never kneel before him.

The Shadow King watched as she walked carelessly, soaked almost immediately and he briefly wondered what happened to her, to make her so unfearing, unrelenting.

He pushed his glasses higher, silver eyes flashing.

I'll give you something to be scared about.

It was quite easy to turn the entirety of the student body against someone, especially if your name is Ootori Kyoya. All it took was a little push, an innocent remark, and then rumors about Higurashi's sickness started spreading like wildfire. Everywhere she went, whispers followed along with pointing fingers.

Soon enough, she'll bow down, he mused.

They always did.

But a week has already passed.

She still hasn't.

The girl lived through it all with her constant mask of indifference, not even a shred of reaction even when the whispers turned to outright calling out and snide laughter.

Blue eyes met his and they gleamed as if to say; Is that all you've got?

Normally, he would avoid resorting to underhanded tactics but he will not allow her to threaten his power and authority any longer...

So he leaked her address.

That got her attention alright.

Ouran academy is full of rich children. And money coupled with boredom was a mixture that usually equates to chaos and trouble.

And chaos it indeed caused.

Kagome was absent the next day, desk empty and cold. He passed by a random hallway and caught the latest news causing waves all over the student body, giggling girls relaying in high pitched voices.

Sakamoto-kun from 3-C hired some thugs to violate the Higurashi shrine! I heard that the Higurashi girl went mad and picked a fight- that's why she's absent, I heard she was beat up pretty badly!

His blood froze in his veins.

Slowly, comprehension dawned to him. He hightailed away from the gaggle of girls, pale and sweating.

All he wanted was to teach her a lesson- not get her beaten black and blue!

But you did teach her a lesson. I bet she learned real good huh? A voice whispered darkly to him and he shook his head.

He miscalculated, he underestimated the cruelty of his peers- he never expected them to actually resort to bodily harm and family endangerment! He expected some hate mail, some harmless pranks, not this!

An unfamiliar pain settled on his gut and he was disoriented all day. Tamaki worriedly asked him what's wrong but he simply shook his friend off, the feeling of sickness growing stronger and stronger until he finally got home and hurled over his toilet bowl.

Guilt was a new feeling of his and Kyoya decided he did not like it.

Kagome was back in school the next day, as ragged and unkempt as ever, face free from bruises or other kinds of injury. Similar to him, the rest of the Ouran students watched confused as she went about her day, fully functional and relatively healthy.

The rumors were false.

Kyoya felt as if he could finally breathe again, posture slumping to his seat as the lack of sleep finally caught up to him.

She's fine. She's not hurt.

"Ootori-" He visually jumped at the sudden call of his name and glanced up only to meet eyes with the Higurashi, blue eyes burning with fury.

Then, pain exploded on his jaw.

He was still disoriented and in vivid pain when he felt himself getting jostled, choking around his collar when a fist grasped at the uniform, easily lifting him up from his sprawled position. His hands automatically flew to grip at her fingers and his eyes widened.

They're not budging.

"You bastard-" The coppery taste of blood in his mouth was a foreign feeling and he cringed, eyes peeking down at Kagome's enraged face. Her lips were pulled back and he briefly took note of her perfectly conditioned teeth.

Of all the fucking things to notice-

"Send over someone to threaten my family again and I will personally hunt you down." her voice was alive with promise and something deep within him believed her words. She let go of him and immediately, his classmates came to his rescue and began advancing at the Higurashi, turning against the girl who simply protected her family from children who didn't know the meaning of limits.

"I hope you paid enough to get those bastards treated, I made sure they wouldn't be able to cause trouble anytime soon." she stood strong, proud, and buzzing with anger.

"You can't break me." As fast as she came, she was gone.

It took a bit of time for Kyoya to regain his bearings, -his jaw freakin hurts and he briefly wondered about Kagome's strength.

How could someone so small cause so much pain?

His classmates teetered over him and he waved them off, even convincing everyone to not relay anything to the teachers. While this might be a great opportunity to get back at the Higurashi and her quick, devastating fists, he knew that in a roundabout way, he deserves it.

He endangered a family, something unforgivable for someone whose own family was literally built upon the concept of keeping people safe.

