Chapter 17

Come Together

Kyoya continued typing the message on his cell phone, blatantly ignoring the tall blonde man that was currently standing in his living room. He would be lying if he said he wasn't just a bit intrigued about why Tamaki had come barging through his door this afternoon. In all honesty, he was often interested to see what Tamaki was going to do even if he was, more often than not, irritated by his actions.

He sent the message and then continued to tinker with the electronic device in his hand for a few more minutes just to antagonize his friend. Finally he set his cell phone aside and addressed Tamaki directly.

"What is it now, Tamaki?" he questioned, his tone belying his curiosity.

Tamaki didn't waste a moment, he immediately launched into an excitable dialogue about some benefit or another involving the hospital though Kyoya couldn't be sure because of the extensive flailing that accompanied his friends words.

Kyoya stared at his friend, his face a mask of impassive stone. "What exactly are you on about?"

"Kyoya! You weren't listening at all, were you?" Tamaki chastised though it didn't appear to dampen his mood in the slightest.

"The other day I went to see Daisuke-kun again because I was so sad about what you told me and when I left I got to thinking, how can I help these people? Well I have the most splendid idea! Why don't we hold a benefit for their family? Try to raise a little money to help pay for Daisuke's treatments. We could sponsor a ball just like we used to back when we were in the Host Club. I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner!" Tamaki finished with a broad smile nearly splitting his face. The blonde was clearly impressed with himself.

The dark haired man cleared his throat before speaking. He knew before opening his mouth that this conversation wasn't going to end well. "I'm sorry, Tamaki but I can't allow you to do that."

"What?!" Tamaki snaps, his attitude shifting in an instant. "Why not? I want to help them and this is the only way!"

"Look, Tamaki, I understand what you're trying to do and it is admirable but you can't. I told you much more than I should have about the Tsukino's situation. It was a breach of doctor patient confidentiality."

It appeared that Kyoya's explanation did little to change the blondes mind, Tamaki huffed "No one would know how I found out about this! Kyoya, we can help these people! How can you be so callous?"

At this Kyoya jumped to his feet and slammed his hand down on the coffee table in front of him, his lips curled back to expose the clenched teeth that he spoke through, "I will not sit here while you speak of things you cannot possibly understand, Tamaki. Even if it were possible to have this benefit would it be fair to the other patients in the hospital who are unable to pay their bills, hm?" Kyoya stalked around the table to stand toe to toe with his friend. "How would the hospital be able to tell them that though we sympathize with their plight there is simply nothing we can do when we favored another family?"

Tamaki looked at his friend wide eyed with his mouth hanging open. It was rare that Kyoya allowed his emotions to show and even rarer still for him to raise his voice. Tamaki was left speechless, he had not even considered such a complication and even though he was disappointed he did have to admit that Kyoya was right.

Kyoya focused taking a few measured breaths to calm himself, though he was loath to admit it, he was regretting his actions toward Tamaki. He would never let Tamaki know but it got under his skin that Tamaki thought he was being insensitive or uncaring when he was just being realistic. In all honesty, he was spending nearly every moment of his free time trying to reduce the costs of running the hospital so that care for those like Daisuke and his family would be more affordable. The other man had no idea how all-consuming his research and work had become.

He removed his glasses and ran a hand down his face in exasperation, he pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to regain his composure.

"Look, Tamaki, I can't really tell you what to do with this whole situation with Ren and Daisuke but unfortunately the hospital absolutely cannot be involved in any benefit or charity related with them. It simply would not be fair to the other patients and their families and it could cause serious problems for everyone involved. That being said... I can't help you either."

Kyoya wouldn't have thought it possible but Tamaki's face fell a bit more than it already had after his prior tirade. He scrubbed a hand through his hair roughly, causing it to stand on end and it gave an edge to his usually cool and collected facade.

He asked, "Tamaki, why are you really doing this?" Though Tamaki did tend to have a bleeding heart he barely knew these people and yet he was already so willing to provide them with anything he could.

Tamaki's lavender eyes flashed briefly before a shade of pink began to shade his cheeks. "It's just... I went back to the hospital yesterday to see Daisuke-kun. After meeting them and speaking to you I couldn't stop thinking about them. How it wasn't fair that Daisuke was so young and might not get a chance to live his life because his family wasn't able to pay for his medical treatments. I spoke with Ren-san and she told me that once Daisuke got sick none of her friends offered their help... all this time it has just been the two of them against world and I can't let this world let them down, Kyoya. Not if I have the capability to help them."

