True Manipulation Chapter 28: Drawing a line

Morinozuka Compound, a stark white bedchamber

Maybe 1 p.m.

Mori-sempai became more disturbed the longer he stayed in this room with the 'two of them'. Kyouya had awoken early in the morning, which had seemed opportune to the older man but Mori's plan of ousting the man had failed. Kyouya had not raised a fuss because he had wanted his wife to sleep on undisturbed and he was still vulnerable from being sleepy. Haruhi protested loudly when she felt the movement from the bed. She was restless and began to fidget in her sleep. "Kyouya."

Kyouya became more alert to the fact that Mori was trying to "help" him from the room. The screaming soon began after Kyouya was more forcefully escorted down the steps on their way to the outside door. Kyouya appeared affronted to be dragged by two goon-like men. He didn't have much time to make a cutting remark as Mori-sempai's mother put her foot down. She didn't want her peace disturbed. She pointed up the stairs and a flurry of activity began to take hold.

Kyouya had resettled into his previous spot while his wife became calmer and squished herself against his side. Mori's brother actually slapped his head and muttered 'Baka.' Kyouya proceeded to enjoy Mori's discomfort for the remainder of the afternoon into evening. He sat having a cup of tea with his pineapple laptop, which had been amazingly provided for him in hopes that he didn't move one inch. Everyone was more than accommodating as long as he helped 'keep the peace'.

Kyouya did not lack for entertainment as he became aware of how Haruhi slept. He was usually out solid and did not hear any disturbance unless he was shaken or shouted awake. Haruhi talked in her sleep, and under the sleeping potion gave conscious but silly answers to his questions. He had not tried to pry information out with Mori watching him like a hawk. "Haruhi in the second quarter my stock portfolio seems to have increased in value, do you think I should invest in something new."

"Yummy Ootoro," she mumbled. He smirked at her answer. "Being married to you does mean I will likely be buying an alarming amount, perhaps the fish market is not a bad suggestion."

Mori was not amused from where he sat in the chair. He felt unbelievably stiff while Kyouya lounged indolently. He was occupying his time by taking notes on the particular blend of herbs he had used in her sleeping potion and started a new concept on fears created by noises affecting the type of sleep. They worked in silence for a time.

Click, click.

Scribble, scribble.

Click , scribble.

It was a few hours before any movement was noticed by Kyouya. Other than the occasional murmur his wife did not move at all. It had been at least 16 hours since she had drank the tea. They had hooked an IV to her for a few hours to make sure she didn't become dehydrated. Mori had not yet shared her bouts of fainting, but did not want to cause trouble unnecessarily. He monitored her vitals, but could not predict when she would awaken.

Kyouya took off his glasses and scrubbed his hands down his face. Mitskuni and Takeshi were trading off and speaking privately down the hall-way. It irked him that they were not sharing a great deal of information. Kyouya closed his eyes briefly attempting a cat-nap. He had been asleep about 20 minutes before he was jostled awake. His wife was staring at him sleepily, "Why is Huni-sempai in our bedroom." Before he could delve into a reply she felt the sting in her arm and yanked the IV out in a swift motion. She looked annoyed and then clapped her hand over her mouth suddenly and ran to the bathroom. Kyouya got out of bed to cap the IV and went into the bathroom while Huni paled listening to the disgusting sounds emerging from that direction.

Kyouya ran a cloth under cool water and then took hold of her hair. He pressed the cloth to her head. "Please go away," She mumbled miserably.

"In sickness and in health, Haruhi." He mumbled something pathetic sounding. He smoothed the cloth over her face and gave a kiss on the cheek. Another wave of sickness came over her. He was listening to the activity outside the door. Someone had woken Mori up about her upset stomach. Whatever he had made was supposed to be for a soothing sleep only with no after effects. She could hear him outside, "Mori, tried to poison me."

He laughed as he held her close on the bathroom floor. No one would believe the rumpled Ootori Kyouya would hold his wife after witnessing her vomit profusely. She scowled at him, "Did you have something to do with this?"

"Absolutely not, I have a whole team of medical professionals for this sort of thing." He felt a twinge of guilt only because he had wanted her back in Tokyo by whatever means available.

She felt empty and decided her sickness must be over. She trying to stand up and barely stayed upright. "Time to go back to bed." Kyouya was indeed acting like the mommy in this instance.

"I can walk."

"Perhaps for 3 steps until you fall on your face."