It was the first time someone had defied him despite his threats and show of power, someone who did not cower under his dark promises. And it unbalanced him in a way. He used all possible means of winning, never thinking of the consequences his actions might bring and it frustrates him.

He was too caught up in this game, too caught up in his anger that he failed to weigh his decisions and what they might bring.

Everything needs to stop.

This game needs to stop.

It didn't.

The damage has been done.

Higurashi's reputation is now in absolute tatters and nearly everyone was willing to participate in the game.

Whoever can break Higurashi Kagome wins.

"I don't like how everyone is treating Kagome-chan." Tamaki softly admitted to him during lunchtime.

His chopsticks paused halfway towards his mouth. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. You started it." The blonde's voice had a foreign tone of spite in it and Kyoya refused to blanch at the words.

"I stopped didn't I?" Even to his own ears, his rebuttal sounded weak.

"Sometimes, I worry for you Kyoya." His friend tutted at him in disappointment.

Tamaki left, leaving the Ootori heir with his half-eaten lunch and a ball in his throat.

Kyoya grunted, infuriated at how complicated things had become. All he wanted was for Higurashi to obey him like how everybody does, -not break her.

That's exactly why everything went too far… Because whatever you do, you can't make her obey.

He didn't expect that nearly everyone in Ouran would take it as their personal vendetta as well, but he guesses, it's in their DNA to posture and push at someone they deem lower than them into submission.

And Higurashi, with her messy clothes and scruffy hair, never did.

So they pushed harder, intrigued and curious about her strength that they unconsciously coveted.

Perhaps, if they fought as hard as her, they will be able to stand against the path of life already carved for them to take? Perhaps, they would be able to firmly live their life by their own choices?

Perhaps, if they were as strong as her, they'd be free and happy.

Kyoya growled lowly, staring at his unfinished meal- and cursed.

"What?" The sound of wet, squelching clothes was loud as she turned to him, soaked and dripping with an upturned bucket laying by her feet. Snickering laughter faded slowly from the end of the hallway with a hastily thrown You're welcome for the bath Higurashi tossed in as a final jab.

Kyoya stood a couple of feet away, staring at the sodden girl who's currently against the world.

No thanks to you of course.

"If you have something to say Ootori then say it. Stop wasting both of our time." His jaw ticked at the audacity but he remained cool, composed - he won't let this girl get to him. Last time she did and he nearly got her family killed.

An Ootori should think before he acts. Consequences are dire, do not lose your head.

"Follow me." He simply said, turning abruptly to his heel.

"Leading me to a place so people can gang up on me huh?" she said despite following. Ootori can dump her in a room full of Japan's best fighters for all she cares - they won't be able to touch her anyways.

Even demons can't kill her, much less puny, fragile humans.

"You stopped being subtle Ootori." He continued walking, ignoring the sound of drenched socks -someone must've hidden her shoes again. "I prefer this side of you over that fake smile you always have. The urge to pummel you isn't so strong right now." His jaw suddenly felt hot and numb, the phantom feel of fist echoing from beneath his skin.

They reached the third music room and he reached out to unlock the door, twisting the ornate key until the lock clicked out of place.

He stepped inside and she followed, uncaring and aloof.

The door shut behind them and he made a beeline for their supply closet, idly leafing through the various costumes and picking out the least flamboyant one- a pair of haori and hakama, Haruhi's to be precise.

She raised a brow at him when he shoved the articles of clothing towards her, blue eyes briefly widening in surprise. Kyoya inwardly smiled at catching the boar-headed female off guard.

"There's a changing room at the back. Be quick about it."

She took the clothes, fingers briefly brushing against his. They were calloused, riddled with indentions and it's oddly fitting for someone like her. He put his hands behind his back, thumb idly brushing over his fingers from where she had caused contact with.

"Is this a new tactic Ootori?" she asked, pinning him with amused eyes. "You certainly love thinking outside of the box huh?" The urge to snarl at her was almost impossible to hold back.

"Just shut up and go change Higurashi." Her sharp tongue truly knows how to push his buttons.

"If you're going to take pictures of me while changing, make sure to catch the best angles, mkay Ootori-?" Then she was gone.