These were the moments Kyoya knew exactly why Tamaki had become his best friend. Although Tamaki could certainly be arrogant, self-centered, oblivious and just downright annoying, he also had the ability and conviction to fight for what he believed in.

Kyoya let out a harsh huff of breath before saying, "Alright. I will see what we can do."

He didn't move fast enough to evade the bone crushing embrace that Tamaki caught him in.

Takashi sipped at his steaming mug of green tea quietly only taking brief glances of Haruhi. Dinner the night before would have been considered a disaster by just about anyone's estimation. The atmosphere between the two had been tense and strained. Not even a slice of one of the pies that Haruhi had made with Mizusu had brightened her mood.

The young man desperately wanted to go back to last week when they had been spread out on Haruhi's couch, her textbook perched on her stomach and her head resting in his lap. He rewarded her with a slow, languid kiss for every chapter she had finished. It was a method of studying that they both had come to enjoy. In fact, Takashi was certain his scores for the exams he took recently would exceed the scores for his last exams because of their new study arrangement.

After a few more minutes of silence passed he decided that being direct was his best approach.

He cleared his throat to get the girls attention, she looked up sharply meeting his gaze and before she could look away again he spoke; "Haruhi... if I've done something to upset or displease you, please let me know. I want to apologize but I am not sure what I've done and I don't want to be insincere. I can't apologize properly if you don't tell me what I have done." he said.

Haruhi's face softened without her permission at the sincerity of his words. Takashi was such a kind person and sometimes Haruhi had a tendency to forget just how sensitive he could be. It wasn't fair that she was treating him to an aloof attitude when they should be enjoying their time together. Though Haruhi was sure that Takashi was hiding something from her or at the very least neglecting to tell her something, she had no proof. Still, she felt the need breach the subject with him.

"You haven't done anything wrong Takashi, it's just..." she trailed off for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts so that she could relay her misgivings properly. She did not want him to think this was an attack on his character. "I want you to know that you can share things with me Takashi. I want to know your thoughts and your feelings and your opinions. I just feel that sometimes you keep those things to yourself and maybe it is selfish of me to want to know those things but I do."

Haruhi wasn't sure what response to expect from Takashi but she was pleased when he reached out his large hand and cupped the side of her face gently. She leaned into the touch and found that she was not surprised by how comforting she found it to be but it still managed to frighten her. That was the moment Haruhi truly started to understand the anger that she had felt towards Takashi. She was frightened of the way she felt for him and it had manifested itself as anger instead. Haruhi had spent her whole life being her own person, being the only one responsible for her and her own happiness. She was scared because now some of that happiness was placed in the hands of another and she had no control over that. It was not a feeling she relished but she needed to give Takashi a break because it wasn't his fault. She could not continue to project her own insecurities onto him and she could not allow them to harm their relationship.

After a few moments of silence Takashi swallowed against the tightness in his throat and nodded, "I understand Haruhi. I never meant to make you feel this way. I will try to be more vocal about my feelings in the future."

The sweet smile that Haruhi gifted him with made him feel guilty, the letter that Katsu had sent to him was a testament to the fact that Haruhi's misgivings were founded. He knew that eventually he would need to confide in her but right now didn't seem to be the time.

"I love you Takashi." she whispered reverently.

Her words were like a soothing balm to his bruised ego, the conversation he had overheard between Haruhi and Misuzu all but forgotten. Takashi had known it was foolish to doubt Haruhi's feelings for him for she had never done or said anything to make him feel otherwise.

He stood and held out his hand for her, she took it and he pulled her to her feet. The tall man wrapped his arms around the woman and dropped his head so that he could kiss the lips that he loved so much. As soon as their lips touched Haruhi was eagerly returning the kiss. Takashi was surprised when Haruhi immediately deepened the kiss, her tongue seeking his out. He was barely able to stifle the groan that was building in his chest, with the stress of their upcoming exams and the extensive studying they both had done there had been little time for them to be intimate. Her kisses were making his head swim and his hold involuntarily tightened on her waist. Haruhi hummed against his lips as her small hands began to work their way beneath his thin t-shirt. Takashi hissed as her cool hand came in contact with the smooth skin of his stomach, breaking their kiss he took the moment to try to catch his breath.

He felt her hands travel up his torso, rucking his shirt up and stopping momentarily to dip into the divot of his belly button and further up to barely graze a nipple. He didn't stop himself from moaning when she lightly scraped a fingernail across his nipple causing his hips to surge forward without his command.