"You aren't supposed to be here. Wherever here is."

"I am supposed to be wherever you are and we are at the morinozuka and haninozuka strongholds."

Mori and Huni abruptly stopped what appeared to be a heated whispering match as Haruhi glared daggers at the two on her way back into bed. She propped herself up on the pillows and stubbornly would not be going back to sleep.

Mori cleared his throat as Huni left the room, "Kyouya." It was a warning and a signal. Mori would be throwing him out momentarily. Only one person could stop this.

Haruhi looked at the two curiously, "Haruhi tell him you want me to stay," he said it so softly she had to lower her head to regain control over the emotions pulling her in different directions. She was doubly torn by his demeanor and in-person request.

"Is not safe here for you."

"Mori's family trains my personal bodyguards, where could I be safer?"

She dredged up every ounce of her strength and turned away from him to look at the wall. She understood his logic perfectly, but if the spy caught on to Kyouya learning all the information she had gathered something truly awful would happen. Perhaps even an air strike on this whole compound. The most that could happen to her was someone 'taking her out' when she started going out in public again. She was purposefully about to come out of hiding to draw attention away for all the pieces of the puzzle and direct the attention on herself. This would take the heat off of the lawyers, accountants, and the host club.

She finally said, "I'm sorry but my case is top secret and I can't have you poking your nose in it."

His eyes clouded over into the fierce demon lord, "You forgot to mention the part about this having something to do with me."

"You promised you would back away for the time being."

"You have made many promises that I have not received the full value of your commitment in return."

"I will not be manipulated, I think its best you went home." You could hear a pin drop for a few seconds before he snarled through the house requesting transportation. She never took her eyes from the wall. "Leave me," She heard a movement towards the door and the door close behind Mori. She spent more of an hour collecting herself. She would never admit that it had taken everything in her to turn him out. The separation had been especially hard for her since she was just starting to sort out her strange fascination for Kyouya, she admitted she was attracted to him, his intelligence and resilience. She couldn't imagine his confusion, being left in the dark and knowing his spouse was in danger.

Haruhi called a meeting in the library after showering and having some crackers. She made absolutely sure she opened a new box and handled the goods herself. She didn't need to be the next hamlet poison victim. She had not quite figured out the purpose, perhaps they thought she would protest moving?

A stare down with Mori did not turn up the answer she wanted. Huni didn't do well under the strain, "We just wanted you to rest Haru!"

She appeared indignant and did not appreciate the interference. Other than the stomach upset she did feel tremendously rested. She was not about to thank them for it. "What has happened while I have been asleep."

"We called Tamaki like you discussed before taking your…nap. He agreed to house Kashoda-san's family during the trial at his home in South Korea. He didn't ask any questions and strengthened security. Getting the family to comply was the difficult part. Takashi got his sister and some younger cousin to act as the family's doubles to not raise suspicion."

She nodded, "What about Ritsu?"

"There was a ….small fire he was battling as we took off with you." Huni sempai smiled innocently.

Haruhi looked aghast, "I'm going to have to pay for that!" They both smirked like naughty children. "Did he know it was you?" They both nodded. She palmed her face in frustration. At least he knew where she was. "I suppose I should call him…" This would be pleasant.

The phone picked up on its first ring. He immediately started ranting on the phone. "I'm going to get that Morinozuka! You blew up my fucking house and then the cops showed up and tried to arrest me."

"She broke in hesitantly, "You aren't in jail are you?"

"Do you think they would let me keep my phone? Of course I am not in fucking jail…." The language that spewed forth caused Haruhi to pull the phone away from her ear.

"Listen Ritsu, I get ylu out of whatever jam you're in, you just have to tell me…."

"They burnt down the whole god damn slum down and then someone wanted an explanation. Makes me look like a damn arsonist…"

"WAS ANYONE HURT?!"

He sighed, "No Haninozuka made sure the whole area was evacuated but them stupid cops..." He began ranting again.

She had reached her patients, "Listen idiot, are you going with me to break the head of security out of the Ootori prison? Or what?"

He was silent for a minute. It wasn't like she wouldn't pay him for the damage. "Yes, " he said tensely. "Be outside the Morinozuka compound around 5p.m. and Haruhi, we will discuss payment later."

She had about a week before trial, and a lot of loose ends to tie up. She needed to select her questions and call a hostile witness; speak with the forensic accountants, the list went on and on. However, now she must every inch an Ootori. It might be their only advantage.