Kyoya sighed and briefly wondered what he's doing in the first place. He sees no merit in helping the academy outcast after all. Perhaps, this was some sort of penance? A way to alleviate the uncomfortable gut feeling of his whenever he saw her suffering the brunt of his peers' attention?

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

She stepped out, dry and dressed only to see him sitting on one of the tables, silently working on something. He didn't even look up so she shrugged and began walking around the spacious room. It's nice in here. She noted. Pink and golds, truly befitting for the rich people in Ouran.

She walked over the grand piano by the corner, fingers playfully pressing at random keys. Kyoya let her be, focusing on his work. She pressed several more, and Kyoya finally noticed that it was actually a melody, sad and haunting. She was obviously an amateur, not even levelled with Ouran's youngest pianist. Her playing was very childlike, similar to a toddler learning their ABC's with a finger pointed and pressing at the keys.

It's charming, in its own way.

Since it's on the verge of spilling from my hands,

The lead from his mechanical pencil broke from his shock, fingers pressing harder than necessary. Kyoya managed to force himself not to turn around and gape, the soft, lovely sound of singing oddly fitting with the amateur playing of piano keys.

Where should I throw away this love you gave me?

Her voice was far from perfect- cracking at some of the higher notes and way too breathy to be heard clearly. But for some reason, it tugged at his heart strings.

I have no need for things-

Unconsciously, now that he's too drawn to the melody to care, his body turned, aimed at the Higurashi girl by the other side of the room.

-that diminish the more I use.

The final note rang in sync with a single piano key, echoing around the room. He crossed his legs and leaned on a hand.

"Continue." he said.

He was genuinely surprised when he heard her pressed on a key once more.

Kyoya ended up not getting any work done that afternoon.

He saw her one time, skulking around the halls and as if caught by a siren's song, his legs followed after her.

Medical Wing the plaque above says.

The Higurashi girl entered one of the clinics and Kyoya tersely waited for a few moments until he was out and walking towards the same room.

"Ah-" She was rummaging for something in the supply cabinet, the lack of nurses around putting a slant on Kyoya's brow.

"Where is Sugawara-sensei?" The woman was usually on duty, diligent and caring.

Kagome shrugged and continued her search, hands deftly pushing away bottles of antiseptics and medicines.

"What happened to you?" He demanded more than asked once he caught sight of the blood slowly dripping from her fingertips. The red spots on the polished white tiles were concerning to say the least.

Kagome made a small sound of triumph, a box of gauze in hand. "They played a bit rougher than usual today." She said with a voice lacking greatly in concern. "Nothing I can't handle." She can handle a lot of things after all, things that will probably traumatize these rich, sheltered children.

Kyoya watched as she unblinkingly took off her ratty sweater, throat closing at the sudden skin exposure. She was very toned. He mused. Lean muscles and a flat stomach- he squirmed on his feet.

The wound was nothing alarming, thankfully. Just a clean slash on her bicep. It was bleeding quite profusely however and he was thankful for not being squeamish.

He walked to the medicine cabinet, looking for some headache medicine that he actually doesn't need and found some by the back on the fourth panel. Pocketing the bottle of aspirin, he turned to her.

Kyoya almost smiled when he saw her struggle with patching the wound up, the angle too awkward to be handled by the injured person. He took a bag of cotton balls and a bottle of antiseptic, pumping three pumps of alcohol in his hands as he walked towards the Higurashi girl.

"That will get infected you know." He took a stool and sat, neatly settling the antiseptic and bag of cotton on top of the supply trolley. He took the unraveled gauze and grasped her arm. She was warm to the touch.

"You have a funny way of showing that you have a conscience Ootori." He froze at her words, staring unblinkingly at the slash of flesh in front of him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." she hummed, not even flinching when he dabbed some antiseptic against her wound.

Kyoya pressed three layers of gauze on top of the injury and began rolling the bandage around her arm, swift and steady.

"You're good at this." she mentioned.

A shrug. "I should be." Medical Zaibatsu and all that jazz.

She stood up and wore her sweater back, uncaring as usual. Kyoya inwardly ignored the fact that his eyes strayed once more along the expanse of her slender torso, briefly narrowing at the starburst scar etched on skin.

That looks fatal. He mused.