"Haruhi..." he husked, not sure if he wanted her to stop or to continue.

Brown eyes flicked up to meet his and he could see her desire reflected in them.

"Yes?" she asked and he was sure he saw the corner of her mouth lift on a smirk.

Takashi hardly thought it necessary to answer, he could tell by the look in her eyes and the set of her mouth that she knew exactly what he wanted. Still, they had just had a discussion about his being more open and sharing his thoughts and feelings.

"Want you." he murmured against her lips and pulled her body closer to his to display just how much he wanted her.

Haruhi whimpered and pressed her mouth to his again to continue where their last kiss had left off. The two continued in this way for several long minutes, allowing themselves the comfort of being together and mending whatever damage may have been caused by their spat earlier.

They broke their kiss again when Haruhi tugged meaningfully on Takashi's shirt, lifting it over his head before letting it fall to the floor, forgotten.

Haruhi's hands were moving lower now with the intention of ridding her boyfriend of his pants as well when there was a sharp knock on the door.

The two froze and stared wide eyed at the door for several long moments before Haruhi was able to move.

"Who is it?" she called and she was surprised by how level her voice sounded.

"Haruhi! May I come in?" came Misuzu's cheerful voice from the other side of the door.

The small woman bit her bottom lip hard and tried not to cry out of frustration. The timing for this could not have been any worse.

"Just give me a minute." she called, running a hand through her hair to try to put it back into order. She looked over at Takashi and realized he was in no way decent to let Misuzu into their room. His bare chest was flushed, his eyes dark and his pupils blown wide, not to mention the indecent way his pants were tented.

"I'm so sorry, I'll be right back." she shot over her shoulder as she opened the door and squeezed into the hallway to see what it was that Misuzu needed.

"Yes?" she asked a bit more harshly than she had meant to.

Misuzu hardly seemed to notice Haruhi's discomfort, "Oh dear, I hope I'm not interrupting anything and I really am sorry to have to ask but one of my employees called out sick and it's such a busy weekend and I was just hoping that maybe..."

Haruhi cut her off before she could continue, "You want my help?"

Misuzu nodded enthusiastically, "Oh Haruhi, does that mean you will?! I hate to ask but you already know how to check guest in and it would only be for today."

The younger woman tried not to let her exasperation to show but it was difficult. "Alright" she conceded "But only for today! I'm supposed to be on vacation with my boyfriend."

Before she was able to slip back into her room Misuzu gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. When she returned to their room Takashi was already redressed and decent.

"You heard that, did you?" she asked.

Takashi nodded, "I might as well help too I don't think you should have to suffer alone."

Haruhi laughed humorlessly, "Thanks, I guess." She was happy that he was willing to help but she felt terrible for ruining their vacation, first with her sour attitude and now with having to work.

"I'm sorry, you planned this lovely get away for us and I feel like I've made it a complete disaster."

Takashi chuckled and shook his head, "It hasn't been a disaster and we have tomorrow to do whatever you would like to do, I promise."

Haruhi smiled at her boyfriend and nodded in agreement, "I'll hold you to that." she said mischievously.

The two left their room hand in hand and met Mizusu downstairs who was waiting for them with a long list of to do's.

Hikaru sat silently looking out of the window of the plane that was due to land in Japan in a few hours. His brother sat next to him already deeply asleep but it felt as though he were a world away. As Hikaru had expected, Kaoru kept to himself for the remainder of Fashion Week and had only spoken to him when it was absolutely necessary. He desperately wished there was something he could say or do to get his brother to forgive him but he could think of nothing.

He was worried for Kaoru and the way that his brother had reacted to the entire situation did not make him feel at ease. Kyoya had mellowed a bit since their time at Ouran High School but Hikaru didn't think for one second that he was no longer able to manipulate others. What had Kaoru done to make Kyoya angry?

Hikaru had thought about contacting Tamaki to see if he knew anything but he knew that somehow it would get back to Kaoru and he did not need to do anything else to raise his brother's ire. If Kaoru was somehow being manipulated by Kyoya he wanted to help. When he thought about his options there was really only one choice that he could make.

He needed to confront Kyoya himself.

Could it be, a new chapter?! That's right, I finally finished this installment. I've had it as a draft for ages and finally decided to be proactive and finish it this evening. Thanks again to everyone who has been keeping up with this story, your support and continued interest are truly appreciated.

A/N: I'm not entirely sure about doctor and patient confidentiality so that portion of the story may not be entirely accurate.