Kagome tapped at the area of treated flesh, reaching over and patting him on the head. He stiffened under the contact.

"Thanks." And she was gone.

It was art class, and he was not surprised that someone threw paint at her like some kind of kindergartener, red paint dripping thickly down her chin and splattering at her canvas.

Tamaki was quick to stand up for the Higurashi, purple eyes angry and disappointed.

"Don't mind them Suoh-san." She said. "It's not worth the trouble."

The blonde softened, apologizing to the dirtied girl and offered to help her clean up. She politely declined.

"Let's finish sensei's task before we all get in trouble."

The class continued with their projects, paint thankfully had stopped flying and Kyoya felt himself slowly relax from the rigid position his spine had snapped into.

Higurashi ended up getting the highest grade in class. He didn't mind. Art is not a major subject and it offers the least amount of advantage for him, unlike Science and Math.

"May I see your work Kagome-chan?" Tamaki asked, curious.

The girl silently offered her canvas to the blonde and he sneakily took a glance. His breath was caught.

It was a portrait. Of him, of all things. A simple profile of his -framed with spider lilies she had manipulated out of the red paint that splattered haphazardly around the canvas.

"You were in front of me so I just picked you as my subject." she shrugged at him. "You can keep it if you want."

He did.

Rumors were once more thriving and alive, not unlike the veins that gripped at the walls of his house, spreading cracks and digging deep in concrete.

However, it was not about Higurashi.

It's about him.

His father had held a banquet over the weekend and Kyoya was obligated to attend, naturally. He didn't know how, but news about his carelessness about Higurashi's case had reached his father's ears.

Kyoya was humiliated in front of everyone.

Yoshio never did have qualms hitting his children in public.

Your stupidity will cause this family's downfall. Make sure to never commit the same mistakes ever again. Disowning you will be the least of my problems.

Another pitying glance was thrown his way and Kyoya breathed deeply to stop himself from screaming.

He fled during lunchtime, taking solace in the labyrinth like hedges of Ouran's massive gardens.

"Rough weekend?" He searched for the familiar voice, glancing about in confusion.

"Up here." He looked up.

Higurashi was above him, sprawled like a cat on top of a thick branch. She looked relaxed. Most natural he'd ever seen her really.

He ignored her question and simply took a seat on the grass, breathing slowly as the calming atmosphere managed to chase away the tension plaguing his shoulders the entire day.

"I heard about it you know." He stiffened. Maybe if he ignored her, she'd stop talking.

She didn't.

"You shouldn't let your father treat you like that. Have some pride Ootori." Anger slowly resurfaced. How dare she? She doesn't know anything about him!

"Don't talk about things you don't know about, Higurashi." He coldly bit out.

"Sore topic huh?" she replied, voice teasing and light.

He exploded.

"You won't understand. A commoner like you who deals with no responsibilities whatsoever can't possibly acknowledge the fact that people need to make an effort in order to achieve success." He was breathless, but still, he burns. "You can't even fix yourself. So don't speak to me as if you and I share the same level."

She simply blinked slowly at him, like a cat lounging on a windowsill.

"You're right, I'm not tied with responsibilities." a wry smile spread on her lips. "It's not like I'm tasked with saving the world or anything, right?" She knows her statement confused him, but she could care any less.

"What-?"

She fell forward and Kyoya's stomach did a funny flip, muscles locking up as the girl tucked into an experienced roll and fluidly landed with nary a sound.

"Well, if it helps-" she strolled up to him, leaning down and covering him from the light of the sun peeking in between the tree leaves. "-you're a jerk but I believe you'll be able to stand up for yourself in no time. You work hard Ootori, believe in yourself a lil bit more."

He tried to brush off her encouragement. Her words mean nothing. Just senseless commoner blabbering that holds no weight.

Or so he said to himself.

"If you think you can, then you should." she patted him on the head once more, like she did when they were inside the school clinic.

Kyoya brushed her off and left.

She was restless, he could see.

It was in the way how her shoulders were pulled back, straight and full of tension. She squirmed uneasily from time to time as well, fingers reaching up to tug relentlessly at her messy hair.

He watched as she took out her phone and forced himself not to jump when the girl slammed it back down to her desk.

"Are you alright?" he found himself blurting out.

Blue eyes raging with hellfire swiveled to him and he flinched. Last time she stared at him like that, his jaw had swollen shut for a week.

"My phone is fried." she spat. The damned students tossed her things down the fountain earlier that morning, successfully destroying the already half dead cellular device. It was the only means of communication she has with her family in case of emergencies.

Ever since the shrine received unwelcomed visitors, she ordered Sota or her mom to update her even during school hours.

And now that her phone is dead, they won't be able to.

It's even worse since her gut has been churning the whole day.

Something's up. But she doesn't know why. Can't know why.

Kyoya had his arm reaching out and offering his phone to the Higurashi brat before he could even comprehend his actions. He blinked.

She stared at the device, blue eyes looking at him with questions and doubt.

"Use it." He cooly said.

Kagome took the phone after brief contemplation, punching the needed numbers and putting the pricey gadget against her ear.

Ring-

Ring-

Ring-

With every ring, she stiffened, -until she was nothing but rigin spine and wild eyes.

"They're not picking up." She stood up, pacing.

Kyoya silently watched as she slowly began to unravel, her composure giving way to biting lips and digging nails. It's quite uncomfortable, he concedes. Seeing her like this. He'd grown used to seeing her strong and composed, unbeatable, invulnerable.

But now, she looked helpless.

Finally, someone picked up.

"Sota-!" Relief crossed her features and Kyoya unknowingly leaned back to his seat - only to stiffen back once more when she gasped out a small, heartbreaking sound.

"...What?" He swallowed a lump in his throat when she froze, hands hanging limply by her side, phone still open and running.

Once upon a time, he had wished to see her defeated, to see her toppled over. Wished to see her flame die as she comprehends that he held the power over everyone, even her. But as tears began escaping unresponsive blue eyes, Kyoya can only watch as something painful lanced at his heart.

"My grandfather…" her voice sounded so small… So defeated. "...is dead."

If winning felt like this, Kyoya was prepared to keep losing for the rest of his life.

"Are you ready?"

"Hm?"

Kyoya glanced at his friend, his hands were sweating, he noted. He was awfully warm, dressed in a matte black suit and a black tie. Tamaki was dressed the same, blonde hair contrasting with the monochrome outfit.

He looked up, eyes falling at the aged Torii by the end of the stairs.

"Let's go." he said. They walked up the steps in total silence, hearts heavy with the atmosphere of loss and despair that seemed to seep from the very ground they were trudging upon. Kyoya maintained a steady pace, not too slow to indicate fear, not too fast to show eagerness.

They reached the shrine grounds and slowly walked towards the modest two story house by the edge of the clearing, beside an impressive tree that looked as if it too, was mourning.

A boy, a spitting image of their classmate was seated by the entrance, brown eyes tired and bloodshot. He looked too old for someone so young, it was quite unsettling.

"We offer your family our deepest condolences." Their voices were low and empathetic.

"Nee-chan's friends?" the boy asked.

Tamaki answered immediately. Kyoya hesitated.

Were they friends? Did he want to be friends?

Does he deserve to be her friend?

Kyoya scribbled his name hastily on the registry, noticing that the pen he's using was the very pen Kagome had used to scrawl at their history paper from way back. He tugged at his collar, loosening enough so that he could breathe.

Tamaki wrote his name next and they both deposited their okoden onto the respective tray, the white envelope visually thicker than the rest, standing out like a sore thumb.

Bowing towards the young boy who returned the sentiment, the two Ouran students slowly entered the main room - decked in white flowers and scented candles.

Not many people were present, almost a dozen at best, including Tamaki and himself. It was deathly quiet, not even the sound of weeping or sniffles were present.

"Kagome-chan." He heard Tamaki whisper as he pointed at the corner of the room.

There she was, clad in ceremonial robes, the only beacon of white amongst the grieving shades of black.

As if feeling their gazes, she turned, looking at them with the saddest pair of eyes they'd ever seen.

It does not suit her.

"Suoh-san, Ootori." She greeted them, bowing in acknowledgement as they offered her their condolences. She was very… Different. Her robes were immaculate, not a crinkle on sight. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, combed and tamed, showing off the delicate shape of her face.

She looked decent, for a change.

But looking at her now, he prefered the defiant shine in her tired eyes than the frigid sheen of grieving muting down her blue orbs.

They do her eyes no justice.

Tamaki was then separated from him, conversing with Kagome's mother in hushed tones. Higurashi walked out and drifted, unnoticed. Except for him.

He followed and saw her standing beside the great tree.

"Are you happy now?" she asked suddenly.

"I don't know." he replied. Kyoya remained frozen in place. "I'm sorry."

She laughed and he watched as she crumbled. "Your apology won't bring back the dead Ootori."

He was in front of her even before the first droplet of her tears fell, arms tight around the breaking girl. The heat from her weeping was passing through the expensive material of his suit and shirt.

It was scalding.

"I wish I was there when he passed." Kagome admitted softly after a short while.

Her weight was pressed against him so intimately and it should've repulsed him, but it didn't. His suit was wrinkled, dirtied by the soil from the ground.

"He was looking for me, Mama said." Her hair tickled at his nose and he silently inhaled. Peaches, he thought.

"They were trying to call me all day you know." There was a tone of anger in her voice, and his muscles tensed up.

"But they can't." He finished. She nodded against him and he curled tighter around her.

"They can't." she repeated.

Something cold gripped at his chest and it hurts.

"I'm sorry." He persisted, pushing his head lower, hiding behind the crown of black hair and the scent of peaches and anguish.

"Your apology won't bring back the dead Ootori." she parroted.

Kyoya inhaled deeply and wondered why his cheeks were wet.

When Kagome came back to school, havoc followed after her like hellhounds nipping at the dead's heels.

No one was aware that she was still mourning. No one was aware she lost a part of her. No one was aware that she was looking for someone to blame because her grandfather had needed her and she wasn't even there.

So it came as a surprise to all when the normally impassive Higurashi, who never fought back, who never flashed her fangs, suddenly snapped and bit back.

Students were screaming bloody murder as glass came raining down in a shower of deadly shards, the expensive Ouran windows easily giving way to the rampaging girl drowning in delirious rage and heartbreak.

"Give him back! Give him back!" She shrieked. She was bleeding and alarms had started ringing, students cowering in pathetic little groups as she spit fire and brimstone.

"This is what you all wanted to see right?!" Another window was smashed open and a shard of glass fell on her, slicing a neat line on her face. "Congratulations everyone!"

"You won!"

She was a sobbing mess when Kyoya arrived at the scene, bleeding and miserable as she sat in the middle of her self made wreckage. The shards were piercing through her legs, making a bloody mess. The rod she had used was bent and broken, loosely gripped by an equally broken fist.

The silence in the corridor was deafening.

He walked towards her, pieces of glass crunching under the sole of his polished shoes. He reached out to her. She lashed out.

"Don't touch me!" His head snapped to the side from the blow she had delivered, his pale cheek smeared with her blood. It was warm.

"Kagome." Her name rolled off his tongue fluidly and he marveled at why he didn't use it much earlier. She looked up at him, the sheer helplessness of her features tugging deeply at his heart.

The Ouran guards arrived and made a move to apprehend Kagome, only to step back when he rounded at them, eyes flashing silver with warning.

"Don't lay your hands on her." His voice was dark and threatening.

He hooked his arms under her knees and effortlessly lifted the injured Higurashi, thankful that she had stopped fighting him. She leaned against him, tears slowly running down her bloody cheeks.

He pressed his lips against the crown of her hair and whispered another desperate string of apologies.

"I'm sorry."

He was not surprised when she rasped; "Your apology won't bring back the dead Ootori."

The clinic was for them to monopolize once more, like last time. No one was present and Kyoya let out a relieved sigh. He deposited Kagome on one of the beds and took out the same bottle of antiseptic he used back then and a fresh bag of cotton balls.

"Where is it-" he mumbled, searching for gauze pads and bandages.

"Third drawer - bottom left." she told him. He opened said drawer and took a healthy amount of the stuff, grabbing a pair of latex gloves on the way back to the bloody girl.

He snapped the gloves on after taking off his blazer, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows for easier movement.

"You sure made a number on yourself." He remarked, mildly wincing as he pulled out a shard embedded rather deeply on one of her knees. She didn't flinch.

The glass made a soft tink noise when he deposited it on one of the metal pans, followed immediately by more. His fingers were steady and precise, easily pulling out the bloody pieces of glass away from her flesh.

What a pity, she has such nice skin too.

"You're good at this." deja vu, he thought.

"I should be." He smiled softly at the amused scoff that came from her.

After everything was free of shards, - he checked every wound religiously, fingers sliding smoothly over the expanse of milky white skin and Kyoya didn't know why he suddenly regretted wearing the gloves- he began disinfecting the cuts.

"Lift your leg up." He said, trying to roll a bandage around her thigh. She acquiesced, her green skirt riding up dangerously and his eyes flashed at the display, silently observing the tantalizing stretch of flesh.

He did the same treatment to her other leg, dutifully patching her up until all that was left was the wound on her face. The way she stared at him as he began treating the slice on her cheek was almost obscene -half lidded and piercing blues.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked.

"Why do you need to know?" he replied. He tossed the used cotton balls into the trash, cleaning up the supplies and arranging them in a neat pile. He took off the gloves, the latex snapping as he held her stare.

She blinked slowly at him. "Why do you think I need to know?"

Kyoya pulled at the curtain separating the beds, successfully hiding them both from view should anyone enter the clinic. Her blue eyes almost seemed to glow, answering the fire that lit behind his own silver eyes as he crossed the distance between them.

The bed creaked from under his weight, hovering over the nobody who managed to etch her very presence underneath his skin, driving his thoughts to near insanity.

He whispered between the space separating his lips away from hers, nose flaring as he breathed in the scent of peaches and copper.

"Let me show you."

The taste of her against his tongue was maddening and Kyoya was willing to further experiment with her flavor, something that he'd unconsciously craved for after all this time.

Exquisite.

Higurashi Kagome was pulled out from Ouran Academy.

This did not surprise him, considering the circumstances.

The Akatsune heard about the poor treatment their charge had gone through, making him wonder if they knew his part on it.

They should.

He was the one that caused everything after all.

Her desk was empty of course -and he should be thankful that the messy waterfall of hair was gone, finally allowing him to focus during his classes.

Tamaki asked him if he was alright when they saw each other. He scoffed. Of course he is. Why wouldn't he be?

The sun had started to set and he was the only one remaining inside the classroom, glasses reflecting the hues from the dying sun. He stood up, long legs striding until he was beside her place.

Her skin felt smooth despite the feel of bandages, fingers digging deep, unabashed, fully committed.

Kyoya laid a palm flat on the desk, splaying his fingers over the surface, eyes half lidded and indifferent.

Her lips were dyed with red, puckered and swollen. He ran his tongue across it's plumpness, soothing the ache he had caused.

He sat on her chair, recalling the way she slumped over her seat like an uncultured peasant that she is, back hunched over, meek but resilient.

His hands groped and clenched, willing to find any sort of purchase, anything to cling on as she devoured him wholly.

The feel of the polished wood against his cheek was cold and biting, further emphasizing the lack of presence from the very girl he had vowed to defeat since the beginning.

She whispered his name so beautifully, lips pressed close to his ears as he panted for reprieve.

Kyoya closed his eyes and ran his hand against the surface of her desk, lips mildly opened as he breathed out a dying plea amidst the silence of the classroom they had shared.

"Yes."

"Do you like pain?"

"You're making me sound like some sort of deviant."

"Maybe because you are? Mr. Masochist?"

"I assure you, I'm not."

"I did tell you lying doesn't suit you right?"

"And what caused you to think so?"

"..."

"Kagome?"

"You're in love with me."

"..."

"..."

"...Bold assumption, my dear."

"You didn't deny it."

"I don't have to."

"If I leave, will you stop me?"

"Why should I?"

"I'd stay if you tell me to."

"So?"

"Be honest with me. Just this once."

"I always have been."

"Do you love me?"

"No."

Owari~

Song above is titled; Ama no Jaku by Akie

(Unbeta-ed and unchecked)

Having troubles writing VVA's next chapter so this monster popped up like a daisy.

R&R~

「And thus I wither」